Me: Hello my lovely readers it is I Nightstar with another chapter of Not The Only One! And this time I brought a few friends with me! Come on out guys! *calling from the living room*
Merlin: *comes in takes a bow and directs himself to the reader* Hello Everyone! I'm Emrys, Arthur's manservant and friend, but my actual name is Merlin, (it is a long story but I'm sure you already heard about it), and Nightstar invited us to be among all of you for the chapters to come. It is going to be so much fun providing Nightstar with insight on magic and Camelot. It is important for magic to be understood and I'm happy that all you readers understand that since technically I am magic... so in essence you'll understand me*in the background hears a person heckling him "MERLIN C'MON! Any day now!"* Well, as you can tell my intro time is done *glares at the sidelines*, so I present to all of you his royal pratness- I mean highness, Arthur Pendragon, king of Camelot! *scurries off to me, Arthur glares at Merlin and mouths an I heard that to him*
Arthur: *clears throat* Hello people of this cite, I am Arthur Pendragon, king of Camelot, once and future king of Albion and charming, lovable, sensitive *in the background both Merlin and me laugh at the sensitive part "HA!"* and loving husband of Guinevere. It is both an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you... It is rather odd that I don't get to see their faces isn't it? To introduce myself but no one really being here, in my day that would be utterly nutty and rude! *indignantly states walking off to the side next to me*
Gwen: *appearing into the living room and scowls Arthur* Arthur! *regains posture* Hi everyone! I am Guinevere Pendragon, wife of Arthur Pendragon, Queen of Camelot and Once and Future Queen of Albion, but you can call me Gwen for short. I mean you can call me Guinevere of course that is my name but Gwen is easier to pronounce and many people get it the first time. Not to say that all of you won't get it the first time but I prefer Gwen over Guinevere, not that there's anything wrong with my name *all of us look amused at Gwen's babbling* Oh dear I'm babbling aren't I? Okay let's start over *clears her throat* Hi everyone, I'm Guinevere, Gwen for short. *curtsy and goes over to Arthur who smiles fondly at her and interlaces his hand with hers*
Morgana: Well that was so... you, Gwen. *looks amused at all the others and directs herself to the reader* Hello everyone, I'm Morgana Le Fay, Arthur's half sister, high priestess of the Old Religion and lady of Camelot. Like my brat of a brother stated, it is an honor to be here, and no I'm not going evil priestess mode on anyone, I actually respect Nightstar's wishes of no using magic against each other. No, I will not hurt Merlin, Edeline, Nightstar, or Gwen so don't get you petticoats in a twist *in the background Arthur realizes something "Hey, what about not hurting me?" Morgana steps to the side*
Edeline: *a bit shy* Greetings people of the fanfiction community, I know I am not part of the original fandom, but Nightstar felt the need for me to introduce myself. I am Edeline de Beauchamps princess of Abolin, I will be playing Merlin's love interests *smiles at Merlin who in turn smiles back. In the background "Ha! If that's playing a love interest I don't want to see them actually being together!" Arthur snort while the rest agree* you all will know more about me as the story goes on and I believe that is all I can reveal.
All: *all of them* Introductions are done, now get on with the story!
Me: All right! All right! Don't get your panties in a twist! Anyways here is the next chapter of Not The Only One, another time lapses will occur (I'm sorry) but a lot will be revealed! Please comment and review! Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, it's characters, original plot-line, etc. also I do not own the Arthurian Legends; I am only responsible for my own changes and OCs as well as plot-line.
Chapter 3- Carry On
Omniscient P.O.V~
(The Next Night, Jayden's temporary chamber, after the challenge)
"Edeline, my winter rose, I will be alright. I just need some rest... and it would seem that so do you," the concerned father stated as he readjusted himself on the bed he was resting on. It all happened in a blur. One minute Edeline was fretting over Uther's appearance at the arena, and the next she is on the arena's ground holding my father and gently pressing a piece of ripped fabric from her dress into my father's wound. The creature had finally disappeared, but in midst of the battle Uther was on the ground sword nowhere near him and the wraith above him with it's sword ready to plunge into the king's heart. Her father seeing his friend in danger jumped into the arena and knocked the wraith over with his body.
