Hello I've returned :) I've been visiting family in Scotland and been unable to connect to their wifi to upload the new chapter, so sorry for slowness in updating.

I just want to thank everyone for the great reviews, but now I feel pressured to not mess up lol.

Now usually for my stories I have them roughly written in large before I publish, my first one for example had been practically fully written before publishing. Just means I can update faster (though I'm not doing a brilliant job at that), and I have less worry about stories losing their fun to write because I don't know where they are going and stuff. I have had the next few chapters for this story sorted but have changed my mind on parts now, so am rewriting some areas. This may mean my updates may be even slower for this story whilst I rearrange and rewrite. Just a brief warning now for you before people start hating me.

Anyway, back to the story. Enjoy :)


Merlin knocked on the door to Arthur's chambers a little later that night and entered. Arthur was sat at his desk, looking deep in thought.

"Hi" Merlin said quietly, "I've brought you your dinner."

"Leave it on the table. I'm not hungry."

Merlin approached the table carefully, placing the platter in front of Arthur.

"You really should eat you know."

No reply. He looked at Arthur, trying to gauge his mood. He seemed to have returned to whatever he was thinking about, as normally Merlin would have received a glare or boot for trying to bother Arthur when he was busy. Merlin decided to push his luck.

"Still working out what to do about Emrys?"

He was met with more silence. Deciding that meant he wasn't going to get anything out of Arthur today he turned to leave, but just as he did Arthur spoke.

"What are your thoughts on magic?"

Merlin froze, and then slowly turned around to look back at Arthur. He was looking at Merlin with an unreadable expression on his face, an achievement since normally Merlin could read Arthur quite well.

"What... what do mean sire?" Merlin stammered. He cursed himself for doing so, and tried to relax, but it was hard.

"Do you think it is evil?"

"Your father seems to think it is, so shouldn't we?"

"I'm not asking for my father's opinion. I'm asking for yours."

"Why do you want to know my opinion Arthur? Mine doesn't matter." Merlin asked defensively. He wasn't sure if he could get into trouble for saying what he really thought.

"Because I want to know what you think." Merlin gave him a small smile, glad that Arthur was now starting to find his opinion important, even if it was not at the best possible time. Arthur, noticing Merlin smile, rolled his eyes.

"Just this once. It doesn't mean I want to hear all your ridiculous ideas all the time idiot. Don't get all excited." Arthur mocked, but Merlin could see that he didn't really mean those words completely.

"Prat."

"Well?"

Merlin took a deep breath. He had to phrase this well, it was one of the few chances he would have to get Arthur to really think about magic, to try and make him realise it wasn't all evil. But he had to be careful not to risk exposing his knowledge on the magical world, and about himself.

"No. I don't think it is. Not all of it anyway."

"Care to elaborate."

"Hmm... Well, would you say a sword was evil?"

"No... Why would you ask that?"

"Because I think magic is like a sword. A sword can be used for good. It can be used to defend and protect the innocent. But it can also be used for evil deeds, like murder and torture. But it is not the sword that determines how it is used. It is the person who wields it. They decide whether it is used for good or evil. I think magic is the same, it is the person who wields the magic rather than the magic itself that determines whether it is used to protect or attack."

Arthur just stared at Merlin after he had finished his little speech. Merlin shifted uncomfortably at the stare, unsure as to whether he was going to get in trouble or not.

"Merlin, when did you finally start thinking so... well... like that?"

"You saying I'm not clever enough to have thoughts like that Arthur. I'm offended. I have more brains than you do." Merlin tried to throw Arthur off with this little jibe. He couldn't really say he thought like that since he was young, that would lead to awkward questions. Arthur took the bait.

"Sure Merlin you keep telling yourself that if it helps you to sleep at night. Idiot."

"You're the one who asked for an idiot's opinion, what does that say about you?"

"...Merlin."

"Yes sire?"

"Shut up."

Merlin pouted and mock glared at Arthur, who let a small chuckle leave his lips, before becoming serious again.

"You've given me something else to think about now-"

"Don't think too hard Arthur your brains not had to work that much in a while. It might not be able to take it."

After throwing the nearby empty goblet at Merlin, which Merlin just managed to duck, Arthur continued,

"As I was saying, what you've said does make some sense. I suppose many people with magic may want to use it for their own personal gain whilst others would want to use it to help others. It is the sorcerers thoughts that would make them use magic like that, and not the magic itself" At that moment he realised these thoughts were similar to the ones he was thinking in the cave. He looked at Merlin, who had small smile and a proud look on his face at what he had just said. He couldn't help but be happy to see that look on Merlin. Though he would never really admit it Merlin was one of the few people Arthur valued the opinion of, probably the person's opinion he valued the most, and someone who he wanted to prove himself to. He always felt better if he got one of those looks from Merlin, as he felt that he knew he was doing the right thing. Merlin had changed him, whether Arthur liked it or not, but he knew that the changes were for the better, and had made him a much better man and future King than he had been before. It was weird to think this man was younger than him, for he had moments where he just seemed so much older, wiser, like he knew things many didn't. He was glad he had such a loyal manservant- no friend- hell best friend as Merlin. He returned the smile, he couldn't help it.

"You can go, get some rest. It's been an eventful day."

"Thanks Arthur. You going to be ok?"

"Yes I'll be fine Merlin, off you go." Merlin nodded and started walking towards the door, but as he opened it Arthur called to him.

"Merlin." Merlin looked back.

"Thank you." Merlin smiled.

"Anytime. You know I'm here for you if you need me."