Hey guys,

First of all, I would like to apologize for this and the coming late updates, I have a lot of very important school work as well as preparations for the coming exams, as such, I am afraid that I would not be able to post with a desired regularity.

Second of all, I want to thank everyone who has read, and will hopefully continue reading this story. Fair warning this story is going to be weird, but again hopefully enjoyable, and I will try not to go over the bend of sanity with it.

Lastly, If you happen to have any ideas, I would like you to know that any and all suggestions are welcomed, and I will try my absolute best to include your ideas, heed and consider your criticism, to make this story more enjoyable.

Thanks for reading,

yours truly,

The Author.

Chapter One: The Dragon's Call

The sun was up, high in the sky, when she neared her destination. From the long arduous journey to the threatening circumstance forcing her to make said journey, she was dead tired. As she made her way she, against her better judgment, reflected on the aforementioned circumstance, the memory still fresh…

It was a starless night, the glowing moon in the sky seeming dull and cold in comparison to the blazing village below.

It was a chaotic blur of movement, children being snatched by their parents, mothers running with their young in their arms away from danger, fathers fighting, trying to buy their families enough time to run.

She saw houses on fire, she saw the terrified running, she saw the young screaming, she saw the old, the disabled, the weak, and the unable to escape, all say their last words. She saw dark figures mounted on horses, creating the mass hysteria.

She and her mother were running around their home, packing clothes, gathering supplies, disguising her for her journey; her escape.

She remembers how her mother had held her for a moment, whispering a "be careful" and laying a kiss on her forehead, before she urged her away to safety, to Camelot.

She let out a bitter chuckle, the words 'safety' and 'Camelot' do not go together, at least not for her. Camelot was well-known for its ban on magic, and she was an enchantress, and a powerful one at that, it was suicide.

Nevertheless, it was the less dangerous choice, in addition to the fact that her mother had a friend in Camelot, the 'in high places' was pretty obvious if her mother thought him capable of keeping troubled teenage girl with uncontrollable magic punishable by death in check. This was a reassuring thought, to know someone would come to her rescue if she were caught, not that she wouldn't be able to save her own skin, but she'd rather not resort to such methods unless the situation was dire.

It was with this thought, and a bag on her back, that the enchantress disguised as a man made her to Camelot.

Dressed in the entire king's finery, Uther Pendragon made his way on to the balcony as the drumming below gathered a crowd to watch the execution.

As soon as the King had appeared, many pairs of eyes looked at him, with lightning speed. Many looked on with respect, gratefulness, and even satisfaction that their king would kill another sorcerer, thus saving them from another danger. Some looked on with fear and dread, careful to hide their sympathy for this, and every, magic user. Others looked on with raw contempt, not caring if they joined the condemned wizard, preferring to die for their beliefs than live in oppression.

And of those last few, was The Lady Morgana. Morgana will always be passionate and fanatic in her beliefs, just like her father. Uther could feel her pale green eyes on his back, both pleading and threatening him not to go through with this, to spare the boy, to let him live.

For the first month and half of her arrival she kept pleading and begging him to stop the executions, and every time he'd refuse, of course. Sometimes he'd shout that she didn't understand, more than once he'd send her to her room before she could even open her mouth, other times, in his unadulterated anger, he would grab her by her arms, so tightly that they'd bruise, and shove her away. Later, he'd go to her chambers, have a talk with her, and they both apologize to each other.

As Morgana grew older, her outspokenness against the death penalties became less frequent, though her anguish and hatred were always there, but between her restless nights, her exhaustion and his strong headiness, she deemed it a lost cause.

'he's done nothing wrong' he could already hear her say. 'She knows nothing' he tells himself every time.

His hand went up, with it the executioner's, like a doll.

His hand went down, with it the executioner's, like a doll.

The King, Uther Pendragon, has executed the man.

A screaming child has thrown another tantrum.

'Thomas is dead. Her son is dead. Her Thomas is dead!' Mary Collins let out a shaky sob, she couldn't believe it. Her son had been beheaded, right in front of her eyes, and she stood there, doing nothing. Mary felt her tears running down her face, people were starting to edge away from her. Then she heard it, those murderers were going to have celebration! Her shaking turned from grief and shock to rage and vengeance, she would avenge her son's death, even if it was the last thing she ever did. Then all hell broke loose.

In the Physician's Tower, Gaius listened in to the happenings in the square while he was preparing a sleeping draught for the Lady Morgana; her nightmares were more than strong these past few days. He heard the vengeful mother's ruckus outside and let out a pitying sigh, he seemed to be doing that a lot in the last twenty years.

