In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlyn.
I'm standing on the tournament grounds wearing a deep magenta dress with my hair in an elaborate braid down my back with my bangs pinned back and my tan boots as I watch Arthur and Sir Leon practice their jousting. I wince as Sir Leon takes a particularly nasty blow to his shoulder by Arthur's lance. I walk over to Arthur's horse and take his lance pole from him, glancing at the fallen knight.
"That has got to hurt." I comment as I look between Arthur and Sir Leon, imagining that the hit was as painful as it seemed.
"That's the point, Merlyn. It's not a pillow fight. Fetch me another lance, will you?" He replies, a teasing smile on his face and I roll my eyes slightly at his sarcasm as I head off to get him a new lance, as his is broken. I hand him the new lance and they prepare to face each other again, with me watching interested. I study Arthur's form, how he's confident and determined atop his horse, and I smile slightly. Suddenly, the sunlight reflects off of Sir Leon's armor, bliding Arthur and Leon lifts his lance, forfitting and I sigh, knowing Arthur wouldn't let this action go unnoticed. I was proven right as no sooner had Arthur unhorsed, he was storming over to Leon, questioning him."Why did you pull out, I was wide open? You could have unhorsed me."
"I was fearful that I might injure you, Sire." Leon replies honestly, and I glance between the two as I realize that Arthur won't be happy with that response.
"You had the advantage. You can't afford to hesitate." Arthur chastises and I wring my hands as I anticipate Leon's reasoning for his behavior, knowing Arthur well enough to know how he'll react to that.
"I wouldn't have done if I were facing a different opponent. You are the future King, My Lord." He defends, his tone slightly sharp and I inwardly wince at the look on Arthur's face.
"You jousted against me in the tournament last year. Are you saying you let me win?" Arthur accuses him, and I sigh, knowing that these two often get into arguments like this since they've been friends since childhood.
"No, My Lord." Leon answers, hesitating slightly and I frown, wringing my hands.
"It doesn't matter who I am! I do not expect any special treatment from you, from any of you! Is that understood?" Arthur instructs and I raise my brows, finding it difficult to believe he understands what 'special treatment' actually entails. We head back to Arthur's chambers, with the Crown Prince practically steaming and we walk in, with him removing his armor angrily.
"How am I going to prove myself if my opponents aren't trying their hardest?" Arthur prompts and I wring my hands as I try to find a response that won't make the situation worse.
"I'm sure it's not happening all the time." I reassure him, letting go of my hands so he doesn't notice my nervous habit.
"So it's happening some of the time?" He repeats, and I wince when I realize how my answer sounded and I shake my head.
"No I'm certain it isn't." I correct myself and he gives me an exasperated look.
"Now you're doing it! You're telling me exactly what you think I want to hear!" He argues and I sigh at my mistake, knowing that I did actually just tell him what he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear.
"Yes. Er…no. Er…what was the question?" I stutter, blushing slightly as I wring my hands, unsure of how to respond.
"That just proves it. All my life I've been treated as if I'm special. I just want to be treated just like everyone else." He explains, as he leans against his bed and I pause from picking up his armor, to look at him and the look on his face paired with his tone of voice is something I've only glimpsed from Arthur: Vulnerability.
"Really?" I ask as I subconsciously move closer to where he's standing, wanting to comfort him.
"You have no idea how lucky you are." He informs me and I scoff quietly, thinking back to what's happened in the months since I first came to Camelot, and lucky isn't a word I would use to describe it.
"Well, anytime you want to swap places, just let me know." I joke and Arthur gets his 'I have an idea and you'll probably hate it' look and I sigh as I set his armor on the table.
"That's not a totally stupid idea." He informs me and I roll my eyes at his surprised tone.
"You're Prince Arthur. You can't change who you are." I point out, biting my lip before I take a breath and build the courage to say something I normally wouldn't. "And I wouldn't want you to." I add quietly, although Arthur doesn't seem to hear my silent admission.
