II: A Newcomer to Camelot
Princess Clarissa, now only 25-years-old, sits in the cave deep beneath the castle with the Great Dragon Kilgharrah as they talk for hours. "No young man or woman, no matter how great, can know their destiny. They cannot glimpse their part in the great story that is about to unfold." He says, and the brunette rolls her eyes as she hears the same thing again. "Like everyone, they must live and learn. And so it will be for the young Warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot." She looks up at him in shock as he smiles at her. "A boy that will in time father a legend. His name: Merlin."
"You always surprise me, Kilgharrah, but are you sure that it's today?" She asks him.
"I am sure, and you will know soon enough," He tells her, and she smiles, getting to her feet, being careful, and dusting herself off. "I will see you again, dear one."
"Goodbye for now," She waves as she walks up the steps she's grown accustomed to as she heads upstairs, knowing what is to come.
~ FASCINATING ~
The Princess walks through the castle halls and hears the sound of horns and drums coming from the main square; she stops to see the people of Camelot gathering for the public execution of another caught practising Magic. She opens the window as she watches, as the trumpets sound out and the crowd falls silent except for the steady rhythm of the drums, the people watching the hiddenness of their king's hatred for Magic. Clarissa frowns as she watches, fearing for people like her and those that practise the art of Magic; she feels someone standing behind her and sees her best friend Prince Arthur of Camelot. Though he may be a prat to others, he was always kind to her; he knew her darkest secret and keeps them secret from his own father, and she loves him for it, though she fears it's one-sided. "Why are you watching this? You'll have nightmares again," He warns her as he tries to pry her away.
"It's not right, what your father does," She tells him, and he closes the windows, but they don't move away as he holds her in his arms, trying to give her some sort of comfort.
"I know," He whispers.
"Let this serve as a lesson to you all." King Uther Pendragon speaks from a balcony overlooking the main square with knights flanking his sides. "This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and Magic. And pursuant to the Laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death." The crowd breaks out into murmurs, and Clarissa grips tightly onto Arthur's shirt. "I pride myself as a fair and just King, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." The drums sound again, Clarissa closes her eyes, but she hears the sound of the chop and the crowd gasping; Arthur brushes his hand overhead, trying to soothe her as she cries. "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help, Magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate nearly 30 years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin." He announces, and Clarissa stops her crying, prying the window open, feeling a burst of Magic, seeing an elderly woman in rags standing in the centre of the crowd as they part due to her loud cries of loss.
"There is only one evil in this land!" The woman shouts. "And it is not Magic. It is you! Your hatred and your ignorance…" She cries and points back to the execution platform. "You took my son. I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears! An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…" Her voice breaks as she tries to hold back the tears. "A son for a son." Clarissa seizes Arthur's hand in hers as she fears the worse for her crush, who looks just as worried about the threat on his life.
"Seize her!" Uther orders his knights, but as they descend on the elderly lady, she gets out her pendant that hangs around her neck, hissing a spell. A second later, the wind picks up, and in a cloud of dust, she disappears, floating away from the courtyard on the breeze, escaping arrest. The people-watching all look in shock at the quick escape of the elderly sorceress, and Clarissa looks in fear; the crowd quickly disperses, and a young man walks through towards the castle, seeing two guards standing nearby.
"Where would I find Gaius, the Court Physician?" Merlin asks the guards, and one guard point to the door close by, and he points over to it. "There." He questions and walks inside the castle.
~ FASCINATING ~
Princess Clarissa storms into her chambers with Prince Arthur walking behind her, trying to calm her down. "This is ridiculous; you have nothing to do with your father's hatred for Magic!" She snaps and waves her hands in the air, her eyes flaring golden.
"I know, it'll be okay; I can protect myself." He tells her, trying to reassure the frightened Princess.
"You're my best friend, Artie; please don't leave me alone; I can't lose anyone else." She says in a small voice, and he pulls her into a hug.
~ FASCINATING ~
On the other side of the castle, Gaius sits in his workspace as he opens Hunith, the mother of Merlin's letter, as Merlin unpacks before heading for bed. "My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and know not who to trust. It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin was not so. Ours is a small village, and he is so clearly at odds with people here that I fear what would become of him if he were to remain. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. So I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe. And may God save you both." Gaius finishes reading the letter, placing it down along with his glasses and looks over to where Merlin's room resides, thinking of the orphaned Princess, who too has Magic she was born with, powerful Magic. He thinks of asking the young woman if he would teach him the ways of Magic but holds it off for now.
~ FASCINATING ~
Lucy walks into Princess Clarissa's bed chambers and sees her changed for the evening dinner, and smiles. "You'll put me out of a job one day," She jokes and sees the sad look on her best friend's face. "Is it about that poor man earlier today?" She asks, and the brunette nods.
