Ok, this is the second last chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

"Thank you Arthur. Not a lot of people would do what you have for me and I am extremely grateful." Merlin's voiced cracked slightly as he spoke but he still smiled warmly at the prince.

"Don't worry about it," Arthur shrugged half-heartedly. "I didn't want to see my...friend be killed because my father didn't like the way he was born."

Merlin smiled weakly again before realizing the words Arthur had just spoken.

"Wait...Did you just say I was your friend?" Merlin smirked when he saw the prince shift in his seat uncomfortably.

"Well you'll never catch me saying it again," he gave Merlin a small kick with his foot but smiled none the less. "And you better not let me catch you telling anyone either."

Both boys grinned but were deep in thought. Arthur was surprised Merlin had forgiven him so easily when he was the one who had turned him in in the first place but then again it was Merlin who he was talking about, the boy could never hold a grudge against anyone even if he tried.

"I have a question," as Arthur spoke it pulled Merlin from his musing. "When you used your magic, you were saving me. How many other times have you saved me?"

This time it was Merlin who shifted uncomfortably.

"Erm...well there was that time with Lady Helen when I slowed time to pull you out of the way of her dagger, I made the snakes on Valiant's shield come alive so everyone could see the truth, I enchanted Lancelot's spear so he could kill the Griffin, when Sophia was sacrificing you I pulled you out of the lake," Merlin's eyes avoided Arthur's as he spoke but he still glanced up to see his reaction as he found out his servant had been performing magic right under his nose, "And...that time you were in the caves of Balor when you were trying to find that flower for me...well while unconscious I created that ball of blue light to guide you out of the darkness."

Arthur was stunned. Merlin had saved his life on countless occasions yet he demanded nothing in return. He didn't want the fame or glory that anyone who saved the prince's life would receive. He was simply doing his job well above the call of duty, although his father would state it was the servants job to save his life and even offers theirs for his.

"Wow. Merlin you have done so much for me and....thanks." The prince grinned as he saw the look on Merlin's face turn from nervousness to relief. Both could sense the prince beginning to grow uncomfortable as he tried to relay his feelings to Merlin.

Silence filled the room which signalled Arthur's cue to leave.

"I...um...better be going. Father wants to discuss 'my magic'. I'm actually thinking he's going to want to use me in battle, his 'secret weapon'." Arthur laughed at the notion of his father wanting to use his magic in battle. He may have stretched the law to keep his son alive but even that surprised him.

"I would like to see that." Merlin laughed but stopped immediately when his ribs began to ache, something that didn't go unnoticed by Arthur.

They both awkwardly nodded to one another. Arthur turned and strode towards the door when he abruptly stopped to spin and face Merlin again.

"Oh and Merlin," Arthur looked at his servant seriously "Don't get caught."

"You mean I'm allowed to use my magic?"

"Of course. I know you would only use it to help people...and maybe do your chores but just...be careful okay?" In that second Arthur suddenly realized how Merlin had been able to keep up with the work the prince continuously gave him on top of helping Gaius.

"Wait, wait are you actually caring for my safety?" The smirk crept back onto Merlin's face as he joked with the prince, reminding him of old times.

Arthur gave his servant a cold yet humorous glare before turning once more and striding out of the room. Merlin had begun to lay down again when he heard the prince call out again.

"And I expect you back to work on Monday!"

Gwen knocked softly on the door to Gaius's workshop, pushing open the door with a little trouble as her arms were full of the finest foods from the kitchen, for Merlin of course. She gave Gaius a friendly smile as she set the food on a clear table. Neither spoke a word as she began preparing the food. They didn't want to wake Merlin.

Two days had passed since he had been freed and like any normal person, he had spent most of the two days asleep. He had barley moved from the small camp bed in the main room, only getting up when Gwen arrived with his daily food. What puzzled Gwen was why the warlock insisted on sleeping in the workshop when his bedroom was still only stairs away. She had a feeling Merlin didn't want to be left alone. He had been in that jail cell for only a short amount of time but it only took a day for the loneliness of the cell to sink in. Gwen knew better than anyone what he was going through as she had been there herself.

