The Newest Arrival

[Selena Fireheart]

The world we live in is filled with wonders, mystery and beauty. Despite our understanding of nature no one has ever answered the greatest qustion of all...the reason of life. But the world we lived in had one last factor that stands with these wonderful facts on our world. This world is also filled with many wonders of a word called "Magic" Magic is a something that happens between special people who can do things beyond any normal person. But unfortunately in this land of myths, legends and honour magic is a force of evil and all those that used it was killed on sight.

This order came from King Uther Pendragon ruler of the legendary city of Camelot. Indeed it was a cruel rule for all of Albion to take in, one such example happened to a young and bright family, they were the Fireheart family. The man of the family was a bright user in the magical arts and used his talents to help others in need, but when the great purge came he was slaughtered. However this wife had a baby girl and was ran as fast as she could from Camelot itself, but eventually she died of natural causes.

But their daugher had survived and lived with a group of druids. Now seventeen years later Selena finally returns to her birth city to live a life that her parents wanted for her, luckily because of a brave and gentle action Selena was chosen to be a servant at the castle. Now this is her story to be just like father and perhaps one day surpass him, and live a happy life although she had to keep the secret that she too was a magic user. Now it was time to fulfill her destiny.

Castle Camelot stood with all its glory before the young teenage girl. Her body was shrouded in a large hooded cloak that was pretty big and long, it reached down on the ground and slightly dragged behind her, the hood itself was fairly big but it covered her shoulders as it hung at the back of her neck. The front of the long cloak itself was completly closed leaving only a tiny opening, her arms and legs lay hidden underneath the thickness but warmth of the hooded cloak. Selena gently sighed and soon she gently walked over towards the main plaza where the castle stood, from there she headed towards the main entrance where she was stopped by two guards.

Selena sighed again and said" My name is Selena Fireheart I am here to begin first day as a maid here". The two guards simply said nothing and stepped aside allowing the young Selena to walk inside the actual castle of Camelot, her long hooded cloak gently trailed around her frame and the floor as she walked down its halls. As she walked Selena could feel her confidence slowly sinking as it was her first time in the castle and the first time working for someone else, but she soon stopped in a hallway that stretched from left to right and north.

She felt lost but lucklily several people walked past. Selena tried asking someone for directions but all she got was complete silence, still Selena never gave up and looked around trying to see if hope could give her some help and directions.

[Merlin Emrys]

The head of housekeeping had been rushed off her feet preparing the castle for various harvest feasts, and so Arthur had oh-so-kindly volunteered Merlin to take over her various responsibilities for the day. He scanned the long scroll in front of him, mentally ticking of the tasks he had already completed. He had visited the kitchens and assigned tasks to the staff, he had overseen a delivery of ale, flour and coal for the kitchen furnaces. Whilst Arthur was still asleep, he had tiptoed into his room and lit the fire so the Prince would not be cold when he finally awoke. All this and it wasn't even eight in the morning. His eyes reached the next line: Induction of the new maid.

"How on earth am I supposed to know who that is!?" Merlin muttered out loud. It's not as if he personally knew all of the maids that already worked in the castle... although he spent too much of his time staring at them.

Across the courtyard, through the bodies of hurrying servants and soldiers, Merlin could make out a figure, heavily cloaked, but with a very confused and lost look about her. He decided to go over and ask to be of assistance, whether this was the maid he was supposed to be greeting or not. She could be royalty for all he knew.

"Hello there!" he smiled as he reached her and held out a hand. "You seem a bit lost, can I point you in a specific direction?"

[Selena Fireheart]

The path of destiny had once again opened forwards for young Selena. The threads of fate had somehow encouraged her towards the castle as being a new maid of the castle, but it was the goodness of her heart and soul which allowed her to become a maid in the first place. Nervousness seemed to coil around her confidence like a snake getting ready to attack its prey, but thanks to the teachings of the druids and the words of her father Selena was never going to let her nerves get the better of her. This is was her life now and she was going to live it in honour of her dead parents.

Her heart was beating fast but Selena stood tall. But she did feel a little awkward wearing a long, heavy and thick hooded cloak that very easily covered her entire body, but it was her fathers cloak and Selena didn't really care if it was too big for her. All that mattered was that it was the only thing that reminded her of her father, but it wasn't the only thing left by her father. For inside her very veins were the very essences of magic allowing her to use magic as well. When she came of age the Druids taught her how to properly use her magic. She owed them much and if it wasn't for them she'd be literally dead, but she promised them to use magic to help others and live her own life which was another promise she made to her dead parents.

