Chapter 1: Welcome to Camelot

No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will, in time, father the legend. His name: Merlin.

Merlin let out an exhausted sigh, "Are we there yet?" he asked his elder sister for what felt like the hundredth time.

Juliana turned back to look at him with a smirk, "What's the matter, little brother, tired already?"

He stopped and gave Juliana a suspicious frown, "I think you have gotten us lost on purpose."

She let out a soft laugh, "Oh Merlin, calm down. We're here, see?"

Just as they came to the top of their hill, there stood the magnificent kingdom of Camelot.

"Welcome to Camelot, Merlin."

The siblings stood there; Merlin staring at Camelot and Juliana watching her little brother's face. She waited until he was ready before they began their trek once again.

Juliana and Merlin were the children of Hunith; and she was older than her little brother by a year. While Merlin was gifted with vast power and a great destiny, Juliana was imparted with powerful healing abilities. She moved to Camelot not long after her seven and tenth name day so that she could apprentice with their uncle Gauis, who was the Court physician for the royal family in Camelot. Now, a year later too many people had come to know of Merlin's power in their village and Hunith was worried about him so she was sending him to Camelot as well.

As they were nearing the city gates, Merlin decided to run a head of his sister and see what this grand city had to offer. When he made it inside, however, he was in for a horrifying awakening. Standing on one of the castle balconies was King Uther, performing an execution.

Merlin had stopped long enough for Juliana to catch up with him, and now they were both watching the spectacle. To the right there were two guards holding a man as they led him on to the platform.

Everyone in the square had quieted as King Uther began to speak, "Let this serve as a lesson to all. 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. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."

He raises his arm, then lowers it as a signal to the executioner and Juliana had to turn and burry her head in her brother's shoulder as he placed a comforting arm around her, but by the sounds of the onlooker's gasps the execution had come to an end.

"When I came to this land," Juliana looked back up to see the king speaking again, "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 twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."

Once he finished everyone still seemed a little shook up to continue on their way, Juliana was just about to turn and lead her brother away as well until they all heard a woman wailing and weeping. People began to move out of her way and she came to stand in the middle of the crowd. It was an elderly woman with tears running down her cheeks.

"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! And 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." The woman threatened and Juliana felt her heart jump into her throat at the mention of the prince's demise.

The king was also rattled by the witch's threat, "Seize her!" he ordered and Guards began coming at her from all angles. But just as they reached the center of town the woman muttered a spell and vanished in a tornado of wind and smoke. The king walked back into the castle and the crowd began to disperse.

Juliana let out a sigh before grabbing her brother's arm, "Come one, let's go find Gauis."

Juliana led him into the castle and up some stairs, smiling at a pair of guards as they walked by. The guards gawked at her and smiled charmingly as the siblings walked past.

Once they reached the court physician's room Juliana turned and looked at Merlin, "Alright, this is where I leave you."

Merlin turned and looked at his sister, horrified at the though of her leaving, "Why are you leaving?"

Juliana chuckled, "Because I have to let my boss know I'm home. And besides, I don't live here. I have my own little cabin right outside the castle. I'd offer to let you live there with me but it's too small."

Merlin looked slightly embarrassed, "I… thought you worked for Gauis."

Juliana smiled slightly, "I do in a way. Gauis trains me and when I'm not working I deliver potions for him and collect herbs. But I'm also the Prince's official healer."

Merlin looked at her wide eyed, "How on earth did you land that job?"

She chuckled before standing on her tip toes and placing a kiss on her brother's kiss, "I'll tell you some other time, but for now I have to go."

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Juliana couldn't find Arthur so she went to see the Lady Morgana instead. When she arrived at her door, however, she could hear arguing on the other side and just when Juliana was about to knock the door swung open suddenly and she was faced with the King.

"Sire." She dropped into a curtsy

Uther smiled at her slightly, "Ah Juliana, you are back. How was your journey home?"

"I enjoyed seeing my family and friends, but I am glad to be home, my Lord." She replied, copying his smile.

The king nodded, "Yes you were well missed around here, especially by my son and ward. Arthur was practically sulking without you around, and I know Morgana enjoys your council."

Juliana blushed at the king's praise. It was well known that while the king wasn't fond of many people outside his family, Juliana was one of the few he did like and admire.

After bidding farewell to Uther, she walked into Morgana's chambers to see her standing by the window, "Don't tell me you watched the execution today." Juliana reprimanded.

Morgana turned at the sound of her voice and exclaimed, "Oh Juliana how good to see you, I feared you would never return."

Juliana chuckled as she walked forward to hug her friend, "You know I would never leave you to suffer Arthur's mood swings alone."

Morgana frowned at the mention of the spoiled prince, "Yes he has been insufferable since you left."

"The king said about the same thing." She chuckled then turned serious, "But how are you? I know the executions always get you so upset."

Morgana sighed before dropping to sit on her bed, "Oh it's terrible, that poor mother. I don't understand why Uther has to be such a tyrant."

Juliana sat beside her and consoled her friend, "Who knows why Uther is the way he is, but I believe that someday the killings will end and good will return to Camelot, you just have to have faith that things will change."

They sat and talked for a while longer, with Morgana filling her in on the latest gossip, but soon it became dark. Juliana bid her friend goodnight and made her way home.

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The next morning Juliana started her day a bit later than usual having accidentally slept in. She knew that by now Arthur and his knights would be in the training field.

Part of her job was that she had to be there just in case he got hurt, just as she joined him on hunts and was on standby at banquets and tournaments.

She hurried through getting ready and grabbed something simple to eat before rushing out the door and through the streets. She finally reached the training field only to find her brother standing there talking with the strong handsome young man with his beautiful soft blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and from the look of things her brother was starting a fight with this man.

