Chapter Text
I was standing with my arms crossed, leaning against the entryway of the castle, watching the gathering in the courtyard. There was an execution stage in the center of the crowd and everyone was looking up at the balcony above, where King Uther stood. The drums began and a man was led out by two guards, passing through the crowd to reach the block.
“Let this serve as a lesson to all.” Everyone turned their attention back to the king. “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,” I held back a snort of derision, “but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass.”
Thomas was pushed forward onto his knees with his head down on the chopping block and my stomach churned at the thought of what came next. The executioner raised his ax in time with the king's arm and paused for a mere moment before both came down together. I grimaced and kept my gaze off the sight, though the loud sound of metal hitting wood echoed in my head.
As King Uther’s voice sounded through gasps echoing through the crowd, I turned my gaze back to him, “When I came to this land, 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.”
I scowled in disgust and was about to turn back in the castle, before stopping at the loud wail that filled the air as the crowd parted for an old woman, “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.”
“Seize her!” King Uther said firmly.
The knights started to converge on her before she grabbed her necklace, muttered an incantation, and disappeared in a whirl of wind and smoke. I frowned deeply at the words before turning to head back through the familiar halls of Camelot towards my father and I’s chambers.
I say my father, really Gaius was my adoptive father. I was left on his doorstep by some anonymous person when I was not but a newborn. I was lucky that he decided to keep me, though I had a feeling there was more to that fact, like a letter he never told me about. He was, after all, a bachelor physician.
When I got back to the chambers, I noticed Gaius at the top of the balcony and purposely said nothing so he wouldn’t scare as I made my way up the stairs at the back to my room. I was now triple checking that the room was prepared for Hunith’s, an old friend of Gaius’s, son. He would be sharing my room due to space issues.
“Gaius?” I heard a young male voice call out and I headed down the stairs just in time to see Gaius fall back.
I gasped and I was about to stop his fall, before he suddenly slowed in the air. My eyes widened as the bed slid across the room right beneath Gaius, where he fell a bit harshly, but was perfectly okay. So okay, that as soon as he caught his breath, he leapt up.
“What did you just do?”
“Um…” the young man glanced around, as if searching for an answer.
“Tell me,” Gaius ordered, looking between where the bed had been, where it was now, and the boy.
“Well, I - I have no idea what happened,” the boy stuttered.
“If anyone had seen that -”
“Oh, no, that - that was nothing to do with me. That -”
“I know it was,” Gaius argued. “I just want to know where you learned how to do it.”
“Nowhere.”
“How is it you know magic?”
“I don’t!”
Gaius calmed slightly, “Where did you study?” Then grew impatient and half-yelled, “Answer me!”
“I - I’ve never studied magic or been taught. What do you want me to say?”
“The truth!”
“I was born like this,” the boy replied and that caught mine and Gaius’s attention as he stared at the boy.
After a long pause, Gaius finally asked, “Who are you?”
“Oh… I have this letter,” the boy swung his small pack around to search through and hand Gaius said letter. “There.”
“I - I don’t have my glasses,” Gaius huffed.
“I’m Merlin.”
“Hunith’s son!”
“Yes,” Merlin said with a wide, dopey grin.
“But you’re not meant to be here till Wednesday,” Gaius argued.
“It is Wednesday, Gaius,” I finally came down the rest of the stairs and Gaius swung back to look at me.
“When did you get back?”
“A few minutes ago,” I replied with amusement as I walked up to a rather… starry eyed Merlin with my hand out. “It’s nice to meet you Merlin. I’m Rhiannon, Gaius’s daughter. You may call me Rhia.”
“Oh - Oh. Hi,” he stuttered and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised by his reaction to me. Most people had that reaction the first time they met me. If it wasn't my long, softly curled, silver-white hair, it was the violet eyes.
I smiled further in amusement as Gaius caught his attention again, “You’ll put your bag in there. I’m afraid you and Rhia will be sharing.”
