Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter Two:

"What are you doing?" Mordred asked, as Merlin climbed up to open the window in his room.

"Gwen asked me to deliver a letter," Merlin explained.

Mordred stared at Merlin for a moment completely and utterly confused. Merlin reached out the window with one arm and waited. It didn't take long for an owl to swoop down and land on his out stretched arm. Carefully Merlin pulled his arm back through the window, taking care not to harm the owl as he did so.

"This Archimedes," Merlin gestured towards the owl. "My messenger owl."

The owl let out a hoot and Mordred looked between the owl and Merlin with a look of surprise. Merlin held out the letter, which the owl grasped in its beck.

"Freya Emrys," Merlin instructed.

The owl blinked at him and hopped off his arm onto the window ledge. Merlin watched as it took off and flew away.

"Freya Emrys?" Mordred asked.

"My wife," Merlin answered.

"You have a wife?" Mordred sounded shocked.

"And three children," Merlin nodded, frowning he was sure he'd told Mordred about them.

"What..? How..?" Mordred trailed off.

Merlin knew there was a lot Mordred didn't remember from before Queen Mab's curse… And even if he hadn't told Mordred about his family, surly as a druid he'd know Merlin had taken a wife, who was the Queen to his King. The entire druid community knew about it, when those who were affected by the curse… So why didn't Mordred know?

"Umm, yes," Merlin smiled slightly. "Freya and I have been married for close to six years now."

"Why doesn't she live here?" Mordred asked.

"She's like us, Mordred," Merlin sighed. "It's dangerous enough that I'm here… I won't endanger my family like that."

"Merlin!" Gaius called from the main room.

The door to Merlin's room suddenly opened and Gaius stood in the doorway.

"Sir Mordred," Gaius greeted in surprise, seeing Mordred sitting on Merlin's bed. "Arthur's just summoned the council. Sir Leon and his patrol have just returned from the East."

Merlin nodded and got his feet, "They've returned three days early."

"Here," Gaius held out a vial. "For your headache."

"How-" Merlin began to ask.

"I know you far better than you think, my boy," Gaius said, with the hint of fond smile on his lips.

Merlin smiled, "Thank you, Gaius."

"You two better hurry," Gaius turned to walk back down the steps leading to Merlin's room. "Or you're going to be late."

)o(

"What news from the East, Sir Leon?" Arthur asked, as the last council member arrived and the doors to the council chamber were closed behind them.

"Serious news, I'm afraid, sire," Leon answered. "As you know, a few days ago, our garrison in the Forest of Brechfa intercepted the man who goes by the name of Osgar."

Merlin's head snapped up at the mention of the name and he shared an alarmed look with Gaius. Osgar was the name from his vision, the one he had asked Gaius about.

"The sorcerer?" Arthur questioned and the colour drained from Merlin's face.

Arthur was already aware of the sorcerer… How had he missed this news? As Arthur's servant he was with Arthur almost every hour of the day!

"The same," Leon nodded. "They were trying to apprehend him when he used his powers to escape. I am sorry to report... Sir Ranulf was mortally wounded."

"Sir Ranulf," Arthur repeated. "He was a loyal and true knight. Place all the men in the eastern territories on high alert."

"Yes, sire," Leon bowed his head.

"I personally shall lead a patrol to bring this Osgar to justice," Arthur announced and the councilmen began to mutter amounts themselves.

Merlin's eyes widened and he shared another look with Gaius.

"Is it necessary for you to go in person?" Gwen suddenly asked, upon seeing the look Merlin had shared with Gaius.

"A king must lead, or what is the point of him?" Arthur countered.

"You lead the men when you saved Mithian's father," Gwen answered, playing the part of concerned wife quite convincingly in front of the council, even though she had only spoken up due to Gaius and Merlin's reaction the name, usually she'd speak to Arthur in private. "And I nearly lost you."

"Sir Ranulf's death cannot go unpunished," Arthur told her.

"You have many fine men to avenge him," Gwen pointed out.

"He wasn't just a knight, Guinevere, he was a friend," Arthur turned towards her. "We knew each other as boys. I must go. Have no fear, I will be perfectly safe. As you say, I have many fine knights… Sir Mordred, please step forward."

"Sire?" Mordred said stepping forward, sharing a glance with Merlin as he did so.

