Hello there lovely people! So sorry for the long wait! But here it is. I've decided to split this episode into 4 maybe even 5 parts. I was wondering what you guys would rather. More parts with shorter chapters, Smaller parts with longer chapters or one part per episode with super long chapters.

Well hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I will try to update faster next time! Thank you for the follows and reviews! please continue to tell me what you think and if you have any ideas or suggestions feel free to let me know!

Don't own Merlin.

Episode 1. The Dragons call. Part 3

The sun danced around the training field, light reflecting off swords and armor alike. Isabelle sat on the sidelines watching as Arthur and the knights practiced their dagger throwing. She used to sit out and watch Arthur practice his sword skills when they were younger with Morgana, Her older sister even joining at times and defeating the unbeatable once. She never let him forget it. However that one victory wasn't enough to keep Arthur from becoming arrogant. His ego was bigger than all of Camelot.

"Where's the target?" Arthur inquired almost sounding genuine in his question, but Isabelle knew better.

"There, Sir?" the poor serving boy pointed towards it.

"It's into the sun?"

"But, it's not that bright." he mumbled as he walked over to get it, but Arthur heard.

"A bit like you then?" he laughed with all of his knights joining in at the poke to the young mans intelligence. Isabell couldn't help the smile as it was fairly clever but rolled her eyes at the arrogant prince.

"I'll put the target at the other end, shall I, Sir?" Arthur just gave a small nod in reply with a mischievous glint in his eye, while his knights egged him on to teach the boy a lesson.

"This'll teach him." A dagger flew out of Arthur's hand and hit the target that the boy was still moving. Isabelle brought her hand to her mouth to smother the gasp that wanted to escape.

"Arthur, knock it off." She scorned with a scowl on her face but Arthur and the knights just ignored her and continued throwing knives. The poor boy was running back and forth from the oncoming daggers and ended up tripping and dropping the target which rolled and stopped at the feet of the sorcerer. Isabelle's eye widen at the sight of him standing there with one foot on top of the motionless wood with a smile on his face. Is this when he destroys Camelot? She thought to herself with a worried expression glued to her face.

"Hey come on, that's enough." What was he thinking?

"What?" Arthur asked, shocked that a peasant would talk to him like that.

"You've had your fun, my friend." Isabelle had to admit this boy was brave, or stupid.

"Do I know you?" Arthur came to stand in front of the mystery boy.

"Erm, I'm Merlin." he answered offering his hand in greeting.

"So I don't know you."

"No."

"And yet you call me friend."

"That was my mistake."

"Yes, I think so."

Isabelle just stared at the boy she now knew to be Merlin. He couldn't be any older than 18, yet was a good couple inches taller than Arthur. His scruffy jet black hair came down to the top of his abnormally large ears and contrasted against his baby blue eyes. His blue shirt and tan jacket hung loosely around his slim frame and had a red neck scarf wrapped around his neck, anyone could tell he was not nobility and yet he spoke freely to the prince. Her eyes then travelled back to his face, the sun clearly showing his strong cheek bones and an awfully charming smile. It was contagious, before she knew what was happening she felt the corner of her mouth twitch to form a half smile. Then she saw it, his eyes flashed mischievously and his smile took or a more crude feel. She tried to step forward to stop what she knew was going to happen.

"Yeah, I'd never have a friend that could be such an ass." Isabelle froze, jaw dropped and eyes wide as she was sure everyone listening also did. Merlin simply smirked and turned to walk away.

Arthur let out a scoff and came back with his own witty comeback without even flinching. "Or I one that could be so stupid." Merlin's movement came to a halt but before he could reply Arthur continued. "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

"No."

"Would you like me to show you?"

"I wouldn't if I were you." Isabelle's eyes widen ever further. He wouldn't be stupid enough to use magic in front of all these people, would he? Even if he was trying to bring Camelot down, he wouldn't want to get caught, right?

"Why? What are you going to do to me?" Arthur laughed, unfazed by the threat.

"You have no idea."

If only Arthur knew how true those words were.

"Be my guest! Come on! Come on! Come ooooon!" Arthur egged on unknowing of the power the large eared boy possessed. However Merlin didn't use magic, he pulled his arm back and attempted to punch the prince. Isabelle let out a small gasp of surprise as his hand came towards Arthur, who simply grabbed the boys wrist and twisted behind his back.

"I'll have you thrown in jail for that."

"What, who do you think you are, the king?" Merlin didn't seem to know who Arthur was.

"No. I'm his son, Arthur." Merlin's face dropped, he did something stupid but he didn't regret standing up for others. Arthur just kicked the back on his leg to send him to his knees. "Take him to the cells, a night in there might teach to learn some respect." he ordered two guards that were standing nearby. They gave him a nod and took Merlin by the arms.

"Was that really necessary?" Izzy asked as she came to stand beside the man that was like a brother to her.

"He needed to learn some respect." he replied, chin held high to show his authority, and his big head, Izzy told herself as she rolled her eyes.

"He didn't even know who you were, he was just standing up to bully. You were being an ass."

