With Merlin.

It'd been a few days after Merlin saved Arthur, and after he became the Prince's manservant. He found himself back in the Dragon's cave-prison room. He looked up as the dragon told him something having to do with the Lady Aurora. A warning.

"Protect the young Lady Aurora. She will be an important piece of both your, and Arthur's, future. Soon, a knight will come and she will be mesmerized by this knight. She won't know why, and she won't know how, but she will be... under his charm spell. Protect her."

"But why? How?" Merlin asked, but the dragon left by then.

With Aurora. (Aurora's POV.)

I got ready for the celebrations. Today the knights from across the kingdoms will arrive for the competition. Their prize this year will be escorting me to the feast by the end of the competition in a few days, along with a chest of gold. Arthur, our raining champion, will be attending like he does every year. Each year, King Uther has been switching the prize between escorting Lady Morgana, and me. This year, it would be me, as it was Morgana last year, and it will be her next year as well. I dressed in a blue dress with gold thread and a black corset over it.

My natural red and wavy hair fell over my shoulders as Lyria places a silver and sapphire head chain on the crown of my head.

"This year's champion will be lucky to be escorted by you, Lady Aurora." Lyria complemented as I looked in my mirror at my attire.

"Hmmm..." I hum, not entirely listening. My mind wandered to Merlin, having spent some more time with him, I felt saddened for the fact Arthur was treating him horribly. Arthur made it so I didn't have much interaction with the young boy, but I also didn't get as much interaction with said Prince much since I've been tasked with more duties lately, between the festivities, and my own father asking things of me.

"My Lady?" Lyria snapped me from my thoughts. "Where are you?"

"My thoughts had taken me for a moment. I apologize, what did you say, Lyria?" I ask, looking to her with guilt and worry. She smiled softly.

"I only asked if you thought Arthur would reign champion once more this year." She said with a bigger smile as she brushed a strand of my hair.

"Oh, I don't know." I look down slightly. Lately, I've had more and more dreams of both Merlin and Arthur, my first one came true, where I somewhat forgotten Merlin was Arthur's manservant, And was upset with the way he treated the dark haired boy I was friends with.

"My Lady, your thoughts have taken you again." Lyria chuckled. "We must hurry and go greet the knights who have come to compete."

"Right." We walk past the grounds where the knights and Arthur prepare for the first tournament. I pause a moment. "Go on ahead, Lyria."

"As you wish, My Lady." She bows before heading on to go sit beside Morgana's maid, Gwen, I would be taking the seat beside Morgana.

"Prince Arthur. Merlin." I greet as I walk up to where Merlin prepares Arthur, getting his armor on. "Allow me, my Prince."

"Thank you, Lady Aurora. I'm glad someone is helping." He retorts to Merlin as I tie his cape around him, making it so it's loose enough to take off in battle, but not too loose that it'll slip off. Merlin gives him the helmet.

"Merlin, don't forget his sword, please." I say kindly.

"Oh, right... you'll be needing that." Merlin chuckles, handing it over.

"Good luck, Arthur." I say before one of the guards escort me to my seat.

Not long after, King Uther announces the prizes for winning the tournament, and when all but two knights leave, he turns to Arthur and whispers something to him. I knew what it was, and I was saddened that Arthur always had to live up to Uther's expectations... Arthur began to fight his first battle in the tournament, and he won. I didn't really pay attention to many of the battles, but in the next one, one of the knights caught my eye... he wore yellow colors, and his shield and crest had three green snakes on it... he was... alluring, even before he took off his helmet, but after he took it off, I found him... beyond enchanting and attractive.

"Lyria..." I call for her, making her stand and come to listen to my question. "Who is that..." I mumble softly, never averting my eyes.

"I believe that's Sir Valiant." She told me, looking at him too.

"Does Lady Aurora have a crush?" Morgana teased quietly.

I ignore her as Valiant turns to meet my eye after hitting the knight one last time. Now as I look straight into his eyes, there is no hope for me to turn away, feeling such a strange and forboding pull towards him, but I don't reject it... when the tournament is over for the day, Lyria takes me back to my room before the banquet/feast tonight to meet all the knights. I make sure I look perfect for the knights, more like Valiant. I choose a different dress, recalling what my father and Arthur said about me 'looking magnificent in the colors red and gold'. I dawn the colors that symbolize Camelot, and I smile as Lyria restyles my hair.

This time I don't wear a head chain, and decided I'd kept the King and the Knights waiting long enough. Lyria and I make our way to the hall Uther was in, greeting the knights. I stood beside Uther, since Morgana recently fell ill, and she didn't want to come to the event anyways. I smiled as Knight Valiant was one of the first knights in the line. We didn't have much of a chance to talk, so I decided to speak with him after the greetings were all exchanged with each Knight. When Arthur came up, he was beyond rude. Why did he have to be so rude? I shake my head as I decide to focus on having fun tonight. I go and speak with Sir Valiant, but for some weird reason, both Merlin and Arthur made it their goal to steer me clear of the mysterious Knight.