That morning there was only one topic on everyone's mind. The new boy at school, whose name everyone now knew, had taken down Arthur in a fight. And he couldn't deny it because of the black eye that everyone murmured about when they saw it. However his fellow teammates stuck close to him. Perhaps as protection, or maybe for Arthur to maintain his imposing position in the school. Either way people still moved out of his way.

Merlin left t until the last minute possible before walking through the school gate. Even with only five minutes until homeroom, there was still over half the school lingering near the gate and it was obvious why. The moment Merlin stepped in everyone rushed out of his way but continued to look at him. Luckily he saw a friendly face in the crowd. Gwaine was leaning against a stone wall, in the classic Gwaine pose.

"Well Merlin, one day at this school and you are already famous. I'd be careful if I were you, Arthur isn't one to let things slide. And since you are now basically a slave for the football team, I would be worried," he leaned up from the wall before patting Merlin on the shoulder. "However we at the Drama group love being in your presence, however we would prefer it if you stayed away from stage fighting with us," Merlin couldn't help but laugh at Gwaine's cheeky smile.

"You have my word," said Merlin, holding up his hand.

"What have you got first?" asked Gwaine and Merlin pulled out his timetable, it would still be weird if her had learnt it.

"Chemistry," said Merlin, happiness running through his voice. "And then a free," he continued. Gwaine nodded.

"If you didn't take Drama, I would have to say your option choice was poor," said Gwaine, a smirk crossing his face.

"I happen to enjoy Chemistry Gwaine. Do you really want to fight me on this?" Merlin said in his toughest voice, even that sounded slightly ridiculous.

"I wouldn't dream of it!" exclaimed Gwaine in his dramatic voice. Merlin smiled briefly, Gwaine would make a good actor.

Merlin wondered the forests after he had burned Arthur's body. He refused to accept his passing, it wasn't possible. Arthur, his best friend, gone. He, without realizing, found himself stumbling along the road that led back to Camelot. He couldn't return, he couldn't. Everything there, everyone there reminded him of Arthur. Merlin's ears detected a sound and he quickly raised the staff he had grabbed ahold of once more. Raising it, he lined it up to the rustling leaves.

"Merlin, what are you doing here?" he heard a voice say. It was Percival. It took Merlin less than a moment to realize something was wrong. Percival's eyes were red.

"Who?" was all Merlin could stumble out.

"Gwaine," said Percival in a mere murmur before the tears once more flooded his cheeks. Seeing Percival, of all people, break down like that made Merlin realize what the rest of his life was going to be like. He would outlive every other person he knew, Gwen, Gaius, Leon, all of them. Percival looked up. "Where is…." He started, before realizing what must have happened. "No, not him to," he said. Merlin moved towards Percival.

"Where is Gwaine's body?" he said.

"I gave him as best a burial as I could," stuttered Percival. "He deserves more though. He shouldn't have died, he shouldn't have…"

Merlin quickly shook the memory before it took hold and Merlin broke down into tears.

"Anyway, I'll see you in English," said Gwaine before walking away. Merlin swore that this time Gwaine would not be a casualty. As he reached the main school courtyard, the footsteps reached his ear.

"Are you going to try to beat me up again?" he muttered, loud enough for the group gathered behind him to hear.

"I have no idea what you would be talking about. Your name is Merlin right?" asked Arthur and Merlin glanced over his shoulder.

"A black eye isn't enough to remember it?" he snidely remarked.

"Let's see if you still have that attitude come football practice this week. You'd be amazed how much laundry us boys can come up with in a week," he stared at Merlin, malice in his eyes.

"I don't think that really falls under my punishment," quickly responded Merlin.

"And who are you going to complain to?" mocked Arthur. He and his gang walked off. This was going to be a long day, sighed Merlin.

Once Merlin settled into his routine he found that life was reminiscent of how it had been when he had first arrived in Camelot. Four months had passed, and though there was the constant ribbing form Arthur and the football team, he found himself enjoying life at Pendragon College. Guinevere was always there in English to talk to him, and even though she might deny it Merlin caught her glances at Lancelot. But they weren't often enough to catch his glances back. However Vivian was anything but shy in her proclamations of love for Arthur. It made Merlin want to puke at points, according to Vivian they had been dating forever, emphasis on the ever. Merlin knew it wouldn't last of course, he wasn't even sure Arthur acknowledged it had started. However Arthur did now acknowledge Merlin, but only when he was making his life horrible. The chores he did for them were exactly like what Merlin did for Arthur back in Camelot, the work of a servant. It was surprisingly comforting. One point of worry though was Gaius. He had become increasing suspicious of Merlin, who couldn't help but wonder how much he remembered. Wisdom was something Gaius was never short of, and perhaps the wisdom he possessed meant that he would, without any intervention, soon come to remember everything that had passed. Chemistry and Drama maintained their positions as his favorite classes, and English was slowly slipping down the ranks. Arthur used it to reassert his power and control within the classroom and indeed the wider school. Today in Chemistry Merlin had inched towards the back of the class, his position slowly moving further back. A mistake, though he didn't know it. It raised Gaius' suspicions.

