First of all, I would like to thank NykSkyBlue, Chayiana, ruby890 , SpriteOfTheLight, Tagrea, and for reviewing To Share A Secret (sorry I forgot last chapter!)

Annnnddd Felicity P, Chayiana, Tagrea, DragonRider97, SpriteOfTheLight, TheRandomOneStaringAtYou, orangeLexi, White-moon-Xx, Mistress Helle, Emachinescat, Nai, Paralelsky, Darian21, and 104Arianna for reviewing the last chapter. All you guys made my day, so thank you so much!

Author's Note- Here's the second chapter! A day early cause I probably won't get a chance tomorrow- aren't I nice? Some of the stuff I have in here I either got from this site or a dream or something- so if you recognize it we both probably read it somewhere. I hope no one gets offended but I'm pretty sure that a lot of us think up the same ideas-great minds think alike right haha

Enjoy!

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A load groan echoed through the stables. Merlin was stuck mucking out the horses and he was still sore from the training session two days ago. He started a weathered tirade against the unfairness of it all, "It's not my fault that Arthur wasn't looking where he was going. How was I to know he'd run Gwen over? I mean, it's not like I meant to be late." The closest horse snorted in what he took as agreement. "Well, at least it only lasted the morning, I tell you Cloverblade, Eadric didn't hold back one bit! I think Arthur felt sorry for me after, serves him right too, the prat." He fumbled his pitch fork as a low chuckle sounded from behind him. He found himself jumping at the smallest of noises today.

"Talking to the horses again Merlin?" The warlock sighed in relief and turned to give the grey haired knight a sheepish grin.

"Hello Sir Cadmon, what brings you to my humble abode?" The stern knight felt another laugh escape his lips.

"I thought I'd come see Spots," Cadmon would have taken the horse out for a ride but one of his horse shoes just broke and needed to be fixed.

Merlin smiled. Spots was Cadmon's pride and joy, as his children were grown up Merlin and Arthur secretly thought that Cadmon missed being a father- he certainly doted on the horse every chance he got. Sure enough a whinny came from the far stall and the paint horse poked his head out. The knight's kind dark eyes crinkled in a smile. He made his way over with what Merlin just noticed was apples. He went back to his task, resigning himself to silence- Cadmon didn't talk much on a normal day for one, and he didn't really fancy complaining about the prince while a knight was in hearing distance- there was a limit to the leniency he was given after all, even from Cadmon.

Merlin was almost finished when Sir Cadmon decided to leave. "Well my lord, I expect I will see you tomorrow."

Merlin sighed exasperated, "You and Gerrick, honestly," he muttered. The warlock gave up trying to tell them to stop, it did no good. In actuality Merlin was a bit nonplussed whenever Cadmon decided to give him the title. Whereas Gerrick always said it in jest, he felt that Cadmon was completely serious. The knight was not one to joke after all. "Yes, for a lovely hunting trip-great. See you in the morning." Merlin grinned at went back to finishing his least favourite chore, he still needed to get Arthur's armour from the armoury and fetch some herbs for Gaius. As Merlin's back was turned, he missed the bow Cadmon gave him before walking out of the stables.

The sun was sinking in the sky as Merlin hurried away from the courtyard, he only had to get the herbs for Gaius and he was done, well, until he had to get Arthur ready for bed. A happy smile crept onto his face as he looked forward to leafing through his spell book. He wove his way through the late evening throng, smiling to people as he went by. Then the sun suddenly disappeared as a black mass materialized in front of him. Merlin had no time to dodge out of the way and collided hard with the figure. He careened roughly onto the ground. Abruptly, large gauntleted hands gripped his shoulders and hauled him up. He was still slightly disoriented as he looked up and up. The top of his head just made it to the man's chest. Merlin's knees nearly gave out upon seeing mad black eyes inset on a waxen face. He felt a shock of fear shoot through is veins; hate as he had never witnessed enflamed the onyx orbs. But he blinked and it was gone. The man's eyes looked him up and down, leaving Merlin feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

"I apologize lad," Merlin was surprised at the smoothness of the scary man's voice- but it did nothing to allay the cold feeling in his stomach. The hooded man was taller than even Leon, much taller, and he had more meat on his bones than the knight as well. The warlock didn't trust this man, he tried to pull away but ham size fists held him where he was. His blue eyes narrowed with both anger and pain, he forced them to stare at the eyes boring into them.

"Unhand me," he commanded in his best imitation of Arthur. The man's jaw tightened but he pried his meaty fingers away from Merlin's arms.

