The Rise of Merlin

INTERLUDE (1)

Here is the next part, but I'm sure you'll soon find out that this isn't the next episode of Merlin. I just wanted to bridge the two episodes first before moving on to the next one. I also want to mention that at some point the story will start moving away from the show because I think that realistically a female Merlin would change how things happen and her and the characters would react differently compared to how they act in Merlin. Feel free to leave comments  :)

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 "Please, just kill me now. I give you full consent." Merlin followed Gwen into her home and dropped onto the table bench with a huff. She couldn't believe that Arthur had called for her the night before just to have her get him ready for bed. Already feeling annoyed about her situation Merlin had unsurprisingly called Arthur a child who couldn't undress himself. Arthur had apparently not appreciated the insult because rather than Merlin getting the prince ready for bed, the two ended up insulting each other late into the night before Arthur threw her out of his room. No matter what he said, Merlin was counting that as a win for her.

Gwen stifled a laugh before telling her, "Oh, don't be so dramatic. It can't be that bad." Merlin glared at Gwen's obvious amusement, but it did nothing to deter the older girl.

"But it is Gwen. We can't be in the same place without insulting each other, and knowing me, I will end up telling the prince off in front of the wrong people and soon after King Uther will be announcing my execution." This time Gwen didn't bother holding in her laughter, and Merlin sighed in defeat, putting her head on her hand.

"Why would Uther call for your execution? You saved his son's life, I'm sure that warrants some safety," Gwen told her, coming to sit across from Merlin.

Merlin looked at Gwen dubiously and told her, "I could save the whole kingdom and that wouldn't protect me from the king's ire if he thought I didn't know my 'place'." Gwen gave Merlin a pitying smile.

"Arthur can be a bit much at times, but maybe you can change that," Gwen told her as she stood from her seat and made her way to a corner of the room.

"So I've been told," Merlin muttered. She watched as Gwen picked up a basket filled with clothes and set it on the table before sitting across from her again. "Even if I could change Arthur—and that's a big if—why do I have to do it? Why not someone else? Preferably a male, who is actually qualified to be the prince's servant." Merlin looked at Gwen desperately, hoping she could help her out of her current problem.

"I'm sorry Merlin, I don't know what to tell you." Gwen looked at Merlin with a look of helplessness, clearly upset that she couldn't help her new friend. In that moment, Merlin's feeling of fondness grew for the older girl. Gwen barely knew Merlin, yet she didn't hesitate in listening to her woes, and Merlin couldn't help but feel lucky to have her friendship.

"It's fine, Gwen. Thank you for listening anyways," Merlin told Gwen, smiling up at her in gratitude. Gwen returned the smile before reaching into the basket that sat between them and pulled out a beautiful blue dress. Grabbing her sewing tools, Gwen began mending the dress.

Gwen stopped in the middle of a stitch and pushed the basket closer to Merlin and motioned for her to grab one of the dresses inside before asking, "You wouldn't mind, would you?" Not having the heart to tell her that it probably wouldn't be a good idea, Merlin smiled hesitantly and grabbed a green dress that had a slight rip at the bottom of it. If Gwen could listen to her rants about the prince then Merlin could help her with her chores.

"Are these Morgana's?" She asked as she noticed the more expensive material. She reached for one of Gwen's needles and thread and began sewing the dress, being careful not to mess it up.