AN: So, I did my Merlin Cinderella story and it worked out pretty well so I've decided to do a little mermaid one. It'll be Mergana. :)

Once a rift between people's form, it's often hard to go back and rekindle friendships. For the Druids and the people of Camelot, this was no exception. It was several years before our hero was born when the king's wife died and he blamed magic for her death. From that moment on all magic was banned from Camelot, and magic users, including Druids, were persecuted.

The Pendragon children, the son and daughter of the King of Camelot, knew naught of the alliance that used to exist, and knew little beyond the idea that magic was evil and those who used it planned to stamp out Camelot.

Now this was true in some cases for many magic users were angered deeply by King Uther's rulings, however not all of those who practiced magic had the same animosity. The Druids, for example, felt only pity for the King, and hoped that one day there would be a way to reunite the bond between those with and those without magic. They told their younglings stories of the way it used to be, and on each Druid's seventeenth birthday he or she went alone to view Camelot from the forest, watching the flags flutter in the gentle breeze. Those who were either very brave or very foolish sometimes traveled into the depths of the city, and our story focuses on one such Druid who simply let his curiosity he the better of him.

MMM

"Do you have water? Snacks? Are you certain that's what the elder asked you to wear? Are you certain that you're ready for this?"

"Yes mother, it's all fine," Merlin, a lanky brunette teen, smiled and chuckled softly at his fussing mother. "It's my birthday so I go to Camelot. Tradition remember? I'll be alright. Don't worry."

"I'm a mother, it's what I do," Hunith smiled kindly, tightening a strap of her son's heavy pack. "Remember, you must not show any magic. They catch everyone and execute them. Promise me you will be home by sundown."

"I will, I promise," Merlin smiled. He kissed his mother goodbye and shouldered his backpack. There was a group of Druids to see him off and they each remind him that he was simply an observer, not a visitor, of Camelot. He swore to be safe and then he was off.

Merlin crept toward the road which lead to the big city and soon he arrived near enough to view it. Stealthily, Merlin slipped into the foliage. It was yet only morning and few people were out and about. After a short time of no activity, Merlin grew bored. He leaned against a tree and lazily threw a bit of magic from his fingers, watching it dance lively through the forest. There was no one around to see it, so it didn't do any harm, he told himself. He smiled when a hedgehog crept out from behind a tree and looked up curiously at the glittering magic. Grinning, Merlin swirled his hands gently and a tiny glowing hedgehog spun onto the ground, leaping friskily over to the real little animal, who sat back on his haunches before almost seeming to smile and proceeding to leap around with Merlin's magic hedgehog. Merlin beamed as the real hedgehog finally approached him and he was able to reach down and gently stroke his back.

"Hello," Merlin smiled. "How're you? You hungry? Here, I have some roots if you'd like them."

Merlin passed the treat over to the tiny animal which nibbled quickly and then glanced up at Merlin greedily.

"Sorry, no more," Merlin shrugged. "Hey! That's my bag don't go in there! Okay, so maybe I did have a bit more, but those are for me."

A sudden fanfare made Merlin freeze and then scrambled to look out at the road. The sight which met his eyes was both beautiful and a bit terrifying to the druid. A large moving building this was being pulled by animals that looked like brown unicorns without the horn. A man in amazing red and golden robe sat in front, directing the hornless unicorns. He suddenly recalled that they might be called horses, and he marvelled at how powerful 'horses' must be. He snatched the hedgehog and held him up to see.

"Isn't it grand?" he whispered into the little animal's ear. The hedgehog gave a little chuckling noise before moving his head slightly to seemingly get a better view. Merlin continued to stare, until suddenly his heart caught. In the window was the face of a beautiful girl of the likes he'd never seen. She had deep, dark chocolate colored hair and wore a robe of satiny purple. She had a tiny, metal, golden hat thing on her head and she stared out of the window dreamily. After a moment the moving building had moved on so he could no longer see her, but he longed to get another glimpse of the beautiful girl and those magnificent hornless horses or whatever they were.

