6Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, or any characters in the show Merlin. I also don't own the movie Jumper. I only own my OC Kala.
Prologue:
Growing up knowing that you are destined to help someone else fulfill their destiny is hard, and in a way unfair. Merlin and I know it all to well. Merlin as to help protect Arthur and make sure that he becomes King of Camelot and brings magic back into the land. Me, my destiny is to bring Arthur the sword Excalibur, and to protect him with my life.
I knew of this destiny since I was a little girl, so I was taught all the knowledge of magic and the history of it and the land. Granted, I can't wield magic, so how can I possibly help Arthur and even Merlin? Well for one, I can fight in hand in hand combat, sword fight; I'm very handy with a bow and arrow. But here's my secret, I can jump, no not jump in the since of jumping in the same place, but jump as in jump to an entirely new place no matter how far, as long as you can picture it. It may sound like magic, maybe it is to and extent. My jumping ability is dangerous, but I can most certainly use it to get Arthur out of dangerous situations if need be. But since magic is still banned from Camelot, my jumping ability can be viewed as magic.
I'm Gaius' ward, my parents died when I was still a baby. So since then, my parents most trusted friend Gaius took me in. But with my jumping ability, he had to send me somewhere safe so that I can control my ability. My ability is not common but some do have it, and thanks to the Great Dragon, he knew a place where I can stay safe, learn about my joined destiny and anything of great importance. I left the comfort and safety of Gaius' home when I was eight and to a small village, much like the Druids.
Arthur, Morgana and I played together for a short time growing up. We weren't exactly friends, we just played together, but one day, during an innocent game of hide and seek, I got scared for some reason and I jumped across the castle to Gaius' chambers, the safest place I knew. Fortunately for me, only Gaius was there. My guardian didn't know what it was at the beginning, but we soon learned.
It's been eleven long years that I wish I could just forget since I've been to Camelot, and as of right now I'm carrying the great sword Excalibur which is strapped to my waist and my bow loaded with an arrow in my left hand all while running/jumping away from bandits because this is what I get for travelling alone. Eventually I managed to escape, which wasn't easy by the way. I got mental word from the Great Dragon that Merlin was supposed to arrive at Camelot this very day. Now, I never met Merlin before and I was really eager to, I only heard about him from prophecies. I think of the forest a mile or so away from the entrance of Camelot so I can walk the rest of the way, but what I didn't expect was to land on someone. Great…
Chapter One: The Dragon's Call
"I am so sorry, I really didn't mean to run into you. I'm Kala by the way." Kala said as she quickly scrambled up from the ground. She dusted her green traveling outfit off and plucked a leaf out of her dark brown hair while the young man lifted himself from the ground as well.
"Its no problem and my name is Merlin. Just one question, um, how did you appear out of thin air? No one was around me when I was walking." Merlin said as he grabbed his bag from the ground not noticing Kala's surprised reaction to hearing his name.
"I will tell you my secret when you tell me yours Merlin." Kala say mysteriously with a hint of a smile gracing her slightly pale face.
"What makes you think I have a secret?" Merlin said suspiciously as he stood in front of Kala.
"We all have secrets, especially ones that must stay a secret when entering a kingdom where magic is banned and the punishment is death. And I feel that we both hold the same level of a serious secret." Kala said staring back at Merlin's blue eyes with seriousness. Even though Kala knew without a doubt that the Merlin in front of her is the same Merlin that she read all about in the prophecies and heard about from the Great Dragon, she knew Merlin's secret, but she still wants to hear it from himself than her just blurting it out. When he tells her his secret, then will she tell him hers.
Merlin stared back at Kala's green eyes with just as much seriousness, contemplating what she was saying. "Okay, we both tell each other our secrets and we must keep it safe. There's something about you that seems trusting, like we were meant to meet here." Merlin said as he smiled a bit but still serious. "I have magic, I was born with it. I didn't choose it. I was able to use magic before I could even speak."
Kala was surprised, she didn't expect him to tell her his most treasured secret, but as promised she got ready to tell Merlin her secret. "I have the ability to jump to someplace far or close." Kala said, but she noticed the look of confusion on Merlin's pale face. "Basically it's like teleporting, I can jump from here all the way to the King's court with a blink of an eye. Its how I accidentally ran into you. I was actually far away from where we stand, but I was running from bandits and I thought of here and well here I am."
"Is this ability magic? Did you have to learn it or were you born with it?" Merlin asked interested.
"No it's not magic, though I do know all the knowledge of magic. But ya, I was born with this, much like how you were born with magic." Kala said softly as she smiled towards Merlin, deep down she knew that she could trust Merlin with her life which is hard considering her childhood. She shuddered lightly at the memories of living in the small village.
Merlin nodded understanding what she was describing about her ability. He knew its not easy growing up with something that you were born with and not being able trust people in fear that those around you can turn against you or use you for their own personal gain. "So on a topic that doesn't include magic and the ability to, well, jump. Why are you headed to Camelot?"
"I'm actually moving back in with my guardian, Gaius. I'm his ward, he raised me for eight years before he sent me to live with, and I guess you can say, old friends. What about you? What is your reason for going to a magic hated kingdom?" Kala asked as they slowly walked down the path that leads to the gates of Camelot.
Merlin's ears perked up when Kala mentioned Gaius, he instantly smiled and said, "I'm moving in with Gaius as well. My Mother is sending me to live with him, though she fears for my safety. Its nice knowing that I will have a friend really close by."
"I agree, we could watch each other's back. With our luck, we will most likely be getting into heaps of trouble." Kala said teasingly feeling that over time they will grow a bond like brother and sister. Kala and Merlin laughed and they started to converse all the way until they reached the gates of Camelot. Both were feeling that their lives would change once they set foot inside Camelot, they look towards each other and smiled encouragingly towards each other and they walked into Camelot.
As both Merlin and Kala entered Camelot, both looked around amazed, for Merlin it was the beauty of how peaceful it looked and for Kala it was bring back memories from when she was a little girl, but Camelot also looked different at the same time. They continued walking through the lower town with smiles on their faces as they looked around them and as they entered into the square, there was horns playing, calling everyone's attention. The crowds whispering and the drums beating as the Knights tugged along a man onto a platform. As the man made his way up the small steps, King Uther started speaking and the crowd including Merlin and Kala looked towards the voice.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." Uther said in a voice of authority as he gave the signal to execute the man. Merlin and Kala stared shocked at the execution, both fearing even more about what would happen if their secret got out.
King Uther continued talking as if nothing happened as he looked out to his people, "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."
"How is remembering the day of genocide called for a day of celebration?" Kala whispered softly to Merlin. Merlin nodded and was about to whisper back but then they both turned to the sound of wailing. They saw an old women with wrinkles and long grayish white hair crying as she looked up towards Uther who looked back down to the crowd instantly finding the source of the crying.
"There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You killed my son! But I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son." The woman said as she looked towards Uther with hatred and as soon as she said 'A son for a son.'
Uther stared at her with anger and yelled, "Seize her!" As soon as the Knights were about to capture the old woman, she quickly whispers a spell and vanished in a cloud of smoke and gusting wind. Merlin and Kala stumbled backwards along with the crowd in shock.
