Author's Note:: Welcome back for the first chapter of Griffins and Dragons. A nice thank you for the readers who reviewed, subscribed, or favorite.
Disclaimer:: I do not own Merlin.
~~THE WALLS OF CAMELOT~~
"Merlin, how many times do I have to tell you to shut up?" Arthur said as he continued to ride on ahead. The blonde was easily annoyed that Merlin kept on bringing up the issue with Guinevere. It wasn't hard to tell how the prince felt about the steadfast girl; but as long as his father was king, they could never fully reveal their feelings to the open public. Besides, the kingdom had suffered a terrible blow. He couldn't be bother with such things.
His servant chuckled behind him, "How high can you count?" The manservant bit his lip as his master glared at him. He knew not to further annoy his friend, lest he would end up performing the most outrageous of chores.
The sun streamed down through the canopy of green overhead, casting little spots on the forest floor. A soft spring breeze whistled through the trees and the clouds moved slowly in the giant blue sky. It was indeed a beautiful day, despite the labor of the people and constant suspicion of magic. It has been three months since Morgana's betrayal and Camelot has slowly been returning to normal. However, the hate for magic has increased significantly and Camelot has been the prize for many who wish for Uther's demise. Gaius decided it was time for the prince to take a break from the responsibilities of his duty. He knew that it still hurt Arthur that someone he considered family to just thrust a knife into his heart. So here he was- taking time to hunt.
They halted once they made it to the hunting ground. Arthur dismounted his horse and gazed around the forest. He breathed in the scent of pine and oak and sighed in relief. "Merlin, go and fetch some firewood. I believe we might as well have my catch out here."
Merlin raised an eyebrow as he dismounted his horse. "So you'll going to skin and cook whatever you catch?"
"Of course not. You are."
He should have guessed. This was the arrogant Prince Arthur. Sighing, Merlin left his master to go find some wood. This was always his task whenever they would travel. Fetching wood or water, either one was alright with him. But now, he had to prepare whatever manner of beast Arthur would catch. Hopefully, he wouldn't catch anything. The boy sauntered through the forest, picking up random branches and sticks along his way. "Break huh? What break!" he grumbled to himself. "Doesn't Merlin need a break? No. This is his destiny!" He said with sarcasm, shaking his head. His head snapped up at the snapping of twigs. He held onto the branches in his arms as his eyes scanned the area. "Who's there?" His eyes widened at the sight.
A young woman stumbled into the clearing, her arm wrapped around her side while her hand clutched the hilt of a sword loosely. Blood stained her hand and she looked at him wearily; as if she had no clue he even existed. She blinked. "Are you from Camelot?"
Merlin blinked in confusion. "Yes, I am. Hey, are you alri-" His words cut off seeing the sword drop from her grasp and she fell against a tree. He dropped the pile of wood and rushed to her, catching her as she slid down the trunk. "Miss?" Her eyelids opened slightly and mesmerizing sea green eyes peered at him before rolling in the back of her head. "Arthur!" Merlin called before gazing down at the young woman in his arms. Leaves were tangled in her black and dirty blonde hair, which some stuck to her toffee brown skin by the blood that seeped from her head. Her full heart-shaped lips were chapped, probably due to dehydration.
Merlin turned his head to see Arthur walking up casually. "What is it now, Merlin..." It wasn't a question, just more of statement. The prince's tone changed noticing the girl in Merlin's arms. He jogged over and knelt beside him. "What happened?" he asked, more serious.
"I don't know. She just..."
"She must have been attacked." Arthur clarified. His eyes narrowed on the sword. He picked it up, analyzing the blade and hilt. This craftsmanship... The thought swarmed in his head and he narrowed his eyes on the female once more. "Take the sword, Merlin. We need to bring her to Camelot." He ordered. He set the blade down took the woman from his servant, hoisting her up in his arms and carrying her back to the horses.
The wizard reached for the blade but winced as he felt a surge of magic spark him. He raised an eyebrow as he held the sword once more, magic must have been used in the making of it since it gave off such a sensation.
"Merlin!"
"Coming, sire!"
Once they were back within the walls of Camelot, they wasted no time in getting the girl to Gaius. Merlin quickly burst into the room, ignoring the questioning eyes of the physician. He nodded towards Arthur who carried the girl, his hands staining with her blood.
"Who is she?" Gaius questioned as the prince laid her down on the table.
"We don't know." Arthur watched as Gaius nodded and began diagnosing the patient. He stared at the girl that laid on the table before his eyes traveled to the sheath that was tied to her hip. "Hand me that." He casually observed it once Gaius handed it to him. The prince ran his finger over the insignia on the leather. Sheathing the blade, he nodded to Merlin, "Inform me when she awaken."
Merlin nodded and watched Arthur leave out. Walking over to aid Gaius, he watched as the physician remove the shredded clothing around her abdomen. His eyes narrowed in on the marks on her left side. "Are those... claw marks?"
Gaius pursed his lips and began wiping away the blood with a wet rag. The girl hissed at the contact. "Whatever had attacked her, must have had claws. Probably a bear or some other manner of beast." He continued to observed her, cleaning up the blood as he went along. When he reached her head, he grimaced at the sight. Her scalp was damaged. His suspicion raised. Whatever that attacked her, meant for her death. "She has a few misplaced bones, suffered trauma to the head, and is dehydrated. I am very surprised she isn't dead."
Merlin's eyes were focused on her. Her breathing was shallow and her face was scrunched up in pain. As Gaius began cleaning and stitching the wound on her head, Merlin sympathized with her. She was brave, and strong to have made it to Camelot in such condition. Who was she?
"Hold her."
He shook his head, his attention coming back to Gaius. "What?"
