Hey all. Although I've been a little busier than usual, I'm still trying to make sure I make time to write. So here I am with this new chapter. I hope my efforts show in this story. I've been trying my best with this.

I would like to make a shout out to TheWickedHeart and loziopoziavanillabean! I appreciate the review and I'm sincerely glad that you guys enjoy this story. If there's anything I can do better or that you think I need to work on or anything else, please feel free to let me know (this goes to everyone who reads this). As long as you readers enjoy this story, I'm happy.

Thanks again.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the BBC series Merlin

~O~

Merlin had been quick. He didn't bother changing out of his clothes from the night before and merely shot up, tossing his blankets off and standing to his feet. He greeted the day with an assured smile, pulling his door open and running down the steps leading to Gaius' work station. His eyes were shining with chance and opportunity, the physician looking up from his potions and raising a brow at his ward.

"Gaius!"

"I see you had a good night's sleep," the older man commented with a chuckle as the brunet grinned.

"I'm so close, Gaius! There's just one piece missing from all of this!" Merlin exclaimed as he laughed and shook his head. The wonderment in his eyes was endearing to Gaius, the novice sorcerer smiling slightly at the way the young boy seemed to glow; it had been ages since he had seen his son-like figure shine the way he was.

"Merlin," the physician began. "Do be careful. If Uther discovers what you've been doing he'll have your head."

"What I'm doing?" The warlock frowned. "I'm trying to save his daughter."

"With the use of magic. No matter what the circumstances, the king will never accept the use of magic," Gaius stated with a sense of sorrow in his voice. Merlin hesitated before he nodded, turning to change and ready himself for the day.

"I can do this Gaius. I won't let anything stop me," he called out, the elderly man watching the young boy intently. His gaze softened as he smiled, turning back to his mixing.

~O~

The morning had been quiet, with the exception of the chirping of the birds that flew by the prince's chamber window every so often. He sat at his desk and watched as a random maidservant went about his room, gathering his dirty clothes and his plate of food from earlier that morning. He found himself deep in thought, the words of his servant haunting him endlessly.

You can trust me. And trust Merlin, he did. For there was a light in the servant's eyes that seemed to fill Arthur with a feeling of faith and hope. It restored the missing pieces in his heart from the loss of his sister and it rebuilt him, made him a stronger man.

"You're dismissed," the blond called out as his maid nodded and curtseyed, stepping out of his room and closing the door as well.

The prince waited a few moments before he stood to his feet and made his way to his dresser. He knelt down and pulled open the bottom drawer, the slight screeching of wood against wood causing him to almost wince. He stared inside at the contents of the drawer before he carefully reached inside, pulling out a long and slim box out. Standing up tall, Arthur made his way to his desk, setting the unopened box down and staring at it for what felt like days.

Elaine's gift. Her birthday present had been left unwrapped and unopened after her accident. Arthur hadn't had the courage or the will to open it without her by his side to see his reaction, after all, she had spent so much time and effort into finding him the perfect gift; he couldn't open it without her presence. And yet, there was something inside of him that said it was time to take that step forward. It was time for him to move on, even if it meant leaving his sister in his path.

So, mustering all the courage in his heart, the Once and Future King began undoing the ribbon, specks of dust fluttering into the air. He merely fanned it all away before he pulled the box apart, slowly opening the top of it. His heart stopped and his blue eyes began to sparkle with astonishment. Reaching into the box, Arthur's hand wrapped itself around the hilt of a sword that sat in it, shining as if it had been molded and polished just the night before.

Arthur smirked at the sharpened sword, the gold hilt shining in the sunlight. The prince wrapped his other hand carefully around the handle before pulling it out and holding it up. It was weightless in his grasp but with one swing Arthur could instantly tell just how much damage it could deliver to his opponent. Twirling it effortlessly in his hand, the blond smiled widely, giving the sword a few practice swings and jabs in the air. The life inside of him seemed to grow as the faith he had lost began to bloom once more.

And then, he noticed a small, folded piece of paper in the box.

Lowering the sword and letting the tip rest against the floor, Arthur leaned against it as if it were a cane and opened the note with his free hand. His blue eyes softened as his lips began to tremble, his heart skipping a single beat.

A great sword for a great man. You will make a magnificent king, even if I tease you otherwise. With this blade, protect Camelot and the ones you love. Do what is right, like you always have, and the path to the throne will be a bright one.

With all the love in the world,

Your sister, Elaine.