Merlin and Kala looked around and silently walked away and headed for the palace to where Gaius the court physician lived, both silently promising each other with a small smile that they will do everything they can to keep each other's secret. Neither, wanting to see the other on the execution block.
Before Kala had the chance to tell Merlin that she knew where Gaius' quarters were, Merlin politely walked up to one of the guards and asked where they could find Gaius forgetting that Kala already knew where to go. After getting the directions, Merlin motioned for Kala to follow. Kala smiled and laughed a little as she followed Merlin up the stairs.
They reached the door and Kala knocked on the door, excited to see Gaius again after all these years. "Hello?" Kala called out softly, she looked towards Merlin and shrugged as they quietly walked inside the room.
"Hello? Gaius? Are you there?" Merlin asked out after he cleared his throat. Merlin looked around and saw different chemical looking things on the tables around him.
Kala looked around and smiled. "Nothing's changed." Kala said to Merlin and he smiled back at her before looking around to see if Gaius was there or not.
Merlin looked up the stairs to see an old man that he assumed was Gaius and he called up to the man. Kala quickly used her ability and jumped up onto the balcony seeing that Gaius was about to fall, but she was too late. Gaius fell backwards from the balcony and headed towards the floor.
Merlin acted quickly and his eyes glowed yellow and he slowed down time. As Gaius was slowly falling, Merlin quickly looked around and saw a bed near the corner of the room and he moved it under Gaius so that the fall won't be too horrible.
As time stopped slowing, Gaius yelped as he bounced on the bed. "Are you okay Gaius?" Kala asked as she quickly jumped from up the stairs to where Gaius was on the ground where he was trying to stand up.
"Ah, Kala, how wonderful it is to see you again. I'm glad you're here. I missed you being here. Arthur and Morgana were saddened when you left. You must have left an impression in the short time that you three played together. And what did I say about using your ability around here? Now you young boy, what did you just do?" Gaius said as he hugged a frowning Kala and he looked towards Merlin.
Merlin didn't know what to say, obviously Gaius knew about Kala's secret but he totally just blew his secret on his first day in Camelot. "I wonder if Kala can use her ability to take me somewhere safe. Think Merlin, I need a good excuse." Merlin shrugged his shoulders towards Gaius not knowing what to say.
"Tell me!" Gaius demanded as he stopped hugging Kala and walked towards Merlin who looked a little scared.
"I have no idea what happened sir." Merlin stammered as he fidgeted with his sleeve. Gaius looked up the stairs and looked towards Merlin.
"If anyone had seen that…" Gaius said warningly towards both Merlin and Kala. Both shook their heads franticly.
"Er, no! That was, that was nothing to do with me." Merlin said quickly trying to cover up the fact that he used magic, what a rotten day this was turning out to be.
"I know what it was. I just want to know where your learned how to do it." Gaius said looking towards Merlin. Kala was trying to figure out a way to help get Merlin out of this mess, granted Gaius would know sooner or later and Merlin would benefit from having Gaius know the truth but that is entirely up to Merlin.
"Nowhere, honest." Merlin said honestly, it was true; he never learned magic he just happened to know it.
"So how is it that you know magic? Where did you study?" Gaius said seriously and Merlin kept shaking his head.
"I've never studied magic, or been taught." Merlin said getting tired of Gaius' interrogation, he looked towards Kala for help who had taken to sitting on the bed.
"Its true Gaius, he never studied or been taught magic." Kala said as she stood up from the bed and laid a hand on Gaius' shoulder.
"Are you both lying to me?" Gaius said as Kala stood beside Merlin.
Merlin was getting fed up and said, "I was born like this!"
Gaius shook his head in disbelief. "That's impossible, who are you?"
Merlin stumbled to take off his backpack and he pulled out a folded letter and he hands it towards Gaius. Gaius took the letter and began to pat his pockets looking for his glasses. Seeing this Kala said, "This is my friend Merlin, Gaius."
"Hunith's son?" Gaius said shocked and happy. Merlin nodded his head happily. "But you're not meant to be here 'till Wednesday."
Merlin's smile dropped a little and both Kala and Merlin spoke at the same time, "It is Wednesday."
"Ah, right then. You two better put your bag in there." Gaius said as he pointed to two small doors up the stairs. Merlin and Kala both nodded and grabbed their bags and before they headed up the stairs towards their rooms, Merlin turned back around.
"You won't say anything about both our, erm…" Merlin asked as he stuttered a little bit as he pointed towards the balcony and the floor.
"I've kept Kala's secret for eleven years Merlin, I won't say anything to anyone about yours. Thank you for helping me Merlin." Gaius said as he smiled at the two young adults.
Each in their separate rooms Kala and Merlin sat on their beds with the candlelight hitting their faces. Kala stared at the sword Excalibur thinking about Arthur and all the great things that he would do. Kala couldn't help but think about the day she left Camelot, it was only a day after she and Gaius discovered her ability. She left Camelot in such a hurry in fear that any little thing would freak her and have her jump to someplace else, that she didn't have anytime to say goodbye to the two people who actually wanted to play with her as a child. Often during the nights, she used to wonder about what Arthur and Morgana were doing at that exact moment in time. Kala doubts that they remember her; she was nothing but a commoner, the ward of the court physician. Arthur and Morgana were nobles; they are in higher rank then her.
Kala stood up from her spot on her bed and moved it quietly off to the side. She found a loose floorboard and she carefully placed the sword deep into the floor and replaced the floorboards and moved the bed over the spot. It would be safe there for now until Merlin, when he finally knows the truth, and her find a safer place for the sword. Kala sighed and laid down on the bed as she slowly drifted off to a peaceful slumber.
Deep in the woods where Lady Helen's traveling party were camped, there was a sense of evil lurking in the shadows. Inside the tent, Lady Helen was humming softly to herself as she sat on her bed. There was a sound of a snapping twig that startled her out of her thoughts.
"Hello? Gregory?" Lady Helen called out with a gasp of fright.
"Lady Helen." Gregory the guard said as he bowed his head a little bit.
"Is all well?" Lady Helen asked referring to the sounds from outside and the trip to Camelot.
"Yes ma'am. With great luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow." Gregory said with a smile. Lady Helen smiled and nodded towards Gregory. After Gregory left the tent, she looked around cautiously, Lady Helen went back to face the front of the tent once more and she let out a gasp.
The mother of Thomas Collins was standing in front of Lady Helen while holding up a doll and saying an incantation and then she stabbed the doll. Lady Helen let out a painful gasp as she fell dead to her bed with her eyes still wide open. Ms. Collins looked at the dead Lady Helen and she then casted another incantation and she then became Lady Helen herself. She took a look in the mirror and saw her same old face and she smiled evilly to herself. All her plans were slowly falling into place, she will have her revenge against King Uther soon enough.
As Kala and Merlin were sleeping, both heard their names being called, though Kala already knew who it was, the Great Dragon. Kala rolled her eyes and she sat up and headed down the stairs still dressed in her green traveling outfit with her arrows and bow hanging on her back. It's become a strong habit to have her bow and arrows by her side, she can't imagine being without them.
As she entered the room she saw water on the ground with Merlin cleaning it up. Kala shook her head and smiled as Gaius said to them both, "Well, we better keep both of you out of trouble. You both can help me until I am able to find some paid work for you two." Merlin and Kala nodded at the reasonable request as Gaius turned to fetch something.
