A/N: I don't own Merlin. Comment if you like it, if you have feedback. If you want to follow the story then follow it :).
Rose enjoyed her time in Camelot, and she was getting used to how things happened in Camelot. She had her first birthday as a member of the royal court and Morgana had bought her everything, she guessed Rose would need as she turned 10 years old which was a lot of dresses and hairbrushes. Arthur had got her a sword which was engraved with a Rose the flower. Merlin had got her a book that was a magic book, but it was disguised as a cookbook which she loved.
The night after her birthday Rose was in bed asleep having a bad dream. She was with Morgana and Uther and a man came up behind them and sliced of Uther's head before slicing his head open. Rose screamed and woke up it with a nasty start. She sat up quickly and nearly head-butted Morgana who was sat on her bed. She was pulled into Morgana arms and she hugged back sniffling slightly.
"It's okay, it was just a dream" said Morgana. She got up and took Rose's hand and pulled her over to the table she sat down, and Morgana gave her some water and sat down next to her.
"Thank you" said Rose.
"it's what I am here for" said Morgana. There was a knock on the door. Morgana got up and answered the door. Two guards stood there.
"The king requests both your presence in the throne room" said one of the guards.
"It's late" said Morgana looking at Rose worriedly.
"Tom the blacksmith has been arrested" said the other guards.
They both grabbed their shawls and put their shoes on before leaving the room. They followed the guards and Morgana took her hand.
"What has he been arrested for" asked Rose.
"Treason" said one of the guards. Morgana sped up and Rose was running to keep up. They got to the throne room.
"Treason" said Morgana. Uther looked up to look at them. Rose got her usual nervous feeling she got around Uther.
"Yes Morgana, treason he was caught red handed with an enemy of Camelot" said Uther.
"What enemy" said Morgana angrily. She admired Morgana's bravery and her ability to stand up for herself.
"Tauren the leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the king" said Arthur.
Rose annoyance got bigger what did this kingdom expect after what they did to the magic users and druids in the great purge no wonder, they had people after them.
"Where is this Tauren now?" asked Rose carefully.
"They escaped" said Arthur
"Well then how can you sure" asked Rose. She was still being cautious because she didn't want her temper to flare because that was usual when magic would come out.
"Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes" answered Uther.
"Well even if the man is who you say he is, you can't arrest Tom for being seen with him" said Morgana.
"We believe he was forging weapons for Tauren" said Uther. Rose could feel the tension in the room grow as Morgana got angrier.
"Rubbish he wouldn't do such a thing" said Morgana.
"Every man has his price" drawled Uther. Arthur pushed a lump of gold across the table.
"I found this on him" said Arthur. He looked uncomfortable like he was on Morgana's side but was worried about saying something against Uther.
"He's a blacksmith maybe he got paid got shoeing his horse" said Rose hotly. Uther gave her an exasperated look.
"In gold" said Uther in a patronising voice. Her anger got worse and so did her fear. She yawned and rubbed her eyes because they stung in the candlelight.
"Maybe he did a good job" said Rose. Morgana took Rose's hand and glared at Uther.
"You execute Gwen's father I'll never forgive you ever!" snapped Morgana. She stormed out taking Rose with her, Rose wasn't complaining she loved being out of the throne room and away from the tension.
Rose woke up the next day midmorning she sat up and stretched and looked at her bed side table. Morgana had left her a note on the bed side table which read "Meet me at the stables at noon, I am going to get you over your fear of riding, Morgana" Rose smiled at the note. She knew that Morgana was trying to distract her from the situation of Gwen's father. She got up and dressed in some casual clothes and went to the stables. Morgana was already there she was setting up the horses and had a basket on her arm.
"This one is yours; you name the horse whatever you want, it'll help you get used to horses, climb on" said Morgana. Rose stared the horse that now belonged to her was white with huge black eyes, it had a bit of brown fur over his eyes. She gingerly approached the horse and stroked its mane.
"Patch, I am calling her Patch" said Rose.
Morgana smiled at her and took her hand and guided her to get on the horse then she got on her own horse.
"Tap gently like this with your foot" said Morgana. She kicked the horse gently and they both went into the woods. She was glad to be out of the castle and out in the open away from rules. She breathed in the air and got lost in thought. People surely couldn't be arrested and executed for being seen with a sorcerer no matter what the circumstances did he not deserve a trail. She was putting Morgana in so much trouble what if she got found out. "Rose, Rose". She came back to reality and realised that Morgana was trying to get her attention.
"Sorry I was in my own world" said Rose. Morgana stopped her horse and Rose followed what Morgana did and her horse stopped. Morgana got down first and tethered her horse to a tree. Rose swung her leg round and Morgana helped her down and showed her how to tether the horse to the tree. She did this and Morgana got a blanket out her basket and laid it on the ground and they sat down on it.
"It is so nice to get out the castle" said Rose. Morgana gave her a smile and poured out some water into some goblets and gave her the water and got out some fruit and sliced meat.
"I know all this must be hard for you" said Morgana.
"Yeah it the fact Gwen could be losing her dad and its all because of magic but not all magic is evil" said Rose.
