AM I THE ONE? | Arthur Pendragon [1]

Sophia

*Annabelle's P.O.V.*

"My name... Is Aulfric. Heir to Tír-Mòr. This is my daughter, Sophia. " The man whom Arthur and Merlin saved in the woods introduced himself to the King. He was an older man, older than Uther but younger than Gaius, and was dressed in elegant and well-made blue attire. His daughter was a girl about a year or two younger than me, with a slightly childish yet beautiful face, and long golden hair. She was dressed in an elegant light golden dress and a rich golden cloak. Both of the nobles were carrying majestic staffs. They were decorated with large sky blue crystals on the top, surrounded with wood of golden hint.
"You're a long way from home." Uther noted after Sophia gave him a nod with a smile as a greeting. "What brings you to Camelot?"
"Our home was sacked by raiders." Aulfric gestured to Merlin and Arthur, who were standing on my right. According to what Merlin told me briefly, they saved Sophia and her father from bandits, which now turn out to be raiders. "We barely escaped, with lot-few possessions we could carry." Aulfric explained, but my eyes narrowed a little in suspicion as he stammered. From the corner of my eye I saw Arthur eyeing Sophia.
"These are dangerous times." Uther remarked, missing the hesitation is Aulfric's voice, making Aulfric sigh. "What will you do?"
"We travel west to Cailon, where we have family, and a hope of new life." Uther's expression softened as he eyes Sophia, who smiled gently.
"You may stay here a while. Break your journey." He offered, gesturing to one of the Lords of the Court, who stepped forward, ready to show Aulfric and Sophia the castle. Arthur's expression changed to one I couldn't quite make out, but he seemed pleased to say the least. Merlin also noticed it and looked at him with a faint smirk. I think our dear Prince has taken a liking to Sophia. My brain told me that it's a good thing, but I felt a small pang of hurt in my chest. "A noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot." Uther said, which made me sigh inwardly. Only the nobles are welcome in Camelot. If it were peasants who were seeking shelter or food, he wouldn't be so kind. That is not how a good King should rule. I could see that Merlin held the same opinion. Well at least, according to the Great Dragon, we may yet help Arthur become a better king than his father.
    Aulfric bowed to Uther gratefully, while Sophia curtsied to him with a thankful smile. They then followed the Lord to the exit of the throne room, but Sophia looked back at Arthur with a small, almost flirtatious, smile. Arthur caught her gaze, and looked her up and down, watching her leave.

*A Couple of Minutes Later, Third Person's P.O.V.*

"Make sure you put her in a decent room." Prince Arthur ordered, referring to Sophia, as he and Merlin entered his chambers.
"The one next door is empty." Merlin said as Arthur placed his sword on his bed.
"Well next door is fine." Arthur agreed as he took off his jacket. "Excellent in fact." Yes, Arthur is in love with Annabelle, but after Lancelot, he wasn't so sure that things between him and his servant's sister could ever work out. She was a beautiful girl, the most beautiful girl in the entire kingdom probably, but she was just a servant. He was the Prince of Camelot. There was no way that anything could ever happen between them. All he could really do was try to form a relationship with other girls; ones of his status. Arthur decided to push away the feelings he has for Annabelle, and try to forget about her. He would be seeing her often, but would acknowledge her only as a friend. Besides, it's not like she returned his feelings.
    Arthur was snapped out of his thoughts as his eyes fell on Merlin, who was smirking.
"Shut up, Merlin."
"Wha-I didn't say anything!" The servant laughed.
"You didn't have to." Arthur shot back, putting on his red jacket. "I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are... Completely honorable." Merlin just nodded as he started cleaning up the dishes from the Prince's breakfast. Arthur's face then fell slightly as he realized that he might be making his liking in Sophia too obvious, and that he is thinking about himself more than he is about his guests. "Put her in the room on the other side of the castle. It's warmer." He said in a flat voice, fixing his jacket. "More comfortable." he mumbled.
"Of course." Merlin nodded. "She, uh, is very beautiful." He commented, and Arthur froze as he pictured Sophia in his mind again. But that image was quickly replaced with the one of Annabelle. Arthur's expression turned into a dreamy one as he thought about her shiny, dark brown hair and those sparkly, light blue eyes. Her smile always lit up the entire room. Whenever she directed it towards him, Arthur would get chills down his spine and would have to stop himself from smiling like an idiot.
"Yes, she is." He agreed in a dreamy tone, not even paying attention to anything or anyone around him. Merlin however, thought the Prince was talking about Sophia, and smirked slightly.
"And if your intentions are honorable..." He trailed off pointedly. Merlin never really noticed the glances Arthur gave Annabelle, or the ones she gave him. but after what Gwen told him and Lancelot, he started to pay more attention. And he did, in fact, notice the looks and smiles those two shared. And he did not like it. At all. He might be on better terms with Arthur now, he might even consider the Prince a friend, but Annabelle still is his little sister and he will never let any man have her. And now he got the chance to set Arthur up with another girl.
    Merlin is not selfish. He is just worried. He is a caring and protective older brother, and will always worry about Annabelle. She is his responsibility. Well, maybe he is a little selfish, because he is also afraid that if Annabelle ever falls in love, she will leave him. But besides that, he is also trying to protect her. There is no way that the King would ever accept that Arthur was in love with a servant. If Merlin ever allowed Arthur and Annabelle to be together, Uther would be so furious that he would be very likely to execute her. And Merlin will never allow it.
"Oh. They are." Merlin was snapped out of his thought by Arthur's assurance as he took off his jacket once again. "Most definitely."
"Then what's the problem with her staying next door?" Merlin asked slyly. Arthur's face changed as realization dawned on him.
"There isn't one." He said simply, almost dumbly, before looking up at Merlin with a relaxed smile. "You've convinced me." He said, before putting on a brown jacket. "Put her in the room next to mine." Merlin smirked.

"The Next Day, Annabelle's P.O.V.*

"You sure it's her?" Gwen asked skeptically as she, Morgana, and I stood in front of a window in Morgana's chambers, watching Arthur and Sophia ride out into the woods. Morgana told me and Gwen about the dreams she had. The night before Sophia and Aulfric came to Camelot, and one last night. She saw Arthur lying under water drowning, and a girl standing over him watching him die. That girl was Sophia.
"I could never forget that face." Morgana said, still staring out the window.
"You should speak to the King." Gwen said, and I scoffed.
"And tell him what? That she can see the future?" I asked incredulously. Was she out of her mind?! If Morgana told Uther about her visions, he would execute her. No matter if she is his Ward, or not.
"If she thinks Arthur's life is in danger-" Gwen argued, but I cut her off.
"You know how he'd react."
"She's his Ward. He wouldn't harm her." Gwen protested, not willing to believe that. But she is so naive. She wants to see the goodness in everything, the bright side to everything, and that is amazing. But the truth is, that sometimes there is none.
"He hates magic more than he cares for me." Morgana protested, looking back at our friend.
"That's not true." Gwen said, gently.
"Would you care to put it to the test?" Morgana challenged.
"But what else can you do?" Gwen asked, noticing that Morgana is most probably right, but not seeing another option.
"I'm going to have to try and stop her myself." Morgana replied determinedly, before looking back out the window. I sighed. She is so brave and determined, but it might not be the best idea. I was about to voice my thoughts, but then noticed how tired and stressed she is, and decided against it.