Gaius fiddled with his glasses for a moment, looking rather lost. Then he cleared his throat and pointed to a small tatty volume on one of the highest shelves. 'Fetch me that Merlin, then I'll explain,' he said, suddenly sounding rather brisk.

Merlin murmured the Summoning Spell- 'Accio!'- and the book came hurtling towards him. Gaius tutted but didn't rebuke him; Uther was hardly likely to come storming in any time soon.

'Well,' Gaius started. 'It all begins with the Faerie Courts.'

'Faerie?' Merlin interrupted.

'Fey, the Fair Folk, Faerie, call them what you want. In the end they are what they are, those beings that control more than they should. Now listen carefully Merlin, it's very important that you understand this. The Fey are split into two groups- the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court.'

'Why?'

'What?'

'Why are they split into two?'

'There was a dispute many centuries ago at the beginning of time, and in order to avoid more bloodshed and a terrible war, it seemed the best thing to do. So when they were split into the two courts, they had to split their powers too, and could only control two seasons each. The festivals of Beltane and Samhain celebrate the changing of the courts. '

Merlin grinned as Gaius finally opened the tatty book. He came to a page with a beautiful picture of a woodland feast in full swing. There were all sorts of creatures there- Elves with long flowing hair clad in green and brown, Fauns and Satyrs dancing merrily, Hobbits eating and eating and eating, Centaurs standing tall and proud, and of course the Fey were there, laughing and chatting and merry-making.

In pride of place sat the Seelie Queen. She was pretty with raven hair and deep brown eyes and dressed in a flowing golden gown with delicate embroidery, but Merlin thought she seemed sad despite the on-going festivities around her.

But what really caught Merlin's eye was the Lake in the distance, just visible at the edge of the picture. The water was shimmering brightly and Merlin sighed as her remembered Freya alone beneath the waters. In the picture there were merpeople too, splashing each other and laughing loudly.

Gaius jabbed his finger down onto the page. 'This is the Seelie Court,' he explained. 'No prizes for guessing which seasons they control.'

'Spring and Summer?'

'Indeed. The Seelie Court are good folk and strive for a prosperous life, hence Spring and Summer are so plentiful with flowers growing and blooming, and plentiful crops. They tolerate humans and help whoever they can.'

'However,' Gaius continued, 'the Unseelie Court couldn't have been more different if they tried. They are the darkest, most maloevent kind to ever walk this Earth…the type that would be proud of Morgana.'

As he spoke, Gaius turned the page and Merlin's interest turned to fear. The picture was also of a feast, but he could find no joy or happiness here. Goblins and Orcs were cackling as a Wyvern roared furiously, tugging desperately at the chain around her neck. Merlin immediately recoiled when he saw the Unseelie Queen. She was a horned Fey, swathed in purple robes, with long dark hair. She was terribly beautiful, and her eyes-

'Gaius!' Merlin gasped. 'Her eyes- the Seelie Queen-they-'

'I know,' Gaius sighed. 'It's a terrible tragedy. They're sisters, though as different as the seasons they both control. This is Yolanthe' -another jab at the book 'and the Seelie Queen's name is Fatima. You owe her, Merlin.'

'What?' Merlin spluttered. 'I haven't done anything!'

'Not right now perhaps, but you weren't an easy baby to bring into the world. Queen Fatima obviously knew the prophecy of Emrys: the Prince of Light and she was there at your birth.'

'Wow. I'm in debt to a Faerie! I didn't think I could get any more interesting!'

Gaius chuckled as Merlin looked up at him with a rather woeful expression. 'I suppose this is the time when you forbid me to go.'

'And why would I do that?'

'Cos you always do! ''Oh Merlin it's too dangerous!'', ''Your Magic will be revealed, it's a wonder you've kept that head on your shoulders this long!''

'Hmm, that's true,' Gaius mused, smiling. 'But I believe that Arthur's time is drawing nearer. Uther is a dying man- after all, there is only so much science and medicine can do. And when Arthur is King, you can finally reveal your powers and Magic will be restored to the Kingdom. I think it's high time you met some other warlocks and joined your true heritage. But I will caution you to be extremely careful. You must be back before Midnight. Don't talk loudly, don't get drunk, and don't get noticed. The Samhain Festival is the switching from Seelie to Unseelie, so when the clock strikes twelve evil will return and they will be even more mischievous as usual, ecstatic at their return.'

Merlin stared at Gaius, thinking about how so much was changing. His Destiny, it was all happening. He had been living this way for so long now, hiding his Magic and protecting Prince Pratt so the idea of Magic becoming widespread once again just seems so…fantastic and amazing, like a dream hanging tantalisingly in the distance, something you could never quite reach.

