DISCLAIMER: BBC OWNS MERLIN. I DO NOT. Hey guys…I love Merlin, and was ( SPOILER ALERT ) devastated when Arthur died. I cried so hard…but this story will be for all of you grieving Merlin fans, with this epic story I shall be updating at least once a week. I hope that you really enjoy this. Read on, and review. ENJOY

CHAPTER 1: MERLYN

"Here you are, Nana!" I said, placing the pail of water on the counter. Nana smiled her crinkly smile at me.

"Gracias, Marilyn. You didn't strain yourself too much, eh?" she said, worry lacing her tone towards the end. I refrained from rolling my eyes as I did with my parents. Sure, the handle of the well made me sweat a little to get going, but not everything in the world would hurt me.

"Nope. And it's Grazie. That was Spanish you spoke." I laughed at her mistake. She joined me in giggles and I was suddenly very grateful to have an awesome grandma. I had been learning Italian for years, and though I was definitely not fluent, Nana was intent on me teaching her. She was trying, trust me, don't judge her for speaking Spanish accidentally-the woman was just getting old.

She poured the water into the pot. I noticed how cluttered the counter was after my voyage to the well and was both excited and disappointed to see the ingredients on it. She was making spaghetti.

And Nana always made it from scratch.

"You know what this is. Cut those tomatoes." She said in a firm voice.

I huffed. "Why do I-"

"Marilyn, really?" she warned, her eyebrows crinkling. I sighed again, but shushed my complaining.

When I was finally finished, I washed my hands and I went to my room that my grandparents let me stay in when I slept over; which was quite often. I plopped down onto my simple bed, somehow always finding it more comfy than my expensive bed and mattress at my own house. Nana always made me go home after a few days, not wanting me to spend too much time away from my parents. I was always disappointed, but always followed her wishes.

I huffed as I stuffed my face into my pillow. I was bored, something that usually never happened in the busy small town and house that my grandparents stayed in. I had already returned all of my texts, accepted friend requests and checked my email on my smartphone. I always offered help to the neighbors, but today I was feeling rather lazy. That and the fact that I actually did hurt my arm getting water from the old well kept me from bothering them.

I got up and went to the bathroom, searching for the ice packs. I sighed when I couldn't find them- Papa probably had them for the bruise he got on his knee yesterday.

I then realized I'd have to admit to Nana that I actually did hurt my arm. When I got to the kitchen to ask Nana for some frozen peas, she wasn't there. And oddly, she'd left the stove on.

"Nana?" I yelled out.

She probably was in the bathroom. I shook my head and set the boiling homemade sauce on low before yelling that I'd be going out.

I successfully completed texting and driving on the way to the library and met up with a bunch of friends from school.

"Hey, Mary!" Kim exclaimed, hugging me. I smiled my signature smile at her, ignoring the buzz from my phone. I entered the library, my other friends following as we sat at a table.

"We are going to the mall after this, right?" I asked, slightly bored. I liked to read, but this library didn't have much of my typical-teen favorite genres; anything with vampires and werewolves. Sydney nodded quickly.

"Of course! I promise I'll be just a moment." she promised, and raced off to a bookshelf. I knew it never was a moment, so I got my phone out and started returning more text messages. I didn't notice Kim watching me until I looked up and saw her looking at me. I crinkled my nose.

"What?" I asked, wincing at how I sounded. I was too blunt for my own good. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't look offended.

"Nothing, just…Marilyn, can I talk to you about something?"

"We're already talking, but sure."

"That." She said suddenly, her brows furrowing. I immediately started wondering if someone was bothering her. I had lots of guy friends who would definitely be willing to beat that person up for me.

She sighed. "Marilyn, we are your friends, right?"

Considering that I'd just thought about getting vengeance on whoever was bothering her, of course. But the question did throw me off guard.

"Of course." I assured, confused. Did she not think I was?

As soon as I asked that to myself, I understood.

This happened with all my friends. I had so many at school that I'd been in more than one situation where a group of friends didn't feel 'special'. This was never the case, but…well, at least I never meant for it to be. I really wasn't a bitch, but it was hard keeping up with so many people.

"Sometimes, it feels like you don't want to be bothered with us."

That definitely wasn't true.

"That's not true-"

"You're always checking your phone and you're always sarcastic! What am I supposed to think?" she exploded, letting me know she was bothered by this for a while. I laughed; causing her to look confused for a moment, but then more pissed.

"Why did you not tell me before?"

We ended up making up in a matter of minutes, and were laughing so hard that the librarian asked us to quiet down. I got up off my butt and went to the new Supernatural section Kim said the library had built. As I walked in between the row of books, I passed a very, very old woman.

Human instincts in me told me this lady was off her rocker.

She was twitching violently and was wearing a cape.

I know. A cape.

I turned in the other direction and forgot about the books, not wanting to pull the dumb blonde horror film move, but a hand was suddenly on my arm.

A pasty, wrinkly hand.

All of a sudden, before I could even react, it all went dark.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a small room. Instead of freaking out like a normal person, I believed I was having a dream. I mean, it went dark after the old lady caught my shoulder. Maybe I passed out from…the dustiness of the books and she was just being a good civilian. Embracing the dream, I finally noticed the only thing in the white room-a large bookshelf. I walked over it, having nothing else to do in this lame dream, and instinctively reached for a book.

I tried to pull it out, but gasped when my fingers could not pick it up. In fact, I couldn't pull it out at all, and the books were not tightly packed together. I was about to shrug off the ordeal, blaming it on my slightly off mind, but then stubbed my toe as I turned, yelping at the throb of pain. I backed into the shelf, but became absolutely silent as the shelf was turning. Literally turning.

I closed my eyes, praying that I wouldn't be sent to Narnia or something, but then realized, with a dumb glint, that there was a closet involved with that. I would rather go to Wonderland. I squeezed my eyes and tried to imagine Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Instead, when I opened my eyes, I gazed in wonder at a large library. Not just any one. It was vast, with maroon colored carpeting, and rows and rows of bookshelves that looked like they were literally endless. A tiny grin plastered my pale face as I ran off, laughing at my sudden discovery. That moment of joy was cut off, though, when I turned behind me to find the turning bookshelf vanished.

I forgot that I'd felt pain from my toe.

As soon as I remembered that, I started to feel the familiar throb in my arm from when I'd messed with the well.

This wasn't a dream.

I took in a deep breath, trying not to panic as I verified my situation. I then sat down on the plush carpeting of the supernatural library, putting my face in my hands. I could've stopped this, if I hadn't of been stupid enough to have enough nosiness to reach for a random book in a random room.

Seriously, though, how on Earth did I think I was in a dream? I was trying to make myself go to Wonderland. But this couldn't be a dream. Bookshelves didn't do that…where the hell were my friends at?

"Shit!"

"I have not taught you to speak such nasty words, Marilyn." I gasped, and covered my mouth when I heard Nana's voice echo through the library. I stood up, and breathed out a breath of relief when I saw her standing in front of me, an unknown emotion passing through her eyes. I ran up to her, hugging her tightly.