The crowned prince held the note tightly in his hand as he closed his eyes, his chest clenching against his heart. He took a deep breath as he read the note once more before a gleam of determination appeared in his eyes. With one last swing, the prince sheathed the blade in its holster, attached it to his belt, and stormed out of his chambers with a new sense of inspiration in his heart.

He would save his sister, one way or another.

~O~

The royal garden was a site to see. The colors were bright and vivid and the world seemed like a completely different place than the drab one Merlin lived in. A wide smile found its way across the warlock's lips as he glanced around at the flowers, his feet pattering against the cobblestone path. Though no one was usually permitted on the grounds, the young manservant had easily evaded the guards at the entrance with a bit of help from the magic he had. After that, roaming around had been simple.

Merlin stopped as he knelt down beside the rose bush by the trail. He ran his fingers over the petals as his gaze softened. He glanced around, imagining what it had been like all those years ago. He pictured Elaine's body on the ground, Arthur and Gaius hovering over her. He saw Uther running towards his daughter with fear and regret in his eyes, and he also imagined the rose that sat in the princess' hand.

"I can never forget it." The manservant stiffened as he quickly stood up, relaxing at the sight of his master. He watched carefully as Arthur strolled along, glancing around his mother's beloved garden. A smile appeared across the prince's lips as he sighed and shook his head, his expression darkening. "She had been standing next to me, perfectly healthy just moments before she had collapsed," the blond said quietly as he stopped, standing beside Merlin.

"I saw her, and a part of me knew that she was gone. She was breathing, but she wasn't there," Arthur explained as his closest friend nodded his head. "…I wish I could have done something."

"There's nothing you could have done, sire," Merlin assured as the heir apparent shook his head.

"I don't believe that…not for a second."

The two stood in silence for a few minutes, the smell of the flowers wafting past them. It wasn't until Merlin finally spoke up that Arthur turned to face him once more. "Arthur, there must have been something out of place when you found Elaine. I need to know in order to really help her," the servant said as Arthur pondered the thought for a moment.

"There was something, but I can't say for sure if it was something to worry about."

"What was it?" Merlin asked eagerly as he watched the blond think.

"It was a rose." This was it.

A wide smile appeared across the warlock's face as he nodded. "A rose?"

"It had been a beautiful red in my sister's hand, but then as I carried her back to her chambers, it turned into a dark black color, like it had died," Arthur explained; to this day, he didn't understand it.

But Merlin did.

"This is great!" the manservant cheered as he laughed, catching his companion off guard.

"What?"

"No time to explain! But don't worry, Arthur! We'll save Elaine!" Merlin turned and began running out the garden, leaving the prince to his own devices. He blinked and stared after his servant before rolling his eyes and shaking his head. His blue eyes glanced down at his sword before his gaze softened. He nodded, looking back at Merlin.

He'd wait and keep his faith in his friend.

~O~

He'd been going for hours. He had looked through every spell book he had owned and he'd searched through every piece of parchment Gaius had about spells. Though he hadn't found what he'd been searching for, he wasn't giving up. He could feel it. He could almost taste success on the tip of his tongue. He just needed a bit more time in order to solve the puzzle in its entirety.

"Where are you?" Merlin muttered to himself. He frowned at his failure as he shook his head, his eyes dry and his stomach grumbling at him for food. Still, he wasn't ready to stop yet. He didn't want to give up when he was so close. If he searched for a bit longer, perhaps he would find his answers. All he needed was time.

"You won't get anything done if you keep working without food." The manservant looked up and smiled as Gaius walked into the room, a bowl of his infamous mush in hand with a cup for water as well. Deciding that taking a break wouldn't be terrible, Merlin thanked his caretaker, taking the bowl and eating with enthusiasm; he hadn't realized just how hungry he was until that very second.

"I just don't understand," Merlin said in between bite-fulls of food. "I've searched through every piece of text and I can't find anything on this spell," the young sorcerer said as he took another bite, ignoring the way the mush tasted; Gaius had never been known for his cooking talents.

The physician stared at the young boy for a moment before he sighed and stood to his feet, catching Merlin's attention. The brunet raised a curious brow as he watched his mentor climb up the ladder he used to obtain the books on the higher shelves that were just out of reach for him. He pulled out a thick book, covered in dust and cobwebs. The warlock mindlessly dropped his spoon as he watched intently, Gaius climbing down the ladder with caution before walking over to him and setting the book down.

"Wh—What is this?" Merlin asked as he stared at the thick book, Gaius staring down at it with a gleam of fear and hatred in his eyes.

"I was hoping to never have to bring this out again."

"Why?"

"It's a book of spells."

