So here's the next chapter guys! I hope you'll like it, btw there's a Game Of Thrones reference :D Enjoy! ;)

CHAPTER 3
The Witch, Lady Morgana

The throne room was quiet. Cold and quiet and it was not the first time that Leon felt worried, standing in front of his king. The man could be very stubborn and not tolerant if it came to magic, and magic was what was this all about indeed.

"Has any of you seen the sorcerer who did that?" The king asked, his scar across his eye looking unusually scary.

"No, sire." One of the knights answered. There was five of them, the most trusted ones, standing in front of Uther.

"Maybe Gaius, the sorcerer, my lord." Some other knight spoke up. Uther turned to him and looked at him dangerously. The knight swallowed.

"I highly doubt that," Aredian said. Everyone looked at him. "He didn't use magic before, I'm afraid he was determined to pretend innocence until the very end."

"If he was a sorcerer." Morgana argued, her voice firm. "I knew Gaius since I came here, I don't believe he was a sorcerer all along, he's innocent. He's always only wanted to help me."

"And look where his help got him." Aredian turned to her. "He confessed, there's no doubt he has magic."

"Gaius," Uther said firmly and looked at Morgana. "Betrayed me. It was a hard decision to make, and you shall not criticize my orders, Morgana. I am your king." He said.

"Indeed it was a hard decision." Morgana ignored her guardian. "Gaius is your friend. He's been friend to all of us, and this is how you repay him?"

"Enough!" Uther yelled. "Does any of you know the whereabouts of my son?" He asked then. The knights were quiet. "Sir Leon?" Uther turned to his most trusted and skilled knight, besides Arthur.

What should Leon say now?

xoXOXox

Another window shattered.

All the knights were running across the courtyard toward Gaius. Leon was supposed to do the same, but he stopped running for a minute. The knights almost reached the stake, but not him. He looked around, at the chaos, feeling paralyzed. Overwhelmed.

Then he saw it. He saw the prince, holding hands with someone. It was Gwen, the lady Morgana's maid. That wasn't that unusual, Leon saw them talking from time to time in the halls. But Arthur was talking to someone else. Who was it?

Leon began walking toward them, not caring about his orders anymore. Someone had to keep an eye on the crowned prince as well, right?

And then he saw the red neckerchief and panicked eyes. It was Merlin, Arthur's manservant. What were they three doing there? And why was the prince holding hands with his servant? Then Leon gasped. The gold in his eyes. Was it gold? It had to be, but it was gone in the next second that Merlin looked at his master.

Magic? Could it have been magic? Should he report it to the king? It was his responsibility.

But then Merlin's eyes widened and he yelled something. Leon didn't hear him over the panicked voices of the citizens, but he was pretty sure it was 'no' according to the shape of Merlin's mouth and the fear in his eyes.

He looked at where Merlin was looking and he couldn't believe his eyes, just as all the knights. The physician was gone. Leon looked back, but Merlin, Guinevere and Arthur weren't there anymore.

He saw them running toward the stables, still holding hands, but he didn't do anything. If the Prince was alright with all of this, who was he to question his decisions? But should he report it to Uther? Should he tell him what he saw? That the boy, he himself has chosen for his son as a manservant, was a sorcerer, a magic user?

Should he?

xoXOXox

"Sir Leon?" Uther repeated his question. Leon looked at his king, opened his mouth and hesitated just for a second. "No, my lord." He said. "I haven't spotted prince Arthur, it was as if he had disappeared." He bowed his head briefly and then looked back up.

Aredian looked at him, making him feel a bit uneasy, but Uther nodded.

"He must have been kidnapped by whoever had saved Gaius." He said.

"Indeed my lord." Aredian agreed. "That is the only possible explanation." He said, looking down. Uther rolled his eyes.

"What are you suggesting, Aredian." He growled.

Aredian looked at Morgana. Morgana swallowed and after a few seconds looked down. He couldn't know about her, could he? "Maybe, the boy, my lord." Aredian said instead. "Merlin. Maybe we have been wrong right from the start and he was the magic user. I don't doubt that when Gaius was using magic, he was teaching his ward as well."

Uther nodded again.

"But I have to warn you, Uther." Aredian added. "Your kingdom is full of magic, I felt it as soon as I crossed the borders. I'm sure there's at least one more magic user hiding under the roof of this very castle."

Morgana's eyes widened.

"Alright." Uther said and looked at his knights. "Sir Leon, send a searching party for my son, and find him. Alive." Leon nodded. "With the rest of the knights, find the sorcerer who's responsible for this. Find Merlin."