"Nana! How'd you get here? Oh my god, I promise to try and get us out of this craziness. Excuse the language! Oh, god…" I said, already beginning to go to a row of bookshelves. I flinched in surprise when Nana roughly grabbed my arm; much strength for such an old woman.

"You can't leave, Marilyn." She said in a strict voice. I began to worry at the serious tone in her voice. I couldn't control my own actions when I backed away from her.

"What do you mean?" I murmured, wincing as my back hit the dusty shelf of a bookshelf. She motioned for me to follow her.

We seemed to be walking straightly forever, until she stopped, turning into a row, and stopping at the second shelf to the right, pulling out an old book. I glanced cautiously at her as she blew dust from its cover, revealing a very thick, worn book, with torn, yellowing pages, and cracks in the leather cover. She opened it for me to see, and I gasped as I saw the illustration in it.

"T-that's me?" I said, not meaning for it to come out as a question. It was obviously me. She nodded, her serious stance not fading.

"Your name is Merlyn."

"What the hell, Nana?" I blurted, not giving a rat's ass about my language. I then took a deep breath, cursing to myself. Nana probably lost her mind, with how old she is. She might've been here for hours. It seemed near impossible, though. Nana was the strongest woman I knew. "

"C'mon, Nana-"

"NO." she said sternly, making me jump at how loud her deep voice was. I released my hold on her arm. She sighed, and motioned for me to look in the book. "You are a sorceress, Merlyn. You-"

"My name is Marilyn." I interrupted much harsher than intended, causing her to glare at me. I'd never seen this side of my grandma before. Yes, she'd give me warning stares when I was starting to whine about something trivial, but I never saw her look so…sinister.

I gulped. Her stare silenced me quickly. "Now, as I was saying," she said, sending another look at me, "you are a great sorceress, placed in the wrong world. Your parents do not have a real connection to you because, in a way, you are not their child. You are Hunith's daughter. She is your mother in Ealdor, awaiting your return to the small village. You were born a sorceress. You will find out more as you journey through the forest. Go to Camelot."

With that, my grandmother literally pushed me into the book.

I screamed as I continued falling through a seemingly black pit. I squeezed my eyes shut, just hoping for a quick and painless death. I then opened my eyes to look for something to grab when I saw the grass awaiting me. It didn't look like it would be plush enough to hinder my fall.

Suddenly, when I saw that I was about to plop on the grass, I wished for myself to stop.

And I did.

I stared at the ground that I was now hovering right about, my nose skimming a blade of bright green grass. I was gasping wildly out loud, my chest hitting the ground and back up as I breathed heavy, short breaths.

I flopped on the ground, my face covered in dirt and grass. I sat up and wiped my eyes, scanning my surroundings. I sighed in relief when I saw my backpack, pulling out my cell phone. I dialed 911, but my phone wouldn't even dial. In fact, the whole thing shut off. No service towers, it said. Thanks, oh so amazing, extremely expensive smartphone.

I groaned miserably and flopped to my knees. What now? I had no signal, and I was in a creepy forest.

Camelot

I jumped at the whispery voice that I heard. There was no sign of anyone else here in this I hearing voices? I finally looked down, and shrieked.

I was in a pair of brown leather pants, tan robes, and a blue, worn-out scarf, along with a dark red sash and brown boots. It looked manly…but feminine, since it hugged my nonexistent curves snugly.

Sigh.

I began to trudge my way through the forest, and being abnormally clumsy, tripping over roots, loose branches, and sometimes just midair when there was nothing even in my way.

I slapped at my arm as I felt an insect crawl on me. Great. Not only had I been walking for about an hour, but it'd been starting to get dark. I was about to give up hope when I saw a city in the distance. Yes! A phone tower might be there.

But as I got closer, my eyes widened. Was there a huge Renaissance Festival going on? I assumed so since it looked like a medieval town, but they must've set up right next to an actual castle. There's no way they would've taken the time to build that…

Regardless, I ran up to the large archway that was guarded by two 'guards'. This was the most realistic festival ever…but I needed to see if I could get to a phone.

"Excuse me, fair maiden," I said, putting up quote signs as I said this, but not receiving a look of humor as I thought. Instead, the lady looked at me like I was crazy. "do you have a cell on you I can borrow? Or do you know anywhere around here that has one? Mine doesn't have a signal." she nodded, but looked like she didn't quite understand my question.

"What is a 'phone', Miss?"

…

"What? Oh, you're in character. I'll leave you to your job…don't wanna be caught slacking by the boss, eh?" I said, patting her on the shoulder, my backpack slapping against my back. She continued to stare at me in confusion and slight fright as I made my tiny self through the busy town. I had to try to keep my sanity. This is just some twisted renaissance fair that had extremely passionate workers and fans or an insane dream my brain is making up. A coma perhaps?

…as long as I wasn't in an Amish community.

Gaius is waiting. Your letter is in your sack.

Alright.

Officially loco.

I inhaled deeply and observed my surroundings more closely, searching for any electrical devices. There were lots of people hustling and bustling around, some carrying large baskets on carts, some at stands. Children were running around, and others were just walking quickly. It reminded me a bit of the old-fashioned town my grandparents lived in. I had a slight panic attack when I saw no jean-clad people or a ticket booth. Maybe it was in the back. Maybe people really just loved the Festival a lot.

I continued to walk around, and looked curiously at a large crowd forming, and a trumpet sound and drums rang through the air. I made my way through the crowd, having to push to even get through. I stood on my tiptoes to see the action.

"This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic."

I looked in the direction of the British voice, and saw a guy with chainmail and a red cape standing at the top of a balcony. He must've been the 'king', since I saw a shiny, golden crown on top of his balding head.

King Uther. That bloody bastard.

I flinched at the voice in my head, laced with extreme hate.

I gasped when the King announced himself as Uther Pendragon.

The Voice was right. Oh god.

…Did he just say that magic was banned? This show was pretty good; really realistic. My eyebrows furrowed as I saw the man kneel at a log in the center of a platform where everyone was crowded around it. How would they pull this off for the show? Would they do a magic trick or something? Not do it? Maybe someone would be a hero and save the guy and everyone would cheer and throw roses-

I got my answer as the man holding an axe chopped the Thomas James Collins's head clean off.

I broke out in a sweat, trying to breathe as I panted wildly. I just saw someone die.

Someone just got beheaded. That blood was real.

A wrinkly old lady started to cry, and threatened Uther. I gasped when she disappeared into thin air after vowing to get revenge. This couldn't be a dream. My brain wasn't this creative except for when I'd planned the Homecoming dance.

Show Gaius the letter in your sack

I rushed into the castle, not able to force myself to watch what happened next. This was way too much for me to handle. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down as I asked someone where Gaius's place was in the castle. Maybe he'd help me- Gaius was a guy name, right?

And yes, I was doing what the…Voice said. What else would I have done? I'd asked two other people about phones and even brought up Lady Gaga in hopes they'd know anything 21st century. I couldn't risk being burnt at the stake or something because of people thinking I was crazy…or getting beheaded for being thought to have magic.

I entered a room with tables full of colorful potion glasses and scientific equipment after getting directions from two people. I leaned in closer to one table, marveling at the stuff. I crinkled my nose at the smell emanating from one beaker. I then turned to, surprisingly, see an old man reaching for a shelf on top of a set of stairs. Was he Gaius? He didn't seem to notice me and I hesitated. Maybe this man knew of my little predicament, and that was why the Voice had sent me to him.

