"So let me get this straight,'' I said, "I ask you for a book on king Arthur and you send me back to the time of king Arthur? What kind of serves is that?''
Part of me thought damn good service, though.
"Lets say I believe you for a moment. Why did you bring me here?'' I asked before my first question could be answered.
"Give me a chance to speak and I'll tell you why.'' Said Merlin wearily.
I couldn't help noticing Arthur was smirking. My life.
"I brought you here to become my apprentice. You will help me in everything, from organizing my scrolls to advising Arthur.'' Said Merlin.
Now let me tell you there was a lot of 'whats?' that followed this announcement. Arthur's and mine were the loudest.
"Calm down everyone.'' Said Merlin in a calm voice.
And mostly everyone did except for Arthur and I.
"What do you mean become your apprentice? I have to go home. My mom is probably freaking out by now.'' I exasperated.
Arthur on the other hand had a different problem with me being Merlin's apprentice, "You can not possibly think that she could advise me in anything, she's crazy.''
"I am not crazy you-you monkey molester.'' I sputtered out.
"Merlin look she doesn't even show me respect. She should be in the stocks, not by my side advising me. What will my enemies think if they see her with me? They'll think I'm getting soft letting a girl speak to me so.''
"Stop whining like a baby. It's not as if I want to-'' At this point I was interrupted by Merlin.
"Stop acting like little children both of you.'' Turning to the men, who were laughing their heads off, Merlin said, "Make camp were not leaving here till we set things straight.''
The men didn't follow his orders right away; it took a grudging nod from Arthur to get them moving.
"Now you two come with me.'' Merlin said as he turned away and walked further down the shore.
Arthur went up ahead so that he was walking side by side with Merlin. Leaving me to walk alone behind them. Not that I cared that I was walking alone, not at all, I just remembered something about people of low rank walking behind the people of high rank. Was that what Arthur was implying?
Great. Wonderful day today was, wasn't it? You know what you forgot Serena? You forgot that no matter how great a king is they will probably be stuck up.
"Serena hurry please.'' Said Merlin.
I realized that I had stopped walking and was staring out at the lake. I also realized that Merlin and Arthur had found some rocks and were now sitting on them looking at me.
I jogged over to them and plopped down on a rock between the two.
"Now let's see, where to start…''Merlin drifted off.
"How about the part that made you think I need a crazy person as an adviser?'' asked Arthur in a sarcastic way.
"I'm not-'' Do I ever get to finish? No.
"That's enough you two. I don't want any of you talking right now. Arthur I have raised and guided you since you were a little boy, so I'd like to ask you to trust me when I say that there will be things in the future that I will not be able to help you with. But there is a chance that Serena will be able to help you where I can not.''
There was a considerate silence only interrupted by me.
"O.k. my turn. Let's consider the fact that my mom is probably sick with worry about me and I want to go home. Or the fact that I see no way that I can help Arthur. Also the most important fact I can not, and I repeat, I can not live without my music.''
"O.k.,'' said Merlin, "You are right your mom is sick with worry over you, what parent wouldn't be? But that can be easily fixed the problem here is you. Do you really want to go back home? I seem to remember you hating the king Arthur stories, this would be your chance to change all that. With your help he could very well live instead of die.''
"You know, Merlin, I find it disturbing that you talk about me as if I wasn't even here. But I do find it flattering that you would like me to live instead of die, Serena.'' Said Arthur in a dry tone.
"Don't flatter yourself, this was before I met you. Now that I have met you I'm tempted to off you myself.'' I said with a smile at Arthur.
He just scowled back at me.
Turning to look at the lake I thought about what Merlin had said, did I even want to go back home? And the answer I came up with was no. Sure I wanted my mom not to worry about me but that was about it. I had already said good-bye to all my friends when I moved, so that wasn't a problem. I'm sure my mom wouldn't be that upset after all she was disgustingly happy with my stepfather. Besides living here would mean a lot of great things.
Like first of all I wouldn't have to go to school, defiantly a good thing. Second I'm likely the smartest person living on the world right now, defiantly something to brag about. Third I get to ride a horse and live in a castle, what girl didn't want to do that when she was little? Forth I get to be the apprentice to Merlin. Meaning magic…wait a minute!
"Merlin? I just thought of something, I cant be your apprentice because I don't have magical powers or anything like that.''
"Are you sure?'' Merlin said with a raised eyebrow.