He felt his heart race at just the mere thought of it…Morgana becoming Queen had unlocked a chain of events from which there was no way back- Arthur becoming Regent and attaining more power, Uther's mind and health slowly diminishing, his best friend Gwen becoming Lady Guinevere Leodegrance and all the Knights of the Round Table (that's what Merlin secretly liked to call them…it had a nice ring to it.)

He looked back at Gaius and grinned. 'What should I wear?'

0o0o0o

The next day Merlin woke up early despite his adventurous night. He stuffed his hand beneath his pillow and retrieved the stone the girl had given him. He stared at the stone in awe; it was beautiful.

Merlin had done some quick research when Gaius had gone to bed and had discovered it was an 'Onyx', a magical stone renowned for being several colours at once. It was called the symbol of Love since when you turned it three times in your hand it took you to whoever you were thinking of, and Merlin had decided to give his looks more credit after reading that.

He quickly put his Onyx in his pocket, jumped out of bed smiling, grabbed an apple and ran to Arthur's rooms.

On the way he bumped into a very cheerful-looking-drunk-as-usual- Gwaine. 'Lo, Merlin!' he sang, his words slurring.

'Gwaine, it's not yet actually morning and you're already drunk!' Merlin laughed as Gwaine lurched forward and embraced him tightly.

'Merlin, my love!' he screeched. 'No training today…no sir!...there's another lovely meeting…for anything…something….pumpkins…I think…a lovely deadline, I love deadlines…I love the whooshing soundy they make as they flyyy by….' Gwaine made one last gurgling sound before he tottered, twirled and then toppled down the stairs.

Merlin chuckled as he heard a distinctive thud and an indignant maid screaming as Gwaine unceremoniously fell on her. He laughed as he continued running and finally arrived at Arthur's chambers, only to find Arthur slumped in bed, fast asleep. He looked so peaceful and relaxed for once that Merlin didn't want to wake him but then he remembered Gwaine mentioning another meeting.

'Arthur!' he called out. 'C'mon, Sleeping Beauty, time to wake up!'

No response.

Fine. Merlin walked over and yanked Arthur's blanket off, revealing Arthur curled up into a ball.

'What the?' Arthur exclaimed. He immediately jumped up with his trusty sword in his hand, ready to murder the incompetent fool who had dared to interrupt his sweet dreams.

'Oh,' Arthur said rather foolishly as he saw Merlin grinning. 'It's you.'

'Good to see you too,' Merlin replied cheerfully. 'What do you want for breakfast?'

Arthur stared at him suspiciously 'Why are you so happy?' he demanded.

'Is that a crime now?'

'I'm not happy so I demand to know why you are. It's only fair.'

'Gwen kissed me,' Merlin tried.

'Guinevere would rather kiss a horse, so tell me.' Arthur said, unimpressed.

'It's nothing special…I'm just a happy person,' Merlin lied as he went around cleaning the room and picking up random pieces of clothing Arthur had simply tossed onto the floor. He looked up to find Arthur leaning against his bedpost, a very smug look on his face.

'What?' Merlin asked, feeling uncomfortable.

'What's her name then?'

'Whose?' he asked, trying desperately to look casual and nonchalant. Was it really that obvious?

'You know exactly who I'm talking about, Merlin.'

'No I don't!'

'Yes you do!'

'I think you're just really tired-'

'Oh come on! You've got that dopey lovesick look on your face; I've seen it plenty of times!'

'You mean the 'Gwen one'?' Merlin grinned.

'What?'

'You mean that look you get whenever Gwen passes by? Like the stupid grin and blushing cheeks?'

'Shut up!' Arthur yelled. 'I do NOT have a stupid grin! That's…that's treason!'

Merlin ducked a flying goblet before running out of the room. 'By the way, there's another meeting today! Like in ten minutes, so hurry up Princess!' he yelled from outside.

0o0o0o

Arthur yawned as Sir Leon showed him yet another document. He had been in this blasted meeting for hours now, but it didn't look like they had actually gotten anywhere. Queen Nada of Carlisle was probably the most annoying person to ever walk this Earth- she was always sending messages about how she wasn't pleased with trade, how her people had been attacked by bandits from Camelot, and how she wished for Arthur to visit Camelot soon to strengthen the ties. And King Olaf wanted Arthur's advice on a husband for Vivian…like he was a matchmaker or something… And Lord Alfred kept making claims that the town of Evgard actually belonged to him…

Arthur yawned again and then looked to his left to see Merlin slumped into a chair with his head thrown back, snoring softly. Arthur just couldn't resist so grinning like a maniac, he picked up Elyan's goblet from the table and downed it onto Merlin's head. Merlin shot up spluttering and yelling with water comically running down his face and then his back, amidst the raucous laughter of everyone present.

