Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, big hugs to all. Though I have noticed the number has droped so please please review everyone. Also if you haven't told me what you think about possible slash in later chapters I'd really like to know. Also I forgot to say in earlier chapters but this is set after S02E11, this will become more important in later chapters, so there may be some spoilers but they should be too huge. Thanks for reading and please review. x

Previously

"So," Arthur continued out loud, "There is definitely no way to stop you hearing my every thought till we find the sorceress?"

"Nope." Merlin said brightening up, too much for Arthur's liking, "Well I do know how to hide your deep secrets so I can't discover them as long as you don't want me to."

Arthur looked back at Merlin in surprise. This was the last thing he had been expecting. He moved forward and, ignoring the table and chairs, plonked himself down on the floor.

"Come on then." Arthur said indicating the space opposite him, "Show me how it works."

Merlin moved over to sit opposite Arthur and smiled at the expectant look on his face. He realised that Arthur was completely under his control. Arthur didn't know how to block his thoughts. Merlin could make him do anything, the possibilities were endless. Arthur glared at Merlin.

"If you make me look like a fool I will personally kill you." Arthur warned.

Merlin pulled a face at him and sighed. This mind reading was going to spoil his fun.

"Fine then. Close your eyes and concentrate on your thoughts."

Arthur did as he was told, for once in his life, and looked inward blocking out any trace of Merlin's annoying presence. They sat in silence for a moment till Merlin was satisfied that Arthur was concentrating. If Arthur had had his eyes open he would have noticed the mischievous smile that appeared on Merlin's face.

"Are you concentrating?" He asked.

Arthur opened his eyes and threw Merlin a dirty look.

"Well I was till you started distracting me." Arthur growled.

"Sorry." Merlin muttered, Is this less distracting for you Sire?

"Merlin!"

"I'll stop talking now."

Arthur pulled a face at Merlin and closed his eyes again. Merlin listened to his regular breathing and, satisfied that Arthur was ready, began his instructions.

Keep concentrating on your thoughts and repeat after me. I Arthur Pendragon...

"I Arthur Pendragon..." Arthur repeated, concentrating on maintaining his calm rather than on what he was saying.

...promise to always...

"...promise to always..."

...listen to Merlin...

"...listen to Merlin..."

...as he is the...

"...as he is the..."

...best servant in the world.

"...best servant in..." Arthur's eyes snapped open, "MERLIN!"

He glowered at Merlin who was laughing hysterically at his own wit. Arthur was fuming. Here they were in this awful situation and all Merlin could do was play tricks on him. He wasn't taking any of this seriously. Did he not see the terrible effect this could have if they didn't sort it out?

"Do you think you're funny?" He asked the laughing Merlin angrily, "I will make your life a living hell if you don't take this seriously!"

"Like you don't already." Merlin spluttered through his laughter.

Arthur looked at his servant rolling around the floor laughing and frowned. He was Prince Arthur, no servant had ever laughed at him before. But Merlin wasn't like the other servants. He disagreed with Arthur, voiced his own opinions and never, ever, showed Arthur any respect. Arthur did have to admit that this was probably why he was the closest thing to a friend Arthur had ever had but that still didn't stop it driving him mad.

Merlin was still laughing and Arthur finally lost it. He dove at Merlin and wrestled the sniggering boy over. Merlin struggled to break free from Arthur's grip but failed. He ended up lying on his front with Arthur's knee digging into his back, his arm twisted behind him painfully.

"Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed, all trace of laughter gone.

"Are you going to take this seriously?" He asked the squirming boy beneath him.

"Yes!"

"And stop trying to make a fool of me?"

"Yes! Please get off me!"

Arthur released him and retreated back to the spot he had been sat on previously. He watched Merlin pick himself up and felt a small pang of guilt as he saw Merlin rubbing his arm and felt his pain through their bond.

"You should feel guilty; that hurt." Merlin grumbled.

"Well you shouldn't have been trying to make me look like an idiot."

Merlin shot him a wounded look and sat sulkily opposite him.

"So are you going to teach me this now?" Arthur asked expectantly.

He looked at Merlin, waiting for his answer. However Merlin just sat there sullenly, glaring at him. Arthur sighed as he realised what Merlin was waiting for.

"I'm not going to apologize so there is no point looking at me like that."

Merlin pouted at Arthur then got up and started tidying Arthur's room. Arthur stared at him bewildered, unsure what Merlin was doing.

Well you said you're not going to apologize and there is no point me sitting there so I thought I would do something useful till you change your mind.

"Merlin you know I'm not going to change my mind so we might as well get on with this." Arthur sighed.

Merlin knew that Arthur was the most stubborn person he knew, but he could also be stubborn at times, and he held all the cards. If Arthur wanted to learn how to shield his deep secrets he was going to have to apologize. Merlin made sure he thought that last thought as loud as possible and, from the sigh that came from behind him, he knew Arthur had heard.

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry if I hurt you." Arthur mumbled reluctantly, "But you were asking for it."

Arthur could sense Merlin preparing to argue and he didn't real feel up to arguing with his stubborn friend.

