eight years later
MERLIN
The castle is huge. I have never seen anything like it. This is my first visit to Camelot and it's so big. I wish mama was here, but she had to leave Sir Ambrose's service a month ago. She said that she was going on a long trip. Mama told me I had to stay and help run the estate like the big girl I am. She told me to make sure that I kept my secret hidden and that no one must ever find out about my talent. I tried to talk her into taking me with her.
"Please mama, take me with you. I begged
"I wish I could my little bird but I'm going to be traveling for a while and that's no life for you."
"I want to travel mama and I will do my best not to be a burden."
"I'm doing what I think is best for you. Your destiny does not lay with coming with me but it lies in another path."
"I don't understand."
"You will in time little bird."
I could not understand why had to leave, but I heard Anna, the cook's daughter, say that Sir had run up debts because of his overly lavish lifestyle and how it led to him getting rid of half of his staff. It didn't take long to figure out that Mama was one of the ones to get fired. Ever since then I've become Morgana's maid along with doing odd chores instead of mostly working in the stables and taking care of Sirs dogs as I had done before.
We arrived in Camelot three days ago. Sir Ambrose and Morgana were invited to king son's birthday celebration. Morgana had a new dress made and jewelry bought for the occasion. I wonder what it is like to wear clothing made out of such soft and pretty material. I'm wearing what I always wear; a worn pair of brown boots, a brown jacket and pants and a thin blue tunic with a red handkerchief around my neck. My black hair is cut short just like the stable boys because Sir told me that I work like a boy so I might as well look like one. I don't mind because it's a lot easier to keep my hair clean.
I've been trying to find the library for ages. I guess I will need to ask someone for help. I spot a boy walking down the hall.
"Excuse me but can you please tell me where I can find the library?"
"Are you talking to me?" He sounds surprised
"Yes, who else would I be talking to?" There is no one else around.
"Someone like you should not address me in such a way."
I then notice how nicely he is dressed; he is wearing a rich red shirt, and deep brown pants with spotless boots on. Oh he is a noble, but still that does mean he has to act like that.
"Why, I was just asking you a simple question and you can't be much older than me."
"I'm ten how old are you six? And why does a peasant need to go to a library when they cannot read? Also I don't have to answer your question." He sneered
"I'm eight and I can to read. You don't have to act like a prat." I know I shouldn't insult him but I cannot help it. All my life I have been taught to respect the higher class and to act like a perfect servant, but I'm not very good at it. I'm constantly tripping and dropping stuff. The other servants say I'm hopeless and that I should learn to keep my mouth shut. I try to but sometimes I cannot help myself.
"What did you call me?" The look of surprise returns to his face.
"I called you a prat."
"You cannot address me like that"
"Forgive me."
"That's better"
"Sir prat" I then turn around and walked away, leaving behind me an angry blond haired boy.
It takes me a few more minutes, but I finally find the library. Richard the book keeper at home stared teaching me to read when I was four and a half. He stated that he has never seen such a bright pupil before. I love reading. It is one of the few ways that allows me to escape even if it's just for a few moments. The other being magic which would get me killed if I was ever caught.
"Can I help you?" A gruff old man asks
"Do you have a book over plants? The lady Morgana asked me to find one"
"Sure I'll go get it just don't touch anything" He looked doubtful before he leaves to find the book.
I look around at all the books. This is much bigger than the library at home. I wonder how many books are here.
"Here you are"
"Thank you"
I head toward an old tower that I found yesterday after Morgana dismissed me. It's full of dust and had not looked as if anyone has been here in years. It is an old chamber with a bed, desk, wardrobe, and lots of empty shelves. I sit down on the mattress which is so soft and start reading the book.
The book is wonderful. It's full of information about different plant and where they can be found. Some plant can only be found outside of Camelot. I wish I could go explore these places. This is the first time I've been off of Sir land so I've never seen anything like the places on the pages. I know I don't have long. I need to go into town and buy some items for Morgana before the feast tonight. I don't have as much work as normal. A castle servant has been taking care of most of Morgana's needs so I've been helping the castle servants with laundry.
