The Fire Inside- A Merlin BBC Fanfic

Camelot's Finest

A slightly older Cyra, dressed in beige, climbed her way up the citadel stairs, eager to finally be starting her new job. She'd been appointed assistant to the royal blacksmith, after much convincing that a girl could, in fact, handle the forges. Cyra cracked a smile; how foolish of these people to believe fire couldn't be controlled around her.

Reaching the forges, she heaved a deep sigh, inhaling the comforting scent of burning hickory and oak as it mingled with the stale air. She snatched a scarf from her apron pocket and tied it at the nape of her neck- after all, burning her braided hair would ruin the wonderful musk of the room. She walked past the assorted workers allowed to craft here, heading to her new master. He glanced up at her for a second before turning around and grabbing a large bag. He turned back to her and began his formal introduction.

"My name is Leo Ellada, Royal smith to the king, and you must be Cyra." He didn't extend his hands- nor did she, as he seemed to already be covered in soot.

"Cyra Albigan, at your service. What shall I be starting with?" He handed her the large leather bag he had snatched earlier.

"You'll be collecting any and all broken or armour in need of fixing from the Knights. Now since its your first day, I'll give you all day to do this one task, but it won't be this easy later on." Cyra nodded and set off. Not knowing the castle proved to be a challenge, but it's not her fault this is only the second time in her life she's set foot in it.

She couldn't even find any Knights- maybe they were training? That was something they did right? Problem was, she was so turned around she didn't know how to get out. Turning around to try and retrace her steps, she ran right into a young man heading her way. Apologising after the initial shock, she took the chance to study him. His jet black hair was cut short as anyone else's, he wore brown trousers and a brown jacket, with a blue shirt and a red scarf to add some colour. She didn't get a chance to get a good look at his face before he held out a hand to help her out. Hauling herself up, she scrambled to grab the oversized bag while still apologising.

"It's fine- it's fine, I'm just a clumsy oaf every now and then." He replied. We both let out a chuckle, and she noticed he had both a cute smile and amazing facial features to match. Snapping herself out of it, she thought maybe she should introduce herself.

"No harm done. I'm Cyra, by the way." They shook hands.

"Merlin. Now if you don't mind me noticing, you look lost." He cracked a sly smile.

"It's my first day here and I'm supposed to collect all the broken armour from the Knights..." Cyra shrugged.

"I'm heading out to the training grounds now, so, I can show you." He seemed a bit nervous, but Cyra didn't notice his discomfort.

"So what are you training for?" Cyra asked as the duo made their way to the training grounds.

"Oh- oh I'm not a knight or anything, I have the honour of being the manservant of King Arthur." He stressed honour, as though being so close to the prince was horrid. He laughed and I let out a chuckle.

"So, Cyra, why are you collecting the armour?" He questioned.

"I'm assistant to the royal blacksmith. My first task is to collect all the armour that needs mending. Sounds pretty exciting to meet all the Knights." She smiled.

"We'll let me tell you now- they're not as noble and intelligent as they claim to be- most are total simpletons." Merlin chuckled.

"Including Arthur?" Cyra cracked a smile, and Merlin followed suit.

"Well of course, he's the leader. But don't tell anyone I said that, they'll hang me for treason." They laughed and Merlin opened the doors to the training grounds.

As the doors opened, and arrow went flying their way. It was almost in slow-motion; Merlin only saw that Cyra's eyes flashed before the arrow veered from its original target of Cyra's nose. It landed with a thunk just to the right of her right ear, embedding itself into the wooden door.

"Sorry!" A knight yelled from the distance. They both just looked at each other.

"You-," Merlin cleared his throat,"You alright?" Cyra nodded, hoping her face didn't show the fear of being seen with magic. Merlin just shook his head- he must be seeing things.

They trotted to the tent where the other Knights rested in the shade. They greeted Merlin, but stared at Cyra.

"Merlin, that arrow didn't scrape you by chance?" A knight said, taking his helmet off.

"No, Gwaine, but it did barely miss Cyra here." Merlin chuckled at him.

"Cyra, what a beautiful name," Gwaine bowed, kissing the back of her hand.

"Thank you, now I'm here to collect any damaged armour from you all." She said, bag at ready.

"I've got some banged up stuff, here." The largest knight tossed his chainmail at her. Cyra collected mostly everyone's armour, with the only two left sparring in the field. She waited patiently.

The armour in her bag seemed to get heavier and heavier as she stood, but eventually the bigger of the two Knights won. He tossed his helmet off and it revealed to be the blonde king of Camelot.

"One of these days, Arthur...." The other knight remarked, taking off his helmet as well.

"It's good to know you're trying, Elyan," Arthur responded, walking over to them, "It's nice to see you in the castle again Cyra, how's the smithing doing?"

"I'm here to collect damaged armour, sire, my only task as of yet." Cyra responded with a small curtesy. After collecting the armour from Arthur and Elyan, she turned to walk back.

"Know where you're going from here?" Merlin called to her.

She shrugged, "I think I can manage. See you around Merlin," she strutted off. The Knights turned toward Merlin.

"Nice friend you got there Merlin," Gwaine remarked. Everyone scoffed at him.

"Gwaine you aren't allowed to flirt with every female in the land," Percival laughed.

"Who says I can't? Besides she's not my type."

"I thought you didn't have a type," Merlin piped up, earning laughter from the Knights.

"Well pardon me that green skin isn't appealing," Gwaine laughed.

"Green skin? Gwaine have you been to the tavern in the last minute? Her skin wasn't green," Arthur said.

"You could see it in the sun, her skins green. Not to mention the grey hair." The all just shook their heads at him- he just didn't know what he's talking about.

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