"The time has come for you to accompany your king," Arthur said.

"My lord?" Mordred questioned.

"I want you to join me on a patrol to the Black Mountains," Arthur answered.

"Me? To Brechfa?" Mordred sounded slightly shocked. "There are many Knights far more skilled than I, sire."

"Yet I have chosen you, Sir Mordred," Arthur replied, leaving no room for argument. "Congratulations."

"This is a great honour," Mordred said. "Thank you, sire."

"You have earned your place," Arthur nodded. "Be ready to ride at dawn."

"I shall be, my lord," Mordred promised. "You won't regret this. I promise."

)o(

"Merlin!" Mordred exclaimed as he caught sight of Merlin.

Merlin turned and stepped to the side to allow a fellow servant to pass him as he waited for Mordred, who hurried down the corridor towards him.

"Sir Mordred," Merlin greeted as Mordred drew level.

"The Queen wishes to speak to you privately," Mordred informed him. "She's ordered George to take over your duties for the rest of the day."

Merlin couldn't help but smile as he pictured the look on Arthur's face when George turned up to serve him.

"She also asked me to escort you," Mordred added.

Merlin raised an eyebrow, almost mimicking Gaius as he did so. If he were to bet, he would say Gwen wanted to talk to Merlin about magic… And with Mordred ordered to escort him, he would no doubt be joining the conversation.

"Alright," Merlin nodded. "Lead the way, Sir Mordred."

"There is no need to be so formal, Emrys," Mordred said telepathically as he turned and began walking.

"There is every reason," Merlin answered as he followed Mordred. "As far as the castle is aware, I am a servant and you are a Knight of Roundtable."

"You are Emrys, King of the Druids," Mordred replied. "I am a druid. It is I who should bow to you… And I also consider you my friend."

Merlin couldn't help it, he smiled at Mordred's statement.

"And I you," Merlin answered, as they reached a door leading to a private room.

Mordred's lips twitched as he knocked on the door and waited. The door opened a second later and Gwen quickly ushered them both in before shutting the door behind them.

"What's going on?" Gwen demanded to know, turning to Merlin as soon as the door was shut.

Merlin waved a hand and his eyes flashed gold, causing Mordred to let out a shocked gasp.

"So we're not overheard," Merlin told Gwen, who nodded. "Don't worry, Mordred, she knows about both of us. Our secret is safe."

"I promise you it is," Gwen turned to Mordred and gave a soft smile.

Mordred looked between the two of them, his mouth opening and closing as words escaped him.

"Do not look so alarmed, Mordred," Gwen gestured for them to sit. "I seem to have escaped the effects of Queen Mab's curse, due to the enchantment Morgana placed on me… Or at the very least, the curse was broken along with Morgana's when the White Goddess cleansed me."

Mordred just nodded mutely and Gwen smiled at him again before turning to Merlin.

"Who is this sorcerer, Merlin?" Gwen asked.

"I don't know," Merlin sighed.

"Yours and Gaius's reactions suggest otherwise," Gwen countered. "What do you know about him, Merlin?"

"I had a vision," Merlin answered. "Out on the training field while I was sharpening swords, while the Knights trained… It was just before you gave me the letter to send to Freya."

"What happened?" Gwen asked, noticing the look which passed over Merlin's face.

"I didn't see anything," Merlin explained. "But I could hear voices chanting… Those voices… They held a lot of power. They were casting a spell and then they called forth a sorcerer called Osgar… They said Arthur's fate was now in his hands."

Gwen gasped sharply and they sat in silence for a moment.

"What," Gwen began. "What was the spell?"

"A rough translation from the old tongue is: 'She spoke. The accomplishment of his fate is visible. Now his hands are bloody and he cannot cleanse them. The end of his life is in haste. She spoke. The accomplishment of his fate is visible. Now his hands are bloody and he cannot cleanse them. The end of his life is in haste.'," Merlin told her.

Gwen met Merlin's gaze and took a deep breath.

"Keep him safe," Gwen pleaded. "Promise me, Merlin."

"I'll do everything within my power to keep him safe, Gwen," Merlin promised.

Gwen smiled and leant forward and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

"Thank you," Gwen whispered in his ear.

)o(

Hey! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Until next time,

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.