"Forgive me, I thought you were someone else," he forced his pale lips into a smile. Merlin fought the urge to turn tail and run- his smile was rancid. Merlin jutted his chin out, this time unknowingly copying the prince, and curled his hands into fists. He wanted to get the hell out of there but there was no way he would back down. Luckily the man turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. Merlin let out a sigh of relief. Quite suddenly, he did not want to go out into the forest. Merlin chided himself, 'Stop being silly, he said he was sorry after all.' He continued on his way doing his best to convince himself that there was nothing to worry about, but he had his guard up all the same.

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Peasants gave him a wide berth as they traipsed around him. Sir Aldwin combed the crowd for any sign of the man that bumped into Merlin. 'How can someone so huge just disappear!' he thought angrily. He had noticed Merlin ahead of him while he was making his way to the castle. He had spotted the cloaked man stop to a halt in front of Merlin and winced when the skinny warlock ran head on into him. Aldwin began to rush toward them with a hand on his sword when he seen the boy trapped in a white knuckle grip. But the man had disappeared before he was even half way there. Aldwin had good instincts and they were screaming at him that the man was evil. That had not been a chance encounter, and the knight's gut was telling him that whoever the man was, he did not wish Merlin well. Aldwin's eyes were blazing- somehow Merlin had become like another brother to him, and no one messed with his family. He needed to see Arthur.

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Hidden in an alcove of trees, Driscoll watched the boy trailing through the woods. It had taken no time at all once he was in Camelot to find the boy Merlin. Driscoll had not slept since he had received Cenred's letter; he had hurried to Camelot eager to be one step closer to his revenge. He had made a mistake in meeting the boy, but all of a sudden he felt a surge of hate and saw only Balinor while he was watching him. He had brazenly charged into the boy's way and almost blew his mission. Driscoll had felt himself almost lose it as the little prince stood his ground, he had father's nature in heaps. He may not have looked like Balinor but if he had any doubts before about the boy this had settled it- Merlin was his father's son, of that he was sure. Hate made him reckless, and he had inadvertently put the boy's back up- he would have to be careful. 'But how nice it would be to hear him squeal.'

The servant looked around uneasily as he pulled bark from a willow tree; Driscoll's eyes were watching his every move. The dragonlord placed his basket down and placed his arms a little from his sides. "Who's there?" He called strongly, "Show yourself!" Oh how easy it would be, he could make off with the boy in minutes. But he was expected back at the castle –too risky. Driscoll would wait and make his move when the time was right. He regretfully retreated back into the trees.

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Merlin looked around confusedly as the oppressive weight lifted from his back. His blue eyes scanned the trees trying to confirm that the stifling feeling was really gone. He felt certain he wasn't being watched anymore but he still felt a chill deep within his bones. He bent and grabbed the basket, he was heading back to the castle now, so what if he didn't have everything Gaius needed.

He was only walking for a few minutes when he heard footsteps coming toward him. He skidded to a halt and backed up, letting out a startled yell as he tripped backwards. The footsteps were running now, and soon a man burst from the trees and into the clearing brandishing a sword.

"Merlin!"

"Arthur!"

"Are you alright?" The prince was looking around for any threats, making his way closer to the servant.

"No-Yes! I uh just tripped." Arthur sent him a disbelieving look but sheathed his sword and gave Merlin an assessing glance. "What are you doing out here?" Merlin asked.

"I followed you," he declared unashamedly.

"It was you watching me?" Merlin cried, causing Arthur to narrow his eyes.

"No, I just got here. Do you think it was that cloaked man?" Merlin looked surprised. "Aldwin came to find me, said that a suspicious man ran into you in the streets." Arthur was pacing about the clearing scanning the tree line for any threats while Merlin gathered the dropped herbs. Arthur decided he wouldn't tell the servant that he had ordered Aldwin to tell Leon to have the guard be on the lookout for a tall black cloaked man.

"Well I don't know, whoever it was, they're gone now." Merlin suppressed a shiver at the thought of the massive man watching him. A hand hauled him up by his arm and the warlock flinched away. Arthur looked at him perplexed but released him, holding his hands up. "Don't do that, you scared the life out of me," Merlin balanced the basket on his hip and rubbed his arm. The prince frowned slightly, and he decided he would double the guard too.

"Don't be such a girl Merlin," Arthur rolled his eyes, "come on, we should get back to the castle." He waited for Merlin to fall instep beside him.

"Does this mean you actually care about me Arthur?" Merlin asked, a smug smile on his lips.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Arthur replied with a mock disgusted expression on his face.

"You came to find me! You were worried, admit it."

"I think not," Arthur rolled his eyes once more.

"Oh Arthur!" Merlin crooned in a high falsetto and batted his dark lashes at the blonde haired man. With a laugh he shot off, narrowly missing Arthur's shove.

