Disclaimer: Merlin does not belong to me.
I heard a door open and small footsteps make their way into my room. My face was buried in my pillow and I was snuggled deep under the covers of my bed. When I heard the noise, I started to wake up. I blinked my eyes a few times and was kind of startled when I realized I still wasn't home yet.
"I am so sorry if I woke you." A quiet voice over by the table spoke. "I was just bringing you a couple of dresses and some breakfast. Merlin suggested I bring you some dresses." I must've just been giving her a blank look because then I heard her introduce herself. "I'm Gwen. Well, Guinevere, but everybody calls me Gwen." She had a small smile on her face.
"Hello, Gwen. I'm Sarah." I stretch and get out of bed. I never changed after dinner last night. Sleeping in jeans definitely was not the most comfortable decision I have ever made. I take a second and study my new acquaintance. She's of average height with smooth, dark skin and gorgeous dark, curly hair that left me envious. She truly looks like she could be Queen some day. "I really appreciate the dresses. I'll return them as soon as I find a way to make some money."
"Oh don't worry about it. I never wear these anymore. They should suite you just fine." It was starting to get awkward. I never did well with strangers. "Well, I shall leave you start your day. If you need anything, I shall be with the Lady Morgana all day."
"Thank you, Gwen." I send a smile her way and I receive one in return as she goes out the door to start her duties.
I wander over to the two dresses Gwen brought in and held the first one up to my body. It was a dark blue dress with white embellishments, made for a servant. I change out of the clothes I brought with me and tucked them away in the cupboard in my room. I get into the dress and find that it fits me just fine. Perfect fit. I move over to the mirror in my room and take a gander. Well, I certainly could look worse. Blue is definitely my color. I smile at myself and move towards the table.
I spy some meats, cheeses, a roll, and some fruit. I grab some grapes and an apple and move on to find Merlin. I get the feeling that I shouldn't get too far away from him. I certainly feel safer with him nearby.
I make my way to Gaius' chambers. I nod and smile at nobility and servants alike along the way. I finish my apple as soon as I approach the door. I knock and wait for a reply before entering.
"Good morning, Gaius. I hope I'm not intruding on anything?" I say in greeting.
"Of course not, Sarah. How did you sleep?" Gaius says in response.
"Fine. I was just wondering if Merlin was here?"
"I'm afraid not, my dear. He's tending to Arthur at the moment." I nod my head and bid him a good day. I make my way back to my room because I realize that I'm next door to Arthur's room. Should've just checked there first. All this walking in these slipper things is starting to hurt my feet. Ugh.
Arthur's door in sight, I take a breath and move to knock when the door is suddenly ripped open and Merlin rushes out. In his haste, he didn't notice me and there was a small collision and we land on the floor in a mess of tangled limbs.
"Merlin! What on earth is going on out there?!" I hear the prince bellow from inside his room.
"Erm…nothing, Sire!" Merlin replies as we are trying to untangle ourselves unsuccessfully. I just start laughing and can't stop. I stop trying to help get untangled and just lay on the ground laughing at the predicament. This causes Merlin to start laughing at the situation.
"What is going o—Sarah? Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur, hearing our laughter, comes to the door and glances at us on the floor. "If you are quite finished, Merlin."
"Sorry, Arthur." Merlin moves to get up, still laughing although more quietly. Arthur, meanwhile, has stepped forward and offered his hand to help me up. With my face fully flushed, I accept his hand and get up off the ground. While I fix my dress and my hair, I try to calm down.
Turns out, calming down wasn't going to happen right away. I fix myself upright and take a look at Merlin and just start laughing again because it just reminded me of the face he made when he realized he was falling to the ground. Merlin continues his little giggling, amused by my reaction. Tears spring to my eyes because I'm laughing so hard. Arthur has an amused smirk on his face.
"Are you alright, Sarah? Do you need a minute?" Arthur asks me.
"No, Sire. I'm alright. I just….wasn't expecting that to happen." Mirth is clearly still in my eyes. I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time. It felt good.
"Is there something I could help you with?" He asks.
"Oh no. I was actually just looking for Merlin. I was told he'd be with you."
"Oh." Arthur says with a small frown on his face. "Well, Merlin was just finished here. He's all yours."
"Thanks, Arthur." I look towards Merlin. He nods his head towards the hall as a signal to start walking.
"Bye, your Royal Pratness." Merlin just had to get the last word in. We hear Arthur's door slam in retaliation and that just sets us off again, laughing.
"Oh, Merlin. You are just too much. I honestly haven't laughed that much in a very long time."
"Anytime, Sarah." He has a pleased grin on his face. "So was there something you needed? You came looking for me, after all."
"Nothing really. I just wanted to see you, I guess. I feel much safer with you around. You feel familiar, if that makes any sense?"
"I suppose it does. I just have to go polish Arthur's armor and than I could show you around the castle a bit. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great! It's honestly such a huge maze in here. I don't know how you get used to it." I honestly didn't. I must've gotten lost at least twice just trying to get back to my room. Thank goodness that there are literally guards and servants everywhere.
Merlin leads the way to the armory to collect Arthur's armor and we go to his room in Gaius' chambers. We start talking and Merlin starts asking about my life.
"Well, I'm from Boston, Massachusetts. That's in a country called the United States of America. At this point in time, it has yet to be discovered by settlers. I've lived in a girls' home for most of my life because my parents died when I was three."
"I'm so sorry." Merlin interrupts. "If it helps, I never knew my father."
"Its quite alright, Merlin. I barely remember them. I was so young. Anyways. When I became of age, I moved into a place with my friends Jackie and Kyle. They're great." I started to talk to Merlin about them and only when I feel his hand on mine do I realize I'm crying.
"You know, I'm not even sure they miss me. I mean, I know they like me, but there has always been a small part of me that felt that they could live without me. That I was just in their way. Jackie's gorgeous and always with her boyfriend and Kyle has his own life away from us. I-I guess I just don't really fit in there. They probably don't even know I'm gone." With that I just collapse into Merlin's side in a mess of tears. He throws his arms around me in comfort and starts to disagree.
"I don't think that's true. You're great. I bet they're sending out search parties for you right now because you are their very best friend and they care about you. Don't ever think so little of yourself. I've only known you for about a day and I can tell that you're important. That you mean something to those around you." He just kept holding me and hugging me until I finally calmed down.
"Thanks, Merlin." I give him a rather watery smile and receive a grin in return.
Right there I knew I had a real friend in Merlin.
This was just a filler chapter. I know how I want to end this story. I just need to figure out how to get there. This is where you guys come in. I need help thinking up a villain. Just please leave a review with suggestions! I want to bring the villain in within the next two chapters!