Title: Merlyn

Chapter: A Dragons Call

Rating: PG at present.

Summary: What if Merlyn had been a sixteen year old girl, instead of a boy. How would that affect the legend?

Authors Comments: I know it's been done before, but I fancied a shot at writing about a female Merlyn and how that would change the legend. You'll notice a new-ish character, Glyndwr or Glen. Yes this is suppose to be a female Guinevere type character. This is not because I do not like the character of Gwen, just that I could not see how to put a female Merlyn into the cast smoothly unless she was in Gwen's place, So I decide Glen could be Arthur's manservant.

I want to make this follow the series although I plan to put a few original adventures in. Updates will be slow as I am determined to update my Primeval fan fiction soon.

Anyways. Thanks for reading this. Any comments would be greatly appreciated but please don't flame. Let me know if you think I should continue although second chapter is in works.

Camelot was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. When she and Iain had finally rounded the mountain, they had stopped and stared. It was unlike anything the country folk had ever laid eyes on. The majestic castle towered, breaking into the sky, the bright sun shining off the limestone walls whilst huge protective walls surrounded the city like a shield, protecting it from the outside. Iain let out a low whistle at the impressive sight. It was certainly far away from the small settlement the two had grown up in.

"Ok," Iain said nodding his head thoughtfully. "Now I'm jealous."

Merlyn smiled warily, as she heaved her small bag over her shoulder and started down the side of the valley. Camelot, although very visible, was still a good few miles away. She was excited to be moving to Camelot but she would miss Ealdor. She would miss her mother and her friends but had known for a while that she could not stay. That there was more to be seen. More she had to do. And if she stayed in Ealdor, she would never get any answers. Never understand why she was born the way she was. Iain didn't know why she was going to stay with her Uncle Gaius. No one knew why she was leaving her childhood home, but being the loyal friend he was he had offered to escort her to Camelot.

"We had better get going," she said, standing up. "We will want to get there in plenty of time."

"I wonder if there will be any knights training?" Iain pondered, falling into step beside her as they started toward the road. But Merlyn's thoughts were elsewhere. She had never met her Uncle Gaius and had heard little about him. But her mother trusted him and that had to be enough.

As they reached the road, they joined the steadily growing crowd of people into the city. Around them carts and stalls crowded the streets, with hundreds of people weaving between them. The noise was unlike anything she had ever heard. It was as if she had walked into a different world.

But moments later, any excitement she had felt turned into fear. She had turned away when the executioners axe began to fall. Why had her mother sent her here..? Iain had begun to look very pale, shaken by what he had seen, and the scenes that followed. They had quickly made their way out of that courtyard as the guards began to move people along. They approached the castle from another direction and to Iain's delight, stumbled across some knights training.

"I'm going to look for my Uncle." She told him when he showed no sign of moving. "I'll meet you back here later."

"Sure," Iain replied distracted, wincing when a sword glanced off a knight's helmet.

Rolling her eyes, Merlyn went to the castle gates. With no small amount of trepidation she asked the formidable-looking guards for directions to the Court Physician. She walked up the stairs they pointed to and down several corridors before finding the right room. She knocked on the door firmly but received no answer. She tried again, a little louder causing the door to open with a quiet creak. Walking in she stared at the room revealed. Every available surface was covered with glass bottles, wooden bowls and an interesting array of tools she had never seen before. Piles of old well worn books where in various piles along with candles of various lengths scattered throughout the room.

The sound of movement drew her attention to a man on the balcony, near the top of an unstable looking ladder, reaching for yet another book. The door creaked behind her again, which startled the old man, and Merlyn watched in horror as he began to fall. The fragile looking balcony railing gave way as the old man headed for the floor. Without thinking Merlyn acted slowing the passage of time as she searched for something to break his fall. Her eyes landed on the bed in the corner and she sent it flying across the room into place beneath the falling man. Time caught up and the man crashed down on to the bed with a groan. He was stunned for only a moment before he was on his feet and staring incredulously around the room. It was at that moment, Merlyn realised what she had just done and her thoughts went straight back to the scene in the court yard as the Kings words came back to her,

"For the crime of sorcery there is one sentence I can pass..." Unknowingly she rubbed her throat as she tried to plead ignorance at what had just happened but she was no liar and the old man was no fool.

"Who are you?" He asked suddenly as if realising he was interrogating a stranger.

"I'm Merlyn," she stammered and watched as he paused before realisation crossed his features.

"Huniths' daughter?"

"Yes!" Merlyn answered relieved to have finally got one question right. "You are my Uncle Gaius?"

She relaxed as it appeared Gaius had no intention of turning her in. And followed him to the room he had set aside for her. She delivered her mothers letter and left to find Iain.

