Dear Diary

I'm not sure how I made it through today. I spent all of my waking hours just trembling with fear, looking over my shoulder at any unknown noise, jumping out of my skin whenever I heard words of magic! I was so thankful when Arthur and Merlin came to relieve Gwen of my care at around midday. As nice as Gwen is, I didn't feel like she could protect me, should another sorcerer attack me.

"Paige, are you ok? You don't look like you've slept at all," Arthur said with a sad sigh as he and Merlin entered my chambers. I gave him a very forced smile, but was unable to keep it there. When it fell, I shook my head.

"I didn't sleep much," I admitted, yawning as if to back that up. Arthur frowned at me, and turned to face Merlin, who was spreading something out on my table.

"Merlin, could you do a spell that would help her sleep... um, if you want that Paige?" he said, turning to me in question. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Um... maybe... if I can't sleep tonight that is. If I sleep now, I'll be awake all night again," I said. Arthur nodded at me.

"Yes, of course." He said with a nod of his head. "Other than that, have you been okay?" I wanted to nod, to say yes. I didn't want him to think of me as some weak little girl, yet I couldn't help but let tears spring to my eyes. "Oh Paige..." he cried, rushing over to pull me into a hug.

"I keep thinking that he's going to come back to finish what he started," I cried, clinging to Arthur. Arthur rubbed by back, kissed the top of my head.

"He won't... not for another month. You see we –" Merlin coughed. "Fine, Merlin discovered the reasoning behind your attack last night,"

"There is a prophecy about you Paige," he said, pointing at one of the many books that lay open in front of him. Arthur walked me over to them, not once letting me go. (I think he was afraid that I'd fall down if he did. And maybe I might have... I couldn't stop shaking!)

"This makes no sense to me," I admitted, glancing over page after page of unfamiliar words. I felt ashamed to admit it, horrified. I'd always prided myself on being one of the few villagers' back home that was able to read and write. Merlin chuckled and I blushed hideously. I felt like he was making fun of me, which was the last thing I wanted from Merlin!

"It's in Latin," he said with a smile. "Don't you worry about not being able to read it, that's my job," I beamed at Merlin – well, the best I could, given the circumstances – glad that he was being nice to me again.

"What does it say?" I asked. "Am I going to turn to the dark side, like the Lady Morgana?" I was very fearful of that... despite the fact that I held no magic in me, I was terrified that the spell cast on me was to turn me evil. Not that I could do much being evil, being just a teenage girl, but still... Arthur chuckled at me, patted my shoulder.

"It's nothing like that Paige. It is.... something most unexpected..." Arthur paused for a second, a thoughtful look on his face. "I would never have guessed, not ever..." I frowned at Arthur, a little annoyed with him. I wanted to know what this prophecy was all about! What could it be, if not a warning that I would grow to become evil?

"Arthur, stop beating around the bush, put the poor girl out of her misery!" Merlin chuckled. I gave him another beam, and blushed when he returned it.

"Alright! Paige, the prophecy says that when I die, you will rule in my place, as the first female ruler of Camelot... you will keep the peace that I have restored, and spread that peace even more so, across this Kingdom and beyond. It also says you will become a fierce swordswoman, one that heads into battle with her knights. It says you will battle with unrivalled bravery and daring, and that you will bring down the man that ends my life... not that Merlin will tell me who that is mind!" My jaw just about dropped when Arthur said that. Me, rule over Camelot? There was no way! Surely Arthurs children would rule in his place... no, something was wrong here! This could not be!

"That cannot be right!" I insisted, having to sit down for fear that I would simply slump to the floor. "Surely your children will rule after you," Arthur gave me a sad smile, fresh tears filled his eyes.

"The prophecy states that my wife is unable to bare children..." he said sadly.

"Couldn't you just..." I began, remembering that there was a way that his wife could bear a child, if magic was involved. It was how Arthur's mother had him. Arthur started shaking his head before I'd even finished my sentence.

"One life for another... but we don't know which life will be taken it its place. I refuse to risk the lives' of anyone, for the sake an heir," I gave Arthur a sceptical look, not truly believing the tears that threatened to fall down his face. Was it not yesterday that I caught him saying he didn't want children?

"I thought you did not want children anyway," I asked, an eyebrow raised. He and Merlin exchanged an odd look – Merlin's eyes raised in some unsaid question, and Arthur shook his head. Then Arthur turned his attention back to me. There really is something strange going on in this castle!

"I do want children Paige... I just... just didn't want them now. I'm still settling into being King, and now to being your guardian," he said, but his eyes didn't once look into mine, and I had this overwhelming feeling that he was lying. I decided to leave it (for now) and find out more about what this prophecy had to do with my attack the night before.

"So, what does that prophecy have to do with me being attacked last night?" I asked. Arthur growled ever so slightly, tightened his grip on my shoulder.