"Hold her. I need to put a couple of bones back in place."
"Alright." Merlin held her down while Gaius grabbed her and began putting her shoulder back in the socket. Her eyes shot open and she let out a short scream as her body jolted in pain. Gaius then moved to her fingers, putting her right index and pinky fingers back in place. Merlin watched as her eyes slowly closed and a tear slowly dripped from the corner of her eye. Now that her face was clean, he could tell that she was a mere girl, just barely a woman. He guessed only two years or possibly three years younger than him. "I wonder why someone would attack her..."
"We will ask her once she wakes up." Gaius stated as he began removing the stained clothes. Merlin blushed and looked the other way. Once he finished wrapping her wounds, they carried her to Merlin's bed.
~xXx~
Time slowed. Silence and death were the walls. Resting his chin on his fist, the sorcerer gazed into the dancing flames; the light casting an eerie glow on his pale face. Ember irises fleeting in the darkness. The flapping of wings flowed through his ears but he continued staring into the flames. "Is it done?" The creature moved beside him, kneeling. It grumbled something in an unfathomable language and the sorcerer frowned slightly. "So the brat lives?" When the creature refused to answer, he sighed and raised from his seat. With a wave of his hand, the creature screeched and tore at its skin before bursting into flames. "Can't rely on anyone anymore." he sighed and walked out of his chambers. He sauntered through the halls, flames flicking as he passed. He stopped at a barred door and he opened it. He was greeted with a blade to his neck.
"Tell me where my daughter is or I will render your pathetic head from your shoulders."
Smiling, he gazed at the woman with humor in his eyes. "Joanna, you never cease to amuse me." The blade drew closer to his neck, drawing blood.
"Where is she?"
"She's safe." Quickly, he grabbed hold of her wrist and twisted it hard enough for her to drop it. His other hand flew towards her neck and pinned her to the brick wall. He smiled, watching her gasp for air. "For now. But try a trick like that again, she won't be. Now, I'm going to need you to begin preparations." Releasing his hold on her, he laughed darkly as he left her alone in the room.
Joanna sighed, her eyes tearing at the thought of her daughter. She glanced around the room, it was dark despite the candles that were lit on the brick walls. There was also a stench coming from somewhere. Running her hand through her black locks, she tried to gather her thoughts. She could sense her daughter was in pain. And it killed her inside. Sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand went to the necklace around her neck and held onto the Crystal shard in the middle. She exhaled and began chanting. "Wel cene hole, Anastasia." The light emanated as she continued chanting the spell.
~xXx~
It has been two days since the arrival of the unknown girl and she yet to awaken. Merlin did, however, notice how she would open her eyes slightly and stare blatantly whenever he would bring her water or help Gaius change her bandages. She would also speak in her sleep. Sometimes Merlin could even understand her. She might mumble asking where she was or calling out for her mother, which would lead to more questions in the young sorcerer's head. What had happened to his girl?
Merlin creaked open his bedroom door, carrying a cup of water. "Still not awake, huh?" He sighed and sat next to her. His eyes looking her over. She was recovering very quickly for someone who was just on the verge of death. The color in her lips had returned successfully and she slept soundly. The image of the sword crept back in his thoughts. There was certainly magic infused with the blade and to be recovering so fast, he wondered if she was a sorceress. If she was, he couldn't let her stay here; especially with how the kingdom has been. He even had to be more careful with his talent.
A soft moan broke him back to reality. He blinked seeing the girl awaken, her eyes slowly opening. Those sea green irises focusing on him before they began to roam the interior of his room. She sat up, rubbing her head. "Morning, Sleeping Beauty." He smiled.
The girl turned to him and narrowed her eyes. "Where am I?"
Merlin could feel the tension coming from her and he wished he could have taken his little greeting back. "You're in Camelot. My master and I found you in the forest. Do you remember anything?"
In an instant, her eyes widened. "I need to see the king!" She demanded as she threw the covers off of her and got out of the bed. At the red tint that appeared on Merlin's cheeks, she realized that all she wore was a pair of loose wool pants. Only a few bandages obscured her breasts. Merlin watched as she ripped the cover from the bed and covered herself with it. "Where are my clothes?" She tried to appear unfazed and proud but embarrassment was still evident in her tone.
Merlin stood, trying not to make the girl even more alert than she already was. "They were stained and shredded. We had to throw them away."
"Who are you?"
As if taken back by the tone of her question, Merlin pursed his lips slightly. "I'm Merlin. I am the court physician's -uh- apprentice and servant to Prince Arthur."
"Prince Arthur?"
"Yes, Prince Arthur. You know, of Camelot?"
"I know who he is..."
For a moment, the two was silent before Gaius finally walked into the room. His eyes landed on an agitated Merlin and an annoyed girl. "Um, glad to see you awake, child. But you must sit, you are still recovering."
Her attention averted to the old man, "Are you the physician?"
Gaius nodded, "Yes, I am Gaius. Now please, sit down."
Without any retort, she obeyed. Merlin somewhat made a face at how obedient and respectful she was now being. He watched as Gaius began to check her wounds and his eyes widened seeing that there were no bruise or any sign that she was injured. Gaius took note of it as well but chose not to bring up at the moment. "Now, my child. What is your name?"
"Anastasia." The name sounded somewhat beautiful to the young sorcerer and he caught himself repeating it, which cost him a glare from her. "Sir, I need to speak with the king."
Gaius nodded, "My dear, what is so important, if you don't mind sharing?"
She lowered her gaze, and she gritted her teeth as if the question had brought a terrible thought to her mind. "Camelot is in grave danger..."
Thank you for reading the first chapter! Please review and tell me what you think.