First Chapter of Future Stories: Part 1

Eleanor Pendragon: Merlin

"He is having a celebration held. Celebrating twenty years since the great dragon was captured" she tells me.

"Of course he is" I mutter. "What else?" I ask her.

"A witch has threatened your brother's life. Apparently the man executed today was her only son" she explains.

"Wonderful, my father just has to make enemies every where" I mutter. I thank her and dismiss her for the day. Though she'd be back at night with dinner, then to help me get ready for bed.

After my studies in the library. I had afternoon tea with Morgana. Father apparently wants us present to greet Lady Helen, who is arriving this morning to sing at the celebration tomorrow night. I agreed with her though, the more brutal he is. The more enemies he'll create. Morgana agree on a lot of things actually, always have. She's the closest thing I have to a sister and I can't imagine life without her here to support me.

Sure Arthur will cover for me occasionally. But I can't talk to him about guys or girly things. Though he has always managed to keep me out of the dungeon. Even when I snuck out to the tavern one night to try ale on our eighteenth birthday.

I don't get why Morgana and I had to be present to greet Lady Helen. Father didn't even introduce us to her. Anyway, I heard from Morgana who heard from Gwen about a guy called Merlin standing up to my brother the other day. Apparently he had no idea who Arthur was and tried to hit him. But Arthur was bullying Morris again, according to Gwen and Merlin stood up for him. He's currently in the stocks and I've decided to pay him a visit. And release him.

I was surprised when I saw the same guy from my ride yesterday morning. I shake my head with an amused smile. I thought I told him to stay out of trouble. "Princess Eleanor!" the village children cheer when they see me with my two guards for the day. They vary from day to day, today they are Pellinore and Owain.

"Hello children, having fun?" I ask them and they nod their heads. "Well I am sorry to say Merlin has done his time in the stocks for today" I tell them. They all sigh in disappointment. "Don't worry, I am sure he will be back. Seems to be a magnet for trouble" I assure them. They all smile and run off to play. I approach Merlin. "I thought I told you to stay out of trouble?" I ask him.

"Trouble usually finds me,I never did get your name" he states.

"It's Eleanor, Princess of Camelot. You meet my brother yesterday" I tell him. "Anyway, I am here to release you" I state and nod to Owain. Who goes to release Merlin. "Maybe try to avoid my brother" I suggest to Merlin.

"Will do your highness" he says bowing his head. Before leaving. No doubt to go wash up.

"Where to, Princess Eleanor?" Pellinore asks me.

"Stables, I wish to check on Ethel" I state. We set off for the stables. Ethel was munching on some hay when we arrived. I smiled and patted her gently. Thinking about when I could ride her again.

(Time skip to next night)

Gwen and Joan both helped me pick out my dress for tonight. I really didn't want to go to the celebration tonight. I have a bad feeling about it. But I really don't want to give my father a reason to ground me. Once I had picked my dress, Gwen left to go help Morgana. Who meet up with me once we were both ready so that we could enter the hall together.

"Blue suits you" she tells me.

"Thank you and you'll have all the guys drooling tonight in that red dress" I tell her.

"That was the idea" she says with a playful smile. I giggle and link arms with her. We head for the banquet hall together. When we enter everyone stares and I share a smile with Morgana.

"My brother can't take his eyes off you" I tease and she giggles. "I think you'd make an amazing queen one day" I continue.

"Stop Eleanor" she says blushing and I giggle. Just then Arthur joins us. We both look at him.

"Morgana, you look well..." he trails off unsure what to say.

"Beautiful" I offer.

"You're beautiful, Morgana is something more" he states and I laugh with Morgana. We'd never seen Arthur so flustered before. I slip away from them heading over to my chair. Morgana and Arthur soon join me as the horns sound. Signalling my father's arrival.

"We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora" he declares. We all clap as she appears and take our seats as she begins to sing. She indeed she has a lovely voice. But her song starts to make me sleepy, like a lullaby of some sort.

I don't know when I fell asleep. But when I woke up to my father shaking me gently. I see we are all covered in cobwebs. Suddenly I spot an elderly woman on the ground rise up and chuck a knife. "Arthur look out!" I shout as I see it heading straight for him. I don't know how, but Merlin was suddenly at his side and pulled him to safety. The elderly woman died, I later found out she had been the witch who had threatened Arthur's life.

Anyway, father thought Merlin deserved an award for saving Arthur's life. Instead of giving him money, or something worth value. He made gave him a place in the royal house hold. As Arthur's new man servant. I don't see how that was an award. But clapped anyway. Though made a mental note to give some money next time I see him. I returned to my chambers and called it a night.

A/N

Picture above of Eleanor, her bedroom, and her horse Ethel on the cover.