"I wish we could be free," She replies as she stands in front of her mirror as Lucy places the Princess' hair into a bun, and there's a knock at the door; Prince Arthur walks in dressed for the dinner.
"Are you ready?" He asks the woman, and she nods, putting her necklace on and smiles at Lucy, placing her arm on her arm as she leaves.
"Thank you, Lu," She smiles as she joins Arthur at the door; he takes her hand, lacing her arm through his.
~ FASCINATING ~
Inside the hallway outside the banquet hall, Morgana stands by the window, avoiding King Uther as the others all sit inside the room eating, trying to celebrate; the King's Ward stands by the window looking out into the empty courtyard with the executioner's block and axe. Finally, Uther has enough, walks out of the room, sees his Ward standing by the window, and walks over to her. "Morgana?" He calls out to her, and she turns to him.
"Yes?" She asks, turning around, wanting to walk away.
"What is this? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" He asks her.
"I just don't think that chopping someone's head off is a fun way to start a party." She says and turns her head, looking back out into the courtyard. "That poor mother."
"It was simple justice for what he'd done." He replies, his hatred for Magic bubbling to the surface.
"To whom? He practised some Magic. He didn't hurt anyone." She argues.
"You were not around 30 years ago," He sneers back at her. "You have no idea what it was like."
"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?" She asks him.
"Until they realise there is no room for Magic in my kingdom." He tells her, trying to show his authority. "You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen."
"I told you I want no part of these celebrations-" She tries to argue as he walks away.
"I am your guardian!" He snaps at her, turning back around to face her. "I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect, at least respect one of the finest singers." He says and walks away.
"You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you'll create." She yells after him as he walks back into the room.
~ FASCINATING ~
Inside the banquet hall, King Uther walks back inside in a foul mood as he makes his way to the end table with Princess Clarissa and Prince Arthur as they talk and eat; seeing the foul mood the king is in, everyone returns to their conversations. "Morgan again?" Clarissa questions softly at the blond sitting next to her.
"I think so," He agrees with a smile, making her shake her head at his childishness to their older friend.
"You really must stop teasing her; it was her that got one of the maids to release a rat in your room last week." She informs him, and the smile wipes off his face.
"That was her?" He asks her in shock.
"I never said that," She denies with a smirk on her painted lips.
~ FASCINATING ~
The next day, Princess Clarissa walks along the castle wall with Lucy. As they talk, she sees her best friend Prince Arthur with the Knights, meaning he'll act completely obnoxious towards others. She stops with her faithful lady-in-waiting to see Arthur picking on one of the servants as he tries to help the knights with their training. "Where's the target?" Arthur asks Thomas, who acts slightly confused.
"There, sir," He answers, pointing at it.
"It's into the sun," Arthur argues, and Clarissa shakes her head at him.
"God forbid," She mutters, making her friend giggle.
"Well, it's not that bright," Thomas argues with the Prince.
"Bit like you then?" The blond jokes, and the other knights' laugh.
"I'll put the target down the other end, shall I, sir?" He questions and picks up the target walking away.
"Teach him a lesson," One of the knights tells the Prince.
"This will teach him," Arthur guarantees and gets out one of his throwing knives, striking the target in the centre.
"He's gotten better," Lucy comments, making the Princess smile.
"Hey, hang on!" Thomas shrieks as he looks at the dagger.
"Don't stop," Arthur tells him, and he keeps moving backwards.
"Here?" He asks.
"I told you to keep moving!" He orders and throws another dagger, hitting dead centre. "Come on!" He tries to encourage the scared manservant. "Run!" Thomas moves the target to cover his body as he quickly moves to the side. "We want some moving target practice!" He argues and keeps throwing more daggers at the poor servant; Gwenievre sees her friends watching something and looks over to see the Prince humiliating another servant. Thomas stumbles as he moves from left to right as Arthur throws weapons at him and loses his grip on the handle, and the target cartwheels away towards Merlin. The manservant picks up the fallen target when Merlin places his boot on the wooden oversized shield.
"Hi. Come on, that's enough," Merlin informs the Prince, stopping the laughter.
"I think things have just got interesting," Clarissa comments.
"What?" Arthur asks the stranger.
"You've had your fun, my friend," Merlin tells him.
"Do I know you?" Arthur asks him as he walks towards him.
"Uh, I'm Merlin," He introduces himself, and Clarissa hears the name, letting out a gasp; Lucy looks at her friend with worry.
"So I don't know you," He confirms as he walks over, ignoring Merlin's outstretched hand.
"No," He replies.
"Yet you called me "Friend."" He points out.
"That was my mistake," Merlin replies.
"Yes, I think so," The blond nods in agreement.