"Yes I can." Arthur disagrees, proving that he didn't hear my last comment and I take a deep breath, but I'm not sure if it was in relief or disappointment. Arthur decides to make up a dangerous task he must see to outside of Camelot and informs his father of a creature terrorizing a village. Uther allows him to go and I sneak into the woods with clothes I 'aquired' from one of the laundry basins in the palace. Arthur has the knights ride off with his horse, and I'm to meet him with his servants clothes. I hurry into the clearing, wearing a steel gray dress, tan boots, my hair in a braided updo with a lilac flower holding the braid in place. I stop in front of Arthur, breathing heavily after rushing from Gaius's.
"You're late." Arthur comments, smirking at me as I regulate my breathing and tuck a stray hair behind my ear, blushing slightly at his expression.
"Sorry. Gaius left a list... I.. was washing the floors. I couldn't…" I try to explain, still partly out of breath and he waves it off. "Besides, you've never run through the forest in a bloody dress." Arthur smiles as he takes the bag from my hand and begins to remove his chainmail and shirt, causing me to blush a bright pink before quickly turning around as he changes.
"What is that smell? Whose clothes are these?" Arthur asks, signalling that he's finished getting changed and I turn back and bite my lip as I realize he won't be pleased wearing a stranger's clothes.
"They're mine- well, they are now anyway. I washed them specially. You sure this is a good idea?" I change the subject and Arthur frowns for a moment, seeming in thought before looking back to me.
"Seems pretending to be somebody else is the only way to get people to be honest with me. Grab my bag, will you?" He asks after he finishes his explanation and I bite my lip to keep myself from telling him that he doesn't need to be someone else, that I would give anything to be able to tell him everything I've kept to myself since I came to Camelot.
"If you want to pass as a peasant, you should probably carry your own bag." I remark instead and Arthur smirks at me, and I shake my head slightly, brushing off the thoughts in my head.
"You're forgetting something, Merlyn. No one will know it's my bag." Arthur retorts with a playful smile and I blush as I roll my eyes, picking up his bag.
"There must be easier ways to prove yourself. Not that I agree that you need to prove yourself at all. You are a great man, you don't need to prove that to your people by winning a jousting tournament. All you need to do is be yourself, you know. The people love you for who you are, Arthur." I inform him, wringing my hands as I subtly express how much I truly care for him and I see his cheeks turn slightly pink.
"Shut up, Merlyn." He answers and I chuckle as we continue walking back to Camelot. Arthur uses the hood to conceal his face as I carefully lead him back to Gaius's chambers. Once I shut the door behind us, I let out a sigh of relief and Arthur lowers his hood, glancing around.
"It's good of you to let me stay in your home. Is Gaius not here?" He asks me and I tuck a stray hair behind my ear.
"He was needed in one of the outer villages, so he's left Camelot for a few days. He gave me a list of chores he needs me to finish while he's away and medicine to deliver to 'keep me out of trouble'." I explain and Arthur chukles as he walks around the small work area, taking everything in. "Um, you can sleep in Gaius's chambers over there since it's bigger and well, cleaner, than mine." I admit, blushing slightly as I picture my messy chamber with dresses strewn about and my hidden magic book under the floorboards.
"Thank you." He comments softly and I wring my hands before realizing that it's well past supper time and I walk over to the kitchen area to prepare something.
"I'll make some supper then, and you can put your things in there if you want." I tell him, pointing to Gaius's chambers while I chop the vegetables for the stew, trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in my stomach at being alone with Arthur, which I am often alone with him, but always as Prince and servant, never just Arthur and Merlyn, as we are now. Once I'm finished with the stew we sit down at the bench, both of us staring into our bowls, occasionally glancing up at each other before looking back to our food, not sure how to interact with each other in this new capacity.
"How are the preparations coming along? Have we found someone to play our knight in the tournament?" Arthur questions, breaking the silence, and I look up, glad for the distraction from my own silly affections making me suddenly mute around Arthur.
"Absolutely. He's a famer from one of the outlying villages, and no one will recognise him." I assure him, still not liking this ridculous plan of his to 'prove himself'.
"But does he look the part?" He asks me and I bite my lip, shrugging my shoulders as I become suddenly interested in my bowl of stew. Later, I have Gwen escort William, the farmer, to Gaius's in order for Arthur to look him over.
