Disclaimer: Thank you to all of you who reviewed or followed this story. I'm not gonna lie, this idea came from a dream I had and I just started thinking about it one day on my way home from my job. I'm glad people are enjoying it. As usual, I own nothing in reference to the characters, shows or songs that are here. Hope you continue to enjoy this story.

The week flew by for Laya and before she knew it the ball was almost upon them. Merlin had helped her with her etiquette and the dancing; but what surprised her was that Arthur was more than willing to help. She watched as Arthur had taught Merlin the basics of the waltz, which alone provided her with some humor, but what really made her smile was the blush on Merlin's cheeks. She had discovered not two days before that Merlin harbored love for the blond prince. When she had confronted him about it, he tried and failed to deny it before begging her not to tell anyone. She wasn't stupid, though. She knew homosexuality wasn't acceptable here; telling someone would have meant a death sentence to Merlin and she couldn't bear that.

She found herself wondering if Arthur felt the same way as she would often catch him staring at Merlin with a smile on his face before he would snap out of it and point out that it was rude to stare.

She was sitting in her room, brushing out her dark hair when a thought came over her that had her flying into Merlin's room. "We have a problem." she said.

"Your song is from your time again isn't it?" he said, folding his clothes. She found herself smiling, in the past week she had noticed that he had picked up some of her lingo and used it when they were together. She nodded. "I'll take care of it," he said, petting her hair gently, brushing it away from her neck. "I'll do what I did last time."

"What did you do?" she asked, sitting on the bed.

"I used a trick to make it sound like another language to them." he said, shrugging.

"Okay, yeah. Do that." she exhaled in relief.

"So," he said, closing the wardrobe. "Tell me more about your time and let's work on the dance again." He pulled her to her feet, taking her right hand in his as she set her hand on his shoulder.

"Well," she shook her hair out of her way. "What do you want to know about now?"

"Arthur..." he said, moving them slowly. "Is he remembered?"

"Well, yes. But there is a bit of debate on whether or not he was a real person. Now that I've been here, maybe I'll become a Arthurian historian." She smiled.

"What do you mean if he was real or not?" He asked, interested.

"Well, there was so many documents that placed him in different times." She said, looking up at him as she spoke. "So they question when he lived; where Albion is actually located," she said. "How old he was when he took the throne, things like that."

Merlin nodded. "What about me?"

"Well, for one thing, they picture you as an old man with a long beard and a pointy hat. You said silly words, as well." she giggled.

"You mean like this?" His eyes flashed and he started to age into a man of at least seventy before he shift back.

"Yes!" she giggled. "Oh, my goddess! That was dead on!"

"I've used that one a few times, I learned that way that Arthur recognizes my eyes." He said, smiling.

He spun her slowly. "You'd be a great scholar."

"Damn straight." she said with her head held high. "Hey, Merl?"

"Yes?" he asked, spinning her out at arm's length.

"When you use your trick, can you hear my real words or what you make them hear?" she asked.

"Bit of both, actually." he said. "Maybe if you sing it now, I'll know it and it'll help us with the movements."

"I could," she thought it over. "Couldn't hurt."

"What is it called?" he asked.

"'A Bird Without Wings'." she said, "It was my brother's favorite to hear me sing."

"Okay, but remember, you'll be dancing this one with Arthur, so he'll be better at this than me."

"Do I have to dance with everyone?" she asked.

"No, only those you want to. But I do have a good word that all the nights want to share a dance with you." he smirked.

"Really? Why?" she asked, confused. She had spent some time with them and she liked them well enough.

"They all love you," he said. "They want to show people that they are willing to protect you." he said. "They call you their 'little fire bird'."

"Like a phoenix?" she asked.

"More for your sharp tongue, fiery temper and your fluid movements." he kept smirking.

"Aww. That's sweet." she said.\

"Enough stalling, let's hear the song." he said.

She smiled knowingly at him and took a breath.

Like a bird without wings

that longs to be flying.

Like a motherless child

left lonely and crying.

Like a song without words,

like a world without music.

I wouldn't know what to do,

I'd be lost without you

watchin' over me.

Merlin was smiling at her, enjoying the song. She kept smiling.

I get so lonely

when you're away.

I count every moment,

I wait everyday

until you're home again

and hug me so tight.

That's when I know everything is alright.

Like a bird without wings

that longs to be flying.