Okay fine. It was uncalled for. Happy now?

Merlin's usual smile appeared back on his face and he ambled over to Arthur. He sat back down and Arthur saw a cheeky twinkle in his eye.

"Can we do this properly now?" Arthur asked exasperated.

"Whatever you say My Lord." Merlin replied sarcastically, still smiling, "Well you really do need to close your eyes and concentrate on your thoughts."

Arthur did as Merlin instructed.

If you try and make a fool of me again I will put you in the stocks till you can't stand up any longer.

Merlin rolled his eyes fondly at Arthur and resumed his instructions.

You have to imagine a room filled with all the memories and thoughts you want to hide.

Arthur sensed that Merlin was being serious this time and so he did as instructed. He pictured a dusty storage room filled with many memories. Embarrassing memories, personal memories and memories he just didn't want Merlin to see. An image of him kissing Gwen in the tent flashed through his mind.

You don't need to hide that. I've already seen it.

MERLIN!

Sorry, I'm going.

Merlin retreated back into his own head. He knew he shouldn't be snooping through Arthur's thoughts but he couldn't resist finding out what the future king of Camelot had to hide. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to keep his thoughts quiet and he'd been caught before he'd found anything interesting. On the surface it had all seemed to be trivial stuff but Merlin had sensed some deep secrets that Arthur had never shared with anyone. And, although he hadn't found out what they were in his forage, his curiosity had been awakened.

"Once you've done that you must imagine yourself locking this room and securing it from trespassers." Merlin said out loud, not want to intrude again.

"Trespassers like you?" Arthur asked cheekily.

He watched the peaceful look on Arthur's face as he concentrated on his defences. Merlin had set his own when he had been with the dragon to make sure it would work before he taught it to Arthur. He smiled at Arthur's relaxed look and realised he hadn't seen Arthur like this in a long time. There always seemed to be something causing worry and fear and, even when there was no threat to Camelot, Arthur had seemed preoccupied with some other worry that he would not confide in Merlin.

He felt a tug in his mind and realised Arthur was done. He moved his thoughts away from his worries about Arthur as he didn't want him to know he was concerned. Arthur smiled at his friend.

"Well at least this makes this mind reading thing slightly more bearable now I know you can't access my secrets."

He watched Merlin squirm slightly and narrowed his eyes at him.

"Merlin? This is going to keep my secrets from you?"

"Well in theory it should keep them safe. As long as you don't lose focus." Merlin mumbled, "Moments of extreme emotion may make the defences fail and leave your mind vulnerable."

Arthur was about to reply, outraged that Merlin hadn't thought to tell him earlier, when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Arthur called standing up, I'm not done with you yet. He shot at Merlin silently.

Gwen entered the room hesitantly to see Merlin sat on the floor smiling impertinently and Arthur stood opposite him, a disgruntled look on his face. She wasn't really surprised by this sight as Merlin was always winding Arthur up with his smart comments. What did surprise her however, was Merlin's appearance. At a glance he looked fine but when she looked at him closely she saw the dark bags under his eyes and realised his clothes seemed to be hanging off him as if he had lost a lot of weight. She hoped that Arthur wasn't working him too hard as he did tend to get caught up in his own thoughts and forget about the needs of the others around him. However she did not know that it was now impossible for Arthur to be caught up in just his own thoughts.

"Guinevere?" Arthur asked softly and she flushed realising she had gotten caught up in her own thoughts and forgotten why she had been sent there.

"Oh sorry. The king requires your presence. Another sorceress has been found." She fumbled embarrassed.

She noticed that both Arthur and Merlin seemed very interested at the mention of the sorceress. She was unsure why as she knew Merlin hated Uther's constant execution of anyone who was even remotely connected to magic.

Do you think it could be? Arthur asked Merlin silently, not wanting Gwen to hear.

Probably not, that would be too easy. Merlin replied. But we won't find out stood around here. You better say something, Gwen is looking suspicious.

"Thank you Guinevere." Arthur said to the thoroughly bemused maid, "Come on Merlin. If I have to suffer through father's long-winded trials then so do you."

With that Arthur and Merlin moved past Gwen and exited the room, leaving her confused by their strange behaviour and unsure of what to do next.

---

"Do you confess to knowingly practicing magic within Camelot in full knowledge that you were breaking the law?" Uther asked the cowering woman.

"Yes." Came her breathless whisper.

"And by admitting this you are admitting to being an enemy of the crown and a traitor to your kingdom. I have no choice but to sentence you to death."

Merlin turned away from the broken woman feeling sadness ebbing through him. He didn't believe for a second that the woman had done anything to threaten the safety of Camelot yet she was being sentenced to death for a gift she could not get rid of.

Is it her? Arthur's voiced echoed in Merlin's head.

Merlin glanced over at the prince sat by his father at the front of the room. His face was an impassive mask but Merlin could feel his emotions raging through his bond. On the one hand he had been brought up to believe that magic was evil and therefore so was anyone practicing it. But on the other hand he recognised that the fragile woman in front of him had done nothing to threaten his kingdom and was just another victim in his father's fight against sorcery.