As he looked down at his work he realized he had no idea what he could add to the draught to keep her nightmares at bay. 'let's check the books' he thought as he started to ascend the few stairs to his shelves.

He was engrossed in his search, he didn't notice his visitor. He had no sooner noticed the intruder than he was falling backwards, breaking the railings, to his death, or fatal injuries. He closed his eyes ready for the worst.

Instead of the unyielding pain he expected, he found himself on his bed, which was on the other side of the room; 'Magic!'

With surprising speed for his age he stood and confronted mysterious guest in his chambers. From the first glance his company appeared to be a quit young – and scrawny – man, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that it was a female.

There, in the middle of the chaos that was his room, stood a young – probably between sixteen and seventeen – woman, almost completely hidden in her men's grabs. She looked at him expectantly, and he asked himself wither she knew the crime she just committed, albeit to save his life, or not. 'Well, there's only one way to find out.'

"What did you just do?" He all but squawked.

The young woman raised an eyebrow, glanced at the upper left corner of the room, and replied: "Nothing."

"I know what it was! Where did you study?"

"I've never learned or been taught magic."

"So how is it you know magic?" Gaius asked sceptical.

"I was born like this." The girl said, like it was obvious, and he should've known as such, which made him a tad angry; that this uninvited and reckless magic user was lying to him.

"Impossible!" He exclaimed!

The lass gave a soft, almost indictable, sigh, and reached in her for something.

"Who are you?" He asked, having calmed down from his earlier shock, after letting out a tired sigh himself.

The girl seemed to have found what she was looking for in that second: a letter, and handed it him, with a sweet small – maybe forced – smile on her face.

"I don't have my glasses." Gaius said, completely calm now and bit embarrassed for this reminder of his old age's shortcomings.

"I'm Merlin." Suddenly, everything was more understandable and pleasant, and less tense and dangerous.

"Hunith's daughter!" His sister's daughter, his niece, was meant to come for help with her magic.

As realization dawned on his face, he noticed how his niece looked relived and more comfortable, probably glad to have stopped being interrogated.

"But you're not meant to be here until Wednesday." He, good naturally, asked once again.

"It is Wednesday." She kept her face completely void of emotions, which he was grateful for.

"Right then. Why don't you put your things in there?" He pointed to the back room which he had – asked other servants to – prepare for her arrival.

She flashed him the same smile from earlier, thanked him, and then made her way past him.

He called out to her when she was on the second step, and thanked her for saving his life. Her smile became genuine as she replied with a nod.

From the Griffin Landing, Morgana looked out through the window with clear and utter disgust. Uther had once again executed an innocent man, so what if he had magic; he hadn't harmed anyone, but – as Arthur had said – the king stops listening whenever he hears the word 'magic'. However, what made her skin practically crawl was that he wanted to celebrate; she couldn't believe how cruel her guardian could be sometimes.

In all honesty, it came no surprise to Merlin that she didn't have a peaceful sleep, but it was what disturbed her that did. Merlin fully expected to be plagued by nightmares all night, what with everything that has happened till today, but she didn't account for being kept awake by a mysterious voice calling her name inside her head.

So, giving up on sleep for the time being, Merlin decided to continue the unpacking she started the previous day. After she had finished, she got ready for the day; she wore her grey and black dress, put her long hair in its usual braid, and made her way down stairs.

When she saw the bucket full of water placed on the table next her breakfast, she immediately became suspicious; 'that bucket is going to fall any second,' she thought. Gaius's explanation was only further proof that he was up to something.

The moment she sat, she looked at the bucket from under her lashes, as she stirred her food a bit. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long, Gaius, accidentally, knocked over the bucket, and she instinctively subtended the bucket and water in the air for a few seconds, before she returned them back on the table.

"How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" Gaius asked, curious and awed.

"I don't know any spells." She replied as she moved the bucket to the centre of the table.

"So what did you do? There must be something."

"It just happens." 'Sometimes, in front of the wrong people,' she added mentally.

"Well, we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you. Here." Gaius placed a small sac and bottle on the table, instructed her, and then sent her on her way, with a sandwich in her hand.

The sun was shining today, the weather was pleasant, all in all, it was a nice for everyone…well, almost everyone.

Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot, was not enjoying this beautiful day. After Uther's and Morgana's argument yesterday, he had to put up with an angered king and a bitter lady for the rest of the day, which resulted in an irritable prince.

As Gwen was looking out of the window, she saw Arthur and his entourage of bullies torment poor Morris, his servant, which was not exactly a new occurrence, sadly.