Like a motherless child

left lonely and crying.

Like a song without words,

like a world without music.

I wouldn't know what to do,

I'd be lost without you

watchin' over me.

They moved almost effortlessly, unknowing that someone was watching them from the door way.

You're my guardian angel.

My light and my guide.

Your hand on my shoulder,

and you by my side.

You make everything beautiful,

you make me complete.

Everything in my world,

I lay at your feet.

They had stopped moving and she let the song take over her, like something that had to be said or else it would be meaningless.

Like a church with no steeple

where a bell never rings.

In a town without people,

where no voice in the choir ever sings.

If a boat on the ocean

would be lost with no sail,

then without your devotion

surely all that I dream of would fail.

Her emotions took over her and tears began to make tracks on her cheeks. She remembered the first time she head ever sang this song. Her brother and she had just moved out of their father's care and she was feeling the after effects. She had thought that Artie had gone out to get some groceries but there he was, standing in the living room and she sang her heart out, meaning every word of it. He was not only her brother, he was her guardian angel. She loved him for that.

Like a song without words,

like a world without music,

I wouldn't know what to do,

I'd be lost without you

watchin' over me.

I wouldn't know what to do,

I'd be lost without you

watchin' over

me.

When she finished there was applause from behind her and they both turned, slowly towards it. There in the doorway stood Arthur.

"My apologizes for listening in..."he said softly, "I heard you singing and I just got stuck. It was beautiful."

"Thank you." she said, bowing. "Merlin and I were practicing our waltz and he felt that maybe if I sang what I would be singing at the ball that it would keep us in the proper movements." she said, adopting her proper language again.

"I'm sure the kings will love it as much as I did." he said.

"Thank you, again." she said, with a smile. "I've never been to a ball before and I'm a little on edge."

"Fear not, I'm sure you are a natural." Arthur said. "Your dancing is fine...Better than Merlin's anyway."

They knew he was teasing. "Prat," Merlin said with a smile. "Laya, I think it's time we both retire."

"M-May I stay here again, Merlin?" she asked, politely. Any other time, she'd just flop into his bed."My chambers are a little scary on my own."

"Of course." he said, smiling. She liked the fact that he was so kind to her, even though he barely knew her.

"Merlin, in the morning, I need you to prepare my clothes." Arthur said. "You might be escorting your cousin but you will not forget your duties."

"Your Highness," she said, looking at him. "Do not forget what we discussed."

"I recall." he said, laying a hand on her shoulder. "That's all he has to do tomorrow. The rest has been done already."

She nodded and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, sire."

"Well, then, goodnight to you both." Arthur said, watching them. "Oh, Laya?"

"You know, your highness, I am very impressed," she teased. "You have remembered my name all week."

"I am to be king, I must get better at these things." he said as if that explained everything/

"And a great one you shall be." she smirked. "What is it, though?"

"I wish to go riding in the morning and I was hoping that you would grace me with your company. You see, Merlin has work and so do my knights..."

"Say no more, I would love to. I've been wanting to ride for some time now." she said, smiling. "I will see you in the morning."

"Right. Goodnight, then." he left.

"Wonder what that's really all about?" she asked, getting into the bed.

"Easy. You fight better than most of the knights."

The next day...

Laya was awoken as the sun came up by Merlin, whom greeted her with tea and something light to eat. She ate quickly before meeting Arthur down in the stables.

"So, which way?" she asked, mounting the horse that Merlin usually rode.

Arthur pointed to the east and nudged his horse gently.

They rode in comfortable silence before he turned to her. "So, what is your relation to Merlin?"

"He is my cousin. You know that." she said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"No, I mean, are you two to be married?" he asked. "You already share a bed..."

"Oh, goddess, no!" she exclaimed. "I am new here and Merlin makes me feel safe. He is my cousin, my best friend and I love him dearly. But I am not in love with him. Besides, we have different types."

"Types?" He was confused.

"He prefers blonds." she said, looking over the field.

"Right."

"His innocence is in tact." she snickered.

"I was not worried about that!" he stuttered, shaking his head.

"Liar!" she giggled.

She kept giggling as he reached over covering her mouth with her gloved hands until her giggles quieted down. She cleared her throat, prying his gloved hand off her. "I am sorry." she sighed. "Artie, my brother, always said that I needed to learn when to stop."

"Yes, well." he said, straightening himself in the saddle. "Tell me of him; your brother."

