Sorry for the delay in updating this story – I've been very busy wit uni work, and also this chapter is very transitionary, so pretty boring to write! The next chapter is almost finished, so the next update won't take as long.

Thanks so much for all the reviews so far!

Chapter Three

This wasn't good. Not at all. They'd been walking for half an hour and Arthur had yet to say a single word to any of them. He just ploughed on ahead, kicking branches out of his way and making birds and small animals take flight as he approached.

Merlin followed him at what he deemed to be a safe distance, and the other Merlin and Arthur followed behind him. They had had a short whispered conversation when they had started walking, and from the little Merlin had managed to hear of it he guessed it was about where they were going to hide in Camelot. Merlin didn't really worry about it – as his future self had said, they'd already lived this once, and so presumably they knew what to do.

He just wished they'd tell him what to do about Arthur. The other Merlin had said that it would be alright, that Arthur wouldn't betray him, and that was obviously the case since his future self was alive. So that's fine. But he was sure Arthur would be absolutely furious with him, and that he'd be paying for keeping his magic a secret for a long time.

Of course, the future Merlin and Arthur seemed to get along alright, so Merlin supposed that everything would eventually work itself out. He just had to get through the next little while.

Just ahead of Merlin, Arthur pulled out his sword and used it to hack apart a small bush that he could have easily avoided by walking round the other side of a tree.

Merlin shook his head. This was not going to be fun.

Merlin.

Merlin stumbled a little in surprise as his future self's voice sounded in his head. He looked around at him and gave him a questioning look.

We'll hide in Gaius' rooms for now, said the older Merlin. He's not there right now, is he?

No, Merlin answered. He's –

Merlin was cut off abruptly by walking straight into a tree, and decided that he'd be better off keeping his eyes on the path in front of him. He rubbed his head and started walking again, ignoring the laughter behind him.

Thanks for the warning, he told his future self sarcastically.

It's nice to watch rather than experience for once.

Gaius isn't there, but are you sure you'll be safe there?

It will be fine, the future Merlin assured him. Merlin just shrugged.

A moment later Arthur stopped, and Merlin realised they had reached the edge of the forest. He hurried to catch up with the prince.

"I think we should take them to Gaius' rooms, and hide them there," Merlin said to him.

Arthur just glared at him, and Merlin took that as an invitation to continue.

"Gaius is visiting Greeaner – he won't be back until tomorrow afternoon sometime," he explained.

Arthur didn't say anything, he just glanced back at their future selves and kept walking.

Merlin grimaced back at the other two and then followed.

Arthur picked up his pace as soon as they got out of the forest, but Merlin didn't do the same – they would be a lot more conspicuous entering the city with the prince. Besides, Arthur couldn't shout at him if he wasn't there.

The future Merlin and Arthur both had hooded cloaks with them, which they drew up over their heads as they got near the city. No one paid them any attention anyway – the market was on in the castle that day and the entire place was swarming with traders and travellers. Merlin led them through the crowd towards Gaius' rooms, keeping a wary eye out just in case.

He was extremely glad that Gaius happened to be out of town collecting stores from Greeaner. Not that he wouldn't be a useful person to have around to help keep the future visitors hidden or help him make sense of what was happening, but Merlin knew Gaius would have some very strong views about time travel, and try to stop Merlin finding out about the future. Because that's what he planned to do. Well, how often do you meet your future self?

They didn't meet anyone when they got inside the castle, and Merlin quickly led the other two into Gaius' rooms and shut the door behind them.

"Are you sure you'll be safe in here?" Merlin asked worriedly. Sure, Gaius was away, but people would probably keep stopping by anyway.

"Where else would you suggest?" The future Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Merlin drew a blank, and his future self smiled. "Don't worry, it will all be fine. We will hide here for the next couple of days, and then we will go back into the forest, kill the Tempfera, and return to our own time."

"Is it easy to do?" Merlin asked eagerly. "Time travel?

His future self smiled again. "I wouldn't say easy, no," he said. "It takes a lot of concentration."

"How did you learn?"

"I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise…"

"I hate surprises."

"Well that's a lie."

Merlin rolled his eyes – he should have known arguing with himself was a lost cause. He rocked on his heels, looking absently around the room.

"You don't do that anymore," said the future Arthur suddenly.

Merlin looked over at him, and saw he was talking to his future self, but about him.

"What?" Both Merlins said together.

Arthur shrugged. "You used to be very… well, you never stayed still. It was very annoying," he said, giving Merlin a lopsided smile as he spoke. "I didn't really notice that you're more still now, but compared with him…"

The other Merlin gave Merlin an appraising look, and Merlin tried to stay as still as possible. The other Merlin looked at Arthur. "Well I'm older and wiser now…"

Arthur snorted. "You got the first bit right."

The other Merlin didn't bother to deign that with an answer.

The future pair started to make themselves comfortable, drawing chairs nearer to the fire, and the other Merlin held his hand over the small flames, making them jump higher. Arthur didn't bat an eyelid.

Merlin rubbed his hands together. "So, I guess we just wait then?" He said. "Do you want me to find some food?"

"We'll find some," his future self said. "You won't be staying."

Merlin barely had time to frown in confusion before there was a knock on the door. His future self nodded. "It's Arthur," he said.

Damn. Merlin supposed he should have known he wouldn't get out of his browbeating that easily. He hesitated for a moment, and then walked over to the door and pulled it open.

Arthur had divested himself of his hunting gear, and was standing in the corridor with his arms folded and a dark glare on his face. The glare only intensified when Merlin opened the door.

"Come with me," Arthur said coldly.

All Merlin could do was nod.

He took off the leather hunting bag he still had over one shoulder and set it down by a chair inside the room. He looked over at the future visitors, both of whom were giving him strange looks, alternating between sympathy, encouragement and amusement. The future Merlin gave him a small smile which Merlin returned.

Merlin was just turning to leave when he felt it – a presence in the tiny room off of the main one, where Gaius kept all of his stores. He had no trouble identifying who it was.

Merlin spun back round to face the doorway to the other room, his mind reeling. How much had she heard? How would he explain this to her? How would he keep her from seeing the other Merlin and Arthur?

It's alright, came the other Merlin's voice in his head. Merlin turned to look at his future self, who was watching him from the other side of the room. I'll speak to her.

Merlin frowned, not sure if this was the best idea, but Arthur was standing in the corridor just behind him, waiting impatiently. The other Merlin nodded. Go.

Merlin nodded back and followed Arthur out into the corridor. He would just have to trust his future self. Still, as he followed Arthur through the halls of the palace, he couldn't help but wonder – why had his future self insisted on a hiding place that would put them in the path of Gwen?

TBC