Gwen understood the pressure the prince was under, everyone expected so much, the king just added to that pressure, and Morgana was of no help, with her continuous arguments with the king, leaving both of them riled up and taking out on Arthur, who intern takes out on others through bullying.

Gwen watched as Arthur threw daggers at the running Morris till he dropped the target, it rolled all the over to some peasant girl. Gwen expected the girl to step away from the target once it landed at her feet, so imagine her surprise when she place her leg on the target, 'Oh dear, this isn't going to end well,' Gwen thought.

She watched with increasing interest and dread as Arthur approached the stranger, and tried to hear as much of the conversation as she could.

"Hey, come on, that's enough." She heard the girl say with confidence.

"What?" Gwen almost laughed at how surprised Arthur was to have someone stand up to him, but she knew that it would come back to come the mysterious hero at the end if she got Arthur angry.

"You've had your fun, my friend."

"Do I know you?" Arthur was now standing in front of the lass, in comparison to him, the girl seemed so fragile and small.

"I'm Merlin." Gwen did not need to see the fake smile the girl; Merlin, gave as she held her hand out for Arthur, for she could practically hear it in the over sweet tone.

"So I don't know you." Arthur said as he rudely ignored her hand.

"No." Merlin let her hand fall back behind her back as she shook her head, the smile never fading.

"Yet you called me 'friend.'" Arthur now matched her smile with one of his own, which made Gwen grow worried for Merlin.

"That was my mistake." Gwen's worry started to disappear when she saw Merlin bow her head apologetically. 'Thank God.'

"Yes, I think so." Arthur straightened up, hands on hips, looking as smug as ever, 'Maybe Merlin shouldn't have apologized,' Gwen thought.

"Yeah, I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Gwen's hand flew to her mouth, and she let out a sound between a gasp and a surprised laugh.

"Or I one who could be so stupid." Arthur snorted as Merlin was starting to walk away. Merlin turned around so quickly, and closed the gap between her and Arthur.

"Then, why do you surround yourself with these idiots over there." Merlin said in low a voice, so only Arthur could hear her, her tone devoid for any earlier smugness, mischief, or fake sweetness, that it took Arthur by surprise, until he realized she, a commoner, was insulting his knights, but before he could defend his men, she spoke, softly, again:

"They're ruining your reputation. You're ruining your reputation, by bulling your servant; you're going to lose the trust of your people, no one wants a bully for a king."

Arthur was stunned, that much Gwen could see, whatever Merlin had said to him, must've been shocking. Before Arthur could reply, Merlin had already left.

After this interesting encounter, Gwen wanted to meet this Merlin, and know what she said that had shocked Arthur into silence.

'Maybe later.'

It was almost noon as Merlin walked around, delivering Gaius's medicines, she was stopped by a young woman's voice, calling her name from behind.

"Merlin!"

Merlin turned around, surprised that anyone knew her name, to be faced with a serving girl, smiling sweetly at her.

"Yes?" Merlin replied slowly.

"I, um, I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." Gwen nervously said, holding out her hand for Merlin.

Merlin looked at Gwen closely, she was very beautiful; curly, brown hair, warm brown eyes, rare dark complexion, and she seemed like a nice and sweet, if not a bit shy, person. Merlin smiled warmly and shook Gwen's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Guinevere. I'm Merlin, but I guess you already knew that."

"Yes, I, ah, saw you earlier, talking to the prince. I saw what you did. It was so brave."

Merlin amusedly raised her eyebrow, thanking Gwen.

"But, I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him."

"Oh, I can beat him," Merlin snorted, which surprised Gwen

"You think? I mean, you don't seem that strong." Gwen reasoned, because, Merlin didn't look intimidating at all, let alone to beat someone like Arthur, but she looked like a delicate porcelain doll.

Merlin, jokingly, narrowed her eyes at Gwen, wiping traces of her earlier amusement, and said: "You underestimate me, Gwen."

"Oh, no, sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I-"

"It's fine, Gwen. I was joking."

Gwen smiled again, and they talked a bit more, before she bid her goodbye, having to go to attend to Morgana.

Merlin finished her deliveries, and made her way back to the Physician's Chambers. She was greeted by the sight of Gaius brewing another potion, probably for her to deliver, too.

"So, how was your first day in Camelot?" He said without looking up from his work.

"Pretty normal, delivered medicines, made a new friend, argued with the prince…" Gaius's head shot up so quickly, and he glared at her. 'Here comes fun,' she thought.

"Merlin!" He shouts, exasperated. He turned around his work table, and stood in front of her, then sighed.

"You never cease to amaze me! The one thing that someone like you should do is keep your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot."

