This time I didn't get as sick as I had the first time. Actually this time it was very enjoyable either that or I was just in a happier mood. I didn't feel a head ache coming on either. So that was good.
Looking around me I found that we were only a few houses away from my own. Merlin and I had arrived in the woods near my street.
"O.k. lets go.'' I said to Merlin and started to walk out of the shelter that the trees provided.
From behind me I heard Merlin say, "No. I will not be going with you. This you must do on your own. I will give you two hours to do everything that you need to do. When the two hours are over back here, I will be waiting.''
Spinning around to face Merlin I said, "Two hours? That's all the time your going to give me?''
Merlin just nodded his head in reply.
Letting out a sigh I turned around and started to walk to my house.
This is great just great, what did you get yourself into Serena? Well it's not like you really want to stay in this time. Besides think of all the adventures you can have there. Horses, swords, those funny dresses, and knights. Thinking about these I found that I reached my house faster than I thought.
Coming up the driveway I noticed that none of the cars were there. So no one would be home, which was both good and bad. Good in the way that I wouldn't have to face my mother. Bad considering this might be the last time I get to see her for a while.
When I reached the door I bent down and pulled out the extra key, which was hidden in a flowerpot. Dusting some dirt off of it I stuck it in the doorknob.
Opening the door I yelled, "Hello?''
After listening for a few seconds I decided that it was as I thought before, no one was home. Stepping further into the house I decided that if no one was home by the time I was supposed to leave, I could always leave a note. With that decided I headed up stares to my bedroom, to pack.
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O.k. lets see what do I pack?
I had dragged two suitcases out of my closest and opened them on my bed; I also had a backpack ready to be filled too. I just couldn't decide what to put in them.
First of all you need some clothes, because lets face it you might end up hating them. I walked over to my closet and grabbed a few of my favorite outfits, which I then stuffed into one of the suitcases.
Second um…. I don't think that they had very good shoes back then did they? I grabbed my running shoes, my black converse, and another pair of boots. I hope that someone would give me back my boots when I get back there.
I then got my CD player and some of my CD's and put them into my backpack. I also grabbed my box of batteries and put them in also. I usually buy enough to last me awhile so I don't have to get up and buy them during a song. I grabbed a bunch of my books and put them in to my backpack too. What else? Oh yes, my photo album.
Looking around my room I tried to decide if I was forgetting anything, I knew I probably was, but I couldn't think of anything. I did remember a mirror though. After I put it carefully into my bag, I just went to the restroom and started to get the things that I would need from there.
I started dumping the things I would take with me in a pile on the floor. I had a bar of soap, a few bottles of shampoo and conditioner in one, toothbrush, toothpaste, a brush, two bottles of Advil, two deodorants, a bag of razors, and a whole lot of pad bags. Who knew what those women used in those days. I also grabbed my flashlight.
When I was done in the rest room I brought in my other suitcase and began to put my stuff in there. I also stuffed my jewelry in there, in a side pocket. Some of it was for sentimental value, my father had bought me most of my jewelry, and the other half was to show of to people. I mean, back then, didn't people judge you on how rich you were?
When I was done packing, I still had thirty minutes left so I got another pair of clothes out of the closet and took a bath.
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Where were they? Did they even come home last night?
After I had taken my bath I brought all my stuff down stairs and waited for my mom. I now only had five minuets left and there still was no sign from her. I had already written a note but I really didn't want to leave it. I would have liked to explain it to her myself and not say it in a letter.
After three more minutes I just sighed and put the note under a cup on the kitchen table.
Grabbing my things I made my way to the door. Thankfully my suitcases were the kinds that had wheels on the bottom or I would have been having a very difficult problem.
When I reached the door I turned and took one last look at my house, that's when I saw it. A box of Ding-Dongs, just sitting there on the counter all casual like. Putting down my suitcases I made my way over to the counter.
Shrugging my backpack off my shoulder I opened it and slipped the box in there. That's one thing bad about the medieval ages they don't have candy. Well our kind of candy any way. Thinking about food and the medieval ages another thought hit me. They didn't have forks or spoons.
It's a good thing you were still in the house when you thought about that, Serena.
Walking over to a drawer near the sink, I opened it and pulled out two pairs of each, just in case I lost one or someone decided to take one. You never know someone might think it absolutely brilliant and decide to take one.