"I'm going closer," Merlin whispered to the hedgehog, placing him on the forest floor and nudging him forward. "You should go home."

The hedgehog retreated away a few steps before turning and trotting back. It stared up at Merlin adoringly causing the druid boy to chuckle.

"If you really want to come, you can. I know I'm not really supposed to, but I'm going to look inside! Here, want to go in my pack?"

The little hedgehog crawled inside obediently so Merlin strapped the tiny creature in, leaving a hole for him to look out of. He then shouldered the pack and slipped through the bushes onto the road. It was now empty, save for a bit of swirling dirt and dust, so he marched toward the city was a smile. He wouldn't use any magic, so there would be no problem. He could hardly contain his excitement.

MMM

The village proved to have all kinds of exciting activities. It was full of life and contained nurous shops including bakeries, clothing shops, and even an amazing place where a man banged hot metal and made it into shapes and tools.

"Do you see anything you like?" a girl asked him, and he turned to smile at a dark skinned young woman who was perhaps just a few years older than himself.

"I'm, uh, just looking around," he blushed, ducking his head. "I've never been here before. It's an amazing village!"

"Camelot is more of a city than a village, but it is nice. I've always lived here, but I've once been to a village and it was a bit different. It was certainly smaller anyway. They didn't have a blacksmith. I'm the blacksmith's daughter, by the way. Sorry, I'm rambling," the girl smiled. "I'm Gwen, by the way. Welcome to the city."

"Merlin," the druid smiled, shaking her hand but careful to keep his long sleeve pulled over the triskelion on his arm. He'd been taught this by the village elders. "Don't worry, I ramble all the time too! My mother always complains. What's your father making? It looks dangerous!"

"It's a sword for the knights," Gwen smiled. "He often makes things for the castle since he's the nearest blacksmith. What brings you to Camelot? The festivities for the king's ward?"

"Uh… Yeah," Merlin nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I've noticed many visitors," Gwen nodded. "And there's the performers who the king hired. I heard they will be performing in the castle courtyard and we will be allowed to watch. I was planning to go there now."

"Can I come?" Merlin asked enthusiastically and Gwen laughed lightly.

"Sure," she nodded. She informed her father and then lead Merlin through the streets until they reached a gigantic stone building which Merlin believed was the castle. He balked uneasily, he'd been told to never go here, but Gwen kept walking so with a gulp, Merlin trailed behind her, marveling at the gigantic structure. Soon they were inside some huge gates and then Merlin stared wide eyed a group who were juggling and another group who were doing acrobatics.

"They're amazing!" Merlin gasped, and Gwen nodded.

"Yes, they are," she agreed. She looked surprised when he pulled a hedgehog out of his pack and held the tiny creature up to see the performers. "Where'd you get that?"

"Oh, him? I found him in the forest. Very friendly little thing, and he wanted to see the city too," Merlin explained easily. "He likes roots, so maybe I'll call him Rooty. Do you want to meet a new friend, Rooty? This is Gwen! Rooty says hello."

"Hello," Gwen smiled, gently petting the tiny creature which sniffed at her fingers before settling into Merlin's hand and allowing Gwen to pet him. "He's very sweet."

"Yes, I think so. Want to go back? You look tired," Merlin decided, placing Rooty back into his spot of the backpack. Merlin then glanced back at the performance and suddenly he glimpsed the dark haired girl from earlier up in a window, also watching the performance. Gwen caught him staring and she nodded knowingly.

"There she is, the king's ward," Gwen pointed to the girl in the tower. "Morgana. I'm normally working for her right now, but she gave me a few days off to enjoy the carnival."

"Morgana," Merlin repeated. "She's lovely."

"Yes, but she's also the king's ward," Gwen pointed out.

"Oh," Merlin nodded, not quite understanding beyond the fact that he had warned that the king was extremely dangerous and was to be avoided at all costs. Wanting to know if 'Morgana' should be avoided too, Merlin asked: "Is she evil too?"