He truly did seem put out by that fact and Merlin started to follow me, before stumbling and asking, “Oh, you won’t say anything about -”
“No,” Gaius replied when Merlin motioned at the bed and balcony. Merlin started to turn before Gaius said, “Although, Merlin… I should say thank you.”
Gaius caught my eye past Merlin before I turned and led him up the stairs to show him the room. There was only a single desk, but there were two wardrobes, two small beds, two nightstands, and two curtains had been hung to halve the room and create a small piece for privacy if needed in front of the door.
“That’s your side,” I pointed to the side without a window and he nodded a hesitant thanks.
The next morning, I was up and dressed in my usual long sleeved, dark khaki dress made of soft leather that cut out at the bottom for tight matching trousers, and mid-calf boots, with the top half of my hair braided back, letting the rest of the soft curls fall to the middle of my back. Merlin came down, putting on an old light brown jacket and the same blue shirt, red neckerchief, khaki pants, and worn boots.
“I got you water. You didn’t wash last night,” Gaius commented, motioning to the bowl.
“Sorry,” Merlin commented, clearly unsure what to say.
“Help yourself to breakfast,” Gaius added as Merlin sat and stared into the bowl of porridge in front of him.
I shook my head as I saw Gaius push the bucket of water at the edge of the table off and Merlin reacted instinctively. His eyes flashed gold as he stood with his hand out, stopping the bucket in mid-air. When he realized what he’d done, he lost focus and sent the bucket and water across the floor. The whole encounter took less than three seconds and Gaius rounded on him again.
“How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?” I shook my head again in exasperation as Merlin fumbled for an answer.
“I don’t know any spells,” Merlin shook his head.
“So what did you do?” Gaius pressed.
“It just happens,” Merlin said desperately.
“Oh, Gaius, give the boy a break,” I said, making both of them turn to me.
“Well, we best keep you out of trouble,” Gaius sighed as Merlin went to mop up the water. “You can help me and Rhia until I find some paid work for you.” Gaius waved at me, “Rhia will show you around so you can make the deliveries. Hollyhock and feverfew for Lady Percival and Sir Olwin’s usual potion.” I walked over to show Merlin the three items so he could start learning the difference. “Make sure Sir Olwin doesn’t take it all at once -”
“I know, blind as a weevil,” I said with amusement, before reaching out for an extra sandwich to hand to Merlin. “Here.”
He smiled as he took it before following me to the door, but paused when Gaius added, “And Merlin? I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed.”
Merlin nodded seriously before we both left.
As we walked through the castle, I pointed out where everything was and showed him the fastest ways to get certain places. After we delivered Lady Percival’s medicines, I knocked on Sir Olwin’s room.
“I’ve brought your medicine, Sir Olwin,” I said, taking the hand he held out and putting the potion in it. “Don’t drink it all at once.”
I let go of his hand, then he uncapped it and chugged the entire bottle. I pressed my lips together before turning and catching a worried looking Merlin’s gaze.
“I’ve tried every way to get him to listen, I’ve given up,” I said with amusement. “Clearly it hasn’t killed him yet.”
He chuckled and I continued with the tour until I was stopped by one of the court members, who always wanted to ask me about the terrible ailments she had. I waved Merlin on ahead with a hidden exasperated expression. It was unfortunate that Merlin happened to make it to the knight’s training grounds, where Prince Arthur was currently showing off.
I arrived just in time for Merlin to take a swing at Arthur, which of course Arthur caught and had his arm twisted behind his back, “I’ll have you thrown in jail for that.”
“Who do you think you are, the king?” Merlin asked as I stalked up.
“No, I’m his son, Arthur.”
“Arthur!” I snapped, making him look over as he forced Merlin to his knees.
“Rhiannon,” Arthur greeted, deflating in annoyance.
“Let him go, Arthur, he’s new to Camelot… obviously,” I said, glancing in exasperation at Merlin. “No harm was done.”
“He took a swing at me and called me an ass,” Arthur argued.
“Well you are one,” I stated simply. “Let him go.”
Arthur’s jaw clenched before a smirk stole across his face, “I will, if he apologizes.”
