"The purge..." repeated Merlin, almost out of breath. He was feeling sick and sat down with his hands placed on his head momentarily while looking at his knees.

Gaius marched over to Merlin and lowered his head to face Merlin.

"What happened Merlin? Why did Alvarr have that book? Where were you today?"

Merlin looked up at Gaius in a pleading manner. He nonverbally pleaded with Gaius to be on his side unconditionally, to not blame him for what he was about to tell. Instead, Gaius was staring at him carrying an aura of desperateness and an inability to do anything to fix the matter.

Merlin told him everything. About how he met Alvarr again and how Alvarr did not disclose Merlin's secret to Morgana and Morgause and was given a proposition. He told Gaius about the story of Bossiney and the people and how there was a women's league headed by the Seeker. And the history of Uther - pre and post marriage as well as Nimueh and the irresistible proposal given by Uther. Merlin further told Gaius how he learned about beginnings of The Great Purge, about the relationship between Morgana Morgause and Arthur, the prophecy and debate about Emrys, and finally the Niwe Steorra. He concluded with the story about how he saw a sketch predicting Alvarr's death and how he saved him, only to realize he left to book lying down for Arthur to see. At the end of the recount, Merlin felt queasy. While he was accounting the story, he saw Gaius look paler and duller, as if giving up hope. Merlin didn't want to disappoint Gaius, but he felt he had by learning all the information that Gaius tried to prevent him from knowing.

Gaius looked off into space. He just sat there, for a long time, saying nothing. Merlin noticed Gaius was looking very weak and tired- physically and mentally- and felt a pang of guilt for layering the information like that. He had failed in the eyes of Gaius and for all those who did everything they could to protect the Niwe Steorra. All those efforts wiped away because of a stupid careless mistake. Now the result was the killing of more innocent people. It then occurred to him.

"Gaius?" Merlin called softly.

"Yes?"

Gaius was looking distressed and had already sat down.

"Why do you think the purge will start? The purge is only a term - is it not? - given by those who look at the event in retrospect? Uther has killed numbers of people even after the purge ended."

Gaius still was looking down. Merlin was disappointed.

"Yes Merlin, but how many people killed will it take for us to call it a purge? The actions Uther has requested has a striking resemblance to the actions he took the night Igraine died, thus beginning the purge. He plans to go out of the kingdoms boundaries. That means Uther is declaring war, Merlin. Uther has not let his army preemptively seek sorcery outside Camelot since the Great Purge. I can only hope you are right about it not resulting in a mass rage I had once witnessed before, and that it is just my sensitivy and exaggeration of hearing what Uther said."

Gaius sighed.

"I am getting old Merlin. I feel I have failed you and your mother."

Merlin felt guilt rip through his body.

"Failed me? What are you talking about?"

"I was only trying to protect you Merlin. You are young and new at magic. I did not want you to be exposed to the truth of the magic world until you were ready. If I had only told you about the things you heard from Alvarr, I feel as though you wouldn't have had to hear it from the enemy."

Merlin felt sick.

"Gaius, you have been like a father figure to me. You had done nothing but give me good advice, guided me when I most needed it, and protected me. Please don't feel this way. Even if you had told me everything, Alvarr would have still given me the proposition."

Gaius still sat there looking. It pained Merlin to see Gaius feeling hopeless and talking about his old age.

"Merlin, Uther thinks Alvarr is Emrys. Since Arthur believes Alvarr left the book, the ownership of the Niwe Steorra points to him. I urge you Merlin, to please, please don't try to point the suspicion otherwise. If Alvarr is indeed alive, this may end very quickly. Otherwise I fear the worst."

Merlin nodded. He did not want to argue for fear of worrying Gaius.

"Merlin, you had a long day today… Please get some rest."

Merlin nodded and headed to his room. He slowed down and passed the flowers in Gaius's garden. He took a quick glance.

The flowers were lavender.

Alvarr is alive.