MERLIN – PRIMIS ANNIS AVEM

AN: Hiya, everyone! … Sooooooo I came to a decision the other day. I had taken such a horribly long break from writing for a while considering everything that's been going on. But due to quitting one of my jobs, getting over tragedy in the family, and getting a new laptop, I thought I really ought to be getting back at it. And another thing is that I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so when I was reading back on the stuff I have written so far, I realised I really wanted to change a few things, and do my own take on the story (from start to finish) with my own 'episodes' merged in as a continuous series. I know many have done it before but I didn't feel like it would flow right without a set time-line. Also, I wanted to experiment a little with writing styles. After reading a few books (That's right, I don't really read much), I realised the best way is to write as if it's new and that no-one has seen it physically on television. But of course Merlin isn't new and isn't mine.

The things I have changed is the re-write to this story for example. At first it will seem familiar but with a few added stories of my own. Of course I will say now that I disclaim anything to do with BBC's Merlin. Some owned chapters may be based on songs. And though at first I originally wrote my own Merlin as a girl with light blonde hair, changes have been made to her appearance to stop confusion but some interesting things will conveniently pop up later. Its my plan! *Evil Morgana-like cackle*

IMPORTANT: Thank you so much to everyone who has favourited, followed and reviewed this fic in the past, but this is where everything starts to get murky. I will have re-edited the following 'The Dragon Calls' and originally was going to squeeze it into one whole chapter. Realising if I went on like that, every chapter would be over 15,000 words long and even I would struggle through that. So its been split of course. It will take more time between each upload. That's because I'm still busy with work but also because I want to be absolutely incredibly happy with the chapter before updating. I hope you'll all forgive me for the long session of absence.

BTW: This is a FemMerlin fic so if you don't like that kind of thing, then you don't have to read any further. Also giant spoilers to 'The Dragon's Call'. If you haven't watched it and don't want to know, don't read (if you haven't watched it, why haven't you, it was 9 years ago!) … But anyway "shut up Corey and continue for goodness sake!" Couldn't agree more. Enjoy :-)

…~~)^(~~…

The story of King Arthur is a famous and favourite one. A legendary king of a legendary land, with a legendary queen and legendary knights of a circular table. By his side, his good friend, an elderly yet strong wizard who apparently grew backwards through time. Complete with a magical staff and long white beard...

According to surviving historical accounts, found documents and snippets of old diaries... we can now say that's not exactly how it was. Certain aspects have been twisted and warped over time, maybe in eras where sexism was rife and/or there was so much more important things to record. Characters left out and the little to major things mistaken for something else, until you would not believe how far from the original the stories are.

Thanks to a string of anonymous authors and the piecing together of as much damning factual details as possible, this tale, real or lost in myth only, can finally be told right.

...~~)^(~~...

No man or woman, no matter how great, can know their destiny. In this case, she cannot glimpse her part of the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone else, she must live and learn. And so it would be that a young female warlock will arrive at the gates of the mighty kingdom of Camelot. A girl that in time will bear a great legend.

Her name... Merlin.

…~~)^(~~…

THE WHITE CASTLE

After three long days travelling on foot, a young girl appeared over the horizon of the sandy road ahead. Her hair as black as the night sky. Her eyes as though they contained the waters of the bluest seas. Her skin as pale as ivory, a tinge of rose to the cheeks and button nose sprinkled with adolescent freckles.

She was never considered 'normal' in the eyes of everyone else as a representation of a female. Her hair was cut short to just above her shoulders and always found it more comfortable and practical wearing breeches like the boys in her small home village. Her clothes had been handed down from her friend for years. Not long turned sixteen, her shape was not very apparent anyway. But for her sake, she had her chest strapped in as what would have to be the supportive equivalent of a well-off woman's corset.

The first half of the trip was somewhat melancholy. She was used to having herself as company, and the peacefulness that brought. It was the reason for her journey that had her dragging her feet along the woodland path. But now with the road widening and the prospect of a new chapter of her life ahead it added a bounce in her step which she didn't contain while passing tradesmen and fellow travellers alike. Finally, struggling through the thickets with an awkwardly stuffed rucksack on her back, the girl, Merlin, finally clambered out onto the mount of a hill to get the best view she had ever seen. She could just make out the red flags on the towers and ramparts of the glorious white stone castle, lit up by the afternoon sun. The city.