I gave him an annoyed look, glanced down at a defiant Merlin, then huffed, “Fine. Arrest him.”
I glared at the guards as they took him away, with him casting me an apologetic look, before turning back when Arthur said, “Are you the simpleton’s caretaker then? He can’t even make his own decisions?”
I rounded on him, “No. I just know he wouldn’t have apologized to you.”
“Why’s that?” Arthur asked, clearly back to enjoying himself.
I gave him a fake smile, “Because he was right to stand up to a bully and shouldn’t have to apologize for it.” Arthur’s smile vanished. “I’ll leave you to torment your poor servant in an attempt to make those sucking up to you laugh. Unless you wish to arrest me as well?” I raised a challenging brow.
Arthur tried to hold back his embarrassed anger as we stared at each other, until he waved me off, “Go.”
I gave him a sarcastic bow, “My Lord.”
Then I spun on my heel and headed back to my chambers, where Gaius was mixing together a potion.
“Where’s Merlin?” he asked with a frown.
“I got stopped by Lady Ellen,” he nodded sympathetically, “and told him to go ahead to look around. When I got there, he’d taken a swing at Arthur. Of course, he got arrested.”
“What?” Gaius asked in shock.
“I told Arthur off, but,” I shrugged, “I couldn't really protest.”
Gaius sighed in exasperation, “Already in trouble. Well, I guess we can leave him there for the night and I’ll get him out tomorrow.”
I nodded in agreement as I sat, “So, what do you think of his abilities?”
Gaius glanced at me, “Well, it’s hardly a new sight, but certainly a rare one. I doubt there are many like you two out there and even less likely that you’d ever meet.”
“Perhaps for that reason, we did,” I commented.
“Perhaps,” he agreed. “You always were a mystery.”
“Still am,” I grinned.
“Indeed,” he gave me a fond look.
“He’s lonely,” I added after a few minutes.
Gaius looked at me sadly, “I imagine so. And he’ll need help keeping out of trouble clearly.”
“Clearly,” I agreed with amusement.
The next morning, I headed down to the lower town where Merlin was locked up in the stocks and children were busy throwing rotten fruits at his head. He looked good natured enough about it.
I stayed away from the crossfire and crossed my arms, watching him get pelted, “I’m not sure tomato hair is really your look, Merlin.”
He looked over with his head still down to avoid getting hit in the face, “I could create a trend.”
I huffed and shook my head in amusement as I took a seat on a crate next to one of the vendors.
When the children throwing the rotten food ran off to get more, a familiar, pretty dark skinned girl walked up to Merlin, “I’m Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I’m the Lady Morgana’s maid.”
“Right. I’m Merlin,” he reached out as far as he could with his hand in the stocks to shake hers. “Although most people just call me ‘idiot’.”
“No, no, no. I saw what you did. It was so brave.”
“It was stupid,” Merlin shook his head.
“Well, I’m glad you walked away. You weren’t going to beat him.”
Merlin snorted and I rolled my eyes, “Oh, I can beat him.”
Gwen gave him a skeptical look, “You think? Because you don’t look like one of these big, muscley kind of fellows.”
“Thanks,” Merlin said with a slight frown.
“No! No, I’m sure you’re stronger than you look. It’s just, erm… Arthur’s one of these real rough, tough, save the world kind of men, and… well…” I had to hold my hand over my mouth to stop the giggling at the whole conversation, especially Gwen’s flirting and Merlin’s obliviousness.
“What?”
“You don’t look like that.”
Merlin motioned her closer and stage whispered, “I’m in disguise.”
Gwen laughed, “Well, it’s great you stood up to him.”
“What? You think so?”
“Arthur’s a bully, and everyone thought you were a real hero.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.” Then she hesitated, “Well, at least until Rhia really laid into him. He was speechless. Everyone was. But that’s usually what happens when she gets involved. She’s never been afraid to stand up to him either, though she’s never been arrested for it.”
“Because I use my words and not my fists,” I commented from the other side of Merlin.
Gwen jumped, “Oh! Rhia, I didn’t see you there. So, you know Merlin then?”
