I began this story on another account and got inspired once more. I miss merlin so dearly, you have no idea !

this starts from 1x06, an oc of mine and her journey

hope other fans enjoy.

Elaina had her fingers entwined in Edwin's fiery curls, lounging on a low branch of a tree while he read one of his father's books to her. she wasn't paying much attention to the story and didn't know whether they were close to the end or not. She just enjoyed the sound of his voice and the peacefulness of the forest, just beyond Camelot. The two children have met there in secret for a year or so, ever since Elaina had wandered off from her father, when he had been busy seeing to a tearful morgana during a walk.

He had been sat in the exact same spot, as he was now, between two great lumbering roots of a tree, reading a book then too. At first, she hadn't wanted to disturb him when she clasped eyes on Edwin, but a bee had buzzed too close for comfort and she had let a little yelp out, grabbing his attention. He questioned her of course, wondering where she had come from, who she was with and why. Elaina had answered all questions honestly, to the hostile boy. His caution coming from the fact, she was obviously noble, judging by the clothes she wore. After a while, appreciative of her sincerity he gained a better sense of her character and began to enjoy her company, since conversation happened so easily. It was like they had always known each other, which was a strange sensation for Edwin in particular, because he never truly had friends besides his parents. Elaina, though she had her sister and many other courtiers to socialise with, she didn't exactly fit in. People actually thought she was strange and blatantly favoured Morgana, showering her with compliments. she did not resent her sister for that though however, because she too couldn't help but adore morgana, who in turn accepted Elaina no matter how strange she might be. Their father too, he would never favour any of his children above the other and knew exactly how to treat them for their differences in personalities, treasuring them equally. But still even with them, Camelot could be lonely.

So, from that day, they made a pact. To meet in the forest when the weather permitted every Wednesday morning, and since then, their friendship has only grown stronger. Elaina had even met Edwin's parents on occasion, who were a sweet couple who fed her a delicious tea.

Sighing, she suddenly became aware of the silence.

"you're not reading?" she said.

Edwin laughed, "certainly not when I've finished the book. Shows how much you were listening."

Defensively she frowned and tugged on one of his curls, "I was!"

Tilting his head up at her, his pale skin had turned a warm colour from their days under the sun.

"then how did it end?"

His eyes sparkled knowing she hadn't a clue.

She thought for a moment, jumping down beside him while she tried to come up with an answer, "well, happily ever after I suppose."

He grinned amused and thumped her head with the hardback book, "actually the king had lost the battle and perished on the battlefield, with his fallen comrades."

Elaina sneered, "that isn't a good ending. I think I prefer mine since it's not so sad."

He shook his head, making his curls bounce. It made her smile and she leant on his shoulder, fitting in the crook of his neck, while he wrapped an arm around her back.

"it was a noble end. Touching really. See after the battle the remainder of the king's knights gathered around the fallen monarch, carrying his body home to his queen who waited on her husbands return. There they swore his life was not spent in vain, the enemy defeated, even at his loss. He had named her his heir and while he was laid at her feet to mourn, they chanted 'the king is dead, long live the queen!"

Elaina let what he said sink in, imagining it playing out before her, "that is touching," she agreed and took the book from his grasp. She was interested in what she had missed now, stroking the cover with her thumb.

"can I borrow this?" she asked, with a nod as the answer.

"good to see I'm improving your taste in literature."

"I'll say. All my father has lying around is the art of swordsmanship and the odd letter or summons from Uther."

She never addressed the king by title aloud and it drove her father mad, fearing she would do so in his presence one day. She didn't understand how Gorlois could follow a man like Uther without question. there was nothing pleasant about the man. Selfish, proud and hateful, with his hands gushing with blood of so many innocents.

Those people being those with magic in particular.

Elaina shivered at the reminder of what Camelot's king has done to those with magic, which made her body turn cold with sorrow and dread. She might not have any magic, but she has dreams. Dreams which tell her things, like how her mother was a high priestess and kept it hidden from everyone who encountered her. Even Gorlois had not known, though she bore him three children. Another girl before Elaina, named Morgause, who showed signs of magic in infancy. So, in order to protect her child Vivienne had life about the girl dying and sent her to the isle of the bless. She had fallen pregnant within a year of each other, so while Elaina was still a babe and morgana a new-born, she just disappeared one day. Elaina had blamed Uther for it nonetheless and because of these dreams, she was scared for herself and morgana.

"are you alright Elaina?" Edwin squeezed the daughter of Gorlois closer, rubbing his hand up and down her arm. He knew her too well and always was able to tell when she was upset or worried, so there was no point in lying.

"it's nothing only… Morgana, it's happening more and more, her eyes turning gold now and then when she's restless in her sleep."

