I know it's been over a week but to be fair this chapter is my longest on ff ever :P and I did it all even when I had an exam AND I finally got Sims Medieval. And I also got it beta's just cz its so long… thnx BK!

Hope you enjoy :P

Present day

Merlin slouched on the floor ,head in his hands, as his fingers ruffled his dark hair.

The peaceful field was a relief but it did nothing to help his bruised and aching ribs. He'd settle on the floor some time ago Lance sat stiffly next to him. He'd gone quiet for some time now and Lancelot eyed him waiting for him to start again.

"Merlin, you have to tell me." He said quietly. He nudged his shoulder encouragingly but if this was any comfort it didn't show. All the same Merlin continued in the dull tone he'd adopted since the beginning of the conversation.

"I went for a drink with Gwaine. Well not really a drink, I didn't stay long and he was too… distracted at the time to notice I'd left. I had a bad feeling so… so I went back to the castle…"

"What happened next?"

"That witch happened." Merlin all but whispered, "The knights were in the courtyard with Arthur training. Arthur ranted for awhile about me taking Gwaine to taverns" He chuckled wryly at this but it came out sounding bitter, "and then…" he breathed out hesitating slightly, "that 'hedge witch' comes out of nowhere with dragon looking things on each side. Everyone was running around, she was prattling on about Emrys..."

Merlin sighed miserably burying his face in his hands.

"Everything went wrong."

"Merlin, please." Lancelot begged looking for a clear answer finally, "You've dragged this story on long enough." Merlin smiled but once again it didn't reach his eyes.

"Who knows, maybe if I avoid it long enough the end will change."

Lancelot stared flatly at Merlin while his friend kept his eyes fixed blankly ahead. Finally Merlin seemed to relent ducking his head to stare at the ground.

"He was going to die. The witch stopped messing about and if I hadn't stepped in when I did Arthur would have died."

Lost day

Arthur held firm as the knights were scattered. The witch's creatures, small dragon like thinks with blank glossy scales, had fanned out gliding back and forth attacking from all sides, until finally the prince stood isolated. Leon was fighting to get back to him already but with little success.

His father had often said that it was in the heat of battle that a man showed his true coulors and when his knights were fighting to get to him still, even as a crazed witch floated up towering above him power lashing out around her. That showed the true heart of his knights.

Still as the woman grinned insanely down at him, white hot orbs of light summoned in her hands the one thought that entered his mind, possibly the last all things considered, but the one sentence that entered his mind at that moment,

Hedge witch my ass, Merlin

White fire was bearing down on the prince, his knights couldn't get close and all hope seemed to be lost. Which is why of course Merlin, the idiot, chose the moment to career in to said prince throwing them both to the ground just as the fire was about to hit.

Arthur hit the ground with a thud, the clatter of his armor only adding to the din as Merlin landed with a dull grunt beside him. White hot flames passed them by inches seeming to ignite the very cobble stones behind.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted the moment he could get the breath to speak. The servant simply grumbled something unintelligible and went back to struggling to gain his feet. Together they managed to push themselves up enough to stumble away from the cackling witch; howling with excitement behind them.

"You alright?" Arthur called over the noise. The sound of shouting and the clatter of weapons filling the air, as the witch filled her lungs and began to scream even louder and still no reply from Merlin, "Merlin!"

"I'm fine!" Merlin finally shouted back looking slightly wide eyed as he stumbled beside Arthur one hand gripping tightly to his back while Arthur kept one fist wound tightly in the back of Merlin's jacket. They dragged each other out of danger even as the knights closed formation behind them blocking them from the witch.

"Stay here!" Arthur ordered setting Merlin down to lean against the wall out of the line of fire, "Do stay out of trouble." He shot back over his shoulder only to see Merlin snort in response.

Still as he made it to the front of the knights and looked in to the sparking eyes of the witch he was certain the sheen of insanity had only intensified as she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Show yourself Emrys! Or the last sight your dear prince will ever see will be the jaws of my pets tightening around his throat!"

The group held their swords out, shields ready to deflect as one of the small dragons swooped down dangerously close to their heads.

"No?" The Witch called, "Very well then."

Merlin felt the change the moment the stocky women bought her arms up to the sky. Her eyes were burning a dark orange gold and the spell she spat roared with power as she began to bring it down on the group. As her chant reached its height she bought her arms crashing down and the air burned suddenly with a glowing green fire.

Merlin's arms were up in moments his own power snapping to his will without even needing to utter a word. A ribbon of blue light shot from his arms shooting through and over the knights brightening with intensity as it covered them like a blanket of pure energy.

The witches spell crashed in to his with the force of a small army hammering in to him and making the shield hiss and spit angry sparks. The force held for a few seconds though it could almost be minutes as the power continued looking for a way through battering against the blue light. Merlin could still hold it; his eyes were burning gold, power lashing through his veins as his heart beat a panicked rhythm knowing his friends were in danger.