As much as I want to stay here I know I need to leave.
Hopefully it doesn't take too long to find Morgana a purple hair ribbon to match her dress; the feast starts in two hours. There are many stalls with different items for sale. I walk past a stall selling fresh bread which makes my stomach rumble. I woke late, so I didn't have time to eat breakfast and during lunch Morgana wanted me to fetch water for her bath. I'll have to wait till after the feast to go to my room in the servant's quarters and eat some bread and cheese that Andrea the cook from home gave me. She is always trying to fatten me up when Sir is not looking. I'm lucky that she does or I would be much thinner than I am. Ever since mama left Sir's taken more notice of me and not in a good way. No matter what I do it's not good enough and he likes to take away meals as a punishment.
I come to a stall selling jewelry and hair ribbons.
"Can I help you young man."
I don't bother to correct him. I'm uses to it. Most people in Genmore village think I'm a boy.
"Do you have any dark purple ribbons?"
"Yes, let me see." He pulled out a medium box "Here we are."
All the ribbons are fine, but if I bring anything less than perfect back Morgana will slap me. I know from past experience. When I first started working as Morgana's maid she had me go buy a hair brush. I bought a dark wooden brush that had flower designs carved into the handle. Apparently it was too plain for Morgana. She flung it across the room before coming over and slapped me. Two similar incidents have occurred since then.
"I'll take this one." It is a similar color to Morgana's dress and it has a nice pattern sewn into the material.
"Here you go."
"Thank you" I smile and give him the money.
I hope it will do. I don't want to get slapped again for more than one reason. I find it hard to control my gift when thing like that occur. It like it has a mind of its own. No one but Mama knows and now I don't even have her. I don't know what I'll do now. I wish I could have just one friend that could know my secret.
ARTHUR
I cannot get that idiot out of my head. How dare he call me a prat. No one has ever dared speak to me that way. The adults respect me as their future king and the nobles my age also treats me with the respect my station demands. How could a peasant talk to a prince like that? Is he that stupid?
Some noble is given a speech wishing me a happy birthday something about how proud my father must be and exedra. I just want him to stop taking so I can eat. I'm so hungry that I could eat a hog.
"To Prince Arthur" the noble raises his goblet.
"To Prince Arthur" Everyone response
The servants bring out the food. Seating in front of me is Sir Ambrose's daughter Morgana, who've I've met a couple of times before. What is really caching my attention is the person standing behind her. The boy is tall, painfully slim, has short messy black hair and usually bright blue eyes. There is no doubt about, Morgana's servant is the idiot.
I nod my head as Sir Alan speaks to me, but I keep glancing at the boy. The boy is trying to refill Morgana's glass without spilling a drop. All his attention is on the glass, but he still manages to drip a few drops on the table. Sir Ambrose gives him a dirty look and nods toward the door. He slightly bows and heads toward the door. I reluctantly admit to myself that I find him interesting. I've never met or seen anyone like him. I've never had much interaction with children my own age yet alone peasants. This could be interesting if not fun.
"Father I'm afraid that I have a slight headache. May I be excused?"
"Of course; send a servant for Gaius, if it gets worse."
I bow and leave, but instead of heading to my chamber I follow the boy. He heads towards the stairs that leads to the left tower that hasn't been used in years. He doesn't show any signs that he knows that he is being followed, but I am a great hunter and can already out fight many of the knights. He enters the room at the top of the stairs. Giving it a few moments I seek up and slowly open the door. The boy has a book on the bed and starts flipping through the pages. He lets out I sigh, then the pages start to move quickly all on their own. I look up at the boy to see his response to see his eyes a bright gold.
Magic
The boy looks up. I must have said that out loud. He face turns from surprise to unmistakable fear. I look over at the book which has stopped moving. Father has always told me that magic is evil, but that didn't look evil. I've never seen magic before or an execution. Dad told me that I will start attending executions when I'm twelve. I wonder what else he can do.
"Show me more." I order