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Chapter 3

3 months later

The King and his servant slowly moved through the forest, their horses keeping a slow pace, both man and beast anxious to return home, yet tired from the morning's exertions.

A fond smile on his face, as the usual insults were traded between the two, Merlin stopped his progression upon hearing a noise. Noticing the halt, but not seeing anything to cause such a delay, Arthur pulled his horse up and looked at Merlin expectantly, one eyebrow raised. When it became clear that no answer was going to be forthcoming, with a sigh bred of pure annoyance, the young King manoeuvred to face his useless manservant.

"Merlin!" he called, waking the man up from his apparent trance. "Something the matter?"

Shaking himself, the sorcerer replied: "No sire." Ready to let the distraction drop and continue back on their way to Camelot, Merlin was brought short by the recurrence of that noise - a whirring sound, coming from amongst the trees.

Having tuned out once again, he looked around at his companion to find that Arthur had been talking to him, for quite some time it seemed. He was ready to feel bad, but in all actuality it was quite amusing, and there were more pressing matters at hand. The noise had a ring of familiarity to it. Merlin thought that perhaps his friend would have a better memory.

"Have-" he started, but was unable to finish, as Arthur seemed unwilling to end his lecture. After waiting for some time, his patience finally ran out.

"Listen to me!" Merlin urged, futilely trying to get Arthur's attention.

"You know me Merlin," Arthur started, "I never listen to you."

Merlin's look said it all, however he was more than willing to back it up with his colourful use of words, but was interrupted by the familiar sound once more. He still couldn't place it.

Breaking out of his hopeless wanderings he turned on his seat to face Arthur, opening his mouth to request his friend's opinion. Nevertheless, before a single syllable could pass his lips, he was silenced by Arthur's action, the man's finger pressed against his own lips. Nodding his comprehension Merlin copied his King, the pair lowering from their horses, drawing their swords. They moved soundlessly off the path and into the trees, ready for any surprise attack that may have tried to occur. They were, however, completely unprepared for what fate had in store.

"Magic? Really?" the Doctor questioned, shaking his head, as the group walked back into the Tardis.

"What's wrong with that?" Rose responded, seeming genuinely confused. "He's THE Merlin, right? The sorcerer of Arthurian legend?" The Doctor was nodding to everything she said. Seeing this, she continued: "So what's the problem?" Huffing she slumped down onto the worn out seat. Jack joined her, resting his arm along the back. After pulling a few nobs and twisting some leavers, the Tardis left Camelot as quickly as it had appeared. The Doctor, having negotiated an exit, leaned back against the console, considering his answer before responding.

"From what I can remember, what we just saw was a different time from the one you read about. Arthur's not King yet, his dad is, and let's just say that he wasn't as friendly about magic. Neither is Arthur at this point, and Merlin, well, Merlin is just Arthur's manservant. He has magic, sure, but keeps it secret, or he'd-" no words were needed, as Jack's mime of hanging proved descriptive enough.

"Wow," Rose whispered, "I suppose I never thought about when they were younger, and yeah, Merlin looks really different without a beard. But, no magic?" At the boys' nods she sprung up from her seat and, with renewed energy and vigour, declared, "What are we waiting for? Let's go back." This earned her twined puzzled looks, though Jack's face had already adopted a slight smile. "We can't just leave like that! We, I, need to know more. I want to know more."

Seeing her determination the Doctor looked at Jack, noticing that his smile had bloomed to a full on grin, and nodded. "Ok." He spoke, and with a flourish pressed a small red button that threw the whole room into chaos.

After a good few minutes of thrashing and crashing, tripping and falling, the Tardis landed with surprising grace, Rose managing to remain standing this time. The threesome looked at each other, and with matching grins headed to the outer door, the Doctor taking the lead. Pausing, he looked back over his shoulder.

"We should be in roughly the same place," he paused to grab Jack's arm and look at the ex-time agent's watch. "About a week later." Opening the door he continued, "Now remember, don't mention, MAGIC!" The last word came out in a shout as Rose over-excitedly bumped into him and they toppled out of the Tardis into what definitely wasn't the insides of a castle.

Looking up from their pile on the floor Rose's gaze fell on the young man they had left not too long ago, and a man beside him dressed in rather more elegant attire. Catching the bewildered look on the latter's face Rose exclaimed, seeming amused over repentant, "whoops!"