Autumn was arrived sooner than expected. Arthur was sitting edge of the practice field on the lawn, watching the knights and those who wanted to someday be knights, when the shadow fell on his side.

"Have you seen Merlin sire?"

Arthur looked up and shook his head. "Not since yesterday, no. I did expected him come here today, but he hadn't came yet."

Gaius sighed and Arthur stood up. Gaius really looked worried.

"It isn't so unusual him to disappear Gaius."

"I know but…" Gaius hesitated. "I have been worried about him lately. He's acting little bit strangely."

Arthur frowned. Since his and Guinevere's wedding day, his and Merlin's everyday acting had chanced. Arthur was no longer been able think Merlin as his manservant anymore because Merlin was more friend than anything else. Also, Merlin was the queen's friend too who was former maid. Merlin being still servant would have been just too weird. So their relationship was came more freely after Merlin was moved to be full-day apprentice of Gaius. And now it was an open secret that the king often discussed the important things with Merlin. He was thinking doing Merlin as the formal advisor. But as much they spend time together, Arthur's mind was more focused to national affairs and to his new life as a husband. Now that Merlin wasn't his servant, he wasn't around Arthur so much anymore. Lately Arthur had missed the feeling what had came so familiar; Merlin standing somewhere near of him. Always being there.

"Are you sure?" Arthur asked and watched how Percival thrashed one of wannabe-knight. Gaius moved nervously.

"He had seen nightmares. I had made some medicine but it's not working."

Arthur glanced at Gaius. "Nightmares?"

"I don't know what, there can be lot what had causing it." Gaius avoided his king's gaze. Arthur snorted.

"Knowing Merlin, he sees nightmares likely every single time when something interesting has occurred."

"No sire." Gaius said quietly. "He hardly sees nightmares. Not even when had killed someone, he's not so soft than what you maybe think, sire."

Arthur could hear the rebuke in Gaius' tone and flinched. "Sorry, you are right. He's not so soft. I know that. He's bravely than what he usually show us."

"Exactly, and because of that, I'm worried."

And now Arthur was too. He could think only one who may know something about Merlin.

"Gwaine, come here!" He called the knight who lazily trained one of the youngest boys. "Maybe he knows something." Arthur said and Gaius nodded. Gwaine was the one who always followed Merlin if he had to leave outside the Camelot's area. Usually Gwaine often hanged with Merlin went he anywhere in order to avoid his other duties.

"Have you seen Merlin today?" Arthur asked but Gwaine also shook his head. "Not since yesterday morning. But he had act weird lately."

So Gwaine of course has noticed something being wrong with Merlin.

"Why you think so?" Arthur asked. Gwaine's usual grin faded.

"I think he hasn't slept much, and he's really nervous. He can suddenly jump like something had scared him and look around like expecting something emerge."

"Have you asked from him anything?" Gaius asked.

"Of course I have, I'm worried. But you know Merlin, he can avoid any question what you state. So no, I don't know what is going on."

Arthur and Gaius shared the look.

"He's not speaking to me either." Gaius said.

"Do I should ask from him?" Arthur suggested.

"Maybe."

"Do I go look him?" Gwaine asked and Arthur nodded. "Go, say that Gaius is looking him and sent message to me. Don't leave him alone if something is wrong, got it?"

"Yes princess." Gwaine was already walking away.

"Gaius." Arthur started.

"Yes?"

"You seriously have no idea what could cause the nightmares? Isn't anything happened? When it started anyway?" Arthur demanded to know and could see Gaius being more nervous than before.

"Maybe three weeks ago. But maybe it had started much earlier. Merlin being Merlin, he never says anything before it's too late."

"I really hope he would chance that habit." Arthur murmured. "But you don't have any idea why?"

And again Gaius avoided his gaze.

"Gaius…"

"I maybe have idea, but… It's personal. If Merlin wants to speak about that, then…" Gaius shut up. Arthur looked him whit frustration.

"But if he has not spoken with you, how can I expect him to speak with me?"

"I don't know, but shouldn't we still try?" Gaius asked. Arthur nodded and Gaius left.

Arthur turned his gaze on the sun. It wasn't warming anymore. In the air he could feel the winter already. It felt ominous. He grabbed the handle of his sword and drew it out of the scabbard. He looked the blade. It was marvellous. He felt himself frustrated. Still he couldn't believe Merlin's story. Yes, it was good story, but something in it was wrong. Arthur was asked from Monmouth, but the old librarian hadn't known anything about the sword. He had promised to look some information, but yet he hadn't found anything.

"Why you lied Merlin? Do you hide something from me?" Arthur murmured, watching the words on the blade. Take me up. Cast me away. And somehow Arthur understood that this sword was just only on loan. It was one thing what he wanted to ask from Merlin, but he was afraid to hear the answer.

He noticed that Percival was taking a break and grinned. Maybe he should make more practise and warm up little bit. Sudden wind made him shivering.

It was like he had heard someone whispering his name.

Reveal story or no? Just thinking. I don't have anything like a plot yet, just hint what may come. It's up to you how popular this story would be and then I look how far this story goes.

And yes, this hopefully will be betaed someday.