Author's Note: Hey guys! Firstly, thanks soo much for reading! You have no idea how much it means to me that you're taking the time to read my random drabble! Well, at least I hope you don't think it is! And if you do, please let me know why you think that. It's not so I can have a go at you, I just looove constructive criticism! I dunno what it is about it, I just love it! Please review if you have nay to give me! But anyway, sorry, this chapter's pretty looong. But I hope you guys can be bothered to read it and let me know your feedback! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two

Merlin had to admit, he was a little under whelmed to say the least. He had been expecting a large fleet of men from this mysterious kingdom. Instead, in front of him were three quite young looking men and a packhorse. The one in the middle had extremely dark brown straight hair that streaked across his face, partially covering his right eye. Merlin noticed that he had a very peculiar colour of eyes. Merlin wasn't sure but from where he was standing, it looked like he had pitch black iris's. He had the complexion of milk. The whiteness of his skin contrasted completely with his strange eye colour. It looked like he had never seen the sun. Merlin thought (and had been told) that he himself was unusually pale but he had nothing on this new visitor. He wore a long, black, hooded cloak that was fastened around his neck. Either side of him he had two what looked like extremely nervous servants. They must have been not much older than Merlin. The one on the right had curly light brown hair that ended just past his ears, green eyes and was almost as pale as his master, as was his companion. The one on the left had scruffy blond hair and light brown eyes. They both wore nothing less than a couple of simple, dirt streaked shirts and jackets. And just to add to their deprived state, they both looked completely terrified, whether it was due to the fact that the whole group of Knights were staring down at them or for some other reason… Although, despite their uneasy appearances, their master looked completely comfortable under the gaze of his company. Merlin didn't like this. He didn't like it at all. There was something unnerving about this new visitor. He got an unsettling sort of vibe from them. From him. A feeling that he couldn't fight off. Merlin glanced across at Arthur where he stood next to him. He looked a little puzzled but stepped forward to address the visitors all the same. But before Arthur could say anything, the visitor decided he would be the first one to speak.

"Arthur Pendragon, I and my companions have come to share our sympathy with you. My father was a great friend of Uther, and I also shared a bond with him. He was a great man. I hope, if you will allow us, we can stay with you to celebrate your father's memory." The visitor's voice was slick and menacing, like every word he said slipped off his tongue. Arthur raised his head a little, acknowledging him.

"I am extremely grateful but, if you don't mind me asking, who exactly was your father and, forgive me but…who exactly are you?" Arthur asked.

The visitor shook his head, smiling.

"Of course Sire, forgive me. I am King Aeldred Vallan of Rheged. My father was King Draenen; he passed away just recently, as did your own father. I remember your father well. I was only young when he used to visit Rheged, but I remember him and my father being good friends. He used to hold huge celebratory feasts in honour of Uther's visits. So now I have come to celebrate Uther's memory with you, if you would have us stay in this magnificent castle," Aeldred smiled. There was something Merlin didn't like about this man. His whole heir was unnerving and sent shivers along his veins. Something inside him was telling him that this man was not to be trusted. But then another part of him piped up. The part that supported and helped Arthur. Don't worry about it. It's probably just because there's a new face in Camelot that your not used to. Don't start worrying Arthur about this. He'll finally have someone else in Camelot who really understands what he's going through. Aeldred even said that he was a friend of Camelot. The last thing he needs now is something else to worry about as well as running the kingdom. Just ignore your instincts. Arthur will be just fine.

But Merlin couldn't ignore his instincts. He always went with his instincts. And they were mostly right. But Merlin didn't want to have a battle raging inside his head, so he decided to go neutral for now. He would support Arthur in whatever he chose to do but would still keep an eye on this Aeldred guy.

"You are welcome to stay in Camelot and we will make sure we give you the warmest of stays. Make sure their horses are well looked after," Arthur directed at a stable boy who was stood at the bottom of the steps. "If you will come with me, I will show you to your chambers," Arthur smiled at Aeldred. Aeldred dismounted, let the stable boy take the reins and followed Arthur into the castle. The two servants, who had also dismounted, scurried after their master, glancing from side to side at the Knights who watched them as they entered the castle. Merlin sighed exasperatedly and followed after them, taking the steps two at a time to catch up.

They made their way through the castle until they came to the corridor on which the guest chambers were. Arthur pointed at one of them and turned to Aeldred.

"Would this chamber be suitable for your servants?" He asked politely.

"I think so. Thank you, Sire," Aeldred said.

The two servants behind him scurried past him and opened the door to their new chambers. Just as the last one was reaching out to close the door behind him, Aeldred reached out and grabbed the servant's outstretched arm. He wrenched the curly haired boy back out into the corridor and glared at him, squeezing his wrist so the surrounding skin went white. "And where do you think you're going? How dare you take advantage of King Arthur's generous hospitality, boy! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't…"

"Um, Aeldred? Is it really necessary? I'm sure the boy didn't mean to be impolite. Please, let him go," Arthur stopped Aeldred, holding out his hand.

Aeldred's eyes flashed round to each of the surrounding people. Seeing that everyone was looking at him with both alarmed and slightly frightened expressions, he released his trembling servant and put on a weak smile.

"I am sorry Sire. I don't know what came over me," Aeldred hung his head and stepped away from the boy, although Merlin just spotted him shooting a hateful glance from under his dark hair at the servant. The servant shuddered and looked up to Arthur.