"Yes, my lord." All the knights nodded and left the throne room. Morgana swallowed again. There was no way Aredian could have known that she had magic too. Merlin was the only one who knew. She was sure Gaius knew about it too, but he never wanted to admit it. Therefore, Merlin was the only one she could trust, but he wasn't there to protect her, not now. He himself was accused of using sorcery. But he couldn't have magic, could he?

Morgana looked up and almost gasped when she saw the dangerous eyes of the Witchfinder, looking right at her. She was afraid of the man. She was afraid to stay in the castle with him sleeping there too. But what could she possibly do?

xoXOXox

It was quiet. The night was dark and full of terrors, but Morgana wasn't afraid of that. She was afraid of Aredian, the Witchfinder. She was in her chambers, looking out of the window, into the woods. She wondered where Gwen was.

She knew she was supposed to be asleep. It wasn't even that late yet, but she wanted to go to sleep early today. She didn't want to think about the danger of Aredian being there in the same castle, and the only way to do that was to fall asleep.

Morgana sighed and closed her eyes. She was already getting a bit sleepy. She would have to get ready for bed without her best friend tonight. But that was alright. She wasn't like Arthur, she was able to dress herself without anyone's help. Unless it was a dress with lots of buttons on the back of course, she couldn't possibly do that alone.

She smiled slightly. Maybe magic could help her. But then she frowned immediately. She knew she shouldn't be afraid of it. The druid and Merlin both said it was a gift, not a curse. But she had no idea how to use it. She couldn't possibly try on her own, the last time it happened, she almost burned alive in her chambers. That was an accident, she knew. But nevertheless, it was magic. It was power.

She was worried about Gwen. And Arthur too. And of course Merlin and Gaius. Where were they? Merlin couldn't possibly have magic, right? He would tell her. And she hated Uther for letting Gaius die, but fortunately it didn't happen. That meant the sorcerer must have been good, not evil when he was just saving Gaius from certain and horrible death. She hated Uther, but right now, as long as he was convinced she didn't have magic, he was the only one who could protect her from Aredian.

What a wonderful situation she got herself into.

Suddenly a hand gripped her arm and turned her around.

She screamed.

xoXOXox

It was late afternoon when Gaius finally woke up. He was still in the cave, lying near the fire. He sat up and saw Gwen sitting on the other side of the fire. She smiled at him.

"Did you sleep well?" She asked. Gaius smiled wearily and nodded. He looked around. They were alone.

"Where is Merlin and the prince?" He asked.

"Oh, Arthur went to hunt something for dinner and Merlin's keeping watch just outside the cave." She answered.

Gaius nodded again and then suddenly said, "thank you." He smiled at her. She looked up at him confused, but smiling.

"What for?" She asked.

"For accepting him." Gaius said and looked outside. "And keeping his secret." He added.

"He's my friend, Gaius." She smiled. "Merlin's a good person, he has a good heart. I don't believe he's evil."

Gaius smiled, just as Merlin went into the cave, smiling from ear to ear. He was holding a rabbit and a squirrel in his hands, and right behind him was Arthur, with his sword bloody. He stopped and went back to clean the sword in the grass behind the cave and then he finally went in.

"Dinner," he smiled.

As they were eating, it was getting darker and darker. The Moon was shining high in the sky, so there weren't many stars you could see. Arthur went out in front of the cave to the horses, to keep the first watch, while Gwen and Gaius went to sleep.

Gwen fell asleep within five minutes, but Merlin couldn't. He was just lying on the hard ground, still thinking about the whole situation they were in. And about Arthur of course. I mean, he finally knew about Merlin's magic! And he wasn't even that angry anymore, what more could he possibly wish for? Oh, right. Arthur's attention. But there was no way Merlin could get it. That was just a wish, a dream that will never come true.

Suddenly Merlin wasn't that happy.

"I..." Gaius whispered, and Merlin turned to him. "still don't understand, how did you get me into the woods, Merlin." He said. Merlin smiled.

"I don't get it either, believe me." He whispered back, putting one hand under his head. He was lying on his back.

"It was..." Gaius started, then cleared his throat. "According to what I know about magic, and certain spells from the time before the Great Purge, it would seem you used a teleportation spell, Merlin."

"Really?" Merlin asked quietly.

"Yes, it requires great amount of magic, and of course skills. How did you manage to do that though, is a mystery to me."

"It's a mystery to me too, Gaius." Merlin answered. "Honestly, I have no idea what happened there. I just..." Merlin let out a sigh. "As soon as I saw the fire, I knew it was too late to do something. And... I didn't want you to die, then I must have lost my control somehow."