The wraith's helmet had been knocked off and both the audience and the kings were terrified of the face. Uther quickly got to his feet and grabbed for the sword, someone threw a sword to aid Jayden. With the addition of a new person in the arena broke the knight's code, and this meant all hell would break loose. Edeline was now worried for both, more so her father for he had no armor or even a shield to protect him. The princess wanted to jump in but a knight, Sir Leon, held her in place as if knowing what her intention was. The fight drew on and both Uther and her father fought with such expertise, that everything seemed fine for a moment, and then truly all hell broke loose. The wraith had been disarmed by King Jayden but the creature had lunged for said monarch trying to overpower him and disarm him, in their struggle Uther took the opportunity to to give a one well aimed blow to the wraith. The wraith had pause in it's movement and let out a horrible screech. Within seconds the creature was vanquished and all the people were celebrating... that is until Jayden suddenly collapsed on the floor. Apparently, no one noticed that when the wraith was pierced through so was Edeline's father 's side. "FATHER!" she remembered yelling as she broke free from Sir Leon's grasp and jumped into the arena to aid him. Edeline quickly ripped some fabric from the bottom of her dress. Now she was in his chambers trying to take care of him, as best as she could in the midst of sunrise. She hadn't really had a good night's rest since she had came to Camelot and it was beginning to show according to her father.
"Father, I am fine, besides if I go now who is going to take care of you? No one is available," Edeline reasoned as she helped her father readjust himself and placed another pillow on his back. As soon as she said that Merlin entered the room carrying a few things on a tray. To the untrained eye the items seemed like useless things, but to all three people present in the room they were essential.
"I am sorry your highness for not announcing myself, but as you can see I really couldn't with all this," He pointed with his head towards the tray and went to the night stand to place the tray down.
"Merlin, not to be rude or anything, what are you doing here?" Edeline inquired as she saw Merlin tidy up the room and brought a chair near the king's bed. The king looked highly amused by all this, the interaction with the young people made him remember the fist time he had met his queen (then servant) she came unexpectedly into his room carrying a tray filled with remedies and a water pitcher, much like Merlin, and she too tidied up his chamber. The look on Edeline's face reminded him of his reaction of seeing his Clara for the first time: Surprised, taken back, but not entirely displeased with what he saw, and a caring smile painted on his lips. So my winter rose finally discovered that feeling and no less to a servant... much like her father, Jayden thought with a smile thinking Edeline couldn't have picked a better interest than Merlin.
"Well, Arthur relieved me of my duties, temporarily, to come and help you with anything you need, your highnesses," he said as he bowed to both royals in the room.
"You can stop with the titles, Merlin, I unlike my friend Uther, do not care much for titles and such," King Jayden responded giving Merlin a kind smile, "I never gave much importance to my title, for I am a man, mortal like everyone else. My status does not make me better or worse than anyone. So please call me Jayden, around me if that makes you comfortable, nothing more or less."
"Yes you majes- Jayden, is there anyway I can help?" Merlin inquired looking at Edeline for an answer.
"No-"
"Yes" Jayden dismissed Edeline's claim, "my daughter here thinks she does not need rest, please Merlin, convince her to rest at least for a few hours."
"Father! I do not want to trouble Merlin with this task," Edeline protested.
"It is no trouble at all, see," pointing at his tray, "Gaius gave me instruction in treating your father's wound. You have nothing to worry about except getting to sleep, you need you energy and it would not do your father any good seeing you become ill," Merlin reasoned with the princess, who in turn seemed speechless. She held Merlin's stare for a little bit she closed her eyes and resigned with the fact that she was outnumbered. "Fine." Edeline then marched to her father and kissed his forehead, "are you sure you'll be alright?' Jayden nodded to his daughter and whispered something in her ear. Merlin didn't get the first part but the last part was 'I love you. Goodnight.'
"If anything happens please come and inform me, Merlin," Edeline pleaded to Merlin still not comfortable with leaving her father.
"Don't worry Edeline, I will inform you if there is any change. I'll take care of him, but go rest up a bit, alright? Goodnight," Merlin reassured Edeline with a smile. Edeline nodded somehow convinced and knowing Merlin would do the impossible in taking care of her father.
"Alright. Goodnight," Edeline smiled tiredly at both her father and Merlin, Merlin walked her to the door and closed it behind her. Before he made his way back to the king, the king spoke to Merlin.
"It would seem we finally get to talk alone, it is an honor to be in your presence," at this Jayden bowed his head to Merlin which shocked Merlin much.
"Your majesty?" Merlin astonishingly replied.
"I finally get to meet the great Emrys."
(Edeline's Room)
"What are you doing in my chambers?" Edeline coldly inquired seeing the figure sitting on her desk. The room was dark with only the fireplace lit properly, casting shadows on her walls. The figure stood up in full height and turned to face her.
"I came to see how you were doing... what happened in the arena," Uther replied looking at Edeline with appreciative eyes, "Your father is very brave, and I owe him my life... Edeline, I am so sorry for what happened."
Edeline couldn't take it anymore and just snapped at Uther, "Stop it, just stop it. I don't need your pity or your words of honor at the moment, sire. I don't need your lies and facades of you actually caring about my well being. Tell me, why are you really here for?"
