Author's Note: Hey people! Thank you for all the really really nice reviews! Also, a thank you for all the people who have been following this story and marking it as a favorite. Since I left you with a pretty big cliffy, I've tried to update a bit sooner than last time. I'm thinking (not sure, but pretty sure) that this will be the second to last chapter other than an epilogue to tie up loose ends. So, again, hope you enjoy and pretty please keep up the reviews!

Oh, and I have made it to over 1,000 views, which makes me quite happy! ;D

Italics = flashbacks to Camelot time (meaning a paragraph or more of italics) and they will be taken straight from the show (attempted word for word)

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, or Freya, or Arthur, or any of the other characters I mentioned and am gaining no monetary profit from my story.

Merlin woke and he shuttered his eyelids so, hopefully, no one could tell he was awake, but he could still see what was going on. His breathing caught in his throat as he looked at the room around him. He wasn't at the lake anymore, or at least, he wasn't where he had been at the lake. How was Arthur and the knights going to find him? Merlin started to panic before he calmed himself down. He would not give these people the satisfaction of seeing him panic.

Speaking of people, there were a lot of people in the room. That meant that it was pretty large, so Merlin hoped that Arthur would be able to find a pretty large building with lots of noise coming from a lot of people talking. Although, Arthur was rather inobservant at inconvenient times. Merlin sighed and closed his eyes all the way again, his thoughts focused on his prattish king. The warlock shifted slightly only to find that he was bound by magic chains. Morgause's magical chains that she used to trap him with the serkets. Joy.

Of course, the movement Merlin made caused the chains to clink slightly and Morgause with her stupid hawk hearing heard it. She raised a hand for silence and Merlin figured that he should give up the pretense of sleep and resort to glaring instead. The glare he swept across the room sent many of his lesser enemies and even some of his greater enemies stumbling backwards in fear. Over the years, he had perfected this glare, practicing it on people who sat too close to him on subways.

Morgause, however, just smiled at him, showing teeth, "So the great Warlock awakens!" She mocked, "Do you remember us, Merlin? Or, sorry, I should call you Emrys. The greatest sorcerer to ever live! King of the druid people! Ha! More like fraud I say. He couldn't even keep his precious king alive. And now, he is alone and powerless to stop us. No one knows where he is, no one wants to find him, and even if they did, no one thinks to check under the lake for a hideout." The smile marring her face took a wicked turn and she laughed at him, inciting the laughter of all of Merlin's enemies.

Merlin glowered at her. Admittedly, he was sulking a little bit. This was not how he had wanted the day to turn out. Morgause just glowered right back until Merlin decided to speak, "So, which one of you hooligans was the one to figure out all of the information about me?"

Merlin frowned deeply when Kara stepped forward, "As you know, Emrys, I am a druid. There is an old druid spell that allows us to, when we are reborn, take back our memories. Nimueh was fighting you and remembered Emrys and she learned all she could about Emrys and his enemies. She put into the papers something that said for all enemies of Emrys to come to her. We all started to remember."

Nimueh picked up from there, her voice grating on Merlin's frayed nerves, "Once they got here, I asked who was a druid and Kara here said she was. I preformed a spell that enhanced her memory enough to remember the spell that allows us to remember everything else. She remembered and we got as many sorcerers and sorceresses as we could and went to the Lady of the Lake."

Then Morgause started talking, "At first, the Lady would have nothing to do with us and was going to warn you when we threatened her. That was what you heard at first. Then, when she calmed down enough for us to talk to her, Nimueh and I cast a spell on her. We are not controlling her, we only put a spell on her that enhances her emotions and we can choose what emotions to enhance when. Currently it is anger at you and at Arthur. That took an incredible amount of spell work to enhance, I must say."

Not paying attention, Merlin slumped (as much as one can slump when chained to a table) in relief. It wasn't really Freya doing this. She was under a spell. He only hoped that she could break out of the spell before Arthur and the knights got here.

Merlin interrupted Morgause wearily, "Spare me your talk and just tell me why I'm here."

Cendred walked up behind Morgause and put his hands on her shoulders, answering, "You are a creature of the Earth. No doubt if you died, the Earth would be very upset. Well, the magic people here created a spell that will trap the Earth's anger and fear and sadness and leave it for us to wield. We will be all powerful!"

Merlin stared at them, horrified, "That's your plan! Are you that absolutely STUPID? Don't you know that when Earth is mad, she takes it out on the entire planet? Your spell cannot hold all of that power even if it was centralized on this room."