"I know magic could be a force for good, Will save our lives, if he had wanted to kill us all he could have done it" said Morgana. Rose smiled at Morgana and felt an understanding between the two of them. They sat in comfortable silence while they ate, and Rose couldn't help but feel calm and relaxed around Morgana.
"Thank you for this, ham is my favourite" said Rose.
"Your welcome" said Morgana. Rose laid back on to the blanket and watched the clouds go over head feeling content.
The rest of the day went without too much incident Rose was in their room when the warning bell sounded it was late and she didn't know what to do so she grabbed her sword and left her chambers. Morgana came around the corner and pulled Rose back into the chambers. Rose sat down on Morgana's bed and Morgana sat next to her.
"When the warning bell sounds stay put where you are, you don't go looking for the dangerous people leave it to the knights" said Morgana.
"Sorry I didn't realise" said Rose. Morgana pulled her into a hug, and they laid back on to the bed.
"I gave Tom the key to escape" said Morgana. Rose nodded and laid her head on to Morganas shoulder.
The next day Rose was laid across Morgana's bed reading a book about healing herbs and Morgana was writing at her desk. A scream ripped through the open window Rose shot up and ran to look. A dead man was being pulled across the courtyard she recognised it as Tom. Gwen followed behind screaming and crying her dad's name. Morgana got up and looked angry.
"I'll be back in a bit" said Morgana leaving the room. Rose felt so bad for Gwen who followed the cart. She felt a piece of magic in the room she followed her senses and found a stone in Morgana's bed side table. She picked up the stone and straight away she felt a powerful magic go through her. She put the stone back in the draw and went to find Morgana. She gasped in horror when she saw Morgana being dragged to the dungeons by two guards.
"What is going on" said Rose. She felt fear and anger at seeing her guardian being treated in such a way.
"It's alright, go to see Gaius for a bit" said Morgana. Before Rose could say something, Morgana was taken away. She marched to Arthurs chambers and knocked on the door. He would know what to do.
"Enter" said Arthur's voice through the door. Rose entered the room and Arthur was sat at his table.
"Sire" said Rose. She curtsied and Arthur chuckled at her and pointed to the seat next to him.
"You don't need to address me as sire, it's just Arthur, sit how can I help," said Arthur. Rose sat down next to him at the table.
"Morgana has got herself arrested, and I don't know what to do," said Rose. Arthur gave her a reassuring smile and put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner and she felt her stress and worry eb away.
"I'll deal with it, it's not the first time, sometimes her mouth runs off with her sometimes," said Arthur.
"Yeah she seems to be the only person not afraid of him" said Rose.
She went to Gwen's house to see Gwen was staring at her washing looking sad. Rose went over to her and wrapped her arms around Gwen from behind around the middle.
"Are you alright?" asked Rose. Gwen took her hands and turned around to look at Rose.
"No but I will be" said Gwen. She sighed and they both started to take the washing down from the line. Suddenly a man came out of nowhere and pounced on Gwen cover her mouth.
"Oi let her go now" said Rose. She then added into his head it was a long shot, but she took it "as soon to be high priestess I command you let her go". He must have heard the message in his head because he let go of Gwen and stared at Rose.
"Serving girl leave us" said the man. Gwen ran away from the situation and Rose went into Gwen's house the man followed her.
"I take it your name is Tauren" said Rose.
"You are correct" said Tauren.
"I have what you seek, I will bring it to the darkling woods at night fall" said Rose. Tauren bowed to her and Rose shook her head "Don't bow". Tauren nodded and in a flash of grey smoke he was gone. Rose could not believe this was happening. There was never a dull moment in Camelot. She walked to her chambers and walked into the room and got the stone from the bag and closed her eyes. Gold the last think the stone had done was gold. Interesting it was to do with alchemy. She studied the stone for the rest of the day until the evening when Morgana came back looking rough but okay.
They chatted for a bit before Morgana went to sleep. Rose got the stone out the drawer and snuck out of the room. She walked down the corridor and felt a hand on her shoulder she jumped and turned around it was Morgana. Rose looked at Morgana she looked between annoyed and impressed.
"I can explain, Gwen was threatened by Tauren and Tauren demanded for a stone so me not wanting Gwen to get into trouble told him I would bring him the stone" said Rose quickly. Morgana gave her a long stare before nodding.
"Okay I am coming with you" said Morgana. They snuck out the castle and into the woods on the outside of Camelot. They went into the darkling woods. They were surrounded by Tauren's men.
"She doesn't know I have magic" said Rose into Tauren's head quickly. He gave her a quick and subtle nod.
"I only asked for your ward" said Tauren. Morgana moved Rose so she was behind her back.
"What's your fixation with a 10-year-old" said Morgana. Sounding defensive and looking ready to fight if necessary.
"She is around the same age my son and daughter were when Uther had them killed" said Tauren. He sighed and looked at them both sadly "we were a peaceful people".
"I can help you; I will get close to him for you" said Morgana.
"You're his friend, how do I know this isn't a trap" said Tauren.
