Camelot

April, 504 AD

Dallas and I returned from a peaceful morning ride to find an agitated-looking Merlin leaning against the white fence of my horse's paddock.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I questioned.

He frowned, "You did not hear the warning bells?"

I tilted my head, "Well, no, we were away."

He huffed and glanced around nervously for a few seconds, then he motioned for me to come closer.

I hopped off my Thoroughbred and loosened his girth before moving to stand next to the sorcerer.

"Astra, I broke the law," he revealed in a whisper.

My eyes widened, "What? Without me? Rude!"

"This is a serious matter," he scolded.

"A seerioos mattah, chew say?" I repeated, mocking his accent.

"Astra!" he groaned.

"Sorry," I sighed. "What did you do?"

"A druid man and a boy were shopping in the citadel. Uther found out and sent the army after them, and they captured the man, but the boy escaped and I helped him," he explained in a whisper. "He is safe with Morgana and Gwen, for the time being, but he was injured during the chase."

I looked down as I felt my heart churning. "Oh shoot, poor kid," I mumbled. I mentally prayed that this man he'd been with, presumably his father or guardian, wasn't the only person in his life. I can't imagine what would've become of me if Gustab and Kelly hadn't taken me in… "I'm gonna talk to Uther," I stated decisively as I moved to untack Dallas.

"Do you think he will listen?" Merlin asked nervously.

"I doubt it, but I have to at least try," I replied with a shrug.

I led my horse into his paddock and then began making my way towards the castle. "Good luck!" Merlin called after me. I turned around and gave him a mock salute before continuing.

"Hey, Lee," I addressed Sir Leon as I came across him in the corridor. "Where's Uther?"

"Hello, my Lady," he greeted and I huffed at the title. "He is in the Council Chamber."

"Cool. Thanks, buddy," I gave him a small grin before jogging up to said room.

An upset-looking Arthur exited just as I reached the door. He looked down at me and sighed in a deflated manner before saying, "Do not bother, he will not change his mind about the execution."

My stomach twisted into knots at the prospect of seeing someone being executed again, and I frowned and tilted my head as I analysed the Prince, feeling stunned that he had apparently tried to talk his father out of killing the druid man. He has a kind heart when he wants to, doesn't he?

"Wow," was all I could say in a whisper.

He reached forwards to put a hand on my shoulder. I followed his movements with my gaze as my heart began to race under his warm touch, then I returned my eyes to his. They were cloudy and remorseful. "It is upsetting, I know, but there is nothing we can do," he said softly and gave me a gentle squeeze before walking away.

I stared after him for a few moments, feeling dazed while I could still feel the tingle that the small amount of physical contact had left on the skin under my hoodie. It must be because I'm not very used to being touched. Anyways, I quickly remembered the more pressing matters at hand and I shook my head to rid it of the confusing emotions I was experiencing. I need a clear mind if I want to come up with a plan B to help save the little boy!

The execution of the elder druid was inevitably staged and I decided to join Merlin and Morgana in the Lady's room in hopes of offering some moral support to the boy. My friend and… well, I guess I can call her my friend, too… They both stood by the window while looking down at the terrible event happening in the courtyard. I hung back and sat on a table, obviously not wanting to watch. I still have momentary flashbacks of Edwin's death sometimes, I do not need another nightmare to plague my mind.

I let my gaze travel to the little boy, who laid wide awake and stoic on a cot that had been brought into the room and placed behind the dressing screen. His straight black hair was damp with sweat, purple bags adorned his eyes, which were a striking blue, and he seemed scared out of his mind – which, obviously, wasn't unexpected. My heart churned at the sight of him. He couldn't be older than maybe thirteen.

"People of Camelot," Uther's voice shook the walls of the castle, "the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death." I clenched my jaw. "We are still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor."

"Awesome," I breathed out shakily.

"Let this serve as a warning to your people," the King added, presumably speaking to the druid man.

Shortly after, I heard a clang and watched as Morgana and Merlin flinched away from the window.