"Th-thank you S-Sire, f-for all y-you are d-doing for us. Th-th-thank you," he stammered fearfully.

Arthur nodded his head and watched concernedly as the servant hastily shut the chamber door behind him. Aeldred sheepishly followed Arthur to the next chamber door.

"And this will be your chamber, Aeldred, if it suits you," Arthur indicated the door and turned to him. Aeldred smiled thankfully and stepped forward.

"Thank you Sire. May I just say, I am once again sorry for what I said then. I was just…"

"Aeldred, do not worry. It is forgotten, I understand how you feel. Sometimes I feel like doing the same thing to Merlin," he laughed. Aeldred laughed along with him and nodded. "Which reminds me. I'm sure Merlin would be happy to be your manservant throughout your stay. If your need anything, just send for him and he will do whatever you require. I'm sure he'd be delighted to be at your disposal. He will bring up your belongings later." Arthur stressed just how much Merlin would be 'delighted' to be Aeldred's manservant. Merlin glared at Arthur over Aeldred's shoulder but instantly changed his frosty expression to a weak smile as Aeldred turned to put on an equally feeble smile. He turned back to Arthur and tilted his head.

"Thank you, Arthur. It is an honour to have the King's own manservant serving me. And thank you too Merlin." This was the first time Aeldred said Merlin's name, and Merlin didn't like it one bit. With his menacing tone, Merlin's name sounded threatening and intimidating. With yet another nod to both of them, Aeldred closed the door behind him. Merlin let out a long breath and rounded on Arthur.

"'Oh yes, Merlin would be delighted to be at your disposal'," Merlin imitated Arthur. Arthur smiled and shook his head at the ground, folding his arms.

"Well, wouldn't you?" He asked. Merlin couldn't help but smile. Merlin sighed and turned to begin heading off down the corridor.

"And where do you think you're going?" Arthur yelled down the passageway.

"Back to Gaius' chamber. I'm guessing you can get back to your own bed unassisted?" Merlin called back, without turning round.

"I might be able to but in case it's slipped your mind, you've got some belongings to bring up." Arthur yelled back. Merlin stopped in his tracks and sighed wearily. He could tell Arthur was smiling behind him. He turned reluctantly and walked back up the corridor.

"Of course Sire. How could I have forgotten?" He said through gritted teeth as he passed the Prince.

Merlin couldn't deny that he was a little nervous when knocking on Aeldred's door that evening. The way he had treated his other servants was enough to scare any boy who had just been assigned as the man's manservant. But he had to do what he had to do. Although Merlin was pretty sure that, if he was going to get a yelling at all, he was going to get more of a yelling at if he didn't bring his requested belongings. Merlin tried to balance the huge weight he was trying to keep steady on one arm as he knocked on Aeldred's door.

"Enter," came the slick voice of Aeldred. Merlin hastily unlatched the door with his free hand as the bundle of Aeldred's belongings slid slightly in his arms. He hurried inside and deposited the things by the side of a tall dresser. He straightened up and panted heavily, turning to look at Aeldred. He certainly wasn't the strongest person in the kingdom and he was pretty sure his body wasn't built for carrying stuff like that. The room was in complete darkness, apart from a lonely candle sitting on Aeldred's bedside table. Aeldred looked from Merlin to the bundle of his belongings lying at his feet.

"Thank you Merlin," there was his name again, intimidating as ever. "I think I will retire now and I'm guessing you will do the same," he said. Merlin nodded and turned to unlatch the door again.

"Goodnight Merlin," Aeldred said. Merlin could tell that Aeldred had been smirking as he said it. Merlin wasn't sure why but he wasn't if he wanted to know.

"Goodnight Sire."

Merlin sighed heavily as he came into Gaius' chamber after making his way back from Aeldred's chamber. Gaius had his nose buried in one out of his extensive collection of books. Merlin didn't usually like to disturb him but his instincts were pinching him to do so.

"I don't like that guy," Merlin said briefly as he walked across the room.

"'That guy'? Who's 'that guy'. And why ever not?" Gaius asked, without even looking up from the dog-eared pages.

"King Aeldred, I get a feeling when I'm around him, not mentioning the way he yelled at that poor servant," Merlin said as he stepped through the door to his room.

"Merlin. This isn't another one of your silly magical instincts again is it? Because if it is, they do more harm than…"

"It's not! And anyway, they don't do more harm than good! Remember all those times I've sensed Dark Magic and I've saved someone's life? But no, it's not a magical feeling this time. It's just a really strong feeling that Aeldred's not to be trusted," Merlin reasoned as he deposited his jacket at the end of his bed. Gaius continued not to look up from his thick book but still talked to Merlin while reading.

"Look, Merlin. I've learned in these past years that when you've got a bad feeling about someone, or that they're not to be trusted, or they're up to no good, I should just stay out the way because they usually just work themselves out. But please Merlin, don't get into trouble and be careful," Gaius warned. Merlin stuck his head through the doorway and sighed.

"OK Gaius, I promise to stay out of Aeldred's way. Oh, wait. I'm his manservant," he said sarcastically.

"Yes, yes…" the Physician answered absently, staring into the pages of his volume. Merlin rolled his eyes and gave up. He called a quick 'goodnight' and closed the door behind him, ready for a good night's sleep.