Morgause and Nimueh looked at each and then looked at him, laughing. They thought he was just trying to convince them to let him go. They were going to get every living creature on the face of the Earth burnt to an ashy crisp.

It was six o'clock and Merlin had yet to pick up his phone. The former knights were starting to get worried. Merlin should have been back by now. What if he had thrown himself into the lake or something? Lance got up and started pacing. Everyone was at Gwen's house except for Arthur.

Gwaine tried Merlin's phone again, "Still no answer. Do you guys think he's okay? I mean, anything could have happened. We should go looking for him."

Gwen, ever the clear head, said, "Let's just wait for a little longer. I'm sure he'll be fine. If he really is magical like he said, I bet nothing could get him."

That's when Gaius, who had been hovering in the doorway, unbeknownst to the teens, spoke up, "If who is magical, might I ask?"

The whole group jumped and started spouting nonsense answers. Gaius just glared at them, eyebrow raised until Morgana caved, "Merlin says he's magical." She gave a much condensed version of what had happened yesterday and this day. It still took half an hour to finish the story.

When the tale was finished, Leon asked hesitantly, "Is it possible that we are reborn from knights and princesses and queens?"

Gaius' eyebrows furrowed in thought, "It is very possible. Poor boy, having to see all his friends and family back alive again and not have them recognize you. That would be awful."

"So what about his claim of being Emrys, Gaius? Do you think he's telling the truth?" Mordred pressed.

Gaius nodded solemnly and then asked, "You said that there was a magic bearer who was attacking Merlin and who knew him well enough to do things that he claimed only people who are now dead should know?" For a second the group only stared at him, unsure of what he was asking, then Percival nodded.

"Hmm." Gaius mused before pressing a button on the wall that opened to reveal a hidden room. Even Gwen and Elyan looked surprised as they all followed Gaius in. He reached up to the top of a bookshelf and pulled down a book, flipping through it, "There!" He cried, triumphant.

When the teenagers looked, all they saw was a writing in a different language and a bunch of squares and circles and strange shapes. Mordred, however, gasped, "That's a druid spell, very ancient by the looks of it. I didn't even know that was possible. It shouldn't be, right? You would have to get permission from the Lady of the Lake to do this."

Gaius nodded at him and spoke to the others, "This spell would allow the user to take the former memories of people as they leave Avalon to be reborn. In the first place, it is highly unusual for people to be reborn. Then, you would have to have a druid be reborn to know the spell in the first place, although, there is a chance that a high priestess of the Old Religion would know it. The problem is that neither of those exist. After meeting those requirements, you would, as Mordred said, have to get permission from the Lady of the Lake who has never done something like this before. The likelihood of this occurring is incredibly slim, but it is the only thing that makes sense. And if it is the case, then you are facing a very powerful sorcerer."

The knights looked at each other. "That means that Merlin is in trouble. He was supposed to be available by five o'clock. That's when he would be on the train." Elyan explained to his father figure.

"We have to go after him! Which, by the way, I already said that." Gwaine growled at them.

Gaius raised an eyebrow at Gwaine, causing the boy to pause, "If I am right, to fix your memories and to successfully get Merlin back, you will need everyone."

Percival was confused, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you are a group. You were reborn together. That is a powerful thing, meaning that you must have been close when you were alive before. That entire group has to be there: Sir Lancelot, Sir Mordred, Queen Gweneviere, Princess Morgana, Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Elyan, and, yes, King Arthur." Gaius answered solemnly.

Gwen, who had become excited when she realized there was a way to save Merlin, deflated, "But, Gaius, Arthur won't listen. He just gives us the cold shoulder and says that we are all crazy. How can we convince him?"

"That is up to you. You are his queen and I am sure you can find a way. Meanwhile, I suggest that the rest of you let your parents know that you might not be home for a day or two. I will find a way to reverse the spell, although I presume that Merlin knows a way." Gaius suggested.

As the knights and Morgana went to call their parents, Gwen called Arthur.

"Have you forgotten all about that stupid magic thing Gwen?"

"That's a great way to say hello to someone Arthur. And no, I haven't. No! Do not dare interrupt me! Listen to what I have to say. Merlin is missing. I know you would never admit it, but I can tell that Merlin has become your best friend and right now, he is missing. So I do not care whether you believe in magic or not, you will come to my house right this instant and you will come with us to find Merlin. Then, you will apologize for being a… an… insufferable prat! Is that understood?"

"…"

"Arthur Pendragon, you answer me this instant!"

"Where did you learn that word?"

