Once they were back in Camelot Kay was take to Gaius who checked his wounds and praised Merlin for the treatment he had given. Although once they were alone he did warn Merlin "I know you used magic, just make sure you are careful"
Merlin rolled his eyes "I was!" he exclaimed "I'm not a fool"
After Arthur had given his report to the King Uther wasted no time in reminding his son "I told you having the boy with you would be useful, now I want no more complaints from you, accept it"
On of Merlin's new duties was to attend all the training sessions that the Prince did, and attend any injuries. They were mercifully rare, but Merlin did on several occasions call out the Prince on his behaviour to his servants and the fact that he used them as practice dummies.
"You told me off for putting myself in danger yet you risk injuring untrained servants just so you can show off. Why not use the knights at least they know what they are doing and signed up for this violence." He told the Prince on more than one occasion. It was noticed that gradually Arthur did stop using the servants.
Not that Arthur would ever admit Merlin's influence on him. But gradually the more arrogant side to Arthur was tempered, not that he became soft nor did he lose the air of nobility, but then again no one expected him to. For Merlin's part he gradually came to understand the pressures the King put his son under, and the high expectations he had of his son. Merlin found the King to be a hard and unforgiving man who seemed to have no close emotional ties with his son. More than once he thanked the gods that although he had no father his mother was kind and gave him her unconditional support and love. He greatly missed her and would have loved to have more contact than the occasional letter that found its way to him.
It was when on a hunting trip with the prince when Merlin found out just how fanatical King Uther was. Arthur had taken several knights hunting. The King had as usual insisted Merlin go with them. Merlin hated hunting, it went against all his ideals, the druids did eat meat but only killed what they needed and never for fun. Although he knew the Prince took the game back to the castle it didn't go to those most in need but added to the already, in his view, overloaded nobles tables. So he quietly and as subtly as he could sabotaged the Princes efforts by warning the animals.
Yet despite Merlin's efforts Arthur and his men always came back with many dead creatures draped over the spare horses. As the men were hunting Merlin had been place in the group with Arthur, as was usual. They were after a large stag when Merlin spotted a Unicorn. He tried to get the creature to run but it wouldn't and Arthur spotted it. When Merlin saw Arthur raise his crossbow he put a protection spell around the unicorn. This resulted the bolt dropping to the ground some feet away from the white beast.
Arthur not believing what he was seeing sent another bolt towards the Unicorn who just stood and watched. As that two was stopped short Arthur swore "What sorcery is this" he demanded
With that several other knights appeared and when now of their bolts could touch the beautiful animal. Arthur walked closer and tried to strike it down with his sword. That too was stopped by the protection spell. "Search for the sorcerer" Arthur demanded
Merlin looked at the Prince "Why would you wish to kill such a beautiful animal? You won't eat it"
"For its horn of course" Arthur snapped back.
With that a white robed man appeared. Arthur glared at him "Are you the sorcerer?"
"My name is Anhora I am the keeper of the Unicorns" came to quiet reply "Why are you so desperate to kill such a pure creature?"
"I ask you again are you the sorcerer who is doing this?!" Arthur demanded
"No, but I would if in needed to. Do you not realise the penalty for killing such a pure spirit?" Anhora was calm and unflustered. He glanced at Merlin and with his mind spoke so only Merlin could hear. "I thank you on behalf of all unicorns, to lose one is a tragedy. Yet your actions have not allowed the Prince to understand the significance of his actions."
Merlin replied in the same way "You would have a unicorn die just to prove something? I saved the unicorn because it should be saved."
Arthur glared at the keeper not realising what was happening. Anhora looked at Arthur once more "You and the people of Camelot have been lucky beyond measure. Had you killed the unicorn your Kingdom and it's people would have suffered draught, famine and pestilence."
"You would have laced such a curse?" Arthur snarled
"No, that is the penalty for killing such a pure creature. Yet that which you hate most saved you" with that Anhora turned and both he and the unicorn disappeared.
Arthur immediately called for his mean to search for the sorcerer. Merlin stepped forward "You heard him the sorcerer saved Camelot why do you look for him? too thank him?"
Arthur turned on Merlin "You dare to question me! You think I would ever thank such a monster?"
Merlin felt the anger build. What would it take to change the Princes mind on magic, without thinking he snarled back "A monster? So he saves your people yet he is a monster"
Before Merlin had time to react and without thinking Arthur raised his hand and backhanded Merlin across the face. The Apprentice fell back onto the ground.
