Chapter 3: Dragons Call
"Merlin," called a deep raspy voice "MERLIN!"
I jumped up as the voice yelled. There was no way it was a dream and the way my room was now a mess my magic had reacted. Gaius came barging in the door and realized what had happened with my magic.
"You need to be careful child," he said "Now get dressed and come eat. Then I have an elixir for you to take,"
"For me to take," I said as he left. I dressed quickly and came out to eat. There on the table was a was a vial next to my water.
"Drink it," he said before sitting down.
"Tell me what it does first," I said staring at the strange mud brown liquid.
"Your pheromones have started," he said "after you had your spar I noticed it. This won't stop it but as long as you take it every morning you will have less scent. It will stay near a Beta level. If you miss one dose it will slowly wear off but once you miss the second you will have your full ranked scent by the end of that day,"
"I thought the bangle stopped that," I said
"It does not stop your smell as you are to high of rank," he said "It wont completely hide it now either. Even over night I can still smell it on you and my nose is not as strong as it once was. Your little display yesterday started it and I know you washed last night so it is not lingering sweat. I am also going to suggest you have more cloths as if you wear the same to much your scent will linger and it will become noticeable."
"I can't afford that,"
"I can help and there is a young maid that will as well," he said "I know you also don't like dresses but I can get you some work serving at feasts along with helping me,"
"Alright," I said downing the foul liquid nearly gagging. "That is nasty,"
"Good now finish up," he said "I have somethings I need you to deliver some medicine before the feast tonight,"
"Feast?"
"Yes and you will be my guest," he said. "This is for Lady Kate and this for Mr. Edwards. Then bring this to Lady Helena its for her voice if she asks. This last one is for Princess Morgana just inform her I wanted her to have it before the feast so she can take it after. Also she can show you to Gwen who can help you find a dress,"
"Yes uncle," I said grabbing the vials and was off. With a little help I was able to find my way around. I braced myself entering the castle were the Alpha scents was concentrated. I was directed to Lady Helena who snapped at me but I handed her the vial and she thanked me. Then it was to the Princess.
"I don't see why I have to go to the idiotic feast," she said behind the screen. "I can't even mingle with anyone without Uther becoming angry."
"I am sorry to hear that my lady," I said she then poked her head out revealing her ink black hair and emerald eyes. "Sorry to interrupt but I was let in by your guard. Gaius sent me with you nightly medicine that way you have it."
"Its alright," she said "Who are you?"
"Merlin,"
"Oh the one that fought Sir Gwaine yesterday,"
"Yes," I said.
"My brother spoke highly of your style. Is there any other reason you are here?"
"Your maid Gwen," I said "Gaius told me to see her about a dress for tonight."
"Your Gaius new ward," I turned to see a darker skinned girl roughly my age.
"I am his niece Merlin," I said
"Oh my brother told me," she said though I was a little confused before she clarified "Sir Elyan. I am Guinevere but everyone calls me Gwen for short. Gaius said you are going to the feast,"
"As his guest this time but probably be serving at the rest,"
"Well then I have a dress for this one," said Morgana before she disappeared to her wardrobe room. When she had reappeared she held a beautiful blue gown. It was high back and chest, though as small spot would show my cleavage but would expose my shoulders. The sleeves of the gown flowed and were wider at the end. There was a silver belt even that would push up my breasts. "This was mine when I was younger and I only wore it once since I didn't care for the color."
"I can't accept this my lady," I said as I felt the dress was expensive silk.
"Don't worry Merlin," she said holding the dress to me. "I have given many of my dresses away. If you are worried about Uther he won't even realize. They color goes well on your tanner skin then mine. And your white scales will show nicely. As for jewelry…,"
"You have that choker a merchant gave you," Gwen said. "You never wear it and it would go well with the silver belt."
"True." she said "Why don't you come back in a few hours and we can help you dress."
"My lady this is…,"
"Don't worry," she said "Tell Gaius I will have you as my guest that way you can have some more freedom."
"Yes my…,"
"And call me Morgana as long as we aren't around stuffy nobles," I nodded and was off. I was excited and went to tell Gaius the voice returned.
"Come hatchling" it called "follow the dragon torches,"
I followed the call down toward the dungeons. There I was told of a hidden door at the base of the stairs to take. All the torches lit and I went down a set of stairs and into a large cave. At there base of the stairs was a large platform looking at a stone with a chain attached.
