Merlin

True Destiny's

I Own Nothing

Chapter 1 – Visitors

Merlin woke from a bad dream, he could hear the great dragon calling him again, and what did he want now? He'd only been in Camelot a month and already that dragon wanted more than could be expected of a boy of his age. He washed and dressed making his way out to Gaius who served up breakfast as he sat down, just a normal morning routine.

"I'm expecting a visitor." Gaius said suddenly.

"That's nice?" Merlin said slowly, uncertain as to how he needed to react.

"I mean, she's going to be staying here for a while, you may have to give up your room."

Merlin choked on his breakfast, "She? Why do I have to give up my bed, if she's your friend why don't you give up your bed?" Merlin instantly realised how rude he'd been. But Gaius didn't react how he expected him to.

"Oh I think you'll like her enough to give up your bed." He smirked. Merlin heard the dragon's whisper once more.

"Just, keep an eye out for her ok?" Gaius said, finishing up his breakfast and getting up to leave, "I have to go and collect some herbs."

"How I will know who she is, you haven't even told me her name!" Merlin shouted after him but Gaius never replied. "I suppose I'm supposed to be a minds reader then." Merlin said to himself, quickly using magic to wash up after breakfast and beginning to make the journey up to the training field for a fun filled two hours of being beaten up by the arrogant prince Arthur.

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About an hour into the session Arthur decided he wanted a five minute break and Merlin collapsed onto the grass. He saw a girl watching at the side of the field, she looked about the same age as him. She had long, slightly messy hair that fell to her waist; it was half up half down. She had pretty features, naturally eye lined eyes, from where Merlin was sat her eyes looked dark, she looked delicate fragile. A bag rested against her leg and Merlin realised she must be the person that Gaius was expecting; she was wearing trousers and a loose top with knee high boots.

"Can I help you?" Arthur shouted in her direction and she wasted no time in replying.

"Yeah, you probably can." Her voice was tough, but there were definitely hints that she could have a very girly girl side.

"Well, what do you want?" Arthur shouted.

"Arthur maybe we should just leave her be, let her watch..." Merlin tried but Arthur but his hand up to stop him.

"I wanna fight, you." She said, a slight smile playing on her lips. Merlin knew that Arthur couldn't refuse a challenge, even from a girl. She looked so small, so fragile though. She looked as though she couldn't even pick up a sword. Merlin began to panic; if he let her get thrown out of the kingdom by Arthur then Gaius wouldn't be overly impressed...

"I accept." Arthur said with a smile of his own.

"Sire, do you really think you should be doing this? I mean she's a girl, you don't need to prove yourself by fighting someone who looks about half your size!" Merlin almost pleaded.

"When I want to start asking your advice on how to prove myself to my people then I'll let you know. Go and help her get ready, I'm already prepared..." he smirked.

Merlin hurried over to where the girl was pulling out a sword from her bag, she smiled at it.

"Are you insane?" Merlin hissed.

"Little bit," the girl grinned, "What's the big deal? You scared your precious Arthur is gonna get beaten by a girl?"

"No, he's not my precious anything! I'm more worried about you getting thrown out of the kingdom, Gaius would kill me!"

"Aw, touched," the girl smiled placing a hand over her heart, "But Gaius is a physician right?" Merlin nodded, "Good, then if Arthur gets hurt then Gaius'll be able to fix him up. As for me, I'll be fine."

She walked down to the battle area and Merlin watched, prepared to wince as this optimistic girl was about to be thrashed without mercy. They began fighting and Arthur was by far better than her, he blocked every one of her attacks, but she was improving by the second, a grin on her face the entire time, she appeared to be having the time of her life. After about a minute of fighting, they were held in a lock.

"Bored now." She said with a smirk and one moment she was pulling from the lock and the next Arthur was on the floor at the mercy of the girl. A feeling of amazement washed through Merlin, then he realised that he was going to get Arthur's wrath from this defeat.

Clapping and cheering came from around the arena and the girl grinned at her admirers. She stabbed her sword into the ground and gave a little curtsey before holding out her hand to help Arthur up. He accepted it and shook her hand, a smile on his face.

"You're a good fighter, very skilled." He complimented her.

"Thank you," she said, "My father taught me when I was young."

"Then he must be very talented also."

"Oh he was." A look of sadness spread across her face and Arthur tried to change the subject.

"What's your name?"

"Lauretta, Lauretta Chainlon."

"There used to be a princess in a neighbouring kingdom named Lauretta Amerchainlon..." Arthur said curiously.

"Named after her sire." Lauretta smiled.

"It is truly a beautiful name."

"Thank you very much."

"Well I'd better be going..." Arthur said beginning to move back in the direction of Merlin.

"And I also, pleasure to meet you sire." She began to move away towards her bags, snatching up her sword in the process.

"And you, I would very much like to introduce you to my father, I think he would take much interest in you." Arthur said turning back.

"Well I am currently residing with Gaius, the court physician."

"Of course, I will find you there."

They nodded their goodbyes and Merlin and Arthur watched as she walked away in the direction of Gaius's chambers without as much as a backwards glance.

"You have an eye on that one then?" Merlin asked cheekily.

"Shut up Merlin."

"Just saying... She's very pretty."

"Yes, just like the princess."

"What you think she could be the princess?"

"I don't know, but my father will..."

"And if she is..."

"I don't know, that's up to my father. It was said the whole Chainlon family was killed in battle, even the women were very good at fighting."

"Speaking of fighting, how did it prove you worthy of the crown to your people being beaten by a girl?"

"Well Merlin, it shows mercy and a good heart." Arthur said boasting his chest.

"You made that up didn't you; you genuinely thought she wasn't going to beat you."

"Shut up Merlin, but... yes."