It was a new day in Camelot. Merlin had just rolled out of bed, he sighed as he got changed. His mind retreated to the day when he first arrived in the city. A group of knights were bullying a poor servant, so he stuck up for the lad. An act that landed him in prison because he attacked one of the King's favourite knights. He was bailed out by Gaius and he went back to work. He accidentally walked in on the lady Morgana while she was behind a partition wall getting undressed. She thought he was her servant Gwen. Thankfully, she came to rescue him. He was grateful to her. He finished getting changed and went into the main room. Gaius was no were to be seen, but he left breakfast and a note. He ate the porridge while he read the note that he left. It said that he and the King were going to be away for the whole day. Gaius left him with a list of jobs that needed doing. Merlin sighed, but one part intrigued him.

'Give the Princess the bottle labelled with … before sundown.'

The thought just came to Merlin, he hadn't met the Princess yet. He didn't need to go to her yet. He spent his whole day doing the other jobs. Cleaning the leech's tank, which took him until just before noon. Organising the herbs to see which ones he needed to collect and then fetch them. It was mid-afternoon when he finished that. The last job on the list was giving medicine to the Princess. Sadly, he had no idea where to find her. But he knew who to ask. Merlin dashed over to the Lady Morgana's chambers, hoping to find Gwen. The door was slightly open, she was in there with Morgana. He waited for the pair of them to stop talking, so he didn't interrupt them. Suddenly, Merlin heard the sound of crying.

"I can't do this any more my lady." Gwen sobbed.

"Then I will just get Uther to employ another servant for the Princess."

"But she trusts me. You know how she is with new people." She continued to sob.

"Has it just become too much? I can always do some things for you. Lessen your workload on my end." She suggested.

"You're a lady..."

Merlin burst into the room, "Why don't I help?"

The two girls looked at him. Immediately, Gwen rubbed her eyes to try and hide the fact that she was crying. He found Gwen crying over three baskets of laundry. One had Morgana's clothes in them. The other possibly had the Princess' clothes and the last had bedsheets. Morgana knelt and had a hand on Gwen to comfort her.

"But you're a man Merlin. You can not attend to the Princess. Only a woman can." Gwen pointed out.

"Or..." Morgan walked away from Gwen for a moment.

She walked towards the wardrobe and pulled out a dress. It was an old-looking dress, that had been well-worn. Part of the material had faded and it had some holes in it. The dress was once a vibrant blue with sequins down the sleeves. Now they had all fallen off and the colour was nearly all gone too. It was perfect.

"This is the oldest dress I have."

"My lady, what are you thinking?" Gwen sniffled.

"We make this generous man, into a girl. Then he can attend to the Princess."

"WHAT!?" The pair of them were shocked.

"But my lady, new people...and what will the King say."

She smiled, "Uther will not even notice. If he does, I will just say that I employed 'her' while the King was away. I will be fine. As for the Princess...Just tell her that she's a friend of yours."

Gwen rose from the ground, "Do you think it will work?"

Morgana nodded, "I'm sure of it. If he's willing."

Gwen took the dress from her lady's hands and held it near Merlin. Her eyes were finally full of hope. As if he was pulling her out of a dark pit.

"Okay." he took the dress off her.

Morgana gestured for him to get changed behind the partition wall. Once he was in the dress, he realised that his hair was too short to pose as a woman. His mind panicked, quickly thinking of all the spells and enchantments that he knew. He vaguely remembered seeing a spell in the book that Gaius gave him. Very quietly, he said the spell. He opened his eyes and poof he had long hair. As well as breasts. He felt where they were and it was like touching his chest. He forgot it was an illusionary spell. Nothing was real, but to everyone else, it would be. He came out from behind the wall, panicked that the girls would realise that he used magic. They looked at him and were amazed.

"That dress suits you quite well." Gwen proudly said.

"Now we need a new name."

"Merlina?" Gwen suggested.

"Simple, I like it," Merlin said.

Gwen smiled, "I'll take you to her then."

Before they ran off, Morgana pulled out some old shoes for her to put on. Merlina placed them on her feet. They were a little too small, but it didn't matter. He could always buy some more or use a spell to increase their size.

Gently, Gwen dragged Merlina down the halls of the castle and to the outside world. She brought her to the training grounds. Suddenly, she heard the sound of swords clashing. A sound that shocked her at first, because she wasn't used to hearing it. There was no one else out there, but two knights. Merlina gazed around, he didn't see any woman around. The knights had helmets on and were engaged in combat. Gwen sat Merlina down on the grass. It was dry and warm from the sun being on it all day. One of the knights dodged using a triple handspring. Merlina was surprised that he was able to do that in full armour.

