Sorry for the wait! Author's note at the end will explain all. Enjoy!

"Arthur has specifically asked me to keep you here. I'm sorry Isabella, he just doesn't trust you", Gwenivere said to her guest. Isabella followed her to the door.

"What does he think I'm going to do? From what I can see it seems you could use some help caring for the Lady Morgana. Perhaps I could even help the man that works in the castle apothecary. My mother taught me all she knew of medicine, I could be of some use there", she pleaded. Gwen looked at her for a moment.

"I will see what I can do", she answered finally. Isabella smiled.

"Thank you Gwen", she said genuinely. Gwen nodded and opened the door to leave. She took one more glance back before closing her door and heading to the castle to start her morning duties for her Lady.

As the door shut Isabella's smile dropped and she looked at the letter in her hand that had arrived in the early hours of the morning.

My dear sister,

Senrid came into the village today. I have never been more scared in my life. He had a woman with him. A blonde woman by the name of Morgause. She has magic Isabella. Fearsome magic. She turned her gaze upon a man who in his drunken stupor at the tavern had touched her most inappropriately. He fell to the ground dead with one look. Her eyes flashed that gold color that we know so well yet now is the first time I fear it. Our village has taken a turn for the worse my sister. Senrid has taken over and he will kill anyone who does not give him and his men shelter and food. It's only a matter of time before they discover our house here on the edge of Greenwood. We do not have enough food to last the week. I have risked a lot to send you this letter as they keep the village under close guard for people coming and going. But this is a risk I had to take. You see Isabella, no matter what happens to me or father I want you to stay in Camelot. You will be safe from Senrid and this Morgause there. I fear that your defiance would only get you killed here. So please my sister, I beg you to stay as long as you can. Do not let them know you have magic. I love you Isabella, you are the best sister any girl could ask for. Father sends his love. Can you imagine it, he's not even angry with you this time. But I must go now. Father says there are men approaching and the man bringing this to you mush be on his way now, before they arrive. I hope that we will see each other again someday but if not, know that father and I love you.

Your sister,

Elsa

Isabella tossed the letter into the fireplace and watched it slowly burn until it was nothing but ashes. Anger had washed over her and had stayed since she had first read the letter. She was going to have to find a way to convince Uther to help them, even with the evidence in the letter gone now. Her sister had made sure that she couldn't use the letter as evidence that Senrid and this Morgause were in the village. She had so cleverly worked in the fact that Isabella and her family had magic. Her sister must have felt that all hope was lost for Greenwood. She was determined to keep her sister in Camelot.

She finally tore her gaze away from the ashes of the fire to the sunrise outside the window. The castle was in perfect view. She had to find a way to get through to Uther no matter what it took. Even if it involved the magic her sister so hoped she would never use in Camelot.

"Arthur, she seems genuinely bored. She is even driving me mad. I cannot keep her locked up in my home for too much longer before she comes here on her own, without permission. She simply wants to be of help in the castle until the king reaches his decision." Arthur looked at Gwen dully.

"You did not see the look in her eyes when she was going to spit at my father. It was nothing other than hatred."

"Perhaps you mistake hatred for frustration Arthur. You have to understand that her village is starving and being attacked on almost a daily basis. The only person she knows to point a finger at is King Uther. Surely you must see that", Gwen said, remembering the story Isabella had told her the first night she had stayed with her. Arthur paused in thought before he sighed and responded.

"I suppose she could help until father reaches his decision. At the very least i can listen to her story. You continue what you are doing for Morgana now, I will tell Merlin to go and bring her to the castle."

"Thank you Arthur, it would mean a lot to her. And I would greatly appreciate it as well. You cannot imagine how bothersome a bored girl from the country can be", she said with a smirk. Arthur nodded with a smile of his own before his face turned serious again.

"Merlin!" he yelled. The young man at the end of the hall stopped. He stood there struggling to hold onto all of Arthur's clothing.

"Yes", he responded, the strain evident in his voice.

"When you're finished with those go and fetch this Isabella Greenwood from Gwenivere's home."

"Why, has Uther reached his decision already?" He shifted a pair of Arthur's trousers that were about to fall off the top of the pile in his arms.

