Merlin

A Story

     Looking at the beautiful girl on the horse, I had completely forgotten where I was until Arthur elbowed me again in the stomach. Arthur looked at me then at the king, signaling for me to move behind him. We walked over to the king. While Arthur greeted the king, I watched the girl closely. As the prince got off his horse, I moved and helped the girl off her horse.  I mentally slapped myself, the girl must be his fiance or something of the sort. I took a deep breath, the truth was that I hadn't thought someone was that pretty since Freya...

        Arthur introduced himself and Gwen, and bowed slightly, I then followed his example. The king gave us a warm smile and introduced himself and his son, but left out the girl. I wondered why he hadn't introduced her, but kept the thought to myself. I am only the servant, after all. Maybe she was also a servant? My attention and thoughts shifted back to the king and Arthur as the king grabbed Arthur's shoulder and spoke in a hushed tone. "We need to speak, King Arthur."

        "Of course," said Arthur, "After you are well rested and we have our glorious feast in honor of your arrival." King Irelo shook his head, "No, this is of an urgent matter." When Arthur said nothing, King Irelo continued, "It is about why I have come." Arthur nodded and we all walked inside to the throne room. After a moment, Arthur asked, "What did you wish to speak about with us that was so important, King Irelo?"

        "This is very hard," said King Irelo, "What I'm about to tell you cannot be known outside of these walls... At least not now."

"I can assure you that no one hear would dare to speak of anything forbidden beyond these walls," said Arthur, reassuring the king.

"As you know," Began the king, "Your father wasn't the only king to marry a queen who could not bear a child." I almost choked. What was he talking about? He had a son! I turned to Arthur and watched as his blue eyes became a little hazy, I felt lump grow in my throat. I knew this was a hard topic for Arthur.

        "My wife and I tried to have children many times, yet it never worked," Irelo continued, "Until one faithful day when we found out she was pregnant. We were happy, the entire kingdom was, and how couldn't we? The day we were waiting for was finally coming. Sadly when that day came... We lost lives, instead of gaining one... My dear wife died and the baby-the baby was born dead. I was lost, I thought I would never love again..."

        The king's voice became soft as he continued, "Then one day I met a young girl, she was so kind to me, so caring... We fell in love. Yet, she was a maid, a daughter of a miller. We lived in other times; times in which I was king, times when my duty was to my people, times where I could not be with her. When I found out she was having a baby it changed everything. I wanted her to be my queen, but she fell sick and as she gave birth to my twins, s-she died. Her mother lied to me and told me that one of the babies had died with my beloved. It was a moment of great grief for I had lost the second love of my life... It was a moment of great joy for I had a strong and handsome son, an heir to the kingdom. For many years my daughter grew without parents, raised by her grandmother as a poor farmer. Then on my daughter's birthday, her grandmother realized she could no longer raise her and sent her to my castle with a letter explaining everything. At once, I knew that she was telling the truth, because she, my daughter, was the spinning image of Genevieve, her beautiful mother. Ever since that faithful day, my daughter has lived with my son and I in the castle in her rightful place as a princess."

        We all stayed there quietly without saying a word. What the king had just said, had never happened before. It was unbelievable. I looked at the girl, she was very pretty, and I couldn't believe she had been through so much.  She looked at me and gave me a small smile and I smiled back. King Irelo cleared his throat, "Anyway, you must be wondering what this has to do with you and my visit to Camelot." Arthur was silent, but the king continued anyway, "The other day I received a threat. There is someone who wishes to end my life and take my kingdom."

"Then we shall do what is needed to assist you," said Arthur, but King Irelo shook his head, "No. I do not wish for Camelot to aid me in battle. What I wish is far more important to me." More important than his kingdom?

        Whatever you ask," declared Arthur. I could tell Arthur really wanted to know what it was that King Irelo wanted.

        "I wish for my daughter to stay here, safe in Camelot, while my son and I deal with the threat. My son is strong and knows how to defend himself, but my daughter does not. I would appreciate it if she could stay."

Arthur cleared his throat, "King Irelo I don't know what to say."

        "Say yes, it's quite simple. As soon as I come back, I'll sign a peace treaty with you if my daughter is returned safe, of course."

        "Then we have a deal. Camelot will be happy to have your daughter as a guest," smiled Arthur.

        After everything, Arthur asked me to take the king and his children to their rooms to rest. I took the king first, to the largest guest room we had, and then I took the prince to the second largest guest room we had. The princess was last. I walked silently beside her, leading her to her room. I didn't want to make it awkward for her, but I didn't know what to say. We just walked in silence, listening to our footsteps. When we got to her room, I opened the door for her, "Your room, my lady." The princess smiled, "Thank you, Merlin."

        "Goodnight, my lady," I said and I turned to leave. As I left, I heard her voice in my head, "Thank you and goodnight, Emrys."  I felt like the air had been punched out of me. I slowly turned around to see the princess smiling at me from her doorway. "Don't worry...I won't tell," She whispered before going into her room and closing the door softly behind her. I stood there, gob smacked and not knowing what to do. She knew, but the real question is how?

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