Disclaimer: Merlin does not belong to me.
"Is she going to be alright, Gaius?" I heard a voice ask as I start to come to. My head hurt like a motherfucker. I couldn't quite open my eyes because I knew the pain would increase. I laid still and tried to remain calm.
"Yes, sire. I believe she may have just overexerted herself. We have no idea what she went through. She doesn't even know." I recognized that voice. That was Gaius. Gaius? So this hasn't been a dream. I let out a small groan of frustration and completely halt any small movements I may have unintentionally made.
"Sarah? Sire, I do believe she is waking up." Gaius said. I took that as my cue to "wake up." Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Gaius, Merlin and the prince standing over me as I lay on the cot. I became incredibly self-conscious. I was wearing my jeans and now my nice top was all wrinkled. My shoes were on the side of the cot. I reached up to hold my head and my hair was just all over the place. I must've looked an awful site.
"What happened?" I asked as I turned to look at Gaius and Merlin. Arthur was making me far too nervous. I never did well with authority figures. I obviously didn't rebel or anything, but I got anxious and I think today proved that.
"Well, my dear, it appears you had some sort of a panic attack. How are you feeling?"
"I-I don't know. I just clam up when talking to authority figures." I try to keep my breathing leveled because I can sense Arthur's eyes on me. He's judging me, no doubt. Trying to see if I'm a threat to Camelot. HA! I literally couldn't even hurt a fly if I tried. Yeah, I'm going to bring about the destruction of Camelot. "I just couldn't breathe. I tried to think of something to say, but I was just so afraid."
"Why?" Arthur asked. "If you mean no harm, and you certainly look like someone who means no harm, than why were you afraid? My father won't hurt you." I can't look at him. I continue to gaze at the floor or anything other than Arthur really. "Would you please look at me? Like my father, I will not hurt you."
I gain the courage to look him in the eyes and that's when I get the strength. Our eyes are locked and I feel like I can tell him anything. Well, almost anything. "Sire, I know you know that I am not from around here. My accent. My clothes. The thing is, I am going to be honest with you in the fact that I don't know how to tell you where I'm from. I have no idea how you will react. For now, I'd just like to keep it to myself until I can fully articulate it. Please, sire." I take a deep breath and turn away from him.
"I will give you time if that is what you need. I will not push you because you seem willing to tell us. I'll give you time and some new chambers. I imagine you would like some space from this idiot." He gestures towards Merlin.
"Hey!" Merlin exclaims.
"I don't want to be any trouble." I try to explain that I'm probably no one he wants to get involved with. I know the rules of this time. Magic is outlawed. Time travel has to be involved with magic, although I guess it was more science. It probably wouldn't make a difference to these people. I'm not talking until I know I'm safe.
"Not at all! There's plenty of space." Arthur said. "I will have Merlin escort you to your new chambers when you are ready." Merlin nodded, accepting his new task.
"If you insist, Sire. Thank you."
"Please, if we are not in front of my father or the court, you may call me Arthur." He said with a small smile on his face.
"Thank you….Arthur." I was already feeling better in his presence. He certainly wasn't horrible to look at and it turns out he was kind of nice.
"I will leave you now. Merlin? Come find me after you have escorted Sarah to her new chambers." Arthur requested as he was making his way out the door.
"Well. That could've gone a lot worse." I mumble to myself.
"Can I get you something to drink, Sarah?" Gaius asked. I simply just nodded my head. I was completely zoned out, thinking back on the conversation with the prince. He seems nothing like his father.
"If you're ready, I can bring you to your chambers now?" Merlin asked. He snapped me out of my reverie. I nodded my head again and slipped my shoes back on. "We should probably find you some new clothes. You'll stick out like a sore thumb dressed like that."
"You're probably right." I responded. "It'll have to wait though. I don't have any money. Well, any currency that you use any ways."
"I'll find you something to borrow in the meantime. You look about the same size as Gwen."
"Gwen? As in Queen Guinevere?" I ask him shocked. I hadn't seen the future queen yet. Merlin gave me a confused look.
"Gwen's not queen. She's the Lady Morgana's handmaiden and also one of my good friends. The first friend I made in Camelot, as a matter of fact."
"Oh." What else could I say? Apparently the legends got a lot of things wrong.
This entire time, we're trekking our way through the castle. Down long hallways and up one or two staircases. I keep receiving looks from guards, nobles, and servants alike because of my outfit, but decided to brush it off for now. Didn't stop the blush from appearing on my cheeks though. We got to the end of the hall and Merlin opened the door.
The room was massive! You could've fit my whole apartment in the there! I just stood in the door with a look of awe. There was a four-poster bed on the far side of the chamber. In front of the door was a sitting/dining area complete with a fireplace. There were a lot of windows with fantastic views of the citadel.
"How do you like it?" Merlin asked with a tiny smirk on his face. He was just standing in the middle of the room staring at my gob smacked face.
"Its gorgeous! I can't believe this whole room is for me! You know, my apartment from back home could probably fit in this."
"Err…right. Well, I'll just be right next door if you need anything." He said. I gave a questioning look. "Arthur's room is right next door. He wanted you to have a room close to him just in case you actually turned out to be some nutter and reeked havoc on Camelot. You know how it is."
"Umm…sure. Thanks for everything, Merlin. I really do appreciate it." I went up to him and gave him a little hug. He stiffened under my touch, but after a second, I felt him return the hug.
"Its not a problem. Having you hear could very well be a great adventure!" Merlin said as he let me go and went towards the door. "I'll have another servant send up some dinner for you. I'll see you in the morning, Sarah. Have a good night."
"Thank you, Merlin. Sleep well." After shutting the door after him, I made my way to my bed and sat down. I just kept looking all around the room and out the windows. I sprawled out on my bed and gave a little squeal of excitement. "So this is life in Camelot…."
Well, that's the end of Chapter 3! Please take a moment and send a review! I wasn't too happy with this chapter, but I had a lot going on this week, so I couldn't really think too much about the story. I just finished college literally yesterday and couldn't be more relieved!