An hour later, Merlin hesitated at the gateway into the city, staring down excitedly at the invisible line that separated the lower town of the great Camelot from the rest of the world. Taking a deep breath in she looked on ahead and took her first steps. She strolled through the busy streets fascinated by everything, not wanting to miss anything out. The guards all seemed to travel in twos and groups of young children ran around while their mothers were working and chattering. The sounds all blurred together from the rhythmic clang of a hammer on metal, bleating and clucking of the livestock in their pens, to the shouts of people selling their wares at the stalls.

She realised that she must have looked so obviously new to the hype of city life, walking around in a dazed state with a giant smile on her face, un-chaperoned and taking her time. The population in this corner of the kingdom must not have been very used to seeing a girl in boy's clothes so she could understand why some were giving her funny looks as they walked past her. But most people were in too much a hurry in their own usual routine to notice. She wore a dark purple tunic that was too big on the hem and sleeves, and brown breeches that were well worn in, a light brown over coat of battered animal hide, as well as a simple brown leather belt which just about hung off what little hips she had, and little brown boots used to being scuffed. The finishing touch was a faded red scarf material tied loosely around her neck. She'd seen this look on foreign men passing through her home village once and never went a day without wearing one herself since. Her neck felt sensitively cold without one.

Drawing closer to the castle, Merlin could hear the growing sound of a drum beat and saw a crowd gathering in the courtyard to the palace. Because it was in the direction she was headed anyway, she went to investigate.

Weaving in and out of the men and women in the crowd, she made near the left where she could see, being rather more petite than everyone else. In front of the people, there was a square platform with a red tinged block on top of it, with a scary cloaked man standing idly beside. There was the tap of footsteps and Merlin had to stand on tiptoes to see. A man was being led from the right of the courtyard by two guards to the centre of the platform, and never did he struggle. It didn't take an expert to work out what this was leading to.

The drum beat stopped, and all of a sudden a voice boomed from above. "Let this serve as a lesson to all." It came from a man stood on a high balcony. He looked advanced in years, and wore rich clothing and a crown that shone in the daylight. But that was all Merlin could make out about him at that distance.

"This man, Thomas James Collins, has been judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments… and magic." At mention of the last word, Merlin felt cold, but did not let herself react. She had just arrived here and already was witnessing her would-be judgement day! "And pursuant to the laws of Camelot I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned… on penalty of death."

Merlin looked around hearing people murmuring about how they thought they could trust the man that had been living among them for so long, and then looked toward the platform silently dreading what was to happen. How could she have been sent here to be helped with what she was born with if it was outlawed? Yes, she had magic. Her fingers played with the lapels of her bag as she anxiously waited like everyone else for the fate of this man, whom remained as still as stone.

"I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." And with that King Uther nodded to the scary man on the platform to ready the execution.

The Collins man was forced to his knees before the block. The King raised his arm up above his head, the drums went on beating, and only as the arm fell down quickly, so did the axe in the executioner's grasp. The sound of the chopping bone was drowned out by the gasps of the crowd. Blood splattered outwards, the front row must have caught it. Merlin winced but couldn't look away. Only been in Camelot for five minutes and have already witnessed the most barbaric punishment on God's earth. Her skin paled more if that was possible as she watched the head roll off the platform out of sight.

All the time this was happening, a beautiful dark-haired woman, unnoticed, was watching the execution in disgust from a foyer window.

"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos. But with the people's help, magic was driven from the realm." A smile appeared across the king's aged face. "So I declare a festival to celebrate exactly twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery… Let the celebrations begin!"

Two decades of this?! He had to be joking! But then, who would joke about that?

As the king made to leave and the crowd started to disperse, a loud cry rang out, and a withered elderly woman appeared out of nowhere, hunched over and wearing an old tattered dress. "There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic… It is you!" She addressed the king. "With your hatred and your ignorance. You took my son!" The mother. It was hard not to feel for her, hearing her sob. "But I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth… a son for a son!" Her demeanour changed and her eyes screamed for revenge.

Uther had heard enough "Seize her!" He ordered.

But before anything else could happen, the old woman took hold of a necklace she wore and hissed out an ancient spell, and disappeared in a whirlwind of leaves, rags and smoke. Everyone began whispering to each other and fled the courtyard quicker than intended.

Merlin couldn't believe what she had just seen. These events had more or less summed up the whole attitude of her new home in a matter of minutes. She wouldn't let this put her off... Yet. So she copied everyone else and exited the courtyard out the nearest door into the palace. She spotted two guards on either side of the archway.

