By the time Merlin woke Arthur had made Elyan leave so only he and Gaius were present. He didn't want the boy to feel threatened. The boy slowly stretched out then slowly opened his eyes they immediately flew open revealing large cerulean eyes. He looked terrified; Arthur stayed where he was but knelt down so not to tower over the cot.

"Don't be frightened, we won't hurt you." Arthur smiled down at the boy then slowly put out his hand. "I'm glad to see you awake."

The boy said nothing; he glanced around the room as if looking for a way out. Then he saw Gaius who was holding a beaker of water out to him. Merlin looked at the water suspiciously so Gaius took a drink before offering it to Merlin once more. A small hand shot out and took the beaker and he started to gulp the fluid down.

"Not so fast, drink it slowly or you will be sick." Gaius explained softly. The boy stopped and looked at him then started sipping the water.

Arthur watched the boy as he drank, then spoke once more.

"Thank you for helping us in the forest, you saved my life. May I know your name?" He didn't want to call the boy Merlin and confuse him.

The boy shook his head refusing to speak. His hand flew to his neck for the first time. As his hand touched the collar his expression turned to terror. He dropped the beaker of water and cowered down into a ball. Arthur moved forward to try to comfort the boy. His eyes flashed gold and the Prince flew across the room hitting the wall. With that the boy looked even more frightened.

Arthur stood up slowly and winced. "That was stupid of me." He looked at the small figure and spoke softly once more. "The collar won't hurt you, we changed it from the iron one, I'm sorry you have to wear it but the King insists."

The boy obviously realised that the collar wasn't affecting his magic and looked puzzled. Gaius move closer and handed the boy another drink this time of broth.

"Drink this, my boy, it's been a long time and you need to build your strength. We won't hurt you." again a small hand reached for the beaker and took it before sipping the contents. His face lit up as he realised he was being fed. As he drank his stomach rumbled with hunger.

Arthur slowly moved forward once more, he knew he would have bruises by the morning. As he reached the table he picked up the pendant Gaius had found around the boys neck and held it out to the boy.

"Would you like me to put this back around your neck?"

A small hand felt around his neck then as he realised the pendant was indeed his boy nodded furiously.

"It's very fine, is it a Merlin?" Arthur asked trying to get the boy to speak.

Again the head nodded. Arthur carefully put the leather strap round the boy's neck, moving very slowly, he didn't want to be thrown across the room again.

"Is that your name….Merlin?" he asked. The head nodded but still the boy didn't speak.

Arthur looked at Gaius "Is he mute?"

Gaius looked at the boy then Arthur "I don't believe so, we don't know what trauma he went though before you found him. He was almost starving; perhaps he will talk when he trusts us more.

Arthur was sad to think that a child could be so treated, but them he only had to think of his own father to realise that Gaius was probably right. He turned and spoke to the boy once more.

"Well Merlin you can trust Gaius and me. I am Prince Arthur and you are at Camelot."

The reaction was immediate Merlin tried to get up and scrambled to the corner trying to get as far away as he could from Arthur.

"Sire I believe he knows about the purge here. Might I suggest you leave now and let me calm him down? You need to get to your bed before the castle awakens anyway. Don't worry I will call which ever Knight is on duty should I need you." Gaius continued to speak in a quiet voice.

Arthur looked at the small and terrified child to the physician before speaking. "Alright Gaius but I will be back in the morning, try to make him understand he can trust me. I want to move him to the anteroom in my chambers tomorrow. He will be safer there." Arthur turned and walked out.

He told Lancelot not to enter the room unless requested to by Gaius or if he heard any sign that Gaius was being attacked. Then he returned to his chambers to get some rest.

Gaius meanwhile sat and talked quietly to Merlin explaining that the prince had saved his life and why he had changed the collar. He also explained that Merlin mustn't use his magic unless it was safe and that he had Arthur would help keep him safe. Gradually the scared boy came out of the corner and Gaius got him back into the cot where he checked the boy's wounds. He was relieved to see that not the child had access to his magic he was healed. All they needed to do was get him to eat and drink, but for now he needed rest. Once Merlin was asleep Gaius opened the door and told Lancelot all was well, before getting some rest himself.

The next morning after Arthur had had his breakfast he returned to Gaius's chambers to find Elyan on guard. He was just about to enter when Gwen arrived with a bundle of cloths. She curtsied before speaking.

"Sire, I have got some clothes from one of my neighbours for the boy. I thought he needed so clean ones."

"Thank you Guinevere that was very thoughtful. I will take them for now. Once Merlin is happier and less frightened you may visit but I think we need to be careful at the present time.

Gwen looked disappointed but understood. She handed over the clothes and replied. "If you think a woman would be good for him please let me know. He must have a mother somewhere and be missing her."

"You're right, Stay here a minute I will have a word with Gaius."

Arthur went in and found Merlin still asleep. He asked Gaius about Gwen and the physician agreed it might be good for the boy to have a woman about. So Arthur spoke to Gwen.

"Gaius thinks having you here might help, go and make sure you have done all that you mistress requires and then please return." He smiled at her. Gwen turned and went to find Morgana.

Once Merlin woke Gaius got a tub of water ready and gave Merlin a much needed bath before getting him dressed in the clothes Gwen had brought. They hung off him where he was so thin but at least they were clean. The collar showed up plainly round his neck. This upset Arthur and he asked Gaius if he had a neckerchief. The older man found a small piece of red cloth and tied it round the boy's neck; it completely hid the metal collar. It somehow suited Merlin.

"Father might not like it, but I'll suggest it might be better if the general population didn't realise they had a sorcerer among them. He can check to collar if he wishes. Also it might help hide the fact that I have had it copied. But I also want the padding on it, otherwise it will rub his neck sore until he gets used to it."

"That's a wise idea Sire." Gaius was proud of Arthur's actions and could see he would make a great King, he only hoped the ruse worked, if Uther ever found out about the collar change he would have the boy killed and nothing would save him.