"So small for one so strong," the owner of the voice appeared. A large golden dragon flew and rested on the stone. "I honestly never thought the day would come that I would see this destiny begin. A Pure Alpha female has never existed since the times of old."
"I have been told as much," I said
"You have your fathers attitude," he said with a laugh
"Do you know where he is?" I asked
"Now is not the time for you to meet youngling," he said "This is about your destiny to protect the Once and Future King,"
"Guessing Arthur,"
"Yes young one," he said with a smile "Arthur will face many challenges and you are his hope. He will become the king a united Albion needs with you by his side."
"So my magic was give to protect a prince," he nodded "Great how am I going to do that when he will likely burn me for it,"
"He is not is father trust the boy," he said before flying away. I called for him but all I got was a gravely laugh echoing. I then left back to my chambers before heading to Morgana's again.
~Later~
I went to Morgana's a few hours later. She had apparently cleared it with Uther during my time away. Gaius was glad I would be cared for but warned me to be cautious.
It was strange but Morgana had a bath ready for me in her chambers that was scented so I could wash up there. I was thankful though she let me do this on my own. They both helped my into the dress and with my hair placing it up being held by a silver hair comb with a dragon. Gwen was able to alter the dress to fit perfectly. I was surprisingly busty for my age according to them so the dress made me look better endowed. They were even able to find shoes that fit me somewhere in the castle.
The choker was beautiful. It was in a hing and clasped in the back. It was pure silver and did match the dress. Thankfully so did my bangle so it didn't look strange. Due to the band my scales were a pearly white instead of metallic silver and only showed at a Beta level. Morgana made it clear even that I could keep it all as sliver clashed with her pale skin.
Morgana was not to be out shined had a more risky red dress with gold sewn into it. Her darker red Beta scales shown proudly. She stayed behind to finish up but I was escorted to the hall by a guard. I entered first but kept my head down at the over whelming Alpha scents. Gwaine seeing me enter quickly escorted me to were him and the others of his group was sitting.
"Don't worry," Gwaine said as he looped his arm around mine. "We saved you a seat,"
"Thanks," I said "it is a bit over whelming with all the scents,"
"You will be accustomed to it over time," he said. "You look amazing,"
"I look like a child playing dress up," I said
"No I would go with Gwaine," I turned to see Arthur. "He may be a ladies man but he knows a respectable beauty when he sees one,"
"You highness," I said doing my best to curtsy as I was not accustomed to a dress.
"You will be distraction of the night am afraid," he said with a laugh.
"I am not so sure," I said "Morgana is more beautiful then I am. She is also full grown where I have yet to fully see my fourteenth year,"
"All those here have seen Morgana," Elyan said "You are something new,"
"So is this Morgana's new friend," I looked to see the man that had to be King Uther and next to him another Alpha. "Gaius niece she said,"
"Yes father this is Merlin," Arthur said "She is a Beta from an out lying village,"
"Not many Beta's out their," said the other man. "What brought you here?"
"To learn Sire's," I said "We had no Beta's to learn from at home and Gaius has asked me to be his apprentice as well,"
"I see," Uther said before leaving. The other man did linger though.
"It is good to see some fresh blood," he said "I am Sir Leon's father Wyatt. He told me about your spar yesterday with Sir Gwaine quite impressive. I look forward to seeing you fight myself. And may I say silver is a good color on you,"
He then walked away and I felt like I could breath. A look from Gaius said that I did very well for my first encounter. I could now relax a bit and was invited to dance by Gwaine. I accepted and we danced though I wasn't to good at it.
When Morgana entered the room everyone stopped and watched. My surprise though the attention didn't stay one her for long. As we sat down, with myself and the knights directly on Arthur's right, Uther stood.
"I welcome you friends and esteemed guests," He said "This year marks 16 years since the purge of magic began and this month make 15 since the capture of the Great Dragon. We are here to celebrate the peace and prosperity these years has brought us,"
"Is he serious," I whispered to Gwaine who nodded with an eye roll. He knew the truth at least. The farther from the center of Camelots the worse it got. Why he captured a dragon was ridiculous enough as we came from there magic. We were there kin as much as Uther didn't want to admit it.