"Too?" Gwen laughed. "What do you mean?"

"My mother said the king was evil," Merlin told Gwen simply. "What about Morgana?"

"Shh!" Gwen warned, glancing around fearfully. "That's treason! Don't say that here! The king is good and generally kind. And Morgana is very just and fair. She's wonderful to work under, which is more than I can say for the prince, but that's treason too, so don't tell anyone I said that."

"Oh, Morgana is nice?" Merlin asked.

"Yes," Gwen agreed. "She's very kind."

"That's good," Merlin smiled. He and Gwen watched the performances for some time before the sun began to set and Merlin declared that he had to leave.

"Will I see you again?" Gwen asked hopefully, and Merlin hesitated.

"Maybe," he agreed. Glancing up at the castle and Morgana who was retreating into her room, Merlin nodded. "Yes, I think so."

"Well then, until next time," Gwen curtsied, and Merlin smiled, hurrying back out into the woods. He soon arrived back at his camp where the elders asked him to explain what he had seen.

"It nice," Merlin said simply. He couldn't tell the elders that he had gone into the city! The elders listened as he told simply of the carriage and then showed them Rooty, before Merlin raced back to his tent to tell the same story to his mother. A few minutes later he told her that he was going to see his friend Mordred, and she agreed that he could.

Merlin hurried over to Mordred's tent and Mordred smiled up at him.

"Hello Merlin," Mordred put down the satchel he was working on making. "How was Camelot? Tell me all about it since it'll be a few years before I can see it."

"It was incredible!" Merlin exclaimed, sitting cross legged and placing Rooty on the ground. "I also found this hedgehog, I named him Rooty. Can he explore?"

"Sure," Mordred nodded, patting the little animal and then watching it scramble over to a corner where he nosed around in the dirt. "Now, tell me all about it!"

"Well, first there was a carriage with a beautiful girl inside. It also had hornless unicorns!"

"Horses?" Mordred asked, and Merlin nodded.

"Yes, those. Anyway, that's all I saw at first but then I really wanted to see more so, don't tell anyone Mordred, but I went inside the city!"

"What?" Mordred's jaw dropped. "Merlin, that's dangerous! You're not supposed to do that!"

"Yeah I know, but I didn't use any magic, so I was fine. Anyway, it was so incredible! I saw shops and bread makers and dessert makers, and a, uh, I think it was called a blacksmith. There I met a really nice girl named Gwen and she said there were festivities and that I could follow her to see them; so I did. And guess what? They were inside the walls of the palace courtyard!"

"You left then, right? You didn't go inside?" Mordred asked hopefully.

"I couldn't rush off then!" Merlin shook his head. "I wanted to see, so I went inside, and it was so amazing! There were jugglers and acrobats and the palace was so big!"

"Merlin!" Mordred gasped in horror. "The elders said to never, never go inside the walls of the palace! It's dangerous! They'll catch you and the king will do all kinds of horrible things! You know that!"

"It was fine, Mordred," Merlin rolled his eyes. "And guess what else? I even saw the king's ward. The festivities are for her for some reason, and she was the girl in the carriage thing. Gwen called it a carriage. She just came back from visiting another kingdom. Gwen is her servant, you see. She said Morgana isn't evil like the king, in fact she's really nice, Gwen said. And she's really pretty too. I want to meet her someday! Especially if she's as nice as Gwen said. Gwen said she even comes into the village sometimes to give money to beggars and food to families who have none."

"Gwen said?" Mordred yelped. "Gwen is the princess's servant? Merlin, you so easily could have been caught! How can you be so careless? The elders are always warning us-"

"I know, but I hid my triskelion and no one knew. I told Gwen that I'll see her again tomorrow. Somehow you've got to help me go back."

"No way!" Mordred shook his head. "Merlin, you can't go back! You're only meant to observe Camelot once, not go inside. Then you're not even supposed to go close to Camelot again. It's dangerous, Merlin. I'm not going to help you do something dangerous. Besides, the elders said that inside the palace walls they have things that tell them when a magic user is near. How can you know if they'll be looking at that or not? They'll catch you, Merlin! No, don't go back."