"Yeah, I'd never had a friend who could be such an ass." The Warlock retorts; Clarissa would have laughed if she wasn't in shock to hear the Dragon's words come true.
"Or I one who could be so stupid. Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?" Arthur asks him as he walks over to him as the crowd grows as they watch their Prince and a commoner.
"No," He answers.
"Would you like me to help you?" He asks the Warlock.
"I wouldn't if I were you," Merlin warns him.
"Why? What are you gonna do to me?" He asks with a grin.
"You have no idea," He warns the blond.
"Be my guest. Come on. Come on! Come on," He encourages him, and Merlin takes a swing at the blond, who backs away in time, taking the offending arm and pulling it behind the Warlock's back; he grunts in pain. "I'll have you thrown in jail for that," Arthur informs him as he leans close to his ear.
"Who do you think you are, the King?" Merlin asks him.
"No, I'm his son," He replies.
"Arthur!" Clarissa shouts from her place; the blond looks up to see his best friend with a frown on her face, he lets go of the Warlock, but two guards take him, sending him away.
"Cissy!" Arthur calls out to her as she walks away in a hurry. "Clarissa!" He shouts and runs after her, his knights laughing at his misfortune. Gwen smiles as she watches the Prince running after the Princess, trying to catch up to her.
~ FASCINATING ~
Princess Clarissa walks with Lucy to the council room with King Uther sitting as he goes over the issues with his council; a knight informs him of his son's actions about the young man who tried to punch the Prince when the Princess storms in. "I take it you wish to talk about the young man, Merlin, that was thrown into the dungeons?" Uther asks the brunette, who nods. "Well, he did try to hit my son,"
"Only because Arthur was bullying his manservant again, who wishes to be moved into the kitchens, and this Merlin was standing up to Arthur." She replies firmly; Uther looks at her with a smile seeing her late father.
"I see; well, I can place Thomas in the kitchens, but the man who attacked my son will stay in the dungeons." The King tells her.
"I'm afraid, Uther that boy, Merlin is my Ward, he arrived today," Gaius informs his oldest friend, who looks at him in shock.
"I see," Uther sighs.
"He didn't even know who Arthur was, let it be just a small punishment; I don't see why he should be punished for defending someone from a bully," Clarissa tells him, and he nods.
"Very well, he'll stay in the dungeons for the night, but he will be in the stocks for the day tomorrow." The King tells them.
"Very well," The Princess agrees. "Thank you, your Highness," She curtsies before leaving to join Lucy outside.
~ FASCINATING ~
Later that night, Lady Helen with her escort arrive in Camelot; they stop their horses in the courtyard of the castle, a guard helps the Lady down from her horse, she looks carefully in a puddle of water, seeing her original face of Mary Collins and hurries into the castle for the night.
~ FASCINATING ~
Early the next morning in the Throne Room, the door open to reveal Lady Helen; she walks inside towards the throne with King Uther sitting with his council to his left and his Wards with their Ladies-in-waiting to his right. He smiles at the beautiful woman in purple as she walks closer; he gets up from his throne and meets her part of the way with his arms out to his side. "Lady Helen," He greets her. "Thank you so much for coming to sing at our celebrations." She curtsies quickly.
"The pleasure's all mine," She replies with a smile.
"How was your journey?" He asks her, making conversation.
"Oh, the time it took, Sire," She replies with a fake sigh, making the Princess roll her eyes.
"Well, it's always worth the wait," He kisses her hands, she makes sure not to cringe as he lets go of her hands; she plays with her pendant around her neck, hidden.
"It will be," She promises.
~ FASCINATING ~
Down in the dungeons of the King's Palace, Merlin in a deep sleep as he lies on the floor of the cell, when a voice calls out his name, waking the young Warlock from his sleep, it keeps calling his name, he jumps to his feet, backing away from his spot as it calls out his name. He steps closer and kneels down, pressing his ear to the stone floor. "Merlin!" Gaius calls to him in frustration as he makes his way into the now open cell. "You never cease to amaze me. The one thing that someone like you should do is keep your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot."
"I'm sorry," Merlin apologises quickly.
"You're lucky. The Princess managed to pull a few strings with the King to get you released." Gaius informs the Warlock, who looks at him in shock.
"The Princess? Wait, really?" He asks, growing excited to get out of the dungeons. "I won't forget this, thank you,"
"Well, there is a small price to pay," The Physician informs him as he walks away.
~ FASCINATING ~
In the lower town of Camelot on the street, Merlin stands in the stocks as the city's children throw rotten fruits and vegetables at the fool stuck with nowhere to go. "Oh, God," He groans as the children laugh, throwing more fruits and vegetables at the man with the crowd crowing. On a walk to deliver his medicines to the people, Gaius sees Merlin in the stocks; he watches for a second and can't help the laugh that escapes; Merlin sees the elderly man, who laughs as he walks away. "Thanks!" He shouts at him as the children continue to throw rotten food at him but soon run out of ammo; Gwenievre and Lucy shopping, see the Warlock and walk over; he sees them and turns to face the beautiful Ladies-in-waiting.
