Hello all!

This is based on a story that I had lurking in the dark dark recesses of my hard drive. It's something that was influenced by every JRPG known to man (à la Final Fantasy, Grandia, Suikoden), not to mention a slew of literary epics ranging from Potter to LOTR. I love Merlin and have been reading fanfics for awhile, so I figured that it was perfectly compatible to meld with my own tale. Fate and Destiny was the original title and I'm keeping it.

F&D will keep the core characters from the show, along with many of my own original characters added into the mix. Just to set a few things up that are different from the shows lore; Arthur will have a big brother named Cedric, Merlin comes to Camelot willingly with a few cohorts/best friends (of which Morgana and Lancelot are included), and as I said in the summary, this Camelot is set in a fictional region that I would compare to the tropics. Places like Polynesia or the Caribbean. Why? Well, thank the Kingdom Hearts intro because I just love the idea of a story that's set in the middle of an ocean.

Basically the plot will revolve around three major arcs. Arthur and Merlin's meeting and courtship, serialized portions chronicling their various adventures, and the climax with is essentially a battle for the throne. It'll span around a decade's worth of time, from their teenage years to adulthood. I apologize for this enormous amount of exposition but my original story had one hell of a world I'd already set up for it, so I needed to get this out there.

Of all the places to choose as refuge, it happened to be the filthiest rathole in the entire kingdom. A squalid pub filled with nothing but drunks and vagrants who despised everything about the world.

"By the Gods." The stench that collided with her nostrils was so mind-numbingly powerful that Elena almost missed the aroma of a rotting corpse. It was a potent mixture of ale, piss, and distinct form of sweat that no human had any reason to possess.

It took longer than it should have for her vision to adjust, the poorly placed lanterns scattered about around the room didn't help. With one hand clasped over her nose, Elena continued further inside, scanning the entire room for her target. Soon enough, she noticed someone who fit the profile perfectly. He was seated at a table at the corner of the room, mouth seemingly glued to the edge of a mug. Her approach was inconspicuous enough that he didn't notice her, then again, he looked drunk enough to be comatose. She took the seat across from him, then pulled off her cloak and slung it behind her.

"Sir Gwaine?" He looked up, seemingly struggling to battle against the stupor.

"Well now." Dear lord, he smiled and it was nauseating. "How can I help you my lady?"

The stench of his breath could probably take down a bear, but Elena politely ignored it by inhaling through her mouth.

"By giving me information, if you have some."

That answer disappointed him because his attention quickly returned to the half-empty mug.

"My mind is a locked box, I never know what's inside unless someone's giving me incentive to look." As she expected.

"What do you want, another drink?"

He paused, scratched at that repulsive beard, then took another swig of ale.

"Still closed, though I might be able to pick the lock with a little...encouragement. What say you and I get a room—"

This was getting nowhere. Elena pulled out a small pouch from her pocket and placed it in front of the knight.

"Here's the key. Now open said box."

He lifted the bag and bounced it on his palm. The sound of jingling coins brought out a very happy chuckle, nothing like gold to stave off the appetite of a sex hungry male.

"I'm opening it now, what do you need to know?"

"I hear you were friends. Friends with a particular group of individuals."

"You must to be specific, I've encountered a great many people in my life, many of them quite particular in their own way."

"You know who I'm talking about, Arthur Pendragon and his allies." He didn't flinch at the name, instead a rather wistful grin came out.

"Ah, those guys. They were an interesting bunch."

"Well, I need information. On him and his so called Round Table."

Gwaine's face scrunched up, surprise that seemed far too genuine for her liking. "Is that what he calls it?"

"The knight, Lancelot and his mistress Guinevere. The mage called Merlin Emrys. Morgana le Faye, Percival, Elyan the White. I already have their names, but I must know more about them. What happened, where they are now. I need to understand how this entire mess started."

"This mess started because of a mighty king who grew a little too paranoid." His fingers clenched around the handle of his drink, soon their tips had turned white.

He turned to her, looking more sober and serious by the second. "You don't work for him do you?"

Elena immediately shook her head. "My allegiance is to Lady Nimueh. If Cedric's genocide spreads into neighboring regions, a civil war will break out that could eradicate all of the kingdom. It is my duty to stop that from ever happening."

"And what's your plan, hmm? To stage a coup? It won't be anything that hasn't been thought up already."

"Whatever decision we make, it will require Prince Arthur's presence and input."

Gwaine sighed, eyes glazed over as he stared back into his ale. "He and that Circular Desk of his are gone, or at least separated. Been that way for a few years now. At the rate Cedric's pushing this grandiose plan of his, chances are you'll never reach all of them in time."

He finished the rest of his drink and let out a belch. "If that's your intention of course."

"A chance is better than nothing," she said with resolute confidence. He scoffed, then signaled the barkeep for another drink. Growing more impatient by the minute, Elena slammed a fist against the table. It didn't faze him, but she knew it would bolster her point.

"I'm willing to give you more money than you can ever imagine, allow you access to things you could only dream of. But I need your cooperation. We cannot let Camelot burn for the sadistic whims of that madman on the throne."

"Madness that was unfortunately hereditary. Although I'd gladly take old Uther any day."

"Will you help me?" She waited, for a response, for anything.

He sighed again. "What do you need?"

She couldn't hold back a relieved smile. "The truth."

AUTHOR'S NOTE — I want to emphasize that this little prologue sets up the stage for the "third act" of my story, and that I won't return to it for a while. My version of a teaser trailer. The next chapter will focus on Arthur and Merlin, and how they meet. Sorry for those who might expect this to start off big. I like my stories to be slow burners that all culminate with a big ol explosion. Any critiques or reviews will be much appreciated!