Author's Note: Greetings! Marie here, back from the dead! Being it's a New Year, I resolve to do my best to speed up my updating process! However, the last leg of Senior Year may have other plans. Anywho, I hope you enjoy! No flames, please; those left shall be given to Kilgharrah, and you know how he likes those.

*The Dragon's Call
Chapter One: Meetings*

"Rise and shine, Princess!"

I stifled a groan as the curtains were pulled back from my window, attempting to replace it with a smile. "Good morning to you too, Allison."

My red-headed maid smiled at me, the sun streaming in behind her. "I hope you slept well," she began, "because your father has declared a festival, and the Lady Helen shall be singing."

"Lady Helen?" I ran the name over and over in my mind, trying to remember. "Oh yes! Lady Helen! A beautiful voice if there ever was one." Allison nodded, then left my bedside so I could wash my face; she was getting my dress for the day.

"You just barely missed the execution," Allison commented softly. "Your father requested I let you sleep until it was over. He knows how things like that upset you." I gripped the sides of the basin, struggling to keep my composure.

Of course I 'missed' the execution. Father knows how I feel about such harsh punishments against magic-Morgana shares my views, except she is a little more vocal than I.

"Well, I suppose it was a...wise descision on his part," I commented stiffly. I looked over my shoulder at a somber-looking Allison, smiling at her. "It's not your fault," I said quickly. "You only did as you were told, and I hold nothing against you for that."

That brightened her back up. "Thank you, my lady."

I splashed the cool water on my face, letting it work its wonder of waking me up a little more. Once I patted my face dry, I looked in the mirror.

Bright blue-green eyes met my gaze, along with long, trailing blonde hair that falls in waves almost to my waist. I picked up my hairbrush, running it through my hair as Allison reappeared, carrying a blue dress as an invitation to step behind my dressing screen and step into it.

"Thank you, Allison," I smiled at her as best as I could while she tightened the strings on my gown. "I'm going to pay Gaius a quick visit, if anyone asks."

"All right," she replied, tying the last string tight. "I'll let any visitors know."

"Thank you," I smiled at her again, then I stepped out of my room, closing the door softly behind me.

"Well there's our sleeping beauty."

I turned around to the voice, smiling. "Good morning, Arthur."

My brother smiled, planting a small kiss on my cheek. "And what does the beautiful princess of Camelot have planned this new day?"

"I think I'm going to the market with Allison to look for some ribbon after I visit Gaius," I replied. "What about the handsome prince of Camelot?"

Arthur looped my arm through his as we began walking down the stairs that led out of the castle that was our home. "I'm going to train some aspiring knights, then prepare for Father's festival. Did Allison tell you?"

"Yes, she did," I confirmed as we reached the bottom of the stairs. "She also told me about Lady Helen coming. Do you know when she is to arrive?"

"It will be a few days. Traveling from Mora is always difficult, especially this time of year." Once the warm morning sun touched our faces, Arthur squeezed my arm before releasing it. "Until we meet again, Princess."

"Farewell, Prince," I replied, smiling and shaking my head at my brother's retreating form before following the all-too familiar path to the Court Physician's chambers.

"Good morning, Gaius," I chimed, opening the door of his quarters wide.

"Ah, good morning, Kyndra," he replied, glancing up from a bubbling flask as I stepped in and closed the door behind me.

My eyes ran across the room, stopping at something that seemed out of place. "Gaius?"

"Yes?"

"Why is your bed right there?"

I watched Gaius look at his bed, then back at me. "I forgot to get him to move it back," he muttered. "Would you mind helping an old man? "

"Not at all." I took one side of the bed, Gaius the other, and we both guided the bed back to it's proper place. "Who is him?" I asked once the task was complete.

"My new helper, Merlin," Gaius explained, walking back over to his stool and flask. "His mother is a good friend of mine, and she sent him to me. Could you hand me that vial of sorrel, please?"

I nodded, uncorking the vial before handing it to him, still perplexed. "But...why? And what does he have to do with the bed being out of place?"

"For some training in medicine. He's a bright boy, and Ealdor doesn't have the recourses he needs. As for the bed..." Gaius sighed. "He saved my life this morning. I lost my balance up there, a few moments after he walked in," here he gestured upwards; I felt my heart drop at the sight of the broken, splintered railing. "Merlin managed to get the mattress underneath me in time."

"Gaius, that's...remarkable." I shook my head in disbelief. "Miraculous may be the better word."

"The better word for what?" a new voice asked.

Turning, my gaze met a boy who seemed to be close to my age, with fair skin, hair like raven's feathers, and bright, curious, piercing blue eyes. He had on a brown jacket, a blue tunic, and a red neckerchief encircled his neck. Brown trousers and boots completed his attire.

"Ah, Merlin," Gaius began, breaking a silence I didn't know had appeared, slowly standing up. "I would like you to meet a frequent visitor of mine. This is the Lady Kyndra, one of my other pupils."

"Hello," Merlin greeted; he seemed a little shy as he walked towards Gaius' table, sitting beside the physician.

"Hello," I smiled. "Gaius has been telling me a little bit about you. I suppose I should be saying thank you for saving his life."