"What? What word?"

"Prat. Where did you learn that word? Gwen, this is important! I need to know where you learned that word!"

"I… I didn't learn it anywhere. I have no idea where that came from. I've never heard that word before in my life!"

"I'm coming."

"What?"

"I said I'm coming. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Of… of course. Yes, sorry. Please, come quickly."

Gwen hung up feeling thoroughly confused. The rest of the knights ambled over, Lance giving her a concerned glance before asking, "Is he coming?"

The former queen surprised them all with an abrupt question, "Have any of you heard the word prat before?" They looked at each other and shook their heads. Gwen sighed and said, "Oh, and yes, Arthur is coming." The gathering sighed in relief and Morgana patted Gwen on the back.

A half an hour later, the group had commandeered a train car and was riding toward Mystic Lakes in Winchester where Merlin had been heading that morning. Arthur was most definitely not sulking in a chair by himself while the rest planned. They were talking about how to avoid magical blows for goodness sake! What was wrong with them?

Though, Arthur couldn't really talk. He had spent the past half hour going over his life trying to figure out why the word prat made him feel so right inside. Insults don't make people feel warm and fuzzy. So why was this one?

Soon, Arthur couldn't stand chasing that word around his head anymore and so he moved to sit beside Gwen in the attempted circle of friends. Mordred was talking.

"There really isn't any way to avoid a blow unless you have magic on your side or you are good at rolling out of the way. The problem is that they know us. They have our memories and really, we are the same person as we were before."

Arthur interrupted them, "Has anyone heard the word prat before?" The effect was instantaneous. Arthur's head started to spin and then he blacked out.

Arthur was pouring himself a drink when Merlin walked into the room. He looked more serious than Arthur ever remembered seeing him. Arthur said, "Ah, Merlin," in what he hoped was a laid back manner. He was trying to put his manservant at ease, trying to break the stone that had become his expression.

Merlin just asked, "How are you?"

Arthur frowned to himself, but answered nonetheless, "Good."

Merlin said something, but Arthur wasn't really listening, not that he ever did, "Yes, and I owe it all to Gaius."

Merlin seemed to almost laugh at that, which made Arthur feel a bit better about the boy, but then Merlin spoke again, "I need to talk to you." That made Arthur not feel a bit better. Now he was starting to get truly concerned. Merlin was never this serious.

So Arthur said, "You still haven't got it yet, have you?" Merlin gave him a questioning look and then Arthur continued, "I decide when we need to talk." Arthur glanced quickly at Merlin over the rim of his cup.

Then Merlin, ever the insubordinate idiot, said, "Not today." He looked down at his boots and Arthur turned his head towards the boy and raised his eyebrows.

"I sometimes wonder if you know who I am." Arthur asked condescendingly.

"Oh I know who you are." Merlin smiled and walked closer, finally leaving his post at the door. Arthur still wondered where this was going.

He decided to play along with whatever game his manservant was playing, "Good."

Merlin walked ever closer and his grin grew ever wider, "You're a prat." Arthur rolled his eyes and lowered his cup, glaring at the peasant. "And a royal one." Merlin continued.

Arthur laughed and asked, setting down his cup, "Are you ever going to change, Merlin?"

"No," he answered sarcastically, "You'd get bored." Arthur clutched his shoulder and rolled it. His whole arm still hurt. Merlin was talking again, "Promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker."

Arthur was thoroughly confused now; "If this is you trying to leave your job…" he left the rest hanging.

Merlin answered quickly, "No. I'm happy to be your servant. Till the day I die." Arthur looked at him, his concern growing by the second. He would never admit it, but he really liked this serving boy, and he was afraid of what he meant by that statement, touched, but afraid.

The two looked at each other seriously for a second before Arthur said, "Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin." He paused, "Other times…"

Merlin was already answering, "Well, I know you." Arthur glanced at him as he continued, "You're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great king."

Arthur wasn't at all sure what he had done to inspire that kind of confidence or emotion. But the way Merlin said it, it sounded as if he didn't think that he would be there to see Arthur be a great king, "That's very kind of you."

Then Merlin went on and ruined the moment, "But you must learn to listen as well as you fight."

Arthur rolled his eyes, thinking that of course he had to add instructions in there, "Any other pointers?"

"No." Merlin answered, hanging his head. He sounded as if he were close to tears, resigned, "That's all… just… don't be… a prat." Arthur looked after him, his concern very real and very prominent now as the boy walked out the door and shut it behind him.