"Merlin!" the prince yelled angrily and pelted after him, Merlin's laughter egging him on. Arthur caught up with him shortly and dragged Merlin in a headlock all the way back to the castle. He was the one laughing now.

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A stag was grazing languidly in the glade, unaware of the many eyes watching it. Arthur raised his crossbow slowly taking aim. Just before he was about to fire the arrow, a crashing noise caused the stag's head to shoot up and he bolted out of the clearing. The prince shut his eyes and prayed for patience.

"Ouch," Merlin's voice came from his left. Arthur turned swiftly and glared down at his fallen servant.

"I don't know why I even bother bringing you Merlin. You spend half the time tripping over your own feet!" Arthur flourished his hand to the mid morning sky, "We've been out here for hours, and not one carcass!"

"Well we've got these," Merlin motioned to the string of rabbits around his neck; he stuck his hand out for the prince to pull him up. Arthur sighed with frustration and stalked away, a trail of knights following. Sir Cadmon shook his head with wonderment at Merlin before following the prince and Eadric was guffawing after him.

"Better luck next time," Leon's deep voice informed him, pulling him up- his heavy hand swatting away a twig hanging from the boy's neckerchief. The warlock turned a wry smile towards the tall knight. Merlin laughed before thanking him and reluctantly declaring they should go as well.

Arthur had them going for another hour before admitting defeat. "Finally!" Merlin shouted, and several of the knights sent him disapproving stares. They had no effect on the servant and he happily plucked the prince's crossbow out of his hands and put it into his saddle bag. "At least we got these," he brightly pointed out, climbing onto his mare. Arthur gave a passing glance at the string of rabbits and pheasants that hung around Merlin's horse.

"Well if it wasn't for a certain someone, Merlin, we would have three stags." The knights shared a collective glance as they trailed after the prince and his servant. Sir Leon donned a happy smile and settled into his saddle, anticipating their amusing exchange. He glanced at Eadric and Cadmon, finding similar expressions on their faces, exaggerated and reserved respectively.

"The second one was not my fault," Merlin argued.

"You distracted me," Arthur stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I was very quiet, thank you very much."

"Please, you caused me to miss with your...loud breathing."

Eadric smothered a laugh but Merlin didn't bother trying. "No, I'm positive that the bolt sailed clean over its head."

"I do not miss, Merlin."

"It must have been your fat head sire."

"What exactly are you trying to say? Think carefully now." And if that wasn't a threat, Cadmon swore he would dance in front of the king.

"That you're a dollop head," Merlin replied sagely. They continued to bicker the rest of the way. Eadric opted to loudly regale a story to his quiet cousin Edric. The party was close to the gates when Merlin felt that sensation of foreboding again- he snapped his mouth shut and swivelled his neck to look around. But just as soon as he felt it, it had disappeared.

"You felt it too then?" Arthur asked him and Merlin looked to him relieved, he thought he was the only one. The knights had noticed the prince's change in mood and sat alert atop their horses. Merlin wanted to tell Arthur it was the same feeling he had when he thought he was being watched last night, but he didn't want to be alarmed for no reason. The prince knew him well however. Arthur called three knights: Eadric, Thomas, and Edric. "Go see if you can find tracks around this area. Cadmon, take Faran and Raonull and look to the south. Be on the lookout for any suspicious characters." He moved his horse into a trot, "Leon, gather a search party, I want that man found."

"He may not be a threat," Merlin voiced half heartedly.

"I cannot rely on may or may nots to keep Camelot safe Merlin." It was clearly the end of the discussion as he set a hurried pace back to Camelot.

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Evening sunk over Camelot, the sky a vista of blues and pinks. A dove was startled off the window sill as a growling stomach broke the silence inside the room. Merlin sat on the floor of Arthur's chambers, humming a mindless tune as he polished the prince's armour. He hadn't felt the strange presence since the morning in the forest and was finally allowing himself to relax . It had been two days and neither the knights nor guards had found anything. A soft knock sounded against the door and Merlin looked up as Gwen poked her head in. She entered closing the door behind her and smiled sweetly at Merlin who grinned back at her. He hadn't seen much of his friend since Morgana exposed her and Arthur to the king. "Gwen! How are you?"

"I'm well Merlin, I hope you are too." Merlin's stomach growled in response causing them both to laugh and Gwen to shake her head.

"You looking for Arthur? He went to dine with the king," Merlin informed her.

"No. I came to find you actually. We haven't been able to talk in ages, I feel terribly guilty."

Merlin inclined his head and gave her a mock glare, "Now Gwen-i-vere," he scolded, before brightening. "You can come with me to pick herbs in the morning? We'll have to get up before dawn but it'll be great."

