Hello again! 60 reviews! You guys! -blushes- Okay, this chapter is also relatively short...but the story sort of...kind of...in a way...starts to have a bit of a plot in this one...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Not mine! 'Tis all belonging to the BBC I declare!

x


"…I don't even understand why you have to accept. I mean the man sounds honestly dodgy to me, did you hear the way he spoke to me? It was like I was stupid! Just because I can't see, doesn't mean I can't think you know." Merlin wittered on while he helped Arthur into his armour.

"Merlin-"

"I don't even understand why he challenged you. Have you ever met him before? What did he look like? I bet he had a beard-"

"Merlin-"

"What? I'm just saying he sounds like the kind of guy to have a beard."

"Merlin!"

"I don't have anything against beards, I swear, but-"

"MERLIN!"

"Yes?"

"You're putting my helmet on backwards!" Arthur's voice was somewhat muffled.

"Sorry Sire!" Merlin quickly yanked the helmet off Arthur's head that he had been previously trying to rather forcefully put on the Prince. He had been wondering why it didn't fit, although he was rather entertained by the thought that Arthur's inflated ego had actually caused his head to grow.

Arthur, helmet on the right way, sauntered off to the fighting area, surrounded by eager spectators. Merlin stood awkwardly at the side for a moment, before edging sideways until he found the edge of the wooden stands. He then slid down them so he was sitting on the floor. He leant his head back and listened to the clanging of swords and the enthusiastic 'Oooh's and 'Ahh's.

He hadn't slept very well last night, nightmares kept plaguing the normally blissful hours of rest. He spent most of the night lying on his back, staring into the darkness that he silently feared would never go away.

"Hello Merlin." Merlin smiled as he recognised Gwen's voice. He felt her sit down beside him.

"Hey Gwen. Why aren't you watching the fight?" He asked, although he was grateful for the company.

"You looked a little bit lonely here by yourself." Gwen patted his knee.

"Is the other guy any good?" Merlin jerked his head towards where the two men were throwing blows at each other.

"He's pretty handy with a sword…nothing on Arthur of course." Merlin noticed Gwen's voice take on a somewhat dreamy quality whenever she spoke of the Prince. They sat in comfortable silence for a while and Merlin could hear Gwen humming softly under her breath. He didn't recognise the tune, but in his drowsy state it lulled him into a light sleep.


Arthur knocked the sword from his opponent's hand and knocked him to the floor. He held his sword to the man's face (which he noticed was completely beardless, to his amusement) and smirked. He dropped his right hand to his side and offered his left. The man took it and heaved himself to his feet, smiling rather cheerfully for someone who had just been beaten.

The crowd cheered and whooped for their Prince, who acknowledged them with a smile and wave. His opponent clapped him on the shoulder and then walked out of the stadium. Arthur stared after him curiously then jogged to catch him up.

"Just curious." He started. "But why did you challenge me?" The other man turned his somewhat rounded face to look at Arthur, his brown eyes looking at him with a hint of mischief that Arthur usually associated with Merlin.

"Just for fun." He shrugged. "I heard of your talents and thought to myself, why not?"

"Ha." Arthur gave a short, but genuine laugh. He liked this guy. He seemed slightly air-headed, but confident and good with a sword.

"I'm Othro by the way." He held out his hand for Arthur to shake.

"Prince Arthur." He replied, shaking the man's hand. Othro rolled his eyes as if to say "Duh."

"I say, isn't that your manservant?" He gestured behind Arthur. He turned and saw Merlin slumped against the side of the stands, eyes closed with Guinevere sitting beside him. "He looks rather pale…" Observed Othro.

"He's always pale." Joked Arthur, but then he noticed that Merlin did look slightly unwell. Othro excused himself and Arthur walked to where Merlin was.

"Gwen?" Arthur called to her as he approached the pair. Gwen looked up and smiled radiantly. "What's wrong with Merlin?"

"He's just sleeping." Reassured Gwen. "You work him too hard." She meant it as a light joke, but hoped she hadn't offended the Prince.

"Hardly." Snorted Arthur. "Lazy idiot." The last bit was muttered to himself. He didn't really mean it, but he couldn't have people thinking he cared for his manservant's wellbeing. Gwen gently shook Merlin's shoulder, but when she failed to rouse him Arthur shouted his name loudly. Merlin jerked awake, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like, "The cow has three legs."