"Gwen, I've told you that you don't have to do this." Merlin raised himself slowly up from the bed, hiding a yawn.

"And you could say it a million times more but it wont stop me." She smiled sweetly at Merlin before looking away sharply when she felt the familiar heat in her cheeks which meant a blush.

Merlin chuckled softly and swung his legs over the side of the bed, making to stand up when Gaius placed a hand on his shoulder and gently but forcefully pushed him back down.

"You are to stay in bed Merlin." Gaius gave him a stern look before heading back over to his table, busying himself with a bubbling purple concoction.

With an exasperated sigh, Merlin slumped back down on the bed and watched Gwen prepare his food. He hated knowing she was going to all this extra trouble just for him but no matter how many times he tried to stop her, she just ignored him.

"Here you are Merlin," she handed Merlin a small plate covered in bread, fruit, cheese and even more glorious food Merlin would only be able to eat at a banquet.

"Thank you Gwen." Merlin immediately picked up the bread and offered a piece to Gwen, who once again kindly refused.

"Gwen, I need to step out to deliver this potion to Evan down at the stables. Would you please stay with Merlin and make sure he doesn't get up?" Gaius smiled at Gwen before giving Merlin yet another stare, though his stares were nothing compared to Arthur's or even Gwen's on rare occasions.

"Sure, no problem Gaius."

As Gaius closed the door behind him, Gwen moved back over to the table she used to prepare the food and began to clean up.

"Gwen, forget about the mess. Come sit down." Merlin leaned over to drag a stool closer to his bed but released his grip when pain shot through his arm.

Gwen rushed over to stop him from hurting himself any further, pulling the stool closer herself.

"You know you really scared me Merlin." Gwen didn't look directly at Merlin, instead looking at a point on the wall over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. Won't do it again, I promise." Merlin grinned to Gwen in between mouthfuls of fruit.

"I'm serious Merlin. I really thought you were going to die and all I could think about was how I never got to tell you-" Gwen stopped herself instantly when she realized just how much she had said. She had never gotten that far to telling Merlin her actual feelings for him but something made her want to continue.

"Tell me what?" Merlin looked up at her curiously, for once noticing the blush creeping up her cheeks. It only took him a second to realize why she had the blush. It had been right in front of him the whole time but he had been blind to it.

"That...that you're a really good friend and...and-"

Gwen looked up when she saw Merlin lean in closer, instinctively doing the same. It was like someone had taken over her body, controlling her actions. She never thought for one second she had the guts to do what she was doing now. Sure, she had dreamt about it but it never seemed like her dreams would become a reality. Until now.

Suddenly Merlin's lips were pressed against her own, sending a flurry of butterflies through her stomach. It was better than anything she could have ever imagined. Their lips seemed to fit together, as if created just for each other.

Time seemed to have stopped but only seconds later they broke apart. Both were shocked by their actions but neither regretted it. Gwen bit her lip before meeting Merlin's gaze.

"I-I love you." The look on Gwen's face could have made Merlin burst into a fit of laughter if it wasn't such a serious situation. She couldn't believe the words that had escaped her own lips.

"You don't care that I'm a warlock?" Gwen always followed the law, at least when she believed in it, but Merlin wanted to be sure she knew what she was getting herself into. If he was ever caught, just being associated with him could cause her death.

"No." Gwen leaned in again, pressing her lips to Merlin's with more passion this time. She had placed her hands upon his shoulder when he suddenly pulled away.

"Oh, I'm sorry Merlin." She realized she must have hurt his shoulder when she had touched him but Merlin shook his head.

"No, it's not that. I just wanted to tell you...

I love you."

One more chapter is coming. Keep your eyes peeled!