Thank you for reading the first chapter of Arthur's choice. Again let me know any errors and If I get 100 views by tomorrow I will upload the next chapter. I currently have 53 views. Otherwise I will try to upload every second day. Good Luck and ENJOY!

Merlin walked away with a heavy heart. He turned to look and he could still see the towers over the trees. He felt a sudden urge of longing, as he wanted to re-join his king. He hurried his steps to get away until he realised he was walking towards Camelot. He tried to focus and leave but he heard a scream somewhere north of where he stood. He ran toward the sound but stopped in his tracks when he saw a group of over 15 well-armed bandits pillaging the cart of a small group. He could see mothers hugging their children. He could see that they had little more than the clothes on their backs and whatever was in the cart. He stepped out from the cover of the bushes and coughed to make himself known.

"Now what 'ave we 'ere?" The largest of the man asked to his comrades. He had noticed Merlin wearing his finest clothes and the bag on his back. The made to move toward Merlin but he said "I wouldn't do that if I were you!"

"Why? Who's gonna stop me you? Don't make me laugh." He said. All the men around them stopped what they were doing and let out a long laugh dripping in sarcasm. "I've warned you. Now I'll count to three. One. Two—"

"I'm shaking, I'm shaking (if you can tell me what game that's from virtual high five!)" Merlin let a slight smirk creep onto his face. But it was quickly replaced by his huge grin from ear to ear. Arthur knows my secret and he's not here. Nothing is stopping me from using my magic. He lifted his hands and said "Three" at that moment all the men flew up vines grew from the trees and ensnared their prey. Merlin watched with a laugh as their pants flew down or rather up their legs, exposing their underpants to the world to see.

Several children clapped and cheered from their mothers arms. Merlin turned to them with a laugh but his cheery mood was put to a stop when the many families that stood before him winced and looked away. He looked at them, a large group cowering from little, old Merlin. Arthur and the knights would have laughed at this. Or would they? Arthur thinks you betrayed him. And I suppose – in a way – you did. He shook his head. No I always did what was best for Arthur. He tried to push these thoughts from his mind. When a little girl no older than 5 ran up to him and said "dank you misder." She hugged his leg tight and walked away. The rest of the crowd looked at him in awe. Here before them stood a powerful sorcerer who had let a little girl hug his leg. Not something you see every day.

"Thank you. What is your name, sir?" Said the mother of the girl who'd hugged him. He went to say Merlin but he didn't want Arthur to hear of his misadventure in the boundaries of Camelot so he replied "Emrys at your service. And you are?"

The women curtsied, "I am Mirabelle and this is my daughter Freya." Merlin looked up and stared at the girl when he heard the name. "Hello, Freya. I'm Emrys." So he thought this was to be his life now.

Back in Camelot

King Arthur sat staring out the window. He felt empty a few hours had passed since Merlin had left and with every passing second Arthur missed the great klutz more. When he had found out about Merlin's magic his first thought was how many people he loved betrayed him. Morgana had been like a sister to him but she had betrayed him and his father. Merlin had no gone and done the same. He had had no doubt in his mind that magic corrupts but now he was not so sure.

Merlin had fought along side him many times, he had rode into battle with out any armour, and he had offered to die for Arthur more times than he cared to remember. Was the reason Arthur returned from battle unscathed so many times down to his absent friend? Arthur needed answers but since he had sent Merlin away he had none. But there was one person Arthur could think of that would know.

Gaius sat in his chambers alone for once. He never realised how much he would miss Merlin's antics and his mindless prattle. The silence in the room was deafening. It ate away at the poor man's mind. Where was Merlin? Where was he going? Should he tell Hunith? He decided to write her a letter as it might help to get his thoughts out on paper.

Dear Hunith,

I'm afraid our poor Merlin has been found out and Arthur has banished his from Camelot. While this is upsetting it is better than the alternative.

I do not know where he is or where he is going. If he is smart he will go to you. With luck you'll be seeing him again shortly.

Kind regards, Gaius

P.S. If you see Merlin give him the attached note.

Dear Merlin,

If your reading this you've made the right choice and gone home. I will try and talk to Arthur but he's taking it very personally. Perhaps you should go to the druids so you can learn more about you magic.

By the way is Arthur asks where you are I'll tell him your with Hunith unless you write to let me know, though I would prefer to keep her out of this.

Love, Gaius

He read through his letters and smiled until Arthur strode into his room still in full armour.

"Gaius. Did you know about Merlin's be-magic" Arthur stopped himself saying betrayal. He did it not for Gaius but for himself. He felt it was blasphemy to his closest friends memory. "Yes, sire". Came the answer. It was barely a squeak, it was unlike him to be shy near the king. He had stood up to him and Uther before him. It seemed the loss of Merlin was really taking its toll on the man even if he had only been gone a short while. Arthur nearly collapsed on the chair pulled out from the table. He dropped his crutches. Blast his broken leg if not for that incontinence I would have gone to look for Merlin myself. "Why did he never tell me?" Gaius poorly tried to conceal a snort. How unlike him.

"Arthur. He wanted to tell you. He really did. A few times he was going to but something always came up changing your mind on magic and besides when you did find out – you – you banished him" He voice broke and he let out a sob. Arthur felt guilt sinking in his chest.

"Gaius, do you know when he learnt magic?" Arthur asked with genuine curiosity. "Yes and no, sire." The physician answered vaguely, "he never learned magic. He was born with it. He was born with a gift and a curse. He grew up knowing any one like him was hated and no idea why. His mother sent him here to keep him safe ironically. The first day he got here he witnessed a sorcerer being publicly executed and only moments after he used magic to save my life." After seeing the confused expression the king gave him he continued, "I fell from the second floor and he moved the bed to catch me. He didn't think about it, he did it instinctually. He is the only person like him I know." My manservant, the sorcerer saved Gaius's life and never asked to be rewarded – and when I found out I banished him he chastised himself.

"He saved your life too you know. More times than I can count…" Gaius regaled some of the times the great and powerful Merlin had saved Arthur and Camelot. He left out some stories leaving them for the Warlock to tell the King himself.

Should I include Aithusa and make him/her good, also what gender is the young dragon?