The Once and Future Heir

Chapter 2

Alexandria strode confidently through the gates of Camelot clutching all of her belongings. It was a few weeks after the king, Arthur, came to their home and Merlin was determined to get her to Gaius.

He promised that he would meet her at the castle in five days time. She really hoped that he would keep his promise because underneath the confident face she put on, she was terrified.

Alex had never seen any other people except Merlin and the king and his entourage. She was amazed at the different types of people- large and small, tall and short, and many other shapes, sizes, and colors.

She walked down a long alley way filled with vendors and salespeople.

Alex smiled to herself as she watched a very pregnant mother rock her three year old daughter to sleep through a window. She had a feeling she was going to like it here in Camelot, even if Merlin wasn't going to be there all the time to comfort her.

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"Hello? Anyone home?" Alex called into the seemingly empty room.

After roaming around for awhile she asked one of the gaurds outside where Gaius lived and was directed here.

She climbed through the doorway and nearly toppled a finely polished wooden table full of vials and elixrs.

"Careful!" a older voice called out. "You could have broken something! Mind where you swing that door!"

Alex, surprised by the sudden appearance of the elderly man now shuffling towards her, she jumped and bumped another table, sending a bottle of poison flying towards the man.

She sat there, stunned, as the vial suddenly stopped midair. The man looked at her just as the gold vanished from her eyes. The vial was hovering mere centimeters from the elderly man's head, shaking slightly from the breeze that was coming from the open window.

Finally, he broke the uncomfortable silence. "Where did you learn that?"

Alex stuttered, trying to think of something to say. "I...ummm.....Well.."

He held up a hand, signaling her to stop. She complied gratefully.

"Your Alexandria. Merlin sent you, didn't he?" the man said, looking at her with stern eyes.

Alex managed a small nod. The man smiled and started laughing.

"Oh, that sneaky little turkey nugget! He never tells me when people are coming over. How is he? Is he coming back?"

Alex giggled at what he called Merlin. "He's fine. He told me that he would be coming in five days time. Have we met?" she said hesitantly.

The old man slapped his forehead, hitting the vial and sending it flying across the room. "Of course not if you are being taught by Merlin," he said, mostly to himself. "I'm Gaius, Merlin's uncle. I assume he told you to find me?"

Alex sighed in relief. "Yes, he did. He told me that I would be living here?"

Gaius looked around. He pointed to a room in the far corner. "That's where Merlin used to sleep. You can go in there. We'll just have to make room for Merlin when he comes."

"Thanks," Alex said, gathering all of her belongings.

She weaved her way through tables and stools, trying her best to not knock over potions. She finally made it to the room, opening the door and examining it. There was a little bed in the middle with a nightstand set up next to it. The blankets were neatly folded and there seemed to be no dust in sight. She shuffled over to the bed and plopped all of her stuff onto it. With a sigh, she sat heavily onto the creaky bed, the mattress sinking with the added weight.

She was happy that she finally had a real room, with walls and a door. It was also nice and quiet-

Bells chimed in the distance, breaking the welcomed silence Alex was enjoying. She groaned when Gaius burst through the door and told her to come along.

As she followed Gaius through the stone hallways, she admired the drapery and window designs.

She also tried to memorize the way back to their quarters, but there were too many twists and turns to keep track of. Her mind wandered back to Merlin, who had volunteered to bring Toby when he came in five days.

They finally made it to their destination and Alex was sure that she would never find her way around this castle.

Gaius knocked on two large, oak doors. A voice called them in and the doors parted, revealing a large room with long table running down the middle. Guards were located at every stone pillar, standing stiffly, staring forward. Drapery hung from the long windows, adding a comfortable feeling to the large room. There were two large chairs at the end of the table filled with two figures in elaborate clothing. The woman on the right was beautiful, with long brown hair and light brown skin. She seemed friendly as she smiled at Alex and Gaius. The figure next to her made her stop dead in her tracks. It was the king, eyeing her curiously.

She felt a sharp jab in her side. Gaius motioned for her to bow, and she managed a fast, sloppy bow/curtsey.

The king stood. "Gaius! Thank you for coming. We have a problem..... Who is this?"

Alex felt the heat rise in her cheeks as the king gestured to her.

"Your Highness, this is Alexandria. She will be staying with me from now on," Gaius explained, nudging her to bow again.

"Your Magesties," Alex said, bowing deeply.

The queen laughed. "Oh honey. You don't need to be so formal. Call me Gwen."

Alex smiled. She was beginning to really like this woman.

"Of course, your- I mean Gwen," Alex graciously.

The king smiled as well. "I feel like I know you from somewhere. Where did you come from?"

Alex stiffened and panicked. She couldn't tell him about Merlin!

"She's from Ealdor," Gaius cut in, saving her from making a fool out of herself.

The well muscled king nodded thoughtfully. "Very good. Anyways, you may call me Arthur. I've never been into those titles."

Gwen shifted in her seat and cleared her throat. Arthur snapped from his dreamy state and sat tall.

"Right. Gaius, we are facing a difficult problem. Neighboring countries have found out about the missing princess. They have threatened to go to war unless she is found, even though she disappeared over fifteen years ago. Is there anything we can do?"

"Not much," he replied, shaking his head. "All we can do is keep searching. I will send word to my friends in Ealdor to keep an eye out for her."

Arthur nodded sadly. "Thank you for your time Gaius. You are dismissed."

Gaius bowed and Alex followed the action. As they were exiting the throne room, Gwen called out to her.

"Alexandria!"

Alex turned around and smiled at the queen. "Yes?"

"Welcome to Camelot. I hope we get to see more, of each other!" the queen said sweetly.

Alex beamed. She hadnt messed things up after all. "Thank you, My Lady. I wish the same."

With a bow, Alex and Gaius left, making their way back to the physicians quarters.

That night, Alex reflected back on her first day at Camelot and smiled. She sleepily looked through the small window in her room. Maybe I don't need Merlin to keep me company, she thought, snuggling into her covers.

There ya go. Sorry of it's a little rushed. Had like no time to write this so ya. Enjoy. 

Here is Arthur and Gwen....

-Hammie