"Would Uther do this to his friends, I don't believe magic is completely bad" said Morgana she showed Tauren her wrists which were red and raw. Rose's jaw dropped Morgana was going to defend magic and sorcery! She couldn't believe it. She zoned out and Tauren and Morgana spoke to each other. Maybe things were looking up after all. Wait no killing Uther was surely making them as bad as he was. She made mental note to go see Kilghara.
Rose and Morgana went back to the castle and both slumped on to Morgana's bed both falling to sleep straight away. Rose got up early the next morning Morgana was still asleep, so Rose got up without disturbing her and left the chambers. She went to Kilghara's cave and he came down to meet her on his usual rock.
"Good morning, sorry to disturb you so early in the morning. did you sleep well?" said Rose.
"I did thank you, how can I help" said Kilghara. Rose told Kilghara everything about the last day or so and explained what had happened in Camelot.
"So now Morgana is actively trying to get the king killed" said Rose.
"That bothers you, the death of a man that would see you hanged or worse burnt at the stake, I would do nothing" said Kilghara. Rose gave him a taken aback look. She understood why he would be angry towards Uther having killed all magic user, the other dragons and left him to live the rest of his life locked up in a cave alone and isolated. However, she could think about rationally as she hadn't the same bitterness and anger towards the king as he did yet.
"Yes and no, I feel like we are no better than him if we kill him" said Rose. Merlin came running into the cave and raised his eyebrows when he saw Rose.
"Young Warlock, what is it you come to ask me?" asked Kilghara. Rose went over to Merlin.
"I need your help" said Merlin.
"Will you heed my word this time" said Kilghara.
"The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the king, he's made an ally of Morgana, I don't know what to do" said Merlin.
"How do you know" said Rose.
"I followed you" said Merlin.
"I was only trying to help Gwen; she was being threatened and Morgana insisted on coming with me" said Rose.
"What should we do" asked Merlin.
"Do… nothing" said Kilghara. Rose looked at the dragon and gave him a small sympathetic smile. Merlin had the same reaction she first had of shock however he didn't have a realisation she did.
"What?" said Merlin.
"Do you not want him dead he murders your kind for just existing, it is Uther that murders the innocent" said Kilghara
"That shouldn't mean we just kill him or let him be killed" said Rose.
"With Uther alive magic cannot return to the land, only if Uther dies will you be free, let Uther's reign end, let Arthur's rein begin, with Arthur king he can seek out the woman he loves, Fulfil your destiny" said Kilghara. He began to fly upwards.
"Wait, since when has my destiny included murder" shouted Merlin. Kilghara flew out of sight. Rose turned to look at Merlin he looked shaken. Rose held her hand out and he took it and they walked to his chambers. He sat down on the bench and pulled Rose on to his lap and put his head in to her shoulder Rose hugged him and he hugged back.
Later, that day Rose was getting her horse ready she was going on a ride with Morgana and Uther to Morgana's father's grave. She got on to Patch and patted her mane. Morgana and Uther approached her on their horse and a few guards were with them.
"Well done, you did a great job" said Morgana taking her hand and giving her hand a squeeze. They started their journey to Morgana's grave. Rose could sense they were being followed she heard a blast she turned around but didn't see anything. She looked ahead and noticed that Uther and Morgana were further ahead. She kicked her horse slightly and caught up with them. They got to Morgana's father's grave. Morgana and Uther got of their horses as Rose tentatively turned on her horse to side saddle Uther approached and helped her off the horse.
"It feels like not long since I was doing this for you" said Uther to Morgana. Rose smiled and linked her arm with Morgana's arm, and they walked towards the pile of stones that was the grave. Uther and Morgana knelt in front of the grave. Rose stayed stood unsure with what to do or where to put herself. "Come sit with us" said Morgana patting the grass next to her. Rose sat down and wrapped her arm around Morgana's waist.
"Your father was a great man, since you have been in my care you fought against me and yet you have been the beat of my heart, you must feel that" said Uther. He seemed so kind not the monster he was meant to be.
"Yeah, my ward is like a daughter to me already, I don't have many memories of my father, they are all gone, I was only ten" said Morgana.
"I don't have many memories either, if I think carefully, I remember long black hair and brown eyes" said Rose.
"You challenge me as friend would, from this day forward I promise to quarrel with you less" said Uther.
"You clapped me in irons" said Morgana.
"Sometimes my temper blinds me, I have a lot of regrets" said Uther. Rose and Morgana looked at each other in alarm.
"You regret killing Tom" said Rose
"Yes" said Uther. Before he could continue speaking Morgana screamed Rose and Uther looked up to see Tauren standing over him with a sword. Uther pushed himself of the floor and began to fight back against Tauren. Uther was disarmed so Morgana ran forward and stabbed Tauren in the back before helping up Uther. Rose came over Uther pulled them both into a hug.
Rose got back to the castle sometime later and went straight to Gaius and Merlin's chamber. She let herself in and hugged Merlin.
"We did it" said Rose squeezing him tighter round the middle he made a mock gasp noises and the started laughing.
"Yeah we did, we are a good team us two" said Merlin. Rose smiled and stepped away from him letting him breathe.
The end
