Author's Note:

merlinsapprentice please understand that we're only 3 chapters into the story and I haven't rushed into character development because she's a bit of a complex character. Still, I appreciate your feedback and I tried to be a little more revealing to her actual personality in this chapter and I'll do so in the following ones.:)

anonymous thanks for the compliment on my writing, even if you don't like some of the plot. I see where you're coming from and I agree with what you said, but this is just how I wrote the story. I hope you enjoy where it'll lead in the future.

If anyone else has any feedback, don't hesitate to give it! I appreciate it all, as long as it's courteous and respectful. And now, chapter four of Eve:

"I present to you, Miss Evangeline Emrys."

The king rose as she entered the court followed by Gaius.

When Arthur came and told Uther that the strange girl he had saved from the forest the day previous was awake and speaking, the king made sure to call her before him. And there she stood, a most beautiful and intriguing young woman…who supposedly had a broken leg.

Uther gave a questioning look to his son before addressing her. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was informed of your extensive injuries and was under the impression that you were unable to walk."

Evangeline smiled and bowed graciously.

"My Lord, you are correct in that I had sustained many injuries on my journey to your beautiful Camelot, but I assure you a broken leg is hardly enough to fully incapacitate me."

Uther's eyes widened, but he quickly recovered his look of passive calmness. He kept his voice level and authoritative as he asked her to elaborate on her statement.

"I was raised in a small village surrounded by nothing but forest and mountains. Whenever one of us was sick or injured we were on our own. It was not uncommon for bones to be broken but, as we had no physicians, we were left to heal on our own. Being as such, many of us grew more immune to pain. My leg does hurt, but with the skill of your kind physician, Gaius, the pain is less than what I'm used to, enabling me to walk. Besides, my leg was broken while I was in the forest and I traveled a few days with it before I reached your city."

"What village is this? I will send Gaius to it straight away so that he may heal your sick and injured," Uther said, only slightly upset that one of his villages was left to such means of survival.

Evangeline's face flashed with pain; not physical, but emotional.

"As much as I'd appreciate that, my Lord, I'm afraid it is impossible."

Misunderstanding, as was usual with this king, he smiled and spoke to her as if she were a child. "Do not worry, it will not strain Gaius and we can spare a few men to escort you."

She returned his smile, acting every bit the grateful, poor village girl. But she was actually on edge, knowing that this was the key to her freedom; she had to say exactly the right thing or everything would be ruined. Evangeline was a very smart girl, calculating her every move based on her observations; a small smile here, a gracious compliment there, all to ensure her safety. In the back part of her mind, she felt horrible for deceiving those who helped her and for acting so cold towards them, but she needed to make sure she was safe. And she couldn't allow herself to become close with any other person. She didn't want to feel the pain of loss ever again.

She chose her next words very carefully before speaking, realizing that they meant the difference between life and death.

"Oh my faith in your men is great, but that is not why, your Majesty. My reasoning is that I am not native to your kingdom."

Uther immediately went rigid and his face expressionless. She had predicted that would happen, and already knew how she was going to answer his next question:

"I see, and from what kingdom do you hail?"

"Andara."

A collective gasp was heard in the chamber as she spoke the name of the distant, barbaric country. It was about a three-day ride to Andara, though why anyone would want to venture to such a place was unknown. The capital city, Ravensgrim, was closed off from the rest of the kingdom to ensure the king's ultimate protection, and aside from a weak sentry set up in various intervals about the kingdom, it was defenseless. Even so, no one dared to invade it because the king's army was brutal, with skill almost matching Camelot's knights. The king imposed high taxes upon his people to keep his coffers full, and starvation was rampant throughout the kingdom.

"I see," Uther finally said. "I am truly sorry, but I cannot help your people. King Gillian would see that as some sort of challenge and I do not wish a war."

"Nor I, your Majesty, and I would never ask of you anything that threatens your comfort."

"Then why have you come to Camelot?"

Evangeline was prepared to answer, but she faltered, and remembered.

Visions of pain, smoke, and fire flashed before her eyes, and the ungodly screams of men, women, and children rang in her ears. It was so powerful a memory, she could feel herself choking on the thick smoke; taste the wisps of death sneaking down her throat trying to strangle her. She felt the memory of running to the last house on the right, could see the orange death cloaking the once peaceful and cheery structure. Evangeline felt sheer terror reach its icy fingers down her spine and grip her heart, refusing to let go.

Arthur could tell something was wrong. He'd been standing behind his father's throne, observing the whole ordeal. He saw at that moment that her cool, superior demeanor suddenly dropped and that she looked scared. Truly scared. It was only for a second, and he was sure no one else noticed, but he saw absolute fear flash across her face. He was reminded of the terrified, lost young woman who had stumbled out of the woods seeking help. He started to pity her.

And then, all too soon, she collected herself and replaced that cold mask she'd been wearing all day and answered the king with all the grace and respect that was possessed by any women of the court. Yet, even though Arthur could tell it was an act, she allowed sadness to creep into her features as she spoke:

"My Lord, it was not my intention to travel to your kingdom; I left my village because my father, my only family, passed away last month of fever. There was no way for me to care for myself, being as I was unable to work our farm on my own and there was no food to be spared among my neighbors." She looked down and wiped a tear away from her face. "I left hoping to find a home within the capital city, but…but I got lost…and then I was attacked by bandits, and…"

She started crying.

Surprisingly, Uther took pity on her. She seemed so broken and lost, and she reminded him of Morgana after her father died. Because of this, he did something that shocked everyone, even himself later on:

"You may stay here in the castle. You will have a home here."

Her eyes widened in surprise that almost seemed forced to Arthur, but was genuine to everyone else.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind; I am genuinely grateful and surprised. You are a kind and just king, and I look forward to a life in Camelot."

As the court slowly broke into applause, Arthur caught Evangeline's eyes and saw guilt in them before she could hide it. He knew something wasn't right, that she was hiding something.

And he intended to find out what it was.