Finally the assault dropped and Merlin's hands fell limply to his sides. The shield remained but it was fading fast. The knights and Arthur were all blinking heavily the bright light having blinded them but it hadn't had the same affect on everyone.

Merlin looked up meeting large green eyes fixed solidly on his own; the witch beamed at him, eyes sparking with excitement. Then a voice echoed through his head, smooth and silky but defiantly hers.

"Found you."

Merlin's stomach dropped as he stared back at the woman, horror flooding his system at what had just happened. The witches grin only widened and then with a muttered spell she began to fade fast, disappearing in to yet more silky purple smoke, minus the slight explosion from last time. The dragon creatures faded with her until only the knights remained still desperately trying to see.

"Merlin!" Arthur called, "Where did she go?"

No one was looking his way yet but as the exhaustion set in Merlin quickly glanced around for some reflective object just to be safe. He could make out his reflection in a nearby pain of glass revealing his eyes to be safely back to their usual deep blue.

"She disappeared." He answered fighting back the sudden need to lie down and close his eyes for a while. The knights were looking around while Arthur was glaring at the spot he'd last seen the witch, night vision reasonably restored as darkness set in to the training field.

"I guess that was this 'Emrys' at work then." Lancelot stated though there was an element of caution in his voice as he glanced briefly at Merlin.

Arthur growled something unpleasant before storming from the field shouting over his shoulder, "call a meeting with the knights and get Gwaine out of that damned tavern!"

The knights snapped to and Merlin watched in silence as Arthur left. This time he didn't make to follow him. Feeling shaken and exhausted Merlin made his way back to Gaius trying to ignore the way his limbs were quaking under the strain just to move.

"Merlin!"

Merlin paused closing his eyes tightly before he called back without looking round.

"Yes?"

Arthur appeared at his side, dark eyes fixed on his skinny manservant. He noticed how tired and pale he looked almost instantly; even worse than he'd looked earlier. Although that would hardly be unusual considering the witch, some part of him still only grew more suspicious.

"Yes?" Merlin asked again with slight emphasis. Arthur's eyes narrowed with irritation at the slight petulant tone is his servants voice.

"You have a job to do, don't think a witch gives you an excuse to get away from work."
He saw Merlin's shoulders slump even further as exhausted eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"You said I had the day off!"

"Well now you don't" Arthur said cheerfully clasping his servants shoulder and spinning him back round in the direction of his chambers, "You can sort my armor out for a start and polish my sword I will no doubt be needing it sometime soon. Clean out the fire place and make a start on cleaning my room while I'm in the meeting."

He heard Merlin sigh, a look of defeat crossing his already gloomy features. The prince grinned triumphantly before smacking him hard on the shoulder and taking the lead. Merlin glowered after his back rubbing his now aching arm.

Sure, he'd just saved the prince and all the knights with one of the most exhausting spells he'd had the pleasure of trying in a long time, but of course he could go on and do all his chores as well. It's not as if he felt like he was about to nose dive in to the flagstones and even if he did fell half dead- which he did by the way- that's just fine as long as he gets Arthurs sword polished and his armor shiny cuz that made all the damn difference when he went up against the witch last time.

Still Merlin ambled after Arthur up to his chambers trying with all his might not to simply sink in to the flagstones.

Arthur watched as Merlin slid around removing his armor looking as if he were about to drop where he stood. He was completely silent as he worked and looked so exhausted Arthur was almost tempted to catch him every time the servant began to lurch slightly to the side.

Arthur rolled his eyes as Merlin finally took the last of his armor and dumped it unceremoniously on the table, swaying once more on the backs of his feet before he managed to right himself again. Arthur stretched, looking around for a new shirt. He briefly considered asking Merlin but seeing the dull tired look in his servant's eyes thought better of it and went to find one himself.

"What's the matter with you today Merlin? You've been acting… strange."

"Have not." Merlin grumbled half heartedly from the other side of the room. Arthur tripped over a boot and shot a glare at his servant but Merlin had his back to him, obviously not paying him any attention in the slightest.

"Liar." Arthur called shooting his friend another look.

"Well some sleep wouldn't do me any harm." Merlin said off handedly, "Saving your ass is awfully tiring." Arthur froze flashes of the mysterious blue light coming to mind.

"What?" he asked suddenly very serious. He saw Merlin's back go ridged before he turned slightly looking Arthur in the eye.

"I-… pushed out of the way prat, don't go denying it." For a moment Arthur sat frozen studying his servant but finally he dropped his gaze, shaking his head irritably as he wondered at the ridiculous conclusion he had almost come to. Glancing up at Merlin's back apologetically he sighed irritably before forcing the thanks from his mouth.

