Merlin Story: Trapped out of time

Chapter 4

*** Bree P.O.V ***

It was decided that, until Gaius could find me a room of my own, that I would spend the night on the floor in Merlin’s room. After spending a rather uncomfortable night on the floor I awoke to the sound of loud bells chiming. I groaned as I sat up, running my hands through my hair. Looking around I find that Merlin had already gone, his bed neatly made.  Folding my blankets up I placed them back into the box at the foot of Merlin’s bed. I then turn to another box in his room, in which Gaius kindly placed all of my newly bought clothes. I pull out a blue and black dress with a hood attached and a pair of leather riding boots. It takes me longer than I expected to get changed, the dress unfamiliar to me. I quickly run my fingers through my hair, combing out all the knots and quickly pinning it up. Walking into the main chamber I find it empty, no sign of Gaius or Merlin. I spot a small note on table sits next to a plate with a small piece of bread, a slice of ham and slice of cheese. ‘Bree, I apologize for leaving you alone this morning but Merlin and I have business to attend to. Breakfast is on the table and I shall return shortly. Please do not leave the chambers. Gaius.” Nibbling on the cheese I finally take a look around the main chamber. A variety of bottles and jars line the many shelves in the room. I begin to eat the rest of the breakfast, I hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon and I was hungry. Finishing the food I open one of the jars, recoiling at the horrible stench that wafts into my nose. “Uh, I don’t want to know what that is.” Placing the jar back I head over to the bookshelf, trailing my hand across the hardened and worn leather of the spines. The door opens and I swivel around to face a woman carrying a bundle of clothes. “Oh, hello. I didn’t expect anyone to be here. I’m Gwen.” She smiles kindly, placing the bundle on the spare cot. “I’m Bree, Gaius’s niece. It’s nice to meet you Gwen.” Gaius had filled me in on the story we would use while I was here.  “I didn’t know he had a niece.” “He doesn’t talk about me much, I hardly used to see him. I’m here to study as his apprentice.” Gwen smiled again, she seemed like a nice person. “That’s lovely. When you see him could you tell him that his laundry is on the spare cot.” “Of course, do you know where he is?” She stopped only for a second, her smile faltering. “Um, I believe he’s in the courtyard with Merlin.” “Thank you Gwen.” As I leave the room Gwen follows me, closing the door. “Do you know where it is?” I smile sheepishly, Merlin still hadn’t given me a tour of Camelot yet. “I’ll show you the way.” “Thank you.” I follow Gwen as she leads me through the corridors of the castle. “So Gwen, what do you do here if you don’t mind me asking?” “Oh, I used to be the maid for Lady Morgana before she… left. Now I help around the castle, clean rooms and do Gaius’ and Merlin’s laundry when they’re busy.” I was curious to as why Lady Morgana had left but I didn’t want to push my new found friend for information just yet. “Here we are.” Leaving the corridor we walked out into the open, where are large crowd is gathered. “Thanks Gwen.” As Gwen heads back inside I scan the crowd looking for either Merlin or Gaius. I spot a familiar red neck scarf and make a bee-line for it, pushing my way gently though the crowd. “Merlin.” I wave happily, standing next to him. “Bree? What are you doing here?” Gaius asks, concern on his face. “I came to find you, Gwen showed me the way. What’s going on?” “Merlin, get Bree out of here.” As Merlin tries to drag me away the crowd begins to roar loudly, forming an almost impenetrable wall around us. Merlin looks from me to Gaius. “Too late.” I turn to where the crowd is cheering and gasp at what I see. A young woman, around my age, is tied to a wooden stake with rope. Tears stream down her face as the crowd cheer and boo, mocking the poor woman. I turn to Merlin and see a similar sense of sadness in his eyes as in the woman’s eyes. I turn back to the woman, just as the balcony doors above her open and a man walks out onto the balcony. I guessed him to be King Uther, he seemed powerful and forbidding. “People of Camelot. We are here to be rid of another vermin.” The crowd roars in approval as Uther smiles. “This woman has been convicted of using magic, which is forbidden in our fair kingdom. So she is to be burnt at the stake, such is the punishment for using black magic!” The crowd continues to cheer as two of the guards approach the stake, one carrying a burning torch. He chucked the torch onto the stake, the flames taking hold of the wood immediately. The flames lick at the feet of the woman before spreading further. She starts to scream and the crowd cheers louder. The woman’s eyes lock with mine and her eyes plead for help. I feel a spark inside myself, a strange sense of power. “Merlin, you have to do something.” I whisper sadly, my vision blurring. He shakes his head, pulling