A/N: Reviews are appreciated! Thank you so much for your support!

Gwen found Arthur pacing in the throne room. She watched him from afar for some time, her hands resting on her swollen belly. They had had some difficulty conceiving but, eventually, were able to. It had been hard for everyone in the kingdom. Arthur and Gwen felt as though they were letting the kingdom down, and the people had no security for their future as there was no heir to the throne. But after nearly ten years of trying, they were able to happily announce their pregnancy.

"Arthur," Gwen walked to her husband, worried about his well being. "What's the matter?"

Arthur relaxed when he saw his beautiful wife and how worried she was. "It's nothing. Just a request Gaius made." He leaned down and kissed her, then her belly.

"You shouldn't worry about it." She smiled sadly at him.

"He asked for HIM, didn't he." It wasn't a question. He nodded.

"Arthur," Gwen rubbed his arm, trying to comfort him. "I know that you feel as though HE betrayed you, but this is Gaius's last wish. He's not asking you to reconcile with HIM. He only wants to see his adopted son one last time. Surely you can allow that."

"Gwen." Arthur sighed, taking his beloved into his arms. "You know I would do anything for Gaius, but I don't want to put you or the baby in danger. The kingdom can't afford that."

Gwen smiled. "I thought that you might say that. I did some research and found something that might change your mind." She pulled out a pendant and gave it to Arthur. "This pendant will repress a sorcerer's magic. He will be unable to use any while wearing this."

Arthur took the pendant from her in awe, placing it around his neck. "Gweneviere. There may be another reason why I'm so uncertain about going. I don't know what his reaction will be. I don't know what mine will be. To this day, I still wake up, thinking it will be him bringing breakfast. I still walk into the armoury, thinking he'll be polishing armour. I don't know if I'll kill him or hug him."

Gwen shook her head. "For Gaius's sake, let it be a hug." Arthur chuckled. "We'll see. I leave at dawn for Ealdor. I figure that's where he would have gone."

Gwen kissed her king. "Be safe."

Arthur departed at dawn with a few of his knights, Sir Leon and Sir Gwaine among them. There was little to discuss on the way there, but that had never stopped Gwaine before. Arthur was almost grateful for the chatter as it gave him time to think. What would he tell Merlin? How would Merlin receive him? Would he be even able to find him? It had been, after all, thirteen years. For all he knew, Merlin could be dead, enslaved, or worse, working for an enemy kingdom. Arthur shivered at the thought.

"Are you alright sire?" Sir Leon inquired. He knew what a toll this journey would be taking on Arthur. Gwaine seemed to be the only one enjoying their travels, or at least the only one not thinking about meeting an angry sorcerer at the end of it.

"I'm alright Leon. Just trying to think." Arthur replied. "Not that I can do that well with Gwaine going on and on about how hungry he is."

Sir Leon chuckled. "When does he not complain about that?" The comment was made with a noise of defiance from Gwaine, who then defended his honor with vigor.

"It's not always hunger. Now that you mention it, I am quite thirsty as well." Gwaine made to grab Leon's water but ended up falling off his horse.

"Alright, when Gwaine is hungry enough to fall off his horse we better stop and rest." Arthur declared. The group dismounted and shared a meal, ensuring that the horses were cared for and rested. Arthur couldn't help but think about all the times Merlin had cooked the knights supper. How they had made fun of him, told him the meal was too salty, pretended that they ate all the food and then brought some out for him.

Usually, Arthur repressed all memories of Merlin, but today he let them roam. As they made their way to Ealdor, he couldn't help but think that Merlin had been genuine in all his actions. For years, Arthur had made him out to be a cunning villainous sorcerer. He had tried to find motives and uncover the plot that Merlin had concocted, but to no avail. He hadn't found any motive nor any plot. It would have made perfect sense for him to have joined Morgana against Uther and Arthur, but he didn't. It didn't make any sense to Arthur. The only conclusion was that Merlin had been sincere in his idiotic actions. He seriously believed that Arthur would change his mind about magic. It must be said that after over a decade of ruling, Arthur did have his doubts about some of the laws of his father, the sorcery one as one of those. Perhaps Merlin would be willing to talk things through with him. Then again, perhaps Merlin will kill him on sight. He would know soon enough.

"My lord, we made it to Ealdor."