Here is the next chapter. Destiny always things for a loop. There was reason, Merlin was supposed to avoid the druids. Destiny thinks otherwise. I hope you enjoy.

******Let the story continue***

Months went by and everything seemed to be back to where it was before. He had been poisoned, then there was Lancelot and the griffin and many others. He was still worried. He knew that neither Morgana or Arthur had talked about his conversations months ago. He knew it was still in the back of their mind. He just could not help but think that he may have overstepped. Yet, he knew that he had to follow his heart. He was still struggling with having to keep his own secrets. He knew that one day someone is going to spot him.

Even as he allowed is his thoughts to roam as he carried Arthur's laundry. "Help me! Please someone help me! They are going to kill me." Suddenly, screamed and pleaded in his head.

Merlin scanned the square. He spotted a boy of ten or eleven. He had dark hair and deep blue eyes. He wore an unusual cloak. "No, they will not!" Merlin responded back to the voice in his mind. He froze time and ran towards the child. The guards were almost upon him. He picked the boy up and ran towards the servants' entrance. The bell began to toll.

Merlin raced through the halls. He heard the guards coming. He opened the first door he came to and hoped that Morgana was not there. He was out of luck. He heard, "Merlin what are you doing?"

"Please. He is just a child. You know what they will do if they catch him." He continued to plead with his eyes. Morgana him guided him behind the curtain. A guard knocked on the door and informed that a druid boy escaped capture and was on the loose. Morgana chided the guard about no one being here.

Merlin was looking the boy over and noticed that the child had been injured. "This will hurt."

The druid boy nodded. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and no spelled uttered. The boy fought the urge to scream for a moment. However, he felt the magic to seep into him. It was warm, comforting. The boy felt his body drift to sleep. As he drifted, he felt the magic leave him as slim arms wrapped around him in comfort. The boy leaned into the arms and drifted into sleep feeling safe for the first time in Merlin's arms. "Thank you, Emrys." The boy never felt the body behind him stiffen.

Merlin knew that name and felt it vibrate through him. He wanted to run and hide. He was confused, as well, because coming from the child it brought warmth and strength. "Merlin!" He felt in his mind. He wanted to know what the bloody dragon wanted now.

He lay the boy down knowing that he would sleep awhile. He asked Morgana to watch him. She nodded her head. He made his way to the dragon cave. The dragon advised him of the boy's future saying that if the boy and Morgana lived that they would unite and kill Arthur. "I am not going to kill an innocent person for something that they may or may not do in the future. I have realized that the futures can be altered. I have subverted many of Morgana's visions. However, I will keep a close eye on them."

Merlin walked out of the cave. The dragon shouted out warnings to the warlock's back. Merlin liked the dragon but knew he could be annoying and adamant in his vision and views. Merlin pushed it to the side saying it was a result for living a thousand years and almost 20 years of being chained.

Merlin quickly made his way back to Morgana's chamber. He noticed that Arthur and his knights were searching the castle's chambers. He entered the chamber and moved towards the boy behind the curtain. Morgana informed him that he had remained asleep. He told her that Arthur was searching the rooms. Morgana motioned him behind the curtain.

Merlin swiftly went to the boy and wrapped him up in his arms. He heard Arthur entered the room. He listened to Morgana and Arthur go back and forth. "Emrys, I am scared."

"You will be okay. I will get you back to your people. You have my word. Arthur is a good man. He is slowly changing. You will be free one day."

The boy curled up in his arms. "I believe you, Emrys."

Merlin left to go back to his chores. He cornered Arthur in his room. He argued with Arthur about the innocent boy. It was soon that Arthur asked if he knew where the boy was located. Merlin responded saying that he did not know what he was talking about. Arthur inched closer eyeing Merlin making him squirmed. Arthur made his famous comment about Merlin being a very bad liar.

"Are you needing anything else tonight, sire?" Merlin asked? Arthur stated that there is nothing. "Good night, sire." He bowed and left the room. He did not realize that Arthur put on a cloak preparing to follow his servant.

