Chapter 1
Camelot's weird. I haven't even been here for 48 hours and Merlin already exposed his magic to Gaius as well as telling Gaius of my magic, a guy was executed, an old lady threatened the Prince's life, Merlin got arrested and people threw stuff at him (that was kinda funny, though). This morning, Merlin decided we should go for a walk. This place is so busy. "How's your knee-walking coming along?" Some blonde guy asked Merlin as we walked past. Merlin looked annoyed and kept walking. "Oh, don't run away!" Merlin stopped and looked pissed.
"From you?" I faced the blonde jerk as Merlin tried to calm down a little and was clearly failing.
"Oh, thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb."
"Look, I've told you you're an ass." Merlin turned around to face the jerk making fun of him. "I just didn't realise you were a royal one." That's the Prince? This kingdom is doomed. "Oh. What are you going to do? You got your daddy's men to protect you?" The prat laughed.
"I could take you apart with one blow."
"I could take you apart with less than that. Leave my brother alone, asshole, or I'll teach you a lesson, Prince or not," I said.
"You sure? You are just a little girl after all. Run home to your mommy." I took my jacket off and the prat laughed. I drew my sword and pointed it at him.
"Try me." The guy hesitated. "What? Afraid to get beaten by a little girl?" I mocked him.
"Cassie, leave it, he's not worth it," Merlin warned.
"Hypocrite. You're the one he had arrested. You tell Gaius about this and I'll kick your arse, Merlin." He held his hands up and backed off. I'm glad I insisted on visiting our father from time to time. He only ever visited Merlin once and that's how I exist. I've been visiting my father once a month for three days every month since I was five. Merlin doesn't want to see him, though. I don't think he even remembers what our father looks like. Dad's been teaching me how to fight at my insistence. He believes I'd need to know how if anyone finds out about my or Merlin's magic. He gave me his sword when he thought I was good enough for it. That was six years ago on my ninth birthday. I train every day. I'm confident I can win this fight. If not, I'll definitely impress the Prince enough he'll back off Merlin for a little while. Guys like him are too used to bullying others and getting away with it to fully stop.
"I'm not afraid. I just don't want to hurt a child." I scoffed at his words.
"You're assuming you'd even get a chance to get a hit in." He took his sword out.
"Come on, then. I warn you, I've been training to kill since birth."
"Wow. And how long have you been training to be a prat?" Merlin asked and I snorted.
"I think he's a natural at that, Merlin. No one could be as big of a prat as him without being a natural."
"True," Merlin said. The Prince scoffed.
"You can't address me like that."
"Merlin, apologise. What you should've said is 'how long have you been training to be a prat... My Lord?'" The Prince swung his sword and I blocked him. We fought for a little while and, while I hate to admit it, we were quite evenly matched until the Prince started to tire and I used my sword to disarm him. His sword was flung away from him and Merlin picked it up as I tripped the Prince with my sword. I held my sword to his throat and some Camelot Knights ran up to us but the Prince stopped them from interfering. "Give up?"
"... Yes." I put my sword away and helped him up. The Knights tried to arrest me again but the Prince told them not to.
"Well done. You're the first to beat me in a duel since I learned to properly wield a sword. Who taught you?" The Prince asked as the Knights took his sword from Merlin and gave it back to him. Merlin waved at me and left.
"My father. I visit him once a month for three days and he's been teaching me since I first visited him eleven years ago when I was four. I wanted to be a Knight and he said, while I can't be a Knight because there aren't any girl Knights, I should still know how to defend myself. He gave me his sword six years ago." The Prince held his hand out.
"I'm Prince Arthur." I took his hand and shook it.
"I'm Cassiopeia but I prefer Cassie. It's nice to meet you, Arthur."
"It's nice to meet you too, Cassie. Now, come with me, I need your help with something." It turns out, he wanted me to meet King Uther to have him Knight me. The King and Arthur argued for a little while before the King agreed and Knighted me. I moved my stuff into the room next to Sir Owain's quarters and I am to join the Knights as the first female Knight tomorrow.
...
"Hey, Gaius, Merlin, do you have any idea who the gorgeous Goddess over there is?" I whispered to them as I subtly gestured to the angel I had sighted. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
"That's Lady Morgana, the King's Ward," Merlin said. She's so beautiful.
"Merlin, you're supposed to be working!" Gaius whisper-shouted. Merlin poured me a drink.
"I am!" He whisper-shouted back and I giggled as Gaius walked away. A female servant came up to us.
"She looks great, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," Merlin said in a tone that, if I didn't know he was gay, I would assume was suggestive.