"Do I want to know why there is water on the ground?" Kala asked teasingly as she snagged Merlin's bowl of porridge. Merlin laughed and pulled back his bowl after Kala took a bite.
Gaius came back into the room and placed a small pouch and a glass bottle on the table and said to his wards, "Here, hollyhock and feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once."
"Okay" Merlin and Kala said at the same time, the both looked towards each other and laughed, both having a feeling that they would both say things at the same time more often.
"And here Merlin." Gaius said holding out a sandwich towards Merlin as he noticed that Kala ate his bowl of porridge. Kala smiled innocently towards Merlin as she stood near the door with the pouch and bottle waiting for him to come along and help deliver the items. Merlin smiled and nodded thanks towards Gaius and as he walked towards Kala he shoved her playfully. Before they headed outside the door, Gaius called them both back.
"Oh and Merlin, I hardly need to tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed and Kala, no jumping. It will have the same amount of consequences as those who practice magic." Gaius said warningly to the both wards.
Kala nodded and Merlin mumbled 'okay' as he ate his sandwich, both making their way downstairs from Gaius' chambers. Both wandered through the palace looking for the destinations of the pouch and bottle.
Kala walked up to the door that belongs to Sir Olwin, "Hello, we have your medicine." Kala said politely as she held out the bottle towards the old man who grabbed it and started to pop off the cork.
"Oh, and Gaius said not to drink it all…" Merlin said to late as the Sir Olwin finished off the bottle.
"Um, I'm sure its fine." Merlin and Kala said simultaneously. They both walked away and chatting about Merlin's hometown but they both turned towards a man that asked where his target was. Kala's ears perked up, recognizing that voice.
Kala was surprised when the young man who she knew to be Arthur was bullying the more man holding the target shield. Arthur and everybody around him began laughing. Kala frowned the sight before here and Merlin was frowning as well. How could anyone be so cruel? The poor boy was running around holding up the target while Arthur was tossing the knives in his direction.
"Come on, run! We want some moving target practice!" Arthur said laughing and seriously. The boy continued to run until the target got away from him and Merlin stopped it with his food.
Merlin looked up smiled and said, "Hey, come on, that's enough."
"What?" Arthur asked shocked as he glared towards Merlin's direction, not noticing Kala standing beside Merlin.
"You've hand your fun, my friend." Kala said confidently towards Arthur as she held onto the string of the bow that was still hanging on her back.
"Do I know you?" Arthur asked her and Merlin as he walked over to them. Arthur faintly recognizes Kala but asks anyways with a glaring look.
"I'm Merlin and this here is my friend Kala." Merlin said introducing them towards Arthur and offering out his hand to shake. To Arthur, the name 'Kala' rang bells but decided not to dwell on it.
"So I don't know you both then." Arthur said as he stood in front of Merlin.
"No, of course not." Merlin said putting his arm down, as he noticed that Arthur wasn't going to shake it.
"Yet you called me 'friend.'"
"That was our mistake, sir." Kala said standing her ground at Merlin's side.
"Yes, I think so." Arthur said smiling smugly at both Merlin and Kala.
"Yeah, We'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin said smirking with Kala nodding in agreement as Merlin walked away, and Kala slowly following suit.
Arthur scoffs and said, "Or I one who could be so stupid."
Both Merlin and Kala stop walking as Arthur asked, "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"
"No."
"Would you like me to help you?" Arthur asked with a smirk.
"Enough. Leave Merlin alone." Kala said as she glared at Arthur, getting ready to pull her bow and arrow at him.
"Stay out of this Kala." Arthur said as he focused on Merlin, ignoring the familiar feeling that he got when he said her name.
"I wouldn't if I were you." Merlin said smirking a little towards Arthur, having the intention to secretly use magic against Arthur.
"Why? What are you going to do to me?" Arthur said chuckling.
"You have no idea."
"Merlin, stop, as much as I would like to see what you're going to do, we can afford to get into serious trouble here." Kala said warningly, Arthur looked towards Merlin smugly.
"You should listen to her, but be my guest. Come on! Come onnnn," Arthur said tauntingly as he smirked at the people around him and held his arms up. Merlin sighs and takes a swing at him not realizing that Arthur grabbed his arm and pinned it against his back. The crowd around them stared at them in amazement and Kala took a few steps towards them ready to fight in Merlin's defense if need be. "I'll have you thrown in jail for that."
"Who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin asks as he struggled against Arthur's grip.
"Merlin, he's the King's son, Arthur." Kala said as she placed her hands on Merlin's shoulders. Arthur smirked at and was slightly mesmerized at Kala's green eyes, but Kala just rolled her eyes; he brought Merlin to his knees and had his guards escort him to the dungeons. Kala sighed and was about to walk away but Arthur quickly grabbed hold of Kala's arm. Kala tensed slightly and had the urge to jump away but she quickly refrained from doing so.
"Have we met before, you and I?" Arthur asked Kala as she turned around to face him not noticing how she tensed at first.
"Depends on which time of before you are referring to. Hey, do you want to hide and I seek?" Kala said mysteriously as she smirked at Arthur. Arthur shook his head and laughed as he remembered fully well on who Kala was. Even though they'd only met for a short time and played with her as a child, she left an impression both him and Morgana. They'd often wondered what happened to her.
"It's good to see you again Kala, its been what? Eleven years?" Arthur asked as he hugged Kala tightly. Kala laughed and pulled away from the hug and smiled softly.
"Yeah, eleven long years." Kala said softly as she remembered why she left in the first place.
"You never said goodbye. Do you have any idea how hurt Morgana and I were?" Arthur said glaring slightly at his brief childhood friend.
"I wanted to say goodbye, but I had somewhere to be," Kala said trying to defend herself, but she deeply wished that she was just a normal women who doesn't have to deal with certain abilities. "How long is Merlin going to be in the dungeons?"
"Just for a day or two, how do you know him anyways? Your value of friends has gone down. I never thought you would be friends with such an idiot." Arthur said as he sighed as they went to lean against the wall.
"Merlin and I are Gaius' wards, and I must say, you are still the biggest prat in the world." Kala said teasingly and then seriously said, "Also for the record, if you ever call Merlin an idiot in front of me, so help me, you will regret it. Granted I've only known him for a short time, but he's still a great friend." As she left Arthur's side and headed back to Gaius' chambers. Only Kala and Gaius can call Merlin an idiot. She couldn't believe that this prat of a man was going to be the future King of Camelot, and as of right now from what she sees, Excalibur does not belong in Arthur's hands.
When Kala walked inside the court physician's room, she began to tell Gaius what happened with Merlin and she busied herself with helping Gaius around the room with different chores. The next morning Kala began to walk through the lower towns to see that Merlin was in the stocks having rotten fruit and vegetables tossed at him by children and even some adults. Kala started laughing at the sight along with Gaius.
"Is this the price to let him out early?" Kala asked while laughing and all Gaius could do was nod. Kala shook her head and grabbed a rotten peach and hid it behind her back, "Hey Merlin?"
Merlin looked up and smiled at Kala offering a small wave, "Hey Kala, I'm just here hanging out and entertaining the little kids." Merlin said trying to make what was happening to him seem like nothing.