"I-I wanted to-"
"You just wanted to what?! Uther, no matter what you do, you will not alleviate the guilt you have inside of you, believe me. You caused this Uther, you caused my father to be hurt, and if anything happens to my father I will never forgive you Uther Pendragon," Edeline stated with such conviction that the monarch in front of her was taken back. She stood with all the confidence a princess should possess, Uther had seen Clara in her but seeing Edeline before him now she knew this girl was truly Jayden's and Clara's daughter. "Now, sire, do you wish to discuss anything else? If not, would you be so kind enough to leave my chambers."
"Edeline, if I had the power to change what happened today I would. For now we must pray and hope for your father's recovery... if I know your father well enough, and I do, I know he will pull through. If you need anything, do not hesitate in asking me. I'm sorry," with that the king left the young princess and let her sleep.
"Edeline, Morgana! C'mon, last one to the river has a troll face!" a young boy with golden hair called out to Edeline. She was taller than the boy (she was her 18 year old self) and she ran towards the river. She saw a raven haired girl running towards the river as well. As she got closer she noticed that she was now the same height as the raven haired girl.
"Edeline, let's jump in together!" the little raven hair girl with the green eyes exclaimed as she grabbed on to her hand, it was Morgana. Just then the blonde boy, Arthur, also grabbed her other hand and nodded, "On the count of three we jump. One!"
"Two!" Morgana stated.
"Three, JUMP!" Edeline exclaimed as all three jumped into the river. The cool water enveloped her and greeted her like an old friend, however, as she resurfaced she saw she was no longer with the Morgana or Arthur. She instead saw along the river a now grown Arthur, while she was still her younger self. "Arthur?"
"Don't address me that way! How could you lie to me?!" Arthur accused.
"Arthur, I would never lie to you. I'm your friend," Edeline exclaimed as she sense the water begin to grow stronger. "A friend? A friend would never lie to me!" Arthur said with such coldness and hatred in his voice dripping like venom and slowly killing Edeline, "I would never be friends with someone like you." Arthur then turned away. "Arthur! Arthur!" Edeline tried to get to the shore, but the water became violent and she was still in her child form. She was struggling to keep her head above the surface. She saw Morgana near the river bank and called out to her. "Morgana! Morgana! Please, help me!" Morgana saw her and gave Edeline a wicked smile, a smile she never saw Morgana make. It had malice and contemptuousness written all over her lips, she smirk and then turned around to join Arthur. "What's the matter, Edeline? Afraid of a little water? Oh princess you can do things all on your own now... It's funny how you suddenly call to me only when you need me. Where were you when I needed you the most? Well have a nice swim."
Edeline was panicking as she saw both figures leave the bank. She continued to struggle to get to the bank, but it was in vain the current was taking her downstream. "Help, please someone help me!" Edeline cried out as she saw the river leading her to a sea.
"Hold on!" she barely heard a voice and some odd words but then she felt warm arms enveloped her and now she was her normal self again. Edeline hadn't opened her eyes yet, she was coughing out water and trying to control her silvering. "Thank you, for saving me... Who are you?" Her savior chuckled and said "I have many names, but most usually call me Emrys. I'm your destiny, Edeline, as you are mine. I'll always protect you." She was about to see the face of her savior, feeling safe in his arms, though she knew she had heard his voice before somewhere. She was looking up slowly but like all dreams Edeline de Beauchamps woke up before getting a good look on her dream savior's face.
Edeline, Edeline, Edeline...
Edeline! With that the young princess woke up drenched in a cold sweat and panting. She had developed goosebumps on her arms and she was shaking with fear. First the dream and now I'm hearing voices now... I must be going mad! Edeline thought as she observed outside her window. She estimated that it was early afternoon and quickly changed into a white dress that was simple and didn't require much fuss. She tied her hair quickly and put on her shoes as well. She ran towards the end of the hall and entered her father's chambers, the sight before her was not a sight she wanted to see. Her father looked worse and Merlin, Gauis, and Lord Geoffrey of Monmouth were there looking solemnly to one another. Gaius and Lord Geoffrey left the room, not really strong enough to face the young girl in front of them. She noted how Lord Geoffrey had a piece of parchment with him and a box (a box that was only used to proclaim an important decree, testament, titles, land properties, ect).
"Merlin, is everything alright?" Edeline asked a bit nervous now seeing the talkative and affable Merlin put out like a candle's flame. He looked at Edeline with sorrowful eyes and then looked back at the King who was panting and sweating far too much for Edeline's liking. He lowered his head and shook a "no" to the girl. Edeline, then strove forward stroke her father's hair, noting how cold he was getting and the rapid shivers he was having.