"How?"

"It's specially made armour...Well, it's not armour."

Merlina gave her a confused look, "What?"

"Look closely."

Merlina looked harder at the athletic knight. Gwen was right, the way that the 'armour' moved it was like cloth. He was just wearing grey clothing, the only part that was armour was; the helmet, hands, shins and shoulders. From afar, the outfit looked like the pair of them were wearing full armour. Or it was the mind playing tricks since one was wearing it. The mind just filled in that the other was in full armour as well.

The two of them clashed again. They were both pretty evenly matched. They were able to block each other's blows. Their little spar could go either way. Merlina was still confused as to why Gwen brought her to the training grounds when they needed to find the Princess. She needed to take her medicine soon. Since she was wearing different clothing, she kept the bottle in her hand. Gwen spotted it and held out her hand.

"Let me give that to her. She hates taking it. I don't want your first meeting to involve that medicine." She said.

Merlina handed her the vile, "So what's it for?"

Gwen let out a sigh, "I'm not sure. Gaius claims that it's to help her sleep. But the Lady Morgana takes something for that. It's not this."

"Maybe they need different medication for it. Even if they have the same condition."

"That's the thing, they don't. Morgana suffers from nightmares. The Princess, sleeps soundly. Apparently, she's been taking it ever since she turned eighteen. Sadly, I have only been here for three years...Normally, Gaius gives her the vile and he has to sneak it into a drink. She won't take it directly anymore."

Merlina was shocked, "He has to trick her into taking it. That's not right. There could be anything in that bottle."

Gwen sighed, "I know...The King told Gaius to increase her dosage of it too. She has to have it in the morning now."

"Hold up, so the King requested for her to take it. So there's nothing medically wrong with her."

Gwen nodded.

"Then what is it?"

She shrugged, "The Princess has no idea. So maybe we should-"

"What keeps it from her? That's not how I'm going to gain her trust."

The two of them stopped at Merlina's outburst. One knight took a quick glance at the sky and jabbed his blade into the soil. He pulled his helmet off. He was tall, possibly six foot and two inches. His hair was short and dirty blond, his hair reached his jawline. Which was smooth and fair. His eyes were a sapphire blue, mesmerising to look at. He wore a necklace that had a white jewel in the middle of it. On the left side of his face, was a scar. It started somewhere in his hair and ended halfway across his cheek. His face was of average shape, but according to Gwen's body language, he was quite attractive.

The other knight took out the copious amount of pins from the garments that were on them. The clothes fell to the ground, forming a beautiful sky-blue dress. It was the underskirt that created the illusion of the armour. The dress had a pleated white trim at the end. Grey stockings were underneath the dress to help sell the look. The knight took off their helmet, revealing them to be a woman. Long soft, blonde locks fell as she removed the helmet. Gwen rose and pulled out a hair comb from her pocket. She began to brush the lady's hair. The woman was gorgeous in the face. Soft cheeks, beautifully long eyelashes. Her eye colour was the same as the other knight and she shared some features with him. Like her eyebrow shape, which was thin and straight. Her lips, which were soft and somewhat thin, but they were also kind of pale. She was the most beautiful woman that Merlina had ever set her eyes upon.

Gwen removed the shoulder armour since it was getting in the way of controlling her frizzy ends.

"So who is this?" she asked.

"This is Merlina, she's a friend of mine. I bump into her most days when I'm at the market. I met her a month ago and she just seems to get me. Earlier today, she mention that she was looking for work. So I was wondering if I could help her to eventually become your servant."

"You're replacing yourself Gwen." the knight said.

"No, it's not that..."

"She just needs a hand. I offered to help. If that's alright with you." Merlina said.

She smiled, "Okay, a friend of Gwen is a friend of mine."

Without her noticing, Gwen internally cheered.

"I am Princess Artoria of Camelot. This is Sir Tristan, my uncle."

He smiled, "Pleasure."

"So why were you training? You're a Princess." Merlina asked.

"Because it's in her blood. She's related to a knight. Her father can fight and I taught my twin sister to fight. So why can't her daughter." Tristan defended.

Merlina backed off a little, "Wow. He's."

Artoria smiled, "You will get used to him. There is no reason why I shouldn't know how to fight. Sadly, my social title does not give me an excuse. Plus, I wanted to. So Tristan trained me in secret."

"That explains the dress up."

"Artoria fights in the Kingdom's tourdanments as well." Gwen said.

"How?"

"Well, Tristan fights in the tournament, then the two swap places. Wearing a copy of Sir Tristan's armour. I'm surprised no one has caught on yet. Since Artoira is only five foot, five." Gwen said putting away the comb.