"For your pleasure we have Lady Helena of Mora to preform for us tonight." The Lady then entered as he sat and smiled. The smile was far from sweat and as she started to sing something felt strange. Looking around people were yawning and dossing off webs even begin to cover them.
I covered my ears as it started to effect me. The Lady didn't seem to take notice that I was still very much aware of what was happening. Her eyes were focused on her target, the now sleeping prince. She raised a dagger intent to throw it but I stood looking for help. With none to be seen I did what I had to do.
I knew I had to use magic and could feel my eyes change from their icy blue to the molten silver flecked with gold. The chain of the chandler snapped falling on her and breaking the spell. Everyone started to wake but all seemed dazed. It was also no longer Lady Helena but an old women under the chandler.
"Its the witch from the execution," I heard someone whisper. Before anyone could move to check her head came up and she threw the knife. Thats when my instinct took over and time seemed to slow. I was on the end of the knights table and there for closest to Arthur who was the target. He was still waking from the spell.
With time at a crawl to me I was able to wrap my arm around him and pull the prince from this seat where the knife embedded into the chair. Time started moving at a normal speed and I lost my balance causing us to come crashing to the floor. He looked at me in shock before Leon and Gwaine helped us to our feet.
"You saved my son," Uther said.
"As is my duty," I said
"No this calls for something quiet special,"
"No sire," I said trying to be modest. Arthur, who had brushed himself off, went and whispered to his father. Uther seemed shocked and asked if he was sure before Arthur nodded and whispered something else.
"Well my son has a request," he said "You are to be made his personal guard under his command and if you can prove your worth I will see to it you are knighted. For the time being you will be learning skills directly for him and his knights,"
I was speechless. Gwaine was patting me on the shoulder on to stop when I winced. The knife had apparently skimmed my upper arm. Once he noticed he apologized and called Gaius over who began to fuss. I was then brought back to chambers to be patched up.
"You will need to extremely careful," he said as he cleaned my shoulder. "I am proud of you though,"
"Thank you Gaius," I said as he finished up and I started a letter home.
*POV Arthur*
I wasn't completely aware of what was happening until an arm wrapped around me. I heard the blade thunk into the chair and a thud as I hit the ground. I opened my eye completely aware and looking into the eyes of the person that saved me and was shocked to see fading silver flecked gold eyes turning to icy blue. It was Merlin and with her eyes I knew she possessed some kind of magic.
It wasn't the first time I had seen magic but the first time I saw silver. Magic users eyes turned to molten gold when they used it. My father would think I was weak for not mentioning what I saw but she saved my life. Why if she was dangerous would she save my life when if I died Uther would be without a male heir and likely magic could return.
I was pulled up by Leon and brushed myself off. Gaius had come over and evaluated me quickly as my father spoke.
"You saved my son," he said
"As is my duty," Merlin said brushing herself off.
"No this calls for something quiet special," he said
"No sire," she said in protest and I knew this was my chance. I walked up to my father and started to whisper.
"Father she has shown fighting skill," I said "Lasted 5 minutes with Sir Gwaine even. With training she will be formidable. No kingdom would expect a women coming from Camelot and she could get to places my man could not. Might I suggest she becomes a body guard for now and maybe a knight later. I and Sir Leon can get her into fighting shape."
"Are you sure?" he asked and I nodded
"She is even learning form Gaius so if I require medical aid she can give it in the field better then my knights when she has learned some," I said.
"Well my son has a request," he said "You are to be made his personal guard under his command and if you can prove your worth I will see to it you are knighted. For the time being you will be learning skills directly for him and his knights,"
I looked to see her mouth wide as she was speechless. Gwaine went to clasp her shoulder in a sign of camaraderie but she tensed. He brought his hand up and there was some blood. She had been hit with the blade as she had pulled me away. I want to help but my father would have greatly disapproved. Gwaine called Gaius over who began to fuss her. He soon took her away.
The feast went on and was uneventful. I returned to my room where Morris waited for me. I dismissed him with orders to have Merlin come to my chambers and have two breakfasts in the morning so we could discuss her new position. Then I went to sleep with the silver eyes still in my mind.
So yea chapter 3. Thats all I got at the end this time review with any questions and I will send you a message or answer it her at the end. It might even get solved in later chapters.