"They were going to take out your soul, and replace it with the soul of one of their followers... it would mean that you would be in their body, and they would be in yours," Merlin said sadly, flicking through one of his books. The tone of his voice made my heart skip a beat... he sounded so scared at the prospect that something might happen to me! I might stand a chance with him yet! "Basically, someone would be in your body, and they would kill the body you would be in, thus ending your life... and leaving the person in your body to live as you," Merlin sighed and ran his hands through his already greasy hair. It looked like he'd been running his hands through it a lot. All for me!

"So... this person, who would be in my body, would... do what exactly?" I asked, a bit confused as to where they were going with the conversation. What would be the point of living as me really? I mean, there is the prophecy about me yes, but it's doubtful that its true.

"That person would wait until I named you my heir, and would then kill me and Guinevere," Arthur snarled, clenching his fist around my shoulder once again. "They would then be left to rule Albion, and would bring utter chaos to the land!" Ah, so maybe there was good reason to live as me after all.

"The good thing is, they can only perform this spell at the stroke of midnight, on the night of a full moon. So we are prepared for next time," Merlin said, now beaming again. God I love that smile, so cute...

"The plan is for someone to take your place... there are a few prisoners' awaiting execution, and Merlin will use his magic's to make one of them look like you, while we take the real you away to somewhere safe. The sorcerers who attacked will return, perform the spell, and once it's finished, we will launch our assault," It all sounded very complicated to me! What if there were more men, more men who would come back and try again, and again, until they had someone in my body?

"What if they come back after that?" I whispered, sounding more terrified than I intended. God I hate sounding like a lost little girl, especially in front of Merlin!

"They won't. Merlin will perform a spell that will lead us to anyone else linked to this attack, and we will be able to hunt down and kill them all," Arthur promised. As he did so he gave Merlin the most loving smile, it was so pure, so proud... was he that pleased that Merlin had found a way to save me?

"I would perform it now, but I need someone to be a link to the others, and the man that attacked you last night vanished," Merlin said. "I wish I could do it now Paige, and make you feel safe, but the only spell I can do will prevent anyone from entering your chambers... myself and Arthur included," Hmmm, we wouldn't want that! I thought with a wicked grin.

"I'm sure I'll be ok...." I whispered, smiling at Merlin. Merlin reached out and ruffled my hair, causing me to blush and beam even more so.

"You're a brave girl Paige," he said with a smile.

"Do you know how to handle a sword?" Arthur asked, interrupting the moment with Merlin. I wanted to be mad at Arthur, really I did, but the idea of sword fighting was so... irrespirable!

"No.... father did not want me to become skilled at, he said it was not something a woman should learn," I said sadly. And it was true! I remember being young, and begging my father to teach me how to sword fight. He always said no, always insisted that he would defend me until the day he handed me over to my own knight in shining armour...

"Well you'll have to learn, considering the future that lies ahead of you," Arthur said. He pulled me to my feet and gave me a once over. "We'll have to get you fitted for some chainmail and armour though, you're way too small to wear any we already have. I'll get Gwen to take you to the blacksmiths after lunch," he said. "That is, if you want to..?" What was with Arthur being so considerate of me today? Was it because I had been attacked? Or because he was finally beginning to realise that I was an individual, capable of making my own decisions? I nodded frantically, beaming.

"I'd like that!" I said. My words sent a look of pride onto Arthurs face. "Will you train me Arthur?" I asked, knowing that he was the best swordsman Camelot had ever seen, better than my father even...

"Of course!" he said, almost laughing. "Paige you had no reason to ask, I would train you without question,"

"If you're anything like your father, this will all come to you as naturally as breathing," Merlin chuckled as he gathered up his books. "With the exception of Arthur, I have never seen such a natural at handling a sword," I beamed at Merlin as he reminisced about my father. It was so nice of him to say that! To think that I could take after my father and be a natural with a sword!

--

After lunch Gwen took me down to the blacksmiths, and I was prodded and measured for ages as the blacksmith took details. But it was worth it, for my armour and chainmail will be ready by the end of the week! I cannot wait to begin training, to be like my father, like Arthur!

Gwen seemed very upset, but I didn't dare question it. She had obviously just found out that she could not have children, and I hate to think how much that must be hurting her... I couldn't even begin to contemplate how I'd feel if I found out that I could not have children... Still, Arthur was very sweet to her today, he held her in his arms as she cried, told her everything would be ok. I guess it is, for him, he does not what children, and now he knows that I will take his place on the throne after his death (something I'm still not sure about, but still...), but Gwen will never know the joy of having her own child! She must be dying inside...

She wasn't at dinner either, Arthur said that she wasn't feeling well, but I know the truth. I didn't say anything though, despite wanting too. Arthur distracted me with talk of swords d shields and we got a bit distracted... Still, I'm sure she'll be alright eventually. She has to be, she's the queen, Arthur needs her at his side!

I think I will try and have an early night. I can already feel my eyes forcing themselves shut! Arthur has put guards outside my door now, so I feel a bit safer. Still, I would feel a lot safer if he put Merlin outside my room!

Paige xxx