Merlin came back to consciousness very slowly. He kept his eyes closed for a long while as he tried to remember why he was feeling so dreadful. His sluggish mind tried to think back at what happened. It all came back to him in a rush that had him gasping for breath. Had Arthur seen him do magic?

Finally opening his eyes, he looked at his surroundings. He was in his room. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. There was no way Arthur had seen him do magic, he would most certainly be in the dungeon awaiting his execution if that were the case. This thought pained him greatly; he would give anything to be able to trust Arthur with his secret.

"Weox fremedon!" Merlin whispered weakly. The dragon had not tired of his song and Merlin knew that he would not be letting up any time soon. The shield lasted only a few seconds as Merlin was feeling too weak to hold it in place.

Merlin slowly sat up and noticed with some shock that the sun was setting. He could not believe that he had been passed out for almost an entire day. Stretching out his sore muscles, Merlin decided to let Gaius know that he was still alive.

"Merlin!" The sound of Arthur's voice was not what Merlin had been expecting. He jerked his head up in surprise, resulting in a sharp stab of pain behind his eyes. Arthur was sitting at the table with Gaius. Merlin did not like the way Arthur was looking at him, he did not understand the look in his eyes. It was almost respectful.

Gaius jumped to his feet at once and walked towards Merlin. "How are you feeling? We've been quite concerned." Merlin answered Gaius with his usual, "I'm fine."

Arthur snorted in disbelief and Merlin felt himself suddenly irritated that the prince was there. His head ached miserably and he needed to talk to Gaius and he could not do that openly with Arthur there. With a barely contained sigh Merlin asked, "Is there something you need me for sire?"

"What? No Merlin, I'm not here to give you chores. I'm here because I'm your friend and we really need to talk...alone if that's alright Gaius." Merlin watched, dumbfounded as Gaius left the room. What on earth would Arthur need to talk about? His curiosity was getting the better of him so he made his way to the table where he sank into a chair.

Arthur was not quick to speak. Merlin could not be sure but it seemed as though the prince was nervous. His head thumped painfully as he tried to guess what Arthur wanted to talk about. He rubbed his temples, praying that the pain would lessen. He suddenly felt that he would need all his wits about him during this talk.

"Are you okay Merlin?" Merlin was surprised at the concern that seemed to be coming from Arthur. Instead of his usual lie he mumbled, "Just a headache."

Arthur snorted again, like he knew that it was much more than a headache. Merlin sighed, "Arthur, I assume that you did not wait here all day just to inquire about my health, what's wrong?"

Suddenly Arthur seemed to find his resolve. "Merlin, I know that you are a warlock."

Merlin's insides seemed to turn to ice. He could not find his voice, he simply stared at Arthur with fear and shock written clearly across his face.

After several long, tense moments Merlin found his voice. "You saw my eyes change this morning?" Merlin wished his voice did not sound so pitifully weak.

"Yes. I brought you back here and questioned Gaius. He told me quite a few interesting things; things that I would have much rather heard from you," Arthur finished, looking hurt.

Merlin's head was spinning. "I'm sorry Arthur, only Gaius and my mother knew my secret. I did not feel that I could trust anyone else with it. It's dangerous to be a sorcerer in Camelot," Merlin finished with a small smile.

"What are you going to do now?" Merlin asked.

"We're going to find a way to make that blasted dragon leave you alone," Arthur stated simply.

This was the last thing that Merlin expected. "What about your father?" Merlin spluttered out.

"What about him? I hardly think you would want me to alert him about your current problem," Arthur was looking at Merlin like he was concerned for his sanity.

"I"M A SORCERER ARTHUR!," Merlin yelled in irritation. "You're simply going to look over that fact when you've stood by and let countless others be executed for being the same?"

Arthur's blue eyes turned fiery with intensity, "Merlin, I will never allow any harm to come to you. You are my best friend and I know now that you have saved my life countless times. I will guard your life as you have always guarded mine. I have had a wake up call today Merlin. I talked to a dragon! I've seen what evil my father has allowed to continue in this kingdom. There is little that I can do about that now, but I will do what I can by helping you. Please, trust me Merlin. Let me help you!"

Merlin slowly processed everything Arthur had said...he was not going to be executed...Arthur was willing to accept him for what he was. Merlin's heart felt lighter than it had in days. To his embarrassment he felt moisture in his eyes. He simply looked at Arthur and said, "Thank you."

"You spoke to Kilgarrah?" At Arthur's confusion he added, "the dragon?"

"Yes and it seemed as though he was talking in riddles, he wouldn't give me a straight answer. All I could take from the conversation is that he is not going to stop tormenting you until you hold up your end of the bargain."

