𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ─ the great dragon,

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With a thunderous slam, the door to Merlyn and Gaius' chambers was flung open and the two stormed in angrily, their footsteps heavy and their faces sharp with no expression. Merlyn skulked into the room a mere few seconds after Gaius and she shut the wooden door gently, wincing at the small click of the lock that cut right through the thick, tension-filled air.

"How could you be so foolish?" Gaius yelled, slamming down his medical basket onto the nearest table, eyes narrowed with anger.

"He needed to be taught a lesson," retorted Merlyn, throwing her hands up for emphasis.

"Magic must be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks," Gaius lectured, his face pulled into deep scowl as the two stared one another down.

"What is there to master?" She asked, frustration taking over and her voice breaking, "I could move objects like that before I could talk."

"Then by now you should know how to control yourself!" Gaius roared without missing a beat and stormed over to Merlyn, so the two were face to face neither backing down.

"I don't want to! If I can't use magic, then what have I got," Merlyn yelped, and feeling the raw emotion crawling up her throat she turned and headed to her chamber door. As a second thought, she spun back around and added. "I'm just a nobody, and I always will be," she sniffed, "if I can't use magic, I might as well die." With that, she pushed her door open and closed it softly behind her before she broke down in sobs.

Sighing, Merlyn pulled her hair from its updo and raked a hand through it and as her glassy eyes stopped watering she threw herself onto her roughly made bed and sat, her head in her hands.

She heard Gaius shuffling in their main chamber before the squeak of her door sounded again. Her head snapped up at the noise, and her eyes glistened when she saw Gaius, his medical basket in hand.

He placed it onto a small, wooden table by her bed, and sat himself down next to his apprentice, "Merlyn." He said, untying the straps on his bag. "Roll your sleeves up."

Pulling her lip into her mouth to naw at anxiously, Merlyn did as she was told and revealed a single, fresh wound inflicted by the flail which wasn't particularly deep but still hemorrhaging blood. Drenching her arm and the sleeve of the fabric. The elder man pulled her arm towards him and dabbed a rolled up bandage doused in alcohol over the wounds.

"You, - you don't know why I was born like this do you?" Merlyn hissed, closing her eyes tightly as the disinfectant stung and she fought against the lump in her throat.

"No," answered Gaius, his concentration on bandaging up her wound.

Merlyn gave an artificial huff of breath that acted as a laugh. "I'm not a monster am I?" Although she added another breathless laugh to the end of her statement, she had to swallow back the lump that settled in her throat - she was afraid of the answer, there was fear hidden within her words and she somewhat hoped she wouldn't receive an answer.

Stopping, her mentor frowned gravely, "don't ever think that."

"Then why am I like this?" Merlyn questioned, pushing down the sleeves of her dress again, "please. I need to know why."

Carefully, Gaius' eyes roamed the room as though he was searching for an answer within the clutter of Merlyn's belongings and after a short while, he decided he couldn't find one. "Perhaps there's someone with more knowledge than me."

"If you can't tell me, no one can," Merlyn seemed to physically deflate, and she hit her head with her shaking hands.

For a short while, she and Gaius sat on her cot in silence before he took a copper cup and poured some kind of crimson concoction into it, "drink this." He said, waving the sweet smelling liquid under her nose.

Merlyn took it into her hands and simply stared at it.

"It'll help with my pain, my dear."

Smiling sadly, Merlyn downed the medication in one swift gulp and once he'd seen the empty chalice, Gaius patted her conjoined hands and took his leave.

"Thankyou Gaius, and I'm sorry," She called out after him only for him to grin and shut the door. Merlyn, traced the shape of her wounds from above the fabric of her dress and remained in her room for the rest of the night, thinking.

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Later that night, Merlyn had changed from her itchy gown and into a long, cremè tunic that had once belonged to an old friend in Ealdor. Though it wasn't really proper for her to not be in a full length nightgown, her family was impoverished and simply couldn't afford neither the night dress itself or the fabric to make one.

Sleep had taken her hours ago when the whimsical, whispering voice called out to her again.

"Merlyn ... Merlyn."

The young girl shot awake, her olive eyes wide and her breaths short and shallow as she listened to the sound. Making a quick, impulse decision, Merlyn threw off the thin covers, pulled on her flimsy shoes and to protect her modesty - she clasped her dark cloak around her shoulders.

