Unexpected Arrival

Merlin eyes flung open. He shot up in his bed and slowly leant towards his door. Had he imagined the crash from the room below him? He listened for a few moments waiting for the telltale signs of someone moving around or the typical curses of Gaius if he had dropped another one of his precious vials. Satisfied that he had imagined the crash below, he decided that he might as well get up , as sooner or later Gaius would be yelling at him to get up and stop being so lazy.

Merlin groaned, he hadn't got much sleep last night as all his muscles seemed to seize up after Arthur making him clean out the stables ... again. Shrugging on his, white tunic and trousers, he yawned and went down stairs. A strange sight met his eyes. A young woman was lying apparently unconscious on the floor of Gaius's office, not too far away from the fireplace. This was particularly strange but what the woman was wearing was even more so. She appeared to be wearing strange, blue trousers that clung to her and a short green tunic top. Hanging round her neck was a small pendant on a thin golden chain and clutched in her hand was a short wooden stick. Brushing this aside Merlin rushed over and gently turned the woman over, she appeared to be breathing but with further investigation Merlin discovered easily bruises covering her what appeared to be pretty face spreading down her arms and disappearing into her top.

"Gaius!" Merlin yelled. He heard a groan from upstairs followed by Gaius thundering down the steps. Gaius appeared in the doorway apparently having just woken up. He ran a hand through his unruly grey hair and groaned again.

"Well Merlin, I'm all for you getting up a bit earlier but this are stretching even my boundaries". He grumbled. The woman let out a high pitched wail. Gaius finally noticing her presence ran over to Merlin's side and gently placed his hand on the woman's head.

"She's running a fever. Quick Merlin, lift her onto the bench and send a message to Arthur. I don't think you will be able to assist him in the hunt today". Merlin nodded carefully scooping the woman up into his arms, she groaned the sudden movement obviously causing her discomfort. Merlin carefully placed her onto Gaius's setae and made to send a message to Arthur but found that the woman had entangled herself into him and was holding onto his shirt with a vice like grip.

"Umm... Gaius" He whispered not wanting to disturb her again. Gaius walked over, with a soft wet towel and motioned for Merlin to place it onto her head and if she awoke give her some of the water he had prepared and left by his side. Gaius then swept out of the room apparently to go give Arthur the message as Merlin continued to place the towel over the woman's forehead.

Closer up the girl appeared to be a lot younger than he had first expected around the same age as himself and his first impression that she was pretty was also incorrect in short , she was beautiful. Ignoring the bruising and the scars from battles past, she had a beautiful heart shaped face, perfect porcelain skin without a freckle or blemish and perfect full lips that were parted to reveal sparkling white teeth.

The girl then gave a short gasp and groaned once more. She clutched her head where do doubt she had a splitting head ache due to the bruise that was now appearing on her forehead due to the cold compress. Merlin gently touched her arm to which she flinched from the sudden contact and opened her eyes to reveal warm, brown eyes. Her eyes flickered around the room.

"Where am I?" She whispered. Merlin gently took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You're in Camelot and your safe we're going to look after you." The girl's eyes turned to him, as if she had only just seen him. "Camelot?" she asked her eyebrows raising into her long curly hair, "as in the ancient city of Camelot? The Knights of the Round Table and all that?" she slumped back onto the setae. "Oh my god!" she whispered. She clutched at the small necklace that was smoking around her neck emitting a golden haze. "Bugger! I suppose you don't use a Portkey with a time turner on" she pursed her lips and turned to Merlin.

"I'm so sorry, I am being really rude. I'm Hermione Granger" she stuck out her hand for Merlin to shake but she didn't expect Merlin to gently place his lips to her hand, the traditional welcome between ladies and gentlemen in Camelot. Hermione blushed suddenly noticing how handsome, the young man in front of her was he had the most beautiful blue eyes. Merlin smiled at her blush. "I'm Merlin" he said giving her a slight nod with his head.

Hermione's head turned slowly round and her mouth dropped open. "What ?" she whispered,