Merlin monitored the battle raging in Arthur's head carefully. He knew Arthur was not totally convinced by his father's hatred for magic however he also knew that he would find it hard to defy an idea that had been implanted in him from the day he was born. Arthur cared for his people, more than he cared for himself, and despite his uncertainty on his views of magic he still hated to see so many of them killed over small acts.

Arthur turned to look at Merlin expectantly, knocking him out of his reverie.

Well what do you think?

Merlin turned his attention back to the woman who was still cowering on the floor while Uther recited his speech about how magic would destroy them from the core if they did not act swiftly. He concentrated on her, unsure of what he was supposed to be looking for. Eventually he gave up with a sigh.

I don't know. I don't even know what we're supposed to be looking for.

Me neither, Arthur thought back, But I don't feel anything at all.

Same. I suppose if it was her we'd just know.

Both boys were so wrapped up in their thoughts they didn't realise that Uther had finished and the room had cleared. Uther got up with a sigh and, ignoring Merlin, moved behind his chair and addressed Arthur.

"I have made it perfectly clear my policy on magic and still the people defy me. How many must I make an example off till they heed the warning?" He grumbled.

"Maybe they can't help it." Arthur said without thinking.

Uther turned to look at his son shocked.

"What did you say."

"Maybe they can't help it." Arthur repeated with more confidence, "Maybe they can't prevent the fact they have magic and we shouldn't punish them so harshly for something they can't help."

"Well what would you have me do? Let sorcerers run rampant throughout the kingdom destroying everything we have built." Uther asked sarcastically.

"I'm not saying that father." Arthur stood up and turned to face him, "I just think that maybe our policies are too harsh and we need to rethink them."

"You have seen what these people can do Arthur and you want me to just let them go unpunished." Uther demanded angrily.

"I have seen a few individuals use their magic for evil but many more killed for actions that weren't hurting anyone." Arthur said his temper rising.

"They were using magic; that is crime enough!" Uther shouted

"That woman was just cleaning her washing! She wasn't hurting anyone! She has lived in Camelot her whole life and has never once hurt anyone; do you really think she was going to start now?" Arthur shouted back.

"She broke the law, she must be punished!" Even to Uther's own ears his argument sounded weak but he would not concede this point, "Magic is evil and those who used it deserve to be punished!"

"And what about her family? Her four children? Do they deserve to be punished?" Arthur challenged.

Uther had had enough. He was not going to stand here and be preached at by his own son. He was the king of Camelot and he deserved more respect.

"I will not be spoken to in such an insolent manner! You will go to your rooms and stay there till you recognise the error of you ways!" Uther roared.

"You're confining me to my chambers?" Arthur asked incredulous.

"Yes, and you will stay there till I see fit." Uther bellowed at his son, "I do not wish to see you again until you have learnt to respect me!"

"Well then you won't be seeing me for a long time." Arthur replied coldly and swept out the room, leaving Uther fuming behind him.

Merlin, who had been stood silently in the corner during their argument, hurried after Arthur, keen to avoid Uther's anger turning on him. He followed Arthur down the corridor and eventually caught up to the seething prince. Arthur was muttering incessantly under his breath and although Merlin couldn't hear what he was saying his thoughts were all too clear.

Who does he think he is confining me to my chambers? I'm not a child anymore. He can't send me to my room and expect me to magically respect him. Just because I don't worship every word that comes out his mouth doesn't mean he has the right to dismiss my opinions without a thought.

Merlin smiled slightly as he heard Arthur fume. It wasn't often he didn't manage to restrain his anger but Merlin thought it had done him good to release his pent up frustration. However he wasn't sure that Uther was the best person to explode at.

And I will not sit by while he punishes people for his own personal hatred. I am the future king of Camelot, he cannot tell me what to do.

Merlin was pleased to see that Arthur's views on magic did not mirror his father's. He knew he would eventually have to tell Arthur about his own magic and he hoped that Arthur wouldn't hate him too much, and maybe it would make him realise that not all magic was evil.

Suddenly Merlin noticed something in Arthur's mind that he should have realised from the beginning.

"We're not going back to your chambers are we?" He asked Arthur.

"Once again Merlin you amaze me with your observational skills." Arthur replied sarcastically, "What gave it away? Perhaps the fact that my chambers are the other end of the castle or that we have been walking away from them since we left the hall..."

Or maybe the fact that you can hear my thoughts and I have been pretty much screaming that fact to you. Arthur continued silently, aware of the guards passing by.

Merlin sighed, Arthur had once again reverted to prat mode.

I heard that!

Good I meant it.

"So," Merlin said, switching back to speaking out loud, "Where are we going then?"

"To the town."

Merlin frowned; he didn't understand Arthur's sudden interest in visiting the town's people. He could tell Arthur needed to get out of the castle but he normally ended up dragging Merlin hunting when he was in this mood. It seemed he had another reason for his choice of destination.

Merlin you are an idiot. We are going to find ourselves the sorceress.