Thanks again for all the favourites and followers…special thank you to the people who bother to take time to review…sometimes a few kind words are all that are needed to get you motivated to update. =]

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.


'What are we doing in here?' Merlin asked Arthur as they walked into a room that looked like a lightning bolt had hit it.

'This is Gaius's chambers, this is where we all come when something magical is happening…Well that or if my leg is hanging off' Arthur joked.

Merlin looked around, the chambers were fairly large but surrounding the walls were rows and rows of books, there were potions set up in the middle and all kinds of chemicals littering the tables surrounding them, walking through the clutter was difficult as Merlin didn't want to knock anything off.

'I assure you its organised chaos,' Gaius said walking into the room carrying a large set of books.

'Well if you let me assign you an apprentice they wouldn't be this messy,' Arthur said.

'Sire, the last apprentice you sent me couldn't even read, he was hopeless and had no interest in medicine.' Gaius said.

'Yeah, probably because it's boring and difficult,' Merlin chimed in then froze as both Gaius and Arthur turned to look at him.

'Me and healing don't really go together' Merlin explained 'My magic isn't really suited for it, in fact if Cenred was ever hurt I was never the sorcerer he came to for help.'

'Well, finally there is something you're not good at,' Arthur said.

'That and sword fighting' Merlin smiled.

Arthur could get lost in that smile; it transformed his face into utter beauty. In his black attire and his sharp angular cheekbones Merlin could often look dark and intimidating but when he smiled it was like he was a different person, Arthur resolved to try and make him smile more, and given his past he probably hadn't had much of a reason too.

'Arthur you're staring,' Merlin said.

'Sorry.' Arthur said quickly lowering his eyes.

'So, what are we doing in here?' Merlin asked.

'Well you need to learn of a way to free the dragon, and Gaius can help, he knows something about everything magical, I thought he could help' Arthur said.

'I will do what I can to assist you my lord.' Gaius said bowing to Merlin.

'Please, just Merlin, I'm no lord, I'm a bastard child to a small farming village' Merlin said smiling bitterly.

'It is not people's birth which brings them greatness,' Gaius said.

'No' Merlin said 'But I suppose it helps,' he said smiling again.

'That is true,' Gaius said smiling again.

'Do you know where to start?' Merlin asked. 'Archer and Will are bringing my own magic books but you seem to have a more impressive selection than me.'

'Cenred didn't give you books?' Gaius asked.

'Of course, but only what he wanted me to learn, never what I was ever interested in, I suppose that's why my knowledge of healing is so lacking.' Merlin said.

'Well there's always time to learn.' Gaius said.

'If Cenred found out I had learnt magic without his consent he would have me beaten.' Merlin said.

'You're joking' Arthur asked.

'Of course not' Merlin replied 'I have the welts to prove it.'

'That's barbaric' Arthur replied.

'Well your father would have just thrown me to the flames at least Cenred lets me live' Merlin replied.

'I am not my father, I'm doing everything I can to help you' Arthur said annoyed at Merlin's low blow about his father.

'No, you're in this to save your kingdom, you don't want me in this war because you know you'll lose, helping me is the only way you win,' Merlin said.

'You saw that in my eyes?' Arthur questioned angrily, he cared for this boy how he could not see it?

'I don't need to see into your soul to see the truth,' Merlin replied.

'Well maybe you do' Arthur replied glaring.

'Boys' Gaius said stepping between the two of them 'Maybe we should get started.'

'Of course' Arthur replied 'I'll go round up some volunteers to help.'


'This is hopeless!' Gwaine fumed from where he sat on the floor with his head buried in a dusty book, 'most of these books are written in a language I don't know, and the ones that aren't don't make sense!'

'This one doesn't even look like it's a language it's just runes' Arthur said chucking it onto Merlin's pile 'why are we even bothering when only Gaius and Merlin can read this stuff?'

'And Archer' Merlin said not looking up from where he sat at Gaius's desk pouring over some book.

Everyone turned to stare at Archer, who blushed slightly and raised his own book higher to try and hide the blush in his cheek,

'You have magic?' Arthur questioned suspicious.

'Of course not, I can just read the language' Archer replied turning a page and lowering his eyes.

'Cenred taught you?' Gaius asked.

'No' Archer replied then sighed and sat his book down in his lap 'I've always been fascinated by languages, I want to learn them all' Archer said with a wistful look in his eyes.

'It's a hobby?' Elyan asked curiously.

'Yes' Archer replied going back to his book.

'At one time it wasn't always so' Merlin said slamming his book down and getting up to go brood out of the window.

'Oh?' Arthur asked.

'At one time Archer dreamt of being a scholar and studying the written word, travelling from land to land conversing with people of all ages, archery was his hobby then' Merlin sighed 'then it changed, and now he has to give up his dream to help me.'

Archer got up then and walked over to Merlin and put his hand on his shoulder, ignoring the curious looks from the rest of the group.

'I will always protect you Merlin, for as long as I can. You have the kindest heart and you are my best friend there is nothing I would not do for you' Archer said and Merlin turned to him with a tear in his eye.