As she gazed across the well crafted halls of Camelot Selena soon caught the climpse of a man. As he went towards Selena and offered his assitance Selena finally felt that hope itself had answered her cry for help. Gently she walked to Merlin and with grateful smile on her face, but showing her pure heart Selena gently lowered her head in respect to Merlin and said" Oh! hello there! please can you help me? this is my first time inside the castle and I am really lost".

She said looking rather worried and guilty. It felt like that her first day as being a maid would go pretty badly but she hoped that this kind man could help build her confidence a little, still she forgot her manners and said" Forgive my manners my name is Selena Fireheart I was suppose to start my first day as a maid. Its lovely to meet you".

[Merlin Emrys]

"Of course I can help!" Merlin replied, feeling sorry for the girl who looked very lost, and slightly in awe of everything around her. He glanced down guiltily at his list... helping this girl would take time that he didn't really have... but Merlin jumped at the chance to play a chivalrous role for once, instead of a clumsy servant.

Her next words changed everything.

"Oh, you're the new maid!" Merlin replied, not sure why he was so shocked. Well that made things easier, now he could help this woman and still carry out the instructions he had been given.

"It's lovely to meet you too Selena, I'm Merlin, and I can do more than just point you in the right direction. I've been sent to meet you and show you the ropes! I'm Arthur's manservant, so I don't usually do this... maybe we could start with a tour of the castle if you'd like? I can show you the servants' quarters and then the nobles' rooms that you'll be waiting in or cleaning. I've got a lists of errands we need to run as well."

Merlin moved his arms into an "after you" gesture, motioning for the girl to head out of the busy courtyard and under an archway into the castle. It was a big place, and as a servant there, you had to familiarize yourself with the rooms quickly in order to carry out errands efficiently.

"So," Merlin began, making conversation as they walked, "Where are you from Selena?"

[OOC: We can do the tour of the whole castle but just stay in this one thread ]

[Selena Fireheart]

The constant drumming beat of her heart slowly calmed itself down. The nervous feeling around her soul disappeared as she felt Merlin's gentle and warmth of this heart, she felt lucky as she heard that Merlin had been sent to find and show her around. With a gentle sigh of relief she smiled and said" Thank you so much Merlin! I'd really like that". Her thoughts inside her mind were like celebrating a birthday, in other words she felt so glad that someone so kind as Merlin was there to help her and guide her across the castle. She didn't mind the work and after it was want she wanted to do in her life.

She soon followed Merlin out of the courtyard and into a giant archway. Selena felt a little excited but she was focused on remembering where all the places were, as Merlin asked where she was from Selena happily replied" I was born in Camelot....but unforseen events lead me to be raised in the woods outside of Camelot". She said sadly, Selena had no idea what so ever that Merlin was also someone who could use magic. Ever since finding out the truth she had no one to talk about it, except for the Druids.

Quickly she shook her head and said spoke as if the words themselves were spoken from her beating heart" It has now been years since I was last here. Please forgive me! I really wish I can tell you Merlin but its too painful at the moment". Selena said sadly but with all her heart, but still this was her life now and she was going to enjoy it with all her breath.

[Merlin Emrys]

"It's fine, you don't need to talk about anything you don't want to." Merlin replied, not wanting to cause the girl any upset on her first day. He stopped under another archway and paused to give Selena an explanation:

"This bit here is the servant's quarters, as you can see it's almost always busy. The maids and man-servants are the only people allowed into the upper parts of the castle, where the nobility live- I'll show you up there later- so we often end up taking trips down into the kitchens to get whatever food is requested!" As he spoke he tucked his list underneath his arm and scooped up a plate of fruit, handing Selena a pitcher of water.

"These are for Arthur." he explained, indicating the jug and the platter, "He likes to have something to eat after going out on a hunt, and he's expected back soon, so we'll need to go and put this in his chamber- I can show you the nobility's rooms on the way."

As they ascended the spiral stairs that lead to the richer parts of the castle he asked, "Have you ever been a servant before?" Selena seemed like a nice girl, and he needed to warn her that servants were often treated harshly by members of the nobility.

[Selena Fireheart]

The pure heart and soul of Selena urged her confidence and mind to push onwards. After all not only did she did inherit her fathers courage but also her mothers strength and determination, but as they made there way across the halls and archways Selena made close attention as to where everything was. She paid close attention to what Merlin had to say and jotted it down inside her mind like a fountain pen to scroll. As they arrived into the servants quarters Selena looked a little surprised but soon nodded to Merlin taking in all the information she could to make sure she was going to be a great maid in the castle.

As Merlin handed her a pitcher of water Selena quickly pulled her hands out from underneath her large hooded cloak and gently took the pitcher in her hand. The cloak opened slightly revealing a long brown dress which covered feet slightly, soon she followed Merlin towards a spiral stair case and replied gently and honestly" I am afraid not...this is my first time". She said taking the steps gently as to make sure the pitcher in her hands didn't fall or no single drop of water dripped from its exit.