The next morning she escorted Iain to the gates of Camelot, sad to see her friend go but thankful he had made the journey with her. Iain had just thanked her for letting him so he could see the knights!

It was on her way back to the castle that she first met Arthur Pendragon. The gang of young knights were picking on a servant boy as he tried to set up their target. When he fell a second time she stepped in unable to let such behaviour go unchallenged.

"Hey, come on that's enough!" She said standing in front of the servant. "You've had your fun, my friend."

"Do I know you?" The leader asked. He was a tall young man, a few years older than her sixteen with striking blue eyes and blond hair that glinted in the sunlight. She ignored the tug of something in her stomach as he approached. He was very handsome and he knew it, the arrogance coming off him in waves.

"No," she said simply realising she had inadvertently made herself a target for the bully.

"Yet you called me friend?"

"My mistake. I wouldn't have such an ass as you for a friend."

From there the situation deteriorated, with Merlyn ending up in the dungeon for the night, fuming and embarrassed. Spoilt little brat was all she could think as she paced her cell, unable to have believed her luck at insulting the prince of Camelot on her second day in the city. She didn't sleep well that night as the voice that haunted her dreams the night before invaded again, growing louder and more demanding.

Gaius managed to secure her release in the morning but she went though the public humiliation of the stocks first. On the plus side, she seemed to have made a new friend. Glyndwr, or Glen as he liked to be known, had the unfortunate luck of being the Princes manservant. He had witnessed the events of yesterday and she listened amused as he tried to compliment her for her actions the previous day. She was grateful for the sentiment but uncomfortable with the look in his eye. It was the same look that Iain and another friend Will had got in their eyes when they talked to her. It had caused a rivalry between the two men, who were the closest of friends. What was worse was that she thought of them both as brothers and would have refused any offers they may have made. It was another reason she was keen to leave Ealdor.

It was just her luck that she would run into HIM again. She tried to ignore him but her quick tongue got the better of her.

"I've told you, you're an ass. I just didn't realise you were a royal one."

Arthur seemed to enjoy her response grinning, but absently putting his hand on the hilt of his sword and drawing it with a smirk.

"I should warn you, I've been trained to kill from birth." He said, skilfully handling the sword with one hand, trying to and succeeding in intimidating her. Unfortunately, if she got nervous, she got mouthy.

"Wow... and how long have you been training to be a pratt?"

For the first time, she saw him look a bit put out. As if he finally realised his charm and power would get him nowhere with her.

"You can't talk to me like that," he said a little angrily.

"Sorry... How long have you been training to be a pratt, my Lord" She said with an innocent expression.

She had done it now. The prince was not less than a foot away from her. He swung the tip of his sword up suddenly, stopping it barely a hair away from her throat. If he hadn't been so close he wouldn't have seen the slight widening of her beautiful blue eyes or the small intake of breath. But her gaze never left his, her expression of innocence never faltered. They stood there for what could only have been seconds, but those highly charged moments lasted longer for the two combatants. Arthur broke the tension when he suddenly grinned, stepping away from her and re-sheaving his sword. She saw the guards move forward to seize her and resigned herself to another rough night in the dungeon, when her rescue came from a most unlikely source.

"Wait, let her go." She looked up in surprise at the prince, who had turned back to her. "She maybe an idiot, but she's a brave one."

He seemed to study her for a second. An unreadable expression on his face. "There's something about you, Merlyn." He said thoughtfully. "I can't quite put my finger on it." A long moment passed but for once the usually quick witted girl could think of nothing to say. Instead she simply stared back at him.

Another moment passed, and then he nodded his head at her once before he turned his back and walked away, the guards following him. She blinked in surprise, unsure if she had just heard what she thought she had. The crowd seemed to disperse as they realised the show was over and Arthur and his friends moved on, but as Merlyn watched warily as he left she saw him glance back, with an unidentifiable look in his eye.

It soon became apparent, that Gaius didn't have any answers for her either. He had caught her using magic to help tidy their chambers and had given her a stern lecture. Unfortunately after a rough night, an even rougher morning and her stressful encounter with the Prince, she lost her temper and argued back. Perhaps she was being a bit dramatic, declaring she would die if she could not use her magic, but she was tired of being afraid of who she was. She wasn't entirely joking when she asked her Uncle if she was a monster. But his calm, firm order than she never think like that had been reassuring.

Later that night she lay half asleep, thinking it over when she heard the voice again. Demanding.

Merlyn!