"I'm Gwenievre, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." She introduces herself.
"I'm Lady Lucy, but most people call me Lucy; I'm Princess Clarissa's maid." She introduces herself with a shy smile.
"Right. Well, I'm Merlin…" He introduces himself and tries shaking their hands, and they struggle with the shackles around his wrists, keeping him in the stocks. "Although most people just call me 'Idiot.'"
"No, no, we saw what you did," Gwen tells him.
"You're so brave," Lucy tells him with a smile.
"It was stupid," He sighs as he's now in this situation.
"Well, we're glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him." Gwen comments.
"Oh, I...I could beat him." Merlin argues with a slight chuckle.
"You think?" Lucy asks him, checking him out. "Because you don't look like one of these big muscly kind of fellows."
"Thanks," He replies, a little hurt by the beautiful blond's words.
"No! No. I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just Arthur's one of these real rough and tough save-the-world kind of men and, well…" She stutters over her words.
"What?" He asks her.
"You don't look like that," Gwen finishes for the blushing blond; he looks around and tries pulling them in closer.
"I'm in disguise," He tells them, and Gwen laughs, making the other two laugh.
"Well, it's great you stood up to him." She tells him.
"You think so?" Merlin asks her in surprise.
"Arthur's a little bit of a bully. And everyone thought you were a real hero." So Lucy tells him, and they stare at each other.
"Oh, yeah?" He asks her, and she nods with a hum of agreement. "Oh, excuse me, Lucy, Gwenievre, my fans are waiting." He sees the children back with more rotten fruits and vegetables, and the women walk past him with a small wave before they continue to throw things at him. Though he can't help but smile as he thinks of the beautiful blond, Lady Lucy, maid to Princess Clarissa.
~ FASCINATING ~
Gwenievre and Lucy walk into Princess Clarissa's room giggling to each other and see the Princess and the Lady Morgana sitting at the table as they enjoy their supper; the two newcomers stop their giggling, seeing the women as they watch them. "What has you both smiling?" Morgana asks them.
"Nothing, Lady Morgana," Lucy replies, fighting the smile.
"She saw that boy that you put in the stocks for standing up to Prince Arthur," Gwen informs them.
"I see, and it wasn't me who put him in the stocks; that was Uther," Clarissa argues lightly with the maid. "How is he doing?" She asks them.
"He was okay; he seems nice," Lucy says as she walks over to the table.
"Are you blushing?" Morgana asks her, seeing the faint blush on Lucy's cheeks.
"No!" She denies.
"She seemed awfully smitten with him when we went over to talk to him." Gwen jumps in, and they start to tease the blond.
~ FASCINATING ~
In the Court Physician's chambers, Merlin is out of the stocks for the day and sits down for supper with Gaius, who places a bowl of food down in front of the now clean Merlin. "Do you want some vegetables with that?" He asks with a tease. Merlin laughs at his cheek for bringing it up.
"I know you're still angry with me," Merlin smiles as Gaius sits down in front of him.
"Your mother asked me to look after you," Gaius reminds him.
"Yes," He sighs in reply.
"What did your mother say to you about your gifts?" He asks.
"That I was special," The Warlock replies.
"You are special, the likes of which I've only seen once before," Gaius tells him, and the dark-haired man hears that.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks him with a frown.
"Well, Magic requires incantations, spells; it takes years to study; what I saw you do was elemental, instinctive." He explains, hoping that Merlin doesn't ask about who.
"What's the point if it can't be used?" He asks him.
"That I do not know. You are a question that has only been posed once before without an answer, Merlin." Gaius tells him.
"Did you ever study Magic?" He asks his new guardian.
"Uther banned all such work nearly 30 years ago." He informs him as an answer, which peaks Merlin's interest.
"Why?" He asks.
"People used Magic for the wrong end at that time. It threw the natural order into chaos. So Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, even the Dragons." So he tells the young Warlock, knowing he was once part of the Magic loving realm Falian before King Cenred took over.
"What, all of them?" Merlin asks him, growing ever more interested.
"There was one Dragon he chose not to kill; he kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle where no one can free it." Gaius explains. "Ah, eat up. When you've finished, I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice." He tells him, and they start eating their food. "I'll make two, give the other one to Princess Clarissa; she'll need it for tonight," He smiles, wanting the young Warlock to meet the young Witch.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin walks inside the Lady Helen's chambers but doesn't see her anywhere; he walks over to the vanity, placing the first vial, seeing the voodoo doll and a spellbook covered by some cloth, he looks it over but hears someone walking outside, and rushes to return everything back to how he found it and turns to face Lady Helen. "What are you doing in here?" She asks him.