"It wasn't as bad as you think, I said what I wanted to say, stunned him into silence, and walked away before the situation got out of control, no harm done." Merlin tried to sound as calm and reassuring as possible, which seemed to work, but Gaius still gave her a disapproving look.

"This time maybe. See that it never happens again."

"Yes." Merlin nodded her head, apologetically.

"Your mother asked me to look after you." He said, raising his eyebrow expectantly.

"I know, I'm sorry." At her apology, Gaius sighed tiredly.

"What did your mother say to you about your gifts?" He asked, curiously.

"That I was special."

"You are special; the likes of which I have never seen before." Gaius replied, nodding. 'Interesting,' she thought

"What do you mean?"

"Well, magic requires incantations, spells. It takes years to study. What I saw you do was... elemental, instinctive."

Merlin nodded, going over what Gaius was saying, then snorted.

"What's the point if it can't be used?"

"That I do not know. You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin."

"Did you ever study magic?"

"Uther banned all such work twenty years ago."

She knew that, she witnessed a sorcerer's execution yesterday, for God's sake, but..

"Why?"

"People used magic for the wrong end at that time. It threw the natural order into chaos. Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, even the dragons."

Merlin thought that there was something else that had happened, people were using magic before Uther ruled, and after he was crowned king for a time, too, which led her to believe that there was a specific incident that fuelled Uther's hatred for magic.

Then, what Gaius said about the dragons, didn't the king say something about a Great Dragon, yesterday.

"What? All of them? What about the Great Dragon he talked about capturing in his celebration announcement?"

"Yes, there was one dragon he chose not to kill, kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle where no one can free it."

Gaius placed a bowl on the table, and turned to her, saying: "Now, eat up. When you've finished, I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice."

Night came, and Arthur was in his chambers, at his table, having supper, and thinking about his weird encounter with the mysterious beauty today.

He was still shocked about what she had said, 'Was he really ruining his reputation?'

If it was any other person, like Morgana, he would've just said that he was just having fun, she didn't know what she was saying, and just to mind her own business.

Now, though, it didn't seem true. He didn't want to believe it, but it made sense; no one would want an immature king, who bullies his subjects, which what Morgana always, in unkindly ways, said.

Then again, why is he listening to a stranger he just saw today, and not Morgana, who he knew almost all his?

However, every time Morgana would disapprove of his actions, she always spoke in an angry and demanding tone, which reminded him of how his father would angrily, and condescendingly, order him to do, or forbid him of doing something, but the girl, Merlin, spoke softly, in a disapproving tone, yes, but not an unkind one, almost like one of a mother.

Another thing that filled his thoughts about earlier was the young woman herself; she was beautiful. Being a prince gave him the opportunity to see the prettiest and most attractive ladies; dressed in the finest silk, wearing expensive jewellery, and hair and makeup prepared hours before, but Merlin was naturally beautiful, without all that.

Merlin's skin was as white as snow, putting Morgana's to shame. Her hair, the darkest he had ever seen, was done in a messy French braid. Merlin also had big doll eyes, which were ocean green, the fullest cherry lips, and a cute button nose, but there was also something.., he couldn't put his finger one it, like some force pulling him to her.

Arthur felt silly, he was obsessing over this girl that he had only just met, and will likely never meet again, but he couldn't help himself.

'Maybe tomorrow,' He thought, sighing at his pathetic state.

Merlin walked up Spiral Stairway across the Balcony Corridor, knocked, entered Lady Helen's guest chamber, and instantly felt an unfamiliar magic in the room's atmosphere.

While she absentmindedly put the potion bottle on the vanity table, she looked around the room suspiciously, and then she noticed an effigy and a special book, a magic book.

Before she could snoop around a bit longer, she heard footsteps, she quickly returned everything to its place, and walked away from the vanity table, when door opened, and in stepped Lady Helen.

"What are you doing in here?" The lady reproachfully asked.

"I was delivering a potion form the Court physician for your throat." Merlin said as she spared a glance at the vanity table, where, in the mirror, she didn't see Lady Helen's reflection, but that of an old woman, Mary Collins.

Merlin made sure not to give any sign that she saw the sorceress's true form, curtseyed, and quickly left.

The next day started out the same as the day before for Merlin; she woke up, got dressed, and was sent on her way to run some errands for Gaius in the lower town.

As Merlin walked across the square to the lower town, she passed Arthur and his gang from yesterday, when one of them said:

"Hey, isn't that the strange lass from yesterday?"

"Oh, yeah, the foolish girl," said another one of the idiotic knights.

"She's pretty, pity, she's vain," replied another.

"Aren't all women!"

