Disclaimer: I own nothing. I just changed the characters because I'm bored. I make to profit from this. No copyright infringement blah blah etc.
In a land of Myth and a time of magic
The destiny of a great kingdom rest on the shoulders of a young girl
Her name
Myrlinna
Myrlinna's village was being attacked by bandits. Hunith, her mother had been granted an audience with king Uther thanks to Arthur he and Myrlinna had a secret relationship. Which Myrlinna had been very careful to hide from her mother for fear of dissaproval it wasn't as if she was sleeping with him but even so.
"Food is scarce and there are many children some of them just wouldn't survive. There's barely enough food as it is and if Kanen takes our harvest our children won't live to see another summer. Please we need your help." Hunith begged, Myrlinna's eyes met Arthur's her message was clear. Help my village please.
"Aeldor's in Sendry's kingdom it's his responsibility." Uther dismissed.
"Our king cares little for the outland regions, you're our only hope." Hunith replied.
"I have the deepest sympathy for you I would have this barbarian wiped of the face of the earth but I cannot help you." Uther said,he sounded genuinely sorry.
"Surely we can spare a few men?" Arthur asked.
"Resources are not the problem to send an army into Sendry's borders would be an act of war."
Hunith dropped to her knees "I know you are a good king, I beg you please, help us."
"I cannot risk the lives of hundreds of people for one villge. Camelot cannot help you. I'm sorry." Uthers logic was understandable but that didn't make it any easier for Myrlinna to hear the refusal. She had to go home. She had to help.
She found Arthur on the balcony and stood next to him.
"I'm sorry" said Arthur.
"It's not your fault, thank you for getting us the audience."
"If it were up to me we'd be on our way now."
She smiled weakly "I know." Then she took a deep breath. "I'm going back to Aeldor."
"I understand."
"Well, it's been an honour serving you. I'll never forget you, Arthur Pendrgon."
Arthur turned sharply, "you're coming back?"
"She's my mother, I have to care for her before anyone else."
"I don't want you to leave. I love you." Arthur argued. "Stay with me." he took a deep breath, " stay with me one day I will make you my queen."
"Arthur...I" Myrlinna didn't know what to say. She so desperately wanted to say yes but Uther would not allow it. She would be Arthur's wife one day but she had to wait.
"No listen, do you understand? I'm asking you to marry me."
"I can't I have to go home. They need me. I'm sorry." She rambled.
"Then I'm going with you."
Arthur and Myrlinna where stopped by Gwen and Morganna riding toward them.
"Wait," called Morganna, "we're coming with you." Gwen was dressed in boys clothes like Myrlinna. Morganna wore an expensive looking riding outfit.
"It's too dangerous." Myrlinna said.
"No more than it is for you." Morganna replied with her usual defiance but it was friendly defiance.
Gwen handed Myrlinna a bag of armour well chainmail a shoulder plate and wrist cuffs and a sword. "This is for you."
"Thank you," Myrlinna said accepting the gift. "Are you sure about this Gwen?"
"You'd do the same for us. You saved my life."
"And helped me get the druid boy out of Camelot." Morganna added.
"Absolutely not, protecting one woman is bad enough, let alone three." Arthur argued.
"And what makes you think we need protecting?" demanded Myrlinna indignantly.
"Yes Arthur we can fight as well, remember whan I used to beat you?"
Myrlinna laughed earning herself a glare from Arthur.
"We're not leaving." Morganna insisted.
"Let them come Arthur. We won't get rid of them so we may as well except it." Myrlinna persuaded.
Arthur sighed and finally relented "Alright."
"They shouldn't be here. Especially lady Morganna, she's the kings ward." Hunith told her daughter as they sat under the stars that night. Luckily Hunith had missed the argument earlier with Gwen and Morganna. As she had gone to fetch supplies. So was unaware about her daughter and the Prince.
"I couldn't stop them. Besides they can fight even Morganna."
"Do they know about your gift?"
"No."
"What do you think they'll do if they find out?"