"Gaius?" I questioned clearly. He began to turn around, but fell right through the flimsy stair railing. Without knowing how the hell I did it, I froze him in the air, my will of trying to save him somehow working. I then moved the bed underneath him as he plopped onto it instead of the hard, unforgiving ground.

"What did you just do?" the old man breathed out.

If I knew that answer, I would've told him.

He must've been Gaius since he responded to my calling. I couldn't help but feel cheated as I noticed that, unfortunately, even the old man was taller than me as well, like most people. Oh, Nana was shorter than me only because of her hunched spine…

"Err," I murmured, thinking of an answer to that.

"Tell me." He demanded, finally getting up.

"Um."

"If anyone had seen that-"

"Err, it wasn't me!" I said in a panic after remembering what happened to the man earlier for using magic. Hell. This was a bad idea. The Voice was probably some corrupt part of my mind or something that made me make wrong decisions. Should I have even come to this place? Camelot?

"Where did you learn how to do it?"

"Nowhere." I said bluntly. Well, it was the truth.

"How is it that you know magic?"

"I don't."

"Where did you study it?"

"I didn't." I said this more frustrated than I meant to because of my rising temper.

"Are you lying to me, girl?" he muttered questioningly, inching closer. He most certainly didn't trust me any better thanks to my smartalic tone. I shook my head at my childishness.

"What should I say?" I asked.

"The truth." He said confidently.

Uh oh.

I tried to think back to the painful and confusing memory of Nana speaking to me about being…Merlyn.

"I was born with this stuff. Magic, I mean." I said awkwardly, motioning to myself.

"Who are you?" he wondered. His tone of voice almost made me laugh, but I smiled instead.

"I'm Marilyn." I answered automatically.

Merlyn

"I mean, I'm Merlyn." I corrected, following the weird Voice's directions again. What else did I have to lose, anyway? I'd probably be put in jail in a week, with my poor knowledge of Medieval times.

"Hunith's child? I thought that you'd be a young man! I offer my apologies. And you're not meant to be here until Wednesday!" he said, laughing. I nervously laughed with him. At least he wasn't suspicious. I reached into my bag, and, boom, a letter was in my hands. The Voice was correct yet again. It reminded me of those pesty know-it-alls in the classroom.

"I have a letter." I confirmed, confident for the first time I'd entered this city. Well, let's hope that it would convince him, whatever it said.

I walked to my room as the sun was starting to set, flopping onto my new bed…it was a bad idea. My back ached, another reminder that this wasn't a dream.

Wherever I was, and whatever I was sent here for, how long would I be here? I sighed, rubbing my temples with my hands. I wished I could communicate with that stupid Voice. It seemed to go away as quickly as it would come.

I tried my hardest not to cry. Maybe this was a dream-I had to have been extremely lucid to feel pain, I guess. Was I in a coma? Perhaps I had passed out in the library.

Clinging on to this thought was the only thing keeping me from bursting into tears.

I roughed up my hair with my hands and hopped out of the horrible bed. I walked over to my small window and frowned when I couldn't see through the window even on my tip toes.

…Maybe this was just a dream.

Maybe not.

I gazed at my 'breakfast' with a bit of uncertainty, sniffing the squishy white oats. It smelt like nothing…

"What is this?" I asked snarkily before I could stop myself. I thanked the Lord that Gaius was halfway asleep and asked me to repeat myself. I really did not want to appear as a rich brat…I was glad to have somewhere to at least rest my head and think about what I was going to do next. I couldn't afford to piss him off because of my complaining.

The bed was really stiff, the draft was chilling, the blankets were thin, and the food wasn't that good, as of first impressions of it.

Okay, it sucked.

But I still really appreciated it. I put my thick, inky hair up in a messy bun, putting my hooded tan robe over my head. I saw Gaius knock down a pail of water, and I reached a hand out to catch it.

I didn't mean to stop it in its tracks.

I stared at the frozen-in-time bucket, the water that was about to spill on the ground frozen, too. Gaius gasped, looking at me as I looked at him.

"The hell?" I said to myself. The bucket immediately dropped after I said that.

Gaius tisked at my language. "How did you do that?"

I snorted. "Did it sound like I knew when I used foul language?" I muttered to myself, which received me a painful hit to the arm. "Ow!" I muttered in shock, examining my fragile arm that would most likely bruise from the simple hit.

"It just happened." I murmured, properly answering his question. My heart still thumped from his surprise hearing of my words- I was scared he would put me out just for that.

"You can help me until I find some paid work for you." My eyes lightened up a bit. I grabbed a mop to start cleaning up the puddle that the bucket made, nodding my thanks to Gaius, but I was internally frowning. So, what now?

I seemed to have asked that question multiple times to myself. So, would I just live as a regular commoner in a kingdom?

...Why the hell was I even here?

I didn't even care about how I got here. What was I supposed to do here? There was an obvious reason for my presence here-my grandmother wouldn't just send me here for nothing. I wouldn't mind getting the answer to 'how' though...

I breathed out in relief when Gaius gave me an errand to run, grateful to be taken from my darkening thoughts.

He raised a brow when I'd abruptly dropped the mop.

"I just like to help out." I explained simply. He shook his head, but looked amused.

"Hollyhock and feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwen. He's blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once." I nodded, and was glad to see that the potions were labeled. Before I left, he handed me a delicious-looking pastry. At first, I was shocked at the kind gesture from the man I'd only known for a day. I grinned, and hugged him, making him gasp, but he chuckled and hugged me back. I was appalled at my own actions as well, but I was used to trusting others quickly. It was both a good and bad thing to have, Papa would say.

I would much rather that than that gruel stuff I had, anyway. It looked more filling, too. Offer me food and I'd jump off a cliff if you said it would make you happy.

"And Merlyn," he said, taking the mop. "I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed."

I snorted, but nodded seriously. "Trust me, I found that out quickly when a man was beheaded right in front of me."

I chewed on a piece of the pastry Gaius gave me, looking for the patients I was assigned to give the potions to. After asking around again for the second patient, I eventually ended up at a dark wooden door in the bricked castle walls. I knocked politely, and an old man answered the door, his eyes nearly glued shut. "I brought you your medicine." I said quietly, feeling like I shouldn't speak too loud. I put the small bottle of yellow liquid into his hands, since he couldn't see very well, and, to my horror, he gulped down the whole bottle.

I let out a gulp of my own.

"Err, oh no…um, I'm sure it's fine." I said, though I was unsure. I didn't want him to freak out and attack me with his cane for possibly killing him, so I scurried out. Gaius probably wouldn't have trusted me to deliver this if it could mean someone's life if I didn't inform them of how much to take. Right?

"Where's the target?"

My thoughts were interrupted by a smooth, even voice.

I frowned when I saw a man carrying a target in a small field.

"This'll teach 'em." The smooth voice said cockily. I finally saw the holder of the smooth voice and I rolled my eyes at what I saw.

Some blonde man was holding a knife. He nearly protruded the scent of "Jerk".

