Dear Diary

I must have fallen asleep out there in the woods, because one minute I was curled up, all alone, watching the sun rise and the next there was someone there. For a few seconds, I was frozen. This person was just walking towards me, closer and closer, not bothering to say a word – I was convinced it was the men that killed my parents, back to get me, especially since I couldn't see the man's face. Eventually however, something inside my mind just 'clicked' and I pulled myself to my feet and ran for my life, screaming at the top of my lungs (although, I'm not sure who I thought might be listening in the middle of nowhere). The second I started to run, the person following me started calling my name. That really got to me; I mean how would the raiders who killed my parents know my name? It must mean that they had been looking for me! So I carried on running, and the person continued after me. It wasn't long of course, before I fell down. I'm astonished it didn't happen sooner - father used to tell me that I could trip over thin air. Of course by this point, I was beyond terrified. There was no way I was going to get up in time to get away from the person following me! So I grabbed the nearest things I could find – some sort of branch – and held it in front of me, hoping it would be enough to keep my assailant from laying a hand on me.

"Paige?" my assailant asked, followed by a poorly hidden chuckle. I frowned, more so because I recognised the voice, than because they had laughed at me. It was Arthur. Great. I thought to myself. Just great... I've lived in Camelot for a day, and already I'm in trouble. I dropped my weapon and opened my eyes with a sigh. A telling off was far better than being attacked. When I dropped the branch, Arthur gave me this weird half-hearted (so clearly forced) smile and sat down next to me. He didn't say anything, but his face and body spoke volumes'. He looked as though he'd been up all night searching for me. His eyes were red and swollen – it was hard to tell if that was because of his tiredness, or his tears – his hair was tousled and greasy, like he'd been running his hands through it, and his clothes were rumbled and dirty. I don't know why he bothered looking for me all night, considering he doesn't really want to look after me. I guess he just didn't want to let my father down. For ages he just sat there, looking at the floor, not saying a word, not moving at all. I had to say something, I couldn't take the silence.

"Am I in trouble?" I whispered. Arthur chuckled again, it sounded genuine this time. He sighed and finally lifted his head to look at me. He shook his head.

"No..." He whispered. "No, you're not in any trouble Paige. I'm just glad to see that you're safe," I found myself smiling too – I hate getting in trouble, and to get out of such obvious trouble is a cause to laugh. (Well, not that I did laugh. I didn't want Arthur to think he'd have it easy with me did I?) For a few minutes more, we just sat there in the same uncomfortable silence as before, only this time I could not think of anything to say. What was there to say? Eventually Arthur spoke. "You know, I promised your father that I'd take good care of you Paige, but... I can't do that if you're not willing to behave," It was like a slap in the face, it really was. What had I done? Nothing! Idiot King!

"I haven't done anything!" I insisted. Then I paused and whispered "Yet," (Hey, you never know what tomorrow might bring,)

"Aside from running away, scaring the hell out of me, and having half of Camelot out looking for you," Arthur said with an eyebrow raised. My jaw just dropped.

"You said I wasn't in any trouble!" I cried out.

"No, you're not," Arthur promised. "But I'm making exceptions this time, considering the circumstances. Next time I won't be so lenient," Great. I thought. Living with him should be fun. By the sounds of it I'll get in trouble for breathing. "Now come on, we better head back to Camelot before they send out a search party for me as well," Arrogant much?

--

The walk back to Camelot was long and silent... mostly anyway. Arthur tried to talk to me a few times but I wasn't really interested in having a conversation with him. When we got back to Camelot we were greeting by the most handsome man ever... He was stunning! Tall and slim, with bright blue eyes that kind of sunk back into his head a little – but only because he had the most incredible cheekbones ever! His face was framed by this long black hair that just reached his shoulders. It was kind of messy, but that only made it look better! And he had just the smallest amount of stubble on his face – I don't know if he'd left it there on purpose or if it was because he'd been up all night worrying – and it just made him look so grown up! He must have been someone noble, to have greeted the King, but he certainly didn't dress that way. He wore a plain blue shirt, brown trousers and the cutest little red scarf around his neck.

He was just... perfect. I think I fell in love with him right then and there.

Arthur called him Merlin, and said he was the court sorcerer and his own personal advisor. But I didn't care about that. All I cared about was the fact that Merlin was speaking to be.

"So you're the girl causing all the trouble?" he asked with a sweet smile. I nodded, unable to find my voice. (Argh, he must have thought that I was some illiterate peasant or something) "Paige right? Leon's daughter?" Again just a nod – I was beginning to worry that I'd lost the ability to talk completely. "You look a lot like him," I smiled and blushed this time. Everyone tells me I look like my father, but I never believe them – he was a handsome Knight in shining armour and I am short, over-weight and I can never tame my hair! It looks as though someone has deliberately combed it backwards! – but I believed Merlin.

"Thanks," I managed to stammer out (Although I sounded like I was being strangled). Merlin just smiled even more so, and I just about melted. He smile was just so sweet, yet kind of goofy, but warm and genuine. Not like the way Arthur smiled at me. His smile was so clearly forced!

"I'm really sorry that he and your mother passed away. Leon was a good friend, and a good man... I'm sorry to see him go. And your mother was a wonderful woman. What happened – it was no way for them to die," I cried when he said that, really just bawled! Merlin seemed utterly shocked and bewildered, but he pulled me into his arms. "Hey, it's ok Paige... everything will be ok, I promise. You'll be well looked after in Camelot, I assure you,"

"Promise?" I asked. Merlin laughed, his whole face lighting up.

"Well, I can't promise, not when you're guardian is a royal Prat, but I can promise that I'll be around to make sure he doesn't get it all too wrong," I think I did melt this time...

Arthur and Merlin started talking then; it started off as playful banter and then got into serious business talk, so Arthur ordered me to my chambers, and told me I wasn't to leave them until Gaius had come up to check on me, and until he called me down to join him at dinner. I knew living with him would be a pain.

It wasn't until I was in my chambers, waiting for Gaius (who I'm surprised agreed to come up and see to me, at his age he shouldn't be able to make one step, let alone flights of them,) when it occurred to me.

Why was Merlin waiting to meet Arthur and the gates? Surely his wife and Queen should be the one waiting to greet him when he returned home..?

Anyway, that's Gaius knocking at my door; I better let him check me over. Although I don't see the point, I feel fine! Still, I want to be able to enjoy dinner without getting told off so...

Paige xxxx

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Also, in answer to some questions about ages. Arthur is 35, Merlin is 33 Gwen is 36 (I always thought that Gwen seemed so much older than Arthur) and Paige is 13. Her father, Leon would have been 45 and her mother would have been 42.