Chapter 5

Merlin was tired. He'd had to do a million things for Arthur this morning, including be the brunt of all his jokes. Now he had to go all the way to the woods outside of Camelot's walls, just so he could find the things that Gaius wanted for this potion thing. He didn't even know what potion was for, but he needed to do this because Gaius was busy helping Guinevere with some papers that needed to be looked over.

He had finally found the wild mushrooms he needed when he heard some noise coming from the bushes a ways off. It sounded like a groan or a cry, almost like someone was hurt.

Merlin set down the basket he'd been using and walked towards the bushes slowly, hands outstretched, in case a use of magic was needed. He walked up slowly and saw legs sticking out of the bushes. He pushed the bush out of the way and he stopped with his mouth dropping open and his eyes bugging out.

A girl of about twenty was lying there in the dirt. Her raven black curly hair was splayed out around her head and her eyes were closed. She was pale and her clothes made her look even paler. They were all black. A black shirt with short sleeves and the words 'I'm not shy, I just don't like you.' Her legs were covered in long, black, skintight pants and a pair of boots that looked to be made of leather.

Before Merlin could do or say anything, the girl groaned again and her head rolled towards him. Her eyes blinked open and they were an icy blue that looked so familiar that they floored Merlin. She blinked a few times and then whispered.

"Can you please tell me where I am?"

"Umm… you're in Camelot."

"Finally." She said. And then she smiled. That smile had Merlin speechless and his stomach fluttering.

"What is your name?"

"It's Alyssa. Who are you?"

"I'm Merlin."

Her eyes widened slightly but she quickly tried covered it up by faking a yawn. She rolled onto her side and attempted to push herself up, but her arms buckled beneath her weight and she just ended up on her back again. She looked to Merlin.

"Do you think you could help me? I'm not exactly sure if I can get into Camelot's walls on my own and I really don't think that a female unaccompanied is safe here in the woods."

Merlin blinked and shook himself from his stupor. "Of course. I'll take you to the court physician. He's a friend of mine. He can help you."

"Thank you." She lifted her hand and Merlin picked her up from the ground. He took most of her weight and together they began the long walk to Camelot.

Alyssa was tired. She was practically dead on her feet. Merlin was pretty much dragging her along. Without his help, she never would have made it this far.

The two of them had made their way through the woods and could now see the walls that surrounded Camelot. The sun would soon set, but they would get in before that.

Alyssa couldn't believe her spell had worked. But what was more unbelievable was the fact that Merlin, THE Merlin, was helping her get into Camelot. She'd read all the stories so she knew exactly who he was. She knew everything about Merlin. She knew he was Arthur's manservant and she knew that there was a 100 percent chance that he would know her brother if he was here, but she couldn't ask. In most of the stories, Merlin knew about Mordred's destiny to be the one who kills Arthur. If she affiliated herself with him, she was afraid Merlin would drop her right now and leave her here. She wouldn't take that risk right now.

"So, why exactly were you out in the woods?"

"I told you I was trying to get to Camelot, but I got lost out there."

"Why were you trying so hard to get to Camelot?" Alyssa had to think about this one. She couldn't come up with any excuses though.

"I'm looking for a better life, and I heard that Camelot could give me that."

"I work in the castle. I have lived here for almost five years. I can help you get on your feet here, if you need any help, that is."

"Thank you, that's very kind." She was trying hard to keep herself awake. Merlin must have heard the sleepiness in her tone, because he didn't try to start another conversation.

Alyssa and Merlin made it the rest of the way without incident or questions that Alyssa couldn't answer. She was now sitting in a rather large room on a table, waiting for someone named Gaius to come check her for any health problems. She was very tired because of all the energy the spell had taken out of her, but other than that her only problem was her wings. They yearned to be stretched and she knew they needed to be. She also knew that if this guy checked her for any kind of injuries he was going to see her wings, and she really didn't need that.

The door to the room opened and in strode Merlin, a man that looked like he could be Merlin's grandfather, and a blond guy with a bright red cape and chain mail on. Alyssa seized up for a moment, but tried to calm herself. The blond was obviously a knight, and that in itself was something that terrified Alyssa.

"Alyssa, this is Gaius," he gestured to the older man, "And this is king Arthur."

Alyssa was a little shocked that the King of Camelot had come down here. Merlin must suspect something.

"I would get down and curtsy, but I am very tired and I really don't think I'd be able to stay standing long enough." Arthur's face got a bit of a shocked and insulted look on it before he could control himself and Alyssa smiled on the inside.

"Let me look at you my dear," that was Gaius. He looked into her face and he must have seen the exhaustion all over it. "You should be fine after some sleep and a meal. Can you tell us who exactly you're looking for?" So Merlin had blabbed then. Oh well, she might as well tell them the truth now.

"I'm looking for a better life," she said it with an air of finality that seemed to have shocked the three men in the room. They looked at each other questioningly before turning back to her. She spoke again before they could say anything. "I am very tired and I don't think I can stay upright much longer. Do you think I could perhaps get some rest?" Alyssa allowed all of her exhaustion to pour into her words Gaius must have realized that she needed the rest very much.

"Yes, of course. You can sleep in the room at the top of the stairs." Merlin gave Gaius a bit of a dubious look. The room was probably his then.

"I don't want to impose."

"It's no imposition. You can stay up there and I will come wake you when dinner time arrives."

"Okay." She slowly slid off the table and went up the stairs and into the room Gaius had pointed out. She opened the door and saw that there was a small bed, just big enough for her. She collapsed on it and quickly fell asleep.