Hey guys so in this Chapter she meets Merlin and reads about one of the jewels that she has on her belt, she has eleven types of gems and crystals each with a different and unique power to help my Oc. Enjoy the Chapter!

Chapter 2

Cecilia traveled through the forest, she left home three days ago, her only thought right now is to go to Camelot to ask for Gauis help. She needs his help to cure her village of the illness.

After a long morning of walking she decided to rest a bit, she sat down at the giant rock taking out her pouch that had some water to drink.

She looked around the area seeing it very quiet and the trees full of life she saw the vibrant green leaves in one of the branches of the tree. She let out a sigh taking in nature's beauty she saw one tree full of apples, she got up and climbed the tree with ease, her hand reaching up to grab the ruby red fruit.

Her hand held the red fruit as she took a bite of the sweet taste, memories of her and her mother flash in her mind one particular memory is her mother Fay climbing up a tree to grab a few apples for her daughter.

"Mother…."Cecilia muttered glancing at the belt seeing the tiny jewels twinkling by the sunlight. "I wonder why you made this for me.." She reached in her pocket to take out the small book her father had given her a few days ago and read the first page.

'The Sapphire it dulls when fraud and treachery is discovered , it also protects the wearer from fever, poison, the plague , skin diseases, when this gem is next to the diamond it has great power in resisting black magic and ill-wishing. It makes the wearer aware of any illusions from enemies.'

"Sapphire...so maybe this can help my father! But wait…." Cecilia said 'If I get caught using magic they'll burn me at the stake...I can't heal them with magic even if I want to after all magic should only be used if its necessary...I just have to go to see Gauis...I'm sure he can help..'

Cecilia closed her small book tucking it away in her pocket, before she got down from the tree she picked a bunch of apples for a snack or to trade at the market.

The young woman walked and walked being careful of the small path. After a long journey, she made it to Camelot.

Cecilia's p.o.v.

I couldn't believe it, I made it now I need to find Gauis to speak to him and see if he can help! But the problem is that I don't know where I'm supposed to go, I wandered around until I saw a young man about my age in the stocks being pelted by food..mostly tomatoes. Poor guy..after the kids went to get more food I walked to him to see if he was okay.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly getting his attention.

"I'm fine.." He said shaking his head to get the tomato off of his hair.

"I'm Cecilia, my friends call me Ceci." I introduced myself.

"Merlin." He said trying to cover his blush but to no avail, he tried to move his hand to shake mine but it ended up being an Awkward shake.

"Why are you in the stocks?" I asked curiously.

"I called the prince an Ass." Merlin honestly said. "I didn't know he was a prince I just thought he was a Knight, he was being a bully."

"Wow, I never thought of the prince like that. I just thought he'd be polite." I said

"You were very brave standing up to him." A girl around my age said she turned to Merlin and me. "I'm Guinevere, most people call me Gwen. I'm Lady Morgana's maid."

"Right," Merlin said,"I'm Merlin But most people call me an idiot."

Guinevere looked at him in disbelief. "No, no, I saw what you did. It was so brave."

That caused Merlin to smile and blush again. "It was stupid."

"I don't think so, sometimes it's good to just stand up to guys like him. He might need someone to put him in his place." I said

"She's right, but I don't think you could beat him." Gwen replies.

"Oh, I can beat him." Merlin said otherwise.

"You think? Because you don't look like one of those big muscle kind of fellows. " Gwen said

"You think?" Merlin said in disbelief.

" Oh no, it's just….umm…" Gwen faltered trying to come up with an answer. "It's just Arthur is one of those rough and tough kinds of man and well…"

'Uh oh…' I thought glancing at her.

"What?"

"You don't look like that." Gwen said

Merlin cocked his head and motioned for us to come closer. "I'm in disguise." He said jokingly.

Gwen giggled and I gave him a smile he knows how to brighten up the mood.

"Well, it's great that you stood up to him. " Gwen said

"You think so?" Merlin asked

"Arthur is a bully and everyone thought you were a real hero." Gwen said with a sincere tone.

Then the group of kids came rushing back. Merlin let out a sigh looking at us.

"Well excuse me, Guinevere, Cecilia my..fans are waiting." He said

Gwen and I rushed out as Tomatoes and other vegetables were being thrown at him.

'Poor Merlin….' I thought to myself, I glanced at Gwen. "Oh...I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself to you..I'm Cecilia." I said

"Nice to meet you, I haven't seen you around here before." Gwen said

"You're right I just got here." I said "I'm actually looking for someone. Do you know a man name Gauis?"