She hurried down the steps as the guards stumbled after the dice. The steps went on and on, deeper and deeper below the castle. It was dense darkness in front and behind her, the torch illuminating her path her only guide. The walls got damper, the further she descended, water trickling down the dark stone. The rocks got more rugged, the steps rougher, as they finally ended. At the end of the stairs was the entrance to a tunnel. With no small amount of trepidation, she followed the tunnel, the light of the touch flickering in the musty, cold space. Even all this way below the castle, there was a noticeable breeze. Abruptly the tunnel ended, opening out into a large caravanous cave.

"Where are you?" she shouted, certain the voice had been getting louder and she'd stumbled though the passage.

"I am here."

There was the deafening sound of huge wing flapping in the darkness and a rush of air that nearly extinguished the torch. She took several steps back, partly to protect the fragile frame and part in fear of the approaching creature. It was a sight unlike any she had ever seen before. From the far side of the cave, a large shape emerged from the shadows. The huge wings disturbed the air as the magnifcient beast flew gracefully toward him, perching on a pile of rocks closer to the stunned girl.

It was a dragon, larger than her entire village. His brown, green scales helped him blend into his surroundings in the dank, dismal cave. She heard some clanging, the sound on iron on rock. She looked down and saw the Iron chains around the dragons left leg.

She felt a stirring of pity for the majestic beast caged in the darkness. An ancient beast, as she had been lead to believe, that had been extinct long before her birth.

"How small you are, for such a great destiny." the dragon spoke, his voice a deep tone, echoing around the dimly lit cavern he found himself in.

Still in awe of the beast she stuttered, "Wh...why? What do you mean? What destiny?"

"Your gift, Merlyn, was given to you for a reason."

Her eyes widened as she starred in disbelief at the impossible creature. The possibility of the answers she so desperately sort so close that she stepped closer to the dragon, her need overcoming the wondrous fear.

"So, there is a reason?" She asked earnestly.

The dragon took a long deep breath, aware that his answer would change everything and shape the future beginning to emerge. The burden that it would place on the young girl's shoulders and the magnitude of the task that she would undertake.

"Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion."

"Right." Merlyn said slowly, a bit deflated, wondering where he was going with his revelation.

"He will face many threats, from friend and foe alike."

"I don't see what this has got to do with me." She said firmly, frustrated.

"Everything." The Dragon spoke as if that had been obvious rearing back on his hind legs as to reinforce his words. "Without you Arthur will never succeed. Without you there will be no Albion."

Merlyn stared at him for a second before starting to shake her head with increasing force.

"No, you've got it wrong."

"There is no right or wrong. Only what is and isn't." The Dragon countered firmly in the same definite tone.

"But I'm serious. If anyone wants to go and kill him they can go ahead. I'd give them a hand." Just the thought of helping that spoilt, selfish jerk was enough to sent chills down her spine.

There was an audible breathy sound from the creature which Merlyn thought was the dragon laughing. He was chuckling with amusement, and to her mind a knowing gleam. But what did he know?

"None of us can choose our destiny Merlyn. And none of us can escape it."

"No," Still staking her head in denial, Merlyn was determined to find way out of this. "No way! No, no... There must be another Arthur because this ones an idiot."

"Perhaps it is your destiny to change that." The Dragon suggested helpfully.

Merlyn considered that for a few seconds before deciding against the thought, but before she could voice her objection, the majestic beast took swiftly off into the air.

"Wait, wait." She called after him. "I need to know more."

But the dragon had disappeared from sight.

It was late afternoon by the time she had finished the chores for Gaius, save this last task. It took her a while to find the Lady Morgana's chambers but she was eventually directed to her quarters. The door was open ajar but she made sure to knock before she entered.

"Come in!" Morgana called and Merlyn reluctantly stepped in. The Lady Morgana was perhaps a year or two older than herself, but the regal aura that hung around her like scented perfume gave the impression of her being more mature and refined. She was stunningly beautiful with emerald eyes and hair longer than Merlyns own, which curled in neat, lazy waves down her back.

Merlyn was instantly jealous of the silky locks, thinking of her own unruly hair that could not be tamed. She almost missed what the Lady had said as she walked over to the screen. Morgana had not even turned around to face her and was calling her Alys. She had obviously been expecting someone else.

"You know I have been thinking about Arthur..." She started talking, and Merlyn was annoyed at how her ears pricked up at the Princes name.

"Excuse me, my Lady" She interrupted quickly. "I knocked."

The Lady froze before she reached the screen, finally turning to the doorway to face her. "Who are you?" She demanded, not angrily but cautiously.

"I am Merlyn, My Lady, Gaius sent me with your medicine." She held out the bottle in her hands.

"Gaius?" Morgana asked slowly, considering.

"Yes, I'm his niece. He asked to deliver his medicines."

"Ahh.". Morgana relaxed and considered Merlyn for a second. "Alright, thank you. I was expecting my maid but I have been sharing her with the Lady Helen. Would you mind assisting me?"