"Great." Arthur mutters and I stifle a chuckle at his pouting expression and Gwen gives me a look, mirth shining in her eyes as she glances between Arthur and I, causing me to wring my hands embarrassedly.
"From now on, you're Sir William of Daira. Imagine you're really…arrogant. Knights like to think they're so much better than everyone else." I inform him, shooting a playful look towards Arthur and he roll his eyes at my jest.
"It's not arrogance. Ignore her. A knight must behave with honour and nobility. That's…better. You must convince everyone that you were born into a noble family." Arthur explains and William suddenly looks over at me, a serious expression on his face.
"Polish my armour, girl." He orders and I raise a brow at how quickly he caught on to that.
"Now you're gettin' the hang of it." Arthur praises, sounding as surprised as I feel at the ease of William's false nobility act and William laughs happily, before Arthur turns to me, a reluctant smile on his face, almost like he's the only one tuned in to a joke. "That's a good point, you do need to polish our armour." He informs me and sigh, rolling my eyes at his amusement, but I smile back at him as William laughs again, agreeing with Arthur. Once Gwen and William leave, Arthur excuses himself to Gaius's chambers and I take a look at my list of chores for Gaius:
Clean the leech tank
Brew sleeping draught for Morgana- enough for three nights
Scrub the floors
Do the laundry
Collect following herbs: Wolfsbane, Hollyhock, Lavendar, Parsley
Organize book shelves
Deliver medicines to Lady Weaver, Sir Daniel Burnes, Emmaline Price
And try to stay out of trouble, Merlyn.
After reading the first item I sigh and glare at the dreaded leech tank before deciding to get started on my chores. The next day, I quickly dress in a pale blue colored ress with a lilac flower tucked into my braided updo and tan boots, with the matching braided belt, before I head downstairs to an already dressed Arthur and we sneak into the tent on the tournament grounds, successfully avoiding someone who could recognize Arthur. Uther walks into the stands and the knights enter on horseback to stand before the King.
"Now, remember the plan. I'm competing in the tournament, but no one will know that it's me. All you have to do is acknowledge the crowd at the end of the match. Act like you belong there and people will believe that you do." Arthur reminds William before we watch him ride over to stand with the other competing knights.
"Knights of the realm, welcome to Camelot. You've trained for this day for many years." Uther comments, speaking to the competitors, and I keep my gaze on William, hoping everything goes according to plan.
"Well, he hasn't fallen off his horse." I remark and Arthur chuckles softly, while I smile at him as Uther continues to speak in the background.
"I suppose that's something." Arthur agrees, smiling slightly as he finishes preparing for the switch.
"They're ready for you, Sire." William informs us and the tournament begins. I go to the stands next to Gwen and she teases me as I enthusiastically cheer for Arthur as he wins each match. I head back to the tent after Arthur walks in, tossing his helmet to William.
"You must go and acknowledge the crowd." Arthur informs him and William looks confused on this task.
"How do you do that?" He asks, voicing his obvious confusion and I stifle a chuckle.
"You wave, they cheer. It's not difficult. I do all the work, someone else gets all the praise." Arthur replies and I let out a quiet scoff at that and Arthur rolls his eyes at me.
"Know the feeling." I mutter and either I'm too quiet or Arthur pretends he didn't hear it.
"When I win this tournament, I'll reveal my true identity, get the credit I deserve." Arthur continues and I sigh, wishing he would just be himself and stop trying to just prove himself to please Camelot.
"Of course you will." I agree, wringing my hands as I sadly tuck away all of the impossible thoughts in my head and all of the inappropriate things on the tip of my tongue.
"Well don't just stand there. Help me off with my armour. And remember to polish it before tomorrow. The horse needs grooming. And don't forget to repair the broken lances." He instructs and I nod, still lost in my thoughts as we head back to Gaius's chambers so I can work on my chores list while Arthur rests up for the tournament matches the next morning. The next day I walk into Arthur's tent wearing a red dress with tan boots and my hair in a loose braid.
"Sir Alinor has advanced to the final." I inform him before going to stand with Gwen amongst the crowd. After Arthur wins the match, he walks back into the tent, where William and I are waiting.