"Thank you." She said.

"It's nothing." Gwen smiled.

Artoira looked closely into Gwen's eyes, "You have been crying again."

She let out a sigh, "Can't hide anything from either of you..."

Gwen handed Artoria the vile. She took a deep breath.

"Gauis' new assistant had it on him. He didn't know where you were, so I said that I'd take it to you. It's in a bigger bottle than the last time I saw it."

Artoria let out a sigh. The last time she saw the bottle was a year ago. That was the last time Gaius gave her it in its pure form.

"He has been giving it to me secretly...Hasn't he?"

Gwen bit her lip, "I think so."

"Wouldn't surprise me," Tristan said.

"Do either of you know what's in the vile?" Merlina asked.

"Nope! Nor what it's for. But one of the knights mentioned how a part of you had grown." Tristan pointed out.

Artoira blushed, "Excuse me! Which knight said that?"

"Bedivere?"

She scoffed, "I'm glad that I am, who I am. It protects me from men like him. Who see women as objects, only there to satisfy a man's disgusting desire."

"You will find it hard not to find a man like that." Tristan pointed out.

She sighed, "I know..."

Merlina smiled, "One day..."

Artoria held a hand to her chest, "If father has his way...I will be married at the end of the week."

Shock came to the two servants, "WHAT?"

"You have got to be kidding me." Tristan snapped.

She nodded and turned her head away, "Odin's son..."

"Odin's son? Has your father lost his mind? We're at the brink of war with his people. A marriage between you and him will not solve that. Odin just wants to take you away from Camelot."

"You do not think I know that!" She snapped.

Tristan let out a sigh.

"I met Thor...Last summer. Just like every man my father has set me up with..."

Gwen gave the Princess a hug, "You don't need to explain yourself. Morgana said that Thor was an awful piece of work. She questioned why the King even considered him."

"Why are we almost at war with Odin's Kingdom?" Merlina asked.

Tristan let out a sigh, "The two Kingdoms have been in a kind of argument for decades. Mostly, over army size, food resources, land and the new thing; Artoria."

"So the King does want her..." Merlina said.

"Why wouldn't he? She's the most beautiful Princess in the land. He has wanted his son to marry Artoria ever since she was born."

"Seriously!?" Merlina yelled.

"Once he discovered that Uther had a daughter, yes. He saw it as an opport-." Tristan paused himself.

A servant raced up to them, he was out of breath. Once he caught it again, he straightened his back. Tristan was surprised he knew where to find them.

"Sir Tristan, have you any idea where the King has gone?"

"Father is out with Gaius. Why?"

The man was still panting, "Prince Thor and his father King-"

"You want to run that by me again!"

The servant braced himself for Tristan to hit him, but Artoria stopped him.

"Uncle please."

"Okay...I will ride to fetch your idiot father. Artoria, you and Morgana 'distract' him."

"I shall fetch the Lady Morgana. Merlina, you stay with the Princess."

With that, they split. Tristan raced off to the stables. Grabbing his horse, so he didn't waste time getting to Uther. Gwen ran as fast as she could to Morgana, who was possibly still in her chambers. Merlina took a deep breath, as Artoria took the lead. She followed behind the Princess. Merlina was surprised that Artoria didn't want to get changed or at least wipe the mud from her shoes. Perhaps, she wasn't aware that it was there. The two of them made their way to the great hall, where visitors would come to see the King. Odin and his son, Thor were already waiting. Thor lived up to his namesake. He was a broad muscular man, who looked very similar to his father. He even had a similar style of beard, in the length. Thor was three years older than Artotia. Gently, he brushed his hair back with his hand as she walked into the room.

He smiled at his possible bride. Immediately, he went up to her. Grasping her, taking her in his arms. Her back was arched around his arm, with him fully supporting her. At first, she didn't realise what was going on. He began to bring his lips towards hers. With one hand cupping her beast, she was about to passionately kiss her. His father practically had his fingers crossed that Artoria would grant him such a privilege. A part of her wanted to stamp on his foot to get him to stop. Headbutt him. Knee him in the crown jewels. Anything to get her off her. She let out a deep sigh, she knew she couldn't do any of that. She's a lady, a Princess. No one apart from Morgana, Gwen, Tristan and now Merlina was aware of what she could do. That she could fight. Gently, placed her finger to his lips and smiled at him. His grip on her breast increased, she had no idea what he was trying to do with that one.

"If my father sees you doing that, well..."

"My dear, your father is not a threat," Odin smirked.

Thor's hand removed itself from its position and slowly began to move down her body.