As if she had a choice.

"Not at all, My Lady." Merlyn bowed quickly and closed the door. "What would you like me to do?"

"Pass me my dress when I ask for it." She replied disappearing behind the screen. "Will you be at the Ball tonight?" She asked her voice muffled though clothing.

"Yes, I will be working." Merlyn replied tidying the discarded clothes.

"So, you will have the opportunity to hear Lady Helen sing?"

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

She spent the next hour helping Lady Morgana into her finery before being thanked and sent on her way. She hurried down the corridor, eager to wash and change before she had to report to the great hall.

"God have Mercy!" Arthur's reaction was hilarious. Merlyn watched amused at his response to the Lady Morgana's entrance. Even Glen who had been trying to compliment her and engage in conversation had dropped his jaw. Eyes followed the Kings ward as she entered. Her own eyes met Merlyn and she gave the servant a quick wink and a flash of a beautiful smile. Merlyn smiled back slightly. It was nice to have good work acknowledged, and the Lady Morgana was obviously pleased with the affect her arrival had on the young men at court.

As Lady Morgana looked away, she was surprised to see Prince Arthur. He had stopped gaping at his fathers ward and was now watching her with a quizzical look on her face. Merlyn nodded awkwardly at him before turning back to the tray she was supposed to be loading.

"She looks great," Glen remarked, knowing Merlyn had assisted the Lady in dressing.

"Doesn't she?" Merlyn agreed. "She is naturally beautiful so she can make anything look great."

"Some people are just born to be Queen," Glen continued tearing his eyes away from the Lady to his friend.

"Really?" Merlyn asked remembering the annoyance in Morgana's voice as she talked about Arthur and grinned to herself. The prince seemed to have that effect on women.

She continued to prepare the tables aware of the Prince who seemed to be slowly making his way towards her. He was intercepted but he kept an eye on her. Before he could reach her however, it was asked that the audience take their seats. And she returned to her Uncles side.

It had all seemed to have happened so fast. One minute she was listening to a beautiful voice that was so soothing. But almost at once she realised that something was wrong. She saw the noblemen and servants fall asleep, on their feet, on the table.

And then she saw the Lady Helen, her previously beautiful face twisted with a cruel, murderous anger as she pulled out a dagger.

Merlyn quickly scanned the room for inspiration when she noticed the hanging chandelier. Quicker than she thought she could, she sent the heavy wooden stature down on the advancing threat.

There was a cry of shock, pain and anger as the makeshift weapon struck its intended and the enchantment lifted. Merlyn could almost feel the cloak of magic lift as the rest of the room stirred. She looked at the woman trapped under the mass of wood and iron. Instead of the beautiful songstress, there lay the figure of an old woman, her face worn from years of pain and work. She heaved her body up, eyes fixed on her target. Realising her intent, Merlyn ran toward the Prince, slowing time as much as she dared in such a crowded place. She saw the dagger sailing though the air at the Prince and she put on an extra spurt of speed. She felt her hands grip n his thick muscular arm, and dragged him back towards her. She heard with some relief the sound on the knife hitting the chair. She fell backwards, landing on the wooden platform with a bone jarring thud and had the air rushed out as Prince Arthur landed on top of her.

There was a moment of silence before he lifted himself up and looked at the chair, the sinister looking knife embedded where his chest had been. He looked back down at the woman he had flattened with concern.

"Are you alright?" She asked between breaths looking up at him urgently.

"Are you?" He asked but got no answer and Uthur dragged his son to his feet then held out a hand for Merlyn. Warily she took it and allowed him to pull her onto her feet. King Uthur looked at her, shock heavy in his face.

"You've saved my boys life. A debt must be repaid."

Merlyn blinked in surprise but quickly recovered enough to protest, "Umm... well..." Or at least attempt to.

"Don't be modest," Uthur interrupted, "You must be rewarded."

"No honestly... you don't have to your highness." She managed but a hand on her shoulder interrupted her. She felt the contact though her and turned to see Prince Arthur move next to her.

"I insist, Merlyn." He said simply and Merlyn imagined she saw a grudging gratitude in his eyes.

"Absolutely." The King agreed. "This merits something quite special. You will be rewarded with a place in the palace household."

So that was how Merlyn entered the employment of the royal household. When the body of the deceased hand maid was discovered in Lady Helens chamber, a rather sorrowful Lady Morgana requested Merlyn to be assigned to her.

From his vantage point on the tower balcony, Arthur watched the Lady Morgana walk though the courtyard with her new maid, his eyes fixed on the mysterious servant who dared to cross him, then save him. He could not understand why he was so drawn to her, why he wanted to rile her up again and see her lose her temper.

There was something about Merlyn. And he wanted to figure it out.