Taryan

Taryan slowly primed her eyes open and felt a stiff board against the center of her back. Her entire waist and backside felt numb and she winced sitting up, feeling uncomfortable japs shoot up her spine. She brought her hand against the surface that supported her and realized she was not sleeping on a blank of wood, but rather a very uncomfortable bed. Taryan ruffled the blankets off and swung her legs off the bed, ignoring the floorboard creaks and stepped to the open window in bare feet.

"I can't see a damn thing in this darkness?" Taryan opened up the window and nearly gasped seeing the all familiar Camelot of the center square. Torches aligned some of the walls to provide light, but not much was needed as a blue tint was casted over all the surfaces that the full moon provided. She gripped the window shelf, feeling nausea creep into her from panic.

No no no don't tell me I'm still having this nightmare! I have already woken up!?

She squeezed her eyelids shut as flashing memories of the night before played in her mind.

The lake…I was drenched…the odd family…odd clothing…the swarming bugs…endless walk…Gwen and…Morgana?

She clasped a hand against her forehead but quickly moved it to the base of her neck where she felt a pang of pain, then started to connect the dots with vague memories.

I briefly remember falling…but…how is it already night again? Have I been asleep for a whole day? Possibly longer?

She staggered down from the window knocking over a pile of books in the process. Her knees skinned the rough wood floor giving her sharp stinging at the forefront of her knees.

This can't be happening….it…makes no sense? I mean why? literally how has falling in a lake ended up with me being here? My life wasn't great, but I never wished it to be spent here?

Taryan thoughts broke when she heard the door creak open and a touch of light cascading through the room. She looked up before leaning back startled, seeing a silhouette of someone at the door frame.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you…I was worried after hearing something falling over."

The silhouette approached and with a closer view she immediately recognized the person.

That's…

"…Merlin?"

The dim lit candle Merlin was holding was enough for Taryan to see his eyebrows raise and his mouth slowly coming open in ponder of what she just said.

"I…how do you know my name?"

Taryan blinked.

Shit, I accidentally said it without a second thought.

"Oh…Gwen and Morgana mentioned it earlier…they were the ones that helped me on the path earlier…"

Merlin nodded, seemingly taking Taryan's reasoning and brought his hand that wasn't holding the candle to guide him down to sit. There was about a foot of space between them with him setting the candle down in front of him. Taryan rubbed her arm as she expected him to start asking questions surrounding her origin, but he remained silent. It wasn't exactly an awkward silence, but the type of silence that happens with two people very lost thought just seem to be thinking. Taryan eventually pulled away from his face to look at her surroundings with more new brought light from the candle.

Merlin's room was much like she remember it from the book series of well, 'Merlin'. Loose clothing strung about here and there then a barrel that worked as a bed stand. She further scanned her eyes and immediately diverted them when spotting a chamber pot under Merlin's bed. The moonlight that casted from the window managed to illuminate multiple piles of books, one of which was disturbed from her mid-freak out seconds ago.

Taryan brought her eyes back to Merlin.

So I am in Merlin's bedroom…which means…Morgana and Gwen were successful in bringing me to Gaius.

Merlin still displayed hesitation, but now his interest somewhat peaked from Taryan's need to verify her surroundings.

"Well you were right about my name. I am what they call Merlin," Taryan slowly nodded, indicating she was listening also using it to hide her shock when Merlin's finally decided to speak. "But…just think of me as a helper to the court physician." Merlin shifted the candle before looking back at Taryan, something went dejected in his eyes. "Sorry about…your…" He gestured to the top of his head. Taryan immediately brought her hand to her head and found her hair in a tight back ponytail that felt extremely short. She pulled off the ribbon and choppy hair came tumbling down at shoulder length. Merlin appeared to have recoiled at Taryan's action, with his cheeks raised from squinting his eyes and his mouth pulled to a thin line. "The physician…Gaius said that it would be dangerous if you were to keep the red part of your hair. I'm afraid anything 'unnatural' is given a suspicious lense of magic."