"Congratulations, you are in the final." I praise him and receive a small, thankful smile before he turns to William, handing him the helmet.
"Go on then. You're people await you." He informs him before turning back to me, a smirk on his face. "No one can say Sir Leon let me win this time." He comments and I hear the crowd roar as William walks out to greet them.
"Sounds like the crowd've really taken to William." I remark and Arthur stops drinking from the goblet and turns to me.
"That will change when I reveal my identity." He states confidently and I raise a brow, a smirk appearing on my face.
"You really miss getting all the attention, don't you?" I tease and he scoffs, rolling his eyes.
"Just go and water the horse, will you?" He instructs and I nod smiling as I exit the tent, making my way over to the horse. I lead the horse over to the water trough and look up when I hear someone approach.
"He's a fine horse. I see your master has advanced to the final. He's extremely skilled with a lance." The man comments and I nod, trying to assess who he was and what he's doing talking to me, a servant.
"He's doing well. Just one more match to go." I reply, deciding to keep my guard up around this stranger, not sure if I can trust him.
"Tell me, what is he like to work for?" The man asks me and I wring my hands as I try to find the words to describe working for Arthur.
"Between you and me? He can be a bit of a prat." I remark, smirking slightly and the man laughs.
"So you are no longer working for Prince Arthur?" He inquires and I continue to wring my hands.
"No. Yes, yes. Not right now. Arthur's away. I'm just…helping out. The Prince offered for me to assist Sir William while he was away." I lie and I have to admit it sounds reasonable.
"Well, I, erm, I wish your master luck in the final." The man informs me, and I nod hesitantly.
"Thanks." I reply, unsure of him as I watch him walk off. Later, I'm scrubing the floors when Arthur walks in, noticing me and raises a brow in confusion.
"Gaius is expecting all of these chores to be done when he returns and I haven't had the time to do any of this with the tournament. He's going to kill me." I complain, running a hand through my hair, as it has mostly fallen out of the braid.
"How about you deliver the medicines and collect the herbs while I make dinner for you tonight. It'll be a gesture to show my gratitude for you allowing me into your home." Arthur offers and I gape at him a moment before smiling shyly, touched by his kind offer.
"Thank you Arthur, but can you even cook? And what of the rest of the chores? And you need to rest for the final in the morning. I'll have time after the tournament before Gaius gets home to finish the rest I suppose." I ramble and Arthur chuckles exasperatedly, and I blush as I realize I was in fact, rambling.
"Merlyn, I can handle dinner. Go, get on with your chores and don't come back until supper." He instructs and I smile as I grab the medicines I need to deliver as well as my satchel to collect the herbs. I head out to the square to start my deliveries. I run into Gwen in the lower town and she smiles at me.
"Merlyn? What are you doing here and not with Arthur?" She asks me quietly and I blush, wringing my hands.
"He's making me dinner actually. He told me to work on Gaius's chores for me and he'd have dinner ready when I returned." I inform her and she looks surprised.
"Arthur... Arthur's cooking you dinner? Properly cooking dinner?" She repeats, sounding unsure and I giggle.
"Certainly not. He's probably very confused right about now. Perhaps you could lend him a hand?" I suggest and she rolls her eyes before flashing me a smile as she walks towards the palace.
Arthur POV
As soon as Merlyn left, I realized that I don't know a thing about cooking. I just saw how overwhelmed she was with all of the chores and offered to do something nice for her after all that she's done for me with the tournament. Staying here, being this close to her, alone, just as Arthur and Merlyn, it's playing tricks with my head. I keep thinking of things that can't ever happen, and I realize the true extent of my feelings for her. Truth be told, I figured out my feelings after the Questing Beast, when I was bedridden, my mind boggled, I heard one voice stand apart from the rest. Her soft voice, filled with emotion as she poured her heart out, admitting she loved me. 'I love you, you prat.' I hear the door open, and quickly turn to see Guinevere walk in.
"Guinevere, thank God." I mutter in relief and she gives me an amused look as she glances at the raw chicken on the table.