"Both Gauis and I tried to mend his wound, but the sword had pierce to a vital organ... we couldn't get the wound to stop bleeding and when we did he lost a lot of blood and got infected with the some of the wraith's essence. We tried to cure him as best as we can, but it is out of our hands now... I am sorry Edeline. I wish I could have done more," Merlin said as he saw the princess's eyes fill with dread and realization. She shook her head vehemently as if trying to wake up from this nightmare, only this time she couldn't. She knew this was her reality and here there would be no mysterious person to become her savior. Edeline then clutched her father's hand and saw him stir. The king had opened his eyes and smiled when he saw his daughter next to him, and she tried to smile back but she knew too well what was to come. "Father, please tell me it's not true."
"Merlin, please... I need to speak to my daughter, alone. Will you give us this time, please?" King Jayden asked breathing heavily but with a smile on. Merlin nodded and left both father and daughter to talk. Jayden redirected his gaze towards his daughter.
"Father, I would do almost anything to make this right, to keep you here. Keep fighting," Edeline pleaded to her fleeting father.
"Edeline... Oh my winter rose, I know I leave our kingdom in good hands," he caressed his daughter's cheek and smiled a serene smile, "Remember Edeline, a true monarch is measured by their courage, selflessness, humility, patience, compassion, and most importantly the strength of their heart. My daughter you are destined for much more than you know... I'm sorry for not being able to tell you, but you will know soon. I-I can go in peace now."
"No, father, no! Please, father, don't say goodbye, please don't just give up. I'm not ready, please stay with me," Edeline urged clutching her father's hand which she noticed was growing colder by the second.
"Edeline, you will be a wonderful queen. Be good and always follow your heart- I-I love you and give them back in the castle this message too and a kiss from me," he kissed his daughter's forehead and held her as tightly as he could, looking up into the ceiling, "Thank you, for giving me enough life to be with my love, and for blessing our family. Thank you for everything... Clara, my love, I-"
And with that the King had let out his last breath and Edeline looked up at her father, his eyes were closed and looked as if he were sleeping. A smile painted his now cold lips and his arms went limp. Edeline still clutched her father's shirt. "Father! NO! No, please father don't leave me! No! Father, please I can't lose you too! Father, please don't leave me father! FATHER! Please, No! NO!" In that moment Edeline did not notice the crowd in the room that is until Uther approached her and tried to coax her away from the now passed king. His eyes showed a broken king inside of Uther Pendragon, possibly his only friend had died and he felt responsible for it. Edeline continued clutching her father letting all the tears to continue. Arthur had his eyes misted and approached Edeline cautiously, Morgana was quietly crying seeing her friend in a similar position she once had to endure. Gwen also was crying knowing what it was like to have a parent die in your arms, she turned to Merlin and embraced him, crying into his shirt. Merlin, was also crying, the king and him had a conversation before his passing, it didn't make sense at the time but now it became clear. Looking at Edeline the young princess, and recently discovered heir apparent, she had a kingdom on her shoulders as well as a destiny to fulfill, seeing the pain, and the broken pieces of her soul in those eyes made him want to comfort her, but he knew he couldn't do so openly.
"Edeline, I am sorry. Your father was a great man and the most loyal friend and loving father... we must take him and prepare a proper burial," he tried to get Edeline away but her hold on her father tighten. He tried again but she would not let go. Arthur then tried but the result was the same. Uther then, with heaviness in his heart, called in Sir Leon, a few knights and Gaius, he motioned Arthur. Sir Leon grabbed Edeline from one shoulder and then Arthur grabbed her other shoulder, but then Edeline went wild. She thrashed away from their hold still clutching her father. They tried again with a tight hold on her and pulled her back, she kept her hold but it was slipping slowly."NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOO! Father! NOOOOOO! LET ME GO! DON'T TAKE ME AWAY FROM HIM! NOO!" Sir Leon and Arthur held Edeline still as Gaius approached them, they allowed the physician to pour the liquid into her mouth and then Arthur held her nose and Leon covered her mouth stopping her from spitting out the liquid. She drank the liquid and kept thrashing about and soon she began to slow down. "No! Father, please... don't take him... please..." the world became black for Edeline. Everyone stared at girl and they all empathized with her. Sir, Leon carried her to her chambers, Arthur & Merlin followed making sure Gauis's potion would work and wanting to take care of Edeline. As more knights approached the bed they all carried off King Jayden body and they prepared him for the burial, Uther thought about his friends words... "you'll be a wonderful queen". Did he make Edeline his heir? He pondered this as he left the room. In the room Morgana and Gwen soon left and went to Edeline's room, both in silent agreement that they would spend the night in Edeline's room. Unbeknownst to all, except for two, this was the beginning of Edeline's destiny.