Taryan tugged at random long strands of her hair and had angry tears come in the corner of her eyes. Merlin immediately got to his feet in a fluid motion, but seemed to not actually be sure what to do when he did. He took steps towards me before retracting them. "Don't worry! I'm sure we can clean it up a bit when-"

"I'm not crying because of my hair." Taryan wiped the last remaining tears, shameful she let the waterworks start only at the sight of her hair. When that problem was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.

Merlin remained standing, but swayed in place clearly in turmoil of what to do. Before Taryan could apologize for her scene he walked out of the room and came back carrying with both arms a small wooden stool and a pair of scissors in his mouth. He put down the stool by the bed and unlatched the scissors from his mouth smiling.

"I can't promise I'm the best hairdresser, but I'll try my best."

She gave a sheepish smile at Merlin before going back to her calm demeanor, holding back on comments.

This is honestly…terrifying. People dream about meeting characters in real life, but I feel like testing my luck of this being a dream and jumping out the window.

Taryan mentally shook her head at the deranged thought.

However…everything…feels so natural but I secretly know it is everything but that. Am I interacting with real people or not?

She reluctantly stood up and sat on the stool where Merlin passionately patted with enthusiasm.

Merlin pulled all of her hair to her back and began flattening the hair using his hands. Taryan closed her eyes as she heard the sharp short snips of the scissors. The sounds only stopped when Merlin would lean back to see parts he was missing and even bring the candle close for light perhaps too close for comfort sometimes.

"I'm not sure what exactly your story is…" Merlin began to say, "But I hope you will decide to stay in Camelot till you figure things out."

Taryan pried one eye open and gave a subtle smile, curious about this reply, but honestly needed a genuine answer. "And where will I stay? I'm assuming you aren't suggesting that I live here?"

She felt his hands leave her hair instantly. "What- no! I'm not suggesting anything!" Taryan turned around to face Merlin to find that even in dim lighting, his face reddened. "Besides…" Merlin continued clearing his throat, "This room is mine and it would be hardly comfortable for two. This is just a temporary stay for you till Gaius makes sure you're physically healthy, unfortunately he doesn't know much about memory loss…oh wait…do you perhaps remember something now after you've slept…or I guess more accurately passed out?"

I'm not sure if Taryan is a weird name this time and it's not like I have a fake story I rehearsed. It's better to play dumb and forgetful.

"When I focus…I can see certain fragments of my life but I'm afraid it ends there. Nothing seems to connect…it's quite frustrating."

Merlin did a simple hum in response and resumed working on Taryan's hair. "I can't imagine what that is like," he added between cuts. Merlin brushed her shoulders of any loose hairs that got caught. "Hopefully after we tell King Uther of your situation he might grant you living arrangements…in exchange for work of cour-"

"No! you can't do that!"

Merlin paused and this time it was an awkward silence that surrounded them. Taryan's brain spun thinking of a million ways to justify her answer.

"Surely you don't need to bring a king of all people into my mess. I'll manage just fine on my own, surely the less royalty the better."

"Have you had a bad experience with nobility? From one of your…fragments?" Merlin asked, seemingly dropping the topic of Uther all together.

"I'm…not sure but even if I didn't…I just don't think it's necessary."

She. heard the click of Merlin's mouth open as if he was going to say something, but nothing came out and simply heard more snips from the scissors.

"It's funny…Gaius thinks you're a noble woman, convinced of it in fact." Merlin did a minor laugh to himself, "The more I talk to you the more confused I am about where to place you."

"I don't even know where to place myself which is why I don't need attention and from a king no less," Taryan huffed a sign. "One wrong move and off to dungeons I will be."

"Truthfully, you're lucky if you just get the dungeons alone as a punishment." Merlin got up from the bed and walked to the other side. He crouched down while talking but at a higher volume, "I'm afraid you have already sparked curiosity in some people."

