Catrin: Sister of Emrys

Chapter 1 Caden

Summery: What if Merlin had a younger sister named Caden "Cade"? What if he had never told anyone about her? What if she had been born with magic, too, but had trouble controlling it? Merlin is definitely surprised when she comes to Camelot after being forced to leave Everwick, where she had been living for the past nine years. How will Merlin deal with the unexpected arrival of his sister, who is just as magical as he is?

Chapter 1: Caden

Merlin quickly crossed the cobblestone courtyard, trying not to be any later to Prince Prat than he already was. He had overslept that morning as Gaius was down in the lower town for medicinal purposes. As he walked, he thought about how the clot-pole was probably already awake and waiting for him and how cross he was most likely was.

As he crossed the courtyard, a figure out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he stopped. Walking towards him was a familiar person, someone Merlin had not seen for nine long years and whom he was quite close to. "Caden!" He exclaimed, beginning his pace again, this time quickening it so as to reach Caden faster.

Caden smiled as Merlin ran up and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, which was surprising for someone as thin and lanky as Merlin. "Merlin," She started. "I know you haven't seen me in a very long time, so I'll let you know something: I don't go by 'Caden' anymore. I go by 'Cade' now. I haven't gone by 'Caden' for about eight years now."

"Cade, huh?" Merlin reviewed. Cade nodded. "Alright then. Cade it is. I won't call you 'Caden' unless absolutely necessary."

Cade smiled. "Thank you." she said.

Cade was Merlin's sister who was three years his junior. Though she was younger, the two were nearly identical in appearance. Like Merlin, Cade was pale skinned, thin, and lanky. They also shared dark circles under their eyes and the same pitch black hair. Cade's eye color, however, was different then Merlin's. While his eyes were dark blue, Cade's were bright green.

Cade's clothing was also similar to Merlin's. She wore the same brown jacket (abiet lighter in color), baggy long-sleeve shirt with a black belt around the abdomen (hers was red) and a neck scarf (hers was sapphire blue). The rest of her clothing was different, more so in color then anything. Her trousers were dark blue, and there was a black skirt over them. She was also wearing black boots. She had two bracelets on each wrist: a black one on her left and a camouflage one on her right.

Cade hugged her brother tightly. "Long time, no see, Merlin." she said. Merlin nodded.

"It's been way too long, little sister." As he said this, he playfully ruffled her hair, making her bangs stick up all over the place, some still in front of her right eye, the rest sticking outward in front of it and parting over to the left unevenly. She glared at him, but smiled after a minute. "What brings you to Camelot?" Merlin asked.

Cade's eyes darkened. "I was run out of Everwick." she replied, coldly. Merlin's eyes widened, his stormy blue irises meeting the neon green of his sister's.

"Why?" He asked.

"They found out about my 'little talents'." she answered. Merlin frowned.

"And they kicked you out because of it?" he questioned. Cade only nodded.

"Unfortunately."

Merlin sighed. "But why come here to Camelot where you're even more at risk? Why not go back to Ealdor?" Cade's eyes narrowed.

"To be honest, I felt I would have a better chance of living if I came to you." she answered. "Mother already had her hands full. That's why I was sent to Everwick and you were sent here. Was it before or after Will found out?" Cade heard her brother's breathing hitch and she looked at his face with concern.

Merlin had gone paler, his eyes widening with the start of tears at the bottom. His hands were clenched in tight fists and Cade knew that somehow, she had hit a delicate subject. "Merlin, what happened?" she asked. Merlin looked at her.

"About two years ago, Ealdor was in trouble from that guy, Kanan. Arthur, Morgana, Gwen and I went to help. After Arthur had defeated him in one on one, Kanan fired his crossbow. Will pushed him out of the way and took the arrow. He didn't make it." Tears began streaming down Merlin's cheeks and Cade wiped at her own eyes furiously, willing herself not to cry when her brother obviously needed her. She pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms as best she could around his shoulders.

"At least Will went out with a different opinion on nobles I'm sure, right?" Cade asked, smirking lightly.

Merlin smirked back. "He had stood up for me. I'd had to use magic and when Arthur questioned him and me, Will took the blame." he said. Cade leaned her head on top of Merlin's head.

"That's just the kind of thing Will would do." She said, smiling as a single tear dripped down her face.

After a few minutes, Merlin pulled away from Cade's embrace, one arm running across his eyes. He stood, offering a hand to help Cade up, which she gladly accepted. "I'm going to take you to Gaius." he said. "He'll be able to figure out what you're to do while you're here." Merlin pulled a passing servant, a young boy, aside. "Go tell Arthur that I will attend to him later. I have important matters to attend to right now." The boy nodded and ran for Arthur's chambers.

"Andret said to find either you or Gaius the minute I arrived." Cade said. Merlin smiled.

"It looks like I was first, then." Cade nodded and followed Merlin across the courtyard. Merlin led her up the stairs and into a room at the top.

Cade's eyes surveyed the surroundings as Merlin searched for Gaius.

"Gaius?" He called.

"Just a minute, Merlin!" Gaius's voice called back.

Merlin looked at Cade and shrugged. A minute later, Camelot's physician came in the warlock and witch's sights. "Now, what, Merlin, is so important that it requires you to interrupt me when I am working?" Gaius asked.

Merlin stepped aside, allowing Gaius full view of Cade. "My younger sister has come to Camelot." he said. Gaius's eyes widened and he walked closer to the young witch.

"Caden?" he questioned. Cade nodded.

"She goes by Cade now, Gaius." Merlin said. "But it is her."

"What are you doing here, my dear girl?" Gaius asked. "I assumed you would still be in Everwick. Your mother said nothing of you coming here."

"That's because she doesn't know." Cade said. "Andret sent me here. The Everwick people found out about my magic and practically ran me out of town. Andret sent me here to you and Merlin so that you could help me." Gaius nodded.

"So I take it you still cannot control your powers well?" he asked. Cade shook her head sadly. "Well, I suppose then, if Merlin can help you control them, then you might be okay. You can stay here with Merlin and myself."

"We can split my room and she can stay there." Merlin suggested.

"Excellent idea, my boy." Gaius said. "Now, why don't both of you see to Prince Arthur. I'm sure he won't mind if Merlin has help for a while until we can find some work for Cade."

Merlin nodded and gestured for Cade o follow him. She did so, waving slightly to Gaius as she and Merlin left the chambers.

Gaius smiled and waved back. "That girl had better be better behaved around Arthur then Merlin was, or else there'll be trouble to deal with." he said thoughtfully.

Word count not counting this sentence (1310)