After I slipped the silverware into my backpack I walked over to my things and for a second time got ready to go. This time I got all the way to the stop walk, across the street to where I was supposed to meet Merlin, before I stopped again. This time it was because someone stopped me.
"Why hello young lady. How are you doing this fine morning?'' Said a voice that made me jump because it was so close to me.
"Where are you going with all that stuff.''
When I calmed down a bit I realized that it was only an old lady pruning her roses.
"Oh…this stuff. Well I was just going to um…I was just on my way to give these things to the goodwill.'' I said a little to hastily.
But the old lady didn't seem to notice, "That's good. We need more kids like that in our neighborhood. I wont keep you, have a good time.''
With that she went back to her gardening not looking up again.
I walked quickly into the woods and hoped that no one else would notice me.
After a few steps I stopped trying to drag my things through the bushes and just dropped them.
Walking forward on my on I began to yell, "Merlin! Merlin, I'm back! Hey-''
Merlin popped out in front of me saying, "You didn't have to yell Serena. I would have been capable of hearing you just fine if you talked normally. Did every think go fine?''
"Well no one was at the house so I just left a letter. I think I did get everything I would need though.'' I said looking back at my stuff.
Following the direction of my gaze Merlin looked at my stuff and said, "I should have known. Women never travel light.''
"Hey!''
"Well come along then, I would like you settled in before dinner. Arthur also says he wants to see you in some decent clothes at dinner.''
Grumbling I went back to my stuff and grabbed it in my hand, followed closely by Merlin.
"Ready then?'' he asked.
When I nodded he placed one of his hands on my shoulder and began to speak under his breath.
You know I think the more times you travel this way the less you feel after you've landed wherever it is you wanted to go. When we reached our destination all I felt was a single tingling feeling pass over my body. Which was way more preferable to the headache and vomiting feeling.
Looking around me I found that we had not ended up in a forest like I had expected. We were in a somewhat dingy room; it was also rather breezy in here. There also wasn't a lot of furniture in the room.
There was a door and a tapestry on one wall; the one to the left of it had a dresser and a huge bed, the next wall had a window and that was all, and the final wall had what looked like a writing desk, some type shelves to the right of it, and to the left there was another dresser.
"This is to be your room.'' Said Merlin, "I'll let you get settled before I send up the seamstress to fit you for a dress.''
I just nodded still looking, open mouthed, at the dingy room that was to be my own. Hearing a loud click from my door being closed I snapped out of the trance that I had been in and closed my mouth.
Well it will be a while till I see this places as home sweet home.
Sighing I shrugged my backpack off my shoulders and began to get to work.
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After about three hours and a ding-dong I was about done with everything. I had managed to stuff my clothes in the drawers. Everything that had no room for a place or the personal things that I just didn't want people to see stayed in my suitcases or hidden under the bed. I also turned my suitcases into stand type things so there was even stuff on them.
I was still trying to find a place for my mirror when I heard a shy knock on my door.
"Come in!'' I yelled, not even bothering to turn towards the door.
"My lady? I'm here to fit you for a dress.'' Said a very low voice as whoever it was closed the door.
Turning to look at the person I found her to be a girl maybe a little older than I was. She had long dirty blond hair and was sort of short. Her head was downcast so I couldn't see her face very well.
"Can we just skip this?'' I asked.
She looked up then, with a slow smile on her face, and said, "Arthur said you would probably say something like that, but Merlin said--. Is it true that you will be Merlin's new apprentice? Almost everyone is scared of him did you know that? I think it's because everyone thinks that he will turn us into a frog or the like.''
"Well, I am going to become his new apprentice but I don't think that I will be able to turn anyone into a frog…. just yet.''
She seemed to relax a bit when I said this because she said, "All right come over here and stand up straight so I can get the right measurements. By the way my name is Tess…''
The last part was said in such a different tone from the first that it caught me off guard a little.
"Oh…my names Serena.'' I said as I went to stand in front of her.
She nodded her head and began to tack out a piece of string, that she began to measure me with.
"Hey, do you know where the restroom is I really need to go.''
Tess looked up at me and said, "Restroom?''
That was when I remembered that there were no such things as restrooms in this time frame. And let me tell you I let out a very laud scream.
"NNNOOOOOO!''