"I'm...um, I was asked to deliver this," He tells her and turns to pick up the vial, not seeing the reflection of Mary Collins in the mirror and places the vial in her hand with a hesitant smile before leaving.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin walks in the corridor after leaving Lady Helen's room and walks away though he looks worried about what he saw and walks further into the castle, but can't help shake the bad feeling he got from Lady Helen.
~ FASCINATING ~
He knocks on the door of Princess Clarissa's room, but there's no answer; he opens the door to see the room empty; he steps inside and places the vial on the vanity again, thankful not to see anything that comes across as strange and goes to walk out when he hears a noise from behind him. He turns around to come across the beautiful brunette he saw shout at Prince Arthur; he stares at her beauty, feeling a familiar sense towards her. "Can I help you?" She asks him, smiling at him as she puts on the family ring that grows with her.
"I was told to bring this to you," He tells her, pointing to the vial on her vanity.
"I see. Thank you, Merlin," She replies, and he looks at her in shock. "Lucy told me about your little meeting," She informs him, and he nods.
"Oh, I see; thank you for getting me out of the dungeon." He says.
"Of course, I wish I could've gotten you out of the stocks, but Uther was very persistent that you be punished for almost harming his son." She explains.
"Of course, thank you again," He says and walks back towards the door.
"It was lovely to meet you, Merlin," She smiles, and her eyes flare gold; he catches it, stumbling a little before rushing out of the room. "Kilggharrah, you have some high expectations," She mumbles to herself.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin hurries out of the castle down into the lower town, walking down the street with the people, still busy for late afternoon, and comes across Prince Arthur with some of his knights, he tries walking away, but Arthur stops turning around. "How's your knee-walking coming along?" Arthur asks, but Merlin keeps walking. "Aw, don't run away," He whines and Merlin stops in his tracks.
"From you?" Merlin questions, growing tired.
"Ah, thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb." Arthur sighs, acting harshly to the young man.
"Look, I've told you you're an ass." He says and turns around to face them. "I just didn't realise you were a royal one. Oh, what are you going to do? You got your daddy's men to protect you?" Arthur laughs at his jab.
"I could take you apart with one blow." He laughs with confidence.
"I could take you apart with less than that," Merlin warns him.
"Are you sure?" Arthur asks, and Merlin, having enough, takes off his coat, causing the Prince to laugh.
~ FASCINATING ~
After the fight between Prince Arthur and Merlin, Gaius takes his new Ward back to their chambers while Arthur is sent to his father. "How could you be so foolish?" Gaius snaps at the young Warlock once they enter the room.
"He needed to be taught a lesson," Merlin argues.
"Magic must be studied, mastered and used for good, not for idiotic pranks," Gaius tells him with anger.
"What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk." The Warlock snaps, growing angry at having to hide his gifts.
"Then, by now, you should know how to control yourself." He reasons, frustrated.
"I don't want to. If I can't use Magic, what have I got? I'm just a nobody, and I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die." He says and walks away to his room and closes the door behind him; Princess Clarissa opens the door with her Magical vial box.
"Sorry to intrude on you, Gaius," She says as she closes the door behind herself.
"It's quite alright, my dear; how can I help you?" He asks her, trying to put on a smile.
"I heard your disagreement with Merlin, and Arthur told me about his fight. I just finished biting his head off, and I thought I should see how he's doing." She tells him, and he nods.
"Thank you, my dear, but he'll be alright," He assures her, and she nods, holding out her gold and glass box.
"I thought these might help; they're infused with Magic to help the healing," She tells him, and he nods while taking them. "I know you sent him to me; I already knew about him; he's something special." She says, and he places the box back into her hands.
"I think someone who knows how he feels will be better company." So he tells her, smiles, takes the box and walks up the steps towards Merlin's room.
~ FASCINATING ~
She knocks on the door before opening it to see the Warlock lying on his bed, facing away from her; she sits on the edge of his bed, placing the box on the nightstand. "Merlin?" She calls out to him; he bolts up and looks at her in shock, seeing the beautiful Princess sitting in his room.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" He asks her in shock.
"I thought you'd be in some pain from your fight with Arthur and came to give you this," She tells him and takes out one of the glass vials that has a blue elixir inside.
"What is it?" He asks her, taking the vial with hesitance.
"It's a small healing spell, helps repair small cuts and bruises," She informs him, and he downs the elixir.
"Your eyes, they turned gold," He says as he watches the Princess as she places the box in her lap.
"They did," She confirms; he looks at her in shock, wondering why she told him. "We're special Merlin, we have a greater purpose than most." She tells him with a smile and stands up.