Merlyn crept out of her room and into the main chamber where Gaius snored loudly in his sleep, she sidestepped obstacles as she navigated the room through her peripheral vision, keeping her eyes on the elder man sleeping soundly in his cot. Sighing with relief, she turned away from him and walked smack into a collection of chalices that were set neatly on a table top. Merlyn flinched at the sharp noise, but Gaius didn't wake, he merely stirred and turned onto his side.

Merlyn made it to the chamber door without any more incidents but before she left, she felt her eyes burn golden and watched as Gaius' blanket was pulled further over him by an invisible force. With a smile, she left and shut the door quietly behind her.

Cape swishing noiselessly around her feet, Merlyn sped across the square aware of the patrolling guards and knights. She followed the voice that had been calling to her since she stepped foot inside the gates of Camelot and it led her down the already familiar iron staircase that went to the dungeons.

Stumbling as she back-tracked, Merlyn hid out of sight from two guards that were playing a dice game by the entrance. The dark haired guard, picked up two dice from the table and rolled the pair of them. Merlyn took her chance, she felt the comforting burn of her magic as she enchanted the dice to roll further away from the posted guards every time one got too close. The guards deemed it necessary for them both to abandon their posts and chase after their source of entertainment and Merlyn rolled her eyes at their lack of intelligence.

As the guards fell out of sight, Merlyn hurried down the staircase and instead of turning left were both the dungeons and the guards where she went right. Only stopping to grab a wooden staff with cloth wrapped at the upper end, and dip it into a fire to light the torch, the girl followed the voice again.

It led her to a dark cavern, the walls were damp and rocks formed in drips from the ceiling of the cave and suddenly thankful for her common sense in grabbing the torch, Merlyn shuddered and wished she'd thought of changing into her gown from that day.

The whispers grew stronger and more often with every step she took closer, and with that, the corridor to the cavern became darker, the paved way took a turn and Merlyn followed, holding out the torch in front of herself to guide the way. Again, there was a turn and she passed ancient relics and destroyed statues of old rulers amongst the rubble.

"Merlyn."

The young warlock was practically on top of the voice now, it was no longer a whisper but a full-fledged voice that radiated power. Gulping, Merlyn came out onto a rocky ledge and gasped out loud, her hands gripping the torch tighter with fear.

It was ethereal. In front of her was an enormous cavern that must have stretched underneath the entirety of the castle, stalactites sunk down from the ceiling and as far as the girl could see there were at least three different tunnel ways. Directly in front of her however was a large rock pile that appeared to have been softened more than anything else in the cavern and she wondered why that was. The walls were filled with odd patterns and beautiful indentations and the whole system seemed alive with a blue glow that came from the heart of the cave.

Still holding out the torch with a white-knuckle grip, Merlyn let out a breathy laugh, star-struck by the catacombs she'd stumbled across. However, her gentle, childlike giggles were replaced with halted breaths and an immense feeling of trepidation that seemed to sit directly on her chest as the voice let out a booming chuckle that echoed and bounced against the glowing walls of the empty cave.

Merlyn stepped forward and peered over the edge of the peak, but there was nothing to be seen, "where are you?" She asked, hoping for an answer, eyes squinting as she continued to scan the darkness.

There was only nothing until suddenly, a great being flew from one of the tunnels and perched its mountainous frame on the rock pile, claws grating against the stone. It too, like it's unfortunate home, was memorizing. The dragon, it appeared, had a thick, protective hide emblazoned with deep crevices and scars while its entire body was a dull golden in colour. It's face glinted in the flickering light of the torch and the pain in its dark eyes was nothing like Merlyn had ever seen, the last of its kind. Just one of the almighty beasts' paws could smother Merlyn, and there, four giant ones rested on the rock with talons sharp as knives piercing the stone. The great dragon had two perfectly structured wings that folded neatly against it's back once it had settled, they were thin but appeared strong. The final thing Merlyn noticed about the creature was a thick, metal chain that linked around one of its claws and had been melded into the stone of its perch. Around the metal was ripped skin, both old and new blood and swelling as the wound tried to heal itself over the clasp, her heart bled for the creature.