'But giving up your dream?' Merlin questioned.

'Merlin, we were there that day too, we signed our life away, and you weren't the one holding the quill.' Archer replied.

'If it wasn't for these chains you wouldn't feel guilted in having to stay' Merlin said.

'Is that what you see?' Archer asked his tone turning hard.

'Some days I do' Merlin replied.

'Everyone has a bad day Merlin' Archer said 'What do you see now?'

Merlin turned and stared deep into his friends eyes, friendship and a deep loyalty were what he saw. He would give his life for Merlin without any hesitation, and if he ever found a way to kill Cenred he would take it without a moment's hesitation.

'You know what I see.' Merlin said smiling slightly.

'Then never doubt me' Archer said.

'I don't doubt you, but I look at Will and you some days and I can't help the rush of guilt I feel' Merlin said.

'What's there to be guilty about?' Archer tried to joke 'I'm the best archer in the whole of the five kingdoms.'

'That wasn't supposed to be your destiny though' Merlin said.

'Merlin' Will sad standing up. 'I got what I wanted; I learned how to fight in a way my father would have been proud.'

'No Will, you wanted to take after your father, to be a soldier in Queen Annis's court' Merlin said.

'But that wasn't my destiny either was it?' Will said.

'No' Merlin replied turning his head.

'The future changed Merlin, and we can't spend our time mourning what could never be' Archer said.

'No I suppose not' Merlin replied.

'I know you all think I'm just in this for my kingdom' Arthur said suddenly breaking into the moving conversation 'But I can honestly say I feel immense sorrow for your situation, no one should be forced to do something they don't want to do.'

'Thank you Arthur.' Will said giving the king his first true smile.

'Well now that were all feeling depressed shall we get back to work?' Gwaine joked from where he still sat on the floor.

'Yes' Merlin laughed.

'No need gentlemen I think I may have found something' Gaius said.

'What?' Merlin asked jumping up and coming to stand over his shoulder.

'A sword forged in the dragon breath' Gaius said showing Merlin the book.

'Forged by the most magical sacred creatures and the most powerful sorcerer the sword forged in the dragon's breath has the ability to kill any living life force and perform the most powerful magic' Merlin read.

'You think that will work?' Arthur asked excited.

'It should do if Merlin and Kilgharrah do the enchantment' Gaius said looking at Merlin who was frowning.

'And afterwards?' Merlin asked.

'The dragon helps you' Arthur said confused, he thought they had covered this.

'No I mean the sword, this is a powerful weapon, who gets it, where does it go?' Merlin asked.

'We'll keep it' Arthur said grinning from ear to ear. Here was a weapon that Cenred wouldn't know about.

'You mean you keep it?' Merlin asked his voice strangely blank.

'Why not?' Arthur asked 'It's a powerful weapon.'

'So you can use it in the battle against Cenred' it wasn't a question.

'Why not it's a great opportunity?' Arthur said.

'No it has potential for abuse' Merlin said.

'What are you talking about? This sword could change things Merlin' Arthur said.

'It also has potential for abuse and let's not forget this is a magical weapon' Merlin said.

'And?' Arthur asked raising an eyebrow.

'And…' Merlin said stepping forward 'In Camelot magic is a illegal, which would make you a hypocrite.'

'A hypocrite?' Arthur asked.

'Magic is banned in Camelot, I won't make you a magical weapon to be a tool for you to use when you suddenly decide to use it for your own aims.' Merlin said.

'Oh so you're going to take it back to Essetir, to Cenred?' Arthur thundered.

'Magic is not banned in Essetir sire' Merlin said no longer using Arthur's name.

'So you get your freedom and Cenred still slaughters us with some magical weapon.' Arthur fumed.

'No, I will take it once I have freed Kilgharrah' Merlin said.

'You?' Arthur questioned.

'I will put it where none can find it, that kind of power should be given to no one' Merlin said.

'And you get to decide that?' Arthur questioned taking a step closer to the warlock.

'I am going to be its forger, therefore it is my decision' Merlin said.

'It's not fair' Arthur said.

'I will not let you use me, or any magical tool in order for you to win some war sire' Merlin said.

'You would send Camelot to its doom?' Arthur asked.

'Once I am free I will not be Cenred's slave any more' Merlin said.

'Oh so it just takes him longer whilst he rounds up his other sorcerers, you weren't even in this war and we were already loosing, freeing you will change nothing.' Arthur said.

'That's not my problem' Merlin said.

'You won't help us?' Arthur questioned.

'Magic is banned here in Camelot; I will not be set free only to be used by another power hungry king.' Merlin said.

By now the two men were in each other's faces in fury. Merlin's breathing was laboured and his eyes were glowing a faint gold as his magic rose feeling his anger. Arthur couldn't help but notice that Merlin's flushed cheeks made him look even more magnificent. How could he just dismiss Camelot's need? He knew magic was banned but maybe with Merlin's help he could start to change that.

