Hey guys!!! Appreciations for all the reviews for the last chapter. I really feel loved. 3

Here is the next chapter. Double figures, and still no where near the end.

I know there are still a lot of questions unanswered, but they will be soon. (Actually I don't know when… just soon ok? :P)

This chapter involved Uther and Gaius more than the other characters. But still Merthur at the end.

A/N: Uther sees Arthur as Arthur. So when he talks about Arthur, he is really talking about Merlin, if that makes sense.

Enjoy!

Xox

Chapter 10

Uther was not in the mood to do anything at the moment. Not until he figured out what was wrong with his son. He knew he shouldn't be worried- Arthur should be able to take care of himself. After all… he is a Pendragon and Pendragon's are head strong. They show no signs of weakness or vulnerability. Uther bit his lip. He could not help but notice a sort of softness in his son- like he was sensitive to certain things. It was like he did not want to about specific topics.

Like every time they were having dinner together, he would talk about the kingdom, as well as the fight against magic. Arthur would care more about the peasants than the threat of magic! Uther was confused. There was something definitely wrong with his son.

Uther strode over to the window and looked out at the sun that was slowly tumbling towards the west. Arthur had always reminded him of his mother. His sweet wife. Maybe it was in his air, or his kind nature and determination for a just trial. Or the way that he rolled his eyes at him when he thought something was completely idiotic. The one thing that he was sure of -was that Arthur had his mother's eyes. Those blue orbs that Uther had stared into night after night. The last thing he had stared into to before she died.

Uther straightened up. He was not a sentimental man, and definitely not one who whimpered over the past. Although he missed her very much. Uther knew when there was something wrong, and this was one of those times. He was the king of Camelot- and he had a feeling that someone was hiding something from him.

***

Arthur strode into the court hall, and found his father staring out the window. He could see that he was in deep thought, so he was going to try and make this as quick as possible.

"Sire," Arthur said, loud enough for Uther to turn around, "I'm terribly sorry to bother you."

"What is it boy?" Uther addressed him and Arthur was a bit shocked by the cold in his voice.

"I um… have come to discuss a matter of great importance with you." Uther raised his eyebrows at Arthur. So he can string together a proper sentence, he thought.

"What is it?"

"I um… over the past few nights, I have noticed a few figures lingering around Arthur's window into hours of the night." Uther suddenly became serious.

"How many?"

"About three or four sire. They sometimes call to him," Arthur replied.

"Call to him?" Arthur nodded, not knowing whether this story was going to hold up. What if his father didn't believe him? God, he needed Merlin to walk in and come up with some amazing lie that will get him out of here as soon as possible.

Uther paced around the room for a little while. Arthur had begun to sweat a little. Oh god, since when was he nervous in front of his father?

"I shall place two guards at the door and two guards at the bottom of the window," Uther said after a long period of silence. Arthur almost fell over. How did his father do that so quickly? He didn't even have to ask him to do it.

"Are you serious?" Arthur asked. Uther glared at him.

"Of course I am serious you idiot! God, I don't why Arthur keeps you around sometime." Arthur shrank a little.

"I… like to think there is a bond between us," Arthur said, not knowing the actual truth of his words.

"Well… for that I am glad. You have been very loyal."

"Thank you sire," Arthur said, wondering how far Merlin's loyalty had actually extended without his notice.

"That will be all." Arthur bowed and turned to leave.

"And Merlin," his father called.

"If you notice anything odd with my son, you would let me know wouldn't you?"

Arthur was surprised at the way that his father had just addressed him. He did not know that his father had so much trust in Merlin. It was almost like… he treated him as an equal.

"Of course sire," Arthur said bowing to him. Uther smiled and waved him out, and Arthur was happy to oblige.

***

Gaius poured the dark blue mixture into the flask on top of the fire. Merlin was suffering from a fever and he had to make this potion fairly quickly. He had told his mother that he would protect him. The poor boy had suffered enough already.

He almost dropped the flask when Uther came into the room.

"Sire," Gaius said, bowing slowly after he composed himself.

"Hello Gaius," Uther said.

"What brings you down here?" Uther rubbed his forehead.

"I don't know. Gaius I'm not sure what's wrong. I have this… horrible feeling that Arthur is hiding something from me." Gaius raised his eyebrows.

"I don't think so sire. Arthur trusts you with his life. You are his father and king after all." Uther just ignored the man.

"I fear he is being corrupted," Uther said.

"What would make you say that?" Gaius questioned.

Uther walked over to a chair and sat down.

"I don't know what's wrong with him. At dinner the other night, he seemed really distant and agitated. Then he gets sick. Then after he is better, he listens to what you tell him and goes out on a random hunt instead."

"That was a bit odd sire," Gaius said slowly, trying not to increase his suspicion.

"And he brings back nothing. Do you know how long it has been since Arthur went out on a hunt and brought back nothing?" Gaius shook his head.

"Then he stays locked up in his room all the time. And now these people hanging outside his window calling to him. Gaius, this is getting eerier by the day."

Gaius just stood there, listening to what the king had to say. He didn't like hearing his old friend distressed, but he knew that he had to protect Merlin and Arthur more.

"I am almost certain it is the work of magic," Uther said finally. Gaius contained his composure.

"I am sure you are overreacting sire." But Uther was already standing up.

