Hello again. Here is part eight, sooner than I thought I would get it done. I've already got nine done too. Sorry for the irregular updates, but you know how school is. Well, here is the next part, hope you enjoy it, I enjoyed writing it.

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Part Eight

Agravaine had carefully prepared his plan of attack. All was prepared, everything in order. All he had to do was find Merlin.

He found himself knocking on Arthur's door. He waited for permission to enter before throwing open the door to find Arthur at his desk.

"Need something Uncle?" Arthur asked, clearly busy and eager for him to leave.

"Actually I need to speak with your- with Merlin," he said slowly.

Arthur looked up and studied his Uncle critically.

"I never got the chance to apologize to him. I was hoping to make up to him for the trouble I caused," Agravaine lied.

Agravaine did not miss the way Arthur's face lit up a little at the thought that his uncle was finally approving of Merlin and his magic.

"I'm afraid he's not here right now," Arthur pointed out.

"I can see that," Agravaine said.

"He should be back soon..." Arthur said looking at the door as if the idiot would come walking through them any moment. "I'm sure if you wait-"

"Unfortunately I cannot. I have duties to attend to." Agravaine said. He didn't want to do what he was going to do in front of Arthur. Or anyone for that matter. "If you could just send him to my chambers when he does come..."

"Of course," Arthur said dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

Agravaine bowed with a smile and went to his chambers to await the boy.

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When Merlin had been told by Arthur that Agravaine was looking for him, a bad feeling settled over Merlin. He tried to squirm out of it, but Arthur would have none of it. He was sent straight to Agravaine's chambers, goblets and helmets motivating him out of Arthur's doors as they flew toward his head.

With great reluctance, Merlin found himself in front of Agravaine's door. He let himself take a deep breath before knocking carefully on the large wooden doors.

"Enter," came Agravaine's voice and Merlin could have sworn it was said with a smile.

Merlin grimaced to himself and pushed open the door. Agravaine was sitting at a table, but stood as Merlin closed the door behind him.

"You wanted to see me?" Merlin said in a tone that a servant should always hold.

"Yes," he said smiling he moved towards Merlin who had stayed near the door on purpose. "I wanted to apologize for the...trouble I caused you."

"It's quite alright," Merlin said stiffly, knowing his apology was insincere. "If that is all..." Merlin said taking a step back towards the door.

"Actually," Agravaine said turning around. "There is something else."

Merlin stiffened, but stood still with his normal smile upon his face, though anyone who knew him well would know it wasn't earnest. Agravaine motioned for him to follow him as he made his way across his room. Merlin followed slowly, smile finally fading with each step.

Agravaine stopped and pulled a box from his dresser. He turned around as he opened the box and pulled it's contents out slowly, discarding the box on a nearby table. Merlin's heart started to beat faster as he recognized it to be a knife. A pretty one, but a very deadly one all the same. Agravaine looked between Merlin and the blade.

"I just got this in the market today," Agravaine said staring at Merlin. "I was wondering if you could accept it as further apologies." he said holding it out to Merlin.

Merlin didn't miss the strange way he held it out to him, thumb and forefinger gently holding it at the hilt with the pommel facing downwards.

"I'd be honored," Merlin said cautiously as he reached his hand forward to take the strange blade.

Before Merlin even knew what happened, he felt a sharp pain coming from his outstretched hand. He heard the blade clang as it hit the stone floor. Merlin drew back his hand instinctually, cradling his newly injured hand and examining the damage. A thin line of red ran along the inside of his palm diagonally from forefinger to wrist. Blood wept from the wound quickly sending a few drops to the ground below.

"Oh dear, how clumsy of me." Agravaine said all too happily.

Merlin looked at Agravaine in confusion. Agravaine just smiled, no longer keeping up pretenses. Merlin just stood and stared a few seconds more before turning and fleeing.

Agravaine's smile widened as he knelt, picking up the knife.

"I guess he didn't like my present."

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Merlin had gone straight to Gaius and bandaged his bleeding hand while telling Gaius of what had just occurred.

"Strange..." was all Gaius said.

Merlin tried coming up with theories as to why he would do such a thing, but Gaius didn't help. Gaius remained silent and eventually Merlin gave up figuring it out and went to attend to Arthur.

When Merlin entered Arthur's chambers Arthur looked up and smiled.

"Did he apologize?" Arthur asked happily.

"Yes," Merlin said glumly.

Arthur frowned. "Shouldn't you be happy?" Arthur asked perplexed. Then he noticed Merlin's bandaged hand. "What happened to your hand?"

Merlin clenched his injured hand slightly and held it closer to him as he clutched it with his other hand.

"It's nothing," Merlin said as he glanced at Arthur and moved onto his chores.

"Did Agravaine do that to you?" Arthur asked hoping it wasn't true.

"It was just an accident," Merlin said gathering Arthur's dirty clothes neither affirming or denying hoping he would just let it go.

Arthur was about to press further when Merlin bent down to pick up a runaway sock and suddenly collapsed.

Arthur jumped up and went to him. Merlin sat up and clutched his head.

"What just happened? Are you alright?" Arthur asked apprehensively.

"I-I just got a bit dizzy was all," Merlin said trying to stand up, clearly still disoriented.

The feeling remained, but Merlin could still function. As long as he didn't bend over again any time soon. "Maybe you should..." Arthur started thinking.

"I'm fine," Merlin assured and he was...as long as he didn't move too quickly. "It's nothing."

Arthur looked at him skeptically, but let it go.

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After Merlin left, Gaius thought hard about what Merlin had told him. Perhaps he just wanted to send a message to...no no no that can't be it... Gaius thought. It could have been an accident I suppose...no. Well maybe....Gaius stopped, eyes widening with a thought.

"I hope I'm wrong," Gaius said as he bustled about the room.

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There it is. this was originally twice as long, but I had to cut it somewhere. This was the best place to do so. I will have the next chapter up in a day or two. The more review determines how soon, but it will come up none the less. Hope you enjoyed it.