A/N: Here's another chapter. I wasn't really sure if I would make this one, it just jumped into my head, so please tell me what you think of it.

Pfff… I haven't seen the last few episodes yet, I guess I'm just afraid that it will all end… I don't want Merlin to end, I love the show.

But besides that enjoy this chapter.

xxx

Merlin stared at the little girl at his feet, her eyes broken as she held the bottom of his trousers tightly in her small hands. She couldn't be more then ten years old, maybe eight. He felt tears form themselves in the corner of his eyes at the sight of big tears rolling down the little girl's cheek. Her cloths torn and the skin upon her small body filled with burns. '… please…' It was nothing more then a whisper, but enough to break that last bit of doubt in his mind. He quickly took the girl in his arms, pressing the little black haired girl gently against his chest.

The warlock leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the girl's forehead, he smiled as he heard her giggle, probably the first time in many days. He looked once back at Aithusa, who till them just stood frozen behind him and winked at her. 'Let's go back.' She gave him a quick nod as she kept her eyes upon the little girl in Merlin's arms.

Merlin started to walk back to the little house he and Aithusa had lived in for the last couple of years, his eyes never leaving the child's small face. She eventually fell asleep too exhausted to keep her eyes open a second longer.

As soon as they reached their home, Merlin laid the little girl gently in his bed, making sure she was warm enough, he was sure she didn't had a good night rest in a long time and answers to his questions would just have to wait a few more hours.

'Is she?...'

He slowly turned around when he head Aithusa's scared voice, he sighed and let the dragon girl out of the small bedroom. 'Yes.'

'But...' She fell silent again, a tear rolling over her cheek. '… She's hurt... do you think she remember us?'

His head turned around, facing the room he knew the black haired girl was in. 'We will have to wait till she wakes up to hear her story.' He let out a deep sigh. 'And no, I don't think she knows who we are, her instincts may have driven her to us.'

'I guess so.' Aithusa said as she bit the bottom of her lip.

xxx

Alesea moved a little, feeling the warmth of the blankets around her body, at the same time she realised this she shot up, her mind filled with panic. How did she get here, did they mean her harm? The memories of the past few days came rushing back into her mind. The girl's breathing went faster as she stood up, her eyes narrowing themselves when she heard soft voices on the other side of the wall.

The girl silently walked to the door, listening to the voices on the other side.

'… village tomorrow.' He heard a man say, his voice sounding as if he was in deep thought.

'I understand... but do you think we have to move from here?' A girl's voice answered.

'… I need to hear her story before making that choice, but we can handle th-.' His voice suddenly stopped and she pressed her head against the door, making sure their next words weren't whispers.

But instead of the whispering she expected, the door swung open, causing her to fall inside the living room. She yelled in shock as she hit the ground and immediately jumped up, fearing what the two of them would do to her.

Alesea looked at the man, confusion spreading through her mind as she saw his face change from a smile to concern. 'Who are you?' She asked with an unsure voice, her hands tightening themselves into little fists.

The raven haired man held out his hand, while another smile appeared on his face. She stared at him, it felt as if she knew him, but she was sure they had never met before. The woman on the other hand may also feel familiar, but it was more like a motherly concern she felt for the girl… which was strange as the girl must be at least seven years older.

'I'm Merlin and she's Aithusa... come sit down and have some tea.' She blinked at him before her eyes shifted themselves to the table. She jumped nervously from on leg to the other, she wasn't sure what to do now... but something inside her told her it was safe, she could trust them.

The black haired girl gulped, but sat down at the table. As he handed her a cup she noticed how thirsty she was. Alesea quickly drank the liquid and smiled at Merlin. 'Thank you.' She whispered to him, feeling her cheeks turn red.

'It's fine.' The man and the girl looked at each other before he asked. 'So what happened to you?'

She looked down as she rubbed her arms, she didn't want to remember the pain she had been in… but they took care of her, she had to tell them the truth, even when that meant they would chase her out of their home, again. 'I… please don't be angry at me for what I will tell you.' She backed away as she felt him taking her hand in his, but he didn't let go, he just held her in a warm tight hold.

'Don't be afraid.'

She slowly nodded. 'Uhh… I… I was sentenced to death because I have magic.' She squeezed her eyes tight, afraid of what Merlin would do.

But the only reaction she got was the man's hand tightening itself slightly more around her little hand and she slowly opened her eyes, expecting Merlin's face to be filled with anger, but instead it was gentle. 'It's fine.'

Tears slipped from her eyes as she looked at him, the gentle look in his eyes as he slowly started to rub the back of her hand. 'Why?' Alesea asked, they didn't have to accept her, she was nothing more then a monster.

He didn't answer her, instead he started to speak soft words, words that sounded so familiar in her ears. Without any warning her skin started to shine a bright blue, a warm energy spread through her body, it was the most incredible thing she had ever felt.

As it disappeared she finally understood what had happened, the man before her had magic, he was the same as her… she wasn't alone. Before she even thought about it she threw herself against his chest, seeking the Merlin's warmth.

In response Merlin placed his arms around her, giving her the comfort she so desperately wanted. 'Do you have a home to go to?' He asked her and she looked shocked up. Eyeing those bright blue eyes as she shook her head. 'Than… do you want to become my apprentice?'

Her eyes widened themselves and she gasped. 'What!' She said in surprise, but at the same time a big smile spread over her face. 'Yes, yes, teach me everything you know!' She planted herself again against his chest. 'I have a home again.'

As she leaned into his arms she didn't hear his whisper above her sobs. '…Morgana.'

xxx

He smiled as he saw the teenage girl run over the clearing, her eyes shining and her long black hair dancing after her. She let her magic free, the mix of green and gold flowing around her, spreading over the grass as a magical ocean, it was beautiful.

Merlin enjoyed watching her like this, this was what she could have become, if he hadn't made those terrible mistakes all those years ago. The moment he had seen that little girl at his feet, he had made a promise to himself, to not fail her again.

He would protect her, protect her against others… and most importantly, protect her from herself, for the woman she could become. This time he would help her grow into the powerful and kind woman he knew she could be… this time.