I gave her a knowing and teasing look, “He’s staying with Gaius and I.” I glanced at Merlin with exasperation, “He knows how to make a first impression.”
Gwen laughed, but also gave me a wide-eyed, red-cheeked look.
“Oh, excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting,” Merlin motioned to the children lining up to throw newly acquired rotten veggies. Gwen hurried past him and I stepped back as well.
Gwen paused at me, “I’ll see you soon?”
“Of course,” I was still grinning and she gave me a light slap to the arm with a pointed look. I just chuckled and kissed her cheek before she hurried away.
I sat back down on the crate to watch Merlin get pelted with amusement. Luckily, he was released just before lunch and we both headed back to our chambers, with me occasionally picking bits of vegetables out of Merlin’s hair and off his clothes with light laughter. Once back, I sat down for lunch, while Merlin went to wash up and change clothes.
I was reading a small book on herbs that I’d read at least twice, when Merlin came and plopped down across from me.
“You want some vegetables with that?” Gaius placed a bowl of veggies in front of him and I huffed in amusement.
“I know you’re still angry with me,” Merlin replied after letting out a small snort.
“Your mother asked me to look after you,” Gaius sat across from us.
“Yes,” Merlin agreed.
Gaius sat beside me, “What did your mother say to you about your gifts?”
“Well, that I was special,” Merlin said after a moment.
“You are special,” Gaius nodded. “The likes of which I’ve only seen once in my lifetime.”
“What do you mean?” Merlin asked with a frown while I glanced over at Gaius.
“Well, magic requires incantations, spells. It takes years to study. What I saw you do was elemental, instinctive.”
Merlin nodded with a sigh, “What’s the point if it can’t be used?”
“That I do not know,” Gaius sighed.
“Did you ever study magic?” Merlin asked curiously, glancing briefly at me.
“Uther banned all such work twenty years ago,” Gaius attempted to brush off the subject.
“Why?”
“People used magic for the wrong end at the time. It threw the natural order into chaos. Uther made it his mission to destroy everything back then, even the dragons.”
“What, all of them?” Merlin asked sadly.
“There was one dragon he chose not to kill, kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle. Where no one can free it.”
Merlin looked thoughtful, then asked, “You said you’ve only seen someone like me once in your lifetime. Who was the other?”
Gaius smiled, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll get to know them well soon enough.”
“Really?” Merlin asked excitedly.
“Yes. Now, eat up. When you’ve finished, Rhia will show you around more. I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice.”
A little while later, I led Merlin to Lady Helen’s guest quarters and he asked an expected question, “Do you know them?”
“Quite well,” I replied with amusement as I knocked on the Lady’s door.
When my knock received no answer, I slowly made my way inside once I was sure the Lady wasn’t there. I walked over and placed the bottle on her vanity, pausing in my tracks when Merlin came up behind me to pick up an odd looking doll made of straw.
Then my eye caught a book hidden beneath some cloth and I brushed it aside with curiosity. Merlin set the doll down and picked up the book. We both studied the strange markings and pages sticking out from beneath the string holding it closed. I immediately frowned at both items, knowing them to be magical and the doll meaning it wasn’t the good kind.
Then the door opened in the corridor outside and Merlin quickly replaced the book while I turned with the bottle we were meant to deliver. Lady Helen walked in and gazed at us suspiciously.
“What are you doing in here?”
Before Merlin could start stuttering through his explanation, I tilted my head in respect, “Forgive us my Lady, we were sent by the court physician to deliver this.” I handed her the bottle before reaching back to grab Merlin’s hand and drag him out behind me. “Have a nice night my Lady. We look forward to your performance.”
“What was that book and doll?” Merlin whispered quietly.
I didn’t look over, “Nothing we can discuss here. And nothing we can do anything about.”
“But -”
“How’s your knee-walking coming along?” Neither of us had seen Arthur pass by. I reached up to grip Merlin’s arm so he would keep walking. “Aw, don’t run away!”