It appeared to know when Merlyn had taken all of it in, and met her eyes, "how small you are, for such a great destiny," it said and it's voice intelligent and intense.

"What? What do you mean?" Merlyn questioned, taking a few daunting steps forward so she was closer to the dragon and finding comfort within it's warm gaze. "What destiny?"

It chuckled again, and chose not to answer while it settled down again and found itself a more comfortable position. "Your gift, Merlyn, was given to you for a reason," it said cryptically.

She sighed in relief, "so there is a reason?"

"Prince Arthur is the one and future King who will unite the land of Albion," the dragon began, uninterested in formalities such as introductions.

"Right," she answered, her eyebrows knitting together as she stared at the magnificent creature before her in confusion.

"But he faces many threats, from friend and foe alike," as Merlyn watched the dragon she noticed its forked tongue and thick, sharp-edged teeth.

"I-I don't see what this has to do with me," she responded, once again disheartened.

"Everything," the dragon commented bluntly, "without you Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion." It brought its face closer to Merlyn's and she stared back into her own face from the reflection in its onyx eyes, awestruck.

"No," she denied, "no, no, you've got this wrong."

"There is no right or wrong," the great dragon chuckled. "Only what is, and what isn't."

"No!" Merlyn contradicted again, "I'm serious, if anybody wants to kill him they can go ahead." She stuttered and stumbled over her words as she angrily spat at the beast. "In fact, I'd give them a hand."

Tormenting her, the great dragon let out booming laughter before unfurling its wings and flapping them. "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlyn, and none of us can escape it."

"No, no way no, no, "she repeated, progressively getting louder. "There has to be another Arthur because this ones an idiot, and certainly not the correct person to rule over a kingdom, he's arrogant and disrespectful."

"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that," the dragon stood from its relaxed position and flapped its wings before taking off and flying away from the young warlock still perched on the ledge.

"Wait!" She called. "I need to know more!" Dust wafted high into the air until the dragon was long gone along with the sound of its restraining chain rattling from his entrapped ankle.

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"OI," the accusing yell from Gaius woke Merlyn from her much needed rest after her meeting with the great dragon.

"Have you seen the state of this room?" He asked, picking up a pair of her shoes and flinging them onto Merlyn's bed, his face clearly showing disgust.

She glanced up at him, her hair askew, eyes half closed and the covers pulled partially over her head. Merlyn stuttered out singular letters before shrugging and wiping at her heavy eyes with the tunics sleeve, "It just happens." She said as the church bells rang causing a wince to scramble onto his features and pull the covers fully over her face.

"By magic?" Gaius asked again, words heavy with sarcasm.

"Yeah," Merlyn hummed, already drifting back into her slumber.

"Yes," Gaius confirmed with a nod of head. "Well, you can clear it up without magic." He said, chuckling as he threw another garment on his apprentices covered face. "Oh, and then I want you to get me some herbs, - henbane, wormwood and sorrel," Merlyn nodded and before leaving Gaius placed a vial on her table. "Also, deliver this to Morgana - poor girls suffering from nightmares." For the last time, the elder man took his leave, bending down to throw another shirt at Merlyn as he left.

"I know the feeling." Snickered Merlyn as she threw off both her covers and the clothing Gaius had thrown over her groggily. Her eyes raked over the cluttered room and she huffed - not looking forward to the long and laborious day ahead of her.

Shortly after Gaius had left her room, Merlyn got up and pulled the thin sheet over her bed so it sat with no wrinkles. She enchanted the clutter in her room to fold or put themselves away while she dressed for the day. Merlyn pulled her silky hair into a messy braid and threw on a slightly nicer dress than yesterday, the fabric, while still cheap, was thicker and navy in colour. It had the same design as the day before and she tied her corset herself (which she had diligently learned in her home village) and deemed herself ready for her day.

Giggling at Gaius' pointed look, Merlyn grabbed a sandwich which had been left for her from her mentor and left the room, feeling her pocket to ensure she had Lady Morgana's sleeping draught.

Unlike the day before, Merlyn knew the route she had to follow in order to make it to the Lady Morgana's chambers as the Lady Helen's had been just next door. She nodded to the servants and chefs in acknowledgement as she passed in the hopes that if she did it enough, she'd make a friend and she reached the royal room quickly.

