Chapter 5: Dragons Call Part 4

Merlyn was walking around the square when suddenly a girl ran into her. This girl had dark skin and brown kind eyes.

"Oh, I am so sorry." Merlyn apologised and helped the girl up.

"It is my fault. Aren't you the girl who stood up to Prince Arthur?" She enquired.

"Yes, that's me. My name is Merlyn, I am the physician's apprentice." Merlyn introduced herself.

"My name is Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." Gwen said with a little smile.

"Wait.. Could you please show me to the Lady Morgana's Chambers, please?" Merlyn asked.

"Yes of course. But may I enquire as to why you wish to find her Chambers?" She said confused as to why Merlyn wanted to know.

"Gaius gave me a tonic for the Lady's nightmares." Gwen nodded her head in understanding and the girls headed to see Morgana.

They both entered a huge room with a dark haired girl with pale skin and rosy cheeks. She was very beautiful compared to Merlyn.

"Ah, Gwen. You have brought a guest?" Morgana greeted with a smile.

"My Lady," Gwen curtsied. "This is Merlyn, she is Gaius's apprentice."

Merlyn took a step forward and curtsied as well.

"My Lady, Gaius has given me a tonic for you. It is for your nightmares" She handed over the tonic and Morgana took it.

"Thank you, Merlyn. But, please, don't call me Lady in private. You may call me Morgana when Uther or any royals are in the room."

"Ok Morgana" Merlyn and Gwen said in unison.

"Good. Now that is sorted, are you going to the feast tonight Merlyn?" She asked.

"I don't think so." Merlyn frowned.

"Why are you not attending?" Morgana asked.

"I- I don't have a dress or anything." Merlyn felt her cheeks turn a light pink.

"Well that is not a problem. Gwen is an excellent streamstress and loves making dresses. Don't you, Gwen?" Gwen nodded her head.

"I will get you a dress, Merlyn."

"And Merlyn, you could come here a couple of hours before the feast to see it. I could do your hair and make up too!" Morgana said in excitement.

"If you are sure? Won't you be too busy?" Merlyn said in shock that a Lady was helping her.

"Nonsense. " Gwen scoffed.

" What are friends for?" Morgana asked with a smile and Gwen nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much" Merlyn said happily. She gave Gwen and Morgana a hug and left.

A blonde haired and blue eyed servant came into Lady Helens Chamber.

"Lady Helen" She curtsied " Compliments of the King."

"Come in" "Lady Helen" smiled.

The servant put a bowl of fresh fruit on the table.

"How sweet? How will I ever repay him?" Lady Helen took an apple from the bowl.

" When he hears you sing, won't that be enough? I am really looking forward to your performance" The girl said kindly.

"So am I" Lady Helen smirked at the thought.

"I love singing. I sing all the time, my betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel" The servant took the cloth away from the mirror and gasped.

There stood the witch, Mary Collins, her wrinkled face in shock. The girl tried to run away, but Mary took her hand and drained the life from her.

The witch left with a cruel smirk and left the body alone on the cold stone floor.

Arthur was listening to his knights brag about his fight and looked over in shock. Merlyn was in a beautiful dress and her hair in a tight bun.

"God have mercy" Arthur said staring at Merlyn. She looked beautiful and Arthur had to force himself to turn away. Unfortunately, Morgana caught his look and smirked knowingly.

"She looks great." Gwen smiled to Merlyn.

"Yeah" Merlyn agreed.

"Some people are just born to be Queen" Gwen said staring at Morgana and Merlyn thought about what the Dragon said.

"No" Merlyn said horrified.

"I hope so. One day" Gwen said and went to attend to Morgana.

Arthur came over to Merlyn.

"Hello" Arthur said nervously looking around.

"Hi." Merlyn replied smiling at Arthur's nervousness.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked looking away.

"What would your father say?" Merlyn gasped.

"He told me to dance with someone and I believe that you are somebody." He said with his cheeks turning red.

"You believe correctly." Merlyn said. Arthur offered her hand which she took.

"So what are we doing?" Arthur asked.

"I am not an expert, but I believe we are dancing." Merlyn laughed and Arthur smirked.

"I meant are we friends?"

"Yes. I have a suggestion if you'll let me? How about we are friends in private and in public, we are acquaintances?" Merlyn suggested.

"That's a good idea" Arthur agreed and the song ended. Merlyn curtsied and they left.

"I saw you dancing with a PRINCE" Gwen said in shock.

"Yes" Merlyn replied blushing.

"We have twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora." Uther interrupted.

Uther takes a seat and the Lady begins to sing. Everyone instantly starts to fall asleep aside from Merlyn who looks around and covers her ears. Mary Collins, however, doesn't notice and begins drawing out a dagger. Merlyn quickly uses her magic to drop a chandelier on her.

Everyone slowly begins to wake up and sees Mary Collins on the floor. Mary quickly takes the dagger and throws it towards Prince Arthur. Merlyn slows down time with her magic and pulls Arthur out of his seat. The dagger hits the chair and Mary breathes her last breath. Uther and Arthur stare at shock.

"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid." Uther says after a long pause.

"Oh well..." Was all Merlyn could say.

"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded." The king states.

"You don't have to your Highness." Merlyn interrupts again.

"Nonsense. The merits are quite special."

"Well..." Merlyn says lost for words.

You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's maidservant." Uther states proudly and everyone applauds.

Arthur and Merlyn look at each other in shock.

Merlyn heads back to Gaius's chamber.

"Seems that you are a hero" Gaius states proudly.

"Hard to believe. Is it not?" Merlyn replies.

"No. I knew it from the moment I met you. When you saved my life, remember?" Gaius reminded her.

"But that was magic" Merlyn said confused.

"I saw how you saved Arthur's life. It seems there is a purpose after all"

"My destiny" Merlyn said remembering her talk with the dragon.

"Indeed. This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." Gaius said handing her a thick book.

"Thank you" Merlyn says hugging her uncle.

"But keep it hidden" Gaius warned giving her his famous look.

"I will study every word." Merlyn promises.

A guard came at the door.

"Merlyn, Prince Arthur wants to see you right away."

"Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants. " Gaius said with a smirk.

This is the end of Dragons Call. The next chapter will be Valiant