"Yes, I do. Do you need to speak to him?" Gwen asked

"Yes! I need his help!" I said

I explained to Gwen about an illness in my village and the only person that I think might know a cure is him. With that Gwen led me to Gauis's place I thanked her by giving her a small jar of apple jam that I made.

When I met Gauis he's an older man with a stern expression but full of wisdom. He sat me down and started to check on me to see if I had any symptoms from the illness that I explained to him.

"You are in perfect health." Gauis said, "After what you told me and there haven't been any deaths at the moment."

"No, my mother was the village physician until she died several years ago. I tried to help anyone sick with what I learned by her but my knowledge is so little." I explained I looked at Gaius with pleading eyes. "I don't have much but please...please help me and my village."

"I will do what I can." He replied I smiled. "I will inform this to the King."

"Thank you!" I said

"Now, it will take me some time to make the cure." Gauis admitted. "It'll take a while until I get the right ingredients."

"Alright….but -"

"I know time is of the essence. Just give me some time." He said

"I will...here I know this isn't much but it's just something I make back at the village," I said I reached in my bag taking out a small mason jar of jam. "I make Jam from any fruits or herbs to sell or trade. This one is made with wild blueberries." I placed the small jar on his table as soon as I left I couldn't believe that he'll help! That was easy! I don't know why father was against it.

I glanced in my bag seeing a few jam jars, half a loaf of bread, some apples. I reached in and pulled out a small money pouch taking a peek at how much I had not much, just a few copper coins and two silver coins, hoping that it'll be enough to stay at an inn at least to have a warm bed to sleep.

But when I went to the inn they charged a lot more than I thought for the night, the innkeeper apologized to me saying that there's nothing he could do for me. I told him that it's okay, that I don't want to cause any trouble for him so I left.

I walked around the stalls looking at the wares they had. One stall had colorful fabric for dresses and clothes, another had an assortment of vegetables others fruits, I paid for a large orange and two small peaches. Before I could even eat one I spotted Merlin walking through the stalls.

"Merlin!" I exclaimed he stopped in his tracks and turned his head towards my direction.

Third person P.o.v.

"Hi." Merlin said

"How are you doing?" Cecilia asked

"I'm okay, I just finished helping Gauis in delivering medicine to his patients." He said glancing at Cecilia "What about you?"

"I'm just looking for a place to spend the night, the inn is charging too much, so I'm hoping that there might be someplace that I can stay if not then I don't know."she said with worried eyes. "But i can manage I've been to tough spots before."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, he knows that it's not safe at night for a young girl as Cecilia. There have been times that some men...drunk men to be specific tried to take advantage of girls like Cecilia. He looked at her as she bit into a peach, looking around trying to find another inn. Merlin just stared at the girl for a minute until she caught his gaze.

"What's wrong?" Cecilia asked he froze not knowing what to do, he opened his mouth to say the first thing that popped in his head.

"You can stay with me for the night." Merlin spoke up.

Cecilia gave a bright smile to Merlin but then change to a serious look.

"Merlin...that's very sweet of you but I don't want to be a bother." Cecilia started Merlin quickly cut her off.

"You're not a bother at all, it's just not safe for a girl like you out in the night sleeping on the streets." Merlin truthfully said "I said it because I mean it you can stay the night at my room."

He then scratched the back of his head for a second. "I...well...so? Will you stay the night?" He asked

"I will, you're so sweet, Merlin." Cecilia said with a soft smile. Merlin blushed a bit and smiled, Cecilia handed him the other peach she had to him. Both took a bite of the fruit at the same time. "You want to look around in the stalls? I saw some smoked meat in one of the stands, I can make us a stew for dinner."

"You don't have to-"

"I insist think of it as thanks." Cecilia said

Both of them walked side by side Merlin watched as Cecilia picked a few things for tonight's dinner, he was impressed with her haggling and trading skills.

"You've got quite a bit." Merlin said seeing the basket with a small array of vegetables that consisted of a single parsnip, a small head of cabbage, an onion, two carrots and a small handful of peas.

"I've done this before back home, ever since I was little I made a lot of jam to sell or trade. So every morning I traded a small jar full of apple jam for a loaf of bread from the baker, then go to the cheesemaker and trade half a loaf of bread plus two peach jams and a mix berry jam to him for a half of hard cheese and a small bottle of milk. " Cecilia explained with a smile. "There's also David, he hunts and smoked meats so i would trade a quarter of the hard cheese and a blueberry jam for a pigeon or whatever small animal he had. "

Cecilia let out a sigh thinking back, she wondered if her father was doing okay. That he and the others are okay, she's hoping that Gauis made the cure by now so that she can take it back home and go back to her normal life.