my head into his chest and wrapping his arm around me. As the woman’s screams ring in my ears I feel anger bubbling inside me, this shouldn’t happen. Suddenly there is a large gasp and I dare to remove my head from Merlin’s chest. Looking around I stare in shock, the flames had completely vanished and the ropes binding the woman were gone. “WHAT IS THIS?!” Uther roared in anger as the woman stepped forward. “Something you cannot control Uther Pendragon.” She smiled at me quickly before she vanished in a shimmer of light. I found myself cheering inwardly, she had escaped. Uther stormed back inside and the crowd slowly vanished from the courtyard as the soldiers start to dismantle the simmering stake. I followed Merlin and Gaius back to their chambers, ecstatic that the woman had survived. As soon as Gaius closes the door he turns on Merlin. “What did you do?” “Nothing!” Merlin yells defensively, sitting at the table. “I swear to you Gaius, I did not do anything.” Merlin places his head on the table, just as confused as I am. I sit on the spare cot, looking around the room, as Merlin lets out a sigh. “Okay, I believe you.” Gaius sits across the table from Merlin. “Does this mean that there might be another sorcerer in Camelot?” I ask, standing behind Gaius. “Possibly, though we cannot be sure that she used magic herself.” I didn’t want to tell them how I had felt a strange sensation just before she escaped, or how she smiled at me before disappearing. “Anyway, there is nothing we can do now so it is best to forget about it. Bree, I have found chambers for you to stay in until we can find a way to get you back home.” “If we can find a way.” I state sadly, already missing my old life. “Don’t worry, we will.” Gaius says smiling, standing up and placing a hand on my shoulder. “Did you tell Merlin where I’m from Gaius?” He nods, moving away to one of the many bookshelves. “Merlin, could you show Bree to her new chambers?” “Sure.” Merlin smiles and gestures to the door and I walk out, a strange sensation in my chest. Surprisingly we only walk to the door next to their room. Walking in I find it’s about the same size as Merlin’s room, square and cosy. A small window lets in light, making the room feel bright and airy. A bookshelf lines one whole wall and what looks like a potions table sits in the centre. Gazing over the books I recognize some of them from Gaius’ chambers, he must have gotten some copies for me. Turning my attention the table I look over the numerous jars and bottles, filled with all sorts of colourful liquids and ingredients. In the left corner sits a green chair, with a small table in front of it. A door is located in the far wall, with a scribes table next to it. The walls and floor is like the rest of the castle, some kind of stone. A case with numerous shelves sits against another wall, parcels of food on one shelf, the others empty. A small wooden dining table occupies the remaining space, two chairs on either side. Walking towards the other door I open it and find a staircase. I look to Merlin, who just shrugs his shoulders. “Well, I’ll let you get settled in. See you later Bree.” “Bye Merlin.” I wave happily, walking up the twisting staircase. It leads to another room, with a comfy looking small bed in the centre. Next to this sits a chest of draws, the wood old and worn, with a lantern on top. A wardrobe and multiple chests occupy the rest of the room. “Bree?” I hear someone call from the main chamber. Almost running down the stairs, which was more difficult in the dress, I enter my main chamber to find Gaius and Gwen standing there, Gwen holding a box full of clothes and Gaius holding a rather large basket of food. “Hey guys, what’s up?” I ask, relaxing into the green chair. Gwen steps forward, placing the box on the dining table. “Well, Gaius told me how you lost all of your possessions, so I thought you could have these. They used to belong to Lady Morgana.” Getting up I looked through the box, the dresses were magnificent. “But, are you sure I can have these? What about Uther?” “Oh don’t worry, I cleared it with him. He doesn’t care who they go to.” Gaius said, beginning to place the food on the shelves. “And I have placed your other clothes in there too. I have bought you this food also.” I smile, hugging Gwen and Gaius before helping him to unpack the food. “Thank you, both of you.” Gwen leaves, cleaning duties to take care of, and Gaius and I finish unpacking the food. “Well, I shall leave you to unpack your clothes. Once you are finished I would like you to come see me in my chambers, we shall begin your apprenticeship.” “Okay, I’ll be in shortly.” I pick up the box of clothes as Gaius leaves, heading up the staircase to my new bedroom. Unpacking the clothes into my wardrobe I marvel at the beauty of Lady Morgana’s old clothes, they were stunning. I also smile at the simple beauty of the clothes Gaius had bought me. After unpacking I close the wardrobe, about to head down the stairs when I hear a yell from next door.