"Have me killed, and that makes me feel even more guilty. If they knew. They would depise me."
"They musn't find out."
"Don't worry they won't do."
Hunith kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Goodnight."
Leaving Myrlinna alone with her thoughts.
"Get soome sleep, Myrlinna. And put the fire out." Arthur said coming up behind her. Myrlinna wedged herself inbetween her Mother and Arthur in the row of sleeping bags. She shivered and felt Arthurs arms around her she snuggled up to his chest and fell asleep feeling safe in his arms. Maybe the destiny the dragon predicted for her wouldn't be so bad after all.
When they rode into the village the bandits were there they were raiding for food. They were about to kill Matthew. Arthur rode in on his horse and Morganna, Gwen and Myrlinna began to fight. Myrlinna found herself pushed up against the wall her sword against that of a bandits. He was much stronger than her. She couldn't win. She muttered a few magic words and the bandit's sword turned red hot and he dropped it clutching his wrist. Myrlinna stabbed him. She couldn't believe she'd just killed a man. Between them the four friends from Camelot drove of the bandits. Including one amusing incident where Morganna saved Arthur's life.
"Up to your old magic tricks again? I thought we said we didn't want your kind around here." She turned.
"Hello Will." she embraced the young man. Her oldest friend.
"I heard you were acting as a skivy for some prince."
"I'm not just some skivy."
"Myrlinna gather the villagers I need to talk to them." Arthur called ruining the moment.
"Yeah in a minute i'm just talking."
"Now."
Arthur was jealous. Myrlinna noticed him give Will a glare as he walked off. He was being foolish. She and Will had the same sort of relationship as Arthur and Morganna.
"I know Kanan's kind, he'll be back and when he is. We have to be ready for him." Arthur called out across the vilage.
"Is anyone else wondering who this bloke is?" Will interrupted.
"Prince Arthur of Camelot." Arthur replied.
"Yeah and I'm prince Willim of Aeldor." Will replied sarcastically.
"Hush he's trying to help us." Hunith hissed.
"You've made things worse. They'll come back for revenge you've just signed our death warrants." He shouted at Arthur.
"He saved Matthew's life." Hunith told him.
"Go on then this is your village what would you have us do?" Arthur asked Will.
"We can't fight them."
"Then what's the alternitive?"
"Give him what he wants."
"Then what thoose of you who don't starve to death will have to face him next year and the year after that. We have to stop him."
"Men like you just want the honour and glory of battle. Go and risk the lives of your own people." Will stormed of. Myrlinna ran after him.
"He knows what he's doing you have to trust him." She told Will.
Will ignored her and finished tidying up his house. "Look when I first met Arthur I was exactly like you. I thought he was pompous and arrogant." She explained.
"Well nothings changed there then." Will said angrily.
"But in time I began to respect him for what he stands for, what he does."
"What he stands for? Princes and kings and all men like him."
"Will don't bring what happened to your father into this."
"I'm not, why are you defending him so much your just his servant."
"He's also my friend."
"Freiends don't lord it over another friend."
"It isn't like that."
"Well lets see when the fighting begins who he sends in to die first, I guarentee it won't be him. You're a woman you don't have to worry but thoose like me will be the first to die."
"I'm fighting alongside the men and I trust Arthur with my life."
"Is that so, so he knows your secret then?"
"No." She said quietly.
"Face it Myrlinna you're living a lie just like you were here. You're Arthur's servant nothing more."
"You know something Will?"
"What?"
"He asked me to marry him yesterday."
"What?" Will turned to face his friend in shock.
"And I turned him down because of my secret. I'll never be just a servant but I can never tell him my secret."
"Have you always slept on the floor Myrlinna?" Arthur asked that night they slept in Hunith's house. Somehow they had ended up in each others arms. If anyone walked in they would be in trouble. But at the moment that didn't matter.
"Yes my bed in Camelots luxury by comparison."
"It must have been hard."
"Yes, as a rock."
Arthur chuckled slightly. "I didn't mean the ground I meant life generally."
