Author's Note: I came up with the idea for this fanfiction before season three ended (SPOILER ALERT) therefore, when I did, no one knew about Morgana yet, so we're going to just pretend that is still the case. Deal? Deal. Though, technically, that has absolutely nothing to do with this chapter.

And thanks especially to Ruby890 for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter Three, Taken by Surprise

Verona had been in Camelot for two weeks, and Merlin still wasn't sure that he had figured her out entirely. Every time he thought he knew what she would do next, she totally surprised him. The thing was, if she was just always going around stealing horses, like she had on the evening of her arrival, that would be one thing. But one minute she was ready to go on some adventure, and the next Merlin could hardly get her to go outdoors.

And Merlin couldn't exactly ask Gaius about the girl. The thing was, that if he asked Gaius why she was constantly acting like an entirely different person, Gaius would want to know why Merlin wanted to know. And Merlin didn't want Gaius to know why Merlin wanted to know. Because the reason that Merlin wanted to know was because he thought Verona was very pretty and wanted to know more about her. And he wasn't sure Gaius would like that Merlin thought his daughter was very pretty.

Gaius surprised Merlin however, by bringing up the topic with him one day when he had sent Verona off to fetch some herbs.

"Merlin?" Gaius said calmly as Merlin sat eating some lunch.

"Wes, Waiwus?" Merlin said through a mouthful of food. He meant 'Yes, Gaius?' but it hadn't quite come out as that.

"I approve, if you like my daughter, you know." Gaius said, with a slight smile.

Merlin almost choked on his food. "Wh-What?" He swallowed.

"If you like Verona, I would approve of you."

"Gee, uh, thanks, Gaius? But I really don't think..."

"Oh, Merlin, I'm old but I'm not blind!" Gaius shook his head.

Merlin scratched the back of his head, feeling more than just a little uncomfortable. But he smiled, "Thanks, Gaius."

"I have only one warning." Gaius said, his voice becoming serious, and Merlin froze.

Of course, this was going to be the 'I think you're great, Merlin, but if you hurt her I'll kill you!' speech, Merlin was sure of it.

But that was not what Gaius said.

"Don't let her pull you into her games, Merlin. Don't let her get you into trouble. She needs someone who will be strong and tell her no sometimes."

Surprised, Merlin just stared at Gaius, unsure what to say.

"I don't think you have to worry Gaius..." He said, after a moment, however, "I'm fairly certain she's not interested in me at all."

At this, Gaius laughed. Like, really heartily laughed. Merlin hadn't seen Gaius like that for a long time, and while it was nice, he couldn't help but be a little annoyed the man who was like a father to him was laughing at something he'd said.

"Oh Merlin," Gaius said, after a long time, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "She's very interested. She wouldn't try to pull you into her little games if she wasn't interested. I must admit though, she's grown up. I much prefer you to the last man she choose..." Gaius broke off, shaking his head.

"Hey, wait a minute, what last guy?" Merlin asked, suddenly curious.

"Forget I said anything, Merlin." Gaius just shook his head, and smiled.

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Merlin was on his hands and knees scrubbing Arthur's bedroom floor. He had gone out hunting the day before and had tracked an unbelievable amount of mud back into his room, and now Merlin was responsible for cleaning it up. He'd already been scrubbing away at the floor for nearly an hour, and though he was nearly done, he was rather sore from leaning over to clean it.

The door to Arthur's room flew open, but it wasn't Arthur who entered, it was Verona. "Merlin!" She said, in an exasperated voice. "I'm bored, and I want to go on a walk. When are you going to be done with that?" She sighed an exaggerated sigh.

"I don't know. Soon?" He said, shaking his head. "You could always help." He said, with a grin.

"Oh please, Merlin, do I look like a servant to you?" She asked, with a grin. She stood tall and tried to act all prim and proper, "I'm the court physician's daughter! I cannot lower myself to such levels!" She joked.

"To be honest, I wasn't aware that was such a position of honor." He said, his smile widening.

"Oh, it most certainly is! I'm best friends with the prince, didn't you know?" She said, returning his smile.

"Have you ever even spoken to Arthur?" He laughed.

"You've missed a spot." She commented, pointing to the area just in front of him.

"I haven't gotten there yet, and I thought you wanted me to finish?" He asked, rolling his eyes, but smiling.

"No. I decided I'd much rather watch you suffer." She grinned.

"Would you? Then this might take me a long time. I don't think we'll get to go on that walk for a very long while." He said, threateningly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Go right ahead, work quickly! Go!"

"That's what I thought." He laughed, as he began scrubbing the floor once more.

"Are you two done flirting, because I'd actually like to have my room cleaned sometime, you know, like today." A voice came from the doorway, where Arthur stood with his arms folded, but an amused look in his eyes.

Verona tried to hide a smile, and she curtsied, "Sorry, your Highness. I'll just wait out side." She left the room.

Merlin dropped the wash rag in the bucket of soapy water, and then got to his feet, "We weren't flirting...It was just..."

"Flirting."

"Witty Banter!"

"Sure, Merlin, if that makes you feel better." Arthur just shook his head and left the room.

Merlin left the room as well, and while Arthur was already halfway down the hall, Verona was waiting for him just outside the door.

"Now," She said, in a triumphant voice, "I have spoken to the prince! We'll be great friends in no time." She joked.

Merlin just nudged her playfully in the arm and then said cheerfully, "Come on, let's go."

00000

They did not make it very far in their walk however.

They were only out in the courtyard, when Merlin realized that something was wrong. He couldn't place right away what it was, but something caused a deep dread to settle in his stomach.

It felt like time was slowing down.

Gwen was walking through the courtyard, humming cheerfully to herself, when Arthur stopped to speak with her, which was not unusual.

Then Merlin noticed a dark hooded figure facing towards the two of them across the courtyard. Merlin didn't know what about the man that caught his attention, maybe it was just the creepy hooded cloak, but he couldn't help but feel that something was terribly, terribly wrong.

And then an arrow was flying across the courtyard, right towards where Arthur was standing with Gwen.

Merlin didn't have time to stop it. Merlin didn't even have time to even shout.

But Gwen had just spotted the flying arrow and she, seemingly without a second though, stepped right in front of the prince. Acting as a personal shield.

A gasp escaped from Verona who was standing next to Merlin with her hands over her mouth.

Screams came from some nearby villagers.

The arrow made impact, and Guinevere crumpled to the ground.

Author's Note: So... Please don't hate me for that ending... On the bright side, I've gotten back into this, so I'll probably, hopefully, maybe update soon? The problem is that I have a bunch of other projects that need my attention as well. Please Review! It inspires me to update more quickly! Thanks for your support!