My stomach dropped as I glanced at the boy again, a lump forming in my throat.

I started as a mirror suddenly shattered and my eyes widened at the thought that the kid had likely done it telekinetically. His breathing became ragged and Morgana rushed to his side, brushing his hair gently as he leaned onto her side, trembling. I had to look away as memories of the nights that followed the accident flashed through my mind.

"Are you all right?" Merlin asked in a whisper as he put a hand on my knee, making me realise that my leg had been bouncing up and down.

"Oh, yeah, fantastic," I replied before continuing to nibble on my bottom lip, which tasted a bit bloody by then.

The sorcerer gave me a pointed look, but didn't say anything else as he turned to address Morgana instead, "I should get him something to eat and new bandages." The boy had since fallen asleep, curled up next to her.

"Yes. We will be fine for a few hours," she responded with a nod.

"I'll come with ya'," I told my friend while jumping off the table. I might end up crying if I have to watch the boy suffer any longer.

Merlin nodded and threw an arm over my shoulders as he gently led me towards the door. "Let us know if you need anything," he told the Lady before we walked out.

I frowned at my friend as he pretty much forced me to sit down at the kitchen bench in Gaius's apartment when we got there.

"You look pale, you have to eat something," he stated.

I scoffed, "I know I'm pale. It's called genetics."

"Well, you are paler than usual," he retorted.

With a huff, I relented to staying in place and watched as Merlin got some bread and grapes from the storage room, then he set them onto two platters and poured two cups of water before he joined me at the table and handed me a plate and a cup; assuring me that we'd go back to Morgana's room as soon as we were done.

Gaius walked into the apartment a few minutes later and he greeted us with a kind smile before getting to work on some potions.

"Do you know much about the druids?" Merlin questioned him.

The physician paused his work and looked up at us with an analytical expression. "Very little. They are very secretive people. Especially now that they are being hunted by Uther..." he replied carefully. Then he frowned and stepped closer to us as he added, "Children, please tell me you have not got yourselves mixed up in this."

"Us?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.

"No, mixed up in what?" Merlin wondered, then the two of us shared a wary look.

"For persons with such big secrets to keep, you are terrible liars," Gaius accused.

My friend and I shared another look. "Well, we have not done anything," Merlin tried again, sounding more convincing this time.

"Merlin..." the physician said in a warning tone.

"I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him. Like he was inside my mind," the young sorcerer explained, making me raise my eyebrows in surprise. This is new.

"Yes, I have heard of this ability. The druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices," Gaius noted pensively.

"Cool!" I said, suddenly feeling excited that telepathy is a thing now, too.

"While they are searching for this boy, you must be especially careful," the physician warned Merlin. "Otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block."

The boy scoffed as he replied, "I am always careful. You know me."

"Yeah, and he's got me to look after 'em," I piped in with a grin.

Gaius sighed and stared at us for a few moments, then he shook his head and returned to what he'd been doing previously.

Unfortunately, with Gaius home, we couldn't steal food and medical supplies from the apartment, so we had to go to the market in the lower town and buy the required stuff there. Luckily, it's not unusual for us to take care of shopping for the physician, so no one batted an eye at seeing us purchasing things.

We got some fruits, biscuits, and bandages; and then cautiously snuck back into Morgana's room. No one would question me for being there, but my friend is a whole other ticket.

"How is he?" Merlin asked in a whisper as soon as we entered.

Morgana sat by the window and the boy was still asleep.

"He is very pale, I worry he may have lost a lot of blood," she replied in a grave tone.

My best friend and I shared a sad look. "Has he said anything at all?" he questioned.

"Nothing. He will not even tell me his name," Morgana answered with a disappointed sigh.

She went to sit next to the boy again, and began to gently run her fingers through his hair. I could tell she had grown to be very protective of him, for some reason. I guess she has a motherly instinct, something that I'm pretty sure I lack.

I hopped to sit on the table again and Merlin moved to stand next to me, leaning his back against the wooden surface.