"I didn't know any different life's simpler here. We all work together. As long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your head you're happy."
"it sounds...nice."
"You'd hate it."
"Probably, why'd you leave."
"Things just changed."
"How?" He kicked her legs with his foot but not hard and said "come on stop pretending to be intresting, tell me."
For moment Myrlinna considered telling the truth. But it was better Arthur not knowing if he did he wouldn't love her anymore she was sure of that.
"I just didn't fit in anymore."
She turned so hers and Arthur's faces were almost touching she smiled. "I'm not sure yet."
Then Arthur changed the subject. Typical man thought Myrlinna but she was glad they were off the topic of her past.
"I start training the men tomorrow. It's going to be a long day." He closed his eyes and Myrlinna slippedinto sleep listening to Arthur's breathing.
Morganna and Gwen walked in when Myrlinna was helping Arthur put on his jacket.
"Still not learned how to dress yourself?" asked Morganna.
"You don't have a dog so you can fetch the stick yourself. No offense Myrlinna." Arthur still treated her pretty bady sometimeswhen other people were around as a cover but Myrlinna didn't care she knew it was an act.
"None taken."
Arthur took a mouthful of breakfast winced and handed it to Gwen.
"Come on lets go." He left followed by Morganna and Gwen. Myrlinna was rushing into her boots and jacket having not had time as she was helping Arthur and Hunith took her aside and said to her,
"he must care for you a great deal." Myrlinna tensed before saying.
"He'd do the same for anyone that's just the way he is."
"It's more than that he's here for you."
"I'm just his servant." Myrlinna dismissed hoping her mother would leave the subject alone.
"Give him more credit than that he likes you maybe more than that."
Myrlinna said "He doesn't know me if he did i'd probably be dead by now."
"You don't really believe that do you?" Hunith smiled sadly.
"What else am I supposed to believe?" Myrlinna returned the sad smile and left.
Myrlinna headed to the forest she heard Will call to her.
"Myrlinna where are you going with that, you and I both know you don't need an axe to cut down a tree."
"Why are you being like this?" Myrlinna demanded.
"You know why. Why did you leave?" Will said trying to change the subject.
"Mother was worrying, she found out you knew." Will sat down on a log and Myrlinna sat beside him.
"I wouldn't have told anyone."
"I know."
"It wouldn't be a problem you taking the bandits on your own would it?" he asked.
"I don't think so." Myrlinna replied staring straight ahead and not looking at Will.
"Then do it. So what if Arthur finds out?"
"You don't understand. I spoke to the great dragon. One day Arthur will be a great king and I will be a great sorceress and his wife. It is my destiny to help him. I can't do that if I'm banished from Camelot."
"Are you telling me you're going to keep your magic secret for Arthurs sake rather than to protect your friends and family?Are you teling me you'd rather become queen than save Aeldor?"
"It's not like that. You don't understand."
"I understand too well." Will left.
Myrlinna, Morganna and Gwen all approached Arthur.
"Will there be enough weapons?" asked Arthur.
"It's not the weapons it's having enugh people to use them." Gwen said.
"We think the women should be able to fight." said Myrlinna. "And as for me, I will fight with of without your permission."
"I order you not to fight then." Arthur told her.
"You can't order me not to die Arthur. You can order me to die but you can't order me not to."
"I will not loose you."
"You won't I'll survive I was just making a point."
Morganna cut in "there's not enough people Arthur, if they were trained soldiers they might stand a chance but their not."
"It's too dangerous." Arthur walked away.
Gwen's POV
"Why did Arthur come here?" she asked Morganna. It was late at night but both girls couldn't sleep.
"The same reason we did. For Linna."
"Arthur must care about her very much."
"I'm sure he does. Look." Morganna rose and lifted the curtain seperating them for Arthur and Myrlinna. They were curled up together. Arthur had his arm around Myrlinna's waist and she rested her head on his chest.
Gwen smiled. "Arthur would be furious if he knew we were watching."
"Uther wants me to one day marry Arthur but that cannot happen Arthur must marry Myrlinna."