Guinevere's face fell, "Oh I'm so sorry Merlin, Morgana wants to visit the market tomorrow morning, I have to get her ready." Gwen's voice lowered imperceptibly, she would have looked forward to it once, but Morgana wasn't her friend anymore, she was sure of it.

"Oh that's alright Gwen," Merlin was careful not to frown, he didn't want to upset her, "I think I will find you tomorrow then, I always enjoy a nice trip to the market." He was rewarded with Gwen's soft dark face lighting up; she knew that the market was not Merlin's favourite place. "Besides I got out of the council meeting, so I get the day off," Merlin finished cheerily.

"I'll hold you to that," she started to leave, "oh and Merlin, please get yourself something to eat," she laughed when Merlin's stomach made a high pitched whine.

"I will! See you later Gwen!" He set the finished armour down on the floor a few minutes later- Arthur would see what a good job he did- and rushed back to his chambers, hoping Gaius put out something good. He entered the physician's chambers to find Gaius hunched over a book. He opened his mouth only to shut it slowly when the old man held his hand up without even looking. Merlin placed his hands on his slim hips and cast his eyes about the room. His face fell as he noted that the table was clear. The window was open, letting the cooling air waft into the chamber, but the glass was foggy due to the steam emitting from the beaker on a stool underneath it. The warlock eyed Gaius' latest experiment dubiously. He turned back to his mentor as the old man made a hum of satisfaction and turned his attention to his wayward ward. Merlin twitched as a pale eyed gaze appraised him critically, he felt his hand flatten his hair.

"Well to what do I owe the pleasure of your company this fine evening?" Merlin's stomach answered for him; he grinned sheepishly and looked hopefully at Gaius.

"Arthur had me going all day Gaius! I didn't get a chance to come back here. I swear, and I'll get your herbs tomorrow morning, before the suns up even!" Gaius made to peer out the window.

"What?" Merlin asked looking outside as well.

"Strange. I thought the sky must be falling," the old man mused before heading to the cupboard. Merlin tried to put on a scandalized expression but it was ruined by his lips fighting a smile. Gaius turned with two covered plates in hand and brought them to the table. Merlin beamed at him which earned a knobbly hand to ruffle his hair. Between devouring the tastiest chicken he had ever had, he related Sir Gerrick's latest attempt to pluck a hair from Sir Aldwin's head. Gerrick could sneak up on anyone except Aldwin, the young knight thought it was because he was attuned to mischievous antics thanks to his many brothers.

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The streets of Camelot were empty save for a dark haired young man walking sluggishly down the still dark street. Only he and the guards were out this early. He rubbed at his eyes, futilely hoping it would make him more awake. The only consolation of waking up so early was that Arthur didn't need him until dinner as he was going over more tax reports with his father and the council. This thought caused his lips to quirk into a smug smile; Arthur had tried to rope him into it as well but he had used the excuse of collecting herbs for Gaius. He maintained Arthur was lucky that it was true.

Merlin perked up as he noticed Sir Leon talking to Sir Gerrick. The lean knight departed and waved to Merlin before he sauntered further up the road. Unexpectedly the warlock felt an abrupt itch between his shoulder blades, all of a sudden the faint shadows on the road seemed to grow dark. Merlin decided to chance it. He abruptly spun around and searched the empty street. He gasped as he caught a fleeting glimpse of a pair of night coloured eyes. The ends of a black cloak swished into an alleyway. Merlin gritted his teeth and decided to settle this once and for all. He made for the alley but groaned as a voice called him from behind, "What?" He asked waspishly. Sir Leon stared at him distinctly unimpressed and Merlin felt his eyes grow round, "Oh, sorry Sir Leon! I didn't realize."

"I'm sure there is a good explanation Merlin" he waited.

"Er," he started, 'what's the harm? Besides sounding like a paranoid loony'. "I'm being watched." Yep, definitely a paranoid loony. "Never mind, I'm just being paranoid. Or a girl as Arthur would say," he laughed nervously, "I'll just go now. I need to gather some herbs." Merlin hurried away before Leon could get a word in.

The long haired knight watched Merlin depart before eying the alleyway the boy was heading to. He was sure he caught a glimpse of a black cloak. It reeked of a trap and Leon felt an upsurge of anger, Merlin may not be a knight but he had earned his place among them. The knights took care of their own, and Merlin was one of them, noble blood or no. His decision was made as soon as he had seen the giant figure disappear into the shadows; Leon unsheathed his sword and advanced toward the ally, not expecting the trap to be for him.

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Thanks for reading, I hope you guys liked it! Please take time review, even if it's just a "good" it will make my day! Remember this was a day early! Now I know that's a nasty cliffhanger (or I thought it was) so I'll try to update it early again - can't make any promises though, sorry!