Hi there! Again, thank you all for the lovely reviews :D I should tell you that I'm in the middle of my exams so from now on the updates will be every two or three days… Sorry.

Well, here is chapter 14!

Chapter 14: A realization

Back in the Court Sorcerer's chambers, Lord Merlin, was eating a hot meal while resting in bed and being fussed over by Andria and Gaius. Having his ward back, finally out of danger, made the Court Physician shine with joy and relief. Lord Merlin was almost completely healed now. The scratches and gashes that used to decorate his skin now looked weeks-old scars and faint bruises. However, he still looked tired and in dire need of rest. The wounds on his body may have been treated but the torment his magic had gone through, the huge amount of power that had been forced out of his magical core was yet to be replenished. He could barely move on his own, too tired to speak more than a few words at a time.

Merlin and Arthur were watching from the sidelines, Arthur seated behind a small desk in the corner of the room, while his manservant paced back and forth in front of him, in a rare demonstration of unease. It didn't escape Arthur's notice that the young warlock was regarding Lady Andria, an indecipherable expression on his face, while she tried to feed the tired older Merlin another spoonful of soup. Lord Merlin protested, deciding he had enough coddling for one day and shut his mouth, shaking his head like a stubborn five year old. It all resulted of course in the plate turning over and Camelot's Court Sorcerer being drenched in steaming hot turnip-soup.

Andria looked criminally smug as she muttered a spell to clean the sulking warlock's clothes.

Gaius was regarding the pair with fondness.

"Now my boy, you are lucky to be alive, you know that. It will take time to heal, so just finish your meal like a good lad and take this afterwards. It will allow you to fall asleep peacefully. You will need time to restore your strength," he said as he placed a small vial containing a dark fluid on the bedside table.

"We should leave him to rest. King Arthur has summoned a council to hear the reports from the other knights as well as yours from Camelot, Andria. You can't leave your King waiting, no matter what your heart says..." he added as he headed to the door. The young sorceress blushed at his remark and got up silently to follow him, but not before she shot another concerned look towards the man on the bed. Lord Merlin shot her a smile in return, which caused her cheeks to darken even more.

Arthur and Merlin looked at each other, the latter shifting uncomfortably on the spot. Arthur in a moment of magnanimity decided not to pester his manservant about the obvious signs of attraction the fair Lady showed towards the boy's older version. I'll let it slip this once. Now who's the prat, Merlin?

Instead he chose to observe Lord Merlin, silently reflecting on the other man's appearance, comparing the two Merlins before him. The older man was indeed slightly heavier than his younger self, his face a bit more full, and his shoulders a little broader. His black hair had actually begun to turn grey at his temples, even if he was only thirty three. Must be all the anxiety and the responsibilities he now carries… Though come to think of it, the young Merlin had a lot on his plate as well.

Indeed the older warlock still looked like a mess from his past ordeal, but underneath it all, he had the appearance of a nobleman. No wonder Lady Andria can't hold herself… wait, WHAT am I thinking! Ew… That's disgusting. Arthur shook his head, it was indeed disgusting.

"Come, Merlin, we should leave as well… there will be plenty of time to talk to his lordship after he regains his vigor."

The older man was almost drowsing, but after hearing Arthur he opened his eyes, raised an eyebrow and addressed both of the younger men.

"Before you go, I should thank you for everything you've done, Merlin." He was having difficulty speaking, voice soft and quiet. "Arthur's right, I need to sleep. I'll take the potion Gaius gave me…it works wonders," another pause for breath. "And thanks for that healing spell, it really made a difference. My magic is… still a bit numb from the ritual. It will take some time for it to be back to normal."

Merlin smiled sheepishly at his older self. They hadn't had the chance to speak properly yet. This was the longest he had heard the man addressing him. It made him oddly shy. This wasn't just him older; this was Emrys, the great sorcerer, what Merlin hoped –and now knew- he would one day become.

Arthur took the chance to manhandle the stalling young warlock towards the exit. Before closing the door behind him Arthur saw the man drinking the potion.

When they reached the council room, the knights had already finished reporting. The Queen was there, along with Lady Isolde and some other knights and council members. Lady Andria was standing in a corner, waiting for her turn to report to her King. Merlin and Arthur quietly made their way to the two empty chairs on the right of the King. King Arthur acknowledged their arrival with a small nod, and continued to listen, now moving to hear Andria's report.

Arthur gave a small shove to his right, hitting Merlin in the ribs, making him glare at the young king. "Arg! What was that for?" he hissed. Arthur smirked at him knowingly. As if you don't know, Merlin…

"…smugglers from the eastern border. We caught them without any hinders. Two members of the Guard arrested a sorcerer who was selling cursed pendants to young girls in the lower town. He is being questioned as we speak. The monthly inventory at the volts was postponed for next week, since neither Lord Merlin nor your Majesty was able to attend, obviously. Lastly, there was a small malfunction with the outer protection wards earlier today, probably due to Lord Merlin's magic being imbalanced. They were down for a few minutes. Had us running for a bit but everything is back to normal now…"

Next, it was Isolde's turn to report, but Arthur's mind was stuck to that last piece of information from Andria. He was beginning to experience a weird feeling, like something was moving up in his stomach, a warning sensation of a kind… He could not place it exactly. His mind was so distracted that he almost didn't hear when Isolde spoke next.

"…but I watched from afar. It was so sweet. He saved her mother you know. Last winter, the poor woman almost died from whooping cough, he healed her, asking nothing in return of course. That's Merlin for you. And every single citizen of Camelot loves him for that, for who he is…" the warrior lady continued.

Every single citizen…every single…

The old woman from the streets. The one who despised the sight of Lord Merlin.

The old woman…

The wards had gone down.

Magical wards.

Woman. Witch…

It couldn't be.

No.

Arthur jumped from his seat, a nagging feeling of urgency burning inside him. The others were startled, shooting looks of bewilderment and inquiry. He didn't waste time, launching to the doors, Merlin was behind him almost immediately, as if by reflex.

"Morgana is here… She came for him!" was the only thing they heard before he hurried outside.

Running through the corridors, Merlin was struggling to reach Arthur, while he was speeding up towards Lord Merlin's chambers. He was vaguely aware of the commotion behind them; the others were obviously coming after them. In less than five minutes Arthur had climbed up the tower and had reached the Court Sorcerer's chambers.

Arthur burst inside the large work room and run to the half open bedroom door across the chambers. He opened it swiftly and his stomach clenched when he was confronted with the exact sight he dreaded he would be. It was the old woman, Morgana, standing over an unconscious and… pale Lord Merlin, holding a bloodied knife.

He was too late. She had already stabbed him.

It took one second for Arthur to comprehend what he saw.

"NO!" he run, mind hazed with fury and just threw himself on her, as the blade went to embed in the warlock's body for the second time. The old woman fell to the floor from the impact, but swiftly recovered and flung Arthur to the wall.

Just like before, only this time, she had succeeded, was Arthur's last thought before he drifted into unconsciousness.

And that was when Merlin entered the room.

A/N: Yeah… I'm evil. Bwahahahhahahahaha!

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