Juliana sped up her pace, trying to reach her brother before he got himself in some real trouble. As she got closer, Juliana was able to hear the conversation.

"Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?" the blonde man asked her brother condescendingly.

Merlin gave him a confused look, "No"

He smirked at her brother, "Would you like me to help you?"

Merlin answered in a threatening tone, "I wouldn't if I were you."

"Why? What are you gonna do to me?" the man teased sneering at him

"You have no idea." Merlin replied as I stepped closer to the two.

The blonde man began taunting her brother, "Be my guest! Come on! Come on! Come oooooon."

Juliana could see Merlin getting worked up and she knew he was about to do something stupid. She began moving faster trying to get there in time, but she wasn't fast enough. Juliana watched as Merlin threw a punch at the man, but he dodged it and twisted Merlin's arms behind his back.

"I'll have you thrown in jail for this." The blonde man threatened, still holding on to Merlin's arms.

"Who do you think you are, the king?!" Merlin exclaimed and the man tightened his grip on Merlin's arms.

Juliana decided now was a good time to step in and stop this before her brother got thrown in jail, "No you idiot, He's the king's son, Prince Arthur."

Both men turned to stare at the woman before them Merlin's face was full of confusion while Arthur's was more curious. Arthur forced Merlin to his knees, and then motioned for a couple of knights to grab him.

With his hands free, Arthur walked over to Juliana, "You're late. When did you get back?" He playfully scolded

Juliana smirked at the prince, "What's the matter, my Lord? Did you miss me?"

Merlin was standing there watching them with the most confused look on his face until realization hit him suddenly, "This is your boss? You work for this arse?"

Arthur turned and stared at the boy, "Juliana, do you know this idiot?"

Before the guards could cart her brother away, Juliana stepped forward, "Yes I do, this is my little brother. Please my Lord, don't throw him in the dungeons, he's new to Camelot and had no idea who he was addressing."

Arthur frowned in thought, "Well I can't just let him go after the way he spoke to me."

Juliana smirked, "Perhaps a less sever punishment then?"

"What?" Merlin questioned looking at his big sister in shock.

Arthur smiled at the look she had on her face, "What do you suggest, my lady?"

"A day in the Stocks?" she offered as a compromise

Arthur thought for a moment, before nodded, "Yes that sounds alright. Guards take him to the stocks."

"Juliana are you serious? Juliana?" Merlin called as he was being dragged away.

"Wait," Juliana called and they stopped, Arthur turned to look at her, "The day is almost over my lord, would it not be better to wait until tomorrow so he can spend the whole day there."

Arthur grinned at her, "Yes that is a good idea. Guards take him to the dungeons until tomorrow; he will be spending the day in the stocks."

After they were gone Juliana turned to Arthur, hands on hips, and asked, "Was it necessary to put him in the dungeons at all? Couldn't you just let him go home?"

"I'm truly sorry Juliana, but he had to be taught a lesson?" Arthur replied before turning back to his men. "Now, fun's over let's get back to work. Take your positions."

And with that Juliana walked off to the side and sat down where she would remain until training was over or she was needed. Arthur never really got hurt during training, a simple cut, a minor bruise was about all he got; but he said he liked having her there because his knights trained even harder trying to impress her. He secretly enjoyed impressing her as well.

It was no secret around the keep that Juliana was a woman of great beauty; some said she was even more beautiful than the lady Morgana, and much more approachable. She had every Nobleman that came to visit, every knight in the castle, and every peasant in the village vying for her attention, though Juliana only had eyes for one man. The one man she could never have.

~~~~~_~~~~~_~~~~~_~~~~~_T.P.H_~~~~~_~~~~~_~~~~~_~~~~~

Training was canceled the next day on account of Lady Helen's arrival, so Juliana had the day off. She decided to go spend time with Gaius and Merlin. However when she arrived at Gaius' quarters no one was home, so Juliana decided to wait; and while she waited she began organizing their chambers, men were such messy creatures. She spent nearly the entire day there by herself, cleaning.

Around late afternoon the door to Gaius' chambers suddenly burst open and Gaius and Merlin both walk inside slamming the door behind them, both seemed to be in a bad mood.

"How could you be so foolish?!" Gaius shouted at her brother.

"He needed to be taught a lesson." Was Merlin's reply, he was a bit calmer that Gaius.

Juliana moved into the men's line of sight and questioned, "What has happened now?"

"Your brother attacked Prince Arthur again, they fought and Merlin used his magic! In Public!" Gaius replied hotly.

Juliana was shocked, she had no idea Gaius knew about her brother's powers, "How do you know… never mind that, Merlin! How could you be so stupid? I just got you out of trouble with the prince yesterday."

Gaius picked up where she left off, "Magic mush be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks!"

Merlin was getting fed up with them ganging up on him, "What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk!"

"And you should know how to control yourself by now!" Juliana lectured, "What if somebody had seen? You could have been killed. Merlin you can't do things like that here."

Merlin jumped up and shouted, "I don't want to control myself! 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." Merlin then turned and ran to his room.

"

Juliana let out a sigh, "I though I was supposed to be the girl."

Gaius laughed softly, "Do you want to go talk with him or shall I?"

Juliana shook her head, "No you go. I've had this talk with him I don't know how many times. Perhaps you can get through to him where I couldn't. I'm going to be heading home, it is getting late." She walked over and gave Gaius a kiss on the cheek, "Goodnight Gaius, and you're welcome for the clean chambers."

Hi Everyone I hope you enjoy my new story. Don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you think.

I own nothing but my OC character.