"Um, hello. Where would I find Gaius, the Court Physician?"

One of the guards gestured with a grunt that she should go down the hall they were standing by. With a nod as thanks, she hurried through, up the stairs, where she came across a rather obvious and conveniently placed sign on the wall reading "Court Physician".

Merlin's mother rarely spoke of anything outside their village, but when she did, she spoke of the court physician of Camelot. An old friend. How he became her friend and for how long, Merlin was yet to be acknowledged.

Walking through a few more corridors, Merlin came across what she assumed was the physician's quarters. It could have done with a sign on the actual wood. The door was already open slightly so she poked her head round and peered in.

"Hello?" She called timidly.

Not seeing anyone in sight, she wandered in. It was everything she expected a physician's chambers to be like. Bottles and jars of all different coloured remedies littered the tables and worktops. Books were stacked in high piles along every surface. The room smelled of both life and death at the same time, and very strong herbs. As the sun shown through the little windows, the beams picked up how much dust hung in the air. It was clearly a place of healing, but could do with being a tad more hygienic... and organised.

When she stepped further into the room she heard a creaking sound that came from a balcony-like structure above her. An old hunched figure with shoulder-length silver hair was stood upon it looking through his books, obviously oblivious to the young girl's arrival.

"Gaius?" She called, clearing her throat.

The old man didn't seem surprised by her call-out and looked down over his shoulder at her, but perhaps forgot how close he was to the edge of the narrow balcony and took a step back. He crashed through the shoddy railing behind him, awaiting a twenty foot drop onto hard stone below.

Merlin's eyes glowed gold immediately as her magic acted to slow down the time of the old man's decline. She looked around frantically for something to cushion his fall. Seeking out the bed, she worked her magic again to slide it effortlessly across the floor quickly to beneath Gaius' body. Time went back to normal as the physician hit the bed with a crash and a flail of limbs and splinters. It looked painful, but it was nothing compared to what could have happened.

Gaius coughed at the dust that had risen as he tried to get off the bed. He looked in shock at the stranger who saved his life.

"What did you just do?!" He exclaimed flustered.

"Um, Well I, er," Merlin stuttered, racking her brains for an answer.

Gaius came towards her "Tell me!"

God I'll never get out of this one, she thought. "I, I, er, have no idea what happened…" Great I've been here for ten minutes and already I'm due for an execution. I could try that he was confused and I had pushed the bed over to him myself... in a second...

"If anyone saw that…"

"No!" She yelled panicked. "Th- That, what you just saw, that had nothing to do with me. I'm just-"

"I know what that was, I just wanted to know where you leant how to do it?" the old man demanded.

Merlin shrugged "Nowhere!"

"So… how do you know magic then?" The physician had gotten quite close to her, old eyes going over her face.

"I don't..."

"...Where did you study?" Merlin's eyes went anywhere but Gaius'. "Answer me."

"I never studied magic or even been taught. I didn't know it had to be learnt…"

"Are you lying to me, girl?!"

This man was starting to seem scary "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth!"

"I was born like this. I can just do it!" She stated, throwing her arms out.

"That's impossible!" He paused to give out an exasperated sigh, and then looked to her again in thought. "Who are you?"

"Oh," Merlin shrugged her rucksack off and rooted through it, and soon found what she was looking for. She took out a sealed, crumpled letter and held it out to Gaius, while practically chucking her shoulder-breaking bag down. "Here."

Gaius took it, but didn't attempt to open it "I-I don't have my glasses."

"... I'm Merlin," she announced shyly.

Gaius paused to think. Then it clicked. "Ah! Hunith's daughter!"

Merlin nodded enthusiastically, a giant smile appearing on her face.

"But you're not meant to be here until Wednesday!"

The smile slowly disappeared, "…Today IS Wednesday."

Gaius made an 'o' shape with his mouth in realisation "Ah… right then. You better put your belongings in there. It's all been prepared." Gaius pointed behind him to a little room up a short flight of stairs. Merlin picked her bag up and made her way towards it. Until she spun around quickly to Gaius and pointed at the broken balcony.

"You, err, won't say anything about that, will you?"

Gaius followed her gaze and immediately answered. "No, don't worry."

Merlin waited for a few seconds for him to say something else. Then she continued up the few steps to the back room.

"Although, Merlin," he called, making her turn around expectantly. "I should say thank you." He said with a warm smile. Merlin returned it and opened the door, not noticing her new guardian staring after her.