For a long time, Elaina had confided in Edwin her suspicions of morgana and from what she has described to him, he couldn't help but confirm them, seeing as his parents were sorcerers as well.

"but she hasn't lost control of her powers while awake, has she? Sometimes that can happen when the individual is emotional."

Elaina shook her head, "not that I have noticed. But Edwin, why do you think I can't cast a spell? Why have I not inherited the gift from my mother when my siblings have."

Edwin was quiet in deliberation and with the curve of her face in his neck still, she lifted her gaze up at him.

Finally he admitted, "I've wondered the same thing and asked my parents about it."

Excited for an explanation, she shot up onto her knees, "you did! well what did they say?"

He shrugged, "well sometimes magic can skip a child, but then you have visions of the past and present. You even display a natural intellect for potions when you and my mother made some. She thinks that you're a physical embodiment of a grimoire, a very rare individual indeed."

Elaina looked dubious, "a grimoire, like I'm a walking talking book of magical knowledge? that's so boring! No wonder you of all people like me."

Nudging her, Edwin tried reassuring Elaina "That grimoires are high sought after in the magical world, for they carry in them all that has been of their culture and the future."

He sounded so sincere that it made Elaina blush and while off guard his fingers delicately tickled the surface of her cheek, drawing her closer to him. She felt as though she were on fire, with her heart hammering away inside her chest and the pit of her stomach knotting tightly. Her eleven-year-old self didn't know what to make of this and braced for the moment his lips were about to meet hers for the first time. But it was not what she expected.

Teasingly Edwin quickly got to his feet, while she was still arched over with her lips pursed like a fool.

"Edwin!" she scolded, aghast by how simple she felt.

He only laughed and ran off so that she would chase him out of outrage for his actions. As they did so, they made grooves in the long grass, sending insects flying to the skies as they disturbed them from their perch. Eventually they tired from running and fell where they stood on the ground panting for breath.

The skies were orange red and pink with the setting sun telling them it was time for Elaina to go home. But they waited until the evening bells chimed in Camelot. With those few moments more spent with each other, they could hear them in the distance, and it was always a sad time in the day for Elaina and Edwin. The time where they had to part ways until a week later.

Reluctantly Elaina got up and wiped the dirt off her skirts to try and look a little more presentable when she returned home to her father and sister. He helped in picking out the grass from her long hair, which shimmered with autumnal colours, capturing all the shades of the fallen leaves.

With a heavy heart, the two continued to stare at each other, his green eyes locked on her blue.

"until next week then?" he asked earnestly.

An idea popped into Elaina's head, and she took his hand in hers, leaning forwards. She could see the surprise in his face and his eyes softened until they closed in anticipation.

He could feel her breath, she was so close, then just like that she whipped away leaving him left behind.

"doesn't feel nice when the shoe is on the other foot does it! but yes, I'll have to comeback if you are to have a real kiss!"

He was shocked for a minute, but it soon wore off as he watched her skip away, laughing that he had fallen for her trick, though he bravely though to himself, he would hold her to that promise for next time.

How happy they had been.

What a pity, that it had to end.

Suddenly, Elaina became aware of the hand waving in front of her, and she snapped out of her trance.

"are you alright sister?" an amused morgana asked.

Blinking a few times, she came into focus as well as our handmaiden Gwen and as they appeared, the last remnants of the forest and Edwin faded away.

"uh, yes," she mumbled rather unconvincingly.

The two women exchanged a knowing look that read 'that elain's for you' and carried on with what they were doing, while she carried on talking.

"I'm just daydreaming is all…"

As she said this, she stroked the object which lay on her lap. A book of a king that died in battle and for love, trusted his kingdom into the hands of his wife and queen.

A knock came at the door and from it, Gwen returned with a wonderful arrangement of pure white Lilly's.

I smiled as my sister beamed at the thoughtful gift, "who are they from?" she asked.

Sweetly Gwen told her there was no note, "who would you like them to be from?"

They giggled between each other, "oh I don't know, a tall dark stranger!"

Their playfulness wasn't interesting me to tag along with it, she was still reeling from the heaviness her heart.

At the memory of her dear Edwin.

Tears threatened to spill from Elaina's eyes and that would trigger all sorts of questions she wasn't mentally or emotional prepared to answer or lie through. Instead, she opened the window to let some cool air in and dry her eyes. It happened that Morgana's room looked out on the courtyard and so many people were busy with their day, but someone stood out to her.

A hooded figure standing alone.

Who on earth is that? She asked herself, staring at them intently, but her sister drew her gaze as she called for her. by the time she looked back, the person had vanished without a trace of them anywhere.

How odd she would care or even pick them out from the crowd, but leaving morgana waiting long enough, Elaina tried to forget about it and hooked her arm around her sisters for their walk around the castle.

Maybe they may pass them by.