"You know, um, for a moment there earlier, I thought you were going to hand us over to the guards," the sorcerer told the Lady with a sheepish grin. I tilted my head in curiosity.

"I am glad you have so much faith in me, Merlin," she replied sarcastically, which made me snort.

His eyes widened in alarm. "No. No! Sorry. Uh, I meant… you are the King's ward. You are taking a huge risk helping the boy," he explained. "You, too, Astra. But you are crazy, so it is to be expected," he added as he turned to me. I grinned proudly at his comment.

"I would not see an innocent child executed," Morgana stated while looking down at the sleeping boy with sorrow in her eyes. "What harm has he ever done to anyone?"

"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlin noted with a sigh.

"Well, he does have magic, but that doesn't make 'em evil," I pointed out in a mumble.

"Yes. Uther is wrong," the Lady agreed, which caused my eyes to widen in surprise.

"Do you really believe that?" Merlin questioned, hope rising in his eyes. I nudged his side with my knee, giving him a small smile when he glanced at me.

"What if magic is not something you choose? What if it chooses you?" Morgana wondered.

My friend and I shared a stunned look before turning to the girl, both of us grinning at her.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" she questioned while frowning.

"Nothing," Merlin and I replied at the same time.

"Why are you two helping him?" she turned the question on us.

"It was a spur of the moment decision," he responded with a tense shrug.

"Common decency," I answered.

"What do you think we should do with him?" Merlin quickly changed the subject. I suppose he didn't want to get too deep into the topic of magic lest his secret become exposed. "He cannot stay here."

"We have to find a way to get him back to his people," Morgana replied.

I let out a puff and mumbled, "That's gonna be easy."

As soon as I woke up the next morning, I changed out of my PJs and went straight to check on Morgana and the boy. Breakfast and the horses can wait.

"Hey, how're you two doin'?" I asked the Lady as she let me into her room.

She gave a frustrated sigh before responding, "Arthur is leading a search for him."

My eyes widened and I felt my heart clench at the news. I couldn't help but feel… betrayed, I suppose, that the Prince was doing this, considering that he'd been the first person to talk to his father about sparing both druids. He seriously needs to learn where to draw the line between being a good son, and being a mindless robot. The goodness I know lives within him won't matter if he's not willing to stand up for what he believes. He already did it once, when we went to get the Mortaeus flower to save Merlin… Why can't he do it again for an innocent child?

"What a fudging coward," I muttered, which extracted a faint chuckle from Morgana.

The door suddenly shot open, scaring me half-to-death, and in came Merlin, strolling about like he owned the place.

"You idiot!" I scolded and threw a random pillow I found at him, giggling when it smacked him in the face.

"Merlin, you scared us," Morgana was much nicer in pointing out his carelessness.

He gave us an apologetic look before moving towards the boy, who was looking paler by the minute. I nibbled on my bottom lip while I watched as he inspected him, his features acquiring more and more concern with each passing second. "He is burning up. How long has he been like this?" he asked.

"He was like this when I woke up," Morgana informed him with a sad sigh.

"What if his wound is infected?" I wondered, the thought sending a chill up my spine.

The Lady sent me a frightened look before she turned to Merlin, "We need Gaius before it gets any worse."

"No," Merlin instantly protested, "we cannot involve Gaius. It is too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he will execute Astra and I himself."

"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we cannot do that while he is sick," Morgana argued. "We need a physician."

"I will treat him," the sorcerer claimed, looking way too confident.

"Do you even know what to do?" I asked sceptically.

His face fell. "Not exactly… but I am a fast learner," he replied, giving me a pointed look.

I dropped my head and bit down on my bottom lip again. We're doomed.

Our discussion was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. "Morgana!" came Arthur's voice. At least he had the decency to knock, unlike my good friend Merlin.

"Quick, hide with him," I told Merlin in a whisper as I shoved him towards the boy, then I helped him to pull a curtain that would work in hand with the dressing screen to shield them both.

Morgana went to open the door and halted, glancing back at me for confirmation that she could do so safely. I hopped to sit on the table again, trying to appear casual, and gave her a nod.

"Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?" the Lady welcomed the Prince in with a very fake smile on her face, which caused me to grin a little.

"Do not get all excited, it is not a social call," the blond replied in annoyance.

I rolled my eyes, "She was only being nice. No one's ever been excited to see you."

Arthur's captivating eyes fell on me (and my useless heart did its dumbass thing again), seeming surprised for a moment before he gave me a glare.

"I am looking for the druid boy," he informed Morgana once our short staring contest ended (I won, of course). "I am afraid I am going to have to search your chambers."

"You are not searching my chambers," Morgana protested sternly.

"Do not take it personally. I have to search the entire castle," the Prince replied. He sounded almost… reluctant? He certainly didn't seem pleased with this task. He has no reason to be, obviously. "It will only take a few minutes," he assured.

A thought crossed my mind and my eyes widened in dread. "You can't go into my room either! I forbid it!" I rapidly told Arthur. My phone is safely tucked away in the pocket of my leggings, but I still have my tablet hidden in my closet.

"And I am not having you mess up my things!" the Lady added in exasperation.

"I am not interested in your things," Arthur scoffed. "I am just looking for any evidence that the druid boy is in the castle."

"Perhaps the druid boy is hiding in your chambers," Morgana countered. "They are usually such a mess, you would never know."

I giggled while Arthur glared at her.

"It is hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant," the Prince grumbled while clenching his jaw.

"Hey, watch it!" I scolded. "Merls is my best friend, only I get to call him an idiot!" Did I really just call Merlin 'my best friend'?! I'm so lame! I mean, I'm sure he only tolerates me because he's naturally friendly!

"If you cannot even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?" Morgana continued to tease the Prince, which made me laugh a little. Then I put on an innocent smile when Arthur glared at me again.

"Really, I am touched by the confidence you have in my abilities," he said as he turned back to the Lady, "and, as much as I would love to stay and talk – the sooner we get started, the sooner we will be finished."

"Well, I will save you the trouble," the Lady said while sending me a quick grin. I tilted my head, wondering what trick she had up her sleeve.

"Trust me, if I could find him, I would," the Prince affirmed, even if the tone in his voice and the troubled look in his pretty– in his eyes screamed the opposite.

"The druid boy is hiding behind the screen," Morgana blurted out. My eyes widened as my head snapped towards her, but she shot me a wink that let me know she had a plan… an insanely risky one, by the looks of it. I held my breath as Arthur paused his movements and turned to face her, eyeing her warily. "I am sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on," she pressed.

The blond stared at the dressing screen for a few seconds while blinking rapidly. Then he turned back to us and crossed his arms, asking through gritted teeth, "So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?"

I exhaled and smirked. Morgana's smarter than I'd given her credit for.

"In my experience, you do not need any help looking like a fool," she quickly retorted.

"Slay, queen!" I exclaimed and asked for a high-five, smiling in childlike-wonder when she slowly delivered.

Then she turned to the Prince again, grinning as she coerced him, "What are you waiting for? Take a look."

Arthur seemed to ponder the idea for a while and I held my breath again as I waited for a reaction.

Finally, he shook his head. "Why do you not go back to… brushing your hair, or whatever it is that you do all day?" he muttered in frustration before storming out of the room like an angry toddler.

"Bye, Prince Charming!" I called out.

"Good luck with the search!" Morgana added.

I let out a long sigh of relief once the door was closed and turned to the Lady again, "Dude, you are so lucky that worked, or we'd be toast by now!"

Merlin pulled the curtain away and nodded in agreement as he gave her a bewildered look while stepping to stand beside me.

"I have no idea what half of that meant, Astra," she told me apologetically. "But you two have got to learn to trust me more!"

I gave her a sheepish grin in response. It's not my fault that most people suck! Fortunately, she seems to be one of the few good ones.

Merlin left the room after we made sure that the coast was clear of royal prats, claiming that he was going to look for a book on how to treat infections. He assured us that he wouldn't take long… But he did.