Gwen grabbed me some day clothes and once we made it to the training grounds I watched Arthur train as Gwen set out the picnic. Arthur was training with Sir Leon and they were training with both holding a sword and shield. Arthur would perry, then attack then perry once again and he pushed Sir Leon back a little.

I then watched as Sir Leon knocked away Arthur's sword and brought his own sword up to strike Arthur again and I couldn't help it...I could feel my magic course through me with one thought. 'Protect!' I didn't have to move my hand, because I had done this to klone of the villagers. I look at Sor Leon and focused my magic on snapping his belt and dropping his pants. Once it happened I couldn't help but fall over in laughter.

"Is something funny, Merlin?" Arthur asked me, but I could tell he was trying not to laugh as Sir Leon frantically gathered his pants up and left the training grounds.

"Sir Weon's pants!" I answer as I try to get up.

"Merlin, come back over here and eat." I could hear Gwen call for me.

"Otay!" I call back. "Good wuck Arthur."

I ran back over to where Gwen was sitting and started eating a sandwich she made for me. "Seems like Sir Leon's pants weren't fastened properly."

"It was funny." I said with a mouthful of a ham and cheese sandwhich. 'I have to be careful...I'm starting to protect him from common things...and doing so with pranks!'

"Why did you walk towards Arthur?"

"Pwotect." 'DAMMIT!'

"Oh? And how would you protect Arthur?"

"It's a secret." 'THANK GOD THAT'S MY ANSWER!'

"Oh, I'm sure you can tell me. I promise not to tell anyone."

'No!' "I...can't. I pwomised mama I wouldn't."

"Wait, you promised your mother? Merlin, what did you promise?" I could hear the worry in her voice and though I'm thankful that my first response is to keep it a secret, I feel guilty about not telling Gwen. "Merlin, you're not making any sense...You say you went to protect Arthur but you promised your mother you wouldn't tell how...Come on you can tell me."

"Hello, having a nice picnic are we?" Arthur comes over and sits down with us.

"We are in fact." Gwen smiled.

"Hey, these are some of my favorites!"

"Funny, Merlin said the same thing to Cook. She also remembered a time when Merlin would bring these up to you when you were upset."

"Well, at least Merlin has good taste in food." He said as he bit into some ham. "Merlin, what did you think of training today?"

"You wost your sword, Sir Weon's pants fell down, and you twied not to waugh. It was fun to watch."

"I assume it would be funny from where you're sitting but when Sir Leon came back he showed us his belt and it had snapped in two in a strange way. It was a new belt too."

"It still funny."

Arthur smiled at me and it was a smile that almost said 'I would have to agree with you.'

"Will Sir Leon be alright?" Gwen asked as she handed me some strawberries.

"Yeah, he's just a bit embarrassed that's all."

'Strange...this feels like a real family moment.' "Ah, there you are, sire. Your father has been looking for you." Gaius came from behind the wall, and suddenly, after what he said...bith Arthur and I remember that Uther had questions."

Arthur sighed and looked at Gwen before looking at me and said, "Well, this picnic was nice, but we have to go back to my father. Gwen, thank you for the food...it was...nice...Merlin, come on."

I followed Gaius and Arthur patiently to the council room and there seemed to be no one else. "Ah, Arthur and Merlin. Good to see you."

We sat down together at a table. Gaius was next to Uther and I was next to Arthur who was on the other side of his father. "You had questions for us regarding the sorceress?"

"Yes, I was wondering if either of you know why Merlin is her last victim..."

I looked to the ceiling as I swung my legs back and forth. "I dunno, but she pwomised to change it after something wight?"

"Right, but we can't risk taking her word for it."

I look at Uther and Arthur briefly before looking back up at the ceiling. "Well, she could'a hurt me weal bad or hurt Arthur too...There was a stwange smoke and I woke up tiny...If she can turn gwon ups into babies she could pwobably do a wot worse...she wants me and Arthur to find out somethin' and if we don't...she said she would stop the spell anyway..."

"Merlin...has a point, sire. She must have great confidence that Merlin and Arthur will figure it out and I have seen no more victims at all today. It takes a powerful magic to alter someones appearance and mentality...she really could've done worse if she truly wanted to. She has already agreed to remove it after tomorrow if they don't realize what needs to be realized."

"I understand that...but after the spell wares off I cannot allow her to roam the earth any longer. It's not just about my kingdom...she could do this to innocents and they don't deserve that. No, all magic is evil and must be destroyed."

For about three or four more hours they continued to talk and Uther seemed to forget the other questions he was going to ask and focused on catching the sorceress...I feel my eyes droop and my head feels heavy. I lean against Arthur who wraps an arm around me and I can feel him shift to look at his father. "Merlin is falling asleep. May I be excused father?"

"Y-yes of course. Anyway, Gaius I think we should..." The conversation started to drown out as Arthur put me on his back and carried me up to his chambers.

I must've fallen asleep at some point because I felt myself jerk awake when covers were being placed over me. I watched as another servant helped undress and redress Arthur for bed and then Arthur looked at me. "Good night Merlin. You had a long day today."

"You my best fwend Arthur." I say without thinking. "I will alway pwotect you...no matter what. I don't care what happen...you will always be my fwend." 'Why am I saying this?'

"And you will always be mine too...although, I don't think you can do much protecting in this state."

"I can...its a secret." I smile and just simply shakes his head with a laugh as he crawls into bed.

"Good night, Merlin."

"Night night, Arthur."