His eyes widened for a moment as he stole a glance at Gaius. Whatever he managed to tell him with his quick gaze back seemed to relax the boy, and his eyes returned to me. "It was nothing," he replied, "he's an old friend of my mother's. I don't think she'd like it if I accidentally killed him on my first day here."

"I don't think the king would take it too kindly, either," Gaius added with a grin, putting Merlin at ease.

Before I could ask another question, there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Merlin offered, rising from his place and pulling it open.

There, standing in the doorway, was a knight, his red robe with a golden dragon stitched on his left shoulder.

"Ah, Sir Owain," Gaius spoke up pleasantly. "What brings a young knight of Camelot to my dusty corner of the castle?"

"Hello, Gaius." Sir Owain cleared his throat, turning his attention to me. "Lady Kyndra, your father has requested that I escort you to my chambers."

I paused, making sure I had heard correctly before I spoke. "Yourchambers, Sir Owain?"

The knight's hazel eyes widened, realizing his error. "Oh! No, my lady, I meant to-the king asked me, to escort you to..."

"The king's chambers, perhaps?" Gaius offered, fighting to hide the amusement written on his face.

"Y-Yes. The king's chambers. Thank you, Gaius," Sir Owain finally got out, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.

"Thank you, Sir Owain," I smiled, walking towards the cherry-red knight. "It was nice to meet you, Merlin. Good afternoon, Gaius."

The knight let me exit first, closing the door behind me. "I apologize, my lady, I didn't-"

"It's fine, Sir Owain," I replied, allowing him to loop my arm through his. "Even knights make a mistake on occasion."

"Please, call me Owain, my lady," he smiled, his cheeks more pink than red now.

"Then I insist you call me Kyndra." I smiled at him once we had made it to my father's door. "I can handle it from here. Thank you, Owain."

"You are welcome, my la-Kyndra." He pressed a kiss into my hand, then hurried away, still looking slightly embarrassed. I pulled my gaze away from his retreating form, tapping my father's door gently with my knuckles.

"Enter," came the reply. I pushed the door open, tucking some of my hair behind my ear. "Ah, hello, Kyndra."

"Good afternoon, Father," I replied, smiling as he pulled me into an embrace. "How has your day been?"

"All has been well," he confirmed, taking my hand and striding to one of the windows in his chambers. "As we speak, Camelot is preparing to celebrate twenty years free of sorcery." He pulled the curtain back, revealing the people bustling about in the streets, arms full of countless colourful objects, straining to meet goals and complete tasks in time.

"Is there anything I can do to contribute?" I asked, once he let the curtain go.

Father smiled, putting his hands on my shoulders. "You can continue to be the vision of the bright future Camelot is sure to have without magic in it's walls." He smiled, pushing hair behind my ear that had fallen in my face. "You look more like your mother every day."

"Thank you," I murmured as he pressed a kiss onto my forehead. "I'll go see about Lady Helen's room; she is due to be here soon."

"Tell Arthur I would like to see him," Father requested as I walked towards the door.

"I will."

"Thank you, Kyndra."

I closed the door, making my way back to my chambers. Allison was probably doing laundry, so she would be out right now. Slipping in, I made my way towards my bed; kneeling down beside it, I worked a board of wood loose. Inside was a tunic, a pair of trousers, boots, and my prized possession: a sword belt lined with knives and one long sword. Picking up the clothes, I swiftly changed into them, strapping on the sword belt last. Slipping on the boots, I replaced the board and walked to the door on the other side of my room: the door that led to a tower.

Closing the door as quietly as I could, I walked up the stairs, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed. Once I made it to the top, I pushed it open, meeting...

My brother. With a sword in my practice dummy's head.

"Ah, Kyndra," he smiled, wedging his blade free. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."

I took a deep breath to steel myself. "If you tell Father about this, Arthur, I swear-"

"You aren't going to do a thing," he replied, his sword meeting mine. "Because I'm not going to say anything."

I breathed a sigh of relief, twisting my wrist to unlock our blades. "Thank you."

"So," he sheathed his sword and began to walk around. "How long have you had this little...setup?"

"A few weeks?" I offered with a small smile. "I've been practicing. Never know when you need to defend yourself."

"When on earth are you going to need to do that?" He asked, putting an arm around me. "You're the princess of Camelot, Kyndra, not a knight-to-be."

"But can you help me?" I persisted, stepping in his way to prevent him from leaving. "A dummy can only do so much."

He sighed. "Fine. We start tomorrow, after I train actual knights."

I smiled. "Thank you, Arthur." I planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "I just remembered; Father wanted to speak to you." Just before I turned to go, I pushed my sword in my sheath, locking eyes with my brother. "And I am thankful you're helping me. I really am." With that, I left, carefully closing the door behind me and tiptoeing down the stairs to change again and see to Lady Helen's room.

Just before I turned in, I opened my window, peeking out at the starlight that bathed a calmer Camelot in a soft, peaceful light. As I looked below, I noticed another person looking out of their window as well, a look of awestruck wonder on his face.

Merlin.

I chanced a small wave, then closed my window and blew out the candle that was beside it. He seemed quite interesting; perhaps I would run into him tomorrow.

Not in a drastic way, I hope.