I chuckle as I stand in the training grounds the morning after Lady Helen's arrival, listening to Arthur rant of his first meeting with the young warlock, Merlin, though he doesn't know he has magic, just that he's a 'imbecile' who needs to learn respect. Currently Arthur told me how he locked the poor boy in the dungeons for the night, due to my father asking for forgiveness.

"It was very nice of you to punish him for only the night." I nod, not completely focusing on our spar, but I've never fully needed to anyways.

"After he's out, he will be punished for a day or two more, the townspeople throwing rotten food at him." Arthur laughs deeply.

"Yeah, there's the Arthur I know." I sigh, shaking my head jokingly.

"And love." He teases mischievously, trying to catch me off guard.

"Don't flatter yourself so." I knock him off his feet. "I still manage to sweep the Prince of Camelot off his feet every time." I wink. "Now, we must head to breakfast, wouldn't want the King or Lady Morgana to wait longer than what is necessary. As well as Lady Helen."

"Ah, that's right, you're very fond of the Lady Helen, right?"

"Maybe." I say softly, handing our swords off to a knight who took them and put them away for us. "Will you escort me there, my Prince?"

"Of course, my Lady." He smiles, holding an arm out for me.

"Shall we?" I hook my arm with his and he guides me into the castle and to the dining area where King Uther chats with Lady Helen. I smile widely, walking up to them, towing Arthur along with me, before releasing him as I make it to them. "Lady Helen, I have missed you so."

"Ah, L-Lady Aurora..." Lady Helen stutters slightly and it made me surprised slightly. I watch her behavior after I give her a hug and we sit for breakfast. Lady Helen chats with the King while Arthur keeps quiet, observing Uther and Morgana's separate conversations. I was having my morning conversation with Lady Morgana, just like I normally do.

When we finish breakfast, Uther dismisses us, and we all retire to our chambers to get ready for the events ahead. It's not long after I've sat down, chatting with Lyria as she redid my hair, that there's a knock upon my door. Lyria places down my brush, and I pick it up to finish brushing my hair out, turning to look at the door as she opens it to reveal Merlin.

"I apologize if I've interrupted anything, but Gaius sent me to give you and Lady Helen your preparations?" Merlin informs.

"You're not interrupting anything, Merlin, I was just getting ready for the events later today. Thank you for my preparation. This is my Handmaid, and best friend, Lyria, Lyria, this is my newest friend, Merlin." I introduce the two as I stand and grab my preparation.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Lyria, but I need to take this to Lady Helen now." He holds up the other vile for us to see. I grab his wrist gently.

"Come tell me later if you see anything... unusual." I whisper.

"Of course my Lady." He then takes his leave hurriedly.

Not long after Merlin has left, Lyria and I hear a ruckus outside and go to investigate, only to see Arthur swinging a mace around, fighting Merlin, but Merlin was now weaponless and on the ground.

"Arthur!" I yell sternly, distracting the boy as Merlin uses magic to use two curved knives to stop the mace from swinging, making Arthur think they just got tangled in it. He continues their battle. "Merlin!" Arthur is knocked down, but Merlin sees me and Gaius in the crowd, so Arthur knocks him down, winning their battle. Guards grab Merlin from either side.

"Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one." Arthur says after locking eyes with me. "There's something about you, Merlin." He turns to said boy. "I can't quiet out my finger on it."

The crowd dispersed as I tell Lyria to wait for me in my chambers. Gaius takes Merlin back to their chambers to scold him, while I approached Arthur. I was a bit upset that he was fighting with Merlin.

"Thank you." I tell him, releasing a sigh as my anger extinguished.

"For what? I thought you'd be mad for the fight between me and that dolt." Arthur scoffs as his knight friends head off to training.

"I am. But I'm grateful you didn't have him thrown in the dungeons again, or in the stocks." I smile softly as we walk into castle halls.

"I may still throw him in the stocks." Arthur smirks playfully.

"That sounds like you." I tease, poking his chest.

"Will you be joining us for the afternoon feast?"

"Sadly, I will not. I wish to spend some time with my father, and scold Merlin a little, and I must prepare for my performance."

"Ah, that's right." He nods, almost disappointed. "When will I see you?"

"With any luck, later today, if none, then at the Feast after Lady Helen performs for you and your father along with the entire court."

"I will see you then." He bows and kisses my hand before departing.

When I enter the Court Physicians chambers, Father tells me how Merlin feels about the whole situation, and about his magic. I feel sad for the boy. He's grown up, not understanding why he had these powers or how to control them. I walk into his room and sit on the bed with him, his head in his hands. I rub his back slightly and he looks up, relaxing as he sees me.

"You are not nothing without magic, Merlin. You were given these gifts for a reason. It is your talent, just as others have their own talents. Some hide theirs away for the safety of themselves, or others, and that's exactly what you must do. That's exactly what we must do."

"What...? You mean... you have magic?" Merlin asks bewildered.

I open my hands as Fire sprouts out of them.

I close my hands like if I was closing a book, and the fire disappears, leaving behind only smoke and I open my hands to reveal no burns.