"Artie is two years older than me. He loves riding and sword fighting. He was my protector." She smiled. "The best older brother I could ever have asked for. He was great at sword play and riding."

"Like you?" Arthur asked, glancing over at her.

"No. Much better; stronger." she smiled sadly.

"You speak of him as if he still lives." Arthur said, fondly.

"Well, maybe, not physically...but he does live in my heart." she said, resting her palm over her chest. "Those we love never truly leave us. It's more of 'see you next time', not 'goodbye'." She squinted her eyes against the sun. "Well, enough sorrow; we never had our race."

"Shall we now?"

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, grinning widely.

"Straight ahead to the river." he said, pointing towards it. If she listened hard enough then she could hear the water slapping against the rocks.

"Right. On your mark...and go!" she said, making a noise that caused her horse to take off at a gallop. She had let out a laugh, her hair flowing behind her erratically as she rode. She had always loved his part of riding; the sense of pure freedom. She would always go riding with her brother when she felt alone or sad. They were neck and neck as the trees sped past them.

As much as Arthur hated to admit it, her laughter was infectious. He found himself laughing with her. He had not really liked her when she arrived; when she had bested him. He disliked her even more when he had noticed she and Merlin spent almost all their time together. Then he had noticed that they shared a bed and he had gotten even more agitated. Part of him still did not believe that they would not marry.

Sometimes, when he was alone, he would dream about a life where he had given up being a prince and just traveled with Merlin. But the two things he had been most certain of was that his father would never allow it and that Merlin would never look at her the same way ever again. That thought broke his heart.

When he had thought about it, he could live without his father but not without Merlin; he needed him more.

He had been lost in his thoughts so much that he had not seen the tree branch until it had smacked him in the face.

"Arthur!" Laya exclaimed, pulling her horse around and dismounting quickly. She saw he was unconscious. "Fuck! Fuck!" she checked to see if he was still breathing before she pulled the flower out of her hair that Merlin had given her prior. He told her that he had put a tracking spell on it and all she had to do was hold it and think of him then they would be linked mentally.

"Merlin!" she thought, clutching the flower. "Emergency! S.O.S..Answer damn it!"

"Laya!" his voice echoed through her head. "What's wrong? What does S.O.S mean?"

"Arthur hit a tree and knocked himself out!" she practically screamed. She heard him laughing. "It's not funny, asshole!" she snapped. "Help me!"

"Alright! Alright, hold tight. I'll be there soon." he said.

"I'm going to cut his fucking balls off." she muttered, running her finger through her hair as Arthur stirred slightly. "Lay still." she said, soothingly. "Help is coming."

"Little bear." he moaned softly, his head falling to the side.

She froze. "Wait...what? Arthur?" she shook him gently. How did he know that name? The only person to call her that was... "Artie?"

"Wake up, little bear." he moaned again before laying still once again.

Before she could question it more Merlin showed up and healed the cuts on Arthur's face. Arthur stirred a few minutes later. "Merlin!" he gasped, sitting up.

"Up and at 'em, Sire!" Merlin exclaimed cheerfully. "Took a fall, did you?"

"Shut up, Merlin!" he snapped. "What are you dong here?"

"I followed you...again." he said as if it were obvious. "You might be a royal prat but Laya is still my blood."

"I just realized that I need to speak to someone before tonight." Laya said, "You two ride on."

" Laya, are you certain?" They both asked in unison, looking at each other.

"Positive." she said, "You two have something you need to talk about."

"We do?" Merlin asked.

"Yes," she said, "I'm going to be blunt with you guys because I care about your both and I think it's part of my key to getting home...There needs to be no secrets between the three of us."

"Is this about the fact that Merlin can do magic?" Arthur asked, shocking them both.

"You knew?" Merlin asked, his mouth agape.

"Of course he knew, he never really takes his eyes off of you, you idiot." Alaina said, watching the two.

"Laya...are you sure?" Merlin asked, glancing at Arthur again.

"Yes. Merlin...before you got here...Arthur said a name of mine. A name that only my brother called me." she said, giving him a hard stare.

"I did?" He paused. "Little Bear..."

She nodded and looked at Arthur. "My family isn't really dead. I'm from a different time."

"A different time." He said slowly. She and Merlin both nodded. "Then how did you get here."

"That's a bit of a blurred moment. I mean, I know in my time, I got hit by a truck...a big cart without horses... and woke up here."