"Some people are born to be queen," she said.
"No," Merlin said.
"I hope so, one day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?"
"Ew. The prat?" Merlin chuckled. "I feel sorry for her. Someone as beautiful as her deserves someone a lot better than the prat."
"Yeah," Merlin agreed and I chuckled as he laughed.
"Hi, I'm Guinevere but most people call me Gwen."
"Hi. I'm Cassiopeia but most people call me Cassie. I'm Merlin's younger, better, smarter and more attractive sister and the new female Knight people won't stop whispering about as I walk past," I added bitterly. I looked over at the Knights and decided to join them. "It was nice to meet you, Gwen, bye. Bye, Merlin." The rest of the feast was horrible because the singer tried to kill Arthur and put everyone but me and Merlin to sleep. She also covered all the people and great food in cobwebs so no one could eat any of the food. Although I did have a good laugh at Merlin when he was rewarded for saving Arthur's life by being forced to become his manservant (it was even funnier because both of them hated the idea).
...
I can't believe I'm allowed to participate in Camelot's annual sword tournament! If I win, I get 1,000 gold pieces. That's a lot and could really help mom out. I quickly get through my opponents over the next few days. Only two left to win the tournament. I am a little upset I didn't get to meet Lady Morgana when the others did, though. I got a cut on my arm during my second fight and it got infected so Gaius told me to stay with him and Merlin so he could heal me. Once I took a potion, my magic healed the infection and the cut but Gaius didn't want me arousing suspicion so I still couldn't go. However, if I win, I get to escort her to the feast so I really just need to win.
...
I'm facing my second last opponent right after Arthur won his match. If I win against Knight Valiant, then I only have to beat Arthur and I've already done that once. I know Merlin keeps saying that Knight Valiant is cheating by using magic on his shield but, even if he is, I only have to prevent him from pinning me underneath his shield to avoid the snakes. Merlin wasn't happy when we argued about my withdrawing from the tournament and I refused. I am Camelot's first and only female Knight. I will not be seen as a coward. I want all girls who want to be Knights when they grow up like I did to have someone they can look up to. I would've loved to see a female Knight in action when I was younger. I have to do this and Merlin doesn't get it.
Valiant and I stood opposite each other and put our helmets on. We hit each other's swords and got into position. The fight was a hard one but I had the upper hand for most of it until I stepped wrong and he used his sword to trip me. I fell and managed to avoid the foot he had aimed at my stomach but he pinned my shield under his foot and I had to let go of it to move away from him. We continued to fight and I got his helmet off. The snakes on his shield came to life and I saw Merlin with his eyes glowing gold. That was a risky move but I owe him now. "What are you doing? I didn't summon you," Valiant whispered as everyone realised Merlin had been telling the truth and Valiant was using magic.
"Give up. Everyone knows the truth now," I told him but he ordered the snakes to kill me and continued to try to kill me. I managed to kill the snakes and stab Valiant with my sword. "Guess you won't be going to the feast after all, huh?" I whispered to him and everyone cheered as he fell to the ground. I was given a break as they cleared away the snakes and Valiant's dead body before I had to fight Arthur. That was a much easier match and it only lasted about four minutes before I had Arthur down with my sword pointed at him. He had no sword or shield and gave in willingly. For the first time in the tournament, I took my helmet off and most people were shocked I was a girl but they all cheered. I bowed and then helped Arthur up. This means I get to escort Lady Morgana to the feast. Yes! I grinned and turned to Arthur. "Sorry, Arthur."
"Don't be. You fought well, Cassie. I'm glad Camelot has a Knight like you."
"Thanks."
...
I knocked on Lady Morgana's door before the feast began. As always, she looked stunning. I'm so lucky that I get to be the one to escort her. "It's nice to finally meet you. Everyone's been talking about Camelot's first female Knight. I saw you in the tournament. You are very talented." I bowed to her.
"Thank you, my Lady. I am honoured to be the one to escort you tonight." Lady Morgana chuckled.
"Just Morgana is fine. What's your name?"
"Cassiopeia but I prefer Cassie."
"Well, Cassie, the honour is all mine." I held my arm out for her and she took it. We walked down to the feast together and talked a little. She seemed shocked when I told her Merlin was my brother.
"My honourable guests, I give you, Sir Cassiopeia, your champion and my Ward, the Lady Morgana." Everyone clapped and cheered as we entered. Ok, this is the best day of my life so far. Morgana and I talked a little more before she went to talk to Gwen. I walked over to Merlin just as Arthur did.
"Thanks, Merlin. For your help earlier," I said and he nodded.