The room was clearly a storeroom before things had been moved around for someone to live in it. Maybe even used to quarantine patients or an overspill. There was a narrow cot against the far wall with thin blankets, but compared to how Merlin used to sleep at home, this was luxury.

There was a small desk with a chair against the left wall and a couple of cupboards dotted around the place for storage, and crates and parchments scattered around on the floor. Still at least the candles lit made it feel cosy.

Merlin put her bag down on the edge of the bed as she looked around. She glanced up at the sound of people talking and horse hooves on stone to see a small high window. She climbed up on the table and opened the shutter boards to reveal the city night-life in all its beauty. The houses went on for miles, every torch was lit, and people were still out in the streets busy at work. Merlin felt the refreshing evening breeze and stared out at the stars. I think I'm going to like it here after all, she smiled.

While the young sorceress was admiring her new home town, Gaius was in the main room beside the fire, reading the letter Merlin had given him.

"My dear friend Gaius,

I turn to you for I feel so lost and alone, and I don't know 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 she is so clearly at odds with people here that, if she were to remain, I fear of what will become of her. She is naive and needs experience of the world. She needs a hand to hold. A voice to guide her. Someone who might find her a purpose for her gifts. You have been so good to me all these years but I must ask this of you. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her child, keep her safe. And may God save you both.

Hunith"

Gaius placed the letter down on and sat there staring curiously at the closed door to the little room. He had been a strong ally to this woman for years. He'd seen her last with her babe thirteen years ago, and got the occasional letters. Updates on how different her child was. Begging for advice, or simply to share her daughter's developments and quirks as anyone would tell their doctor and friend. He remembered Merlin as such a small and bright toddler, and could see there was little change. The blue eyes and smile of her mother, but not her manner or sense of humour. Clearly getting older, she was in need of structure and friendlier faces, and a sense of reality. A father figure. That was to be him.

…~~)^(~~…

The dark haired young woman was in the hallways of the castle, just staring anxiously outside at the recently cleaned chopping block. She was beautiful without the need for expensive make-up, and was intending not to wear any tonight. Not for any occasion like this. The sound of footsteps echoing in the draughty hall behind her didn't draw her gaze away. King Uther approached her.

"Morgana," he greeted.

"Yes?" She replied, distracted.

"What is it?" he asked. "Why are you not at the feast?"

"I just don't think chopping someone's head off is really cause for celebration…. That poor mother." She knew all too well even now Uther would never empathise with those who had lost loved ones. Every execution was followed by a feast that made it seem like food couldn't never run out. And somewhere else in the kingdom a family was sitting down to a dinner of bread and water in complete silence, in mourning.

"It was simple justice for what he'd done." He sneered.

"To whom?!" She exclaimed, "He practised magic, and it was only chance he was found out. He didn't hurt anyone- "

"You were not here twenty years ago. You have no idea what it was like."

"How long are you going to keep brutally punishing people for what happen then?"

"Until they realise there is no place for magic in MY kingdom." The king responded sternly. "You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen."

As he began to walk away, Morgana called out. "I told you, I want no part in this-"

"I am your guardian. I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect, at least show respect for our finest singer." Without waiting for his ward to reply he headed back to the feast.

"The more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create! You only make it worse!"

Uther didn't react apart from shut the door on her, leaving her to stew in frustration.

…~~)^(~~…

Meanwhile, out in the forest, a patrol of Camelot knights were walking around a camp fire, guarding the outside of the tent of Lady Helen, Camelot's favourite singer.

Inside the tent, the woman with chocolate hair was getting ready for bed when a suspicious and scary howl sounded from outside startled her. "Hello? Sir Gregory?"

She waited anxiously; seeing someone's shadow projected onto the thin tent flaps. Fortunately, it was her head guard. "My Lady."

She smiled in relief. "Is all well?"

"Yes, ma'am. With luck, we should reach Camelot later tomorrow."

Her smiled grew. "That is good. Thank you."

"I'll be outside if you need me."

Lady Helen nodded in appreciation and the knight left her.

But as soon as he did, the feeling of unease was upon her again. Outside, she didn't know that the guards were on edge too. Dropping the wash cloth, she turned in her seat to see another sinister looking shadow on the other side of the flaps. The face of an evil elderly woman appeared in the gap, staring at her. Before the Lady could yell for help, the old woman took out what looked like a doll and continuously stabbed it with a dagger while hissing out alien words.

With every strike to the straw figure, she felt her heart being ripped apart, and her air was cut off, taking away the ability to scream.