"Sure, sure, that's nice, I have something for you." Kala said smirking as she saw Merlin glance at her in curiosity, but quickly glared when he was greeted which a face full of rotten peach. Kala busted up laughing along with the crowd and then Merlin started to laugh along with them.
"Hey, I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm Lady Morgana's maid." Gwen said introducing herself to both Merlin and Kala.
"Right, I'm Merlin and this is my friend Kala. We're both wards of Gaius." Merlin said kindly as he reaches his hand out from the stock to shake Gwen's hand.
"Although, most people call Merlin here and 'Idiot.'" Kala said teasingly towards Merlin.
"No, no. I saw what you did Merlin. It was really brave." Gwen said disagreeing with people calling Merlin and 'idiot.'
"No, it was stupid. I shouldn't have done anything." Merlin said smiling softly.
"Well, I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him." Gwen said as if she was stating a well-known fact.
"Please, I can beat him." Merlin said confidently. Kala laughed, knowing full well that Merlin has a low chance of beating Arthur, and the only way that Merlin would be able to win, would be if he used magic.
"You think so ya? You don't look like one of these big muscle-y kind of fellows that are sometimes strutting around this place." Gwen said teasingly and earning a laugh from Kala.
"I like you Gwen." Kala said laughing as she patted her new friend on the shoulder.
"Thanks you two." Merlin said a little depressed at the lack of confidence that his two friends were showing.
"No, no. I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just um…how do I say this?" Gwen said looking towards Kala for help.
"Arthur's one of those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men." Kala said helping Gwen make her point.
"Yeah, and you, well…" Gwen trailed off.
"What?" Merlin asked, curious to know what she was going to say.
"You don't look anything like that." Gwen said feeling embarrassed at the fact that she might have just insulted her new friend. Merlin looked around and motioned for Gwen and Kala to come closer.
"I'm in disguise." Merlin said as though he just revealed a great secret. Gwen looked at Merlin as though he was serious, but when he broke into a smile, all three of them laughed.
"Well, its great that you stood up to him." Gwen said as Kala nodded in agreement.
"You think so?" Merlin asked smiling.
"Yeah, Arthur's a bully." Kala said stating a fact.
"Everyone thought you were a real hero." Gwen said as she nodded to confirm what she saw was true. Merlin smiled kindly at Gwen but the smile fell a little when he saw more children approach with more rotten fruit in hand.
"I think we should leave Gwen. Merlin's fans are waiting." Kala said teasingly as she wiped off a piece of fruit from Merlin's head.
Gwen and Kala laughed as they walked away hearing the sounds of fruit splattering. "How long have you known Merlin?" Gwen asked Kala as they walked towards the palace.
"Just for about three days or so. We ran into each other in the woods on the way to Camelot. From there, we both found out that we were headed to the same place and actually meeting the same person." Kala said smiling towards Gwen.
"You two act as though you've known each other for years." Gwen said amazed that Merlin and Kala have only known each other for a short time.
"We have a kind of brother and sister relationship going on. He's a really nice guy, it's easy to trust him." Kala said as they entered the courtyard of the palace. "Are you headed to see Lady Morgana?"
"Yes, would you like to meet her?" Gwen asked as she motioned to the direction of where Morgana lives.
"I would love to, I haven't seen her in years." Kala said nodding as she followed Gwen to Morgana's chambers.
"You know Lady Morgana?" Gwen asked surprised.
"Yes, she, Arthur and I were briefly friends growing up before I left." Kala explained, by the time they reached the door, Gwen knocked softly waiting to be granted the permission to enter.
"Lady Morgana, you have a visitor." Gwen said as she then busied herself with chores that needed to be done.
"Evening Gwen, and who is this visitor?" Morgana said politely as she headed towards the door.
"Long time no see Lady Morgana." Kala said as she smiled politely towards her friend.
"Kala? Is that really you?" Morgana asked and she smiled as Kala nodded. The next thing Kala knew was that Morgana was tackling her in a hug.
"You know, when we were little and Arthur and I first met you, we wanted to be your friends forever. There was something about you that lured us in." Morgana said as she led Kala to sit on her bed with her.
"I just want you to know something, I didn't leave because of any of you. I left, because I had to." Kala said softly, it killed her knowing that she can't reveal her secret to her friend. Her friends deserve to know the truth, but if they found out, then there is a high chance of her being executed.
"So where was it that you went?" Morgana said curiously, yes she was very curious as to where her friend was for the past eleven years. Morgana nudged her arm against Kala's shoulders, "Well?"
"Gaius just sent me to live in a small village, he wanted me to experience life outside Camelot walls. Though, I much rather have been here instead." Kala said truthfully, just minus the fact that she had to leave so that she can control her jumping ability. Morgana looked at her and realized that Kala is holding something back, as much as she really wanted to know the full reason as to why she left. Morgana was content with the answer that Kala had given her. After an hour of talking and catching up, Kala bid goodnight to both Morgana and Gwen. Kala quickly made it to Gaius' chamber and she went up to her room to sleep from a long day.
"Lady Helen" looked at the walls of Camelot and she smiled an evil grin, her escort in front of leading her to the Throne Room where Uther is. As lady Helen walked near a puddle and she caught a quick glance of her reflection and staring back at her was her old and wrinkly face. As Lady Helen walked into the Throne Room, King Uther's eyes went straight to her.
"Lady Helen. I can't thank you enough for coming to grace us with your singing at our celebrations." King Uther said as he walked up to her.
"The pleasure is all mine, your majesty." Lady Helen said as she curtsied.
"I trust your journey was well?" Uther asked politely.
"The time it took, Sire." Lady Helen said with a dramatic sight.
"Well, it's certainly worth the wait." Uther said charmingly as he kissed Lady Helen's pale hands.
"It will be." Lady Helen said mysteriously as she imagined how her glorious revenge will turn out. She was then escorted to her guest chambers where she will stay during her time in Camelot.
On Kala's way back to Gaius' chambers from her short morning walk with her bow and arrows still strapped to her back, she saw from a distance that Merlin was walking towards, from what she overheard, was Lady Helen's guest chamber. Kala looked around her and quickly observed the area around Merlin and when she noticed that there were no guards around. She crouched to her knees, hiding just incase someone was around and she jumped to where Merlin was.
"Hello Merlin." Kala whispered as she stood back up from crouching. Merlin jumped up from fright.
"Kala! You scared the lights out of me. I thought Gaius told you not to… well, you know." Merlin whispered back just as quietly.
"Oh please, like you won't ever break Gaius' rule and use magic? Its like breathing, you have to use it." Kala said as she shot Merlin a knowing look. She linked an arm around Merlin's and asked, "Now Merlin my dear friend, where are we off to?"
"Delivering a potion to Lady Helen, its for her voice." Merlin said as he continued to walk towards the direction of Lady Helen's room. Kala nodded, she heard that the Lady Helen has a wonderful voice and figured now would be a good time then any to meet Lady Helen.
Merlin and Kala entered Lady Helen's chamber and they noticed that a mirror was half covered. Kala stayed near the door as Merlin quickly walked towards the table and set down the potion bottle. Right before he turned back around he noticed a straw doll and a book with different types of paper sticking out with string tied around the book to keep it closed. Merlin picked up the book curiously and turned it around about to untie it lost in curiosity.