The carved door was wide open and Merlyn lightly tapped on it before entering the large chamber. Even back at her home in Ealdor, Merlyn had heard stories of Lady Morgana's extraordinary beauty, outspokenness in the royal court and her kindness. Many believed that if she were next in line, she'd make a great ruler one day.

Merlyn felt as though her breath had been squeezed from her body, the Lady Morgana was just as they all said. Ebony hair fell in kinked curls to her cinched waist, just like Merlyn, she had bright green eyes that sparkled with kindness and her skin was pale and free from any and all blemishes. She wore a dark blue gown with a low neckline and corseted waist that was clearly made from the most beautiful and expensive fabrics the land could offer.

"You know, I've been thinking about Arthur," she said, strolling to an engraved, floral screen that stood in the middle of her floor.

Merlyn's eyes widened, she'd been noticed by the lady but she'd assumed it was her hand-maiden. She opened her lips to apologise to the lady in waiting but was cut off by her mesmerizing voice.

"I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole.," laughed Morgana, disappearing behind the screen. "Pass me that dress will you, Gwen." Merlyn cursed under her breath, panic building up in her heaving chest. She did, however, turn to the exquisite dress, her jaw falling at the sheer beauty of the garment. Merlyn had to stop herself running her rough fingertips over the fine material any more than she had to as she handed it over, draping it over the screen but keeping quiet. Merlyn was unsure on what to do, quickly escape the room or confess to being a stranger - neither sounded like they would go well.

"I mean the mans a total jouster," Merlyn heard the sound of fabric hitting the ground. "Just because I'm the King's ward doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it?" She asked. "Well, does it?" She queried again, awaiting an answer from Gwen that wasn't likely to come.

"No, you shouldn't have to, my lady, but I'm not Guinevere," Merlyn finished her sentence before her brain had even caught up with her decision. She swore. "I was asked by Gaius to bring you a sleeping draught, I'll leave it on your dresser and leave. My apologies again, my lady," turning, Merlyn strode to the dresser and placed the vial next to a gold embroidered handkerchief.

"Wait," came the Lady Morgana's voice and as Merlyn looked she saw the woman peeking from around the screen, her blue dress being held up to her chest. "I haven't seen you Camelot before ... you're Merlyn aren't you?"

"Yes my lady," and Merlyn dropped into a low curtsy.

"Please, there's no need for formalities in here," Morgana gestured to the pose that was unfamiliar to Merlyn.

"Thank you, my lady," replied Merlyn, awkwardly and still in awe of the woman's beauty.

"It's no trouble. Please, pass me that dress," she pointed a manicured finger towards the purple dress with blue tulle that Merlyn had completely bypassed when fawning over the other gown.

"Of course," Merlyn retrieved the dress and hung it on the thick border of the screen, separate from the other.

"So, you're the infamous Merlyn that Arthur won't stop prattling on about," Morgana laughed from behind the screen.

"What?" Merlyn almost jumped in surprise before realizing that yes, the Prince had likely been yelling about her actions, "I suppose I am yes." Admitted Merlyn, blushing down at the floor even though she was practically alone.

She gave a tinkling laugh. "Brilliant, you've not even been here three days and already fought the future King. I watched the encounter from my window, and I must say you're rather talented with a sword. Even my maid, Gwen, rushed to tell me about you. You seemed to have made quite the impression."

"If I may, my lady, he deserved it," Merlyn responded, biting back a snort. "Thankyou for your kind words."

"He likely did deserve it, but although he may be arrogant, his heart is in the right place," said the Lady, allowing her words to wash over Merlyn.

"I'm sure," she replied, keeping all the sarcasm she could, away.

Suddenly, interrupting the silence, Guinevere marched into the room, her entire face blocked due to the high pile of fresh laundry she'd heaved up the marble staircases. "My lady," she acknowledged, "oh, hello Merlyn." She added, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What're you doing here? Not that I don't want you to be here, it's just."

Merlyn cut Guinevere off before she rambled on and got herself all worked up. "It's alright Gwen, I was just here on behalf of Gaius," she made a gesture to Morgana's neat vanity.