"So you don't know why we were born like this?" He asks her, and she stops at the door.
"Someone else older than even Gaius might have the answers, head down deep, go when it's dark." She tells him and stops before leaving. "We're not monsters; we're amazing," She smiles and sees the smile on his face before leaving him to his thoughts.
~ FASCINATING ~
Princess Clarissa sleeps in her room as the night passes, and she smiles as she hears the Dragon calling out for the young Warlock, who needs answers more than anything.
~ FASCINATING ~
In Merlin's room, he sleeps on his bed when he hears his name being called and awakens in surprise, remembering what Princess Clarissa said before; he sits up in his bed, putting on his boots and climbs out of his bed, putting on his jacket.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin walks down from his room into Gaius' on his way, seeing his guardian sleeping soundly, hearing the heavy snoring coming from him, and almost hits the table, making a slight noise; he stops in his tracks. He checks to see if Gaius has awoken, but with luck, he's still asleep; he goes to move, seeing the blanket has moved down and uses his Magic to pull it over his sleeping guardian. Then, he quietly makes his way towards the door, careful not to wake as he opens the door and closes it in a hurry.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin sneaks around the empty castle hallways to the courtyard and across towards the dungeons as the Great Dragon continues to call his name; he walks down the steps to see two guards keeping a lookout; they play a game of dice. Merlin sees his opportunity and uses his Magic to fling the dice away; the two guards look at each other before getting up, Merlin continues to throw the dice away, and they follow after them without question through a door; Merlin rushes down the rest of the steps, checking the coast is clear. He picks up an unlit torch, lights it aflame from one of the lit torches, and looks around the dungeon until he sees a step of stairs going further down. He cautiously steps down and hears his name being called again, but it's slightly louder, and he comes to the bottom of the step, and the voice grows louder; he heads down to his left and sees statues broken on the ground and keeps walking.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin walks into the cavern that stretches out underneath the King's Palace above; he looks in awe at the enormous cavern and hears a throaty, deep chuckle coming from the darkness. He steps forward, trying to find the owner of the voice, but it's too dark. "Where are you?" He demands, and there's a rushing of wind, coming from the darkness with a growl as Kilgharrah swoops down, spooking the Warlock. Merlin takes a step back as he watches the Great Dragon perch himself on a nearby rock at eye level; he watches the mythical beast sit on the rock, his golden scales shining through the dim lighting.
"I'm here," He announces as he makes himself comfortable, and Merlin steps away, growing cautious of the large beast in front of him, wondering why Princess Clarissa sent him here. "How small you are for such a great destiny."
"Why? What do you mean?" Merlin asks him, growing slightly brave. "What destiny?"
"Your gift, Merlin," He tells him as he rests on the rock. "Was given to you for a reason."
"So there is a reason?" He asks him.
"Ha. Arthur is the Once and Future King, with his Queen, Clarissa, who will unite the land of Albion." So he tells him, but it just leaves the Warlock confused.
"Right," He draws out.
"But they face many threats from friends and foes alike." He warns him.
"I don't see what this has to do with me," Merlin questions.
"Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion. Without you, there will be no Queen Clarissa." He tells him.
"No. no, you've got this wrong," Merlin argues with the Great Dragon.
"There is no right or wrong, only what is and what isn't." He argues.
"I'm serious. If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand." So Merlin tells him that since his first two meetings with the Prince were not good, the Dragon can't help but chuckle at his words.
"None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And none of us can escape it." He tells him.
"No," He shakes his head in denial. "No way, no. no, there must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot."
"Perhaps it's your destiny to help change that," He tells him and unfurls his wings, flying up away.
"Wait...wait!" Merlin shouts after him. "Wait, stop. I need to know more." He doesn't get a reply as the Great Dragon flies away.
~ FASCINATING ~
Merlin walks through the castle to Morgana's chambers, sees the door ajar, steps in seeing the beautiful Lady Morgana, stares a little, and sees Princess Clarissa in the room; he goes to leave as Morgana moves around the room. "I've been thinking about Arthur," Clarissa starts the conversation, both women not seeing Merlin.
"If I was you, I wouldn't touch Arthur with a lance poll." She comments to her best friend.
"Thank you, Morgan, such an original opinion," Clarissa remarks as she stands from her seat.
"Pass me that dress, will you, Gwen?" Morgana asks, thinking Merlin is her maid; Clarissa looks over in shock to see Merlin and waves him off.
"What are you doing here?" She asks him.
"This!" He whispers-yells, and she nods, taking the vial.
"Thank you,"
"I mean, the man's a total jester," Morgana comments as Merlin leaves the room. "Just because you're the Princess. That doesn't mean you have to accompany him to the feast, does it?" She asks, and Clarissa places the vial on Morgana's vanity and takes the dress, walking over to the screen as Morgana changes.
