Chapter One- An Unexpected Target.

Set after The Crystal Cave.

I do not own Merlin.

Being a servant when the Pendragons are dining together, is more stressful than it should be, Merlin thought to himself. Between trying not to drop anything, resisting the urge to make the food dance (just to see Uthur's reaction), paying attention to what Arthur wanted him to do and having glaring matches with Morgana, he barely had time to breath. On top of that, he felt like he was being watched. Everyone knows that feeling, that knowledge that if anything scares you, you will either scream or punch it… or both.

"Merlin." Arthur said, gesturing to his empty cup.

He rolled his eyes. Why did royalty insist on drinking wine so much? How did they not get drunk?

"Merlin."

Oh right, wine. Merlin moved to step forward and found that he couldn't. He tried to step back, it didn't work. Panic started to bubble inside him, he couldn't move. Gwen was looking at him, obviously confused.

"Don't get involved." A voice whispered, next to his ear.

His eyes widened. That voice!

There was the slight sound of disembodied footsteps. Morgana looked around, feeling like she was being watched. The door to the dining area opened slightly, before loudly slamming shut.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the door. Arthur bolted up out of his seat, hand placed on his sword.

A purple glow began near the door. The prince unsheathed his sword, pointing it at obvious magic… like it would do anything. The purple light shifted and solidified into a human shadow. Then out of the shadow rose a young lady.

Straight raven hair flowed down to her elbows, while a metal flower, kept her fringe out of a pair of sparkling blue eyes. A long sleeved shirt and a pair of men's trousers covered her lanky form. Strapped to her waist was a most sinister looking knife.

She leaned against the door and began to speak. "Magical woman appears dramatically, waits for admiring applause… no applause."

"Guards!" Uthur bellowed, jumping to his feet.

"No point calling for them," The woman said, in a matter of fact voice. "I knocked them out… with a bit of wood."

Merlin glared at her, trying to move and mentally projected his thoughts in to her head. 'What are you doing?'

She flinched and began to skip over to Gwen. "Stay away from her." Arthur commanded, his sword now pointing at the interloper.

"Why?" Drawing the dagger, she began to walk towards him. "My blade has not come for her."

They were now but a few feet away from each other. A look between the two of them, wordlessly said what was about to happen. Merlin struggled against his magic bonds. 'Don't you dare.'

The raven haired girl ducked, as a sword whizzed above her head. She kicked Arthur's unprotected shin. Morgana watched on with eager eyes.

"Were you trying to cut my head off?" The prince blocked her attack. "Because if you were, that's really rude!"

This continued for about a minute, sharpen metal darting back and forth, no one bleeding. Suddenly the girl slammed her elbow, into the prince's gut and knocked him to the ground. A dagger was placed dangerously close to his neck.

"Worry not, young Pendragon, the blade is not here for you, either."

She walked away from him and stared at Uthur.

"Or you, you murdering, fat headed, troll snogging hypocrite!"

Morgana suddenly found a gaze like no other upon her. It was a mixer of pity, mistrust, anger and… hate. This girl hated her. Why?

"That's right." The girl smiled a cruel smirk and raised the knife up high. "A gift from me to you!"

With that the dagger was released and speed towards her. There was no time for her magic to respond. Time seemed to slow, there was the sound of something snapping and she closed her eyes.

A crunch, a gasp and the weapon collided with human flesh. A loud cry of 'No' came from all in the room, save her and Uthur. Blood splattered on her dress and face. Her eyes flew open.

Merlin swayed, his body placed protectively in front of her. The blade shimmered and moved, like it was made from clay. The hilt flattened against his chest as it moulded into his skin. He fell to the floor, his blood pooling out, a black scar shining like glass. Morgana's eyes stared at him, then looked up to the girl.

The woman's hands had flown to her mouth and tears were flowing down her face. Her eyes looked up at Morgana, with shock and horror. "No." She said through muffled hands.

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