A/N: I put my prompt from the Exchange Challenge over here, spy for it, it wouldn't be too hard... ^^ The prompt was "I must persevere".

1. The curse of Cornelius Sigan

That night, Lily got into her covers, butterflies flying in her stomach. Sleep didn't came easily, and when it did come, she was once again swallowed in memories...

Camelot...

"Dad, do I really have to go?"

Vivian was fidgeting around her room, watching as her father erased each and every trace of her existence in the Dark Castle. He looked properly maddened.

"Yes, dearie, you must." He winced under another flash.

A week prior, Rumpelstiltskin had stolen the power of a seer, and that very morning, had bolted into his adoptive daughter, stating he had had a vision that changed everything.

"I know of a realm, really far, where you'll be safe. See, I have something to do, and you might be injured, or killed, as I make new enemies. And I can't have that. I can't lose another child."

Vivian's gaze on him softened. She took two careful paces forward. "Dad. I can defend myself."

He huffed and whirled around, his golden eyes shining. He gripped her shoulders and squeezed hard. "No you can't! You can't use your magic yet! And a sword will not protect you from time!"

This is when she asked.

This is when he answered.

She'd be sent to a magical realm, where hopefully she'd find someone to teach her magic, and stay there for a few years. When she'd return, however, centuries would have passed.

Vivian didn't ask anymore questions. She wrapper her travelling cloak around her shoulders, sheathed her dagger at her belt, and took her leather satchel.

Rumpel didn't hug her. He wasn't one for affection. Not since Bae.

But he did smile, and did say "I'll miss you, little bird. Don't forget to find a good teacher".

"I will. I will persevere and find a way to ignite my magic, I promise."

Then Vivian drank a strange purple potion, and was sucked into an invisible portal.

And landed in a forest, on a road.

It didn't take long for someone to pass.

Vivian had been standing there for less that a minute when she heard a whistle, and a man trotting on the road towards her.

"Good morning to you young lady!"

He was about to pass her when she shook out of her trance and stopped him. "Wait! I'm sorry, I might be a bit lost. Do you know where we are?"

The man turned around.

She noticed his strangely blue eyes, his little brown beard, his hair sticking in every direction, and his strange – but fitting – outfit. "We're on the road to Camelot, of course! Aren't you heading there?"

She gasped. Camelot? She never heard of such a place. But she nodded nonetheless. "Yes, I am, but I thought I'd be there by now."

"Still have half a day ahead of us. Will you accompany me then?"

She smiled kindly. He didn't seem dangerous, and she still had her dagger. "I guess. Are you a big bad villain?"

He chuckled a little, his eyes twinkling. "No, I'm not. The name's Cedric."

She smiled. "Lily."

The more she walked that earth, the more Lily felt home.

Her father had long ago told her he didn't think she was from Fairytaleland, since her magic didn't trigger. He thought she had been brought from another realm by someone with little care.

She began to think it was Camelot she was from.

A strange tickle in the back of her neck told her so.

"So, Lily, why are you going to the great city?"

She shrugged. "I thought I'd find work there. My dad sent me away."

"Ah. Bad girl have you been?"

She chuckled and shook her head. "No. He... Well he... I'm not his only child." She chose to settle for that."

"I see."

Vivian – or Lily, now – turned her head at her companion. He was smiling faintly while walking. "You?"

His smile disappeared. "Well, to be honest, I'm into finding money."

She nodded gravely. "I understand. Many of us do."

"Aye, that is true. Though I'm quite certain someone like you would approve of my methods."

She didn't push. She knew that men tended to close down if she pushed them.

After a few hours of quiet, and nice walking with Cedric, Lily realised the forest was becoming scarce. More light fell on her, and more people seemed to head for the city.

"Workers for the king. They are probably going home."

They passed the front gates without much effort, and then there she was.

Camelot.

A huge city hidden behind tall creamy walls.

A beauty.

And a castle. Standing proud.

Cedric offered to drive Lily to an inn that night. She thanked him warmly, and got to bed, not before noticing he was sitting with a suspiciously-looking man.

The twinkle in his eyes wasn't of laughter anymore.

A shiver ran up her spine.

That was the look of a thief.

The following morning, Lily followed Cedric as he pretended getting a tour of the town.

But they didn't stop in the market. Didn't looked over the walls. Didn't talk to peasants passing their way.

No. They stood into the huge archway protecting Camelot's castle, and watched.

She didn't know what – of whom – he was waiting for, but Lily didn't have to ask.

They appeared soon enough.

A tall, blonde man with a red shirt and leather coat got out by the front door, a horse waiting for him down the marble stairs.

A lean, dark-haired young man soon followed.

"What do you think to walking forward, Lily?"

She opened her mouth to decline, but Cedric hadn't waited for her answer, he had moved forward, as if in a daze, to sit on the edge of a well.

She came to stand by him, still eyeing the two men from the castle wearily.

"Alright, Merlin?" Her attention focused on the blonde man, checking his saddle, while the dark-haired one carried his sword.

A man-servant then.

"Sorry!"

The corner of her lips quirted upwards as she saw the man get down on his knees and the other walk shameless onto him to climb onto his horse.

Until the saddle gave way.

And the blonde fell.

And the horse ran away.

In the time of a breath, Cedric was on his feet, and hurrying to catch the horse.

"Merlin!"

"I don't understand!"

"Well that's a surprise!"

"I took care of that myself!"

"Well I think that might be the problem!"

"Wasn't my fault!"

Lily eyes went from one to the other. They were fighting like siblings. Siblings with one slightly over-stationed than the other...

Then Cedric came back with the horse, and her brows furrowed.

"Do let me lace it properly for you, sir."

The blonde turned to him, oblivious to his behaviour. "Thank you."

