So, chapter seven! I personally think it's going rather well. And I hope you are all enjoying it. Thanks for the reviews! There were some great guesses, but let's see what you think is going on after this chapter...


Merlin knocked gently on the door of Arthur's chambers. The cut on his cheek had stopped bleeding, and he had wiped as much of the blood away. It still stung, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably when he remembered the events.

"Come in." Arthur called.

Merlin hurried in, and glanced round the room. The wardrobe doors were open, and presumably Arthur was looking for something inside. Merlin moved over, silent.

"What are you doing?" he asked, seeing Arthur rifling through the clothes in the wardrobe.

"Looking for something to wear to tonight's feast."

Merlin shrugged, and dumped the pile of armour he had bee carrying on the table. Then began to sort through it, making sure none of the straps were frayed. Suddenly somebody leaned against the table, and looking up he saw Arthur holding out a pile of clothes.

"Here Merlin, I need you to wash these for tonight." he said, dumping them on the table.

Merlin nodded mutely, and was about to leave the room when Arthur stopped him with a harsh exclamation.

"What happened to your face?" he asked, forcing Merlin to turn away with a sharp tug on his arm.

"Nothing, I'm fine." Merlin said. However, his voice betrayed him, and Arthur frowned.

"Go on, tell me."

"Sir Thomas." said Merlin simply, trying to squirm out of Arthur's grip.

"He did that to you!" Arthur demanded.

"Yes. He heard me at the training field."

Arthur dropped his hand, face cold.

"Don't worry Merlin, I'll talk to him." he said coldly.

Merlin felt something like pride well up inside him. Arthur was prepared to disagree with Sir Thomas, for him. But that couldn't happen, however much he wanted to see Sir Thomas taken down a peg or two.

"I wasn't worried Arthur. And Morgana's already talked to him."

"Did she! Good. And after she gave him her colours, did she take them back?"

"What?"

"Oh, never mind. I'll ask her at the feast. Now get those cleaned, and get Gaius to look at that cut." Arthur turned to the pile of armour on the table and Merlin excited the room.


Arthur strode into the great hall, Merlin at his heels, at ever. That cut on his cheek had cleared up well. Just a pale pink line that stretched from cheek bone to lip. He did seem very quiet though, so Arthur was determined to talk to Sir Thomas. He couldn't believe the brute would do that to Merlin. Loyal, kind Merlin. He knew his protectiveness was ridiculous, but now, more than ever, he felt that Merlin needed protecting. And, they were almost friends. He saw Morgana, Sir Even, and Sir Thomas talking at one end of the hall. The tables were still being set, so he sent Merlin to help, and strode over.

"Sir Thomas, I need to speak with you." he said coldly.

Sir Thomas slowly turned, his face blank. Then he hitched up a smile, and nodded jerkily.

"Of course, Arthur." he said, his speech a little stunted.

Arthur drew him into a corner, and waited a heartbeat.

"I know what you did to Merlin. And I want you to apologise, and swear never to do it again." said Arthur, trying to keep his voice emotionless.

Several seconds passed, and Sir Thomas said nothing, face blank again. Then he started into speech.

"I'm most sorry, Arthur. It wont happen... again." he said carefully, obviously choosing his words by that gap that stretched between each one.

"Good." Arthur gave a faint smile, and then saw the strip of cloth tied round his arm.

"I see Morgana didn't take her colours away from you." he said.

"No... She gave me another... chance." said Sir Thomas, and then, with an ungraceful movement, he departed.

Arthur watched him stumble across the room, wondering if the knight had already had to much to drink. He then became aware of Morgana by his shoulder.

"Alright Arthur?" she asked softly.

"Yes."

"How's Merlin."

"Fine, I think. He's a bit quiet."

Morgana nodded, then hurried over to Sir Evan who was standing in the middle of the room, eyes clouded with thought. Arthur watched them for a moment, talking cheerfully, and occasionally laughing, then turned and scanned the room for Merlin. He was standing a shadowy corner, his face drawn and anxious. Arthur was surprised that Merlin could actually look like that, but the proof was in front of him. He was about to go over to his servant, when Gwen appeared by Merlin's side, laying a gentle hand on his arm. He started visibly. Arthur felt his jaw contract slightly as Gwen gently stroked Merlin's cheek. But immediately relaxed it. It was only Merlin. And he knew Gwen was faithful. He turned away and walked over to a group of knights.


