A/N: so, three more assignments and I should be finished with my studies. Hopefully then I can be more consistent with updates. Also, thanks to everyone who left their theories! They were great to read and one was pretty spot on. ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

-)-(-

"Gaius!"

The poor man was awoken from his sleep by the yell that unexpectedly resounded through their chambers. Hastily – well, as hastily as a man of his age could move – he sat up, looking around blearily until he was able to focus. When he was, he found Merlin to be pacing the floor incessantly, shoulders stiff with an emotion he had yet to determine.

"Merlin?" he asked, pushing himself to his feet, worry distorting his features. "Whatever is the matter?"

"It's Amyas!" Merlin exclaimed, turning to him, face littered with fear. "He was here."

"In the castle?" Gaius demanded, scarcely able to believe it.

His ward nodded furiously. "He cornered me in one of the corridors. Gaius…he knows."

"He…"

"He knows about Aithusa!"

Gaius froze in shock. "How could he possibly know? Did he see you with him?"

Merlin looked just as lost. "I don't know! I know I was never followed…But how…how could he know? Do you think he has magic?"

His mentor frowned. "Even if he does, that wouldn't help him find a dragon. I can only think that he either has a device that allows him to detect a dragon's presence or he possesses the ability to scry. But how would he know what to look for?"

The warlock cocked his head in a silent question of 'what?'

"Merlin." Gaius shot him a level look. "To all of Camelot's knowledge, the Great Dragon is dead. And a dragon egg? Only Arthur and his closest knights were privy to that information when Borden stole the Treskillion."

"Then how does Amyas know about it?"

"Exactly!"

"He…" Merlin took a moment to think before his eyes flashed. "Amyas told me he had only just arrived to Camelot."

"So he must have come from elsewhere," Gaius surmised. "Perhaps…there were three parts of the Treskillion. One was here in Camelot…"

"The other was with the Druids," Merlin added, a displeased look colouring his face as memories of Borden began to arise within his mind. "The third part had to come from somewhere."

"That it did. The only question is…from whom did Julius steal it from?"

Merlin ran a hand across his face. "I think we just found out. Amyas must be searching for what he thinks is his."

"He would not have had possession of the Treskillion if he did not know what secret it held," Gaius pointed out. "And when it was stolen…"

"He realised the dragon egg was going to be found," Merlin finished, eyes wide. "That's why he's come! He must have somehow tracked Borden this far…" he trailed off. "And then somehow onto me…"

"Yes." Gaius' lips were pursed. "How he managed that is something I'm sure I'll never figure out. But, it goes without saying Merlin, that you must be extra careful. Watch every thing you do. You cannot allow Amyas to find the dragons. It's a miracle alone he does not know about Kilgharrah. You know you can't see them again."

"Not until he's gone," Merlin agreed firmly. He took a deep breath. "Amyas says I must bring him Aithusa before sunset tomorrow."

The old man started. "And if you don't?"

"I don't know," Merlin admitted, arms coming to hug his chest. "But I'm scared Gaius, I'm really scared. He said if I didn't, something horrible would happen. I believe him."

And being pinned under the helplessness in those deep azure eyes, how could Gaius do anything but agree? He placed a comforting hand on his boy's shoulder. "Then I suggest you keep your head down. Do not seek him out or try to stop him. That will only make things worse."

"I understand."

The hand was shaken off and Merlin was making towards his chambers. "Merlin!" he called sharply, watching the young man turn to him, face unreadable. "This is one time I beg of you to actually listen. Please."

There was a deep sigh and Merlin's shoulders slumped. "And this is the one time I actually want to listen."

-)-(-

It was hardly surprising to say that following day seemed better than its dismal predecessor. Even if Amyas' threat still had Merlin continually on alert, the over-bearing feeling of wrongness was not present; or at least, it was not at the forefront of his mind. He could still feel it, niggling and occasionally clawing at his subconscious, but it no longer threatened to consume. That alone had Merlin more cheerful; while certainly not his normal bright self, he was at least able to smile without it seeming like more of a grimace. Arthur had been impressed with the change, if nothing else. After all 'who needs a servant who spends his day ordering the king around, being ridiculously ill and just generally being useless'?

So even with Amyas' words kept in mind, Merlin appeared quite happy as he strolled through the lower town, on his way to gather some more supplies for Arthur's undoubtedly imminent next hunting trip. His eyes were constantly searching for the visiting stranger, but he had yet to find him. It soothed his conscience a little.

"Merlin!"

The shout came too late and before he knew it, he was tumbling over the lean dog that had been camped on the ground. The warlock ended up sprawled on the ground while the dog barked indignantly before taking off, tail between its legs. Turning his head, Merlin was able to find who it was that had tried to warn him.

"Gwen!"

"Hello Merlin," she laughed, coming to his side and crouching down, a touch of concern in her features, barely hidden by her overriding amusement. "Are you alright?"

"Me? I'm always alright," he replied breezily, pushing himself up, his friend standing with him.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure. That was a bit of a fall."

"Oh, I've had worse," Merlin said offhandedly, the words accompanied by a dismissive wave.

"True," Gwen smiled, shaking her head and sending him a look. "You need to be more careful Merlin. It won't always be a dog you're tripping over. And you're lucky you weren't carrying anything valuable."

Merlin looked appropriately chastised. "Come on Gwen," he whined. "I can't help it. You think I like the floor?"

She laughed at him, placing a hand on his arm, shaking her head. Her voice, when she next spoke, was surprising serious. "You be careful now Merlin, you promise?"

"I-…" Merlin stopped mid-sentence when his brain caught onto what she'd asked. "Why? What's wrong Gwen?"

"Oh…I don't know." She knotted her hands nervously, eyes swapping between him and the muddy ground below. "I just…I'm worried about you Merlin. I don't know why, but I just am. Something…something isn't…" she shook her head. "You'll just be careful though, won't you?"

He swallowed thickly, expression completely sombre now. "I will."

Relieved at his answer, Gwen breathed a quick 'thank you', gave her goodbyes and then slipped back into the markets. Merlin remained where he was, eyes following Gwen until she was out of sight. That wrongness had suddenly returned.

-)-(-

"Merlin!"

The voice was a growl, and that was a tone Merlin never got sent his way. Arthur might yell at him or hiss at him, but he did not growl. And Arthur was in his chambers, Merlin had just finished seeing to him. And it was after sunset. There was only one person this could be. Only one person would be in this hallway, coming to face him alone, tone full of rage.

"Amyas."

The man stepped from the shadows like a wraith, eyes glinting dangerously even in the dark. "You did not bring me what I asked."

Merlin repressed a shudder, the icy tone sending fear jolting down his spine. "I told you," his voice conveyed none of the terror he was feeling. "I will never give you that dragon."

Amyas' voice was equally level. "And I told you that you would have to make a choice. That choice comes now! Deorcnes ic ábannan ðu, bringan pínnes. Árísan, anginn!"

Merlin dived to the ground when two creatures surrounded by the smoky ink of darkness leapt through the arch-way behind Amyas. Two identical lions; heads were staring at him, the warlock shuffling back quickly when a pair of snakes' heads also rose to hiss at him. The pair of beasts roared and then bounded down the corridor, both heading in different directions. Heading towards…

Arthur's chambers…and Gaius'…

"NO!"

-)-(-

A/N: and that's where I'll leave you. :) He he he.

~DeathGod777