The Rise of Merlin

THE DRAGON'S CALL (1)

I am just going to point out that as the story goes on a lot of the stuff might not be historically accurate. You don't really have to point them out (unless you really want to), but I just wanted to let you know that I'm aware of the inaccuracies. I just figured it's not that big of deal since the show is pretty inaccurate in some places and this is a work of fiction. That being said I hope you enjoy the story :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or anything that has to do with the show.

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No young woman, no matter how great, can know her destiny. She cannot glimpse her part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, she must live and learn. And so it will be for the young witch arriving at the gates of Camelot. A girl that will, in time, mother the legend. Her name: Merlin.

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In the distance Merlin could just make out the rising towers of Camelot and a feeling of awe overcame her as she looked at the beautiful city. She had of course heard the stories about Camelot and about what they did to her kind, yet here she was making her way closer to the place she should be running away from. It wasn't like she had much of a choice anyway, not that she really minded. Merlin had always dreamed of going to Camelot, ever since she was a little girl and heard tales of the great city. In the end it had been her mother who had made the final choice for Merlin, stating that it would be safer for her there. Merlin didn't understand how she could be safer in the place that would be happy to see her head separated from her body, but like always Merlin didn't go against her mother's wishes, and she didn't really want to, which was why she was happily making her way through the gates of Camelot.

Despite her slight trepidation over the whole situation, Merlin found herself filled with excitement as she made her way through the lower town, looking at all the different stalls and people walking about, or running she noted as she turned to watch two boys run past her. Even walking past a couple of Camelot's finest knights did nothing to lower her excitement, in fact, she was overfilled with it at the sight of them. She had heard tales about the knights of Camelot from travelers that had passed through Ealdor and each one had spoken about their greatness and bravery.

Overwhelmed with happiness and awe that she was finally in Camelot, Merlin made her way through the final gate that led her into the castle's courtyard only to come across what seemed to be some kind of event. As she walked closer to the gathering crowd the sounds of drums beating filled the air. Merlin didn't understand what was happening, and questioned whether she was witnessing her first Camelot celebration. Overjoyed with the idea that she was about to see one of Camelot's famous gatherings that she had heard so much about, Merlin got closer to the crowd so she could watch. However, once she saw the scaffold in the middle of the crowd a feeling of dread ran through her. It only got worse as the beating drums grew louder while two guards brought out what she assumed was a prisoner. As the guards made their way onto the scaffold with the prisoner someone from above the crowd spoke causing everyone to divert their attention to the person standing on the balcony of the grand castle. A person that Merlin fearfully knew to be the king of Camelot, King Uther Pendragon.

While Merlin came to her realization, the king addressed the crowd. "Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death."