A Warlocks' Disguise {ArthurxFem!Merlin}

Chapter 8 - Merilyn

The next morning, Merilyn was up long before the sun, her body sluggish from lack of sleep, but her mind sharp with the anxiety of what lay ahead. She dressed quickly, tying her hair up into a tight bun and donning her usual tunic and trousers. The illusion spell settled over her like a second skin, transforming her appearance into that of the young man, Merlin.

With a resigned sigh, she made her way to the kitchens. The early morning bustle of the castle staff had already begun, and she maneuvered through the narrow passageways toward the kitchens, nodding to the occasional servant who passed her by.

Once inside the warm, busy kitchen, Merilyn grabbed a plate and quickly put together something light for Arthur to eat before training—a bit of bread, cheese, and an apple. Nothing too heavy, but enough to give him energy for the morning ahead.

"Here we go," she muttered to herself, balancing the tray as she made her way back up to Arthur's chambers.

By the time she arrived, the sun had just started to peek over the horizon, casting a soft glow through the castle windows. She knocked softly on Arthur's door before entering, finding him already awake and dressing for the day.

Arthur glanced up as she entered, his eyes briefly flicking to the tray in her hands. "Good. You're early," he said, clearly satisfied with her punctuality.

"Of course, my lord," Merilyn replied, setting the tray down on the small table by the window. "I brought you something light to eat before training."

Arthur nodded, moving toward the table. He sat down and took a bite of the bread, chewing thoughtfully as his gaze lingered on her. "You'll need something too," he said, eyeing her thin frame. "Training won't be easy."

Merilyn blinked, surprised by the comment, but shook her head. "I'll manage," she replied, not particularly keen on sharing breakfast with the prince.

Arthur raised an eyebrow but didn't press the matter. After finishing his meal, he stood and motioned for her to follow. "Let's get to the armory. You'll need proper gear."

Merilyn's stomach clenched at the thought. Gear? Armor? Weapons? The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to her abilities or her strength. But there was no escaping it now. She simply nodded and followed Arthur out of his chambers, her heart pounding slightly as they made their way through the castle toward the armory.

The air was crisp, and the castle was still waking up as they passed by servants preparing for the day. Merilyn kept her head down, focusing on the steady rhythm of her footsteps as they approached the large stone building that housed the armory.

Inside the armory, the familiar scent of leather and metal filled the air. Arthur strode ahead, grabbing his training gear with ease. He motioned for her to follow as he picked up a shield and sword, both fitted perfectly to his size and weight. She trailed him as he grabbed an extra pair of gloves and a belt, handing them over.

"These should fit you for when you carry my things," Arthur said with little fanfare, and Merilyn nodded as she took them. She appreciated how little attention he paid to her—after all, the less he noticed her, the better.

They made their way out to the training grounds, where several knights were already preparing for their morning drills. The clang of metal against metal and the thud of arrows hitting targets filled the air as the knights tested their skills. Arthur quickly fell into the routine of his daily training, his expression focused as he strapped on his gear.

Merilyn stood to the side, watching as Arthur approached the other knights. He picked up a training sword and shield, moving with the ease of someone who had done this countless times before. His posture was impeccable, his grip on the sword steady. She had always thought of him as arrogant and entitled, but in this moment, she could see why he had earned his reputation as a formidable warrior.