Arthur’s taunt had Merlin stopping, making me glance over at him in exasperation, “From you?”
“Thank god. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb.”
“Look,” Merlin turned, brushing my hand away. “I’ve told you you’re an ass. I just didn’t realize you were a royal one.”
“Merlin, let’s go. He’s not worth it,” I hissed. Arthur’s smile faltered only slightly when he met my gaze before Merlin’s taunt caught his attention.
“Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy’s men to protect you?”
Arthur laughed lightly, “I can take you apart with one blow.”
“I can take you apart with less than that,” Merlin replied cockily.
“Are you sure?” Arthur asked with a skeptical grin.
“Merlin, don’t be stupid… again,” I warned.
Merlin ignored me, taking a couple steps closer, creating an alpha dominance display that only men seemed to enter.
“You should listen to her, you know,” Arthur said, motioning where I’d taken a few steps away from the two, making me scowl in return and cross my arms.
“Come on, then,” one of Arthur’s lackeys taunted.
“Fight,” the second pressed.
I just shook my head in exasperation when Merlin took his jacket off. I reached out and took it before he could let it just fall to the ground while Arthur full on belly laughed. He turned to throw a mace at Merlin, which he didn’t catch. I continued to shake my head as Merlin picked it up and Arthur started swinging his own mace above his head.
“Come on, then. I warn you, I’ve been trained to kill since birth.”
“Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?”
My lips twitched up a bit despite my annoyance while Arthur just chuckled at Merlin’s cheek, “You can’t address me like that.”
“I’m sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat, My Lord?” Merlin gave a small, sarcastic bow.
Arthur gave one more chuckle before taking a swing right at Merlin’s head. My heart leapt at the sight of Merlin just barely ducking the mace in time.
“Come on then, Merlin! Come on!” Arthur taunted as Merlin started stumbling backward, not even able to properly swing the mace in his hand. I followed at a distance as Merlin continued backing away and avoiding Arthur, who continued to swing the mace at him. Eventually Merlin got backed up into the market stalls and a crowd of people began surrounding them so I had to squeeze between them to keep the idiots in sight. Then Merlin fell and I sighed. “You’re in trouble now.”
I could see Merlin looking around for something to help him and I tensed when his eyes flashed gold and Arthur’s mace got caught up in a pair of large hooks. Of course, Arthur got it untangled and took another swing at Merlin, who crawled backward. His eyes flashed gold again and Arthur let out a frustrated cry of pain when he stepped on a box and hit his shin. As Arthur moved forward again, Merlin’s eyes flashed gold and Arthur tripped on a rope and fell over, dropping his mace.
Merlin took the chance to grab the mace as Arthur stood again, swinging it above his head, “Do you want to give up?”
“To you?” Arthur scoffed.
I looked to my left when a hand landed on my shoulder to see a disappointed Gaius. I gave him a ‘I tried to stop him’ look and he shook his head as we turned back to the fight.
“Do you? Do you want to give up?”
Arthur started backing up away from the mace until his foot got caught in a bucket and he fell over backward. Then Merlin got distracted in his ‘victory’ when he met Gaius and I’s gazes. The momentary pause gave Arthur the time to attack him from behind with a broom, knocking Merlin to the ground once more.
I shook my head as the guards came forward to arrest him again, “Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he’s a brave one.” The guards stepped away and Merlin stood as Arthur passed to leave the crowded market. “There’s something about you, Merlin. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
I met Arthur’s gaze with my annoyed violet one and he hesitated before continuing on. Gaius was mute with anger as we made our way back to our chambers.
As soon as the door shut, Gaius said loudly, “How could you be so foolish?”
“He needed to be taught a lesson,” Merlin argued.
I sighed and plopped down on the bench as Gaius strode up to him, “Magic must be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks!”
Merlin turned on him, “What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk!”
“Then by now, you should know how to control yourself!”
“I don’t want to!” Merlin said fiercely. “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.”
Gaius deflated and glanced at me before giving me a small huff when I held up his medical bag. He took it and he went upstairs with me following to stand in the doorway.