'Maybe it won't be in the future' Arthur said.

'So I'm supposed to hand you the most powerful weapon in the five kingdoms on some half-hearted promise that one day me and my people won't have to live in fear?' Merlin questioned.

'I don't know!' Arthur yelled then turned away in frustration. 'I don't trust magic yet'

'But yet you would use it so willingly to get what you want' Merlin whispered 'it makes you a hypocrite and it makes you so much like your father, this is what started the purge, and I won't let this become another mistake' Merlin said.

'What do you mean?' Arthur asked turning back.

'You don't know?' Merlin questioned frowning slightly feeling the anger drain out of him.

'Know what?' Arthur questioned.

'About how you were born?' Merlin saw the confusion in his eyes 'he never told you anything did he?'

'Merlin' Gaius said, Merlin turned to look at him and watched as he shook his head. Now was not the time for Arthur to learn of the truth of Ygraine's death.

Arthur stared at them both in confusion before bursting out 'My father made a lot of mistakes but he was a good king.'

'I suppose' Merlin said 'for people without magic, he was certainly'

Arthur had no words to reply to that.

'So you won't help?' Arthur asked.

'I will free Kilgharrah, and then with any luck and god willing Kilgharrah can help free me before Cenred marches on Camelot, but I will not help you in this war Arthur,' Merlin said. 'Without me there perhaps you will stand some chance.'

'And if I stopped you from freeing the dragon' Arthur said spitefully.

'Blackmail won't work, if you don't let me free him, Cenred will call me into battle, if you don't sign the treaty, you will be annihilated, and I will free Kilgharrah afterwards.' Merlin said.

Arthur felt himself tearing up at the hopelessness of the situation and Merlin felt a stirring in his chest, he liked Arthur he did, and he liked Camelot but he refused to be another man's tool when magic was still banned in Camelot. It would cause more problems than it would solve, and giving Arthur the sword would only lead to more destruction.

'I though you cared about me,' Arthur said and watched as Merlin's eyes widened in response he quickly added 'about us, about Camelot.'

'I care about magic, I care about my friends and I care about people like me who are living in fear, if I give you the sword It's potential for abuse is too great, and if I am freed and I help you defeat Cenred, I will go against my heart, I will not help when magic is banned here' Merlin said.

'And if I took steps to life the ban?' Arthur questioned.

'You must do that when you are ready Arthur, you know that if you lift it just to win this war, that isn't a good enough reason, you have to believe deep in your heart that it is the right thing to do' Merlin said.

'I don't know if I can do that' Arthur whispered.

'Give it time' Merlin said.

'We don't have time' Arthur said.

'Well, I've been looking for a way to free myself for years; it may take a while' Merlin said 'even with Kilgharrah's help.'

'The sword won't work on you?' Arthur asked.

'I doubt it' Merlin said 'I will try.'

'What if Cenred calls you back before you have found a way?' Arthur asked.

'Then I will continue meeting with Kilgharrah in secret until a way is found' Merlin said confidently.

By now everyone in the room was staring at the pair in shock, the emotions were high and they were all in clear need of a break.

'How about we all go get some air, and maybe select a sword for Merlin and the lizard to enchant?' Gwaine asked cheerfully.

'Sure' Arthur replied sighing.

Merlin sighed and watched as they all left Gaius chambers; he sank into his chair and rubbed at his eyes. Arthur always made everything complicated. But Merlin couldn't help but like him, despite his faults and his ignorance about magic, he was a good man, and Merlin couldn't help but feel the stirrings of attraction when he took in his classic blonde hair blue eyed appearance. He was certainly handsome.

Merlin forced himself to stop. He couldn't go down that path, not when things were so complicated. Besides it wasn't like Merlin had any experience when it came to romance, this was the first time he had ever felt the stirrings of attraction for anyone, which was something Will and Archer often teased him about. But working as Cenred's slave romance seemed impossible and he never had the inclination to visit any of the working girls Will and Archer occasionally liked to go meet. Not that he looked down on them for it, they got lonely sometimes, and they too would never have a normal relationship so Merlin never faulted their weakness. But he couldn't do the same thing; Merlin believed in romance and believed in love, he would take that step with the right person, never before.

'Merlin?' Gaius said, Merlin hadn't noticed he was still in the room.

'Sorry, I'm coming' Merlin said lifting himself of the chair.

'Arthur is a good king, and one day I believe he will be a great king.' Gaius said.

'So do I' Merlin replied.

'I know his views on magic aren't ideal, his father drilled it into him that magic was bad from the day he was able to talk' Gaius said 'losing that habit will take time.'

'I know that too Gaius but I won't fight for him, whilst magic is banned here' Merlin said.

'I know, but don't give up on him, he likes you, that's a good sign' Gaius said.

'Is it?' Merlin questioned.

'Well, you're the most powerful sorcerer there has ever been, and he likes you, I'd say that's a very good start' Gaius said.

Merlin smiled despite himself 'Maybe there is hope.'


Boom! Another chapter done, so you had better review peeps! =]