"Gwen, could you help me with this fastening."

"Of course my lady."

Guinevere too vanished behind the screen, leaving Merlyn alone in the spotless chamber, she cracked her knuckles nervously before taking a few hasty steps towards the exit so she could leave the Lady and her maid to their business.

"You're not going so soon are you Merlyn?" Asked Morgana, coming into the main chamber with Gwen behind her. The dress she now wore was much fancier than the previous one, the fabric was silky, alluring and clearly made for Lady Morgana's body alone.

"Oh," Merlyn stuttered, she appeared to have made a habit of that in the short time she's been in Camelot.

Morgana marched over to the girl, her heels clicking against the marble, and held her gently by the shoulders to guide her back to the centre of the room, her touch soft.

"You can't leave now! I want to know how Arthur reacted when you fought him." Morgana chuckled and Guinevere rolled her eyes playfully, gathering up the dress that had been left on the floor and putting it into the laundry hamper. She then tittered around the chambers, ensuring it was spotless.

"He was very frustrated with me, it was rather amusing though," Merlyn smirked at the memory. "He seemed quite shocked that I could fight, actually."

"Most of the villagers were too, myself included," confessed Morgana, bringing an expensive brush through her flawless locks.

Merlyn only looked to the floor, blushing and embarrassed.

"Am I embarrassing you?" Chuckled Morgana at Merlyn's flushed face and Guinevere stifled her own laugh, "sorry." She apologised, although her face said she didn't mean it. "Will you be attending the banquet?"

"Yes, Gaius informed me that I would be there with him," responded Merlyn, playing with the loose threads on the sleeve of her dress.

"Good, I hope to see you there, although you surely can't attend in that,"scoffed Morgana, good-naturedly turning her nose up at the filthy gown.

"It's all I have," laughed Merlyn shyly.

"I may have something for you," added Guinevere, "but, I don't think it would fit." She said after walking around Merlyn and taking her measurements with her eyes. "Sorry Merlyn."

"It's alright," Merlyn brushed off the offer.

"I can't give you anything too beautiful because it would seem strange for a commoner to wear finery. But perhaps I have something simpler for you, I gave Gwen something like that too." Morgana's heels continued to click as she strode to her wardrobe and outwardly pulled the oakwood doors.

"She's wonderful isn't she," prompted Guinevere in a low whisper, who stood next to Merlyn.

"She is," nodded Merlyn.

"She gave me a gown the very second she heard a banquet would be held for Lady Helen," Guinevere chuckled.

"She seems like a real friend."

Before Guinevere could respond, Morgana came back with a dress draped over her arms and even she couldn't keep the smile from her face, and instead let her teeth show in a bright grin. "This is perfect for you, Merlyn."

Morgana held up the beautiful dress. Merlyn gasped. The entire gown was dark purple in colour, it had thick straps that would sit on Merlyn's shoulders and the neckline dipped low into her cleavage. The gown had a small train that trailed at the back of her and as a second part to the dress there was a thin, purple and slightly plum coloured tulle addition. This would drag on the floor and create long, gaping sleeves once it hit the elbow. Around the waist was a thin, golden band and the tulle gave the entire gown a see-through effect whilst still remaining fully covered and modest enough.

"It's absolutely beautiful," gasped Merlyn, her fingers grazing over the fabric, "Morgana, I can't accept this."

"You can," Morgana thrust the dress into Merlyn's arms, "and you will."

"But I can't ever repay you for this," explained Merlyn, a frown pulling at her lips.

"You already have, by simply putting Arthur in his place," she giggled and Merlyn nodded, fully intending to repay the lady. "Now, for me." Morgana strutted to a beautiful, crimson dress that hung on her wardrobe.

"Beautiful," Merlyn hummed.

"Isn't it," Guinevere agreed.

"Now it's whether I wear this little tease," Morgana gestured to the dress that she was wearing before holding the crimson gown to her body. "Or give them a night they'll really remember." The scarlet dress was more beautiful than anything Merlyn had ever seen. The neckline was set in a reverse v-line that was held up by a thick, gold collar and belt of the same colour that sat tightly on her hips.

"Give them a night they'll remember," confirmed Merlyn.

"I agree," added Guinevere.

"As do I."

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