Cedric took a fake humbled stance, and bowed. "It's an honour to be of service to the prince!"

Lily's heart stopped beating. Why was Cedric interested in the prince? This, and his thief's stare last night, she was having suspicions...

"An honour. D'you hear that Merlin?"

Fortunately for the kingdom, it seemed Merlin was more clever than his master, since he wasn't fooled by Cedric at all.

"Allow me the honour of brushing your clothes down." This would have been hilarious, if there hadn't been a sombre pattern to it all. "Anything else I can do for you sir?"

"Well, you can give Merlin here a good kick on the backside!"

Cedric chuckled. "I wouldn't deprive you of the pleasure, sir."

The prince chuckled back. "What's your name?"

"Cedric. I've come to Camelot in search for work."

"Good. Take a beater, we're short of a man or two." And he walked to his horse.

The disappointment of Cedric's face was unmistakeable. It made Lily smirk. "You're too kind, sire."

Merlin then took a beater at his feet, and shoved it into Cedric's guts. "Here, you'll need a beater. Ooh, sorry!"

Lily soon found herself witnessing the men's departure, including her guide, and stood in the courtyard until a small coffee-skinned figure appeared next to her.

"You seem lost, can I help you?"

Lily whirled around and faced the lady. She was kind-faced, with kind brown eyes and a kind smile. She couldn't help but smile back. "I'm a little lost, I admit. I came here with a guide, although he just left with the prince."

"Ah, yes. Arthur has a tendency to steal people's attentions away. You're not from here are you?"

Lily shook her head. "I just arrived. Got thrown away by my father. I thought I might find work here."

The woman nodded and seemed to think. "There might be a place as a maid in the castle, if you are not afraid of carrying plates all around the place. You seem right on your two feet."

"I am. And I wouldn't mind being a maid. It's better than doing nothing."

She smiled. "I'm Guinevere, maid to the King's ward, Lady Morgana."

"Nice to meet you, Guinevere. I'm Lily."

"Nice meeting you too, Lily. Call me Gwen, I'd rather. And come, let's find you that job."

So Lily followed.

By the time the men returned, Lily had been accepted in the castle, and had already been assigned to change the knights' beddings.

One in particular, Sir Leon, caught her eye as being the sole one to actually pay attention to her and salute her.

So she obviously saluted back.

She also overheard that something had happened in the castle's deep caves.

A tomb had been uncovered. The tomb of a dangerous sorcerer.

A tomb full of gold.

Lily quickly put two with two.

Cedric wanted to steal it.

And in order to do that, he had to steal the keys from Arthur. And to steal the keys, he had to become his servant.

To get rid of Merlin.

The following morning, after a peaceful night in a comfortable bed in a dormitory she shared with many other maids, Lily shot up, got dressed and hurried to find Merlin.

She didn't know everyone yet, but knew something for sure.

He lived with Gaius, the court's physician.

Into whom she ran.

"Oh, sorry, sir. I wasn't looking where I was walking."

The old man smoothed his robes and smiled kindly. "It's alright. I haven't seen you here before, are you new?"

She nodded frantically. "Yes, I am. I'm Lily, I'm the new maid here. I was looking for you, in fact, Sir Gaius."

He chuckled softly. "Just Gaius will do, Lily, I assure you."

She blushed. "Sorry."

"What was it you needed me for?"

"I'm looking for Prince Arthur's servant, Merlin."

"Ah. You've just missed him. He's gone mucking the horses. Right in the courtyard, you can miss the stables."

She thanked him and hurried out.

Merlin was indeed mucking the horses.

And muttering under his breath.

Lily cleared her throat.

He whirled around.

They both stared.

She had noticed he was quite the unusual beauty from afar, but from near, her breath was nearly taken away.

He had the most beautiful eyes she had ever laid eyes upon.

"Uh, sorry, I-"

"You're the new maid, aren't you?" She nodded. "I'm Merlin."

He outstretched a hand, she shook it without a second thought. "Lily."

"Well, have you been looking for someone?"

"Yes, you, in fact. Be careful of Cedric."

Merlin's brow furrowed. "You know him?"

She nodded. "I've arrived with him, he was my guide through the city. But he's been acting weird lately, and now he's taking your place, and there's a tomb opened."

Merlin followed her quick rant by tilting his head, then his blue eyes darkened. "I knew it. Thank you for warning me, Lily."

She smiled widely. "You're very welcome, Merlin. I'll see you later."

But later was...later.

Because the following day, Merlin tried – and failed – to warn Arthur that Cedric had indeed stolen jewels in the tomb that night, but had also been possessed by the sorcerer's soul.

And because Cornelius Sigan had launched gargoyles onto the city.

People were dying by the dozen, knights were getting killed by the dozen, and Lily had only one thing to do – help.

She was in the great hall with Gaius, helping with injuries, as did Gwen and the Lady Morgana, when she felt it.

A pull.

A strange and powerful pull – something that tugged at her heart like an invisible cord.

And a voice.

"Dragonlord."

Lily collapsed onto the ground, and didn't wake up until everything was over.

She was lying onto Gaius' bed in his office when she opened her eyes.

Merlin was leaning over her, a goofy smile on his lips.

"Hey."

She sat up at once, her head throbbing a little, and looked around. "Where's the voice?"

Merlin's eyes darkened with concern. "What voice?"

"I heard a voice last night. It... It was deep, and strange, and like...speaking inside of me."

This time she didn't mistake it: his eyes had definitely shot golden. "That's...impossible."

Gaius, who she hadn't seen yet, then entered her sight, curiosity written on his old face. "What did it say?"

"Something about..." Nothing, shut it! "...a dragon."

Gaius and Merlin shared a look, and Lily knew it.

She was in trouble.