Merlin headed to his room. He gathered a few items. He left and made his way back to Morgana's room. He was so intent on forming the boy's escape that he did not sense that he was being watched. Just after dark, Merlin peaked his head out of the hallway, and no one was in the hall. Merlin exited the room with the boy.

Arthur watched as they easily moved through the castle and down into the lower town. He continued to follow knowing that they would not make it out of the castle. It was his surprise to find them sneak through an old guard's door that opened into the forest. He continued to follow. Once they were well into the forest, he shouted for them to stop.

"Please, Arthur he is just a boy. He has done nothing wrong. His guardian was killed for just picking up supplies for the winter. Are they to be killed for being druids? Please, look at him. Truly look at him. He is a child like many in the lower town."

Arthur looked into the deep blue eyes of the child. He was scared and frightened. The boy looked up at his servant, who wrapped an arm around him. "I am TAKING him back to his people." His servant stated with a confidence and authority that took him by surprise.

Arthur stood. "Fine. However, we will talk tomorrow. You best better be on time." He stood and began to walk away. The boy slipped from Merlin's arm. He ran up to Arthur. Arthur stopped looked down at the boy and then to his servant who just shrugged.

He knelt to the boy's level. "Thank you." The boy threw his arms around him. Shocked. He returned the hug. He was moved. The boy moved swiftly back to his servant. He rose and walked back to the castle.

Merlin and the boy walked in the opposite direction. "Will your people still wait for you?"

"Yes. I have already told Iseldir that I am on my way. He will meet us outside the camp. He does not want anyone to know the exact location. Should I tell him about you?" Merlin shook his head.

Merlin stopped. He was afraid and sad. He always hated good byes. "What is your name?"

"Mordred."

"I will miss you, Mordred. I want you to know that if you need anything just come and find me. I will try and help." He leaned downed and kissed his forehead and wrapped the boy in a hug.

Merlin heard a noise. He moved Mordred behind him. It is okay we are not here to harm. Merlin heard in his mind.

Soon, three men stood before him. The man in the middle watched him. A shocked expression on his face. He knelt before Merlin. "Emrys, it is a great honor to meet you. I am Iseldir. I am the druid chief among this group."

Merlin was blushing. "Please, the name is Merlin. Please, rise. I am just a servant to Prince Arthur there is no need to kneel or bow to me."

"Oh but there is every need for it, Emrys. You see you have been spoken about since the beginning of time. For you were not only a warlock, one born with magic; but you are magic. You are the king of all magic people and creatures alike."

"W-what do you mean?" Merlin stammered.

"Your life force is not the blood that runs through your vines but the magic that flows through those vines. You can live if you lost your blood for you are immortal; however, you would die if your magic is withheld for too long or with a weapon created by a dragon's." Iseldir spoke.

"I only thought that I would get sick after six days without doing magic."

"Let me ask you a question. Is blue your natural eyes?"

"Why do you ask?" Merlin stammered.

"Eyes are the window to one's soul and life force. It is okay. You are among friends."

Mordred appeared from behind Merlin. He looked up at him. Merlin closed eyes. When he reopened them the forest lit up from his bright gold eyes. They were all shocked and stepped back. Merlin was about to close his eyes when the boy touched his hand. "Please don't. They are beautiful."

The men quickly recovered. "The boy is correct. There is no need to hide them among your kind. Please come back with us. It would be honor."

"I cannot. I am only making sure the boy is returned safely. I must return back to the castle." Merlin stated without hesitation.

"You would rather be there with death hanging over your head and in hiding." The man to the right of Iseldir spoke.

"I have been hiding for my whole life. I do not expect you to understand. My loyalty is to Prince Arthur. He needs me even if he would say differently."

Another man was about to speak but Iseldir raised his hand. "It is okay. I understand. Emrys and the Once and Future king have connected. Just know you will be welcomed among your kind at any time, Emrys." Each turned and walked in separate directions. Merlin turned around. You will see him again. His part in your destiny is not set in stone, and always remember there is no greater power or magic than love. Iseldir spoke in Merlin's mind.