"It has to be. It's the only explanation."

"My lord, maybe you should rest, we can talk about it in the morning."

"No, Gaius, I want to talk about it now." Gaius lowered his head.

"I need to know. That servant boy said that he saw the group outside Arthur's window. Has he been staying with him these past few nights?"

"I believe he feared for Arthur's safety," Gaius answered. Uther nodded.

"But I find it odd that he did not come to me on the first night he saw them."

Gaius started to become nervous.

"Maybe he was afraid sire."

"Or maybe this is what he has wanted all along." Uther said to himself.

"No I don't…"

"Getting me to heighten the security in Arthur's bedroom so he could finish him off himself."

"I really don't think…"

"That boy has been trying to destroy this kingdom all along by getting close to Arthur. Arthur must be enchanted!"

"My lord, don't you think these accusations are a bit extreme?" Uther turned to Gaius.

"No accusation is extreme enough when it comes to magic. It is evil and unpredictable. I thought I could trust that boy, he had shown extreme loyalty to the crown."

"He still does sire. Remember he saved Arthur's life after all and in turn yours when you were at Arthur's mercy. He could have let you both die. Why did he choose to save your lives?"

"Because he has been waiting for the right time. And those people outside Arthur's window are probably sorcerers."

"My lord…"

"I will hear no more of this Gaius. I see everything clearly now."

Gaius was trembling.

"What do you see?"

"That Merlin is a sorcerer."

***

Arthur walked back into his chambers to see Merlin outstretched on the bed asleep. Arthur smiled and walked over to the bed. He had this sudden urge to jump on him, but he contained himself. What the hell Arthur? Why did he just think that? Arthur slowly pushed that thought out of his mind. He smiled slowly.

He had a better idea.

Arthur quietly crawled onto the bed beside Merlin. Placing his hands on either side of Merlin's head, he bent down to his ear and whispered:

"Boo."

***

Uther ran down the corridor towards his son's chambers. He stopped when he heard a scream coming from somewhere in the castle.

"Hurry up!" Uther screamed and they continued at full speed down the hallway.

***

"Jeeze Arthur, you scared me… again!" Merlin said.

"You are such an easy target," Arthur replied laughing. "Father said he was going to heighten security on my chambers. We can stay here."

"Really?"

"Yep, and I didn't even have to ask him."

"See Arthur, your father does care about you."

"Whatever Merlin," Arthur said. Merlin was still lying on the bed and Arthur sat up.

"Why were you asleep?"

"I was not asleep, Arthur!"

"Oh yes you were," Arthur said.

"Answer me one question Arthur," Merlin said.

"What is it?"

"Why do you always have to be so damn annoying?" Arthur chuckled to himself.

"If I knew that answer to that, I would have you a long time ago. So I'm just going to continue annoying you until I find out the answer." Merlin groaned. Arthur smirked at him.

"Answer me one question Merlin."

"What's that?" Merlin asked. Arthur put his mouth to Merlin's ear. He was expecting to hear something about him being an idiot. But what he got, was no where near.

"Are you ticklish?" Merlin's eye's opened wide as Arthur smiled and began to attack his stomach.

"Don't," Merlin begged, "Please stop!"

***

"Don't!" Uther heard, "Please stop!"

"That's Arthur!" he yelled, "We are too late!"

Uther continued to run as fast as his legs could carry him and slammed open Arthur's chambers. He gasped when he saw Arthur's manservant on the bed, on top of Arthur. Arthur's legs were flying everywhere like he was in a struggle.

"GET OFF HIM!" Uther yelled. Both boys turned to look at Uther and the knights with him and Arthur fell off the bed. Uther walked forward and grabbed at his son.

"Guards arrest that man!" The knights grabbed at Arthur. Merlin stood by Uther in a state of shock.

"Father what you doing?!"

"Be quiet son, you have been enchanted. I will have Gaius looked at you."

"Enchanted?" Merlin and Arthur said together.

"You have not right to speak," Uther said to Arthur walking up to him and slapping his face. Merlin gasped as Arthur cried out in pain.

"You thought you were going to get away with bewitching my son. Well you were wrong there, sorcerer."

"Sorcerer?" Merlin asked. "Um… father, I don't know what you are talking about. Mer-lin is not a sorcerer."

"I said be quiet Arthur!" Uther screamed. Merlin was silenced at once. He stared at Arthur who was now staring at him.

"Do not look at my son," Uther said, "you have no right!"

"I didn't do anything," Arthur said.

"Don't speak sorcerer, it could make things worse for you. Guards take him away."

Arthur was dragged out of the room. Merlin's eyes widened as he watched him go. He lunged towards him but was stopped by two knights.

"Arthur!" Merlin yelled. "Arthur come back! You can't take him. He didn't do anything!"

He struggled against the knights as he watched Arthur go out the door.

"Sire, why does he call his own name?" One of the knights asked.

"He is delusional," his father answered, "get him to Gaius immediately."

The knights dragged Merlin out of the door leaving Uther alone in the chambers. He walked over to the window and looked down, smiling when he saw no one there.

***

There you go. I hope you all liked that. Although Arthur is in jail and Merlin is thought to be a complete nutter.

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!

Next chapter coming soon

Until next time,

Xox

emiliexox