[Merlin Emrys]

"I am afraid not...this is my first time".

That's what Merlin had thought. When they reached the top of the stairs, he turned to face Selena.

"I feel that I should tell you then, some of the nobles aren't always appreciative of the work you do for them... I mean, occassionally, servants are lucky with who they get for a master. Take the Lady Morgana and Gwen for instance- they are close friends. It's just, some nobles don't feel the same way, like Uther for example. They feel that servants should know their place, and so you might get treated rudely..."

Merlin said these words, not because he wanted to frighten Selena, but just that he wanted to warn her. She seemed like a nice girl and didn't want her to get her feelings hurt by any of the nobles.

"If you're not afraid of hard work, I'm sure you'll pick things up quickly and be fine though!" he added cheerfully, wondering in the back of his mind what Arthur had been up to recently. He hadn't seen him since the training grounds, and doubtlessly he had forgotten to do something he had asked of him.

[Selena Fireheart]

Selena wasn't really expecting what Merlin had to say. It would seem that was life was going to be filled with obstacles that needed to be overcome otherwise she'll never succeed in life. At first she looked sad while going into a deep thought, but her heart urged her forwards. With a smile and nod to Merlin the young Selena said" Merlin thank you for telling me". She said as gently as she could, she then looked down into the pitcher and saw her reflection. With a sigh of bravery she revealed her burning will to never give up and again said to Merlin" But I am not afraid. I will never give up even should I be treated poorly. But I will do my very best and that is all I can do for now". She said to Merlin with a smile.

It was like giving a vow to Merlin that she will face her new life. And defeat any obstacle in her path including mistreatment from the nobles and even from King Uther. But the young teen also revealed her pure heart and said to Merlin" But I'll be fine though..I'm alot tougher then I look. But what about you Merlin? will you be ok with everything?". Selena asked wondering if Merlin was going to be alright if he was poorly mistreated for some reason.

[Merlin Emrys]

"But I'll be fine though..I'm a lot tougher then I look. But what about you Merlin? will you be ok with everything?"

Merlin was glad that Selena would be able to handle herself as a servant, and he was also touched that she asked how he was.

"Oh I'm fine!" he replied with a warm smile, "Arthur's not actually that bad once you get to know him, his heart is always in the right place. It's just hard for some royalty and nobility, it's the way they're brought up. I'm actually good friends with Arthur, despite our difference in class. You'll probably see him around the Castle and I have no doubt he'll be kind to you, he's always nice to pretty girls."

The tips of Merlin's ears turned red and he stared intently at his own shoes as he paid Selena a compliment; he was always so awkward around girls. He cleared his throat as they stopped outside two large doors.

"Um, so this is Arthur's room, you might be assigned as a maid to a particular noble and then you'll have access to their room." he explained, opening the chamber doors.

"Could you put the pitcher on that table?"

[Selena Fireheart]

Selena couldn't help but smile as Merlin complimented as how beautiful she was. But it was placed into a different direction and she appreciated that, already he was just like a brother that she never had. But still she was glad that Merlin was also going to be alright as well as herself going to be ok, as she followed Merlin she sighed feeling a little nervous.

It was her first time inside a room which was fit for royalty. As the door to Arthurs room gently opened she saw for the first time what a noble man's room should look like, she gasped in amazement. But her eyes and heart told her to focus and soon she heard Merlin and gently placed the pitcher of water on the table and made sure it didn't drop a single drip of water. With a sigh of relief she found it alright actually since it was her first job as a maid and servant in the castle.

Turning towards Merlin she said" I think I can get used to this. But it won't be easy though". She said in total honesty, still her heart continued onwards and urged her onwards to become a loyal servant and maid just like Merlin was.

[Merlin Emrys]

"It's pretty impressive isn't it?" Merlin said following Selena's gaze about the room, and sensing her wordless amazement. He had gotten used to the grandeur of the castle by now, and had stopped comparing it to his tiny bedroom in Gauis' house.
"All of the rooms are like this, the guest chambers are equally as beautiful, and the King's room... I've only seen it once, but it's amazing!" Merlin had shown Selena everywhere she needed to know for now, and decided that it was time he let her begin her own chores at the Castle, to see if she would be able to stand on her own feet.

"Selena, I think you'll be fine." he replied with a smile, "But if you'll excuse me, I have hundreds of chores to finish for Arthur and Gaius! If you head down to the kitchens they'll need help preparing for lunch, can you find your way back down to the servants' quarters alright?"

Showing the new maid about the castle had actually been quite a fun task, and Merlin groaned inwardly at the thought of having to muck out the stables, clean amour and ground tinctures for the rest of the day.