“Merlin, take your shirt off,” Merlin sat up and Gaius took out a pad to start putting a slave on his shoulder.
“You don’t know why I was born like this, do you?” he asked quietly.
“No.”
“I’m not a monster, am I?”
My heart lurched as Gaius looked seriously into his eyes, “Don’t ever think that.”
“Then why am I like this? Please, I need to know why.”
Gaius sighed, “Maybe there’s someone with more knowledge than me.”
He glanced over at me as Merlin shook his head, “If you can’t tell me, no one can.”
Gaius held out a tonic, “Here, it will help with the pain.”
That night, I woke silently when I heard Merlin getting out of bed and slowly got up after him. Waiting at the top of the stairs out of sight, I shook my head in amusement when he knocked a plate off the table and made Gaius stir. Then I softened slightly when Merlin let the blanket slide up over his shoulder.
I was much better at being stealthy than Merlin and I was even better at knowing when I was being followed. When he started towards the dungeons, I had a feeling I knew what his goal was. Though why in the middle of the night, I didn’t know.
Once again, I watched in amusement as Merlin got rid of the guards by throwing their dice across the room. Then I just shook my head in disappointment at how easy it is to get rid of them. Merlin lit one of the torches and headed down further into the dungeons while I followed.
When darkness descended and Merlin’s light was the only thing I had, I held out my hand, whispered, then a small fire appeared, letting me see my own feet. We made it to the bowels of Camelot and I waited out of sight of the cave.
There was a deep echoing chuckle and Merlin asked, “Where are you?”
There was a low growl and then the sounds of loud wings beating before a growling voice answered, “I’m here.” There was a pause as I’m sure the Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, and Merlin sized each other up before he continued, “How small you are for such a great destiny.”
“Why? What do you mean? What destiny?”
“Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason.”
“So there is a reason,” Merlin repeated excitedly.
“Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion.”
“Right,” Merlin repeated skeptically, making me smirk.
“But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike.”
“I don’t see what this has to do with me.”
“Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion.”
“No. No, you’ve got this wrong.”
“There is no right or wrong, only what is and what isn’t.”
“I’m serious. If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I’ll give them a hand.”
Kilgharrah chuckled, “None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And none of us can escape it. Fate is the only one who can change that.”
“No. No way. No. No, there must be another Arthur because this one’s an idiot.”
“Perhaps it’s your destiny to change that.”
I turned and started back up the dungeons when I heard wings flapping and Merlin begging for more answers.
The next morning, I was up helping Gaius with his potions when he went to wake Merlin as well to gather his herbs and deliver potions. I was quite glad not to be the bottom wrung lackey anymore. Though I wish I could see Merlin’s reaction to Morgana, if it was anything like his was to me. It was fortunate that he seemed to have gotten over his starry eyed look the longer he was with me, hopefully it would be entirely gone when he saw the untouchable Lady.
Later that evening, Gaius, Merlin, and I walked into the feast, moving through the crowd off to the side. I couldn’t help but grimace when Arthur appeared in sight, messing around with his knight buddies, who were even worse than Arthur in my opinion.
Then Morgana walked in and the crowd made an automatic path for her. She was in a beautiful red gown that showed off her shoulders and made her look some kind of goddess. Merlin, like Arthur, stared at her as she passed and I rolled my eyes at the males.
“Merlin. Remember, you’re here to work,” Gaius chastised as I noticed Arthur had gone over to speak to the lady.
“Oh, yeah,” Merlin said absently, even as he watched the prince and the king’s ward speak.
“She looks great, doesn’t she?” Gwen sidled up on Merlin’s other side.
“Yeah,” Merlin muttered with awe.
“Some people are just born to be queen,” Gwen commented.
“No!” Merlin glanced over at Gwen.
“I hope so. One day. Not that I’d want to be her. Who’d want to marry Arthur?” She muttered.
I let out a light laugh and she turned her attention to me, “Rhia! I didn’t see you there.”
I let out another chuckle, “I know.”
Gwen blushed when she met my amused gaze as Merlin spoke up again, “Come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men.”