I gasped when he threw a knife at the boy's target that he was holding over his body.

"Hey, hang on!" Blondie cried. The men behind the bullying blonde laughed. I scoffed. What followers. "Don't stop. I told you to keep moving." The blonde said with foolish authority. Who did he think he was, tormenting someone? And not just tormenting, but tormenting so dangerously? He threw another knife, amused, telling the boy to run. I gritted my teeth as the boy struggled to keep up his target while the blonde threw knives at it. He must've been scared.

"Oh!" I gasped when the boy's shield tumbled beneath me. "You okay?" I murmured, crouching down toward the young man, who looked merely 15 or 16…taller than me, of course. I frowned when he just trembled, and wiped away a traitor tear from his cheek. I stood back up, glaring at the blonde bully. "Why would you do that? He could've gotten hurt." I demanded as calmly as possible.

I knew how it was to be picked on, and this man was completely ignorant to how traumatizing this must be. Well, either that or he knew and he just enjoyed it.

The handsome blonde turned towards me, a look of disbelief on his face. "What?" Blondie questioned, stepping closer to me. I rolled my eyes. Dumb blondes. ( A.N. No pun intended. No flames. )

"I think you've had your fun, my friend. Poor guy's been taunted enough, dontcha think?" I asked, trying to sound casual as to not piss him off. Playing dumb worked every time. To be honest, I was just pretending to not be afraid, especially when he walked up to me, that cocky look on his face again. He towered over me, but I refused to show fear.

"Do I know you?" he asked in a 'Are you serious?' tone of voice.

"No. I'm Mar-Merlyn…" I said, warily sticking my hand out for him to shake it. My almost slip up made it sound like I'd simply stumbled in speech, much to my relief and annoyance when he smirked.

"So I don't know you." He retorted, a smug voice. I angrily drew my hand back to my sides and immediately balled it into a fist. Did he always treat people like this? Women?

"Guess not." I said quietly, but still firm as I glared into his blue eyes. Typical blue-eyed blonde bully.

"Yet you called me friend." Blondie said. I tisked, cocking my head to the side.

"Yeah. I didn't mean to. No friend of mine would be such an ass, like yourself, may I add." I accidentally spurt out, not meaning to keep talking. Great job, Marilyn.

He laughed, though, actually amused by this. That made me even angrier. How could he be so cruel? I turned around, trying to walk away from the situation before it got worse. The boy had been run away, so there was no point for me to stay and possibly get hurt. Or hurt Blondie.

"Or I, one who could be so stupid. Tell me, Merlyn, do you know how to walk on your knees?" I ticked my head to the side, stroking my chin in pretend "deep thinking." I swear I saw Blondie's eyebrow twitch.

"Nope." I answered shortly, trying to walk away again.

"Would you like me to help you?" he threatened, still amused.

I swiveled around.

"Why are you trying to rile me up? I think you should let me walk away before I really lose my temper."

He chuckled, his pearly whites showing. "Why? What are you gonna do to me?" he said, backing up confidently. I continued to glare.

"You wouldn't know. You'd probably be knocked out by the time you realize what's coming." I muttered out, my calm façade vanished. I raised my right leg, readying to use it if necessary.

"Be my guest. Come on. Come on!" he said, holding his arms out, like he was telling a dog to come here.

"You're actually inviting me to punch the living daylights out of you? You really haven't listened to me at all these last few minutes, have you?"

I threw my arm at his face, and he fell for it, immediately reflexing to grab it. I then swung my right leg into his manhood as hard as I could, resulting in him falling to the ground in pain. I smirked as I heard his moans of pain. I turned to walk away when he put his hands roughly on my shoulders, forcing me to turn around.

"I'll have you thrown in jail for that." He said calmly, as if I hadn't just kicked the shit out of his groin. He roughly grabbed my arms, holding them behind my back, and I weakly tried to get out of it. I held in a hiss as my arms started to feel pain from his harsh hold on my arms and hands.

"You aren't the king around here, and I don't know what's going on in that crazy mind of yours to think you are actually someone important!"

"Glad you aren't that daft. No, I am not the king. I'm his son," I stopped struggling as he leaned in to mutter into my ear. "Arthur."

I was in a jail cell, something I'd humorously predicted would happen in a week- I'd barely been here for two days.

A single tear ran along my cheeks, and I wiped it away angrily. It wasn't from the stinky hay, dung, and feet smell of the prison cell I was being held hostage in. I hated that I cried when I got mad. I was not scared one bit of that dirty, filthy, cruel, bastard of a man, Arthur, anymore. Yeah, he kind of towered over me, which made him seem a bit intimidating, but the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And I'd smirked evilly when I saw him walk with a limp when the guards came to arrest me. Okay…at least my leg was not as weak as I thought it would be.

Merlyn. Merlyn. Merlyn.

I scrambled away from my spot on the hay-filled prison cell I was in. I heard another voice in my head. Oh god. I couldn't be going crazy. The Voice wasn't even telling me anything useful. It'd just repeated my name. I sighed when the voice stopped, but creased my forehead, looking at the spot again.

"Merlyn."

I jumped about a foot in the air, my hand going right to my chest.

"Gaius! You scared the heck out of me!" I gasped, panting. Then I rushed to the bars of the cell, rushing to see my elderly guardian. I then pouted as I got a lecture, but looked in slight confusion at the way he was able to barge in my cell, the guard not doing anything. Does that mean…

"I'm free!" I yelled out, interrupting Gaius as I jumped out of the stinky prison cell. He cleared his throat, glaring at me.

This wasn't my idea of free.

I squeezed my eyes as I was pelted with more rotting fruits and veggies, spitting out a piece of lettuce that got into my mouth. I glared at Gaius, who was laughing at me. Traitor.

"Be right back, idiot!" one of the commoners said to me. I ended up laughing with them, surprisingly. I just thought of myself as one of those midgets that worked the dunking booths at fairs and laughed.

"Hello?" said a feminine voice. I looked to my right, a bit startled. It was a lady dressed in a light red dress and a bright crimson cape. She had dark brown curly hair that was pulled into a low ponytail, and tanned mocha skin. She was very pretty, and had that natural sort of beauty.

"I'm Guinevere, though most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." No idea who Morgana was, but she must've been important, since she used a formal title when speaking of her.

"I'm…Merlyn," I said, almost saying 'Marilyn'. I stretched my hand from its stiff chained position in the stocks, and she reached over to shake it. "though the folks around here call me 'idiot'." She laughed at me, and I joined her with a soft chuckle. It wasn't that bad, being in the stocks, when there was someone to talk to. Especially someone who wasn't interested in throwing fruit at you.

"I saw what you did. You know. With Arthur. You were so brave. Though I'm glad you walked away…you weren't gonna beat him." I raised a brow. I technically already beat him…she probably didn't see me kick him, then.

"Oh, I could beat him." I contradicted, thinking about my new magical powers. I smiled goofily at my own thoughts.

"You think?" she asked, chuckling a bit as she cocked her head to the side. "Because you don't look like one of these big muscly kind of fellows."

I felt my brow touch my hairline. "Thanks?" I said, not meaning for it to come out as a question. She gasped, a hand flying to her mouth.