"Spells?" Why hadn't Gaius shown him this before?

The court physician nodded before he spoke once more. "It's a book of dark spells."

"Dark spells?"

"In order to use these spells, one must harness the ability to wield dark magic," the old man explained quietly as he took a seat across from his ward. He watched as wonder swirled in Merlin's blue eyes, his hands hesitantly reaching to open the book. He stopped and pulled his arm back before he looked up at Gaius.

"Perhaps you will find the answers you seek in this book," the novice said as the young man frowned.

Dark magic was something Merlin refused to tamper with. The magic inside of him was bright and beautiful. Every time he used it, it was as if he was coming to life. He didn't want to learn dark spells because the fact of the matter was, he wasn't sure if he could honestly take it. It would change him entirely, and he wasn't sure if it would change him for better or for the worst. But now he stood at a cross-road. He had to choose. Would he take the risk of tainting his magic? Or would he look the other way?

Merlin nodded to himself before he gave Gaius a thankful smile, standing to his feet and grabbing the book.

He'd take the risk.

~O~

He wasn't positive when he had dozed off, but he was quite aware of his state the moment he opened his eyes and found himself standing in a blindingly white room. A fond smile came upon his face, and the place he once feared became the one place where he felt completely himself. Perhaps it was because of Elaine's presence.

"You came back."

A wide smile appeared across Merlin's lips as he nodded his head. "Did you ever doubt me?"

"Perhaps…maybe a bit." He watched as the Princess of Camelot stood from her usual perch on the ground. She dusted herself off before finally meeting the manservant's gaze and sighing, revealing a relieved smile. A sorrowful feeling jabbed at Merlin as he gave the young maiden a soft gaze, slowly reaching his hand up and placing it on the brunette's shoulder in a reassuring manner.

"I'm not giving up on you." And those words would stay with Elaine till the end of her days.

Elaine smiled widely, in a way that she had never before. Her eyes gleamed, almost as if the sun was shining into them, and Merlin was sure that his heart had stopped and he had died for that short moment. His fingers began growing numb, and it was at that second that the sorcerer realized how long he had kept his hand on the princess. He quickly pulled away and smiled sheepishly, the Once and Future King's sister not noticing and continuing with her smiles.

"…Can I ask you something?" Elaine inquired, catching Merlin's attention.

"Of course."

"How is it you're able to…to come here? When no one else has?" Not expecting the question, the young man stared with a stunned look on his face, the princess raising a brow at him. "It's just, well, it's not that I'm not grateful for your company—because in all honesty, I don't think I'd rather had anyone else see me but you—but it almost seems entirely impossible of you to be here. After all this time of isolation, you suddenly show up and claim you'll save me."

"I know this is all really hard to understand," Merlin began, giving the imprisoned woman a smile. "But, I swear to you, when this is all over, I'll explain everything." Though he'd leave out a few details here and there.

Elaine hesitated before she released a laugh and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just…"

"What is it?" Merlin asked as he raised a curious brow. He watched as the princess chuckled and sighed.

"Well, it's just…I don't know a single thing about you and yet I trust you completely with my life." Emrys blinked, everything in his line of vision fading away except for Elaine. "And I think…well, that fact just sort of scares me a little." He was glad he wasn't the only one feeling so…out of his skin. It seemed Elaine understood exactly what he was feeling.

Merlin smiled as he placed his hands on the young princess' shoulders in a reassuring manner. "I can't explain to you how or why you feel that way, but I want you to know that you're not alone." For how Elaine felt for him was how Merlin felt for her.

Elaine smiled as she sighed, feeling slightly lifted by the sorcerer's reassurance. "Thank you, Merlin."

"Don't thank me." For he would have given everything he had to save her.

And then, suddenly, the world was changing again.

"I'm waking up," Merlin muttered as he glanced around, the walls melting away and leaving Elaine in their wake. The princess tried to mask her fear as she forced a smile across her lips.

"I'll be seeing you again…won't I?" she almost whispered, causing every fiber in Merlin's body to burn with sorrow. He quickly placed his hands around her face as he held her close, his heart racing and his eyes glowing.

"Don't worry. I'll get you out of here."

Elaine closed her eyes as she absorbed the man's warmth, feeling alive once more; in Merlin's presence, she always felt human again. As the young woman's eyes slowly fluttered open, disappointed swam through her, the empty room nothing more than what it was. She frowned as she glanced around, not a sound being made.

"…Merlin?" she called out, hoping that in some Ludacris way, he'd reply.

She was greeted with nothing but silence.