"Uther will eventually buckle. You will have to marry soon."

She felt Thor's hand move passed her hip.

"Uther is too soft with you my dear. He wants you to marry for love."

"Yes, because he is acting upon my mother's wishes."

Odin gave a half smile, "Noble marriages are just a massive business transaction."

Thor began to pull up Artoria's dress. Merlina spotted the sheathed dagger that was attached to her leg. Obviously, it was there for protection, so Artoria felt safe. However, if Odin spotted it, he'd begin asking a lot of questions. But she knew what to do. Suddenly, she grasped Thor's hand, causing him to let go of her dress. Hiding the dagger once again.

"Artoria, unhand my son." Odin ordered.

"You tell him to unhand my daughter." Uther burst through the doors.

Tristan and Gaius were behind him. Immediately, Thor let go of Artoria. Who rushed to her father and uncle's side. Tristan placed his arm around her and gestured for Merlina to fall back into the group.

"I hate men." She said to Tristan.

"I hate jerks." He said back.

Uther gave Odin an angered look, "What are you doing here? A letter before your arrival would have been nice."

Odin smiled, "My son has something to say."

"I request that you allow your daughter to become my wife."

"Absolutely not! I know that Artoria is not a fan of you Thor. Why would I give her away to a man who I know she will not be happy with." Uther snapped.

Odin let out a single chuckle, "Then good luck marrying her off. She's beginning to get too old."

"Excuse me, I am only nineteen."

Morgana entered the room with Gwen. Artoria felt a little more confident with the two of them by her side.

"Ah, but most men want a young, beautiful, attractive woman. One that can produce-"

"Children? Has it ever occurred to you that Artoria even wants children?" Morgana spoke up, interrupting Odin.

"She has to, it is a man's congruential right," Thor said.

"No the rights are that the man can make love to his wife whenever he wants. Does not necessarily mean that a child is produced. I still don't have a child from my wife, Iseult." Tristan said.

"That's because she is broken." Odin spitefully said.

"If you want my hand, then you are going the wrong way about it."

Uther held back his daughter, "My answer is no."

Thor smiled, "How about a little wager? We have a battle, me versus you best knight. If I win, I take Artoria's hand in marriage. If I lose, then I won't bother her ever again."

It was a good offer. Thor would never bother her with the proposal of marriage again. Sadly, if her father backed away from the offer, he would be considered a coward. Due to the fact that, someone has challenged him to a battle. With a heavy heart, he made his decision.

"Fine."

Odin clapped his hands in enjoyment, "Good, pick your best. I'll see you at dawn."

They allowed Odin and his son to leave. Once they were gone and the guards shut the doors, Uther sat on his chair. He let out a deep sigh and placed his hand on his chin. Morgana stood by his side and Artoria walked over to her father.

He gazed up at her, "I am sorry."

She smiled back at her, "It is fine, you just need to pick the best in the army."

"Just pick Tristan," Mogana suggest.

He let out a heavy sigh, but he knew that it would be the wisest option. But, they would be expecting Uther to choose Tristan. Thor never disclosed if it was a fight to the death or not. If it was, then they could lose Tristan. He held Artoria's soft hand.

"Did I make the right choice?" He asked her.

She was a little surprised that he asked for her opinion, "Yes. Once this is all over, you should probably negotiate a peace with Odin. Otherwise, we could be looking at a war. A fleeting hope of possibly marrying me is the only reason why they haven't attacked."

He knew that she was right, "Why do you not just marry him?"

"I will not falter to him. Father, he will take me away and I know you do not want that. In order for me to stay...I have to marry a nobleman, not a Prince. Not to mention that most Princes are full of themselves."

"As are most knights," Morgana added.

"You're not bothered with getting Morgana married off and she's nearly nine years older than Artoria." Tristan pointed out.

The two servants remained silent and next to each other.

"You are right." Uther sighed.

"Give Artoria some time, she will find the right man for her. If you stop putting all this pressure on her, then it might happen faster than you think." Tristan continued.

Uther rose from his chair and placed a gentle hand on his daughter's cheek.

"You know, there's mud all in your hair. What in the world have you been doing?"

"Artoria and I went out for a quick ride. I needed to clear my head and wanted her to accompany me. Obviously, she didn't have a chance to freshen up before Odin appeared." Morgana quickly defended her.

"Well, you always need to make time. You need to look presentable. You will be Queen one day. Even I, have to make sure that I look my best. Now away with you, I want you to get rid of that mud before dinner."

"Yes, father."

With that, she left. Both Merlina and Gwen were by her side. Morgana smiled as went. A strong sense of sadness came to her though.