Chapter Two~ The Magician

"Magnolia." A voice called to her in the darkness. "Camelot." That was the last thing she heard.

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"Herbs, herbs, herbs. What is it with Gaius and sending me for herbs?" Merlin grumbled to himself as he stomped through the woods. "I mean, why doesn't he just go and get them himself? It's not like he's always busy. Half the time he's only reading." He continued on in this fashion, "As if I don't have enough to do with Arthur. Cleaning his chambers and polishing his armor. Not to mention his arms training. I swear, it's almost as if the universe just loves to put as much on my plate as possible. And I'm always the one who ends up getting hurt in the process."

As if to prove his point, Merlin suddenly heard screaming from directly ahead of him. Dropping the basket, he took off running towards the noises of a struggle. Finally, he broke through the brush onto one of the lesser traveled roads into Camelot. There was a ring of men surrounding something in the middle of the road. That's where the screaming was coming from. The men laughed as they pushed something around the circle, back and forth between them.

"C'mon, sweetheart, give us a kiss." One of the men said as he grabbed hold of whoever was thrown his way. Another round of raucous laughing as he leaned his head down towards the person.

"Hey!" Merlin yelled, rushing towards the group. They split apart to show the largest man of them holding tight to a young woman. The shoulders of her dress were torn as she tried to hold the bodice up, and her hair was in disarray around her face, a few leaves and twigs twisted into the strands. "Let her go!" When they did nothing, he puffed out his chest and said, "In the name of Prince Arthur, you let her go."

"And who are you?"

"I'm no one, just a servant." Merlin said, slightly put down as he realized that meant absolutely nothing to these men.

"Move along, lad," one of them stepped forward. "This ain't got nothin' ta do with you. Best you hurry back to your master before you get hurt."

"I'm not going anywhere until you let her go." Fearful brown eyes gazed widely at him through bushy strands. The man's hands tightened around her upper arms, no doubt leaving bruises, and she whimpered a little.

The rest of the men moved in on him, weapons drawn. The one who was holding the girl smirked at him. "And just what are you going to do about it? You've got no weapon, no backup, and there's six of us and only one of you."

Eyes on the girl, Merlin replied, "I don't need any."

They all laughed for a moment, before the supposed leader said, "Get 'im, boys."

None of them had even taken a step before the young woman cried out, managing to slip out of her captor's grasp. Her hands hit the dirt, and a resounding bang echoed throughout the woods, knocking the men away from her a few steps.

Merlin watched as her eyes glowed golden for a half a second as the men descended on them. She merely covered her head in fear, screaming once more. Merlin needed no more prompting after that. He rushed forward, dodging under one of their arms. He recited a phrase, and laughed as the roots around him rose up, tripping all of the men. Several of them banged into each other, causing a ruckus. One of them was knocked out almost immediately. Once they realized that they were somehow outmatched, the men looked to one another, and began retreating. They grabbed their friend on the way and disappeared into the woods. Merlin smiled after their retreating forms, when he heard another whimper. Remembering why he'd gotten into a fight in the first place, he spun around and moved towards the young woman on the ground.

"Miss?" he asked crouching down and reaching for her shoulder. The second his fingertips touched the bare skin there, it felt like lightening racing up his arm. The both of them surged away from each other, he was knocked back onto his arse, eyes wide. She was curled up as far as she could get, tucked against a bundle of tree roots. "It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you. Are you ok?" She didn't answer him, only stared. "Look, my name's Merlin. Are you hurt?" Her eyes widened further for some reason, and after a few moments, she shook her head. He let out a breath, "Good. Alright, here," he shrugged out of his jacket, and started to hand it to her, but he stopped. "Um, sorry, it's not the cleanest thing in the world, but I've not got anything else."

She only stared at him, eyes flitting back and forth from him to the object in his hand. Slowly, she reached out and took it, making sure to steer clear of his hand. She pulled it around her shoulders huddling into it. She couldn't help but inhale deeply, taking note of the how the garment smelled. It didn't stink, per se, but there was definitely an earthy, musky smell of a well-worn, well-loved piece of clothing.