"I don't want to spark anything." Taryan responded, but in truth, was already terrified of the idea of someone proding for information. Especially when she herself didn't know the crazy turn her life has drastically taken.

Merlin shuffled in the some wooden box before pulling out a small mirror. "I know it's not the best, but this is all I have." He handed it in her hands.

It was a small bronze mirror that had clearly seen better days. It had old scrapes on the rounded sides and scuff marks on the mirror surface. She imagined it had been jumbled in a sack on a long journey. When she looked back at Merlin he patiently waited, seeming somewhat eager.

Oh, he wants me to see my hair. I'll thank him no matter what, even if it's good or bad. I can't afford losing anything.

Taryan brought the mirror up and was actually pleasantly surprised by Merlin's work. Her hair was definitely shorter but now even. She grabbed the earlier ribbon tossed on the floo and went to tie it up, but huge chunks of hair fell back in her face making it impossible. She settled on tying a ponytail with only a small section of her hair near the top of her head.

A touch of nostalgia grasp her as she finished.

Looks like I am back to my roots of hair styles in secondary school.

"Thank you Merlin, I really appreciate it." Taryan smiled warmly.

Merlin looked at her but there was a hint of sorrow in his expression. "I don't see many girls keep their hair short. I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable with that."

"You apologize too easily. I needed a change anyway."

Merlin brushed off his arms "I kept you long enough, get some rest. Besides, I promised a certain prince I would 'immediately' report to him regarding this manner," Merlin approached the door, shaking his head and opening it. "Oh and," he looked back at Taryan. "I know you don't remember your name, but we should have something to call you by. Is there anything you can think of?"

Why can't nice guys like this exist in my sad reality? I suppose…I should let him help me choose a name…I am not quite sure what is considered a "normal" name around here.

"Well, what was the first thing you thought of when you saw me? Perhaps we can come up with something there." She asked, folding her arms together.

Merlin seemed surprised at the turn around of his question but brought his hand to his chin to think. "Blood." he responded calmly.

Taryan tried her best to hide her appalled expression.

"I…let me sleep on it."

I'm not sure what I was expecting…I don't want a gruesome name.

….

Taryan awoke to a rough shaking of her shoulder. She jolted up feeling like her heart jumped out of her chest. "Did my alarm not go off!?" She looked around fearfully before seeing Merlin who retracted his arm in a scared fashion.

"Alarm? No…there is no attack. Are you okay?"

No… just the trauma of capitalism.

"No…I'm fine," She pitched the bridge of her nose, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"I wasn't scared…just surprised," Merlin said, seemingly offended by Taryan's comment. "I'm sorry if I can't be more helpful to you this morning, I have some responsibilities," He then hung a dress on the hook of his door and straightened it out. "Gwen, one of the women that helped you yesterday, offered one of her dresses as…you know,"

Taryan looked at him confused and he awkwardly coughed. "Well a lady such as yourself shouldn't be… going around with your…state of…"

She leaned into his words with perplexed eyes.

"Well, I have to prepare a lot for today." Merlin dropped the subject. "Gaius will send for you shortly to meet the king. He is in the throne room discussing with him as we speak."

"Wait…what!" Taryan jumped out of the bed leaving the blankets to slip on the floor "I made it clear I don't want any attention drawn towards me. I will be on my own way after I recover."

Merlin averted his eyes from her embarrassingly. "I understand your apprehensiveness about meeting the king, but we don't know of your origin and you have no memories to back up your whereabouts," Merlin brought the dress down from the door holding it between us so Taryan couldn't see him and vice versa. "I don't mean to be rude, but how can someone take care of themselves when they don't even know anything about them?"

Taryan remained silent after his words.

I know it's suspicious of me to be scared of meeting the king, but if there was any character in this story that would lead to my death it would be Uther himself.

"I'm sorry, you're right," She said, giving up the plea. "Like you said, I'm nervous about getting asked questions that I don't know how to answer."