"No, no! I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just that Arthur's one of these real rough, tough, save-the-world kind of men. And, well…" she trailed off from her babbling. I cocked my head to the side.

"And well…?"

"You don't look like that." She said bluntly. I laughed at her honesty, but I was still slightly confused.

"Probably because I'm not a man…"

"Oh my…I am so sorry miss!" she said, gasping again. I chuckled, shaking my head. It was nice how she really did seem sincerely sorry.

"It's fine, Gwen." She smiled, breathing out a breath of relief. I then saw the people come back, with baskets of more fruit and veggies.

"I appreciate the company, but my fans are awaiting." I said, sighing dramatically. She laughed at my antics, and waved goodbye to me as I was hit with more fruits and veggies. Was that pomegranate that I tasted just now?

"God, the stocks ended up being horrible. How could they do that to people? I might have a reaction on my face from having this stuff on my face!" I exclaimed once I got back to the lab.

"It can be quite a trauma when you are left in the stocks overnight, with no food or water." Gaius said, still chuckling from the events from earlier. I gulped.

"I'm glad I was only there for an hour or two, then." He smiled, patting me on the back as he wrapped up my sore wrists. My skin broke easily, and being in the chains scrubbed them red and raw. I thanked him, and went on to eat my gruel. I'd never been more thankful to eat it then I did right now. I was so hungry.

"Merlyn, do you know what your mother said about you?" he asked, watching me eat my gruel. I began to choke, and he patted my back.

Um…

"She said that I'm special." I made up. I felt really bad, but what was I supposed to say? Saying I was special was neutral ground…it could be in a good way or a bad way. I didn't know how my 'mother' treated me here. God, this was starting to give me a headache…how come no one has questioned my American accent yet, anyway?

To my extreme relief, he nodded in agreement.

"What you use in magic is elemental and instinctive. It is amazing." I nodded in pretend understanding, swallowing a bit of flavorless gruel.

"Why did Uther ban magic, anyway?" I asked, deciding it'd be innocent enough to ask since I was apparently from…where? Ealdor.

Gaius shook his head, sighing. "People used magic for the wrong end at that time, throwing the natural order into chaos. Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, including the dragons." I began to choke again. This man was gonna kill me with this stuff.

"There are dragons here? He killed all of them?" I asked, coughing. Gaius nodded with a sad glint in his eyes. He handed me my water, which I took in thanks.

"There was one dragon that he chose not to kill, keeping it as an example." I wrinkled my nose as I usually did in disgust. "He imprisoned it in the cave deep beneath the castle, where no one can free it."

He keeps a fire-breathing dragon under his castle? Smart.

Note the sarcasm.

"Want some vegetables with that?" he joked, changing the subject. I smiled, but it didn't really reach my eyes.

"I know you're still angry with me. I'm sorry for how stupid I was being, tussling with the Prince of Camelot…though he's more of a Prince of Assholes."

Gaius nodded, ignoring my last comment, and accepted my apology over our morning breakfast.

I walked through the halls of the Castle, going to Lady Helen's room to give her something for her voice. Gaius said that she came from a very far place just to sing at some feast or something. She must've sounded really well. I was actually kind of excited; though it meant I'd have to see that bratty prince again. Why was I even worrying about that? I probably wouldn't see him, anyway, with him being a prince and all. That though warmed me as I entered her room and was immediately overwhelmed with the chills.

It was just creepy, even though it looked completely normal.

Maybe it was just the voices in my head getting to me, but I hadn't heard them since the jail cell incident-thank God.

I placed the yellow liquid-bearing bottle on her desk when I saw a straw doll. It had beads around the neck and waist. I picked it up, somehow sensing that there was something off about it. I twisted it around, getting a good look at it. I put it down, huffing out a stressed breath. What was I doing, going through people's stuff? She probably had a daughter, knowing this time age.

I then noticed a large book next to it, and I got that same eerie feeling about it. I picked it up, like the idiot I was being. It was dusty, dark, and had a key and lock on it. I looked behind my back to make sure no one was looking, and continued to view its exterior. I heard the door close, and I quickly put the book on the desk, and saw a lady in a purple gown and long dark hair come in.

"What are you doing in here?" she demanded. Great. It was probably Lady Helen, knowing my luck. I swallowed, thinking quickly.

"I'm here to deliver your remedy for your voice whenever you sing tonight. I am absolutely positive that you won't even need it, anyway, for you are very gifted as I've been told. I am very excited to hear you sing for myself. I hear that you've arrived from very far away, right? I came here, too, a few days ago. It was a long journey, for me at least, but I am sure you got to sleep in a comfortable tent and have guards-"

"Enough, servant. You are dismissed." Bingo. Exactly how I'd hoped she reacted. If I reacted like I was an excited buffoon, she wouldn't suspect me of anything; which she didn't, thanks to my awesomeness. I smirked a bit at her annoyed and tired voice, pulled on my hood, and quickly escaped from the creepy lady's room.

I sighed as I walked out of the castle and to the fresh air outdoors, inhaling deeply as I walked. I rolled my eyes when I passed Prince Asshole. Hopefully he wouldn't notice me with my hood.

"How's that knee-walking coming along?"

Crap.

He was dressed in a dark grey tunic, some arm armor, and black leggings. Ignore him, Marilyn. Ignore him, Marilyn.

"Oh, don't run away!" he said teasingly. I swiveled around, marching up to him.

"From you?" I questioned sarcastically. I then noticed he was good-looking from when I finally looked at his face-which was surprising since I always noticed a guy's face first. He had a defined jawline, plump, full, cherry-stained lips, and a dimple on both cheeks. I rolled my eyes again. I didn't have the time or energy for his ignorance and extremely large ego.

"Thank God. Thought you were deaf as well as dumb Oh no, Merlin's got a wound?" He said sarcastically, a sneer on his face as he pointed to my wrapped wrists.

"You're calling me dumb? I didn't run away from you. I simply ignored you, trying to be the bigger person. Oh, and you are an ass, by the way. Wanted to say that before. Just didn't know you were a royal one." I shot back, smirking at his shocked face. Why was he so stupid? "Aww, your followers don't look like they're helping, do they? And if you are so sad, go get your daddy's men to come and defend you. They're the big guys; don't worry." I taunted in a baby-voice, my lip pouting. I couldn't help myself when I was on a roll. I knew it was stupid, I really did. I just wanted to get some quick justice.

He laughed, making me wrinkle my nose at his cockiness. "I could take you apart with one blow."

"And I could get you with less than that." I snapped, actually snapping my fingers. I knew I'd regret that- I hadn't even practiced this 'magic' of mine. Every time I did perform it, it was accidental. He laughed harder at my determination and anger, angering me further.

"You sure?" he asked, sure of himself. I began to take off my long over-tunic, leaving me in an off-white, ripped long sleeved shirt and a dark brown leather vest. I made sure to keep on my hood. I backed up a bit, but kept my chin up as he began to twirl a large metal stick in the air, with a chain and spiked ball on the end, twirling it threateningly around in the air. Someone else handed me one, too. "Come on, then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth."