"Where are you from?" She didn't answer him. "Ok, do you have any family around?" She shook her head. "Alright. Come on, I guess I'll take you to Gaius. He'll know what to do." He stood, causing her to startle a little. Merlin put his hands out in front of him in a placating signal. "It's alright. Gaius is good. He's the king's own physician." He graced her with a smile, one that held no malice.

She had the thought that this young man couldn't have a hint of bad intentions in his soul, as sweetly as he looked at her then. He held his hand out to help her, palm up, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. She had to trust someone. She hadn't had anyone to trust except a kindly farmer and his family since she got to this place. She had to trust someone. She only hoped that she didn't live to regret the decision, but decide she did. Reaching out, she took hold of his hand. He grasped her in a strong, steady grip and, as his smile grew a little, hauled her to stand.

"Will you be alright to walk?" he asked, gently steadying her when she wobbled. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, taking a few steps to show him that she was ok. "Good. Come on." With one arm around her shoulders and the other at her elbow to keep her from tripping, he led her towards the large walls she'd seen from atop the hill. That was where she had been going when she'd been attacked. "Have you ever been to Camelot?" the girl shook her head. "Oh, really? You'll love it. Everyone's really nice. Well mostly. You have the odd dollophead knight that comes in thinking he's God's gift to the world. But, for the most part, it's great. We may have to ask Gwen for a dress for you. You're about her size. Oh, you'll love Gwen. She's Lady Morgana's handmaid, but she's my friend, too."

He continued in this manner the entire way back to the city, speaking of the many people she would probably meet, and how well she'd fit in with everyone in no time. When they had finally passed through the gate to the city, she stared up in awe at the great stone structures of the walls and castle. He saw her face and laughed, telling her that his was probably the same when he'd first come to Camelot. They passed through the town quickly, not stopping for the many people that tried to talk to Merlin. It seemed he was well known. It wasn't until they got to the gate to the castle that they had to stop.

The guard put his spear across their path. "What's this here?"

"Just taking her to see Gaius." Merlin answered quickly.

"Who is she? I haven't seen her around before?"

"She's new to town. Please, she's been attacked. I'm just taking her up for him to make sure she's not hurt."

"Attacked? Near Camelot?"

"Yeah. Ruffians in on the southeastern road. You might want to let the king know and get a patrol out there. We wouldn't want this happening to any dignitaries or anything." The guard eyed him for a moment, then nodded and moved his spear. "Thanks."

He called after them, "I'll have someone come get you for a report later, Merlin."

The younger man put a thumbs up to the man behind him, but kept walking, though slowly. He had noticed that she was limping, though he couldn't see why. As tall as he was, Merlin was used to taking long strides and walking fast. So, it took much longer than he wanted it to for them to get up to the tower. And he saw her wince once or twice as they climbed the stairs. She was quiet the entire time, never saying a word. Once they got to the door labled 'Court Physician', Merlin grinned at her and pushed open the door.

Gaius turned just long enough to see his apprentice walk through the door before he went back to whatever medicine or salve he was making. "It's about time. Did you find all the herbs I put on the list?"

"Gaius-" Merlin began.

"Oh, I know that tone. What happened this time? Griffin? No, no, let me think. Perhaps another anfanc crossed your path and you just had to fight it. One of these days, Merlin, you won't be so lucky to escape one of those things. Lord knows the only reason you have managed to stay alive this long is through sheer luck and the fact that you have mag-"

"Gaius!" Merlin's voice rose this time, cutting the old man off.

He turned, taking a moment to take in the sight before him. His usually snarky apprentice was accompanied by a young woman who was covered in dirt and had a bird's nest for a head of hair, wearing Merlin's jacket closed over her chest. "My lord!" He exclaimed, rushing forward, which slightly startled the girl. She took half a step back, causing him to stop in his tracks. He looked to the younger man. "What happened?"

