Disclaimer: I own nothing

Me: Next chapter! This is a new record!

Merlin: Sooo when exactly is Arthur going to wake up?

Me: *shrugs* I don't know… I think next chapter… *Shifty eyes* Maybe…

Enjoy!

As Gaius and Merlin finished attending to those who were injured in the first attack, the sky had blackened and the air had become cold. Arthur was still with the council discussing on how to stop tomorrows attack. Adair had demonstrated a level of control over his magic that made him a great enemy and the way he had incapacitated the knights with just one spell meant that they would have to think of another way of dealing with this. In the meantime, as soon as Gaius and Merlin were within their chambers Merlin began to pace the room.

"Gaius what am I going to do?" Asked the warlock, frantic for his advice. He couldn't concentrate all day as he kept remembering today's events. Gaius approached the younger man slowly.

"Merlin, calm down." At this, Merlin's head turned towards him, desperation written on his face.

"How can I calm down!" Merlin stated "Adair wants to speak to Emrys in front of the whole court and Uther is no doubt planning an attack for tomorrow with Arthur leading it! How am I suppose to protect Arthur without half the court finding out about my magic?" As he said this, his pacing became more frantic at the thought of failing to protect his friend. After these past few years, the two of them had gotten closer, far beyond the line between master and servant. And for him to fail in protecting his best friend was all but unthinkable. Suddenly, he felt Gaius's hands on his shoulders.

"Merlin!" Gaius said forcefully gaining the full attention of the younger man. Seeing this, he sat in a nearby bench as he pulled Merlin along with him. "Nothing good can come if you don't stop panicking. You need to keep your head clear if you want to find an answer." Hearing this, Merlin took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"You're right." At this, the two of them began to think of a plan. Hours went by as ideas were exchanged and turned down. Nothing appeared to solve both problems. But then, Merlin remembered something.

"Maybe there is a way to protect Arthur while keeping my magic a secret..." He whispered but still Gaius had heard. He looked at him apprehensive.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I've read something in the spell book a while back." As he said this, he walked towards his room and knelt down to get his spell book from the floorboard. Once he found it, he quickly started turning the pages as he walked back to the main room. "It was used to summing the strength of fallen knights to aid in battle. With this I can shield Arthur and the knights while I keeping an eye on Adair." As he said this, he showed Gaius the spell he found in the book. While he read, Gaius couldn't help but be concerned by his plan.

"That's a bit risky. If Adair ever got a look at your eyes while you do this he would inevitably know you're Emrys and reveal your identity in front of Arthur." Hearing his concern, Merlin closed his eyes as he gathered the book. He placed both hands on the table as he raise his head towards him.

"Well, until we can come up with something better it's the best we got." Merlin said wearily. "I won't let fear of my magic being revealed cost Arthur his life. Adair may have said that he would spare him but I don't trust his word." He said with determination. Even thought Arthur hated his kind, we would be damned if he was going to let anything happen to him because of cowardice. As he looked upon Merlin's face, Gaius saw the sheer determination and stubbornness that was so Merlin. He knew that he wouldn't be able of dissuading him of stepping down and a swell of fatherly pride surged through him as he saw his bravery towards this threat.

"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less." As he said this, he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder trying to convey his emotions. At this, Merlin gave him a small smile and began to walk towards his room.

"I should start practicing. Tomorrow is going to be plenty busy for all of us." Before reaching his door he stopped for a second.

"Gaius…" As he said this, he refused to turn around. "If Adair follows through with his plan, then I will have to show myself as Emrys. I can try to hide myself behind a cloak but you know that the hood can come down at any moment." Gaius's face contorted into a grim expression. He knew the lengths to which Merlin would go to protect Arthur and his kingdom and his hear ache every time he put his life in danger to protect them all. Gaius nodded in acceptance but seeing his ward had his back to him he tried to get past the lump in his throat.

"I understand." He said gruffly. Hearing this, Merlin turned towards the man he thought of as a father and tried to smile but Gaius could see through his mask. Merlin's eyes looked sad as he started walking in his room. Gaius could hear him before he closed the door.

"Good night."

Me: Uhm… Do you guys think I'm writing this to fast? Because I think I could write more in descriving what they're feeling… What do you think? Do I add more or update as fast as I am?

See ya tomorrow?