"Dang. You must've been training in the womb with how big your ego is. Tell me, how long have you been training to be an asshole?" he laughed, still not taking my insult to heart, which annoyed me. I'd been throwing out some real ego-breakers.

"You can't address me like that." He said, like it was a fact. It probably was, but was I really going to follow that rule? I laughed, imitating his stupid laugh. "I am sorry. Your mother must be so proud of you. How long have you been training to be a fucking asshole, my Lord?" I was furious, and shouted it out with all of my might. He finally cracked at that, turning to laugh with his followers, and suddenly swinging the spiked ball at me. I ducked, gasping a bit. I didn't expect him to get so riled up and actually attack me.

So he wasn't afraid to hit women.

I backed away as he was walking towards me, swinging the ball in front of me.

"Come on then, Merlin!" he said; still thinking that I was a male.

I began to furrow my brow, realizing I couldn't get out of this one. The chain of my own weapon got caught in a cage as soon as I attempted to use it. I abandoned my weapon, leaving him to whip the cage instead of myself, just in time.

I backed up more, tripping mercifully as I finally tripped over a fruit cart. If I had trouble with balance on a flat field, imagine how it was for me now. He whipped a few fruits, and I crawled out of the small space between the cart and the wall as Arthur jumped over the cart. I ran more, realizing that he was out for my meat. I tripped over a bag of flour, and Arthur cornered me.

"You're in trouble now." He chuckled in a rather deep voice. I shook my head of the sudden dozy moment of his husky voice. I stared at the hooks in a moment of desperation, and, to my joy, they fused together, and Arthur's twirling weapon got stuck in it. When I scrambled up, he seemed to get the chains out too, to my disappointment. I began to back up again, and pushed a block of wood in front of him, making him cry out in pain as he stubbed his toe. I laughed, actually beginning to enjoy embarrassing him, especially since a crowd was now watching, gasping at the suspense moments and cheering. I then ducked when he tried to whip me with the spiked ball furiously, probably embarrassed now.

He whipped something else in place of me, and with magic, I pulled a rope out, making him trip over it. I laughed when he finally fell on a pile of sacks of grain, and I picked up my abandoned weapon, laughing harder as I cornered him.

"Give up yet?" I taunted. I threw my weapon to the ground, grinning at my victory. I wasn't really gonna hit him. Not just because I didn't want to be thrown in jail, or worse, executed, but I actually couldn't find the heart to hit him with the spiked ball. His ego knocked down a few pegs was more than enough than seeing his shoulder completely messed up.

I turned around, throwing my arms up in victory as facing the crowd, but my face darkened when I saw Gaius, shaking his head in disapproval. I mouthed out a sorry to him. He just shook his head again. I then furrowed my brows when he pointed furiously for me to turn around. I felt someone punch my butt, making me turn around.

"Hey!" I yelled.

I turned to see Arthur, smiling viciously, and threw the spiky-ball-ended whip at my waist, making me fall, and again at my right shoulder.

I screamed out in pain, literally screamed, and immediately put my hands to the bleeding wound in my waist, instinctively crouching to the ground as I was unable to stand alone. The sudden movement made the pain worse, especially since I was bending, but I couldn't stand up. I could move my shoulder, but winced at the pain it made when I did so. It wasn't as intolerable as the wound on my tiny waist, however. My mouth opened, and I eventually couldn't even scream or a hiss at the pain, falling to the ground in a hump. I bowed my head, a tear running down my cheek that I didn't want the others to see. I glared at Arthur when I looked up, more hate than I ever thought I could feel, but then gasped, clutching at my waist.

"You bastard. Now I know how you really treat your people." He said nothing, just gaped at me in shock. I held in another scream and settled for hissing as Giaus pulled me up, putting his hand on my waist, the side that wasn't wounded with a grazed chunky flesh-wound from the spiked ball.

"Wait!" I heard the prince call, but I said nothing, and was almost dragged to the physician's.

"Please, hold still. Almost done." I winced, hissing as Gaius rubbed a stinging liquid on my wounds. I held my towel as best as I could over my small torso, hissing whenever Gaius touched my wound. I breathed a sigh of relief when he finally wrapped a big linen wrap around my entire mid-section, across my belly button, and wrapped up my right shoulder.

"Please, don't say I told you so." I begged, sensing a lecture coming. He nodded in understandment. It's not that I was being immature and didn't want to hear…I just really wanted to be alone.

I went to my bed at night, only to hear my name being called again. I sat up, ignoring the pain in my shoulder and waist, slowly getting out of bed. I pulled on my hood, tiptoeing as much as I could past the sleeping Gaius. Something was pulling me towards this dragon. I scowled in a bit of disgust and amusement when Gaius picked his nose…I guess everyone did it, but it was still gross to see.

I ran down the stairs, creeping past the guards who were playing dice. I lit up a torch, and heard the moaning of my voice get louder as I walked down the dark stairs. I was being called, and I had to go to it. I looked around as I reached a cliff, looking out into the deep cave.

"Where are you at, waking me up so late, man?" I complained, but there was seriousness in my nonchalant voice. I nearly pissed my pants when a giant dragon almost immediately appeared in front of me. I jumped in surprise, yelping. "Holy mother of pearl!" I exclaimed, looking at the massive beast.

"I'm here." It said. That time, I'm pretty sure I felt a droplet come out.

"If you go rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon, I will seriously piss my pants." I said, trembling a bit. I wanted to barf at how much of a baby I was being.

"I will not harm you, child, for you are far too important. I am also chained." The brownish-yellow dragon lifted up his left foot for me to see the thick chain around the ankle. "How small you are for such a great destiny." He observed, making me fidget. Destiny? Could he have the answer to my 'why'?

"Your gift, Merlyn, was given to you for a reason." I felt my knees creak below me. Call me a scaredy-cat if you want, but after all those times of dreaming of meeting fictional beasts from books, I suddenly changed my mind.

"Y-You have the wrong person. I am not even from this world." I said, feeling tingly at finally telling someone that. The dragon shook its massive head.

"No, you were born in Ealdor, Merlyn. You were taken by a witch, and you were thrown into another universe, being reborn by another." I sighed.

"This is the Arthurian legends, huh? I've heard all of this before. Don't know why I didn't realized sooner."

The dragon roared, making me jump again. "No, child." He said firmly.

"Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion." I rolled my eyes. What'd this have to do with my destiny? I wanted nothing to do with that jerk.

"Right." I said, asking him to continue. Hey, if I haven't lost my mind this far, may as well see what'll make me crack; though I'm pretty sure not much would make you go loco after seeing and talking with a talking dragon, being sent to a Medieval world through a mysterious library book, and having rotten fruit thrown at you as federal punishment.

"But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike."

"One, of course he'll have enemies. He's a brat. Two, I don't see the connection that ties me with him." I said, a bit annoyed and worried.

"Everything!" the dragon said, ignoring my first reasoning. Gosh, you know you're annoying when a talking dragon ignores you. "Without you, Arthur will never succeed, and there will be no Albion."

"…'Kay, as much as I'd like to believe you, oh powerful and wise dragon of the cave, I really can't digest or believe that I am the right Merlyn. You've got this wrong. In my world, Merlin is an old man with a beard and Arthur is a little boy that -"

"In your world. You are not in your world. You are in your rightful world, and you cannot go back."

