It's a little late for this but happy Valentine's Day everyone! I was really hoping I could keep Esmeralda single for the entire story, but that might not happen. I wanted to give her a friend that was closer to her own age than Merlin. Unfortunately Essie's personality made it nearly impossible to make a female friend for her, so I came up with James. I'll try to keep them as friends, but I'm not completely sure where I'm going to go with them. Anyway enough ranting I don't own Merlin.

Esmeralda

"Finished." I beamed setting the completed potions in front of Gaius for him to check. After a minute Gaius nodded approvingly and went back to what he was doing.

When he realized I was still standing there he looked up, "Is something wrong?"

I blinked, "No, I'll be back tomorrow then." Gaius nodded and returned to what he was doing again.

As I walked down the hall to my room I felt a familiar pain in my gut, almost like home-sickness. Taking in long breath I knew what I needed to do. When I finally reached my room I changed quickly out of the dress I was wearing and into a shirt and pair of pants. As an afterthought I strapped my sword around my waist before leaving my room.

Take the least traveled hallways I could find I snuck out the citadel and through the lower town without even getting a second look from anyone. Once I was completely out of Camelot I ran. I kept running even after my lungs began to ache. Nothing mattered now; the only thing I could care about was that the ache in my chest began to lessen. I felt at home outside of the stone walls of castle, surrounded by the trees, flowers, and grass.

I finally stopped when I reached my place. The small clearing I had slept in over a week ago. The only noise I could hear was the sound of my ragged breathing as I collapsed onto the grass staring up at the open sky. Right now there was only me. I closed my eyes and let go. Taking in deep breaths and listened the calming silence.

After about an hour I got back up and brushed myself off. I took my time walking back almost wishing I could stay out here forever. The forest had been my home for years, I felt safe here. I belong here. Shaking head fiercely from left to right I corrected myself. No, I belong in Camelot with Gwaine, Merlin, Gaius, and Percival. I not alone anymore.

Walking back through the lower town and citadel I didn't bother being sneaky. I was back now so what could anyone do about my little trip? Still I felt a little guilty for not telling Gwaine that I would leave Camelot to go to my place. I tried to convince myself he didn't need to know I could take care of myself after all.

I was jarred out of my thoughts slammed into someone turning a corner. "Sorry," I muttered getting up. Wait did I just apologize to someone? Merlin is a bigger influence than I thought. The boy I ran into seemed to be about 15 like me, although he could have easily been 16.

He gave me an easy smile, "Not a problem." We stood in front of each other for a minute waiting for the other to either move or say something.

Growing impatient I growled, "Do you mind moving."

The boy snorted holding out his hand, "Hi, I'm James."

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't ask what your name was I asked you to move." James chuckled, but moved out of my way. As I continued down the hall I realized the he was following a step behind me. "Problem?" I asked coldly over my shoulder.

"Nope," He said now walking next to me. "So where are you going" James asked in pleasant tone.

"My chambers," I said. "Do you follow people often?"

He shrugged, "Who said I was following you? I just happen to be going in the same direction you are."

"Of course you are." I said dryly.

"You're Sir Gwaine's daughter right?" He asked after a minute of silence.

I turned my head to look at him, "Why do you care?"

"You're avoiding my question." James smirked.

"No you're avoiding mine." I shot back.

This time James rolled his eyes, "I am not, and I asked because my father is a knight too. His name's Sir Mailer."

I nodded, "Alright, yes my father is Gwaine."

"There was that so hard." He grinned. I continued to walk faster down the hall. "Hey," He called matching my pace easily.

I growled turning to face him. "Why are you bothering?" I said crossing my arms.

He raised his eye brows. "Really because I thought we were having a nice chat." I didn't want to argue with James now so I continued down the hall, but I sensed James following me.

"Who do you think you are?" I barked facing him again we were only a few feet away from my room now.

James shrugged. "A friend." He turned walking away. I opened the door to my room and was about to close it when I heard James voice yell something else, "See you tomorrow Essie!" I rolled my eyes before slamming the door shut. After I shut the door I smiled, though I would never admit it especially not to the boy James I liked his spunk.

Like I said before I'm going to try to keep their relationship just friends, but Essie needed the friend. Especially for what I have planned later, HA HA HA.