“No, I like much more ordinary men like you,” Gwen’s voice turned nervous and I had to hide my sudden smile.
“Gwen, believe me, I’m not ordinary,” Merlin said with amusement.
“No! I didn’t mean you, obviously. Not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men like you,” Gwen’s stuttering and blushing made my grin widen.
“Thanks,” Merlin said awkwardly.
When they turned away from each other, I came around to the other side of Gwen and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, he’s just oblivious.”
Her eyes widened and she looked over at me nervously, “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about -”
I gave her an unimpressed look and she deflated, making me squeeze her hand, “I won’t tell anyone, you know that. I should just warn you that unless you flat out tell that boy you’re flirting with him, the whole thing will fly straight over Merlin’s head.”
“Is it so obvious?” she asked in a high pitch.
“No, I just know you,” I reassured.
“Oh, good,” Gwen sighed in relief.
I gave her a warm smile as the trumpets sounded out for the king making everyone move to their assigned seats, while Merlin and I moved off to the side where the servants entrance stood. Normally I would stay with Gaius as his daughter, but I decided it best to stay with Merlin tonight. I had a feeling it was going to be interesting and I was never wrong when it came to those feelings.
“We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity,” Uther said from the front of the room. “It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honor of introducing Lady Helen of Mora.”
Everyone clapped as Lady Helen took the stage at the other end of the room and only sat once Uther had. Then the music began and Lady Helen began singing… words which weren’t English. I frowned in worry as she slowly stepped off the stage and started down between the tables towards the royal one in front of us.
Then everyone started slowly falling over with heavy eyes and I hit Merlin on the shoulder before clapping my hands over my ears, making him copy me. The room slowly darkened as the candles burned out and everyone began falling asleep, cobwebs forming on their bodies and around the room. ‘Lady Helen’s’ eyes were like ice staring at Arthur as she slowly pulled a dagger from her sleeve. Just before she could throw the dagger, I saw Merlin’s eyes flash gold and the chandelier above her crashed down on top of her.
With the end of her incantations, everyone slowly began to wake, brushing cobwebs off themselves. The Lady Helen had transformed into the old mother of the man who was accused of sorcery in the square days ago. People started standing and were generally confused and out of it. So no one noticed the old woman push up just enough to throw the dagger right at Arthur.
My breath caught and my eyes flashed gold as time slowed. Merlin and I both ran forward to grab Arthur, with me holding the arm closest to us and Merlin pulling him by the shoulders. Arthur ended up landing half on top of me with Merlin behind him.
I immediately tried to push his weight off me so I could breath and he scrambled to sit up. Arthur’s eyes were darting between me and the dagger embedded in his chair as if deciding whether he was out of shock enough to help me up.
Merlin, on the other hand, was staring wide-eyed at me, clearly trying not to burst with questions over the fact I’d performed magic. Finally Arthur managed to get ahold of himself and, like his upbringing taught him when he wasn’t being an ass, helped me up with a wince.
“You both saved my boy’s life,” Uther walked over to stand Arthur and look at us.
“Are you alright?” Arthur asked before either of us could respond and I was mildly surprised by the honest concern in his tone. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding the back of my head with my hand until he said something or that Merlin was holding me steady by my arm.
“I’ll be okay,” I replied breathily, wincing slightly as I put my hand down.
“A debt must be repaid,” Uther continued his previous train of thought.
Merlin turned bashful and shook his head slightly while I replied, “It was nothing, really -”
“Don’t be so modest. You shall be rewarded.”
“No, honestly, you don’t have to, You Highness,” Merlin found his voice, his eyes darting between him and glancing at me in concern.
“No, absolutely. This merits something quite special,” Uther disagreed, though I couldn’t help but think I’d never want anything this man had to give me.
“Well,” Merlin trailed off.
“You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur’s manservant,” he said, seeming happy. I almost laughed and the matching looks Arthur and Merlin sent each other. “And you…are Gaius’s daughter.”
“Yes, Sire,” I replied.