"But I promised Gwen," Merlin argued. "And no one'll catch me. Besides, I want to see Morgana again."

"Merlin, you can't go back. If the king doesn't catch you, the elders will."

Merlin frowned and shook his head. Maybe Mordred was right, the elders did always complemented the child on his wiseness and being old for his age, but still Merlin longed to see the carnival, the castle, Gwen, and Morgana again. Mordred glimpsed his expression and he sighed, scooping up Rooty and handing him over to Merlin.

"Look, I'm just worried about you is all, Merlin. You know how many druids go into Camelot and never come out. Remember my father? He never came out of Camelot, and I don't want the same to happen to you. The king and all the people there are dangerous, especially the prince. I've heard he hunts down magic users and druids. True I've heard that Lady Morgana is kinder and more just, but even she is one of them! Please promise me you won't go back merlin."

"I'm not promising anything," Merlin shook his head. "But I'll be really careful. That I can promise. I'd better go; my mother is probably wondering where I am. I'll see you soon, Mordred."

Mordred watched as his friend stood up and cradled Rooty close to his chest. Merlin then scurried out of the tent and back to his own. Mordred shook his head. Merlin had always been headstrong but he'd never done something so dangerous as to go close to the people of Camelot! Mordred remembered the day when his own father had traveled to the city for supplies. He'd waited for his father until nightfall before he told Iseldir that something might be wrong. The druid elder had sat and meditated for a while before he brought Mordred into his own tent and sadly explained that Cerdan would not be returning.

Since then, Mordred was more cautious and forced himself to be aware of what the non-magic users were up to. He never planned to go to Camelot, never even planned to go close, but he learned from the elders all there was to know about the people of the city. He had learned the titles of the royal family and the names of all the objects that non-magic users might have in their possession. If he ever did end up in the city, he was certain he would fit in. Merlin, on the other hand, had little knowledge of those who didn't use magic. He'd never listened to the elders lessons, nor bothered to take the warnings seriously. Mordred had to make sure Merlin didn't go back to Camelot or the penalties for his foolish actions could be just like Cerdan. Merlin might never return…

MMM

The morning brought with it soft bird songs. Merlin yawned and stretched, confused at the excitement at the back of his mind until he remembered: Camelot. He was going back today, of that he was certain.

Hunith was outside eating breakfast with a few other mother's when Merlin slipped out of the tent. He attempted to sneak away but he was called back and asked where he was going.

"Oh, I want to pick some more roots for my hedgehog," Merlin smiled. "I think he'll like the ones further into the forest as many hedgehogs go there to eat."

Hunith simple smiled and shook her head before handing him some breakfast and warning him to be careful. Merlin nodded before slipping away into the forest and then running for the city. The trees flew by and he leaped over logs until the city was in view. Rooty shifted inside the pack and Merlin hushed him before slipping out onto the road. With a deep breath he again entered the city, a smile on his face.

The streets were filled with whispers today, and Merlin was surprised when a few citizens looked at him with suspicion. He simply flashed a grin back and them and watched a many seemed to take home from his good cheer. He was just approaching the blacksmith shop when he saw a woman in a cloak kneeling in front of an old beggar woman.

"M'Lady Morgana," the old woman was saying. "Is it not dangerous for ye' to be 'ere today after wha'ol 'appended yest'aday?"

"My place is with the people in such times," Morgana's voice was kind and strong. "Besides, many have been brought here due to the festival. Perhaps he or she meant no harm but only to view the festivities."

"You are wise, M'Lady," the old woman smiled, biting into the bread she had been given. "I remember the old times well. Thank ye' for yer kindness."

"Of course. I will see you soon, Merta," Morgana stood and then moved on a few houses down where she knocked on the door of a tiny cottage. Merlin watched as a little girl with dirty clothes and no shoes answered. She curtsied and smiled joyfully when Morgana asked how her ill father was and then passed over a bit of medicine from the court physician and a few coins.

