Aurora was a normal druid girl. Until she was found as a child alone at her parents graves, by Uther and his new ward Morgana. When Uther saw the resemblance between the two, an idea hit him. What if he had someone to pretend to be Morgana when she is not in the castle? Once his enemies find out about his new ward, they may try to attack her. He didn't care about Aurora was a druid, it'd be a blow to them and if she dies instead of Morgana. He would feel no regret, she would have served her purpose. So he took her back to Camelot with them and made her maid. Putting her in the care of Gaius, on the condition that if she showed signs of magic. She'd be beheaded, but she is good at hiding her magic. Though Gaius suspects her, he'd grown fond of the girl and has kept her secret. But what happens when a young Warlock comes to town?

Aurora's POV

My name is Aurora, I'm seventeen years old and I am maid to the Lady Morgana. But also her decoy and one of her best friends. I was nine when she was taken in by Gaius. Morgana is eighteen. I only have one other human friend. Morgana's other maid, Gwen. Who is twenty. Though I do have a none human friend, Kilgharrah. The Great Dragon, he has helped me with my magic. Though I miss my people and my baby brother Mordred. I think of them often.

Anyway, I wear a long sleeve dusty red dress over a white undress and wear a white bonnet to hide my hair. It keeps me and Morgana safe. It hides some of our similarities, so that we can swap places easily when needed. I always have my head bowed to help hide my face, Morgana does the same when she pretends to be me. We used to swap places whenever we left the castle. But now only when we leave the city or we have foreign kings here for treaty renewals or to sign a truce. Only a select few knights, Arthur, Uther, Gaius, and Gwen know we swap places.

The less people who know, the safer Morgana is. When we were younger, I did it out of fear for my people. Uther threatened to kill them if I didn't. But now, Morgana is one of my best friends. I'd give my life for her willingly. Though I would regret not seeing my brother one last time. He'd be eleven now. The only time Morgana and I don't swap places when we leave the city, is when we visit her father's grave. She'd visit the grave as herself, she was adamant about that.

Anyway, Uther executed another innocent man today. Yes, he had magic. But he didn't use it for evil. But that didn't matter to Uther. Anyone with magic or associated with someone with magic are to be executed without mercy. I am lucky to have survived so long, being a druid. But only him and Gaius know that. And Kilgharrah, of course. I've been forbidden to tell anyone else, by Uther himself.

What else? Oh the man's mother, has vowed revenge on Uther. By killing Arthur. She disappeared using her magic before the guards could seize her. Though I am sure security will increase around the castle with the fright. Until she is found and executed. Speaking of magic, I felt someone enter Camelot who has strong magic and I heard from Gaius that his nephew has come to live with us. I have not yet meet him as I was on duty last night encase Morgana needed help during the night. Which she did not. And Merlin had been gone when I came home for breakfast, apparently he is running a few errands for Gaius. Speaking of, I asked Gaius to make another potion for Morgana. He said he should have it ready by tomorrow afternoon. As she has enough left for tonight.

Anyway, the Lady Helen will be arriving today and will be singing at the feast tomorrow night. I've heard her sing before, she has an amazing voice. She sung at Morgana's eighteenth birthday last year. She is to sing at the celebrations tomorrow night. Celebrating twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and magic was banished from Camelot.

If only Uther knew he had brought a young sorceress and allowed her into the heart of Camelot. The royal house hold. If I wanted to, I could do a lot of damage with the stuff I know. But I won't I have friends here and despite what Uther believes. Druids are a peaceful people and are not plotting to see him dead. Though we'd have a right too.

After breakfast, I left to return to my duties. I am tending to Morgana's horse today. Mucking out it's stable and giving it a groom. As I am passing the training grounds I see the guards taking a young man away. By his appearance, I know it's Merlin and I head over to Prince Arthur. "Prince Arthur" I say lowly and curtsy.

"Aurora, how can I help you?" he asks me.

"I thought I could help you" I tell him.

"With what?" he asks confused.

"Merlin" I answer. "He is new to Camelot and is learning his place. I am sure he feels guilty about whatever he did, which has landed him in trouble" I explain.

"He tried to punch me" he states.

"He most likely didn't know who you were my lord, I understand he must be punished. But he is very dear to Gaius" I tell him. Arthur sighs.

"Fine, he'll spend the night in the cell then be put in the stokes tomorrow for an hour before being let loose with a warning" he states.

"Thank you Prince Arthur, you are merciful and will be a fine king one day" I tell him curtsying. "I must go tend to Lady Morgana's horse" I add. "Good day my lord" I say before leaving. Heading to the stables.