After the third or fourth strike, she felt her soul snatched from her, leaving her still body slumped on the bed. A drip of blood slowly escaped her lips.

The old Woman, Mary Collins, sat down in her victim's seat with emotionless eyes and began to perform the spell that would play its part in her plan. Her wrinkles smoothed out and her hair regained colour. Chocolate. The only thing she couldn't change was her true reflection in the mirror. 'Lady Helen' was on her way to Camelot.

…~~)^(~~…

POTIONS AND PRATS

"Merlin."

…

"Meeerlin."

Brilliant blue eyes opened the next morning to the bright sunlight streaming through the window.

Did someone just call? She sat up in bed.

…..

Maybe not... strange.

Getting herself ready for the day in a fresh tunic, she scampered down the stairs into the main chamber where Gaius was making breakfast. Seeing her up and about, he gestured for her to sit down at the table where a bowl of porridge and a small bucket of water were waiting for her. "Good morning. I got you water. You didn't wash last night. I thought girls were supposed to like being clean."

"Sorry," she replied sleepily. She dipped the tips of her fingers into the water and briefly splashed her face.

"It's alright. Here, help yourself to breakfast."

She snorted in response and slumped down at the table in front of the bowl, looked down at the contents as if he had served her something rotten. She didn't notice Gaius' hand moving toward the bucket of water. In a split second, he knocked the pail from the table. Immediately, Merlin shot out of her seat, her eyes glowed gold and her hand raised up to freeze the bucket in mid air. Yet when she realised what she had done, she took eye contact off the bucket to see Gaius' reaction who was looking at her with equal shock. The spell broke and the bucket finished its decent to the floor, sending water everywhere.

Gaius gasped, "How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?"

Merlin's hand sprung up defensively "Spells? I don't know any spells."

The physician frowned, "Well then what did you do? There must be something."

Merlin paused. She didn't really understand why Gaius was asking her all these questions. She found magic perfectly natural and thought it was the same for everyone. "… I really don't know. I think... and then it just happens."

Merlin grabbed the mop and started to clean the water up, without magic.

"Well, I better keep you out of trouble then, Merlin. You can help me until I can find some paid work for you. Here," Gaius picked up two bottles from a nearby shelf to show to Merlin. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percifal, and this is for Sir Olwin. Now, he's as blind as a weevil so warn him not to take it all at once. You'll find your way around the castle easily soon enough. Ask people, they'll help."

"Alright, Gaius." She inspected the contents curiously. "What's in them?"

"There'll be plenty of time for medicinal education." Then Gaius waved a plate of bread and ham under her nose. She smiled at his thoughtfulness and he smiled back.

"Off you go," he said affectionately. She took the food but not the plate, and hurried out the door.

"See you later, Gaius."

"And Merlin," he called to her as he took up the mop. "I need hardly warn you, that the practises of any form of magic and enchantments will get you killed."

She nodded quickly and bounced out the door to begin her first jobs in a new Kingdom. Oh don't worry, she thought, I have already witnessed more than I wanted to...

…~~)^(~~…

After scoffing down her snack, Merlin, after few wrong turns and vague directions from hurrying staff, arrived at that door of the knight's chambers and knocked politely. The door opened to reveal a skinny old man, that Merlin couldn't believe was ever a knight. But it was nice that Camelot still took care of its own after retirement.

"Hello. Um, I've bought your medicine from Gaius." She held out the bottle for Sir Olwin to take, but the way his hand waved everywhere but her hand made her remember he couldn't see. She brought his hand to hers to take the vile.

As soon as he possessed it, he took the cork out and downed it. Merlin made to leave but then remembered. "Oh by the way, Gaius also said don't drink-"

But she trailed off as Sir Olwin had already glugged the whole damn lot in one go and was 'looking' at her expectantly. After a second she smiled nervously "Never mind, I'm… sure it's fine…" She backed off as the door began to close on her. Awkward.

…~~)^(~~…

Merlin had delivered Lady Percifal her medicine and went for a little wander around the edge of the citadel. She loved how much more lively it was here. New people to get to know the names of and their stories. Even the weather was sunnier here for the time of year. She heard a commotion nearby. She passed through the gates of the midsection of the town where a few men were gathered. In particular, a lean young man with short, dirty blonde hair, and wearing armour plates was making most of the noise. He was swinging a sword around and smiling with along with his friends at the expense of a serving boy at the other end.