"So with those things I had breakfast for me and my father." Cecilia said "Everyone loved the jam that i make, I've used my mother's recipe to make them. Since most of the villagers can't get a hold of fresh fruit in winter the Jam is the second option to get. "

Merlin nodded his head, he felt the same the village he lived in went through similar situation with scare food, but he and his mother managed.

"If you want I can make you some jam before I leave." Cecilia said

"Y..yes." Merlin said

"Which fruit do you like?" She asked

"Oh….i...well…whichever one you find the easiest." Merlin said he knows that some fruit can be expensive or hard to find in these parts unless if you're the farmer that has it growing.

"Hmm...on my way here I did find an apple tree so I can make you an apple jam." Cecilia said "Or wild blueberries…"

"I'm fine with any." Merlin honestly said with a smile, Cecilia smiled while holding the basket. They walked side by side enjoying each others company.

'Its peaceful with her around.' Merlin thought

"How's your knee walking coming along?"

Cecilia's P.o.v.

I turned to see a blond Knight along with his friends, I glanced at Merlin who had a disgruntled look on his face. Merlin took my hand and we walked a few steps.

"Oh don't run away. He said noticing my presence, a smirk spread across his face, "Oh so that's why you're in a hurry i'm sure you'll have time to take your girl to paradise." The Knight said smirking.

"What?" I said stopping in my tracks turning to him.

"Don't insult her." Merlin said turning around.

"Oh thank god, I thought you were deaf as well as dumb." Arthur said

" I told you were an ass, I just didn't realized you were a royal one." Merlin snapped.

'He's the prince?' I thought looking at the blond and saw a few of his Knight friends.

"Merlin..let's just go." I said not loving the situation that he's in.

"It'll be fine." Merlin said softly. "He just has daddy's men to protect him."

The prince chuckled and smirked. " I can take you apart with one blow." He said cockily.

'If Leona was here she'd teach him a lesson.' I thought

"I can take you apart less than that." Merlin said full of confidence while I just gave him the 'Are you crazy look.'

"Are you sure? " he said egging him on.

"Merlin you have nothing to prove to this guy." I said trying to appease the situation, I glared at the blond. "And you shouldn't egg people on about fighting it won't do you or anyone good."

"And maybe you should let the men talk." He said "Just keep that pretty little mouth shut."

"Don't talk to her like that!" Merlin said taking off his Jacket.

A few spectators stopped to look at what is going on. I held on to Merlin's Jacket seeing the boys fight, before I could even stop them i was pushed back by the crowd.

'Boys and their ego.' I thought trying to move around to see what was going on between Merlin and the prince. I noticed that the boys were making a mess, the prince using the mace to knock a few stands that Merlin was there. Then I saw something, something in Merlin's eyes i can't explain it but it flashed gold for a second then back to normal. I blinked a few times thinking that it was my imagination but I saw his eyes change again that saved him from trouble when the prince tripped from the box.

It looked like Merin was going to win, he swing his weapon asking if the prince wanted to give up. The prince stumbled and landed on his back a few bags of feed broke his fall. Merlin smiled victoriously he looked at me then his gaze was somewhere else. The blond hit Merlin multiple times from behind then at his side finally at his forehead with a broom. He cocked his head and sweep him.

"Merlin!" I gasped

A few guards went to grab Merlin but the prince ordered them to let him go.

"There's something about you Merlin, I just can't put my finger on it." The blond said.

I glared at the prince and his knights, someone needs to teach him a lesson! I wish Leona was here with me she'll put him in his place! I glanced down realizing that I still had Merlin's jacket, i looked around wondering where he is maybe he went home.

"Shit!" I cursed myself I forgot to ask him where he lives! That's one important detail to ask someone when you're staying at their home!

'Don't panic….don't panic...maybe Gauis knows where he lives.' I thought calmly.

Third Person's p.o.v.

Cecilia went back to Gauis place, she saw him holding his medical bag.

"Gauis, is Merlin here?" Cecilia asked

"He's in his room, recovering from the fight he had with Arthur.." Gauis said

"He lives here?" Cecilia asked

"Yes, why?" Gauis replied

"Well...he told me that I would stay here for the night..because the inn is charging a bit more than i initially thought. He was just being nice to me because the streets can be a bit rough at night.. " Cecilia explained with full honesty.

