The Blood of Emrys

At First Fall

"Now, remember, we can't use any magic here," Merlin said.

Emerelia sighed. "It's not like we could use magic at home either. Not that it ever stopped you."

Merlin just chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Alright. Alright. Keep talking, and I'll shove you into that ditch over there."

"Oh, just try, you big clotpole."

Her twin brother made a face. "What even is a clotpole?"

"In one word?" Emerelia offered.

Merlin shrugged. "Sure."

"You."

The boy laughed and lightly shoved her. "Whatever."

Emerelia went to make some smart retort, but she was stopped short as they made their way over the top of a hill to where a large city could be seen, the gates only a few hundred yards away. Just behind the castle seemed to be miles and miles of fields, some with wheat and some with flowers.

"Look how beautiful it is," she breathed.

Merlin smirked. "Well, are we going to stand here, staring at it, or are we going to start our new life?"

Emerelia beamed and took his head as they headed towards the city that was to become their new home.

"I wonder what life will be like in Camelot," she sang as she skipped down the path. "Perhaps Gaius can teach me to be a healer."

"Yes. You always were our village healer's little prodigy," Merlin teased.

Emerelia glared playfully at him. "Are you mocking me, brother?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

It was about a twenty minute walk from where they had been standing, but Emerelia couldn't care less as they entered through the gates and were suddenly surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the Camelot citizens. Emerelia couldn't help but look around in awe, relying only on Merlin's steady hand to keep her on their path. But her eyes were drawn away from the sights of the street markets as they entered the citadel.

A crowd had gathered in the center of the square around a large stage upon which were two large blocks. Emerelia, if given the chance, would have gone up to see exactly what was in the smaller block, which looked hollow, but instead, she pulled Merlin to be near the front of the stage, eager to see what would go on.

"Perhaps it's some form of entertainment. Oh, perhaps they'll do one of those gypsy dances!" Emerelia exclaimed excitedly, bouncing as she held onto Merlin's hand.

An older man looked at her like she was crazy before turning to look at Merlin. "She doesn't get out much?"

Merlin chuckled and shook his head. "Not really. No."

"You might want to get her inside then, son."

Merlin and Emerelia exchanged a glance. "What do you mean?"

Before he could say another word, there was a loud banging sound. Emerelia looked up to see drums set up at the four cardinal points of the square, and her eyes were then drawn to a large balcony in which a man wearing a large red cape and a crown was standing.

"Look! It's the king!" Emerelia whispered, shaking Merlin's arm.

She continued her survey of the upper areas, her gaze stopping on an open window. There was a girl looking out of it, beyond gorgeous and surely no older than Emerelia herself, but she did not look as though she was eager to watch the festivities. In fact, she looked like she might be sick.