"I wish you and your little brother well," Morgana told the little girl. "I will see you soon Telia."

The pattern was repeated as Morgana moved down the road to random houses and stores. She disappeared into a shoe shop and was gone for some time so Merlin began to leave. As he was leaving the alley, Morgana came out a side door and almost ran into him.

"Oh! Pardon me!" Merlin scrambled away. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Morgana gave him a once over. "I don't recognize you."

"I'm Merlin," Merlin held out a hand. Morgana gave him a funny look but after a very long pause she shook Merlin's hand just as he was beginning to retract it awkwardly.

"You're not from around here, are you?" She smiled, and he shook his head.

"No, I'm from a village," Merlin smiled. "I came here to visit my friend Gwen and see the festivities. You're Lady Morgana right? Gwen said that, anyway. Um... It's nice to meet you!"

"You as well," Morgana smiled. "You know Gwen? She is my servant."

"Yes, I only met her yesterday but we watched the performers and saw you too! Um... Do you know where the blacksmith is? I think I'm lost..."

"Here, I'll show you," Morgana smiled just as Rooty made a little noise and Merlin rolled his eyes.

"One moment, I think my hedgehog just woke up," Merlin pulled his pack around and took Rooty out, holding the sleepy creature in front of him. He then reprimanded the little animal. "You interrupted my conversation! That's not very nice Rooty. Here's breakfast, now behave yourself!"

"You have a hedgehog?" Morgana sounded surprised.

"Yes, would you like to meet him? Here, you can pet him. Rooty, this is Lady Morgana," Merlin held the animal up. "He says hello."

"Hello Rooty," Morgana smiled as she gently pet the animal. Merlin then gently placed Rooty back in his pack where the hedgehog curled into a ball and chewed on his breakfast.

"Okay, which way?" Merlin asked. Morgana lead him through the town and into the blacksmith's shop. Gwen looked happy but surprised to see them both. She asked what Morgana was doing in the lower town and Morgana replied that it was just her regular rounds.

"I'd best be on my way," Morgana smiled, holding out her hand to shake Merlin's goodbye again but she was shocked when he knelt and gently kissed her palm.

"Goodbye my lady," he smiled easily, standing up. He frowned at her confused face. "Wait, was that wrong? I'm sorry..."

"No it's fine," Morgana chuckled, then nodded to Gwen before she departed.

"Well," Gwen turned to Merlin with a shocked face. "Hello."

"Hello," he smiled. "I said I'd come back. So, are we watching the performers again?"

"Well," Gwen hesitated. "Yes, we can. Today the prince is about patrolling though. That doesn't matter I suppose, we just have to keep an eye out."

"Oh, okay," Merlin shrugged. "Let's go!"

The two headed out and onto the street when Gwen spotted some men dressed in red and she pulled Merlin to the side. She curtsied quickly but Merlin only stared, confused. She was about to pull him into a bow when a knight pulled to a stop and she curtsied even deeper, her heart suddenly filling with fear. Merlin continued to stare, wide eyed.

"Well," the knight spat, glaring at Merlin.

"Um, hello. It's nice to meet you," Merlin smiled at the man.

"No, you peasant! Show your prince some respect! Bow!" The knight growled when Merlin simply looked confused and the knight slapped Merlin once causing the boy to bring a hand to his face in shock.

"Sir Morien, I hardly think that's necessary," a blonde man suddenly appeared, and the knight took a step backward. The man then turned to Merlin. "Who are you? You are not from Camelot, correct?"

"No, I'm from a village," Merlin shook his head. "Who're you?"

The man's face turned a bit red at that but he bit out: "I am the prince."

"Oh," Merlin suddenly fell into a bow, fear suddenly leaping into him at the horror stories told about Prince Arthur. "I... I'm sorry, Sire."

"Yes that's better," Arthur frowned. "Why are you in Camelot and what is your name?"