"Why?"
"They just seem right together. Almost as if they are each others destiny. In my dream, the good one ten years in the future Myrlinna is Arthur's queen. I want this dream to come true then I can marry..." Morganna paused.
"Who?" asked Gwen curious to know the identity of Morganna's love.
"It doesn't matter, It's late we better get to sleep." Morganna said quickly getting back into bed and closing her eyes.
Myrlinna's POV
Arthur spoke to the troops the next morning "You're not going to be abe to defend Aeldor with sword and sinew alone. We need a plan. We need to find someway of limiting their mobility and drawing them into a trap. If we fight them on their terms..."
A scream was heard and everyone ran outside to discover its source.
Matthew was dead. He had been shot. He lay across the back of his horse with a note attached to the arrow on his back. Arthur ripped the note from the arrow and Myrlinna asked, "What does it say?"
"The rest of this day will be your last." He said grimly.
Will pushed through the crowd, "you did this look what you've done you killed him." Will shouted at Arthur.
"It wasn't his fault." Myrlinna responded earning a glare from Will.
"If he hadn't been strutting around treating us like his own personal army none of this would ever have happened." Will shouted at Myrlinna.
"Theese men are brave enough to fight for what they believe in even if you're not." Arthur responded angrily.
"You're sending them to their graves, how many more need to die before you realise this is a battle that can't be one." Will shouted. Arthur's face changed Will's words were having an effect but Myrlinna had to make Arthur believe in himself otherwise all was lost.
Will moved in for the kill, "when Kanan comes you haven't got a chance you're all going to be slaughtered."
"Don't bother me I'm not intrested." Will was packing a bag.
"Kanan will be here tomorrow you have to fight." Myrlinna called.
"Not if I'm not here."
"That's up to you but the rest of us are staying, join us Will. This isn't about Arthur this is about your friends are you really going to abandon them?"
"Like you did?"
"I'm here now."
"Yes you are and you could end this. If you used your magic than noone else would have to die."
"You know I can't."
"Can't of won't?"
Myrlinna remained silent.
"I'm not the one abandoning theese people Myrlinna. You are."
Will was right. But Arthur was more important. Wasn't he? Myrlinna was beginning to question herself.
Arthur was sharpening his sword in a manor that showed his frustration. Myrlinna came and sat down beside him.
"Will's father was a soldier he died fighting. No one pays attention to him."
"I thought the village people believed him."
"No, he's just a trouble maker they learnt to ignore him."
"He's right."
"He isn't."
"I treat theese men like soldiers and they're not. Have you seen them fight? You need to tell them to leave the village before Kanan returns."
"We're going to stay. We're going to fight and we're going to win."
"What do you mean we? Myrlinna, you're not fighting, you're a woman. "
"It's my village too."
"It can't be done the odds are too great."
"It can. All you need to do is get them ready the rest will take care of itself."
"How?"
"You've just got to believe in them because if you don't they'll sense it. And the battle will be lost before it's even begun."
That night Arthur made a speech. "Tomorrow morning,, women and children should gather what belonging they can carry and go to the woods. Including you." He shot a meaningful glance at Myrlinna who replied. "We're not going anywhere."
"You can't stay here it's too dangerous."
"We have just as much a right to fight for our lives as the men do." Gwen joined in Myrlinna's argument.
"You don't know how to fight." Arthur argued.
"The more of us there are the bigger chance we stand." Morganna said.
The women of the village all stepped forward to join Myrlinna, Morganna and Gwen.
"This is your village as well. If you want to fight to defend it that is your choice and I will be proud to fight alongside you." Myrlinna shot a smile at him that said, thank you. But Arthur continued his speech, "when Kanan comes tomorrow. Kanan's bruta he fights only to kill which is why he can never defeat us. Look around in this circle we're all equals, you're not fighting because someones ordering you too, you're fighting for so much more. You fight foryour homes, your friends, your family. You fight for the right to grow crops in peace. And if you fall, you fall fighting for the noblest of causes the right to survive. And when you're old and grey you'll look back on this day and know you earned the right to ive every day inbetween so you fight. For your fmily, your friends. For Aeldor."