"That is true...but he should've mentioned that to me." Gauis said

"I...please don't be mad at him he only wanted to help me." Cecilia pleaded. " I even offered to make tonight's dinner as thanks."

Gauis was hesitant at this but he knew that at night Camelot can be a bit rowdy and it's no place for a young girl, so he accepted it and let Cecilia stay the night.

Cecilia placed her basket down and asked to see Merlin, Gauis told her where he was, she rushed to the door Knocking first.

She opened the door seeing Merlin with a crestfallen look on his face, he glanced at his visitor.

"Cecilia." Merlin said

"Hey...you..uh forgot this." Cecilia said placing the folded jacket on his top dresser.

"Thanks.." He said dryly.

Cecilia placed her belongings on the floor next to the dresser she opened her backpack and took out a small jar.

"Let me see." Cecilia said

"Gauis already gave me something for the pain." Merlin replied

"Did he apply anything else on you?" Cecilia asked

Merlin shook his head no. "Then let me see." Cecilia repeated.

Merlin took off his shirt to reveal the dark red patches around his back from Arthur's attack. Cecilia sat on the edge on the bed, applying some ointment on him.

"This should help for the aches and pain at night."Cecilia said softly "It's a remedy that i made using Lavender and chamomile into a paste with some other herbs, they have natural healing properties to heal bruises and reduce swelling. "

Merlin nodded his head, he felt Cecilia's fingers across his skin, he felt the small stab of pain at the spots that Arthur left but relaxed under her touch.

"You know...i thought you were brave in doing that but it was also very dangerous."Cecilia softly said

"I..i just couldn't let him get away with what he said." Merlin replied. "He may be the prince but he had no right in saying that to you or be a bully."

Cecilia stopped what she was doing, her eyes shifted at Merlin.

"Just try to avoid being in a fight with him, you're just lucky it's a few bruises."Cecilia replied as she finished applying the ointment. "There..how does it feel?"

"It feels nice, thank you." Merlin said giving Cecilia a small smile.

"Good. I better start making dinner." She replied placing the ointment at his nightstand. "In the morning I'll apply it again."

After that Cecilia left Merlin to rest while she made dinner for her,Merlin and Gauis. With the ingredients that she got from the market, she manages to make a simple vegetable stew and for a sweet treat some bread and apple jam. Merlin liked the stew she made, it was simple and filling, but he was more interested in the apple jam it wasn't overly sweet like the other ones he had tried when he asked Cecilia of how she made it, she smiled saying it was one of her mother's recipes. After dinner Cecilia was cleaning up, she glanced around the room seeing it full of books everywhere, a bed in the corner in one of the tables some herbs, and glass jars.

"So...where do I sleep?" Cecilia asked

"You'll sleep in Merlin's bed."Gauis replied "Merlin will sleep on the floor."

"What?" Merlin and Cecilia said simultaneously.

"Think of it as a punishment for causing trouble today to the prince." Gauis simply said

"But Gauis I can't take Merlin's bed." Cecilia said

No matter what Cecilia said Gauis didn't budge so Merlin slept on the floor for the night, Cecilia felt bad and tried to make Merlin feel comfortable, by giving him his pillow and any pillows she found in the room and a blanket.

Cecilia fell asleep for a few hours, she heard a loud noise and jumped up in the bed she glanced around she got up and slowly opened the door just a bit to see what happened. Merlin caught her eye as he slowly walked to leave.

'Maybe he's upset that I'm in his bed...and he left to get some fresh air.' Cecilia thought she closed the door she sat on the edge of the bed. 'Hm...oh! I know! I'll make them breakfast! I'll get up earlier than them to make it. '

After a while, Cecilia heard the door slowly open as if he tried to be quiet. He saw Cecilia awake waiting for him.

"Are you okay?" She asked

"Yes..…" he said

"Is your back hurting you?" She asked getting up. Merlin shook his head telling her that he's okay, both of them went back to sleep.

The sun was slowly rising for the new day, Cecilia was up, as usual, she move slowly her eyes glanced at Merlin who was fast asleep. When she reached the door to the next room she quietly got changed into a simple pink and white dress, she adjusted the belt her father gave her. She grabbed her basket and went to pick things for breakfast.

That's the end of this chapter! please leave a review and tell me what you think! Also pm me if you have any suggestions or comments.