"Merlin, if you don't put the title of king before my father's name again I will have you put to work in the stables cleaning out horse feces. And also, never question me again. Just do what I tell you", Arthur answered sternly.

"Yes sire", Merlin said. Arthur raised his eyebrows at him.

"Well, get on with it", he yelled.

"Oh, right", Merlin scurried down the hall to the washroom with Arthur's clothing.

Isabella jumped at the knock on the door. Gwen wasn't supposed to be back until later that night. It was nearly midday.

"Who is it?"

"Merlin. I don't know if you remember me, I'm Arthur's servant", came the muffled reply. Isabella opened the door and looked at the tall, lanky young man.

"Can I help you Merlin?" She asked.

"Arthur told me to come here and fetch you I believe were his exact words", Merlin said with a smile. Isabella's face must have seemed livid. Merlin's smile dropped. "Was it something I said?"

"He told you to 'fetch me'?" She asked the anger seeping through her clutches of control.

"Yes", he responded cautiously.

"Merlin, right?"

"Yes."

"I would like you to tell him that he can come and 'fetch me' himself." She slammed the door in his face. Merlin stood there for a moment before knocking again, unable to think about what else to do. The door cracked open and Isabella's green eye appeared.

"I thought that my reply was clear enough, should I write it down for him to read? That is of course if the idiot can even read," she said.

"No, but quite frankly I don't want to be punished for showing up without you", he said with a shrug. She opened the door fully, her face a mixture of receding anger and what looked like sadness.

"You would be punished simply because I will not go with you?" she asked.

"Welcome to Camelot", Merlin answered. She stood in the doorway, looking at him with a furrowed brow.

"Father described this place as a wonderful place to live. He was wrong. I fear that it's almost as terrible to live here as it is at the hands of Senrid." She made a point to look into Merlin's eyes before continuing. "Especially for one with magic."

Merlin snapped his head up to look at her. His face showed her fear and surprise that she knew.

'How did you know?"

"Do not worry Merlin. I would never sell out one of my own", she said with a smirk. Merlin's eyes widened.

"You have magic?" he whispered, looking around to make sure no one had overheard the conversation. She winked at him and stepped out of the doorway, closing the door behind her.

"Arthur sent for me, now you must take me to him", she said. Merlin let out a chuckle of relief.

"Right this way", he said, leading her towards the castle.

"So, how long have you been Arthur's servant?" She followed behind him.

"Not too long", he replied.

"Forgive me for asking, but how can you work for him when he doesn't know what it means to show others respect? You can't even have to keep who you really are a secret from him. I cannot understand how that would be a pleasant life to live."

He stopped and turned to look at her. He trained his gaze on her deep green eyes, seeing only that she felt genuine compassion for his situation. After a moment, he simply shrugged.

"It isn't so bad once you get to know him. He seems arrogant on the surface but once you've been around him as long as I have you see who Arthur really is. And I can tell you one thing, he has the makings of a great king." He turned back and continued walking. Isabella sighed and followed.

"If you say so," she muttered. Merlin smirked.

They reached the castle a few minutes later and made their way to the room that Isabella had first revealed herself in, just days before. Arthur, who was looking out a window, turned towards them as Isabella and Merlin entered.

"Miss Greenwood, welcome again." She nodded in response. "I would like to take the time to hear -"

"I would like to make a request before you continue Prince Arthur", she interrupted. Arthur paused, taken aback once again by the boldness of her words. Isabella appeared to have no lack of confidence. He motioned for her to continue.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you showed Merlin here the proper respect. Next time you or anyone in the castle wants to see me, they should come and 'fetch me' themselves." She put emphasis on the word 'fetch', making Arthur glance towards Merlin, who shrugged in response.

"I see the point that you make. Gwen has given me the idea to give you a job helping her with the Lady Morgana's chores. That way, should I need to speak with you, you are already here at the castle. Until my father makes his decision you should have access to the castle."

"I will take you up on that offer. Thank you."

"You are welcome. Now, I would like to hear from you what is happening in your village. I want to understand what is going on. Perhaps then I can talk to my father on your behalf."

Isabella's brow furrowed and she looked him directly in the eyes.

"You wish to help me? After my behavior in the court?"

"After some thought I came to realize that perhaps you were acting merely in frustration towards the situation. I am willing to help in any way that I can."