"Come on Merlin, now's not the time for a quick nap." Arthur sounded brisk and annoyed, but he immediately grabbed Merlin's hand and gently helped him to his feet. "Don't you even want to ask me who won?"

"I wasn't sleeping." Protested Merlin feebly. "And I'm guessing you're going to tell me anyway." Merlin's gaze was set just above Arthur's left shoulder, a lopsided, exasperated smile hitched on his face. Arthur scowled.


"Gaius?" Merlin asked that evening as the two of them were sat down to dinner.

"Mm?" Gaius replied absentmindedly.

"Why can't my magic heal my eyes?" Gaius put his spoon down, looking at the young warlock.

"I can not be certain, but I feel it has something to do with the fire itself being magical."

"How can you be sure the fire was magic?"

"Well." Gaius hesitated. "I've never heard of a fire that big starting so suddenly of natural causes."

"I suppose…" Merlin nodded.

"You saw for yourself the houses in Camelot catching alight with a flick of the fingers."

"What…you think…the sorcerer…?"

"I fear the stone house you described may have been a trap." Gaius explained quietly. Merlin considered this new theory.

"It does fit…I suppose…but why did he want to kill Arthur?"

"I don't know." Gaius sighed, returning to his food. Merlin ignored his dinner, thinking hard.

"The sorcerer…he said…before he ran out of Camelot, he said something about burning the heart of Uther Pendragon…" Gaius stopped eating.

"Merlin?"

"Do you think…the sorcerer intended to break Uther's heart by killing his son?" Merlin said, uncertainly.

"That is a possibility…"

"I should tell Arthur." Decided Merlin, getting to his feet.

"Merlin sit down." Gaius hit him on the arm with his spoon. "Tell him tomorrow, he doesn't want to be bothered now." Merlin grumbled in defeat and sat back down, gulping down some lumpy soup.


"…Are you sure Merlin?" Arthur had been enjoying his breakfast that Merlin had brought him when Merlin explained his and Gaius' theory.

"Well no, but I'm pretty certain." He moved forwards, knocking into the table and consequently spilling Arthur's drink. "Oh, sorry." He ran his hands along the table so he could walk around it and felt around for the jug and Arthur's cup. He poured the water into the cup, spilling some on his hand in the process, but it was an overall success. He nearly knocked it down again, however, when he made to move again.

"For goodness sake Merlin. Sit down before you knock the table over."

"But…" Merlin protested. Servants were not allowed to sit when their master's were eating. Especially at the same table.

"Shut up and sit down." Grumbled Arthur. Merlin found the chair and hesitantly sat down, fidgeting slightly. "Okay." Said Arthur briskly. "I must go and find the sorcerer."

"What?" Merlin exclaimed.

"I must hunt down this sorcerer. Perhaps he can help…with your…eyes."

Merlin was flattered that Arthur was thinking about him, but he could see a flaw in his plan. "How on earth do you propose we find this sorcerer? He could be anywhere."

Arthur slumped in his seat slightly. As much as he hated to admit it, Merlin was right. But he would find a way…there had to be a way…

"Well…I could ask people in outlying villagers if they've seen him. I could check all the taverns, he must be staying somewhere." It was a long shot, but Arthur was determined.

"This is ridiculous." Muttered Merlin.

"Merlin."

"Okay fine, when do we go?" Said Merlin, resigned.

"We?"

"I'm coming with you." It wasn't meant to be a question, but Merlin's voice sounded uncertain.

"No Merlin. You stay here." Arthur picked at his forgotten breakfast.

"No!" Merlin raised his voice. "I want to come too!" Merlin realised he probably sounded like a petulant child. "I mean…if the sorcerer can heal my eyes, then wouldn't it be better if I was there? They're not going to want to come back to Camelot with a burning stake waiting for them." Merlin explained desperately. Arthur would have argued further, but he realised he would rather Merlin came with him. Not because he wanted his company…of course not…but because he didn't want Merlin accidentally setting the castle on fire while he was away. He would rather Merlin was somewhere he could keep an eye on him. At least, that was what he told himself as they rode out of Camelot with a handful of knights following.