"Yes… thank you…"

Arthur quickly turned away again rooting around for a spare shirt. Meanwhile Merlin had turned back staring at the prince with raised eye brows.

"Did I hear that right?" He asked jokingly. Arthur cut him off before he could continue.

"Yes Merlin, unless you're deaf as well as stupid. Now get back to work you aren't paid to laze about."

"Oh of course not, sire." Merlin murmured sarcastically turning back to the table with a faint weary smile on his pale face. It wasn't often he would get an apology out of the prince and it lightened his mood after everything that had been going on.

There was a light rap on the door as Arthur moved over to the screen at the side of the room still looking for the errant shirt. Merlin moved for the door kicking a stray boot out of his way as he crossed the room and pulled the door open slightly.

A small page blinked sheepishly up at him. Merlin vaguely recognized him as the same boy to come for Arthur earlier and bit back a groan as he considered what that could mean.

"Is the Prince here?" The boy asked shaking stray locks of brown hair from his eyes.

"Yeah," Merlin glanced back in to the room where Arthur was still out of sight, "but he's busy at the moment." The small boy pursed his lips before nodding decisively.

"You must tell him there is a visitor waiting for him in the throne room."Merlin frowned at this, eyeing the boy.

"What kind of visitor?" the page shrugged before turning and pattering off in the eager way pages tended to. Sighing Merlin shook his head before turning to go back to dealing with the armor, "Apparently there's a visitor for you in the throne room." Merlin called hoping the prince would have some idea of who exactly this could be. Arthur reappeared from the screen pulling a light blue shirt over his head a confused expression on his face.

"What kind of visitor?", or not.

"I don't know." Merlin sighed.

"Didn't you ask?"

"Yes I asked, the page didn't know." Merlin answered shooting Arthur an impatient look. Arthur didn't seem to notice though as he stood thinking over this revelation.

"All right, I can probably get there before the meeting…" he trailed off but made for the door all the same, "make sure you have my armor done by the time I get back!"

Merlin grumbled a grumpy consent back over his shoulder as he began to work the kinks out of the chainmail. The armor set out and his mind focused once again he barely heard the door shut.

The room was silent, the ominous crackling of the fire the only noise as it threw a sinister light over the dim room. Merlin yawned and stretched eyeing the armor now set out carefully on the table. He probably needed to polish it but he simply didn't have the energy to do it now. Glancing around he realized he was missing something and he frowned as-

Sword.

Spinning round to find the weapon his eyes instantly latched on to a small hunched figure standing just before the closed door. Merlin froze eyes going wide as he recognized the wild grey hair and aged features. Dark glinting eyes were fixed on his as the witch stepped properly in to the light.

"I see you." She chuckled playfully, "I said I would find you."

"What do you want?" Merlin asked in a hushed voice, feeling his back bang against the table behind him.

"Straight to the point, though I suppose this is a matter of importance." She said simply, eyes sparking as she shook the main of grey hair out of her face, "I am here to show you, Lord Emrys, where you should really be standing in this war."

"What war?" Merlin snapped. He watched as the witches eyes narrowed lips pulling back unpleasantly.

"The war against the Pendragon's and their like." She hissed, "The war against the people who have killed hundreds of innocents in their so called 'war against magic!"

"The war is not Arthur's fault." Merlin said slowly reaching behind him to feel for the knife Arthur had left with his armor, "The war doesn't have to end in bloodshed."

The woman smirked her gaze now almost pitying.

"So you believe. Unfortunately people like myself have less faith. I think it's time we find out who's right, once and for all." Her eyes slid to the door. Merlin's eyes widened as he understood her intentions.

"No, he can't find out." He whispered quickly as he felt fear course through him at the prospect. The witch's eyes slipped back to him smirking sadistically.

"So adamant, where has your faith gone now my Lord?" she purred a cruel sort of thrill showing through her voice.

"It's not time" he growled, eyes darting to the door and back, "Arthur is a good man but he's not ready, not for this!"

"So he cannot be trusted? You fear for your life should he find out the truth of your existence and yet you still persist he will be a great king."

"He will be a great king." Merlin growled.

"If he is so great why not tell him the truth." The witch replied glaring at the young Warlock, "If you consider him such a friend and if you truly believe-"

"I won't make him chose between me and his father!" Merlin spat eyes darting again nervously to the door, considering his choices.

"Honestly," The witch said a growl in her voice, "you don't even believe yourself, false hope is by far the worst killer, boy. Maybe it's time to bring these delusions to an end."

The witch's eyes flashed gold just as Merlin ran at her. He didn't get far before the force of her magic hit him solidly in the chest knocking him backwards in to the air. His back smashed against the wall, head colliding hard with the unforgiving rock before he slid to the ground. The witch smirked before cautiously approaching the young Warlock.