Merlin sighed, he already knew this of course. "That's something I simply cannot do right now...I've seen terrible things..."he trailed off with a shudder.

"What have you seen?" Arthur asked.

"I looked into the crystal that night you asked me to guard it. I didn't want to! It was like the crystal willed me to look and in the end I gave into it," Merlin finished shamefully.

"I saw what looked like Kilgarrah destroying Camelot and I've been having nightmares...I'm starting to think that they are glimpses of the future."

"Yesterday, I would have told you that you are crazy for saying that...but now that I'm in the presence of Merlin, the boy who will one day be the greatest sorcerer of all time...I'm just going to agree with you," Arthur's eyes were twinkling like he was trying to hold back a laugh.

Merlin had no response for this besides a slight blush creeping up his neck. After a moment he said, "Well, if you agree that I could be seeing the future...what options do I have?" Merlin had decided not to tell Arthur that he had seen him dead in all of these nightmares. No need for that just yet.

Arthur looked very thoughtful. "The dragon said that Camelot was being threatened, but not by him...he mentioned a witch and her druid ally. It seemed that he felt he could prevent whatever they had planned. Does this mean anything to you?"

Merlin studied Arthur very closely and quickly decided that there was no way that he could tell Arthur that Morgana was the 'witch' in question. Not until he had proof at least...even then he did not want to believe that Morgana was capable of killing Arthur and destroying Camelot.

He answered finally, "I'm sorry, I don't know what he means. All I know is that setting him free now would be dangerous. He would surely kill your father."

Arthur shuddered, no matter what his father had done...he did not want any harm to come to him. "You would know better what the dragon is capable of...I just don't want you to suffer anymore."

Merlin was touched, it would take awhile to get used to Arthur his friend as he'd been dealing with Arthur the prat for so long. "It's not so bad," he said as he forced his face into what he hoped was a smile.

"You fool, listen to Arthur before it's too late. Things are being set into motion on this very night. Allow me to stop them before danger arrives in this kingdom!"

Agony lanced through Merlin's head as the dragon roared in his mind. "I'm sorry," he whispered weakly, "the biggest threat to Camelot right now is you."

"The destruction of Camelot will rest upon your shoulders!" Kilgarrah continued his tormenting song with renewed vigor.

Merlin could do nothing but grip his poor head in his hands and pray that he would pass out. Through bleary eyes he could see Arthur looking at him with concern. With strength he did not think he had, he made it to his feet. The world was already swaying sickeningly around him.

"I'm sorry Arthur, we'll have to figure this out tomorrow...the dragon is quite angry right now.," Merlin forced out as he turned towards his bedroom.

"Let me help you Merlin," Arthur said as he steadied Merlin and got him safely to his room.

Once Merlin was lying down he looked at Arthur with a sad smile. "I'm so glad you know."

Arthur simply gave him a reassuring smile and watched as his friend gave into unconsciousness. "We will figure this out; I cannot allow him to suffer any more," he vowed to his friend and to himself.

Elsewhere in the castle...

Morgana was brushing her long dark hair with great care, just as she did every night before sleeping. Gwen was preparing her bed and putting out most of the candles. All of a sudden she heard a familiar voice inside her head...

"Morgana."

She gasped in surprise and dropped her brush. Gwen rushed to her side. "Is everything alright milady?"

"Yes Gwen, I'm fine. That will be all for the evening," she finished.

"Yes milady," Gwen left, looking slightly confused.

"I must speak with you; can you meet me just outside the gates of Camelot? You must not be seen."

"Yes Mordred. I'll be quick."

Morgana dressed in her darkest cloak and made her stealthy way out of the castle. It was no problem sneaking past the guards as she and Arthur had been doing that since they were children. Within no time she was where Mordred had asked her to meet him.

She greeted the boy that was dear to her heart with a kiss on his forehead. He looked at her with piercing eyes. "Will you come into the forest with me?" he asked by way of greeting.

"What's going on Mordred? Why must we go into the forest?" She was not wanting to head there at night again. The last time she had gone she had been attacked by a pack of the wild sort of creature that filled the place.

He seemed to sense this. "Don't worry, you will not be harmed. Morgause will be watching out for us."

Morgana gasped, "Morgause is there? She wants to see me? Let's go." Morgana was anxious to see Morgause once again as she had cured the nightmares that had plagued her sleep nightly.

They rode for some time before they arrived at a small camp. Morgana saw the blond Morgause and could not help but feel joyed at seeing her again.

Morgause walked slowly towards her with a huge smile on her beautiful face. "Sister...we meet again."

To be continued...