"What about Nana?" I wondered. When'd she get so… powerful? And why didn't she miss me enough to send me back to Earth? I felt my lip begin to tremble as homesickness washed over me again.

"A powerful witch took over her body and sent you back to your rightful world, after seeing her mistake."

"That can't be right. My Nana...she was cooking spaghetti, for goodness sakes! She wasn't bothering anyone! And what mistake?" I exclaimed, wiping my eyes. Nana...she didn't deserve whatever happened.

"There is no right or wrong. Only what is and isn't." the dragon declared, ignoring my question.

"...Well, if someone wants to kill him, it's not my problem, for it wouldn't be. I really do not like the guy. Not saying I'd help them kill him, but I would probably raise the roof if he did die."

The dragon shook his head at my antics. "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlyn. And none of us can escape it."

"Well I can sure try, especially if this is the wrong Arthur; which it might be. I mean, he doesn't look like he'll be the 'greatest king to ever live' if he's following in his daddy's shoes. Plus, this Arthur's a complete idiot. He's stupid." I said bluntly, snapping my fingers.

The dragon simply shook his head at my complaining. "Then perhaps it is your destiny to change that."

"Like they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks, especially a stupid one. He's retarded!" I argued, desperation in my voice. This man hit me. He wounded me. Just because I wasn't doing whatever he wanted. How could he be the best king ever? By best king, is it a different definition? Like best king because he is the most financially stable? It couldn't be because he connected well with the villagers. The dragon laughed at my statement, causing me to huff in frustration.

Suddenly, the dragon got up, and spread his wings, flying through the caves with a chain attached to his ankle. I cried out, knowing he could hear me.

"Wait! I need to know more!"

He chose to laugh again.

"Have you seen the state of this room?" Gaius yelled, yanking the covers from me. I shivered. I frowned at him.

"Just like that 99.9% bottle of Germ-X…you're like that one percent of germs that won't go away, and I am still wondering why you're here and won't go away already." I muttered quietly to myself, pushing my face into my pillow, trying to ignore his morning jitters. Old people and how they woke up early, man. Nana would always annoy me with it, but then we would make breakfast together…

"Well, you can clear it up. Without magic. Then get me some herbs…Henbane, wormwood, and sorrel. And give this to Morgana. Poor girl's suffering from nightmares, it seems. If it seems too harsh, come back to rest, for you are definitely still injured." Not like I would've known how to clean it with magic, anyway.

I crawled back under the covers, only half-understanding his sentence.

I heard Gaius sigh. "Oh well. I guess I'll have to find someone more capable of my duties today, anyway. They'd be a great help to me."

"No, no," I murmured, hopping up, and hissing at the pain in my waist. Gaius rushed to help, but I waved him off. "I'm good." I frowned when I heard Gaius laugh after I got dressed to start my day.

I walked into Morgana's room, after asking around, and saw that she was dressing behind a screen divider.

"You know, I've been thinking about Arthur."

Oh god. Don't tell me she likes him.

"I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole." Thank goodness. I was beginning to wonder if Camelot was coming to an end.

She went behind the dividing screen to undress, her back facing me. I felt like when I was at a friend's house.

"I agree." I said honestly.

"Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?"

"Sure thing, Mor-I mean, Lady Morgana. But I'm not Gwen, so do you still want me to?" I joked lamely. She gasped, and I handed her the dress anyway.

"I am terribly sorry! I do not usually speak to servants about such disrespectful subjects, I swear!" she said from behind the screen.

"It's fine." I said, a bit annoyed at how she tried to cover up her obvious friendship with Gwen.

"I'm Gwen's friend, …Merlyn." I rushed out before she could say something. Yeah, I was pretty sure everyone knew about me and Arthur's little mishap. It was embarrassing, but only the people who witnessed would have a clue on what I look like. Most have forgotten my appearance, anyway.

It was time for the ball, so I decided to dress a little more presentable- at least as presentable as a servant could dress. I wore a pair of black, tight britches, a blue loose tunic, and a black leather vest to go over it. I wore black leather boots with it, and a grey scarf. I glanced at a pimple that was on the side of my cheek, and another on my nose, and shrugged.

Since I didn't have makeup, I spent more time on my hair than usual. I put it down in its natural, thick, curly waves, putting it half up to the back with two long braids along the sides braided to connect in the back, and pinned it with a pin I found on the ground. What? I wouldn't die from it. My hair was really thick, and frizzed up when it got too humid, which was why I usually kept it in a bun or ponytail.

"Hurry up, Gaius." I complained, literally bouncing up and down in my seat, ignoring the pain in my waist. It's ashamed, really.

"I'm here," he reassured me, walking out of his small room. I squealed, and laced my arm through his. "You shouldn't have been jumping like that. You could've opened the stitches. You are still limping, Merlyn-are you certain that you want to go?"

I huffed, rolling my eyes at the old man. "Gaius, I've already dressed, and even tried to look pretty. Well, prettier, I mean. I'm sure I'm not ugly. Definitely not gorgeous, but not too shabby..."

He shook his head, and I chuckled at myself. "You look just fine, Merlyn." He said confidently, helping me as I limped to the feasting hall. I felt my cheeks burn.

"Aww!"

I blushed when the people around me and Gaius looked at me, glancing at how I limped. I tightened my hold on Gaius's arm, before spotting Gwen.

"I need to speak with some others about the kingdom, if you'll excuse me for a moment." Gaius said, dismissing himself. I nodded, wanting to go to my new friend anyway. I glanced around, looking at all the girls with fancy up-dos and slabs of makeup on. Gwen and I looked like the only ones with naked faces here. She frowned when she saw me limping heavily, and came to help me.

"Thanks." I said, accepting her helping arm. I put my hood on. It felt a bit chilly. I tucked my hair in the back, making me look manly again, I guess, because Gwen laughed at me. Her frown turned deeper when she saw Arthur laughing and pat someone on the back. He turned around, and waved tauntingly at me.

"Hullo, Merlin! Still in pain?" he yelled from across the room.

"Yeah, he's a slimebag." I said, reading her mind. She nodded, angry, but then it turned back to concern when she saw the outline of my bandages. "Are you alright? How could he do such a thing? He is the Prince of Camelot!" she said. I rolled my eyes, a habit I'd had for a while. As if being a prince even changed the situation.

"No, he's big-headed Arthur." I disagreed. She nodded her head. "But I'm better. Thanks."

She nodded, but still looked disturbed.

"I just can't believe he would do that to a woman."

"I can't believe he'd do that period." I murmured. She nodded again.

She was about to say something else when I saw a lady dressed in a halter-top red dress enter the hall, everyone's eyes on her. She had her hair up in a sloppy bun had on red lipstick, and a jewel on the bottom of her right eye, along with perfect brows. She was stunning. The type of girls that made me question my feminineness.

"God have mercy." I heard Arthur drone. I scowled in disgust. He has no right to even say something like that, after injuring me, and not even apologizing…

Wait. Why am I putting myself in this situation?

I shook my head, trying to get rid of an unknown feeling that bubbled inside me. Pity? Maybe. Poor Morgana, having a two-year old chase after her.