"She was attacked out on the southeastern road. A group of men accosted her, I managed to get rid of them."

Gaius straightened up, "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Merlin insisted. "They tripped over themselves, is all. Anyway, she hasn't said a word since I saved her, but I think she's hurt."

The old man leveled him with a look, before turning to the girl. "My dear, would you permit me to examine you? Only to make sure you're alright. This one tends to worry a bit too much."

"Gaius, when have I ever worried too much?"

"Never mind that. What do you say, my dear? I'll look you over, then we'll get you cleaned up. How does that sound?" Her doe eyes were large as they flitted between the two men, before she settled on Gaius and nodded. "Good. Come, sit over here." He led her over to what she assumed was a cot, gesturing for her to sit down. Once she had, he began his work. He passed his hands through the light from the window that shown into her face. "Pupils are dilating well. No concussion then. I don't see any kind of bruises. They didn't hit you, did they?" She shook her head.

"One of them was holding onto her arm pretty hard."

Gaius spared him a glance, then gestured for her to show him. She slipped her right arm out from under the jacket, which is when he realized she wasn't just holding the jacket closed because she was cold or in shock. He saw her dress. "Oh, dear. Merlin, you may want to send for Gwenevere. We may need a seamstress. And a dress for her until it's fixed." Merlin agreed, and Gaius turned back to examine her arm. There were indeed bruises in the shape of a hand on her upper arm. "Nothing a little rest won't heal. Now, anything else?" She dipped her head, then patted her left knee. Both of them were confused for a moment, before she pulled the skirt up just enough for them to see the already purple, swelling mess that was her knee. "Good lord in heaven. What happened?"

She didn't answer, only dropped her eyes, which had filled with tears. Merlin answered for her. "She may have fallen trying to get away from them. They were also throwing her back and forth, she may have hurt it then. Or when she slipping out of his grasp and fell." She held up a finger. "The first one?" she nodded meekly.

"Well, my dear, I'm afraid you've hurt yourself rather badly. You'll need to stay off of it for a while. And I'm going to need to apply a salve to get the swelling down and wrap it up."

Suddenly, there came a knock at the door. It opened quickly to expose a soldier. "Merlin, Prince Arthur requests your presence in his chambers."

"Alright, I'm on my way." He turned back to the girl sitting silently before him. "I'll be back later, alright?" She nodded at him.

He turned to leave. As he was opening the door, Gaius called after him, "If you see Gwen on your way there, send her up here, would you?"

"You got it." Then he was gone.

Gaius shook his head, then looked to the scared young girl. "Oh, don't worry about him. He's Arthur's manservant. He's always being called away at odd times. Now, I bet you've got quite the story," he said as he stood and moved towards his workbench. When he saw that she had cocked her head at him, he continued. "You've not said a word since you've been here, nor before then, if Merlin is to be believed. But, knowing him, he probably talked your ear off the entire way here. But that's neither here nor there. The point is, you've not said anything, not even a whimper when I touched your leg. Which, from the state of it, I'm sure hurts extremely. You also have no luggage, no provisions for the road. Now, I don't know of anyone, let alone a woman alone on the road, that doesn't have some sort of provisions, or a weapon of some sort. Besides that, there's just something about you that doesn't seem quite right." At that, she made a small noise in her throat. "Now, don't take it as offense. I did not mean it as such. I only meant that there is something queer about you that I can't quite put my finger on."

They sat in silence for a few moments while he prepared the salve for her knee. He was just beginning to administer it when a dark-skinned young woman came through the door.

"Merlin said you needed me?" Her chocolate eyes settled on the girl. "Who's this?"

"Well, my dear, that remains to be seen, as she has not yet told us her name. Or anything for that matter. Did you bring a dress?" Gwen held the bundle of cloth up. "It was one of the spares I kept in Morgana's room in case of emergency. Merlin made it sound like an emergency. Why's she here?"