"For Aeldor." The crowd echoed. "Aeldor, Aeldor, Aeldor."
Myrlinna hung up her coat as she entered he mother's house. Hunith sat staring into the fire.
"Come here." She told her daughter.
Myrlinna came and sat beside her mother and Hunith caressed her daughters face.
"I do love you my child." Hunith whispered.
"Of course." Myrlinna was confused.
"I should never have come to Camelot i've ruined everything for you."
"I don't understand."
"I know what you're planning to do."
"If it comes to a choice between saving peoples lives and keeping my gift a secret there is no choice."
"You can't let Arthur know about you're gift."
"I know but maybe it's meant to be this way. If he doesn't except me for who I am. Then maybe he doesn't love me as much as I thought he did."
Myrlinna began to help Arthur with his armour. She herself wore some poor fitting chinmail, wrist cuffs and shoulder plates of armour. It had been taken from Gwens father and was all too big but it would have to do.
"No, not today do your own," Arthur told her. Myrinna struggled with one of the wrist cuffs so Arthur did it for her.
"Be careful Myrlinna, I can't loose you."
"I'll be fine."
"How can you be so sure?"
He kissed her.
"Whtever happens today. please don't think any different of me." She said.
"It's alright to be scared Myrlinna."
"That's not what I meant. I swear I didn't lie about anything else."
"What is it? If you have something to say nows the time to say it." His demenour changed to worried and slightly annoyed.
Myrlinna was going to tell him honestly she was but Morganna waked in.
"Arthur they've crossed the river." She said.
The villagers all hid behing walls and various objects as the bandits rode into the village.
"No one moved until Morganna gives the signal." Ordered Arthur.
The bandits rode into the centre of the village. A group of villagers and Gwen shut the gate. Everyone waited for Morganna to ight the fire.
"Come on Morganna." Muttered Arthur.
Myrlinna ran towards Morganna ignoring Arthur shouting at her to come back. The bandits shot at her but missed as she ducked just in time.
Arthur's POV
Stupid Myrlinna, his heart almost stopped when the arrow just missed her. What ws she doing? He couldn't loose her. He couldn't imagine life without her. She was shot at again and again Arthur held his breath but Myrlinna dodged and grabbed the flint from Morganna. She lit the fire immediatly. There was something strange about the way she lit it but Arthur dismissed it.
The fire spread and surrounded the bandits on one side.
"Now." shouted Arthur and everyone charged. The fighting had begun. The trouble maker, Will, Arthur thought he was called but he wasn't sure anyway he had joined the fight.
The terrible wind came. It was magic, either Myrlinna or Will was using magic and Arthur's suspicion was it was Myrlinna. He had aways had his susppicions. He felt betrayed. He had loved her. He still loved her. It was stupid he knew it but he still loved her. He just wished she'd tell him the truth. The wind sent the bandits back and their horses bolted. The bandits fled. They had won.
"Pendrgon." Kanans voice rang out. Arthur went to fight. Kanan was a talented fighter with sword and axe but Arthur had been trained to fight since birth and quickly killed him.
"Who did that?" he demanded heading towards Myrlinna and Will.
"Did what?" asked Myrlinna.
"Wind like that doesn't just appear from nowhere. I know magic when I see it who made it happen?"
"Arthur." Myrlinna began, Arthur had been right. It had never hurt so much to be right before."
The next thing Arthur knew he was being pushed out the way by Will. Then he realised Kanan had fired an arrow with his dying breath Will had taken the arrow and saved his life.
Will fell to the ground. He would die, Myrlinna and Arthur ran to his side.
"You saved me." Arthur said incredulously.
"Yeah don't know what I was thinking." Will gasped. It would have been amusing under different circumstances.
Will was carried inside by Arthur and some other villagers. When he was laid on the table, Will told Arthur.
"That's twice I've saved you."
"Twice?" asked Arthur.