Kala walked towards Merlin curiously and before she was able to ask anything, she hears footsteps walking faster towards their direction. "Merlin someone's coming." Kala said quietly as she nudged Merlin's shoulder. Merlin nodded and quickly puts the book down and both of them turned towards the door and walked towards it as if they were just about to leave. Lady Helen walked into the room and looked about Merlin and Kala curiously.
"What are you two doing in here?" Lady Helen asked as she stared at Merlin and Kala with a hard glaze.
"Ah, we well, I was asked to deliver this to you and my friend here came with me because I got turned around and couldn't find your room." Merlin said politely and slightly panicked that they had almost been caught snooping around in Lady Helen's room. Kala picked up the potion near the half covered mirror and handed it to Lady Helen. She glanced at the potion in her hand and nodded to Kala and Merlin and they both quickly walked towards the door and Lady Helen's head followed them. When Merlin and Kala went into the corridor they both looked back from where they came still half panicked but slightly suspicious of Lady Helen.
"Something is weird about Lady Helen." Kala said softly towards Merlin as they walked down the stairs and across the square.
"I know what you mean, there's something about that book, and it seems kind of magical and what's with the mirror being half covered?" Merlin asked, not expecting an answer from Kala. They both pondered about what they saw. They began to walk through the lower town and they passed by Arthur and his friends.
Both Kala and Merlin didn't cast him a second glance when Arthur asked Merlin, "How's your knee-walking coming along?" Kala tugged on Merlin's arm when she noticed him slowly stopping.
"Oh, come on, don't run away." Arthur said whining and teasing as he grinned when he noticed that Merlin stopped completely. Kala groaned softly already knowing that this was going to be bad.
"From you?" Merlin said annoyed with his back still towards Arthur.
Arthur sighed relieved, "Thank God, I thought you were deaf as well as dumb."
"Look, I've told you, you're an ass," Merlin said as he softly grinned and with humor. Kala wanted to smack Merlin as he said that; she carefully grabbed her bow and an arrow as to not gain attention. Something told her that she would need to use it soon. Merlin turned towards Arthur still grinning, "I just didn't realize that you were a Royal one. Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy's men to protect you?" Merlin asked as he saw Arthur looked back at him shocked.
Arthur laughs and smiles impressed that Merlin had guts to talk to him that way, "I can take you apart with one blow."
"I could take you apart with less than that." Merlin said smiling confident with himself.
"Are you sure?" Arthur asked but then laughed as he saw that Merlin took off his jacket and that he was serious. Kala walked off to the side away from Merlin and Arthur and she observed the scene unfold as Arthur hands Merlin a chained mace. Merlin stumbled in catching the weapon while Arthur swung his with ease. "Come on, then. I mist warn you though, I've been trained to kill since birth."
"Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?" Merlin asked without missing a beat. Kala chuckled and she quickly silenced it when Arthur glanced at her finding that he liked the sound of her laugh, but he rolled his eyes and turned back towards Merlin.
"You can't address me like that." Arthur said as he scoffed. Merlin smirked at how easily he had managed to annoy Arthur.
"Sorry. H-how long have you been training to be a prat, my Lord?" Merlin asked in mock politeness as he looked down at his mace and gave Arthur a mock bow. The crowd chuckled and Arthur grinned annoyed as he swung his mace towards Merlin. Merlin luckily managed to duck down in time to avoid getting hit. Arthur kept swing towards Merlin as he quickly walked backwards away from Arthur.
"Com o then, Merlin. Come on!" Arthur said teasingly and then swung towards Merlin once more near the market stalls.
Kala quickly walked towards where the crowd was forming, she looked towards the direction of where Gaius' chambers were and she faintly saw her guardians face. 'We're in so much trouble when Gaius gets his hands on us." Kala thought as she faced back towards Arthur and Merlin.
Merlin managed to fall down and Arthur laughs, "You're in trouble now."
"Oh, God!" Merlin says as he looks around him to see if he can use anything to help him. "Where's Kala when you need her." Merlin's eyes glowed and the crowd laughed when Arthur's mace magically got caught the large hooks. While Arthur managed to untangle his mace and headed towards Merlin but once he stepped towards him, he stepped into a box and hits his shin and he yelled out in pain. Kala then tried to speak to them and have them stop fighting, but her voice when unheard.
Merlin laughed and magically moved a sting of rope causing Arthur to trip and fall and loose his mace. Merlin grabs the mace and swing it towards Arthur, "Do you want to give up?"
"To you?" Arthur asked in a 'are you serious' voice.
"Do you? Do you want to give up?" Merlin asked once more as then grins in victory when Arthur falls backwards, but Merlin stops smiling as he notices Gaius shaking his head disappointingly.
Arthur slowly stood up and grabs a broom ready to attack Merlin from behind when an arrow flies by knocking the broom out of his hands. Arthur looks around to see who shot an arrow at him and he stared at Kala in shock when he saw her aiming an arrow towards him having enough of both of their childish attitude. They nearly killed each other. "Enough! You both are acting like idiots! Honestly, you both are grown men!" Kala said in a tone of command as she glared towards Merlin and Arthur and both looked towards her sheepishly.
Arthur was about to walk towards her when she shot an arrow at his foot causing him to stop suddenly and she shot an arrow at Merlin's feet when he was headed for Arthur. Before she knew it guards quickly grabbed her arms and another pair of guards grabbed Merlin. "Yup, we're in trouble." Kala thought as she tugged on her right arm from the tight grip that the guards had on her. Kala tensed when the guards tightened their hold on her arms fighting the urge to jump. She felt the familiar sensation that she always got when she begins jump. It took all her self-control to hold it in and not jump away. "Stop, there's nothing to be scared for. They're not going to hurt you or most importantly won't try to kill you. They're not them. They don't know what you can do." Kala thought trying to calm herself as she thought back to days when she was younger.
"Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one. There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it." Arthur said as he glanced at Merlin from head to foot and he walked towards Kala leaving Merlin standing there. "You may let her go now."
"Tight grips you have there guards. You sure know how to treat a women." Kala said sarcastically as she rubbed her right arm as she casts the dark memories out of her mind. She glanced at Arthur who was just staring at her and holding her bow that he somehow managed to grab.
"Where did you learn to shoot like that? Only the most skilled of men knows how to do that." Arthur asks Kala referring to when she shot the broom out of his hands. He would be a liar if he didn't admit that he was impressed with her skills, he wonders what other skills his old friend might have. She's a mystery that one, and he will do whatever he can to figure it out.
"I've been shooting for years. What you saw just now, is not nothing compared to what else I can do." Kala said with smug honesty, as she went to retrieve her bow from the hands of Arthur.
"Well, aren't you full of surprises. What else can you do?" Arthur asks letting her have her bow back as he took a step closer to Kala trying to intimidate her.
"You will just have to wait to find out now don't you?" Kala said with a smirk as she turned away from Arthur and walked towards Merlin and Gaius where she knew a lecture was waiting for them. Its only a matter of time when Arthur will know her secret, its just the matter if he will except her for who she truly is. Will he still remember as the girl who would play with him and Morgana? Granted it's been eleven years, people change along with their ways of thinking. But we never really loose our personality that we had as children, but that over time matures over time with growth and wisdom. Would he even want to try and rekindle their old brief friendship or had she become too much of a stranger during her eleven years of absence?