…Was I being hypocritical?

She walked with a sway to her hips, regally and smoothly, unlike my clumsy banter and limping, as of now. I scowled as Arthur ran over to talk to her. I hope she was offended by something he said and threw her drink on him or something. Better yet, punch him in the face.

"She looks great, doesn't she?" Gwen asked, making me jump in surprise as she caught where I was staring.

"Yeah." I said honestly.

"Some people are just born to be queen." She said, in a dream state. "No!" I said, feeling horrible for Morgana already. I can't imagine being stuck to Arthur's hip for the rest of my life.

Gwen took it the wrong way. "I hope so, one day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"

True, Gwen. I then furrowed my brow.

"There isn't a queen of Camelot?" I asked. She shook her head. I raised my brow as she said nothing more.

"We have enjoyed 20 years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures. But few can compare, with the honor of introducing, Lady Helen, of Mora." Uther rang. I finally saw the King a bit closer. The last time I'd seen him was when I saw him behead someone for practicing magic. I didn't see much of a resemblance between father and son. The jerk of a prince probably looked like his mom.

The same creepy lady, Helen, came up. Arthur and everyone else, except for servants, of course, were sitting at long tables, waiting for Helen to come up on the platform and sing. Her voice was beautiful, but it seemed to be putting some people to sleep. Oh well. Maybe they are just bored. I wasn't. This was all so awesome…until I saw, with concern, that everyone was falling asleep.

My head pounded, a sudden pressure weighing on my skull as her singing intensified. I then held in a gasp when everyone started to get covered in thick cobwebs, and the walls darkened, corners blackening. It looked disgusting, and cobwebs covered everyone. I winced as her singing got more high-pitched, and saw, with horror, that she'd taken out a knife, and was walking right towards Arthur.

It was then that I took back what I said to the Dragon. I couldn't sit and watch some crazy bitch kill Arthur.

…After all, if anyone was gonna kill that jerk, it'd be me.

As soon as she aimed for Arthur, I stared at the large chandelier, and willed it to fall on her. It did, and she was stuck underneath. I sighed, wiping the sweat from my brow as everyone immediately began to wake up, pushing away the gross cobwebs.

I then gasped when I saw that Helen was not Helen, and it was the old lady that swore vengeance on Uther when I first got to Camelot. I reacted instantly when she threw the blade she carried at Arthur with precision.

If I didn't act now, he would be dead.

I ran to Arthur, and without tripping, luckily, pulled him out of his seat and to the side, the blade hitting the center of the chair. I shuddered, still holding onto Arthur as we fell on the ground, as I saw where the blade would've marked his death. I hissed in pain at my poor waist, but watched as the woman finally died with a groan. Uther and Arthur helped me up, looking at me in concern. "Are you alright?" Uther said. A bit scared, I just nodded. He sighed in relief, and gripped my hand. "You saved my boy's life. A debt must be rewarded."

I shook my head. "No, please, it's just-"

"Oh, don't be so modest."

"You really don't have to…your highness." I added with uncertainty. I didn't really like Uther, but I didn't think he's necessarily evil.

"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special. You shall be awarded to a position in the royal household."

"Will I get paid?" I said bluntly. I then promptly covered my mouth.

Crap.

To my surprise and utter relief, Uther just laughed at me. Wow. I really thought he'd be mad or offended or thought I was ungrateful. Well, I did just save Arthur's life.

"You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant." He announced louder, for everyone to hear.

"Father?!" Arthur said in a disbelieving and nagging voice. Uther paid no attention to him, however. I then blushed a scarlet red, and limped to the king. Arthur laughed at my limping, but I ignored him. He was so gonna get it.

"Actually, my Lord, you mean maidservant." I said, taking my hood off.

He gasped, and so did Arthur. Everyone else just watched in curiosity. Seriously, my female pride took a beating all this time. I knew I was flat as a pancake, but geez.

I saw an unidentifiable look in Arthur's eyes as I announced this. Guilt, I hope.

"I am Merlyn." I announced quietly to Arthur. I was going to announce it out loud, but figured that his reputation as Prince and a Knight of Camelot would be busted down a lot for harming a woman. Yeah, I was kind of nice when I wanted to be.

"I-I had no idea, I swear it!" he began to apologize. I smirked a bit, but my bitterness vanished.

"Though at one point in time I wouldn't have minded the negative outcome happen, may I add, I am glad that you are okay. I was honest when I said that.

I still wanted to beat the hell out of him, though.

He nodded, shame and depression still in his eyes as he saw my limp.

"Oh, I laughed at you…I hurt you…" he moaned, covering his eyes with his hands, breathing out a stressed breath. I felt a little warm that he actually cared. But I still glared.

"I accept your apology, though I don't know why I do." I said honestly. I really don't know why I accepted, especially if I still wanted to beat him up…but I think a lot of people wanted to, secretly, anyway, so I don't think that's too unbelievable. I saw Gaius look at me proudly and Gwen smile a tiny smile of pity. I appreciated both.

I was in my room, looking at a candle flicker. It was kind of strange, knowing that you'd be serving Prince Arthur, the Arthur, 24/7. Would it be hard? Would he lessen up work on me just because I was a girl? I wouldn't mind that much, I guess, especially if it was physical work, but I needed to stretch out my muscles.

The more I exercised, the better my chances of not breaking another shoulder so easily. I was just puny, and that made me mad that I was so weak in such a dangerous world. I sighed, looking at the door of my room open.

"Seems you're a hero." Gaius said, standing next to me while I sat on the bed. I looked up at him, nodding. "Of course, I knew it from the moment I met you, when you saved my life." He finished. I smiled at that scarily good memory.

"But…that was magic. I thought you didn't like me using it?" I murmured, a bit confused.

"Now it seems we've finally found a use for it. I saw how you saved Arthur's life, despite your own injuries. Perhaps that's its purpose." Gaius said confidently. I…quite liked how he said 'we've'.

"My destiny." Somehow I felt a lot better saying that with Gaius here. The old man kept me company and I felt safe with him. He simply sighed.

"Indeed."

I then piped up when Gaius motioned me over to the desk. There was a book wrapped in crimson cloth. I couldn't hide a grimace at the sight of a book, but what I thought was childish went away as soon as he started talking.

"This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." I gave a crooked smile to him, unwrapping the book. I gasped. It looked exactly like the book that transported me here, with the locks and everything. I unlatched the locks and, hesitantly, looked at the book's pages, sending a cautious look to Giaus. I looked through it, and could, surprisingly, read the Latin text and super-swirly Medieval English.

"But this is a book of magic, Gaius…" I trailed off, smiling. Gaius was totally Gandalf.

"Which is why you must keep it hidden."

I shrieked, hugging the old physician as tightly as I could without hurting myself. He chuckled, hugging me back.

"I'll make sure to study as much as I possibly can, Gaius! Thanks so much!"

He was about to reply when there was a knock at the door. A deep voice rang through the door.

"Miss Merlyn, Prince Arthur wants you right away." A guard said through the door. I rolled my eyes.

"Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants." The old physician said.

I limped through the lab that I now was happy to call home and didn't realize I was smiling until I felt the pain in my cheeks.