"Um…pretty sure.''
"If Merlin thinks you can do something, you can do It.'' said Arthur looking out over the lake.
"Yeah. O.k.'' I said sarcastically.
"Why do you-'' Arthur began to say in a harsh voice but was interrupted by Merlin.
"You two will have to learn to get along, for both of your sakes.''
Arthur let out a, "humph.'' And lowered himself on to his back so that he could stare up at the stars.
He is nothing like I ever pictured the 'great king Arthur' to be like. Well for one thing I thought he be older and more…majestic. To be fair he was hot but he had a stick up his ass, sadly.
Turning to Merlin I said, "How did you plan to make my mother not worry about me?''
"Oh that's easy, I'll take you tomorrow, in the morning, back to your world and you'll tell her. While your there you can get some of your personal belongings.''
"You know Merlin that sounds good and all but I think that after a night away, my mom is more likely to hurt me then let me do it again.''
"Tell her you have no choice then. Which you sort of don't.'' said Merlin.
"What do you mean I sort of don't?'' I asked getting mad for some unknown reason.
"I cannot explain it and even if I could I don't think you would be able to understand.'' He said in a mysterious tone.
"Fine Yoda be that way. See if I care.'' I said as I followed Arthur's example and lay down to look up at the stars too.
"Merlin I would like to go too.'' Said Arthur from his spot.
"Go where, Arthur?'' asked Merlin.
"To Serena's world. The people there can not be all crazy.''
"Maybe some other time. Serena what happened to the book I gave you?'' asked Merlin.
"Well I had it all day but I lost it when the person over there, who shall remain nameless, tackled me to the floor and sat on me.''
Oh, don't think he wont pay for what he did. Oh how he will pay…in the morning maybe.
"O.k. lets go look for it it's a very important book.'' Said Merlin as he got up and started walking the way that we had come.
Getting up I follow him, leaving Arthur somewhere behind me.
When Merlin stooped down and picked up something I knew he had found the book. Well it must have some powerful stuff in it if it could bring me here.
Coming along side Merlin I asked, "So it would really be o.k. If I changed things?''
"Some things. Why what did you have in mind?'' he said with a suggestive smile in Arthur's direction.
"Eww, gross! Not that you perverted old man!'' I said with disgust.
Merlin just shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
"What are you laughing about?'' asked Arthur when he reached us.
"Oh just your future, that I get to hold in my hands like clay.'' I said with a smug expression.
"Merlin you can not let-'' Arthur started to yell.
"Then you better be nice, Arthur.'' I said.
"I will not-''
"Oh calm down you two. Arthur only you can control your destiny, how many times do I have to tell you that? We will just try to help you the best we can. Serena I suggest that you go and get some sleep, we will leave for your world early tomorrow.''
With that the three of us head to the light that we saw in the woods. Which turned out to be the fire for the camp. Some of the guys were already asleep; they had cleared out some of the branches that were on the floor. The others were sitting around the fire and I think I did see a look out in the trees.
Two of the guys who sat at the fire stood up at our approach. I recognized one as Tristam the other guy I don't know.
He was tall with brown-blond hair and blue eyes. I think he might have been in his late twenties or something. For some reason when I saw him he reminded me of what I had seen in the pictures of Romans.
When we got closer to each other he said, "No stocks then?''
Looking at me and sighing, Arthur said, "No, no stocks, Lancelot.''
Ah…so this is the famous Lancelot. Personally I don't think he's cuter than Arthur, but than again he might not be as arrogant.
"More like a place at court, and dresses. You do wear dresses right Serena?'' asked Arthur.
"Well…not really. I thought I would just get some of my clothes from home when Merlin takes me tomorrow.'' I said back.
"Those wont do at all if they're like the things your wearing now. We'll have the seamstress make you some new clothes when you arrive at the castle tomorrow.'' Said Arthur.
I would have fought with Arthur at this point but I really did want to wear some of those dresses. But there is always time to fight with him later right?
"I'll also hire someone to give you etiquette manners. I can't have you insulting everyone when you meet them. God this is going to be a challenge.'' He said looking at me.
"Hey I know how to behave. It's just that I've been having a bad day,'' Looking around me I said, "a very bad day.''
This is when Tristam piped up, "I thought so, I laid out my bedroll so that you may use it.''
"That's very thought full, thank you.'' I said as I followed him to his bedroll.