As soon as the three of them entered Gaius' chambers, Gaius started to yell. Kala couldn't remember a time in the eight years that she lived with Gaius that he got this mad. She didn't know he had it in him to finally snap; the only thing she could do was just stay quiet and try to avoid his wrath.
"How you both be so foolish! Especially you Merlin!" Gaius yelled towards them with his face turning red. Kala could admit that what she did, shooting an arrow at the Prince was foolish, but it was the only way she knew how to try to break up the fight. Trying to speak to them while they were fighting each other hadn't quite worked out.
Merlin had his back towards Gaius and tried to stay calm as he said, "He needed to be taught a lesson."
"Magic must be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks." Gaius scolded towards Merlin. Merlin turned around angry and he glared towards Gaius.
"What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk." Merlin said as he continued to glare at Gaius.
"Well then. By now you should know how to control yourself." Gaius countered back with little patience.
"I don't want to! If I can't use magic, what have I got? I'm just a nobody, and always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die." Merlin admitted as he told Gaius how he felt. Merlin sighed but as he turned around and quickly headed for his room.
Gaius closed his eyes and sighed softly but he then opened his eyes and looked toward Kala as she stood there waiting for him to lecture her as well. "Now you Kala, what were you thinking shooting an arrow at Prince Arthur? He or the King could have you arrested and executed for that. You're lucky Arthur let you go."
"I tired to break up their fight, but whenever I tried it fell upon deaf ears. It always takes an extreme action to shut someone up or stop a fight. Besides, I knew what I was doing. Isn't that one of the reasons why you sent me to hell of a place? So that I cannot rely on my jumping skills to get me out of trouble and learn how to defend myself like a 'normal' person? Merlin has a point Gaius, who are we if we can't use what makes us who we are?" Kala said trying to stay calm but stared at Gaius with a serious face.
Gaius sighed and held out his hands towards Kala and said, "You are to leave your bow and arrows here. You are not allowed to take them outside of this room," Kala tried to protest but was cut off from Gaius, "Now Kala."
Kala reluctantly handed over her bow and arrows; it was hard for her because it felt like they were apart of her. It made her feel safe aside from her jumping ability. Gaius grabbed them and set them near his bed and by the time her turned back around to face Kala, Kala jumped away to Merlin's room leaving Gaius all alone.
Kala landed beside Merlin who was sitting on his bed. Merlin jumped startled at Kala's unexpected presence, he smiled softly at her. "I know what you mean." Kala said breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked confused as he turned his head towards his friend.
"About if we can't use what make us who we are, then we might as well die. It's the same way with my jumping ability, I always have this urge to jump away at random times. Without my ability, I feel worthless and boringly normal." Kala said softly as she laid on her back staring at the ceiling and Merlin followed suit both sitting in silence. In an hour of laying on their backs staring at nothing, Gaius walked in with a basket of medicine.
"Merlin, sit up and take off your shirt." Gaius ordered gently going into doctor mode. Merlin sighs and sits up with a groan and does as he's told. Kala sits up as well and gets off the bed as she went towards the table and sat on top of it and Gaius took her place on the bed and got a cloth and poured medicine on it.
"You don't know why Kala and I were born like this, do you?" Merlin asked as Gaius tended Merlin's bruised back. Kala nodded in agreement with Merlin's question, she was rather curious if Gaius knew or not.
"No, I don't know why either of you were born with what you have." Gaius admitted.
"I'm not a monster and Kala isn't a cricket in human form right?" Merlin said jokingly and Kala laughed softly at his poor attempt to lighten the mood.
"Don't ever think that and I highly doubt Kala is a cricket." Gaius said seriously and jokingly at the last part as he stared at Merlin and Kala.
"Then why are we like this? We want to know." Kala asked from where she sat at the table and Merlin nodded.
"Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me." Gaius said mysteriously as he handed Merlin a tiny cup of potion.
"If you can't tell us, then no one can." Merlin said disappointed, from what he knew, Gaius was the wisest man he has ever known; he has so much faith in his guardian.
"Drink that, it will help with the pain you are having." Gaius said pointing to the cup in Merlin's hands as Gaius left the room as Merlin and Kala continued to stare pondering about their gifts.
In the night, the King and Lady Helen sat at a table dining in the Council Chamber as they sat across from each other. "Will you sing for me tonight?" King Uther asks politely.
"You will have to wait, Sire." Lady Helen said declining.
"You will not deny me." Uther said slightly serious as he took a sip of wine.
"I am saving myself for my performance tomorrow, Sire. Will everyone be there?" Lady Helen asks wondering if she will finally see Arthur.
"Who would dare to miss it?" Uther said chuckling.
"How about your son? It seems a shame not to have met him."
"That's my son Arthur for you."
"Poor child," Lady Helen said with fake concern. Uther stared at her in curiosity for why she said that. "It can't be easy to grow up without a mother."
"No, I suppose not." Uther admitted lightly.
"Hmm, that bond between mother and son is really hard to replace." Lady Helen said softly, she knew from experience. The man in front of her had killed her son because he wielded magic. Because of him, she lost the precious bond she had with her son.
"It hasn't been easy to tell you the truth." Uther said lightly oblivious that the woman in front of him was really a witch.
"I'm sure," Lady Helen smiling softly at Uther. "Perhaps if you found someone, if you remarried maybe. I'm sure you'd have the pick of any maiden in your kingdom."
"Well, perhaps I'll find love again someday. But it's too late to replace Arthur's mother unfortunately."
"Yes, of course. It certainly is too late for Arthur." Lady Helen said with a double meaning.
Both in their own rooms, Kala and Merlin laid awake unable to sleep, both hearing a faint whisper of their names. "Merlin…Kala…" Kala looked around recognizing the voice and she jumped over to Merlin's room who is now sitting up looking around for the source of the noise.
"Do you hear that Kala?" Merlin asks as he stood up and walked towards his friend. Kala nodded to confirm to him that she hears the voice as well and they both walked down the stairs quietly to not disturb Gaius' sleep. On their way out of the room, clumsy Merlin knocked over a metal cup, both froze and slowly looked towards Gaius. When he didn't wake, they quickly left the room and walked across the square following the whisper of their names.
Merlin and Kala walked down to the dungeons to find two guards playing with dice. They needed to find a way to distract the guards so Merlin decided to roll the dice away from them and the two guards started to chase it abandoning their post. As the guards chased the dice, Merlin and Kala quickly walk past them grabbing a torch and lighting as they walked through a doorway leading further down into the ground. Merlin and Kala walked into a cave but now heard laughing. "I should warn you Merlin, what we're about see is a Dragon." Kala said towards Merlin.
Merlin looked at her with a disbelief look but then said loudly, "Where are you?"
"I'm here! How small you are for such a great destiny. Kala, its good to see you again, still small I see." The Great Dragon said to them as he landed in front of them staring as they backed away in shock. Kala glared lightly, she isn't that short, 5'4 is an average height but then again, he's a dragon everything to him is small.