It intrigued Gaius. Every glance he took at Merlin whilst he was mixing chemicals, or cleaning the lab, he had these weird vision type things. In one he saw Merlin, covered in leeches, cleaning out a tank. And Gaius stood watching and laughing at him. The image left just as quickly as it had come, but Gaius knew to trust his instincts, and he had a feeling there was more to this than what Merlin let on. The bell rang to excuse everyone for lunch break, and luckily thanks to his position at the back of the class, Merlin would be the last one out. Gaius swiftly moved to block the doorway.

"Have a seat Merlin," he said, motioning to the seat right at the front of the class. Merlin sat down, and Gaius stood beside him. "There is something about you Merlin, something I can't quite put my finger on."

"There is something about you Merlin, something I can't quite put my finger on." Said Arthur, his face looming above Merlin's.

"I have no clue what you mean Sir," responded Merlin. Gaius probably shouldn't find out yet, it wouldn't be good.

"Yes you do. And neither of us are moving until you tell me what," said Gaius.

"Sir, I am sorry but I have no idea what you mean. There is nothing you would classify as strange about me," Merlin said, hoping that just his once Gaius wouldn't see through his lies. He feared that despite all the practice he got, Gaius still knew him better than anyone else.

"Alright," said Gaius. "You may go," he said and moved away from Merlin. Merlin picked up his bag and moved towards the door. He got thirteen steps exactly down the corridor when he heard a loud thud, coming directly from Gaius' classroom. Merlin raced back, running faster than most people probably could and barged through the door. Gaius lay on the ground, his eyes fluttering open and shut.

"No, no, no," said Merlin, lowering his ears to Gaius' chest. Only the faintest heart beat reached his ears, and with Merlin's hearing he automatically was worried. Gaius was having a heart attack. Merlin tried CPR, but that failed. He knew that what he was about to do would work, but how well it would work he had no idea. He moved one hand so it was over Gaius' eyes, the other over his heart.

"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!"

This had healed Morgana from her injury, it had to work for Gwaine. It had to.

Merlin's closed eyes rushed open when he heard the sound of a sharp inhale of breath.

"Gaius," said Merlin, reaching his arms around him in a tight hug. He helped him to his feet.

"Merlin," said a quiet and whispered voice. He knew, he remembered everything. "I knew one day I would see you again, I knew," said Gaius, a big smile across his face.

"Gaius, it is so good to see you again," said Merlin, the goofy grin he used to wear spreading across his face.

"Look at you, you haven't aged a day. How long has it been?" asked Gaius as he took a seat.

"Too long," responded Merlin.

"So everyone is back, this should be interesting. Has anyone else realized what has happened? What happened in Camelot?" asked Gaius.

"No one or at least not that I know of. If they do know, they are hiding it," Merlin sat down beside him. "However, Gaius first, there is something I need to talk to you about," Gaius recognized the serious tone in Merlin's voice. "You were my mentor, like a father to me. But I need to make this clear. I am more powerful than even I can control. There is someone I need you to meet," Gaius nodded. "Come with me," said Merlin. If anyone questioned them leaving school grounds together, the lingering memory of his and Arthur's fight was enough to deter rumors. Once they reached Merlin's house, Merlin pulled a key out and gave it to Gaius.

"Why am I getting a key?" he asked and Merlin laughed.

"I don't know where you are living Gaius, but on a teacher's salary there is no way it is as nice as my place," said Merlin.

"Excuse me, but how much of a dump do you think my place is?" said Gaius. Merlin smiled, after all this house was from the outside what you would expect to buy with minimal funding. Or at least, the minimal amount of funding Merlin could get away with without it being suspicious. And hearing Gaius talk in such a modern tone was weird to say the least.

"Trust me, you'll want a key. You once gave me a home and now I'm offering the same," Merlin opened the door with a wave of his hand, an amusing gesture that Gaius didn't miss. When they stepped inside he could hear Gaius gasp.

"Is that Van Gogh? Or is it Picasso, no wait that one is…." He trailed off, no longer sure about anything. Merlin skipped over most of the house, it would take too long to show him everywhere. He rushed down to the basement first, wanting to introduce Gaius.

"As you no doubt know Kilgarrah passed long ago, but luckily I managed to save the last dragon. The moment the door opened, Gaius laughed. Aithusa opened one eye cautiously, before bounding over.

"Merlin, this is Gaius right?" he asked. Merlin nodded. "Pleasure to meet you Gaius," he held out one of his large feet for Gaius to shake.

"Gaius, I need to be your tutor now. Magic is rare these days, and in those who both possess and are aware of it, it can be uncontrollable. I've had years to master this, and I still can't always control it. You will have an easier time since the magic is not as strong in you as me, but this won't be easy. Welcome to Magic 101."