(Time skip)

It's the next day and I still haven't officially meet Merlin. Though Gwen has. She introduced herself to him, while he was in the stokes. She had told me the whole story of how he ended up in the cell also. Arthur had been picking on Morris again and Merlin told him to stop. Arthur kept egging Merlin on, until he lashed out and tried to hit him. So it wasn't Merlin's fault. A, he didn't know who Arthur was and B, Arthur was asking for it by being a bully like usual. Hopefully, he will mature before he becomes king.

Anyway, I am finally gonna meet Merlin. I am joining him and Gaius for breakfast. "I'm home Gaius" I say as I enter the chambers.

"Welcome home Aurora, Merlin this my ward Aurora. Aurora, this is Merlin" he says and I smile at Merlin raising my head. These chambers are the only place I don't have to hide.

"Aurora, Gwen mentioned you. You work for Morgana also" Merlin states. "It's a pleasure" he says holding out his hand. I shake it.

"I do, I've served her for longer then Gwen" I tell him as I take my seat.

"Do you want some vegetables with that?" Gaius asks Merlin offering him some salad. Who snorts as I take the bowl.

"I know you're still angry with me" he says.

"Your mother asked me to look after you" Gaius states.

"Yes" Merlin says.

"I forgot, I must wash my hands. I'll be back" I tell them and go up the stairs on the right to my room. Merlin's room is up the stairs on the left. While Gaius sleeps in the main room. While in my room, I decide to let my hair down and remove the bonnet. I brush it out and leave it down. Then wash and dry my hands & face with my wash bowl. Before rejoining the others and Merlin looks at me awestruck.

"Don't stare Merlin, it's not polite" Gaius reprimands him. "Salad, Aurora?" he says offering me the bowl. I take it with a smile and serve myself some salad. Before digging into my breakfast.

"So Merlin, enjoying Camelot so far?" I ask him curious.

"Yeah, it's been great. Aside from being thrown in the dungeon and placed in the stokes anyway" he states. "How did you come to live here?" he asks me.

"The king found me after my mother died and brought me to Camelot. Gaius took me in and the rest is history" I state. The rest of breakfast was silent. Afterwards I went up to my room and redid my hair and put the bonnet back on. Before leaving my room. "Where's Merlin?" I ask Gaius curious.

"I sent him with an elixir to Lady Helen for her voice" he states.

"I'm gonna go help Gwen finish our chores, then we have to help Morgana get ready for tonight"  I tell him.

"Speaking of tonight, Merlin and I will be there also. Working" he tells me. I nod my head and wished him  good day before leaving to do my chores.

(Time skip to night time)

When Gwen and I returned to Morgana's room earlier. We found Merlin there, he'd been dropping off her potion for Gaius. He left and I helped get dressed with Gwen's help into a beautiful red gown. Anyway, the feast has began and Uther will be announcing Lady Helen's performance soon.

Gwen and I catch Merlin staring t Morgana in awe. As she talks to Arthur, we decide to go say hello to him. "She looks great, doesn't she?" Gwen asks him.

"Yeah" he agrees, no looking away from Morgana.

"Some people are just born to be queen" Gwen states.

"No" he says shocked looking at us.

"We hope so, one day" I tell him shrugging.

"Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?" Gwen asks.

"Not me" I agree with her.

"Oh, come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men" Merlin says.

"No, I like much more ordinary men like you" she tells him.

"Same here" I agree.

"Aurora, Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary" Merlin tells us.

"No, I didn't mean you, obviously. Not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men like you" Gwen stammers. I giggle.

"Thanks" he says. They turn away from each other awkwardly. We all get back to work. Celebratory horns signal King Uther's entrance and everyone finds their place at the tables.

"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora" he declares. We all applaud as she appears and the nobles take their seats as she begins to sing. I immediately sense the magic in her song and cover my ears as everyone else starts to fall asleep.

I see Helen approaching Arthur, knife in hand. That's when I realize this isn't Lady Helen. But the mother of the man who was executed two days ago. I have to stop her and I notice the chandelier above her. I feel my eyes change and the chandelier falls on her. Breaking her spell and the others begin to wake. But the witch isn't dead yet. She throws her knife before I can react, but someone else does.

I don't know how. But Merlin, pulled Arthur out of the way of the flying knife as the witch died.  "You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid" Uther says looking at Merlin. "Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded" he states.

"No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness" Merlin tells him.

"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special" Uther tells him. "You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant" he declares. The hall applauds, though Arthur looks upset by his father's decision. As does Merlin. The feast ends and Gwen said she'd take Morgana her dinner. Which meant I could go home for the night. So, I did so and had a small meal. Before getting ready for bed and call it a night.

A/N

Picture above of Aurora on the cover and her maid outfit.