Chapter Two

Merlin smiled as he walked through the woods with Arthur on his right side and Freya on his left. They were a little ahead of the adults as they were eager to practice their various skills, Arthur with his swordsmanship with Balinor and Freya and Merlin with Alator.

"So, Dad was telling you to not use your magic and now he wants you to?" Arthur said randomly looking at the younger boy, "I still don't understand why it's forbidden in Camelot, I mean can't Uther understand that it can be used for good?"

Merlin shrugged and considered his answer for a moment then replied. "It's said that he lost his wife and son to magic. And Ealdor is to close to the borders for us to use it in the open and be safe. Someone would probably go to Uther and tell."

Arthur sighed. "I wish you didn't have to live hiding your magic. It's very beautiful. Well, once you get over the fact that you do not look like an idiot when doing it…"

"Hey!" Merlin said indigently. "I'm not an idiot. You're a cabbage-head."

Arthur grinned slightly. "Ah, stop being such a girl Merlin."

"I'm not a girl!" Merlin grumbled in annoyance.

"Don't listen to him Merlin," Freya spoke up, "I'm a girl and he can't call me a boy because he'll be insulting himself."

Arthur glared at her and Merlin beamed but before either of them could comment Merlin tripped and fell into the clearing that they used for practicing.

"I'm alright!" Merlin's voice called up and Arthur and Freya traded looks as the adults came into view.

"Hey Alator," Freya said turning to the warlock.

"What is it Freya?" Alator said with a smile. Out of the three she was easily the most good natured although it was Merlin who was the voice of reason.

"Is there a spell to make someone more graceful so that he or she doesn't trip as much? Or maybe a spell to just stop being clumsy." Freya said her face completely straight.

Alator let out a laugh and even Balinor let out a small chuckle. "No child," he said, "At least, not that I know of."

Freya looked mildly disappointed and Alator looked at her. "How about you and Merlin try to disarm each other?" He suggested although he knew that Merlin would disarm her eventually. He was the best at magical things, sometimes even Alator had trouble keeping up with the speed of his attacks although he hadn't lost to the warlock, yet.

Freya and Merlin both let out giant grins and they ran down the remaining portion of the gentle slope and got into position. With Freya's arm stretched out in front of her and Merlin turned to face her mirroring her position, although both of them had grins on their faces which ruined the whole picture.

Slowly the two magic users began to circle each other and Alator nodded a nod of approval as Balinor and Arthur walked up to his side. Both Freya and Merlin had lost their lighthearted grins and was now studying each other, obviously trying to figure out who was going to attack first.

Eventually Freya lost her patience and sent a fireball at Merlin who quickly jumped aside. Merlin counterattacked with a flash of blinding light and his eyes glowed bright gold briefly.

Freya and Merlin both began to combat fully, both intent on touching the other with his or hers magic. Freya sent a powerful jet of water at Merlin but Merlin skillfully blocked it with his shield. Freya let out a groan.

"Why is it you always win?"

Merlin flashed his key grin. "Your giving me a challenge, have you been practicing with that spell?" He said and Freya sent another blast of water but this time Merlin held up a hand and without saying anything a fire intercepted it so that fire and water were fighting each other for dominance.

"Maybe a little." Freya said with a small smirk and the water was abruptly cut off and Merlin's fire surge ahead and she raised her arms and water surrounded her. "You've been practicing as well I see."

Merlin shrugged slightly and called his fire back to him and Freya sent a waterball at him but he moved gracefully to one side and took a step closer to her and they began firing rapidly both weaving around in a graceful dance.

"Maybe a little," Merlin grunted and launched a fireball at her and using that to his advantage he moved toward her.

"Geeze, when has your aim gotten this good?" Freya questioned in annoyance and sent a waterball to interpret Merlin's fire and stepped closer to him as well.

Merlin smiled at her slightly and then twirled out toward the right as she sent a fireball at him and he sent a waterball back at her. The two danced around each other although Alator had noticed something.

"He's holding back…" Balinor muttered.

"He's holding back?" Arthur said his tone disbelieving finally taking his eyes off the pair and looking at Balinor.

Suddenly Freya let out a cry of surprise and she tripped and Merlin grinned and lightly tapped her on the shoulder. He smiled at her kindly and she shook her head but there was a tale-tell twitching of her lips as he helped her to her feet.

"You let your attention waver," Merlin said softly and none of the others heard him. Freya smiled at him slightly not really begrudging him on winning, she was far to used to it by now, plus she had improved a lot since Merlin began helping her and he gave out pointers whenever he could.

"Very impressive you two," Alator praised, "You know I think Balinor is right, your both going to be very powerful sorcerers when you grow older."

Merlin's eyes lightened and he smiled at the older warlock who he knew didn't give out praise lightly then he hesitated and turned to his father who's eyes were sparkling in humor and fatherly pride.

"Well done Merlin, Arthur how about we spar and then you and Merlin have a magical-nonmagical combat? Magic against sword, you need to learn how to defend yourself against magic." Balinor said smiling at them and the two boys exchanged excited glances.

Arthur, Merlin, and Balinor walked off and Freya turned to Alator questioningly and he smiled. "You're against me."

Freya smiled at him.

Arthur and Balinor were circling each other, their swords up and neither of whom was giving the first strike. Finally Arthur got impatient and lunged for his father who dodged swiftly and gave him an upper handed slash.

Arthur ducked and jabbed at Balinor's legs but Balinor jumped at the last moment and he thrust at Arthur who dodged at the last moment counter-acting Balinor's thrust with a swipe to the right side.

Balinor blocked it with his sword and then tried to disarm Arthur but he managed to keep his grip on his sword. Balinor tried again and the two of them began in earnest.

After about ten minutes Balinor finally managed to disarm Arthur. "Good, you're getting better." Balinor said reassuringly as Merlin walked up.

Arthur nodded and turned to Merlin with a light smile and Merlin grinned then they got into positions and Balinor stepped back to watch them.

Almost immediately Merlin sent a lightball at Arthur who rolled off to one side and came up kneeling and Merlin sent a fireball at him. Arthur blocked it somehow with his sword and sent it back at Merlin who ducked.

"I can see why I need to practice against magic," Arthur grunted and Merlin smiled slightly.

Merlin sent three lightning bolts at him and they zapped him and Arthur let out a yelp. Merlin smiled slightly and Arthur rolled his eyes and then tried to attack Merlin but Merlin instinctively pulled a shield up and electrocuted Arthur.

Arthur let out a yelp and Merlin conjured a wall of water and then he abruptly lost his concentration and looked over his shoulder and Arthur turned around and Freya (who had been saying Forbearnan over and over) and Balinor stopped what they were doing and gaped at the person.

"Mom?" Merlin, Freya and Arthur asked in alarm and they ran over to her in concern while Balinor followed jogging although there was a look of alarm.

"Hunith? What's wrong?" Alator and Balinor asked at the same time.

Hunith was breathing heavily and clutching her side. "Sorcerer…" she managed then caught her breath, "a sorcerer named Emrys is in the village and he's demanding for everyone to show themselves… and he's got a band of druids following him."

Author's Note: Yeah… I really need to stop with these cliffhangers but I'm addicted! I really do have plans for this story… *Evil grin* Anyway, it's my mom's birthday today and I'm making the cake! *Grinning happily* I'm good at doing that!