I cannot believe it but the dumbest episode, Goblin's Gold, inspired how my oc learns magic...

Weird where inspiration comes from, right?

One Month before Merlin arrives in Camelot.

"Wow..." Orion said, his tone soft, looking widely at the Great Library. "Do I have access to all of the books?" He was shaking, so excited. He loved nothing more than reading, learning was his passion.

Geoffrey, a slightly pudgy man with large eyebrows, laughed. "Yes, my boy, you do. All of it, but remember your new duties first."

"You never did say what those were."

"Ahh, my mistake. You are to organize the books as they are taken out, clean the library each day, dust the shelves, and check and repair the books as needed once you are taught how. Oh and you will collect my lunch when needed, the servants are rather slow to bring my food."

Nodding, the boy smiled. "I can do that."

"Be sure that you do. My decision to bring you into my care, as something of an heir, will be an unpopular decision. You have no ties to the noble clans, people will be unhappy with it."

Orion frowned. "Why take me in then? All I know is you told me to follow you from the Fish Mongerer's stall, that you had a better job for me if I so wanted it. I only came because I recognized you from the ceremonies the king had you perform during Prince Arthur's Nameday...you said that I would be working for you, in the castle." What he did not say was that he left out of fear of what would happen had he denied the man... many horror stories of the Knights butchering and beating those who disobeyed those in the castle." Also, I knew I would be paid better, given more access to food and shelter and safety..." He sighed. "Did I make a mistake?"

Geoffrey sighed. "No, you did not." The man sat down, his heavy robes making a ruffling sound. "I saw how your employer was treating you, with disrespect and cruelty He hit you twice, called you slow and fat... and I saw that you could read when you corrected your employer's handwriting on his tax letter, which he also hit you for. So few of the common folk can read or write, many cannot do basic arithmetic! I realized that your talents were being wasted, and knew you deserved better, so I took action. I should have explained better, that is my fault... but I have been looking for an apprentice for years, you just seemed to be a perfect fit.

Now, for the perks, for there are many. You have shelter and food, as you said, but also access to as many books as your heart desires so long as it is not in need by a noble person. Read as much as you wish, on your own time, or between jobs. However, I must warn you, do not read too much on magic for that will draw the wrong attention and endanger you greatly."

Orion shivered. "I am aware, I have seen a great many innocent souls taken by Uther's Madness."

"King Uther... and you are not wrong." The man whispered. "You must be careful to not reveal your true feelings, always keep a silent heart here in the castle. That is the greatest thought you must carry in your soul. Many are far too willing to use them against you. Can you do that?"

"With the prize of so many books, how can I say no?"

"I thought that would be your answer... I will lead you to your room, where you will be staying for the time being. Now, I expect you to rise at Dawn, break your fast with me, and then get to work. Finishing whatever work was started the night before, checking the list of books in need of repair or copying, cleaning the shelves and so on... it will take you many hours to complete your work, but I am sure you can do it. You will start in the East Wing, I rarely need to go there, it is in need of extreme dusting, so make sure you bring the ladder. You will start tomorrow, as soon as you get comfortable in your quarters."

His Quarters was actually a ten foot large room, complete with a desk, a dresser and a small bookshelf... and naturally a bed. It had a window that looked out into the Knights' training field, quite lovely really.

"Thank you... Geoffery, I never thought I would get the chance to be anything, to have any hope... who would have guessed random chance would be something that would help me."

Geoffery smiled. "It is often random chance that makes the world a better place... now, get yourself comfortable and I will give you the tour of the library so you can begin your dusting. Do not worry about much else, dusting will give you a chance to be useful, keep the books clean and help you get acquainted with the library." He stopped. "I never did ask, how did you teach yourself to read?"

"Oh, there were books auctioned off after Uther had a man killed. I was curious and I took some books, I was eleven at the time, and I managed to get an older woman to help me with my letters, the wife the Fish Mongerer actually. From there I just taught myself, I misspelled some words, and mispronounced them, but after a while, I figured it out and now I am fluent. I enjoy learning, always have."

"That is a gift, child, to be smart enough to teach yourself such a skill... and now it will give you a great future, one in my care. I will test your literacy over the next several months to make sure you are up to par... all this excitement... so much to do, but you will be of great help to me and to Camelot."

The boy smiled.

'And to think, my life has changed in a mere twenty minutes... from working at a fish monger's stall to working in the Great Library... who would have guessed?'

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write. This is a story of chance, not power.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.