"Why? What do you mean? What destiny?" Merlin asked in awe as he observed the dragon before him.
"You're gift Merlin, was given to you for a reason. Same goes for you Kala, though I recall telling you that once a long time ago." The Great Dragon said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"So there is a reason. Kala, have you met him before?" Merlin asked Kala hurt that she didn't tell him.
"It was a long time ago when I met the Great Dragon when he told me about yours and Arthur's destiny. I only play the a small roll, to help protect you and Arthur with my life." Kala said staring straight into Merlin's blue eyes, to show him that she was serious.
"Kala's right. Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion." The Great Dragon said nodding in agreement with Kala.
"Right, sure" Merlin said not believing the dragon.
"But He faces many threats from friend and foe alike." The Great Dragon said wisely.
"I don't see what this has to do with me, and why does Kala have to help protect me and Arthur?" Merlin asks resisting that what the Great Dragon is saying might be true. Look at him; he's talking to a dragon. He always heard that dragons were dangerous creatures.
"Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion. There will be times where you and Arthur will need assistance and in need of rescuing and that's where Kala comes along. That's why she was sent away, so that she can help you with your magic and show you different spells." The Great Dragon said trying to make sense to Merlin.
"No. No, you're wrong about this." Merlin said trying to deny what the dragon was saying.
"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."
"Merlin, as much as I haven't liked how Arthur has been treating you and anybody else. That doesn't call for him dying, there's still a chance that he might…well, mature." Kala said softly, trying to get him to see reason.
The Great Dragon chuckled loudly, "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And non of us can escape it no matter how hard you try."
"No, no way, no. There must be another Arthur, because this one's an idiot." Merlin said disbelieving.
"Arthur is an idiot Merlin, I'll give you that. But given the time, it could be your destiny to change that. Maybe you're the one to help him become wiser and less of an idiotic prat." Kala said smiling lightly. The Great Dragon laughed loudly and he flies off. Merlin sees this and tries to call back the dragon for more answers.
"Well that was helpful." Merlin said sarcastically and Kala only shrugged.
"Well, I'm here to help." Kala said lightly as she grabbed a hold of Merlin's arm. "Hold your breath, I'm going to jump us back to your room. Gaius should still be asleep."
Merlin did what she asked and before he knew it he was in his room and he looked towards his friend. "That was amazing." Merlin said in awe as Kala chuckled. Merlin went to his bed to take a nap and Kala jumped to her room to catch a little bit more sleep as well.
Kala woke up a little early and she got dressed into a light dark brown wool dress with inch thin shoulder straps and underneath she wore a long sleeve cream colored shirt with her semi long dark brown hair hanging loose and in her boots she had two daggers strapped to them in case of emergencies. She headed downstairs where Gaius told her to wait as he went upstairs to fetch Merlin. Kala looked towards her bow and arrows where it still stood next to Gaius' bed. She looked towards them with sadness. She missed having her trusted bow and arrow with her at all times. She looked up when she heard Merlin walking down the stairs holding a bottle and towards her with him mumbling, "I know the feeling."
"Potion goes to Morgana?" Kala asks even though she knows the answer. Merlin nodded and they both walked out the door towards Morgana's chambers. They walked in silence and before either of them knew it, they were at Morgana's chambers.
Merlin sees the door open and when him and Kala entered they saw Morgana walking towards her changing screen while talking. "You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole." Morgana said from behind the screen. Merlin looked shock that she was actually talking to him. "Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?"
Merlin's face fell when he realized that Morgana had mistaken him for her maidservant. Kala had to hold back a laugh nudging Merlin around to face the other way before grabbing the dress and handing it to Morgana over the screen. "I mean, the man's a total jouster. And just because I'm the King's ward, doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it?" Morgana said as she began changing but when she heard silence she asks, "Well does it?"
Kala stood still for a moment wondering what she should do before she decided to mimic Gwen and said, "Mmm-mmm."
"If he wants me to go, then he should invite me, and he hasn't." Morgana said oblivious to the fact that the person she is talking to wasn't her friend and maid.
Kala looked towards Merlin who had turned to face her and mouth to him, "What should I do?" But she turned back around and mimicked Gwen again with another, "Mmm-mmm." When Morgana had asked another question.
"Where are you?" Morgana asked curiously as she noticed the lack of response from Gwen. Kala turned around and quickly held up a cloak to try to cover both her and Merlin from sight.
"Here." Kala said softly trying to make her voice sound like Gwen's. Kala peaked from the side to see that Morgana had once again turned away from their direction. Kala dropped the cloak on the chair and both her and Merlin began to quietly walk out of the room, but before either of them had been able to make an escape Morgana called out.
"I need some help with this fastening." Morgana said politely. Kala and Merlin looked at each other not knowing what to do, even though Kala would help Morgana if she ever asked for it, but right now, Morgana thinks her maid is in the room. It would be weird if all of a sudden she is there helping her friend. Both Kala and Merlin hesitate still unknowing as to what to do. "Gwen? Are you there?"
"I'm here." Gwen said from behind Merlin and Kala. Both turned around silently and Kala quickly launched herself into a hug with Gwen. Gwen hugged back but quickly pulled back and mouthed to Merlin and Kala, "What are you two doing here?"
Kala and Merlin motioned towards Morgana and suddenly Gwen got the picture as she walked towards where Morgana was. Gwen laughed silently and turned back around to face her friends to see Kala motioning to the potion and Morgana as she set the potion on the side table. Gwen nods as Kala and Merlin made their escape laughing softly.
"Well that was awkward, huh, Merlin?" Kala said laughing as they went to retrieve the herbs that Gaius had asked for. Merlin laughed and nodded his head.
A blonde servant girl knocks on Lady Helens door holding a bowl of fruit and when Lady Helen opened the door, the girl curtsies and holds up the bowl of fruit. "Lady Helen. Compliments of the King."
"Come in." Lady Helen said as she walked over to where the servant girl had set the fruit and picked up a red apple. "So sweet. How will I ever repay him?"
"When he hears you sing. Surely that will be more than enough won't it? I really am looking forward to the performance, I heard that you have such a wonderful voice." The servant girl said as she smiled towards Lady Helen and she walks around the room tidying it up a bit. Lady Helen agreed as she took a bite of the apple. "I absolutely love singing. I sing all the time when I can. My betrothed said that I have a voice of a fallen angel."
The servant girl reached to pull off the cloth that hangs on the mirror, but when she does, she sees the reflection of the old witch women instead of the face of Lady Helen. She lets out a gasp and then tries to flee the room but was stopped when Lady Helen tightly grabbed her arm and began to kill her. Once the servant girl was dead, Lady Helen looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Gaius walked into the banquet hall with his two wards and both Kala and Merlin noticed Arthur making fun of Merlin with his friends. Merlin looked away in slight irritation but Kala kept looking towards Arthur with a frown on her face. Arthur turns around and sees Kala and when he notices her frowning so he walked over to her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean any harm. Its nice to see you here Kala. Even if you are here to work." Arthur said making an effort to not seem insulting. Kala laughed slightly and was about to reply when she noticed Arthur's gaze turning away from her. She followed his gaze and saw Morgana walking in the room wearing a stunningly maroon colored dress. Kala then notices Merlin's gaze following Morgana as well.