"I... I'm Merlin, Sire and... I'm from a little village and I came here to see the, uh, festivities," Merlin stammered.

"Where are you staying and with whom?"

"Outside the castle walls," Merlin gulped. "With my mother."

"Fine," the prince turned away. "Be on your way."

There was suddenly a cry from up the street and Arthur looked up to see a man on horseback come thundering down the lane.

"Sire!" The man cried. "The sorcerer has been detected in Camelot! We don't yet know where, but they're here!"

"Spread out!" Arthur shouted to his men. "Find them!"

Merlin and Gwen stumbled backwards as the knights pushed past them and began yanking down a tapestry to look behind it.

"Come on," Gwen whispered to him. "We need to go home. It's not good to be in these."

Merlin's chest was heaving as he was lead back to the blacksmiths shop.

"Maybe I should leave," Merlin told her. "Go check on my mother."

"Yes, alright," Gwen nodded. "Be safe!"

"I will be!" Merlin nodded, slipping away. He was almost to the gate when a shout was heard proclaiming that the sorcerer had just come into the area. How that was known, Merlin had no idea, but his heart banged in his chest as he slipped into the shadows.

"Kay, loo in that direction!" Arthur shouted. "Gaheris, you look over there!"

Merlin pressed himself further into the shadows in fear. A man stalked right by him and he held his breath until he'd passed. He saw a blanket hanging out to dry and he threw it over himself. When the gate was clear for a moment he dashed toward it, the blanket hiding his identity.

"There!" Arthur shouted. "Catch him!"

Merlin gasped in pain when he felt something scrape the side of his arm but he kept running and finally he dashed out of the town and into the forest. He didn't stop running until he was far into the woods and then finally he collapsed against a tree, gasping for breath. He reached in his pack and scooped Rooty out, holding the animal to his chest. For a moment he simply sat there before suddenly he began to sob softly though he wasn't sure why.

"We're safe," he sobbed into the prickles of the little animal. "It's alright, we're safe. It's all okay. It's okay, we're safe. We made it. Shhh, it's okay. We're okay."

"Merlin?" He heard his name being called and he tried to wipe his tears away as he struggled to his feet. A few moments later Mordred emerged from behind a bush, a frown on his face. "Merlin, there you are! Your mother's been worried! Where've you been? What happened to your arm?"

Merlin glanced at his arm to see blood trickling from a shallow wound. Mordred examined it before frowning.

"This was made by an arrow! Merlin, where have you been? Camelot? No, Merlin, tell me you haven't been in Camelot..."

"They didn't catch me," Merlin sniffled, wiping his nose.

"They came close though, didn't they? Didn't they?!"

"Maybe," Merlin looked away. "They knew a sorcerer was there, I don't know why. I didn't even use magic!"

"Because they can sense magic! They have tools and crystals and things!" Mordred shook his head. "How could you do this? Merlin, what were you thinking?"

"I just wanted to see Gwen and Morgana again," Merlin sighed. "I met Morgana this time, she was so nice. So kind, and really beautiful too. I... I want to see her again, but I don't know how..."

"You can't possibly think of going back, not now!" Mordred cried. "Not after all this!"

"No, I guess not, not if they can really sense magic," Merlin sighed. "I wish there was a way... Well, I guess I can't... I wish I could though, to see Morgana again."

"Merlin, you know who you are. You have a destiny, remember? Iseldir says you're Emrys and you have more power than even he! We need you; you can't go off to Camelot and get yourself executed!"

"Yeah... I'm sorry," Merlin sighed, petting Rooty again before putting the animal back in his pack.

"Come on, go wash your face in the stream and then we're going home, okay?"

"Fine," Merlin agreed. He and Mordred then traveled to the stream where he washed his face and got rid of the tear tracks. Over the top of the trees he could see a red flag waving, but he mentally told Camelot goodbye and then followed Mordred reluctantly back to the camp.

AN: Please review and give me your thoughts! I haven't totally planned this one out so input is much appreciated!