"I suppose not, but I did promise him," She argues lightly.
"Well, I think you should wear that dress Gwen helped make; what do you think?" She asks, and with luck, Gwen walks inside the room.
"I couldn't agree more," Gwen nods, and Clarissa looks over to her as Lucy walks in.
"If so, we're going to need all the help we can get." Lucy jokes, and Clarissa fakes a glare.
~ FASCINATING ~
Later that night, in the King's Castle Banquet Hall with a grand setting, lavish furnishing on the long rectangular tables on either side of the room as everyone stand mingling, Merlin and Gaius walk into the room and look around, seeing Arthur with his knights, messing around. "Here comes Merlin," One of them says, alerting the Prince, who turns around and sees Lady Morgana in a beautiful red dress, but his focus isn't on her; it's on Princess Clarissa in a gorgeous red dress as they walk in, their arms linked together.
"God have mercy!" Arthur gasps at the beautiful sight in front of him, the woman he's been in love with since they were young. The gorgeous women walk down the middle of the tables, passing everyone, leaving them slack-jawed.
"Merlin," Gaius snaps his Ward out of his stare after Lady Morgana, but he can't help but look out for the blond maid he remembers fondly. "Remember, you're here to work."
"Fine," He mutters, and Gaius walks off; he spots Arthur walking over to the ladies; they begin to talk when Gwen walks over.
"They look great, don't they?" Gwen asks him as they look over to the women.
"Yeah," He agrees but looks out for Lucy, not seeing her anywhere.
"Some people are just born to be Queen." She comments, thinking of her friend, Clarissa.
"Who?" He asks.
"Clarie, I mean…Princess Clarissa." She corrects herself. "Though, I feel bad for her; who'd want to marry Arthur?"
"Oh, come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough save-the-world kind of men." Lucy questions as she steps up behind them, spooking them; Merlin looks in awe at the beautiful green dress. "To be honest, I like much more ordinary men like you."
"Lucy, believe me, I'm not ordinary." He chuckles.
"No, I didn't mean you...obviously. Not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men...like you." She tries to argue but can't help the blush coating her cheeks; Gwen giggles as she watches the scene in front of her.
"Thanks," Merlin mutters, feeling a little hurt by her words; she quickly walks over to the table, standing next to her father. "Who's that?" He asks Gwen.
"That's her father, Sir Richard; he's a Knight of Falian from Princess Clarissa's home." She informs him, and he looks in shock, someone who survived the fall, and the Princess was the sole survivor of the Lovechild royal family. Before he can ask anything else, the trumpets sound the arrival of the King, everyone stands by their chairs, servants standing by the wall, Arthur lends Morgana and Clarissa to the main table as King Uther steps into the room, making his walk down the middle of the tables towards the main table, stopping to face the guests.
"We have enjoyed close to 30 years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the Kingdom and myself many pleasures. But few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora." He claps, and everyone else joins in as he walks around the main table to his seat in the middle and everyone sits as Lady Helen steps onto the small little stage at the entrance to the banquet hall. Everyone all watches her with interest as the music begins and she begins to sing; Clarissa feels her head begin to ache as she continues to sing, the feeling intensifies, everyone begins to grow drowsy as Lady Helen sings the hauntingly beautiful notes through the grand hall, the people begins to drift into sleep, growing lack. The room grows darker as the candles blow out, the colour drains from the people's faces, cobwebs begin to weave over the guests, the food on the tables grows rotten, the cobwebs grow thicker around the room. Lady Helen continues to sing, her voice becoming louder as she walks closer to Arthur, Merlin with his hands over his ears, trying to block out the incantation; he sees the Princess sitting next to Arthur, covering her ears in pain. Merlin watches as Lady Helen sings the incantation grow in volume and takes out a dagger intended for Arthur; she raises it over her head; Merlin looks up to see a chandelier directly above, his eyes flaring gold, using his Magic to cut the rope. The chandelier falls towards Lady Helen, knocking her down onto the stone floor, the spell breaking as she stops her incantation; Merlin fakes being asleep, as everyone begins to awaken, seeing the cobwebs, swatting them away. Uther looks in shock at the figure under the chandelier to see Mary Collins lying unconscious; Arthur sees Clarissa in pain and checks on her when the Sorceress awakens, grabbing the dagger. She uses the distracted Arthur and throws it towards him, Merlin without thinking, uses his Magic to slow time down; his feet move on their own as he runs towards Arthur as the dagger spins towards him. Merlin grabs Arthur by the shoulder, being careful of Clarissa and pulls him away from his chair; time speeds back up, and they fall to the floor as the dagger harshly embeds itself in the chair. Mary Collins gasps in defeat and falls to the ground dead, and Clarissa jumps in shock as they lie on the floor, Arthur quickly jumps to his feet to show the brunette he's okay, and Merlin stumbles to his feet.
