Merlin had made it this far on adrenaline and he was exhausted, but it was worth it, he loved the small of the outdoors and loved being outside. He sat with his eyes closed and drifted off to sleep. He was woken up about half an hour later by the castles alarm bells. He knew he had been found out. He only hoped he would get a bit more time before he was found. Carefully standing up he walked further into the trees and sat down with his back against a tree, waiting to be found. But at least he had got some fresh air and could listen to the birds in the trees.

After Merlin had left Aithusa was unsure what to do, she couldn't disobey a command from her dragonlord but was very worried. She thought of contacting Kilgarrah but couldn't as that was also against Merlin's wishes. After a great deal of thought she did the only thing she could, she knocked over the chair next to her. The noise woke up Gwaine with a start. Looking around for what made the noise he saw the chair on the floor and the guilty look on Aithusa's face and smiled. Then he noticed Merlin wasn't in his bed. He checked the room and now getting very worried, he went to the corridor the two guards had also been woken by the noise and had resumed their places.

"Have you two been there all the time? growled Gwaine.

"Yes sir" but Gwaine knew they were lying

"Tell the truth"

"No Sire, we sat down for a bit it's so hot"

"You, sound the alarm bells and you go and find the King tell him Merlin's gone and I've gone to find him. God help us, the King will have our guts if anything has happened to him"

Gwaine ran back into the room looking at Aithusa he spoke to her

"Why did you let him go? Where is he?" The young dragon looked so ashamed

"Come with me and help me find him."

She shook her head in misery, Gwaine stormed out and down the stairs two at a time. He didn't think Merlin would head for the main exit so followed in his young friends' footsteps, worry gnawing at his gut. Why had he dozed off, some guard he was.

In the meantime the second guard had found the king who had left the meeting at the first sound off the alarm bells. Seeing the guard he demanded a report.

"Sire Merlin is gone, Sir Gwaine has gone to find him"

"How did he get past you all? Were you asleep or something?" Seeing the guard face he immediately saw what had happened.

"A knight, dragon and two guards and he's gone, you had better hope we find him safe. Call out the guard, and all the knights and asked Leon to start up search parties"

"Damn you Merlin, why are you so stubborn" muttered the king hoping against all hope that it had been Merlin's decision to leave his room and that he had not been kidnapped. He ran out to the training grounds to start the search. Soon he was joined by several others. Leon had got teams searching both inside and outside the castle. Arthur spotted Gwaine up ahead in the clump of trees.

"Gwaine what happened" he shouted.

"I fell asleep and so did the guards. I think Merlin snuck out after ordering Aithusa not to say anything. He wouldn't have been taken, she wouldn't have allowed that and she looks as guilty as sin"

"What the hell were you doing you were supposed to be looking after him"

"Don't you think I know that?" Gwaine was feeling really bad. The couple continued to look and Gwaine spotted something in the bushes. He touched Arthurs shoulder and pointed. The two of them crept forwards until Merlin's figure was fully in view. Arthur knelt down by the side of the young man.

"What were you playing at Merlin? You've got the whole of the guard looking for you" Merlin looked round at his friend.

"I told you I wanted some fresh air, well I got some, and don't take it out on Aithusa I ordered her to keep quiet. She had no choice I am her dragonlord" Merlin sounded completely unrepentant.

"You are a stubborn man" Arthur found he couldn't be cross with his friend not after all Iseldir and Gaius had told him.

"Yeh I know, Hi Gwaine" Merlin smiled at his friend.

"Don't you, Hi Gwaine me, you sneaky bastard you've aged me years, after all I've done for you" Gwaine was angry, more at himself than at Merlin and he knew he should have been more careful, after all the young man could have faced another assassin whilst he slept.

"Don't take it out on Merlin, You fell asleep and let him get out" Gwaine looked at Arthur he knew Arthur was right.

"Please you two don't argue please I just wanted some fresh air" again Merlin sounded child like.

The two men looked at each other then Merlin and laughed.

"Come on we have a major search to cancel, Merlin let's get back"

"Oh no, I'm not going back. I'm here now, and I intend to enjoy it for a bit longer anyway I'm too tired to walk back yet"

Arthur looked Merlin

"I think he has us beat Gwaine, you go cancel the search and then come back here, that will give Merlin a bit longer then we go back even if we have to carry you"