(Merlin) Pierrefonds/Compiegne September 5th - September 15th

The ten days we spent in France were very intense. Even though we were only able to watch three days of filming quite short scenes I'm sure we all have fond memories to look back to.

The first day was quite disappointing as we figured out the actors will only arrive a week later. There weren't many people yet (I suppose most people knew about them arriving late) so I thought it'd be easy to hand over my book. Getting the news they weren't there yet was frustrating. So we waited impatiently in the hotel on Friday, in Compiegne's center on Saturday and then again another day in the hotel on Sunday.

Sunday morning we sat down in front of a hotel joking about the cast and/or crew staying there. I wanted to stay seated for the bench was near a beautiful river, but my husband dragged me back to our hotel. Later I found out through another fan that some of the crew/cast arrived there just on Sunday. It'd have been fun seeing them arrive and a welcome contrast to the boring white walls of the hotel and French TV we didn't understand... but oh well...

Monday, full of hopes we went to Pierrefonds again - only to figure out the crew was just preparing the set and we couldn't see a thing of it for the castle was closed.

Well, the time of waiting was good for getting used to the places and correcting a few mistakes in the book, but other than that it was torture. An expensive one on top of that.

Of course Tuesday when they arrived had to be accompanied by awful weather which wasn't exactly helpful for the short dress I was going to wear. I had to wear the long one with tights to not be cold. I felt it made me look weird so I was uncomfortable. Naturally, even though I had a jacket with me everyday I didn't on Tuesday. I was freezing cold and lucky I didn't get ill.

We were waiting in front of the castle for some of the cast to arrive/leave. The first one we saw was Eoin who was leaving the castle, the second was Angel getting inside. She received a gift, but it was carried away for it'd probably be in the way while filming.

I then hoped Colin would get out of the castle so perhaps he'd at least take a short look at my gift while he was in the car. Then again it wouldn't matter as long as he'd get it.
There were so many fans literally crazy about Colin Morgan - I didn't even think I'd ever have a chance to give the book to him. When another fan told me he was getting out of the castle I was startled.

My heart started racing but I tried to stay calm. My head was just repeating "Now or Never! Now or Never!" So when he was close I stepped to the front and said "Hi, I have a gift for you."
The poor guy had his hands full and I was so worried about giving him yet another thing to carry. But he turned to me, grinned widely and said "Oh, thank you very much!" while taking it. I was extremely surprised for the biggest thing I expected was a "Thanks." without looking at me.

There he was, this sweet man, with his hands full even giving me a heart-warming smile while I was bothering him. When my role model was smiling I had to grin as well. Hell, I was overjoyed! As soon as he turned away I gave free rein to my happiness. I had only two weeks to translate the main pillars of my story from German to English. At that time my parents announced their divorce, my grandmother had a stroke and lots of other stressful things pulled me down. I've literally spent my last money on it. But you know what?
When he smiled I had forgotten all of it. My gratitude is endless.

I don't know if he'll ever get to / want to read it or if I'll hear from him. But I don't expect it. Of course, it'd be my greatest dream come true, but facing reality this looks unlikely. I just know that, as an actress-to-be he'll always be my role model. And he was my inspiration for a character. There's no way I could've written this character if it weren't for being able to picture Colin's amazing performance of emotions. I'm telling you he's the best and most versatile actor I've seen in a long time. Especially among the ones his age. I feel very honoured to have stood in his presence and even more to have received a smile from him.

The next days have been awesome. I've gotten to meet many interesting fans of Merlin. Among them Mariella, Isolde, Lucie and her aunt, Ricarda, Irene and her mother... just to name a few! Thank you for all the laughs that we shared and awkward autograph hunts we went on. It led me to taking a picture with Richard Wilson ^^ Thanks Lucie, for your enthusiasm! Also thank you Mariella and Isolde for the nice comments on my book.

Richard Wilson by the way is a very polite and charming man. Even though we were bothering him he'd ask us questions, smile widely and shake our hands when saying goodbye. Thank you, Mr. Wilson!

We had a great time in France and we're sad it's over. The only thing I regret is not getting an autograph from Colin and that we didn't see Katie.

Well, at least I got a smile I'll never forget ^^

The Golden Heart - Excerpt

CHAPTER 1 – DEPARTURE

“I can't stay,” said Aurea. She didn't want to stay. She was afraid of anything permanent. Every fibre of her body yearned for the outland, the distance, but she hated hurting her mother. Therefore she avoided looking into her big, green eyes. For a second they turned into Ian's blue ones that summer morning when he had left her. Her knees went weak. She could hardly breathe. “Aurea ... Aurea!” yelled a familiar voice. Aurea's hand played nervously with the bulky engagement ring and she had not even noticed.

“You still have it,” her sister Notin observed reproachfully.

Aurea put the ring in a bag hanging from her golden belt.

“That's none of your business,” she replied curtly “I must go.”

She turned around and left the house with quick steps without even looking at her mother one last time. The rain pounded mercilessly on her bare arms and reminded her that she had forgotten her white cotton robe in the house. Yet she didn't turn back any more. No matter how much the cold was torturing her - It was time to go. Certainly, she was plagued by fear and doubt about what she was going to do, but anything seemed better at the time than staying somewhere. Tomorrow night she would already be far away from this place. Her steps got faster and faster the closer she got and full of anticipation she could smell the ocean already, hear the crew shout. Soon the ship was in sight. The gigantic, white ship which was decorated with golden letters. The word "Aurea" was visible on the bow – even though not as shiny as in sunny weather. The ship was named after her. She wondered whether this trip was a nightmare. However she told herself once again anything was better than staying. Even if she wanted to stay here she had no choice. She had to fulfil her duty, because without her the world was lost. With mixed feelings she walked up the ship's ramp and the people she passed bowed before her, getting out of her way. “Queen Aurea,” she heard a woman's low voice who was staring at her in awe. Everyone on the island of Lucida respected her. So many people in Arcanum did that. If they didn't they got to feel the wrath of her husband. The thought of it stung her. Every time she saw the Magus of Darkness she felt threatened. Aurea's past was dominated by darkness, pain, loneliness and breaches of trust. A man who mastered dark magic could not be trusted under any circumstances.

©Vanessa Lopes da Silva

Guess what this is...

Oh yes! It's the self-translated, unedited version for Mr. Colin Morgan, ladies and gentlemen! ^^

I've finished translating it from German to English in two weeks. It has some mistakes and lacks descriptions, but it's supposed to be a kind gift for someone who has inspired me a lot. I'm really nervous and scared of bothering him with it. After all, Pierrefonds is not a fan meeting place - but I just need to be brave once. No matter if he receives it personally or through someone else at the set I need to do this. It's going to be so difficult. I'm probably going to be too shy :S Wish me the best of luck, people! And that he won't feel bothered or annoyed!

I still can't decide on whether to blog my story, to self-publish or to publish through a publishing house... once I weighed the pros and cons it won't take too long until I'll make sure you can read it as well!

=) So excited!