He rolled his eyes at her. "If I let him show me disrespect and not punish it then others will stop showing respect, the kingdom would be in chaos. People need to know the disrespect to those above them will not be tolerated. You wouldn't understand." he explained to her in a condescending tone and a smug smile. She just crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Don't think you are better than everyone. You nor I really earned our nobility, we were born into it, and I've seen commoners that are ten times more noble than some that are supposed to be." she scorned him. "Just remember, without the people there is no kingdom for you to be a prince of." she walked away from him with her head held high, all he could to was stare at her, but he quickly regained himself and called after her retreating form.

"Be careful Izzy, you are starting to sound more like Morgana!" she quickly turned around and did the first thing that came to her mind. She stuck out her tongue at him like she used to when he teased her as a child. When all he did was laugh at her she glared at him and turned and stomped into the castle.

Why did you do that? Real mature.

She mentally slapped herself for being so childish. She was a lady of the court and should act like it.

Isabelle tried to stifle a yawn that threatened to escape her tired mouth. She wasn't sure why she had to be here. Morgana gave her a sideways glance as she noticed her tired sister. The sisters along with the king and a handle of nobles and servants were gathered in the throne rom to welcome the Lady Helen, who was to provide a concert at the feast in a couple days. She had arrived later than expected but the king made sure there were people to welcome her. Isabelle yawned again as Morgana elbowed her side to get her to pay attention, she just offered her sister a lazy smile and attempted to do what her sister wanted. This is going to be a long night.

The late morning sun danced in her blonde curls as she proceeded into the town towards the market. Her eyes skimming around at all the colors of the stalls and the people going about their lives with smiles on their faces. She smiled as she came to her favorite stall.

"Good morning, Greta." she greeted the older woman.

"Well it is almost midday, m'Lady." Greta teased the girl.

"Late night." she laughed. They continued small talk as Isabelle looked around at the jewelry that the woman had to offer. She was looking for something to wear to feast, something to help her stand out. She caught sight of a necklace. The thin silver chain was adorned with tear shaped, deep green gems that were bordered with silver. It was the perfect piece.

"How much for this?"

Greta gave her the price and Isabelle happily paid it with a little extra snuck in and walked away before Greta could object. Isabelle then continued to walk around the market spreading out her money, buying silk for her sister and bread for a midday meal. She would stop to talk to the towns people and ended up just wandering around for a couple hours. The sun was past it's peak in the sky when she finally headed back towards the castle. Up ahead she could see a small crowd gathered around some of the food shops and heard some loud noises and yelling. Intrigued by what was going on she decided to investigate. As she made her way through the crowd the sight brought her up short. There in front of her was Arthur Chasing Merlin around with a mace swinging threateningly in his hand. Somehow Merlin was able to dodge Arthur swings until he tripped and fell into a pile of sacks. She was ready to step in and stop them before someone got hurt until she felt it. Merlin's magic. She just stared at the boy, unless you had trained to pick up the slightest bit of magic, you wouldn't notice the electricity in the air when someone uses it. The strength of the electricity depends on the strength of the sorcerer using it. His was strong although extremely well hidden from others, but it was also instinctual. No spell or incantation left his mouth and yet two large hooks behind Arthur moved in order to tangle his mace. As he untangled it Merlin got up and was on the run again, using small bits of magic to give himself the advantage. He eventually trips Arthur with a rope that tightened by itself and picked up the mace.

"Do you want to give up?"

"To you?" Arthur scoffed back.

"Do you? Do you want to give up?" he asked louder this time almost pleading with the man to just give up so he wouldn't have to hurt him.

Part of Izzy wanted the boy to show Arthur that he wasn't all that, that even he could be beat, but then Merlin looked towards Izzy, or past her, and his face dropped. She turned to see Gaius standing there with a look of utter disappointment on his face. Her attention was pulled back to the boys when she her someone get hit. Arthur had gotten up in Merlin's hesitation and hit him in the back with a broom, then his legs and then his head. Arthur stopped the guards that were about to take Merlin to the cells.

"Wait, let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one." he walked right up to Merlin. "There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put y finger on it."

Isabelle almost snorted knowing full well what made Merlin special. She walked up to him as Merlin walked away with Gaius. "Hitting him in the back, that's a little low, even for you." she teased "you just know that he had you beat. But I'll admit, I'm impressed that you let him go."

"Well I figured getting beat by a man with a broom is humiliating enough."

"She let out a snort at that. "Well, if you are done being a prat, you can't escort me back to the castle. There are fights in these streets." she gave him her best damsel in distress voice, as the let out a groan.

"Fine then, come one." he began walking.

Isabelle cleared her throat still standing where he had left her. He turned back to see her tapping her foot with an eyebrow raised holding out one of her baskets. "A lady shouldn't have to carry all of this."

He let out a sigh as he rolled his eyes and stomped back to her, grabbing one of the baskets and looping his arm in her offered one. They walked back to the castle, one slightly annoyed as a brother gets with a sister, the other wearing a smug look knowing she had won this time.

How was it? The next chapters will have a little more excitement and will be where things start to change.

Thanks for reading.