"It is a bit of an emergency. You see, this young lady was attacked on the road to Camelot. I was hoping you might be able to lend her a dress until her dress could be repaired, if you wouldn't mind."

"No, not at all." She moved forward to see what Gaius was doing at her knee. "Ooh, that doesn't look very good."

"It's very likely she's fractured it. You'll be bedridden for a few days, at least, do you understand me? I don't want you walking on your own." She nodded. "Good. Now, let's just wrap this up, and Gwen can help you get dressed. That's if you don't mind." The last part was directed at the other woman in the room.

"Of course."

It didn't take long for her knee to be wrapped. "You can use Merlin's room for now. There's no telling when we'll be able to find you a place to stay." She made a face like she was going to protest. "No, I don't want any arguments. You are my patient, and I would rather you stay close until that's healed up. Besides, the clot head doesn't use it but a few hours at a time. He can sleep out here. Now, off with the both of you." He waved them off towards the room.

Gwen assisted her up the stairs and through the small door leading to Merlin's bedroom. She sat down on the bed, noting how hard it was. How the younger man slept on it, she had no idea. But, going with the times, she wasn't surprised. One would think being the prince's manservant would allow certain privileges, such as a softer bed.

"Well, let's see what the damage is." When she looked at her confused, Gwen chuckled and elaborated. "I need to see what I'm working with to know what I'll need to fix it." She reached forward and grabbed the shoulder of the coat. "This is Merlin's isn't it? That's odd. I can't say I've ever actually seen him without it. Maybe once when he was cleaning the stables, but that's it." She removed it and folded it on the end of the bed. When she turned back to her, she gawped. "Oh. I don't know if I'll be able to fix this." She picked at a piece of the bodice. "I don't even think there's enough fabric here to patch." The girl bowed her head, looking like she was about to cry. "No, no, it's alright. We'll figure something out. If it means I have to make you a whole new dress. Now, come on. Let's get you out of these rags. My dress might be just a little tight on you, but it'll have to do for now."

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It had only been a few hours since Merlin had been called away, but it was already dark out and he was exhausted. Between the fight earlier, and the countless chores Arthur made him do, Merlin could hardly keep his eyes open. He opened the door to the physician's quarters, only to be met with loud snoring. He looked around for the girl, but didn't see her. Had she gone with Gwen? Had they found somewhere else for her to sleep for now? Shrugging, he passed by the old man and stuck his finger through the hole to lift the latch that kept his door shut. He went through and closed the door behind him. The resounding click was added to another noise he only noticed when it happened. There had been a soft breathing sound in his room. It hitched when the door clicked shut. He looked around in the dark. There, on his bed, a shape lifted itself off the mattress. Light brown eyes shown in the moonlight shining through the small window.

"S-sorry. I didn't realize- Did Gaius- sorry." He fumbled for the latch, turning to leave as he did. Something caught the back of his shirt. The girl had reached from the end of the bed to grab him, causing him to stop. She gently pulled on his shirt to move him to the side so she could face him. "What's wrong? Is your knee hurting? I can go get that salve Gaius made-"

"Thank you," came a small voice from under bushy hair that shadowed the face.

"What?" he asked, astounded.

She cleared her throat. "Thank you," she said a little louder. "And I'm sorry."

Merlin relaxed, sitting down beside her on the bed. "What for?"

The girl bowed her head. "For putting you in the position to have to help me. I...I'm not from the area."

Merlin laughed quietly. "So I gathered. Where are you from?"

She shifted uncertainly on the bed, trying to come up with an answer that would placate him. "Somewhere far away from here."

"Well, that's not mysterious at all." He leaned forward to be able to see her face. "Will you at least tell me your name?"

There was silence for a moment.

"Magnolia."

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A/N: TA-da, new chapter up. Let me know what you think, I've been working on this one all day and my fingers hurt from typing so much. I'll get on more.

Till then, my lovelies,

AcaciaDawn