Unmatched (Merlin x reader)

Chapter One

Clara's POV

Here we are: Camelot. I'm still iffy on this.  Julia is the only one that's sure of this. I feel awkward, carrying the sheets in my arms across the lavish corridors, trying to avoid any attention. Who am I and what do I have to do with this story? I'm Clarisa, but most people call me Clara. And I have a secret: I have magic. When I was younger I used to have these terrible fits of nightmares and I'd move things without meaning too, and my grandmother grew so worried she searched the land for something to help me, Gaius provided us with drops that kept my abilities away. I lived a normal life, until my town was attacked. My grandmother made me and my sister Julia run. Julia isn't my blood sister, but we're closer than anyone related that way. The drops stopped working recently, a few days before the attack. My grandmother told me to find Giaus, which I did. He says he can help me control my powers and that repressing my magic is only going to hurt me. He convinced me and Julia to stay in Camelot, and now we work in the castle.

I'm supposed to be delivering this to Prince Arthur's room, but I'm a little lost. 

"You look like you're trapped in a maze." A voice speaks up.

I turn my head to see a woman who is around my age with long curly hair. "I could admit to being a tad lost."

"The first few days are confusing, but after you learn your way around the castle it's easy." She tells me. "I'm Gwynevere, but most call me Gwen."

I smile. "Clarisa, but people use call me Clara."

"Well, Clara, where are you going?" 

"I'm supposed to put this in Prince Arthur's dresser." I tell her.

She nods her head once. "You were kind of close. He's down this hall, last room on the left. I'm going there, anyway."

She turns down the hall and I guess I'm supposed to follow her, so I do.

"Your highness." Gwen curtsies after entering. 

I hadn't been expecting to see the prince. This scares me. Magic is outlawed. I follow in and do the same.

"You're new?" Arthur asks.

I nod my head once. He's attractive, sure, with a strong jaw, blonde hair, and blue eyes. "Yes, your highness, I'm Clarisa, though people tend to call me Clara."

"Well, Clara, no need to be so nervous, I'm not going to bite your head off." He smiles slightly. I manage to let out a mix between a sigh and a laugh as we hold eye contact. "I will bite the head off of my fool of a manservant. Merlin , where is he?"

"That's why I'm here, Arthur, to tell you that he's running a bit behind. Gaius isn't feeling well. And Merlin's trying to help." Gwen tells him.

"Thank you," he sighs once. "I wish I could be angry, but I am also worried about Gaius."

"Is Gaius in trouble?" I speak up. Both of them look at me. I feel my face turn red. "I'm sorry, Prince Arthur, I did not mean to jump into the conversation."

"No need to apologize, Clarisa. Do you know Gaius?" Arthur questions.

I nod my head. "He's my godfather and part of the reason I'm in Camelot. I only saw him briefly, but he didn't mention he was ill. I wouldn't put it past him to not say anything so I wouldn't worry."

Arthur looks at me. "You know Gaius?"

"My grandmother and him were close, like brother and sister, he knew my mother well...I haven't seen him as much as I'd like over the past few years, if I'm honest." I look down, suddenly feeling too honest. "I owe him a lot, h-he did everything he could for my mother and I. She had suffered losing her child during delivery many times, and she would've died after birthing me if it hadn't been for Gaius. He pulled off a miracle when neither of us died after a week." 

I feel dumb for rambling on like that. I should've kept it short, but what surprises me is that he was actually listening. "Is your mother or grandmother nearby? I'm sure old friends would lift Gaius' spirits."

It was in this moment that I wished I could could get myself out of this hole. "My grandmother's still in Puerto Isle. My mother, well, Gaius did all he could when she got sick...but there wasn't a second miracle for her."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be too sorry, I was young. I hardly remember."

There's an awkward silence. 

"Arthur, I'm here." Someone marches into the room. "Wasn't at the tavern."

"I know, Gaius." Arthur holds up a hand. 

I decide to get a good look at the person who just ran in here. He's tall, with black hair and blue eyes. We hold eye contact a little too long. 

"Who is this?" The stranger asks.

"Clara." I answer. 

He smiles a bit. "I'm Merlin."