"Get back to the camp and keep silent" Arthur snarled before walking off.
They of course found nothing. When they got back to Camelot Merlin went straight to his room. He slammed the door as he entered the physician's chambers. Gaius tuened and followed Merlin to his room. "What is the matter?" he asked
"How can I be expected to work with that Prat when all he does is insult me?" he said his face turned to the wall.
"Merlin I have told you, you must learn to curb your tongue. He is the Prince." As Merlin didn't answer Gaius sighed "At least look at me when I am talking to you"
Merlin turned and Gaius saw the side of Merlin's face for the first time. A bruise was forming where Arthur had struck him. "Oh my boy what happened?"
"Your precious Prince, that's what!" Merlin said tears in his eyes. "He wanted to kill a unicorn!"
Gaius looked horrified "You didn't use your…."
"Yes I did but he didn't know. When Anhora told him what would have happened if he had not been stopped your precious prince got mad and hit me"
Gaius turned and left the room and headed to the council room. He found Arthur there finishing giving a report to his father "I am sorry father, we couldn't find the sorcerer. Nor did I get you a unicorn horn."
Uther was red faced and told his son "Send out more patrols and don't rest until the sorcerer is found."
Gaius stepped forward "Sire, in this case the sorcerer save Camelot from harm"
Uther turned on his friend "What!"
"Sire I understand from my apprentice that he stopped the unicorn being killed. That would have spelt disaster for Camelot. The killing of a unicorn has always brought nothing but harm to the Kingdom it occurred in" Gaius tried to explain.
Uther ignored Gaius and shouted at his son "Send out the patrols, you own may rest and eat but then you to must go back out"
Gaius shook his head and walked out, clearly he would not be listened to. The king was obstinate when angry. All he could do was hope that Anhora had taken the unicorns out of danger. At least he knew they would not find the sorcerer.
As he walked away he heard Arthur call after him "Gaius Is it true, that disaster would have overtaken Camelot?"
"It is Sire, it is well documented. If a sorcerer was involved he did Camelot's people a great service. For which you and your father would see him killed"
"Magic is illegal and evil" Arthur said firmly then he paused "I assume Merlin told you what happened?"
Gaius looked at Arthur disappointment clear in his eyes. "He did Sire"
"I am sorry Gaius I know you are fond of the boy but he needs to control his mouth" Arthur had the same stubborn look in his eye that Uther had.
"It is not me you should apologise to Sire" Gaius reprimanded calmly. He had after all practically raised Arthur.
"You are not suggesting I apologise to him are you?"
"It is Merlin that has a bruised face Sire not me. I thought better of you, I know you have your fathers temper but Merlin is a young lad not used to the ways of the court." Gaius said before turning away.
Arthur heard the unspoken 'and he saved your life' but he would not admit he was wrong. He turned away to carry out his father's orders. He did also tell the patrols not to harm any unicorns should they be found. He was stubborn but not foolish.
Once it got dark Merlin made his way once more to the dragon. He wanted to try and see what it was he was supposed to do. He really did think he was wasting his time. He was confused and upset and wondered if he had just arrived too soon. After all he was only sixteen and not used to this way of life.
"Kilgarrah!" he called out when he reached the platform "Oh Great Dragon I need your advice"
There was the sound of leathery wing as and the dragon landed in front of him once more. He was still just as majestic to Merlin's eyes and he was in awe of such a creature, even if it did talk in riddles. "You called young warlock. Though I gave you all the advice last visit."
"But you answered none of my questions. I need you to advise me….have I arrived to early? I am too young for this. The Prince won't listen to me. I have been in the stock and now this" Merlin turned his bruised face to the dragon.
The dragon chuckled "No one said it would be easy young warlock. The prophesy does not lie. You must find your own way, listen to your heart in these matters, it is pure and good."
"My heart tells me to go home" Merlin protested
"You would give up so easily, all of Magic kind have waited for your arrival you cannot let them down." Kilgarrah growled. "You will find you way I cannot tell you what you need to know, that is for you to understand. You have all the tools and information you need, you just need to use it" With that the dragon took of once more.
"Bloody Dragon why can't you talk plainly" Merlin stomped off up the stairs. In a fit of pique instead of just passing by the sleeping guards under his glamour he made then fall backwards of their chairs.