They all broke into laughter then, and Merlin tried – she really did – to just walk away, but then…

"Aw, don't run away!"

Merlin stopped, and she silently apologized to Gaius for breaking her promise.

"From you?" She asked, smugly, as she turned around, and walked towards the idiots.

"Thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb." Arthur sighed.

In her opinion, Arthur was the one who was deaf as well as dumb, if he wanted to continue bullying, thus ruining his reputation, then again, it would be his problem, not hers, why was she all concerned?

"Look, I already said what I had to say, yesterday, milords" she said confidently, then, raising an eyebrow and smirking, continued:

"Or did you not catch it? I could repeat it, if you'd like, more loudly this time."

Arthur tilted his head saying: "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, no, anything for you, sire." Merlin mockingly said, faking a sweet tone, a sweet smile, and a curtsey. Then before Arthur could reply, she did just that.

"You are an arse, and an idiot, who can't choose friends well."

Just as the last word left her mouth, the annoying band of knights' faces turned red with anger. She was surprised to see that Arthur still looked on with amusement, but with added irritation.

"How dare you!" roared one of the immature knights.

"Sire, you can't stand for this!" shouted another.

Arthur turned to him, asking what he suggests he do, to which another knight took out a mace, and started to get ready to fight, but Arthur quickly stopped him, saying:

"She's woman, you can't harm her that would be cowardly."

"But, sire, she insulted us!"

"No, she insulted me. I will take care of this."

Merlin watched, intrigued, as Arthur made his way to her, took her by the arm, and lead her a few meters away.

"Do you have a death wish?" He asked

"Maybe. What is it to you? You're a prince; you can't be bothered by such small things."

"As a prince, it is my job to take care of my people."

"So, is bullying your way to take care of your people?"

"I wasn't bullying my servant; I was having a bit of fun."

"Throwing daggers at your servant, as he was doing his job, attending to you, is fun to you? I'd hate to be your servant."

"I would hate to have you as my servant, too."

"Well, if that will be all, sire, I think I'll take my leave."

Merlin snatched her arm from Arthur's hold, just noticing it was there, and made her way back home.

As Mary, disguised as Lady Helen, was sitting with Uther, she could feel her skin crawl, and her blood boil, oh, how she wanted to kill him right now.

"Yes. It's certainly too late for Arthur."

'All in good time, Mary'

Morgana woke up that morning, exhausted; another nightmare-full night. However, her dreams were less terrifying, and more confusing and disturbing; she didn't know what to make of it.

After she had gone through her morning routine, she asked Gwen to get her a sleeping draught from Gaius. She sat there, contemplating what her dream meant.

In her dream, she saw the throne room, dark and empty, except for two dark figures, a man, who was maliciously smiling, and woman, who sat on the throne, wearing a bejewelled crown. She couldn't remember their faces, however hard she tried to.

She gave up trying to make sense of her dream, and went to the dressing screen, when someone walked in. She didn't bother looking, assuming it was Gwen, and started talking.

"You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole. Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?"

As she started undressing, she heard a knock, someone clearing their throat, and saying:

"I'm sorry, milady, but I'm not Gwen."

Startled, Morgana made her way around the screen to see her company. She saw a slightly younger woman than herself, with pale skin, dark hair, and light-coloured eyes, she looked familiar.

"No problem. Who are you?"

"I'm Merlin. I have your sleeping draught from Gaius."

Morgana took the small vail, holding it near, protectively, and thanked Merlin, who smiled in response.

"Have I seen you somewhere? You look familiar."

"I don't believe so. I've only been in Camelot for three days, milady."

Morgana felt silly, it must her exhaustion. Gwen arrived that moment looking surprised to see Merlin there.

Morgana thanked Merlin again, who, after that, left, and started to change into her other dress.

"So, it's whether I wear this little tease..." Morgana said, looking at her dress in the mirror, and then she held up a maroon gown, smirking.

"Or give them a night they'll really remember."

As Merlin listened to Lady Helen's, she found her voice silky smooth, but by the second note she could feel her magic boiling inside her; something was wrong.

Merlin looked around and saw people falling asleep left and right, she hurriedly covered her ears, but then noticed that she was unaffected either way.

She saw, with a growing sense of dread, as Lady Helen made her way to the high table, eyes set on Arthur, as she started to reveal a dagger.

Merlin looked around for a way to stop her, not questioning why, when her eyes noticed the chandelier.

Merlin took a deep breath, looked intently at the chandelier, and willed it to fall.

'I'd hate to be your servant.'

'I would hate to have you as my servant, too.'

Well, you can't fight destiny.