Hello everyone!

I'm new to this website, but I've been writing for a while and I figured, why not. Any stories I post will be Merlin (BBC One) related because I do love that series! It's sooooo good. This is the first story I'm positing so just remember that. I hope it's not bad, and if it is, well, I'm terribly sorry.

If you don't know, this story is MerlinXOC. I love MerlinXMorgana, but I like writing about OCs for fun. I'm putting my own little twist on this series and the legend so it's not technically following the series itself, though my story will share the same sort of outline with the series. Hopefully it's not bad for my first story being posted. I've been giving it my all when I write so I'm hoping that'll show. But, anyways, enough of me babbling! Go on and take a read, and I hope you enjoy.

Oh, and: Disclaimer: I DO NOT own BBC's Merlin series nor the characters involved.

~O~

Sweet Nothing

Prologue

It was midsummer once more. The leaves were greener than ever, and the sky was as blue as the deep sea. The sun sat in the highest point of the heavens, shining down on the people of Camelot. The king watched from the window of his chamber as his people lived their lives with smiles and laughter. For the time being, peace was spread throughout his land and Uther Pendragon planned on taking advantage of the still. He had worked hard to build his kingdom to what it was now; he would make sure to enjoy the happiness whilst he had the chance. He was no fool. Times like that were hard to come by, especially in a land where not all could live as equals; in a land where magic was outlawed. Camelot was merely sitting in the eye of a storm—the king could feel it in his bones. Within the richness of his blood, Uther knew that the ones he had condemned and the people he had cursed would rise up against him. It would only be a matter of time. But, he would worry about those matters when the time came.

For now, he would enjoy that day for what it was.

A birthday.

The King of Camelot's smile faded for a moment as he turned from the window and strode toward the desk that sat adjacent to his bed. He looked down at the marked date on the planner that was laid out on his tabletop, and for a moment, the joy in his eyes had shriveled away. His hand balled up into a tight fist as a deep rage began to simmer inside of him. He did well to lock it away, but there were moments in time when Uther felt as though he would burst. He would burn alive with the anger he hid. Even still, he pushed his selfish thoughts aside as a wave of love would wash over him and he would remember why he had locked away that sense of fury. It was because he loved his family so that he pushed past his own pride and ignored the quiet voice in his head always reminding him of what was, what had been, what could have been, and what would never be.

A knocking against the king's door broke the man from his thoughts as he looked up and relaxed, his son stepping into the room and giving him a respectful nod. Uther smiled at the prince as he motioned for the blond to approach him. The young man nodded before he too relaxed and strolled over to his father's desk, said king taking a seat behind it.

"Father, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes," Uther stated as he smiled fondly at his son. "I have decided to cancel any other engagements you have planned for the day." The prince blinked, surprised by his father's unusual generosity.

"For the entire day?"

"A prince deserves a single day to himself," the king said softly as his smile shrunk. "And what better day than this one?" Arthur's eyes softened as he smiled at his father and nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, father." Uther merely nodded as he waved for his son to go and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The prince nodded as he turned and made his way out of his father's chamber, shutting the door softly behind him. He stood in the empty corridor as he let the moment sink in completely. The prince's smile widened into a tiny grin before he turned to the right and began jogging down the hall.

Arthur continued silently as he made his way outside and across the court yard to the other side of the castle. He nodded to a few familiar knights as they bowed to him; he rather did enjoy the respect he received from his men. The prince made his way back into the castle as he began down a hall less traveled. He quietly strolled down the passageway, the sound of his footsteps bouncing off the stone walls. As he approached the end of the hall, he nodded to the two guards standing tall on either side of a wooden door.

"You're dismissed," Arthur stated as the two men glanced at each other. They bowed to their prince before they made their way down the hall, enjoying the tiny break they had been given. The future king glanced back at the men before he turned to the ingress and carefully pushed it open. He stepped inside the room and shut the door softly, leaning back against it for a short moment.

The room was quaint and cozy. The fireplace sat to Arthur's right side against the farthest wall, flowers and two candlesticks sitting on the mantelpiece. A painting sat above the vase of lilacs, the picture of a night sky, yellow stars painted over the dark navy sky. Arthur walked over to the hearth and smirked to himself, the small bouquet a gift from Morgana—who must have stopped by the peaceful room not too long before him. He walked around the long table that sat in front of the fire and leaned against it, staring up at the painting for a few minutes.

After what felt like hours, the prince turned around and his gaze softened as he made his way over to the other side of the room. He walked over to the windows and pulled the dark maroon drapes open, allowing the sun to seep into the chamber and break the darkness. He then turned and made his way over to the bedside just a few meters away from the window. He pulled up a chair that sat against the wall and took a seat, locking his hands together and leaning against his knees.

On the bed before the prince laid a petite young woman who was no older than he. Her bright eyes were closed and her pale face was relaxed. Her sun-kissed brown hair was strewn beneath her head and over her fluffy pillow, and her hands were neatly folded over her torso. Arthur frowned to himself as he shook his head and reached out, gently placing his slightly-calloused hand over the young woman's. He closed his eyes, trying to fight away the sense of defeat that washed over him, as well as guilt and sorrow.

"Another year has passed," Arthur began as he squeezed tightly to the hand. "How long has it been? Five years?" the prince asked, more to himself than anyone, for the young woman lying down before him could not hear a single thing.

"…I still blame myself every day," the young prince whispered as he shook his head. "And I know you'd probably say it wasn't my fault and that there was nothing I could do…but I refuse to believe that. There must have been a way to stop this…a way to protect you. We should have been ready for it, we should have been prepared." Arthur took a deep breath as he finally looked up and his eyes met where the resting woman's eyes would have been.

Not having the strength to sit any longer, Arthur stood to his feet and placed the chair he had been using back where it once sat. He made his way to the exit of the bedroom and stopped at the door, looking back at the unconscious figure. His jaw clenched shut as his hands balled up into fists. Taking a deep breath, the prince relaxed and smiled kindly before whispering, "…Happy birthday, sister."

~O~

So there's the end for you! Hope you like it so far. I'll be updating soon, at least, that's the plan.

Sit tight and tune in for the next chapter! Hope you like and thanks for taking the time to check this out!