This is a Re-post of the first chapter, cause the html decided to show up... grrrr...

Anywho... this is my Merlin fic, super exciting! This is an AU that came from me sitting in the TV room reading Merlin fanfics while my siblings watched DreamWorks™ How to Train Your Dragon. TaDa! Inspiration! Hope you enjoy it!

Pshh...of course I own Merlin... why would you think otherwise? *twitch... shifty eyes... fidget... GASP* Alright! Alright... I lied. I don't own Merlin... or HTTYD... *sniffle*

Prince Arthur was perfectly aware of how the people saw him. It didn't mean he had to like it. He knew he was sometimes called Uther's Embarrassment, that the other Nobles scorned him, and he often riled at the injustice. He wasn't completely useless; but that's how everyone saw the prince who couldn't sit still long enough to get through a counsel meeting, or who preferred to work in the castle forge with Tom and his daughter Gwen than train with the Knights.

That's actually where he was right now, sweat soaking his hair as he pounded a heated rod of steel into the beginnings of a sword. He turned to lay the metal back in the coals and pumped the bellows, watching the colors change.

"Here." The blond man turned to see Guinevere holding a mug of water. Her hands easily replaced his on the bellows as he took the offered drink. "How's it coming?"

"We're on schedule. The new batch of swords should be done by tomorrow night."

"Just in time for a new batch of Squires to go into training." Arthur said nothing, taking the bellows back from Gwen and checking the color of the blade.

Gwen watched a little sadly as he returned to pounding the metal into shape.

The bells started tolling and he looked up, dunking the blade in a bucket of water. "Another one." He pulled the sword from the bucket and wrapped it in a swath of cloth before putting it up on a shelf while Gwen banked the coals. "Let's go watch, shall we?"

Arthur let Gwen precede him out of the forge and together they made their way to the main square where a pyre had been built. Uther stood on the balcony, watching the excited crowd with pleasure.

"Margaret Densha has been found guilty of using spells and enchantments. By Camelot's laws she must be burned." The spectators cheered. "Bring forth the condemned." The woman was led out by two guards, haggard and in rags, her eyes carefully blank as they roamed the crowd. The cheering turned to jeers and condemnations as she was led through the throng.

Her gaze fell on Arthur and suddenly she lunged forward, tearing from the guards' hold and gripping his shirt in her hands. Her eyes burned gold as they locked with his blue ones. "The time is upon us." Her voice was low and strong. "When the enemies of Camelot rage against the Tyrant. When the hope of many is lost. Fate will bring the Sword and the Shield together. Then will the Once and Future King gain the confidence he lacks. Then will Emrys find purpose for his wanderings. Then. Then will there be peace."

The guards succeeded in pulling the woman from him and she went quietly to the pyre. The watchers cheered as it was lit, but Arthur seemed to be seeing everything in slow motion and sounds were muted. Then he felt Gwen tugging at his sleeve and time resumed. "Arthur, are you okay? What did she say to you?"

He looked down blankly at her for a moment. "I'm fine..." He muttered. "she was just spouting nonsense."

"My Lord." The prince and his friend turned to face the speaker. "Your Father requires your presence. Immediately." It was Sir Leon, the only one of the Knights that didn't treat Arthur like he was completely worthless.

"Of course." Arthur nodded goodbye to Guinevere and followed the Knight into the palace.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" Arthur was extremely aware of the sweaty black tunic, with the sleeves rolled up and collar open, that he was wearing as he stepped into the room the King was waiting in.

"Ah, Arthur." There was that disappointed scowl that Uther always wore when talking at his son. "That sorcerer, she said something to you in the square. What was it?"

Arthur blinked. "Um, she did-didn't say anything, really. Ju-just some inane babble..." He wasn't completely sure why he wasn't repeating the woman's words to his Father. Maybe because he wouldn't really listen.

"Are you sure?" It was barely a question.

"Yes, sire. I don't think she was quite sane."

"Very well, you may go." Arthur bowed and turned to leave. "Make sure you are presentable for the banquet tonight."

"...yes, sire..." Arthur closed the door quietly and slowly headed down the hallway. Another banquet... another opportunity for the Prince to humiliate himself.

Arthur drew his own bath that night - years of lugging around metal and wielding a smithing hammer made such tasks easy - and quickly washed the layer of sweat and ash from his skin and hair. Gwen showed up right before the feast to help him with the more complicated parts of his formal attire - as always.

"Thanks, Gwen." He murmured as she efficiently smoothed his cape.

"Good luck tonight."

"When have I ever had luck?"

She sighed sympathetically and patted his shoulder before slipping out of the room just as Sir Leon arrived to take the prince to the Banquet Hall.

And we begin!

Right off the bat I need your help, I need another Magic User. I already have Merlin, Freya, Gili, Morgana, Morgause, Nimueh, Mordred, and an OC. I need one more - playing for the good guys - (but that doesn't mean that they can't be a villain in the actual series...) so if anyone has any ideas, let me know! Thanks y'all!

++ImagineShine