Merlin was still awake but his vision was swimming and his head pounded. He looked up as the witch came closer feeling sick even at such a small movement. His limbs were like led and he doubted he'd be able to move, leaving him helpless before the leering woman that stood over him.

"You're supposed to bring magic back to the lands boy, that destiny is written. But you have made it clear you are not ready for such a responsibility." Merlin remained silent, simply watching the witch with bleary cautious eyes, "You need to see what we all know as the truth; the Pendragons need to be eradicated, there can be no peace while they are still alive." Merlin opened his mouth to make some kind of protest but before he could the witch knelt grabbing his chin in one of her cold claw like hands and harshly pushing his mouth closed, "You have bought this on yourself. I can only hope that once this is all over you will be more willing to listen."

With this she threw his head away causing it to crash again against the cold hard wall behind him before she span on her heal and seemingly disappeared. Of course she could have leapt on to a dragon mid step for all Merlin knew, he was too busy seeing stars to notice where she went

-M-

Arthur pushed through the doors to the throne room without a second thought. He was tired and wanted to get back to bed before Merlin managed to clear off leaving a trail of chaos behind him.

So he was fairly irritated when he found the room empty and dark, moonlight streaming through the open windows and not a soul in sight. Cursing and scowling slightly he paced in to the center of the hall glancing around the pillars to see if he could catch sight of anyone waiting for him.

No one was there so muttering irritably Arthur turned back to the door intending to find out exactly who had told Merlin he had a visitor but before he could get half way across the room something large and black flashed across the corner of his vision.

He span on his heals just before a cold solid force wrapped around his throat. He gasped as it cut off his air supply, kicking out just as his feet were swept from the floor leaving him dangling in mid air.

His eyes searched franticly for an attacker and that was when he really began to panic because there was no one there, just some strange black limb that seemed to form out of the very shadows themselves. Magic. Arthur gasped, trying to force air in to his lungs as his head began to pound.

That was when she slipped from the darkness a mist of grey hair floating around her head as cruel eyes fixed on his. She wasn't smiling this time as she stared coldly at the prince.

"I found your Emrys." She stated though her tone couldn't sound more dull. Arthur managed to choke in a few hasty breaths, enough to speak.

"Not… Mine." He hissed glaring down at the witch.

"Oh, but he is." She assured him in a growl, "You have corrupted him, the most powerful warlock of all time and he's loyal to you." She said the last as if there were some disgusting taste in her mouth she was trying to spit out. Arthur simply glared at her working to get enough leeway to speak again.

"So… you're-… going to kill me." He choked. She walked forward slowly eyes fixed on his as she leaned towards him.

"Oh no, you're going to do that yourself." She grinned baring all her sharp looking teeth. She waved a hand and the force holding his throat lessened only to tighten around his waist holding him in mid air with his arms pinned to his sides.

"What do you mean?" He demanded but the Witch simply glared raising one hand palm down towards him. Arthur sucked in a last breath before the witch spat magic and the world lurched. For a moment he seemed almost wait less, the force holding him hurtled him towards the ground. He winced curling away as the force holding him up disappeared entirely.

For one moment the dim room was swathed in black. Arthur screwed his eyes shut tightly. Then the floor hit him. The force knocked all the air from his lungs and jarred practically every bone in his body as he fought to breath, gasping as his eyes blinked open he was confronted no with the dark throne room but the light surroundings of his chambers in roughly the same state he had left it.

The light from the fire threw the room in a somewhat sinister light as he looked around. The witch stood by the doorway glaring at him but didn't make a move to speak. Arthurs frown deepened in confusion and then he remembered exactly what the room was missing and his blood ran cold.

His head jerked to the right eyes scanning franticly for his wayward servant. That was when his eyes fixed on a familiar form slumped unconscious on the floor by the window, eyes tightly closed as a trickle of what could only be blood ran down his neck from the hairline staining the familiar red neckerchief.

"Merlin!"

Merlin didn't stir as Arthur began dragging himself closer. Meanwhile the witch just smiled watching on with cold calculating eyes.

"No," she murmured, "Emrys."

Heh I can feel the anger :P I know I said I would do the whole reveal this chapter… but my brain has the habit of drawing things out and stories can change within a chapter.

Just to be clear that was not the explanation for why Merlin got hurt that's just one injury there, the rest will surely be on their way shortly… poor Merlin.

As this was such a long chapter it was extra hard to double check so I am sorry for the likely many punctuation/spelling errors.

With now a countdown of 2 weeks to my final exams I will try and get the next chapter done soon but obviously with the extra revision updates aint gonna be getting any faster… at all :P

Sorry, please tell me what you think, guess what you thinks gonna happen if you want.
Complain your hearts you want constructive criticism is useful just please review I do love gettin em :D

Thnx for your patience :P

SQ