It seems like this is already out of my control.

Merlin handed the dress in her hands, still not looking directly at her. "If it makes you feel better…people have great sympathy towards your situation. I don't doubt the king will feel the same."

She smiled at his resurrance, but still felt an uncomfortable weight build in her chest.

The outside door was loudly knocked on and Merlin and Taryan both shared glances. Merlin ran out of the bedroom doorway to the outside door. She heard a Camelot guard talk to Merlin.

"King Uther has requested Gaius's recent patient to immediately meet in the throne room."

(Minutes before)

Gaius stood still in the throne room, swaying from time to time to alleviate the weight on his old knees. Uther talked to a messenger that gave news of a recently collapsed drawbridge that would need preparation before horses full of supplies could be brought to the palace. Uther sent the messenger away with instructions and permission for materials. Uther turned to Gaius, giving an apologetic smile.

"Sorry Gaius, I should have got to you sooner." Uther gestured to the closing doors of the messenger.

"It's quite alright Sire. It's nothing urgent. Just a possible dilemma."

"Don't tell me Arthur has stumbled across something I would rather not want to hear." Uther sat on his throne, already exhausted by Gaius's word choice of 'dilemmas'.

Gaius followed Uther to his throne standing in front of him. "This matter doesn't concern the prince but rather Lady Morgana."

Uther rolled his eyes as things began to clink in his mind. "Is this about that girl Morgana found yesterday?" Uther leaned his right elbow on the arm rest to support his head and waved his other hand in the air, circling it. "She told bits and pieces from last night's dining, but I would like to hear your opinion." Uther asked.

"Well I'm not sure how much Morgana told you, but I believe this woman could be from a family of nobles."

"A noble woman?" Uther lifted his head in astonishment.

"Well for one, her clothes were far too detailed to be simple sewing and it's clear she never suffered from malnourishment and is in remarkable health. I can also conclude she never worked in the sun before. Not to mention, she appeared to have exquisite jewelry, fit enough for a princess. In the end, I could not find a single thing that I could point to her being a commoner."

"Not a single thing? How can you be sure she is just a commoner in unusual circumstances." Uther brought his hand to his chin and Gaius tilted his head down.

"Well…if I were to make a theory…I would say she was kidnapped and possibly put into some form of slave trading. Her hair was dyed in a strange substance. I have heard of recent reports of slave traders using this strategy to mark their possession without permanent damage. I fear this is something we must look at after now Sire." Gaius folded his arms together.

Uther cocked an eyebrow at Gaius's words, "Morgana told me she was practically delirious when she found her. She had no concept of her situation and memories tied to how she ended up on the path. Everything you said still can't be proven if she doesn't remember it."

"I'm just giving my opinion Sire." Gaius responded. There was silence as Uther stared at Gaius and intertwined his fingers together.

"This is a strange situation indeed. It's not like I can give her a position in the royal court on the assumption she is a noble…not to mention she can't even say where her loyalties are." Uther looked off for a moment before continuing. "On the other hand, we also can't disregard her…if somebody were to know she is here and possibly looking for her…the last thing I want is to send her on her way to find out she died. Our hands would be partially bloody from her death and who knows what ill feelings may arise." Uther looked at Gaius for a response, but he simply nodded in agreement. Uther turned to a guard standing by the throne. "Bring the physican's new patient here."

Uther turned once more to Gaius, "Perhaps I will recognize her or she looks familiar to a family member."

Taryan

Taryan walked side by side with guards on each side, approaching to meet the king. She eyed them down trying to figure out the difference between 'escorting someone to talk' or 'escorting someone to death'. She scratched her forearm from nervously or perhaps itching sleeves of Gwen's dress.

Well the good news is they aren't physically dragging me there so I guess it's a good sign. Any time someone was bought to be killed they were kicking and screaming…or they are just waiting for me to find out.