"Arthur? Arthur? Are you alright? Oh my goodness, Arthur!" Gwen was holding on to him and shaking him slightly. Arthur groaned and blinked open his eyes and she stopped rocking back and forth.

"Arthur, are you alright?" Lance asked as he pulled Arthur to his feet. Arthur nodded distractedly and sat down.

Mordred frowned at them, "Better question yet, what did you remember?" Everyone looked at Mordred, shocked, and then they turned their gazes onto Arthur.

Arthur then frowned at Mordred, "I didn't remember anything. The only reason it seemed like I did is because you all were talking about it before I fell asleep." At Gwen's nudge, he sighed and told them what he had seen in his blackout, finishing with, "But it wasn't real!"

Mordred was excited, "It says in the manuscript that the spell can only last a certain amount of time, but it doesn't say how long. I bet the spell is breaking down and now, if its triggered, our memories are returning!"

Lance jumped in with, "Let's try it. Okay, um, Gwen, when was the first time you met Merlin?" The effect, as before, was instantaneous.

Gwen watched as the boy in the stocks was pelted with a mixture of rotted fruit and vegetables. She felt bad as she heard him say, "Oh no." as more children came and he looked down to avoid getting hit in the face as much. Gwen stifled a smile and walked towards him.

The boy watched as Gaius walked past and laughed at him. That was unusual. Gaius was nice to everyone and he certainly wouldn't laugh at them. The boy yelled, "Thanks!" and Gaius laughed harder. The children finally ran out of food and Gwen deemed it safe to come near.

"I'm Gweneviere, but most people call me Gwen." She felt slightly bad for making him angle his neck like that to see her. It had to hurt. "I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." She finished.

"Right. I'm Merlin." He pushed his hand as far as it could go to shake hers and she smiled. "Though, most people just call me idiot." Merlin added once they finished shaking hands.

"No. No, no, I saw what you did. So brave!" Gwen replied enthusiastically. No one ever stood up to Arthur like that.

Merlin smiled and looked away, "It was stupid."

Gwen smiled as he looked back, "Well, I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him."

Merlin scoffed, "Oh, what? I could beat him."

"You could?" Gwen looked him over. Merlin was skinnier than most of the girls at court, which was saying something. He was also very tall and gangly. "Because you don't look like one of these big muscly kind of fellows." She added.

He slightly frowned at her, "Thanks."

"No!" Gwen widened her eyes. She hadn't meant to offend, "No, no, I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just, um, Arthur's one of these rough, tough, save the world kind of men." Merlin was looking more and more offended as she went on.

"Well," Gwen continued.

"What?" He was still frowning at her.

"You don't look like that." Gwen kind of curled back a little bit, feeling bad for what she said. Merlin looked around him and beckoned her closer.

"I'm in disguise." He told her quietly.

Gwen laughed loudly and he chuckled. Gwen said, "Well, it's great you stood up to him."

"You think so?" Merlin continued to laugh quietly.

"Arthur's a bully." Gwen stated firmly, "And everyone thought you were a real hero." Gwen thought silently to herself that she hoped that this made up for her earlier insult.

"Really?" Merlin asked quietly. Gwen nodded. She really liked him, he was sweet and such a happy person, even when in the stocks. "Oh, excuse me, Gweneviere," he continued, "My fans awaiting."

Gwen looked out into the market and saw that the children had gathered more baskets of rotted produce to throw. Gwen laughed and ran off, looking behind her at his smiling face as she left.

Gwen woke up in Arthur's arms, "I remembered! I remember meeting Merlin! The first time." She giggled quietly, "He was in the stocks." She then proceeded to tell them what she remembered, ignoring Arthur's indignant squeak and the other's laughter.

Arthur smiled, but then realized that this meant that magic was real. This… this remembering meant that everything Merlin had said was the truth. He wasn't sure that he could properly focus on that. It was just too big of a concept. Everything he had been taught, everything his father had ever told him about magic, was wrong. It was all wrong.

Gwaine looked at Arthur and caught the 'I just got hit by a train' look. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is is really so amazing that you were an oversized bully in a past life?"

Arthur shook his head, "No," he answered distractedly, "It's just that I realized that magic is real. And that, since magic is real, Merlin is actually in trouble. Serious trouble."

Elyan glowered at him, "You think?" Gwen smacked Elyan's arm and he murmured an apology to Arthur who was starting to lose the 'I just got hit by a train' look. Arthur then nodded that he was okay and the group, finally together (aside from Merlin, of course), continued to plan their rescue attempt.