"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid." Uther says to the humble-looking Warlock.
"Oh, well…" Merlin tries to stop him, not liking the attention.
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded." Uther tells him.
"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness." He tries to argue.
"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special." So he tells him, and he stops his protest.
"Well…"
"You shall be awarded with a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant." He announces, and everyone applauses.
"Father!" Arthur exclaims in protest; Clarissa giggles as Uther walks off; both men look at each other, neither happy about the new position, but Thomas looks happy, though he feels a little sorry for Merlin. Uther stands on the little platform, and Clarissa begins to hum under her breath; the room begins to return to its original state; Arthur moves to look at him, making it seem they are talking, Merlin moves back to the side with Thomas.
"Thank you all for coming," Uther says as two guards clear away the deceased remains of the Sorceress, and he clears his through as Clarissa continues to return the room back. "The witch is gone, and we have more to celebrate; I fear we will need another singer, and if our dear Princess Clarissa would grace us with her angelic voice." Clarissa stops humming and looks over at the king, rising from her chair.
"Of course," She smiles and walks around the main table towards the platform, joining Uther; he smiles, taking her hands before walking back to the main table, Arthur changes his seat as he watches her standing on the platform, and the music begins, already prepared by the Court Physician.
"Many nights we prayed
With no proof, anyone could hear
In our hearts, a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know, there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could,
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say~
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will, ooh
You will when you believe
Oooh~
They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says, help is very near,
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
Somehow you will
Now, you will
You will when you believe"
She finishes on a haunting note; everyone stands to their feet in applause to the beautiful song, everyone taking a different message from the song.
~ FASCINATING ~
The celebrations come to an end, and Merlin sits in his room by the window when there's a knock, and Gaius walks into the room, seeing the sulking Warlock. "Seems you're a hero," He comments as he stands by him,
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Merlin questions.
"No," Gaius answers straight away. "I knew it from the moment I met you. Well, you saved my life, remember?"
"But, that was Magic," Merlin points out.
"And now it seems we've finally found a use for it," He replies with a smile.
"What do you mean?" He asks him.
"I saw how you saved Arthur's life," He says, and Merlin instantly shakes his head.
"Ah, no," He protests.
"Perhaps that's its purpose," He says, and Merlin thinks it over.
"My destiny," He lets slip.
"Indeed. This book was given to me when I was your age," Gaius says and steps over to the inexperienced Warlock, showing the book; Merlin jumps to his feet as he looks over the book. "But I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." He hands over the red cloth-covered book; Merlin takes it, immediately removing the cloth to see the brown leather-bound book; he unclips the sides and leaves through the pages.
"But this is a book of Magic," Merlin grins as he looks over the spells and information.
"Which is why you must keep it hidden," Gaius warns him, thinking of the Princess.
"I will study every word," Merlin assures him with a smile he can't wipe from his face, and there's a knock at the door, stopping the happy moment.
"Merlin?" A guard calls out for the new manservant. "Prince Arthur wants you right away."
"Your destiny is calling. You'd better find out what he wants." Gaius teases him, and Merlin smiles as he places the book down and walks out of the room to Arthur's room.
~ FASCINATING ~
Princess Clarissa sits in her Magical room and looks through her spellbook and thinks of Merlin, how he saved Arthur, and sighs, knowing she needs to talk to him; she gets up, intending to talk to the new manservant and fellow Magic-user. She looks at her dog, one of the puppies from her beloved Titania, Regin a three-year-old bloodhound, lying down by her feet, she strokes his head before getting up to talk to Merlin.
~ FASCINATING ~
She finds him in Arthur's room, tidying after the messy Prince. "I see, Arthur, has left you to clean after him?" She announces as she walks into the room; Merlin looks at her in surprise at her sudden appearance. "I wished to talk to you, Witch to Warlock," She says with a smile. "I have my own Magic room that only those with Magic and Arthur can find." So she tells him, and he looks at her in shock.
"Wait, Arthur, knows about you having Magic?" He asks her, and she nods.
"Yes, but we've known each other since we were children; like you, I was born with my Magic, he understands that. I'm sure one day we won't have to be afraid to practice our Magic, but if you wish, my Magic room is open to you whenever." She tells him, and he nods.
"Thank you, I will," He tells her.
"Good, it's nice having someone else to talk to about this, someone who understands. Not that Arthur isn't good to talk to, but he doesn't understand what it's like to hide a part of yourself from everyone." She smiles at him, and he smiles, glad both of them have someone to talk about Magic, someone who knows each other's struggles.