'Payback,' Arthur smirked.

Merlin looked livid and he had just moved to do retaliate when the door was thrown open by the two guards and a messenger boy entered, looking terrified in front of the Price and his Knights.

Arthur immediately sat up, trying to look like a dignified, respectable Prince instead of the annoying friend he actually was. 'Um, yes?' he asked, clearing his throat and trying to ignore Lancelot and Gwaine who were openly laughing at him.

'My Lord, the…the Lady Guinevere has…um…requested you. In the King's chambers. She said to hurry.'

Arthur jumped up, scared and confused. Everything else was forgotten. What could have happened? He had been so sure his Father had been recovering…he prayed…he vaguely heard someone call out to him but he ignored them. He walked as calmly as he could to the doors but once he was outside the Great Hall he broke into a sprint, trying to push his terrified thoughts away.

He reached his Father's rooms and stood outside for a moment trying to calm himself. Then he tentatively opened the door and relief washed through him, coursing through his veins and making him smile. Guinevere was sitting beside his Father nodding and comforting him but then Arthur noticed a man, one of his lower Knights, leaning against the stone pillar and looking rather worried.

Gwen turned as she heard him approach. 'Arthur!' she said in relief. 'Your Father wishes to speak you immediately.'

Arthur smiled at her and as he walked past to be by Uther's side, he gently squeezed her shoulder in thanks. 'Yes, Father?' he asked sitting in a chair. He heard a swishing movement and as he looked up he saw Gwen walking towards the door, ready to leave. No. Gwen would be his Queen, she had every right to remain especially after everything she had done to help. 'Guinevere!' he called out. 'Please stay.'

Gwen hesitated for a moment but she recognised Arthur's insistence so she nodded and sat at the edge of the bed looking at Uther, her brow furrowed.

Arthur turned to look at his Father. His eyes were sunken and rather lifeless. He looked paler then usual but Arthur was glad to see that he still had the same build due to Gwen practically forcing meals down his throat. Uther blinked and for a moment he was silent. Then he gestured vaguely toward the Knight and croaked 'Tell him. All…all of it.'

Arthur looked towards the man. He seemed rather uncomfortable in front of so many nobles but then he cleared his throat and said 'My Lord, for a few months we have been following a trail of sorcerers…but after some time we feared it had gone cold. However I and the rest of my group were on our patrol last night and we recognised some of the voices as those heard previously. We lay in the shadows and listened. We learnt a great deal about the Festival and its whereabouts…so when I returned I informed the King. We discussed it and he wishes for you to hunt them down…to destroy them, Sire.'

Arthur looked back towards Uther, not even bothering to disguise his anger. 'Father…you are gravely ill, you were near death and still you insist on this? Why? Please Father, forget it! It means nothing! If they want to have a Festival, then so be it! They're not hurting anyone! Why do you trouble yourself so much over them?'

Uther slowly shook his head. He looked towards Gwen and immediately she came over and helped him to sit up on his pillows, as if she understood him so well now he didn't have to speak. He coughed delicately and then murmured 'You don't understand, son…did she teach you nothing? I won't be around much longer-'

'Father, don't say that!'

'It's the truth. We all must leave one day…and I can feel it. And I don't wish for your reign to be plagued by those filthy criminals. James has told me that it's a national Festival…they will all be there. This is your chance. Finish them once and for all.'

0o0o0o

Arthur leant against the door. On one hand he wanted to shake his Father and bang some sense into him, and on the other he wanted to break down and beg God to save him, he would do anything. Uther had never been a Father to him except in the biological sense.; hugs and bedtime stories were a fantasy to him, but parents have a hold over their children that can never be broken whatever they do…or rather what they didn't do.

Slowly he walked back to his chambers. He collapsed onto his bed and ran his hand wearily through his hair. He didn't want to do it as the sorcerers had done absolutely nothing. He had a strong sense of justice and believed that the punishment should fit the crime- but in this case there was no crime!

But Arthur had also seen the way Uther had gripped Gwen's arm desperately as he sat up. His Father was sick, hell he was dying. And somehow Arthur knew that had been his dying wish.

A/N: Tun tun tun! What will Arthur do?

Also, guys PLEASE review! Last chapter I got so many alerts but only 3 reviews (Owl Watcher, wolfienur, and jayley, you guys ROCK!) and for most of the people who only alerted I've reviewed their stories- no fair! ;( It's a second of typing from you but a day of happiness for me! XD