Isabella looked down, gathering her thoughts.

"Senrid has invaded our village. As a part of the kingdom of Camelot I assumed that the King would send aid. But the army kept coming and no aid arrived. They have destroyed our crops. My family, like many families, are just barely surviving. And now Senrid is killing anyone who will not house or feed his troops. How can our village ever hope to feed them when food is already scarce?" She looked up once again, the pain her village was suffering clear in her face.

"Do you know why Senrid and his army are invading your village?" Arthur asked.

"No, but I have a feeling that he means to make his way here, destroying any village along the way."

"What makes you think that he is heading for Camelot?"

Isabella paused, thinking about the letter she had read that morning. Should she bring up this Morgause? Was is worth bringing magic into this conversation? It would certainly bring up the letter that she had burned that morning. She glanced at Merlin, who was looking at his shoes, his hands clasped behind his back.

"There is a woman with him. Her name is Morgause and she has terrible magic."

Merlin's head shot up and he looked at her. Arthur crossed his arms and took a deep breath.

"Have you seen this magic?" he asked.

"My sister, Elsa, sent me a letter. It's tradition to burn the letter once it is received in my family, so I do not have it anymore", she lied. "But she mentioned a blond woman named Morgause. She killed a man in the tavern just by looking at him. My sister took a great risk sending the letter."

Arthur glanced between Isabella and Merlin as he considered the things she had just told him.

"I will speak with my father tonight. If Senrid is coming to Camelot, my father must do something. This Morgause woman is a threat to the kingdom. I only wish that you had kept the letter your sister had written to you." She nodded.

"Thank you", she paused and bowed her head in respect.

"Merlin, take her to help Gwen. I must find my father." Merlin nodded and turned to talk out with Isabella behind him. Once they were out of earshot he spoke.

"The letter your sister sent had the secret of your magic in it, didn't it?" She nodded. "Good thing you burned it. Uther would have forgotten about your village and would have had you executed if the letter had been revealed."

"Which is precisely the reason I tossed it into the fire."

"We have met this Morgause before you know."

Isabella stopped in her tracks, wide eyes looking at Merlin.

"How?" she asked. Merlin turned. She didn't seem angry. In fact she seemed almost hopeful.

"She challenged Arthur to a duel once. We didn't know it was her until she took the helmet off. She asked Arthur to meet her later and do anything she asked him to once he arrived. He almost allowed her to take his head off, but then she granted him a wish. She showed him his mother, though it was not really her. She tricked him into almost killing Uther. She's dangerous and we all know it. The fact that she has gone to Senrid for an army is enough to raise suspicion with the King."

"So he will help?" She asked, almost excited.

"I can only hope."

"Father, Morgause has gone to Senrid. I have reason to believe that he is heading to Camelot with an army now", Arthur said to his father. Uther spoke without looking up from the paper in front of him and continued to write.

"What is the source of your information?"

"The visitor from Greenwood Village, Isabella Greenwood."

"And what makes you believe that she is a reliable source?"

"She had received a letter from her sister explaining that Senrid and Morgause had been present in her village."

"Do you have this letter in your possession?"

"No. She...she burned it after reading."

Uther looked up at his son and place the quill on the table.

"It is curious that she should burn a letter from someone she cares for so much. Perhaps she is hiding something." He glanced at Arthur before standing.

"I will send a small scouting party to investigate the claims of Senrid and Morgause at her village. In the mean time I would like to have Miss Greenwood investigated. She would not burn a letter from her sister unless she was hiding something. Magic perhaps? Or maybe she is working with Morgause? Whatever it is we'll find out. Thank you son, you may go now."

Arthur paused, then nodded before leaving. He could only hope that Isabella had nothing to hide.

Author's Note: I am so so so sorry that I have neglected this story. With school starting and writers block it was unfinished in my folder for a while and for that I am sorry. I've also been, quite honestly, lazy when it comes to my writing lately, which I am trying to work on. But, now that I have written more I realize that this story is fun to write and will, in fact, continue. I can only hope that it is as much fun to read! your reviews help me with that! Hopefully chapter 3 will not be unfinished for as long as this chapter has. Please keep those reviews coming and enjoy what is to come my readers!

Until Chapter 3,

7PorcelainHeart7