When the doors opened Taryan nearly forgot about her predicament and was in awe of the scenery of the throne room. The carved details in the stone pillars and the colorful glass windows reflecting the surfaced flooring brought about more colors in an array of reflective beauty.

The guards beside her stopped and she matched their place. One of them looked at her confused and she stepped forward knowing she was subconsciously using them to shield her.

"I hope I didn't alarm you with my sudden call." Uther said, sitting on the throne. Taryan made a quick glance to Gaius. The first time meeting him as well, consciously that is.

Yes… you did alarm me… Taryan thought.

"Thank you for your concern Sire, but I'm quite alright."

"I understand you have my ward, Lady Morgana, to thank for your arrival to Camelot?" Uther linked his leather hand gloves together and Taryan made a hard swallow in her throat, smoothing the fabric of Gwen's dress to wipe off the sweat from her hands.

"Yes, without her…I wouldn't be standing here. I hope one day I'll be able to repay her."

Uther nodded seemingly pleased, "I will just get straight to the point, my physician here believes you are of noble descent. Is this true?"

Taryan quickly looked towards Gaius for more details, but he seemed just as surprised to hear the king's words, he shifted to face Uther on his throne, mouth agape.

"Sire, I believe I also mentioned…"

Taryan felt some relief with Gaius beginning to speak for her, but her heart dropped after hearing the next words from Uther's mouth.

"Gaius, I am the one speaking with her."

She slowly brought her view back towards Uther to find him leaning over the throne, eyes investigating any part about her. Taryan felt she was dwindling in size under his stare, as if she could disappear any second. Her eyes darted around the room, just not wanting to land on the ones in front of her.

This…is a test. If I make even one miss slip he'll suspect me of being an insider. As I feared…my story is far too suspicious.

"Well…Sire…I…I'm afraid I can't exactly answer that." She spoke out hesitantly, already regretting her word choice.

"I've been told you have no memories. Is this true?" Uther asked suddenly.

Taryan fastly nodded her head, likely the new direction of the conversation, "I'm afraid so Sire, I have been blessed with kind souls since reaching Camelot. The few other faded memories I hold… aren't so fortunate."

Uther now leaned back in his throne, "And what are these other memories?"

Good thing I prepared this when walking here.

"I am just constantly running…I'm not sure from whom, but whoever they were did not have good intentions. I must've gotten hurt shortly after that. The rest of my memories are…well…"

"Not there," Uther finished for Taryan, "So your parents, siblings, even your old home? You have not the faintest idea?"

She slowly nodded her head to which Uther rubbed his forehead, frustrated. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Spiraling thoughts re entered Taryan mind despite her utmost refusal.

I know I didn't have much family in my life, but I didn't exactly wish for it to completely cease? or have the chance to repair it? And what about Fay? Does she think I drowned in the lake right in front of her? Are they…is my old life gone? The longer I'm in here the more frightened I'm becoming. It would be easier if my memories were wiped.

"I am a bit sad, I was looking forward to the story you would tell of your lovely skin getting pierced by silver."

"Pardon?" Taryan asked, her previous thoughts getting obliterated in an instant. Gaius also seemed completely befuddled, clearly trying to put together the question, but not even knowing where to start.

Uther started smiling from the throne, waving his hand in a mockery attitude, "Calm yourselves, I was just curious about your attachments?" Uther cocked an eyebrow, likely after receiving no indication from Taryan and he touched the side of his nose with his leather hand glove.

"Ah! Well…" Taryan quickly brought her hand to her nose, holding back on whispering curses.

Gaius, Merlin, and everyone else were so focused on my colored hair they never even began to question my nose piercing. I should have taken it out before I came here. The less modern the better.

"Yes, I am afraid I can't exactly recall that moment. I suppose it would have been an interesting story."

Uther smiled briefly in a corner of his mouth, but quickly returned to a calmer demeanor.

"I kept you long enough. I confirmed what I needed."

Taryan felt a pang in her heart.

What exactly did he "confirm"?