"It was me, I used the magic." So Myrlinna wasn't a sorceress? But Arthur wasn't sure he was telling the truth ecspecially when Myrlinna said.
"Will don't," Myrlinna began.
"It's alright I won't be alive for him to do anything to me." Will reasurred. "They were losing I had to do something."
"You're a sorceror?" Arthur still couldn't believe it.
"It doesn't matter now. That's why I hated you I thought you were going to kill me."
"No of course not." Will hd done nothing bad.
Arthur ordered Myrlinna, "do what you can for him." But he may as well of said sit with him until he dies. Myrlinna seemed to understand.
Myrlinna's POV
Arthur left.
Myrlinna and Will were left alone. "I told you he'd be my death." Will smiled weakly.
"Will I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault and Myrlinna, you're a great sorceress and someday you'll be a great queen. I'm sure of it. Now you can still make that happen."
"Will..." but she was interupted.
"This place has been boring without you. It's good to see you again. Before I die I want you to know I always loved you."
"Will I..." she took his hand. She didn't know what to say. So he had been jealous of Arthur? Myrlinna was so confused.
"Myrlinna I'm scared." he whispered.
"Hey It's alright," Myrlinna whispered wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Myrlinna," he whispered one last time then he died. Myrlinna was unable to stop the tears over the death of her oldest friend.
They burned Will's body that evening.
"I'm sorry, I know he was your friend." Arthur spoke he was trying to be comforting but it did little to make her feel better.
"He still is."
"He was telling the truth wasn't he? About being a sorceror."
Myrlinna opened her mouth when Arthur suddenly stopped her. "Forget it," he said sharply. "I'm not sure I want to know the answer." He walked off.
"You better be going." Hunith told her.
"I don't have to go."
"Yes you do."
"If anything should happen."
"I know where to find you. You have to go Myrlinna you beong at Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you and how much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin."
"I've heard someone say that about us before. I'm going to miss you." She embraced her mother.
"I'm going to miss you too. When you left you were just a child but now look at you I'm so proud of you. When the time is right the truth will be known. Until then be careful, I believe king Uther has too many reasons to kill you."
A few nights later Myrlinna couldn't sleep so she decided to go and clean Arthur's armour. She couldn't stop worrying that he had worked out her secret. The darkness wasn't a problem as she cast a spell so she could see in the dark.
"What are you doing here?" she heard Arthur's voice.
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to polish your armour. Why are you up?"
"I couldn't sleep either so I went for a walk I heard a noise and came to see what it was."
"Why can't you sleep?" Myrlinna asked curiously.
"Why can't you?" Arthur countered.
"I asked first."
"But I'm the prince." Arthur argued.
"I couldn't sleep because of Will. He was my friend and it's my fault he died and will be remembered as a sorceror."
"It wasn't your fault what Will did." Arthur reasurred. Knowing she could say no more without confessing her secret Myrinna wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "come on then why couldn't you sleep?"
"My father knows about us."
Myrlinna dropped Arthurs helmet but it lay ignored by both prince and servant.
"What?" Myrlinna whispered.
"We were seen. You have to be careful. I heard him talking to Morganna in the hall. He doesn't know I heard he wants me to marry Morganna he told her to take my mind off you, but she argued she wants us to be together."
"So we must be careful then?"
"Yes."
They kissed and then heard a noise in the doorway.
Uther's POV
They had not been careful not only did King Uther Pendragon know about their relationship having followed his son he saw this scene. Befriending a sorceror. Uther could have her killed for that. Now was the time to decide, make good on his promise and have her hung? or leave her be becuse it was obvious Arthur loved her?
He had made his choice he entered the armoury.
Arthur and Myrlinna broke part and both looked equally terrified.
"Father...I" Arthur began.
"Silence." Ordered Uther.
Uther's eyes met Myrlinna's it was obvious the girl was sure she would die. But there was no fear in her eyes. He had to admit it this girl had courage.
whew longest chapter I have ever written. I really got into this chapter it took all day to right so please read and review.