Author's note: Thanks for all the positive feedback and constructive criticism! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

The curtains closed again.

That sentence in itself shouldn't stir too much confusion in Arthur's mind, but, considering the circumstances, it caused much panic in the young king. How did the curtains close of their own accord and to his will, if not by sorcery! But he was not a sorcerer, and he didn't think he could be evil enough to be one to save his life, because all sorcerers were evil, right?

But if the curtains were closing because of him, that would make him an evil sorcerer! He refused to believe that he was one, not after his father, even though, in his mind, it was the only explanation that was making sense.

All of the strange happenings of the day before pointed to this, and it was confusing him to death.

He was even more confused than Merlin, who was beginning to doubt that it was his magic doing the curtain-shutting. And Arthur looked panicked. But he couldn't have magic, so who was doing this?

He shook his head. It was probably just a breeze. But the window was closed...

Merlin and Arthur looked at each other, and once again silently agreed to say nothing of the occurence. Though Arthur would break this vow that same day.

...

Arthur was alone.

He had decided to take a walk in the most remote part of the castle. Most servants would stay away from the area if they valued their lives, rumors of ghosts and demons haunting those halls. Of course, Arthur would occassionaly come across a lost newcomer or a servant with a lot of gall roaming the corridors, but, for the most part, they were deserted. And that was just what he needed for what he was going to try.

Arthur was certain that he didn't have magic, but, after thinking over it for a while, he concluded that it was a possibility, him having been born of it. So, he would test out his supposed 'powers' and eliminate the possibility once and for all. He focused on a tapestry on the wall.

It flew over and hit him in the face.

Arthur panicked.

He had magic.

To say that Arthur burst into Gaius' chambers would be an understatement. He threw the door open, yelling out "Gaius!" instead of his usual "Merlin!" The physician jumped and raised an eyebrow, and Arthur heaved a sigh of relief to see him there.

"Oh, thank goodness you're here!" he said, and Gaius' eyebrow crept higher at his words.

"Where else would I be?" he asked, and Arthur stiffened a bit more.

"Oh, here, but with the curtains and the tapestries, there have been so many surprises-" Arthur was cut off as Gaius approached him and slapped a hand to his forehead, brow wrinkling in concern. He removed his hand and frowned.

"You don't have a fever," he stated, and Arthur frowned.

"Why would I?" Arthur asked, confused.

"Listen to yourself, boy! You're talking nonsense!"

Arthur gaped for a moment, then shook himself out of it, saying quickly, "Oh, no, it's not nonsense, it's just there have been so many weird things going on, and now this-"

"Calm down, boy! Now, would you care to explain your current state?"

So Arthur did, starting with the closing curtains right up to him barging into Gaius' chambers, Gaius' eyebrow perpetually frozen in place after his explanation. Arthur sighed at the physician's expression.

"Do you think…?" Arthur asked, not daring to finish that sentence. Gaius simply nodded and said:

"Yes, it seems to be the only logical answer. You have magic, Arthur."

Arthur froze at his words. Inside, he already knew that he had magic, but to hear the physician say it out loud made the words take on a whole new meaning. He gulped.

"C-can I make it go away?" he stuttered in a very un-kingly fashion. Gaius shook his head.

"I'm afraid that your magic is here to stay," he said, and Arthur swallowed again.

"B-but, the law…"

"Should have been removed a long time ago, Arthur. Don't you think that this might be a sign for you to-" Gaius stopped. Arthur was shaking his head in denial.

"No, Gaius, the law is important."

"But, surely you don't think magic is evil, now that you have it yourself?" Gaius asked incredulously, and Arthur paused for a moment, sighing.

"Maybe," he said, "But I need time, Gaius. I need to learn to control… this," Arthur said, and Gaius nodded.

"That, I may be able to help you with," the physician said, and Arthur looked up abruptly.

"Really? You can help?" Arthur said excitedly, and Gaius shook his head, Arthur visibly deflating.

"No, not me. I do know of a few books that survived the purge and could help you, but I lost my talent with magic a long time ago," he said, and Arthur sighed before Gaius said, "But I do know of a person who could teach you…"

Arthur perked up, "Who? Who is it, Gaius?"

Gaius frowned. "I'm not sure he'd be willing to help with the law still in place. Besides, I don't have any proof yet," Gaius said. Arthur raised an eyebrow and his eyes glowed, the cork of a bottle coming out and hitting the king in the eye. He grunted in pain. Gaius gaped, then shook himself. "So, you really do…"

Arthur nodded, "Now, who is this person, Gaius?"

Gaius frowned, "I told you, he probably won't be willing to-"

"Who, Gaius?"

The physician sighed, "His name is Emrys, sire."

Arthur nodded, "And where can I find this 'Emrys?'"

"I'm not entirely sure, sire," Gaius lied, not willing to expose his ward, "If I see him, I'll tell him you were looking for him. Now, about those books- I was informed of a section in the library…"