"Where's the target?" His bored voice echoed out. People were beginning to crowd, just like Merlin, who stopped to see what was going on. The servant stuttered and pointed.

"Err, over there?"

"It's in the sun." The blonde man answered back with a slanted smirk.

"It's not that bright-"

"Well a bit like you then." He shot back looking pleased with his come-back when he could hear the men behind him sniggering. Oooh dear, Merlin thought, I already dislike him greatly.

"I'll, um, put the target down the other side then, shall I?" The poor boy lifted up the giant slab of wood against his chest and edged it towards the West side of the yard. He was lanky and tall. He shouldn't take this from them!

The blonde boy leant towards the group of men. "This'll teach him." He whispered, and unsheathed a dagger from the belt strapped around his waist keeping his rich red tunic tucked in.

The taller boy was still making his way over to the other side of the yard when Merlin saw the blonde throw the dagger right at him. The knife struck straight into the wood of the target. What's-his-name's shocked face poked around the top. "Hey! Hang on!"

But the other man had no intention of stopping, and held his arms out in mock confusion, "Why did you stop? Don't stop." The servant thought he meant to continue placing the target back, but as soon as he started moving again, another knife struck the middle of the target. Above the yard, waving a washed dress out of a window of the turret, a dark skinned serving girl was watching all this happening with disappointment.

Dagger after dagger kept flying towards the startled boy as he tried to keep his head hidden behind the target.

The crowd that had gathering all had mixed reactions, but the group of men with the blonde boy looked like they were really enjoying themselves. Cretins!

"Run!" The horrible man shouted out while laughing, "We want some moving target practice!"

After a few more turns, the knackered boy's arms gave out and ending up dropping the target. It started to roll off. He flung himself to his knees to stop it, but Merlin managed to halt it with her foot. "Here y'are."

She looked up at the blonde man with a smile. "Hey."

He turned from his friends to face her, his cocky grin wiped as he saw her and replaced by confusion.

"Come on, that's enough. From what I saw, there was no need for that."

"What?!"

"You've had your fun, my friend. Can't you see he's worn out?"

The man came strutting coolly over to where Merlin stood, looking her up and down curiously. "Do I know you?"

Merlin held out her hand, not really knowing how a man and woman greet each other here. "Um, Hi, I'm Merlin."

"So I don't know you." That wasn't a question. And he wasn't going to shake her hand, so it lowered back down, as did her cheery smile. He stopped a couple of feet in front of her.

"… No."

"Yet you called me 'friend'."

Merlin took her turn to look the boy up and down herself, observing his snide manner, before basically summing up: This man's a git. "Well that clearly was a mistake," she tutted.

And he seemed to agree, "Yes I think so, wasn't it."

"Yeah… I couldn't ever have a friend who'd be such an ass." She smiled sweetly yet deadly at him, and turned to walk off. But the mystery man's voice rang out again.

"Nor I one who'd be so stupid," She spun round to look at him again and watched him sheath his sword. "Tell me… pretty boy. Do you know how to walk on your knees?"

Pretty boy?! "… err, no."

"Would you like me to help you?" Merlin snorted in response.

"Oh I wouldn't if I were you," she shot back, trying to look as intimidating as possible.

But Arthur just laughed. "Ha! Why? What are you going to do to me?"

"Ah, you have no idea." I don't really have a plan here though, she thought.

What she didn't expect, was for him to raise his arms out, gesturing to himself. "Well come on then," he called. The men behind him laughed harder, seriously expecting this little girl (or boy) to just run away frightened. Merlin looked around her awkwardly at the many townspeople she hadn't realised were still watching the show. The blonde boy was still egging her on.

"Come on. Come ooon."

Well if he insisted. Merlin swung fast at the man's head, but unfortunately he was quick, and caught her hand before it got close. He spun her around so her back was turn to him and pinned her against his chest, twisting her arm in his grasp trapped between them. The dark girl watching over them winced, as did everyone else.

Too easy. "You're as weak as you look. I'll have you thrown in jail for that." He stated snobbishly, his blue eyes gleaming, the show-off.

Merlin got frustrated. "Who do you think you are then, the King?" She snapped.

She felt his breath against her right ear as he leaned in. "No. I'm his son. Arthur."

Merlin's struggles to free herself ceased.

Oh Great!

...~~)^(~~...

AN: The intro is pure fiction made to look like fact. I know people are saying 'duh!' at the screen right now, but some might be thinking 'There are documents to prove these things?!'

I will leave it here, so please do leave a review and I will see you soon :)