Merlin watched Sir Thomas closely. He seemed to be a little tipsy, and was stumbling around, bumping into people, and stuttering apologies. Apologies! Obviously drink made him quiet, instead of louder, if that was possible. Merlin looked away before he would be seen staring. Arthur was standing alone, brow creased in thought. Morgana was talking happily to Sir Evan. Merlin still wasn't sure what he thought about her. She had only been good and kind to him, but, Gaius had warned him about her. That was yet another thing to add to his list of uncertainties. He started as somebody touched his arm, and turned quickly, only to see Gwen. Over the past week, he had apologised to her, and they had become friends. She was the kindest, sweetest person he knew, and she had readily forgiven him. He smiled at her, knowing it looked insincere.

"Merlin! What happened to you?" she asked, brown eyes wide with concern.

"Nothing, just a scratch." he said, feeling his cheek throb.

Gwne reached up, and gently traced the mark, and Merlin couldn't help but flinch. Losing his memory had made him less happy about being touched, whether it was a accidental brush in a crowded room, or Gwen's friendly caress. It made his magic buzz, and he still wasn't sure if he could control it.

"Sorry." he muttered quickly as Gwen pulled her hand away.

"No, it's my fault." she said.

They stood in a friendly silence for a few minutes, watching the nobles all seat themselves around the table. Then the feast began, with a speech from Uther.

"Dear friends of Camelot. I welcome you. It is a pleasure to have you inside our walls for this tournament. May every man do his best, and act with honour. I look forward to tomorrow." Uther raised his glass, and so did everybody at the table. Then with a clatter on metal, the goblets were set down, and the eating part of the feast began. Merlin stood at the back of the room, unwilling to go near the table. But soon, he became aware that Arthur was watching him fixedly. Merlin looked at him nervously, and sighed when Arthur beckoned him over. He weaved through the throngs of servants, until stopping behind Arthur's chair.

"Merlin," he whispered, so low that Merlin could barely hear him. "I want you to thank Gwen for me."

"What did she do?" asked Merlin, surprised that Arthur even knew about Gwen. True, she had been there when he had woken for the second time with no memory, but that was because they had been friends. And Arthur had gone to comfort her, but he would have done it for any women.

"For her colours, you idiot." Arthur snapped, then stopped, blushing.

"What?" Merlin asked.

"Just do what I say."

Merlin shrugged and left Arthur's side, trying to find Gwen. She was talking to another servant in the corner of the room, a tray of bread balanced on one hand.

"Arthur sends his thanks." Merlin said in an emotionless voice, still not sure what was between them.

"Oh," Gwen hid her blush well, and it was a good job, because the other servant was watching curiously.

"Tell the prince it was nothing."

Merlin nodded, but decided it could wait for later, instead sliding out the hall to find some peace and quiet.


Arthur ate a little food, but really wasn't in the mood for eating. The chattering of nobles was giving him a headache, and he felt distinctly grumpy. Merlin was nowhere to be seen, obviously he had run off. But Arthur couldn't find it in his heart to be angry. Merlin hadn't liked crowds since his memory had gone. Arthur felt Uther's gaze, and turned to his father with a sinking heart. He was about to get 'the speech'. On how he had to win the tournament.

"How are you Arthur?"

"As well as ever father, just a little thing on my mind."

"Not that ridiculous servant again." snapped Uther.

Arthur was surprised that Uther remembered that he had been worried about Merlin. Though of course, it was for his sake, not Merlin's.

"No, of course not father. Just the tournament. It's a big day tomorrow."

"I know you will do my proud, Arthur. Don't fail me, or Camelot."

Arthur nodded, heart sinking. Good way to keep the pressure off. He thought gloomily.

The feast passed in a blur, and soon Arthur was stumbling to his chambers, exhausted. Merlin hadn't reappeared, so Arthur assumed he had also turned in for the night. Arthur flopped onto his bed, and fell asleep.


There you have it! Nothing's happened to Merlin, in case you were wondering. Next chapter, the tournament starts. I'll update soon, probably on Monday. Any more guesses as to what Morgana's doing? I hope I didn't make it to obvious... (=