"Merlin, Kala. Remember, you're here to work." Gaius said to his wards. Merlin and Kala nodded while Arthur abandoned the side of his long lost friend to talk to Morgana. Neither of them noticed Gwen walking up behind them as she began to speak.
"They look great don't they?" Gwen said to her friends referring to Arthur and Morgana.
"Yeah." Merlin and Kala said at the same time earning a laugh from Gwen, she wonders if they know that they do that a lot.
"I guess some people are just born to be King and Queen." Gwen said as if she was stating a fact.
"No." Merlin said suddenly.
"I hope so. One day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur? Kala here maybe." Gwen said to Kala teasingly causing her blush slightly at the thought of marrying her old friend. That would be absurd, why would Arthur want to marry a girl like her? He hasn't seen her in eleven years and their reunion hasn't gone to well. Kala looked towards Arthur with a slightly sad look, knowing that she has no place in his future, knowing her luck she might die trying to save the prat from being killed.
Merlin chuckled and looks towards Gwen, "Come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those 'real rough, tough, save the world' kind of men." Merlin said teasingly.
"No, I like much more ordinary men like you." Gwen said flirting with a smile.
"Gwen believe me, I'm not ordinary." Merlin said laughing slightly while smiling.
"No, I didn't mean you, obviously." Gwen said trying to cover up her flirting. "I mean, I like ordinary men like you in general."
Kala chuckled softly knowing that Gwen tried to flirt with Merlin who was totally oblivious to it due to him gazing at the stunningly beautiful Morgana. Morgana practically has every man's eyes on her and with every woman here wanting to be just as beautiful as her.
Celebratory horns played and everyone took their place in their respected areas, Merlin and Kala off to the side in the corner, as King Uther made his grand entrance down to his seat at the head of the room between his son Arthur and his ward Morgana. Uther stood in front of them saying, "We have enjoyed twenty, wonderful 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."
Lady Helen walks in and stands of the wooden stage as the people in the banquet hall applauded and took their seats. She smiles at the crowd and begins to sing a lullaby kind of song. As she's sing, Merlin and Kala notice the crowd drifting off to sleep and they quickly covered their ears from the sound. Cobwebs started forming with the candles blowing out as Lady Helen was walking towards the Kings table.
Kala nudges Merlin in his side with her hands still covering her ears and she motioned to Lady Helen staring at Arthur who fell asleep. Lady Helen pulls out a dagger from her golden sleeve and gets ready to throw the dagger, but Merlin quickly uses magic to make the chandelier fall on her causing her to drop the dagger and stop singing.
Everybody started waking up and looking around confused as to what happened. Arthur, and Uther wide awake now looks around as well and they stood up to see what was once Lady Helen now an old woman who is Ms. Collins. Merlin and Kala notices the old woman grabbing the dagger and getting ready to throw it, Merlin quickly runs to Arthur and pulls him out of the way just in time from being killed. But Ms. Collins grabbed another dagger and was about to throw it but Kala was fast enough to pull out her own dagger and threw it at the old witch's head killing her before she was able to successfully throw the dagger at Arthur.
Merlin and Kala sighed in relief, both thinking the same thing, "That was close." The King walked to Merlin and Kala shocked and happy.
"You two saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid to the both of you." Uther said was honesty while Arthur stared at Merlin and Kala shocked.
"Oh, well…erm." Merlin and Kala mumbled at the same time not know what to say.
"Don't be so modest you two. You both shall be rewarded for your bravery." Uther insisted to Gaius' wards.
"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness." Merlin said with his hands behind his back looking down at the ground while Kala stared at Arthur in concern, he did after all almost died…twice.
"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special." Uther said not taking a 'no' for an answer. Merlin tries to say something but Uther quickly said, "You, young man, shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."
The crowd applauded as Arthur exclaimed, "Father!"
"And you young lady, don't think I didn't recognize you. You were briefly friends with my son and ward. I also heard about your talent with a bow and arrow and now I see knife throwing as well. Tell me, are you also handy with a sword?" Uther asks Kala with a slight smile.
"Yes…" Kala said unsure of where this was going. King Uther nodded happy with the response.
"Then you shall be warded as Arthur's training assistant, help him with whatever he needs." Uther said with a smile as he walks away leaving Kala there standing shocked. She turned towards Merlin and Arthur who weren't facing each other unhappily.
"I guess you will be seeing more of us Arthur." Kala said trying to lighten the unhappy mood that was between the three of them. Arthur turns to Kala and smiled lightly at her before glaring at Merlin. Kala looked towards Gwen who was clapping but she had a pity smile on her face, Kala shrugged and chuckled lightly. It seems like the Great Dragon was right. We can't run from destiny.
Merlin and Kala were in his room talking at the small table in his room while staring into the candle, not believing how their night went both having a position in the royal household, as a servant and training assistant for Prince Arthur himself. It was destiny's way for keeping the three of them together.
Gaius knocks on Merlin's door and enters saying, "Seems like you two are a hero."
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Kala said jokingly and Merlin chuckled in agreement.
"No, I knew from the moment I met you Merlin. When you saved my life, remember? And Kala you were always born to be a hero for those you care about." Gaius said seriously.
"But, that was magic." Merlin said stating the obvious.
"And now, it seems like we have finally found a use for it." Gaius said but he noticed Merlin's confused face. "I saw how you saved Arthur's life. And your magic is that purpose, to help Arthur."
"My destiny…" Merlin said softly starting at his guardian slowly starting to accept his destiny.
"Indeed. Now, this book has been given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be more of use to you that it was for me." Gaius said handing Merlin a heavy book that was covered in red cloth. Merlin opens up the book and stares at Gaius in shock.
"But this is a book of magic."
"Which is why you must keep it hidden." Gaius said seriously at Merlin.
"I will study every word." Merlin said promising looking at Gaius with appreciation with a big smile.
"I will help you in every way that I can Merlin. I promise you that." Kala said as she put her hand on her friends shoulder as a symbol that she will always be there for him. Merlin nods his head thanking her. There was knocking at the front door and all three of them looks towards the sound.
"Merlin, Kala! Prince Arthur wants you two right away!" One of the guards yelled from down stairs. Merlin and Kala groaned, dreading of what Arthur wants.
"Your destiny's calling. You two better find out what he wants." Gaius said as he shooed Merlin and Kala out of the room. Kala and Merlin looked towards each other and smiled, knowing that they will get through this destiny together and they walked out the door to see what Arthur wants.
A/N: Well this is my first Merlin story. I was inspired to write one when I started to watch the show and reading some OC stories. If some of the content seems/sounds familiar to other stories, then I'm sorry and I will do my best to change it. I hope it turned out all right and that my OC isn't a Mary Sue. This story is kind of a cross over to the movie Jumper, but this story will follow the show for the most part while Kala's past comes forth. Can't have her to be boring right? I picture her skill with a bow and arrow to be like BBC's Robin Hood's. As you noticed, this chapter in one full episode and I want to try to keep each episode one chapter, but if it proves to be a little difficult for me, I might break it into parts. I will try to update once every two weeks or so, because this chapter took me about two weeks to write. But it all depends on how much I write between going to school, homework and studying. I must say, this chapter was fun to write and I look forward to writing the next chapter.