"It would seem so." Gaius said. "Did anyone see you do what you did?" He asked then.

"I hope not, I think it was only Arthur and Gwen. I mean, when I realized what I was doing, Arthur was already standing in front of me and people were running from the courtyard and then you disappeared." He whispered.

"You shouldn't have gotten yourself involved in this, Merlin." Gaius said after a while. "Look where we're now, running from Camelot."

Merlin leaned on an elbow and looked at Gaius. "If I hadn't used my magic, you would be dead, Gaius." He said. "I couldn't have let that happen."

"I know, my boy." Gaius sighed loudly. "I know."

After Gaius fell asleep, Merlin finally closed his eyes, but the calm didn't last long.

Aaaaaah!

A high-pitched shriek suddenly screamed in his head. Merlin opened his eyes immediately and sat up, looking around. Gaius' eyes were closed, Gwen was snoring quietly and outside he could see Arthur's shadow created by the Moon.

Was it really just in his head then? Did some druid need help just like Mordred a year ago? Or was he just dreaming?

Merlin lay back down, but he didn't close his eyes. He was listening, waiting for something to happen.

But nothing happened. And he fell asleep.

xoXOXox

Morgana stopped screaming and was looking with wide eyes at the man who was in front of her. Aredian. Oh no, no no no. How did he get into her chambers anyway?

"Lady Morgana." He greeted her and smiled at her. The smile was more horrifying than his whole ugly face.

"You cannot just take me like this, Aredian, I'm the king's ward." She said, trying to look like she wasn't afraid. But she knew she was. She was so scared. He couldn't have possibly discovered that she had magic, right? She hasn't even used it yet.

"That's why I'm taking you to Uther, my lady." He said. "Let's see how will he react when he finds out his beloved ward has magic."

Morgana tried to stay calm. "I don't have magic, Aredian. What you are accusing me of is untrue and rude. Uther would never let you burn me alive."

"Hm, let's see if that's true." He said and took her out of her chambers. Just before they closed the door, he smiled to himself and put his hand into his pocket. What was he hiding there?

As soon as they opened the door to the throne room and went in, Uther stood up, looking puzzled. "What is this?" He asked.

"My lord." He said and bowed. "I believe I have found your magic user."

"What?" Uther said. "Aredian, that is ridiculous, Morgana is my ward and I've protected her since she was a child, I would have noticed if she was involved in any kind of sorcery."

Morgana swallowed, the tears in her eyes becoming visible. She looked at Uther, pleadingly.

"Then what is this?" Aredian asked, holding up his hand. Uther looked at him and reached out his hand. Aredian went closer to him and gave him the object.

It was an amulet, with druid symbols on it, made of wood. It had a triskelion on the front, with a sentence written in the language of old religion. Morgana's eyes widened.

She knew this thing. The druid she met in the druid camp a few weeks ago gave it to her. It was an amulet that was supposed to never let her forget that magic is a gift, not a curse. He never told her what was written on it, he said that she would understand one day.

How did Aredian find it?

"It was in lady Morgana's chambers." Aredian said.

"How did you find it?" Uther asked.

"I didn't my lord. Her maid, Guinevere found it and gave it to me. She was afraid to ask lady Morgana herself, and then she disappeared." He said. But Morgana knew it must have been a lie. It was hidden in a little wooden box, on the bottom of her cupboard. Gwen never opened it, the only way Aredian could have found it, was that he searched through her things. But she couldn't possibly let Uther know that it was hers. He'd never forgive her for keeping a magical object.

"Morgana?" Uther asked, looking at her. "Do you know this?" He asked. Morgana looked at the object, Aredian's little smirk and then at Uther. She felt a tear rolling down her cheek. She shook her head.

"N-no, no I d-don't." she whispered. "It's not mine." She said a little more aloud. God, she was so afraid, she was completely alone in this.

Uther looked at her frightened expression. "I believe you." He said after a while. Morgana let out a sigh of relief. "Aredian, Morgana is not a magic user. Take her back to her chambers."

Aredian bowed a little. "Of course, my lord." He mumbled and took Morgana's forearm.

"And Aredian," Uther called one last time. Aredian turned to him. "Apologize to her." He nodded and then the doors closed behind them.

Once the doors closed, Aredian's grip on her arm tightened. Without a word he took her back to her chambers and then let go of her arm.

"Don't worry, lady Morgana." He said, looking into her frightened eyes. "I know you have magic, and I will find a way to make Uther see that. You can be sure of that."