“And my very skilled apprentice, Sire,” Gaius added as he finally made his way to meet us and check on my head, making me wince again.
“Perfect! Then she shall be Arthur’s personal physician while she studies,” Uther said, seeming proud of himself for coming up with something on the spot as he turned to deal with the aftermath of what just happened.
Arthur sent me an unsure look, which had a mixture of concern in it. The applause wasn’t helping the throbbing in my head and my wince deepened.
“Come along, dear. We’ll get you something cold for your head,” Gaius motioned for Merlin to guide me away.
“Will she be alright?” Arthur repeated his question from behind us, voice hesitant with worry.
Gaius turned back to look over our shoulders at him, “She’ll be fine, Sire. Just a bump on the head. A day or so’s rest and she’ll be right as rain.” Then he turned and led us out of the hall.
Merlin was kind enough to make sure I was okay and lying with a cool cloth on my head in our room before ambushing me with, “You used magic to slow the knife.”
I cast him an amused look, “Told you I knew them well.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Merlin protested, clearly hurt.
I huffed a small laugh, “I’ve lived here my entire life, Merlin. I’ve had to hide in a place where Uther would have no qualms about drowning me, even as a child. I had to learn control early and use my magic sparingly and in secret. I have to be careful about who knows about my magic, even to those who have it.” He had a deep frown on his face and I gave him a sad smile, “You’re not as alone in the world as you might think, Merlin.”
“Would you have told me?” He asked.
“Soon,” I flashed him another smile. “I’ve been alone too, you know. I also know that you went to speak to the Great Dragon.”
Merlin’s eyes widened, “He spoke to you too?”
I tilted my head, “What do you mean?”
“He called to me in my sleep.”
I gave him a curious look, “No. He’s never done that with me. But I used to visit him when I was younger.”
“Why did you stop?”
I didn’t respond as Gaius walked in, “How are you doing, my dear?”
“Just a bit tired and sore,” I replied quietly.
“You’ll feel better after a night’s rest,” Gaius replied. “Seems you’re both heroes.”
“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Merlin asked with dull amusement.
“No. I knew it from the moment I met you. When you saved my life, remember?”
“But… that was magic,” Merlin sat up straighter.
“And now, it seems, we finally found a use for it. In both of you,” he gave me a pointed look.
“What do you mean?” Merlin asked.
Gaius glanced at me, “I saw how you saved Arthur’s life,” then turned back to Merlin, “and I’m sure that chandelier didn’t just fall at exactly the right time on its own.”
“Oh, no,” Merlin started.
“Perhaps that’s its purpose,” Gaius interrupted.
Merlin sighed and nodded reluctantly, “Destiny.”
“Indeed.” Gaius walked over to hand Merlin the covered book, “This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you two than it was to me.”
Merlin unwrapped it and opened the book to flip through the pages before glancing over at me excitedly, then Gaius, “This is a book of magic.”
“Which is why you must keep it hidden,” Gaius said sternly.
“I will study every word,” Merlin assured, making me smile softly.
Then a knock at the front of the chambers sounded out, “Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you right away.”
My chuckle was only held back by the pain in my head as Gaius said, “Destiny’s calling. You’d better find out what he wants.” Merlin set down the book and gave a long sigh before heading out the door.
“Gaius?” I called before he could leave.
“Hmm?” he walked over to sit on the edge of my bed.
“What does a personal physician do exactly? I refuse to clean up after him, that’s Merlin’s job now apparently,” I said with amusement.
Gaius let out a small laugh, “No, you and Merlin’s jobs are very different. I would probably say you’ll be in charge of getting his meals to make sure nothing is wrong with what he is eating, you will patch him up when he needs it, including putting any bruise salves on him before he goes to bed since he often ends up with them. You may have to take care of his muscles when they are strained. Prescribe medicines when he is sick or in pain. Of course, if you're unsure, you should come to me before prescribing anything you’re unsure about.” I nodded slowly, yawning widely. “Sleep, you’ll feel better in the morning,” Gaius said with a fond smile before blowing out all but one candle and leaving.