When he pointed it out to me and I got in, he bent down and said, "You know no ones ever spoken to Arthur like that, it surprised us all very much. Even more surprising is that you're a girl. I mean no girl ever talks to Arthur like that, there all in love with him. Well most of them anyway.''
I think I know where this was heading; after all I did have a lot of guy friends.
"Is there some girl you like?'' I teased.
"Yes.'' He said going a bit red in the face.
"You want me to find out if she likes you and not Arthur?''
"Yes.''
At this point we both turned to look at him. To my great surprise I found him looking back at the two of us.
"Why me, you don't even know me?'' I asked him.
Turning back to look at me Tristam said, "Well I usually wouldn't ask anyone, my friends because well they will think it's a laugh and a lady, well I can't ask a lady. But you seem different, I mean I don't now any lady who can run as fast as you did or really run for that matter. Also I find you funny so I wouldn't mind having you as a friend.''
"So let me get this straight you want me to help you because I am unladylike, run fast, and I'm funny.''
"Well-'' he
starting to go red again.
"Hey that's as good as reason as any
to me. But you have to help me with something too.''
"All right.'' He said with a look of relief on his face.
"You have to teach me how to use a sword.''
"What?!'' he yelled, waking up the people near us.
Looking around I saw that they just grumbled and went back to sleep. We were obvious of little importance at the moment. But looking over at the fire I saw Arthur stand up and start walking in our direction.
"Ladies do not use swords.'' Said Tristam.
"Yeah but remember that's why you like me. Come on Tristam, please?'' I said speaking really fast because Arthur was getting closer.
"Well I suppose. It couldn't hurt-''
"Good, good. We have a deal then.'' I said and gave his hand a quick shake.
By the time he stood up Arthur was in front of us.
"Yes?'' I said.
But he just ignored me and turned to Tristam.
"It's your hour for look out duty.''
"Yes sire.'' Said Tristam, with a bow.
Turning to look at me he nodded and left. Leaving me alone with the beast. Who just looked down at me.
"Do you want something? If not go away, I have more important stuff to be doing right now like sleeping.'' I said as I turned over so I wouldn't have to look at him.
He didn't go away as a matter of fact he bent down and leaned over so that he could whisper into my ear.
"I don't care if your Merlin's new apprentice or that you are from another time, if you do not show me respect or step out of line in front of others I will make you pay. Trust me when I say that I will know every time when you have stepped out of line.''
In reply to all this all I did was yawn, and close my eyes. After a few seconds I heard him go away, back towards the fire.
Man what a piece of work! He is such a…. well I cant think of what he is right now. How wrong those writers were when they wrote about him.
He doesn't scare me. Oh, the ways I will make him pay. Honestly what does he think he can do to me? It's not like I care what people think about me. So… Oh I'm too tired to think. Tomorrow…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Serena, wake up. Serena.'' Said a voice by my side. Coming from the very same person that I thought was nudging me awake.
"I'm up. I'm up.'' I said, sitting up with my eyes still closed.
"Here drink this it will wake you up.'' Said the voice that I think belonged to Merlin.
A moment later I felt a cup being pushed into my hands. Taking it I put it to my lips and took a sip. It was cold! The weather not the drink. The drink was some kind of liquor that made my eyes snap open.
I found Merlin squatting to the side of me, smiling.
"Come on hurry, we will do the changing of time in the woods away from everyone.'' After Merlin said this he stood straight and walked into the woods.
I guess he expects me to follow him.
Sighing I got up, still holding the cup, and followed him.
Guess who I almost bumped into at the edge of the clearing. Yup the beast.
Looking down at him I thought about how hot he looked just sleeping there. That is when a beyond brilliant plan came into my head. Smiling to myself I stretched out my hand, the one holding the cup, and twisted my arm so that, sadly, the remaining of my drink was pored onto Arthur's face.
He immediately sat up with a yell.
Then I don't know how it happened, or maybe I do, but the cup also slipped from my hand, again another sadly, hitting Arthur in the head.
After that Arthur let out a growl and lunged at me. He didn't catch me though only because he was still in his bedroll and it was holding him down.
Laughing, with the joy of how the day was going, I jumped over Arthur and ran to join Merlin.
Coming upon him I said, "Are we going now?''
He nodded and grabbed my hand saying some words that started to give me that roller coaster feeling, and soon we were gone.
But not before I saw Arthur's mad form coming through the trees.
Life can be sooo good sometimes, you know?