Then he slammed the door shut, making Morgana yelp. As soon as he was finally gone, she lay in her bed and started crying. She didn't know what to do. She missed Gwen, she missed Merlin, hell she even missed Arthur. Merlin knew about her magic, she was sure he'd help her somehow. He helped her once before when he told her about the druids.

She didn't want to sleep, she couldn't even sleep. She was just lying there, in her beautiful green silk dress, sobbing like a little girl.

She felt lost.

xoXOXox

Merlin woke up not long after he fell asleep. It was still night, Gaius and Gwen were still asleep, and Arthur was still keeping the watch. With no chance to fall asleep again, he slowly stood up and went outside, looking for Arthur.

He smiled when he saw him, sitting on the rock where they talked just a few hours ago. He was looking around, silently playing with his sword. Merlin's smile widened. He looked so calm there, so in peace. It was almost a crime to go there and talk to him, but Merlin couldn't stop himself.

He slowly went to him and stopped right behind him. Then he sighed loudly. Arthur quickly turned to him, his eyes wide, expecting some danger, but then he relaxed and smiled a little.

Merlin laughed a bit. "I scared you." He said.

"You absolutely did not, Merlin." Arthur replied, looking annoyed again. That only made Merlin grin more.

"It certainly looked like I did though." He smiled.

"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur groaned, but laughed a little.

Merlin hesitated a bit, but then he sat on the rock, right next to Arthur, looking up at the night sky. The Moon was beautifully shining on them and the nature around. They could actually see as if it were day, but it was night. And the Moon and the few stars on the horizon made them both feel relaxed and happy.

"It's beautiful," Merlin breathed, still looking up at the sky.

"It is," Arthur smiled, looking up himself. Merlin looked at him and smiled too. Arthur's whole face and his hair was illuminated by the moonlight, making him look like an angel. Arthur looked down at him and Merlin quickly looked up at the sky again, blushing slightly

Arthur looked back up at the sky too.

Suddenly a shooting star appeared above their heads and Merlin laughed. "Quickly, make a wish!" Merlin nudged Arthur with his elbow. Arthur looked at him and rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Merlin, you don't actually believe this nonsense about shooting stars, do you?" He said, mocking him.

"Suit yourself." Merlin said and closed his eyes. He knew exactly what he wished for. He wanted Arthur to notice him. He wanted him to just know. He wanted him to be safe and he wanted him to be okay with how Merlin felt. Because what if he wouldn't be alright with it? What if he would be disgusted by Merlin?

Merlin hoped he would never have to experience it. Because seeing Arthur in front of him, looking into his eyes and saying that what Merlin feels was not alright, not normal... that would break him.

"What was your wish?" Arthur asked after a while. He noticed how Merlin's expression changed from happy to worried and sad. He wanted to know why.

Merlin opened his eyes and looked at his prince. "You know I'm not supposed to tell." He said. "The wish wouldn't come true if I told you." Merlin said, smiling.

"I can't believe you're my servant, Merlin." Arthur said. "How could I have survived this long when you're so boring!" He laughed and punched Merlin's arm.

"Ow," Merlin said, standing up. "How do you think you survived, you had me the whole time!" Merlin said. "Saving your sorry ass every day, and washing your stinky socks!"

Arthur laughed. "Hey! You shouldn't talk like that to your future king, Merlin. Especially when you're such an idiot." Arthur shook his head, still smiling.

"Dollophead." Merlin uttered.

"That's not a word." Arthur argued, standing up himself.

"Of course it is."

"Then describe dollop head." Arthur challenged him.

"Two words?"

"Yeah."

"Hm... prince Arthur!" Merlin said and quickly turned around, running back to the cave, knowing Arthur would follow him. When he stopped and turned around, he smiled. It wasn't a long way to the cave, so he was still pretty close to Arthur.

"Get some rest, Merlin." Arthur told him, smiling. Merlin nodded and smiled, turning around.

Then he suddenly heard it. The loud yelp. He stopped and listened again. There was nothing, just silence. But now he was sure that he wasn't dreaming. Someone screamed and he heard it in his head. That person must have had magic.

"Merlin? What's wrong?" Arthur asked when Merlin stopped and wasn't moving.

Merlin ignored him and cocked his head to one side, listening more carefully. Then he realized it. He knew the voice. He knew who screamed. But did she know someone could actually hear her?

He didn't care that he would practically tell her he had magic. He didn't care, he just had to let her know they were alright. She deserved to know.

He took a deep breath and then called her in his mind.

Morgana?

Nothing, there was nothing. Just silence. And then, when Merlin almost gave up, there was a quiet-

M-Merlin?

TBC