"Merlyn said you were cooking, so naturally I had to see for myself." She informs me and I roll my eyes as she jokes at my expense.
"I need you to fetch me two dinners from the palace kitchens." I explain and she smirks at me, seeming to find my seriousness on this matter amusing.
"So…you're not cooking then." She surmises and I nod, knowing that would only end in disaster.
"No, but Merlyn doesn't need to know that. As far as she's concerned, dinner will be prepared and cooked by me." I inform her and she raises a brow, her playful teasing replaced by interest.
"You're trying to impress her?" She questions and I feel cheeks heat up as I look away from her.
"Don't be ridiculous, Gwen. And get me a decent shirt, will you? These clothes are making me itch all over, it's like having fleas." I change the subject and she chuckles before leaving to do as I asked, leaving me to sit and think. Was I trying to impress Merlyn? Sometime later, Guinevere returns with a gray shirt of mine and two palace dinners. We both turn to hear footsteps in the corridor and I turn towards Gwen.
"She's coming. Quick, out the back way. Do something with this." I tell her, habding her the raw chicken and she grimaces before taking it from me.
"Hope Merlyn's impressed with your cooking." She jokes before slipping out the back door just as Merlyn opens the door.
Merlyn POV
"Merlyn. Perfect timing." Arthur comments, pulling out my seat for me as I walk in and I blush as I sit down.
"Thank you." I reply, feeling nervous and excited, as nobody's done something so nice for me before, and I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of Arthur. "This is delicious, Arthur." I praise after I take a bite of the chicken.
"I'm glad you like it." He informs me and I smile as we eat in silence, once again, only this time tthis silence is a comfortable one as we simply enjoy each other's company. "Merlyn, I-"
"You got the food from the palace kitchens, I know." I inform him and he looks surprised and I chuckle. "I didn't care about where the food came from, just that you offered to do something nice for me, even if I am just a servant." I explain and he frowns at my explanation.
"Merlyn, I know I have much to learn. There are some things that I am terrible at – cooking being one of them. But also, knowing what to say to someone I care about." He tells me, and I feel my heart quicken as I wait for him to continue, trying not to grin like a madwoman at his admittance of caring for me. Just then, we hear a knock on the door just before Gwen rushes in, looking worried and guilty.
"Arthur, there's an assassin's in Camelot. He's here to kill you." She explains and I look at Arthur, fear setting in and I wring my hands nervously as we discuss the assassin.
"The assassin killed a guard. Your father said Odin sent him." Gwen tells us of what she overheard and I frown in confusion.
"Why would Odin want you dead?" I question and Arthur looks away from me, shamefully.
"Because I killed his son. Odin's son challenged me to a fight. I had no quarrel with him. I asked him to withdraw. Perhaps he felt he had to prove himself. I can still see his face. He looked so scared." He informs us and I go to place a hand on his arm, but stop myself as I realize Arthur blames himself for the death of Odin's son.
"You cannot blame yourself." I insist, actually placing my hand on his and he smiles slightly at me. "No one but us knows where you are. If the assassin can't find you, he can't kill you." I surmise, trying to find a way to comfort him and he looks at me gratefully.
"May I continue to stay here?" He asks me and I nod, not understanding why he'd ever need to ask me.
"Of course, for as long as you need." I assure him and Gwen leaves to get some rest.
"Thank you again, Merlyn." He replies and I smile at him.
"Goodnight Arthur." I tell him as I head upstairs to my chambers, putting on my nightgown, before climbing into bed with a grin on my face as I think back to dinner with Arthur. Arthur prepares to leave the next morning and I find myself feeling slighty disappointed that after today, everything goes back to the way it usually is, with the Prince and the servant, not Arthur and Merlyn.
"One more match. The tournament will be over." Arthur reminds me and I nod, forcing a small smile, as I wring my hands absentmindedly.
"You can go back to being Prince Arthur." I agree, looking down at my hands and the pale blue ribbon clutched in them. "Erm…I thought you might wear it…for luck." I suggest, holding it out for him, awkwardly. He smiles shyly, taking the ribbon tenderly, my heart fluttering when our hands brushed.