She watched Merlin. "How did it look on this end?"

"You literally flew out of nowhere and hit the wall of the stables." he said, a little blunt.

"Well, I think I know part of the key to get me home, but I need to talk to Killy about it," she said, "But in the mean time, I feel like us being honest with each other is best."

The boys nodded in agreement then Arthur's head shot up. "Who's Killy?"

Merlin flinched, holding his ears. "He said only Laya can call him that."

"Shit! Sorry, Merl, I forgot!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to rub his back.

"But who is he?" Arthur asked, still confused.

"Killy is the dragon that your father locked up under the castle." She said, gently. "He speaks in

riddles and I need his help to get back to my brother."

Arthur nodded. "Then let us go see him."

"You can't meet him, not yet." she said. "I have to think about this on my own for a bit. Hearing

you say his name for me...I have to get home to him."

Arthur smiled softly. "Then I will help you. I would give anything to be back with my mother for

even a moment."

She smiled at him. "Thank you. And we will both keep Merlin's secret and I will keep both of

yours as well."

"You take my horse and I will walk back with Arthur." Merlin said. "Just be careful."

She was about to open her mouth when someone spoke. "I will escort her."

"Oh, great, Sir I- Have- Long-Hair is here." Alaina said with a smirk.

"Gwaine," Merlin exhaled in relief. "Yes, Gwaine, escort Laya."

"What?" she asked. "You both know he knows all our secrets now?"

"I've known two of them for quite some time now." he stated, coming out from behind the tree where he was idly standing.

"How?" Merlin asked.

"Well, neither of you is exactly subtle." he shrugged. "Merlin's eyes flash and he gets far too lucky in battle. Sire, I am sorry to say, you need to watch your staring. I have glimpsed you looking far too long at Merlin and Percy."

They both blushed at this.

"You've kept their secrets though." she said.

"I have far too little friends, it would be a pity to lose those I have."

They bantered awhile longer before Laya found herself sitting in front of Gwaine on Merlin's horse. "So, are you ready for tonight?" he asked, holding the reigns from around her waist.

"I'm a little nervous." she said. "Back home, I'm still in schooling for this kind of thing."

"I was watching the doors the first night you sang for the king. You will be brilliant." Gwaine said. "Until then, I know the perfect way to get over nerves."

"I'm not going to the pub with you. It'd be worse if I were drunk." she said, smiling.

The Ball

The sun had long set before the ball began. Laya was standing in the hallway with Merlin, both idly fiddling with their fancy clothes. "We can do this." she whispered as their names were called out and Merlin took her hand, preparing to lead her into the hall.

"Of course we can. You're brilliant and I'm magic." he said, smirking.

"Goddess, don't get us killed."

He led her into the room and she focused on not tripping over the hem of the dress that Morgana and Gwen had forced her into as they approached Uther, Arthur, and the visiting king. Arthur smiled widely at them both, inclining his head slightly. /Something must have happened when I left./ She thought with a smirk, catching Gwaine's eye as he stood with the knights. She hated to admit it but he looked quite dashing.

"Laya," Uther said, as she rose from the curtsy that she had elegantly dropped into. "We thank you for gracing us with your presence and your gift of song."

"The pleasure is all mine, sire." she replied.

"I cannot wait to hear this songstress that Uther has praised so much." the visiting King said. "I shall be delighted if you would sing for us now."

"As long as the prince will honor me with a dance." she said.

"I would be honored." Arthur replied, as they had rehearsed. He stepped down and took her hand from Merlin's as they headed to the center of the room. "Just like we practiced." she remarked.

"I told you." Arthur said as they assumed the positions for a waltz. "Now remember, only myself, Merlin, Gwaine and Gaius know what you are truly singing."

"The secret keepers." she smirked.

Without any coaxing from the future king, Alaina began to sing her song, ignoring the world around her as Gwaine had instructed.

After she had finished her first set of verses, Merlin cut in, finishing the dance with her. The kings had praised her choice of song and her dancing before the dinner had been served. After there was more dancing where she found herself dancing with the knights and laughing. She was having such a fun time. She had danced with both the kings and even did a jig with Morgana, the two acting as if they were old friends before Gwaine asked to cut in. Right as he did, the music changed to another waltz.

He hung his head. "You do not have to." he said softly.

"I want to." she replied, taking his hand in her own.