"Thank you." He replies, seeming to hesitate before he quickly leans down and kisses me, for what seemed to be both an eternity and not long enough, and he pulls away leaving me shocked. We stand there, awkardly, for a moment before Arthur clears his throat, bringing me out of my reverie.
"I must go." He announces before leaving the physician's chambers, along with me standing in the middle of the entryway, touching my lips with a pathetic look on my face. I shake myself out of my stupor and hurry to the tournament grounds, quickly finding Gwen in the stands. Arthur takes a bad hit with the lance and I stand up in shock, rushing out of the stands to where he is, and I immediately notice a lance with a blade.
"His lance pierced my armour." Arthur informs me and I sigh as I help him onto the table and we see his injury.
"You're losing too much blood." I inform him, taking off the favour I gave him and hold it against the wound.
"Do what you can. I have to be back on the course within five minutes or I forfeit the match." He explains and I scoff, incredulous that he's considering going back out there.
"You can't possibly joust, you're too badly injured!" I exclaim, not wanting him to get himself killed out of there
"I have never withdrawn from a match. I do not intend to start now." He replies and I roll my eyes at his concern for his reputation while he's bleeding from a knife wound.
"You would risk your life to protect your pride? You have nothing to prove. Least of all to me." I assure him, and he smiles confidently at me, with a determined look on his face.
"I have everything to prove. To myself." He argues, smiling at me and I hesitantly smile back, not liking his disregard for his health. I hand his care to Gwen before rushing after the assassin, known now as Myror. I find Myror, wearing armor and I notice the dead Sir Alinor.
Arthur POV
I painfully mount myself on the horse and cautiously motion to the lance rack, so as not to further injure myself.
"You'll have to pass me my lance." I inform Guinevere and she scoffs widly, not happy with my decision as well, but she hands me the lance reluctantly.
"Merlyn will kill me. This is madness!" She exclaims as I ride onto the track, determined to win, not for Camelot, or even for Merlyn, but for myself.
Merlyn POV
I run up beside Gwen and look around for Arthur, not seeing him anywhere.
"Gwen! Where's Arthur?" I ask her worriedly, needing to protect him from the assassin.
"He's about to joust." She informs me and I suck in a breath as if I've been punched.
"He's jousting against the assassin." I tell her shakily, and we hurry to the course, and I quickly glance around, trying to make sure no one sees what I'm about to do.
"Unbinde þé téage"I quietly chant, snapping the girth on Myror's horse, causing Arthur to unhorse him. I rush over and help him off the course to properly dress his wounds. William, Gwen, Arthur and I gather in the tent just before Arthur's due to reveal his identity.
"You were jousting against the assassin. He killed Sir Alinor and took his place. The people are waiting for their champion. It's time to reveal yourself." I inform him and he gazes at me for a moment before turning to William.
"You must go and collect the trophy." He instructs William and I gape at him passing up his chance to prove himself.
"I thought this was going to be your moment of glory?" I question, wanting to know why he gave up the attention and he smiles warmly.
"Perhaps this is a time for humility." He responds and I smile widely at him before we all watch William celebrate his victory and we chuckle. The next day I'm in a blush pink dress with short sleeves, a pink and yellow floral shawl, my hair syled in loose curls with my bangs braided around my head and secured with small yellow flowers. I take a short-cut through the courtyard corridor and I notice Arthur with his father, and Arthur turns to his father before walking over to me.
"Merlyn. *ahem* What happened while I was staying with you…I'm afraid my father would never understand." He explains regretfully and I smile sadly, wringing my hands.
"You don't have to explain. I know what happened can't lead to anything. Perhaps when you are King, things will be different." I explain and he smiles widely and I return it before walking to the physician's chambers. As soon as I walk in, Gaius immediately points to the one thing I didn't finish on his list, the bloody leech tank.
"This is horrible. This is so disgusting." I complain as I clean the tank, with Gaius watching on.
"Well, perhaps you'll think twice about lying to me in the future. And Merlyn, there's something on your face." He informs me and I pull my head out of the tank and shriek as I try to find the leech, and I find several on my arms, and one on my cheek.