Uther stood on the castle balcony overlooking the courtyard. The pyre had been assembled. A prisoner shuffled forth, head whipping every which way, eyes wide in fear. Uther was unmoved. This was his fault, and he was making it right. He'd been remiss to allow this boy anywhere near his son.

Arthur watched below as the raven headed boy passed him. "Arthur! Arthur!" he cried out, but Arthur avoided his gaze. He'd been lied to and deceived. A guard handed him a torch. Arthur waited until the boy had been secured to the stake, then approached.

"Arthur. Please."

Arthur confronted the boy. "You've committed the worst crime. Now you pay the price." He touched the torch to the pyre and stepped back. The flames swallowed up the kindling and soon they licked at the boy's feet. He began to scream...and scream...and scream...


Arthur shot up in bed, his heart about to burst out of his chest. He wiped burning sweat out of his eyes and squirmed in his soaked nightclothes. He lit a candle on the stand next to his bed as the fire had burned low during the night. Fire... He shuddered, standing and holding the candle as he moved to the wardrobe to retrieve dry clothing. He paused, glancing at the boy who slept in front of the hearth. Merlin lay with one arm under his head, the other splayed out to his left. Arthur moved over to him and knelt down, setting the candle on the floor.

Arthur had drifted into sleep disturbed over Merlin's inquiry. When Merlin had asked him if he'd hate him if his mother had taught him magic, he'd tried to avoid the question. He should have been unequivocal like his father, replied that magic deserved hate and derision and death, but he hadn't been able to say it. Instead he'd blundered about with some kind of response about trust, his thoughts cast back to Aredian.

It wasn't just that he didn't want to hurt the boy about his mother, Arthur realized, it was because he couldn't give a sure answer one way or the other. How would he feel? He didn't know.

Arthur brushed damp hair off his forehead. His dream clung to him like his wet bangs—Merlin being burned for magic practice. Arthur stared down at the raven headed boy. "I swear I'd never hurt you, Merlin," he whispered. It would be like killing a brother. But hate him? Arthur shook his head. He wished he had a solid answer.

He stood, retrieving clean clothes, changing, then sliding back into bed, the turmoil of his mind solitary company.


Morgana twisted and turned as she slept. Images flashed through her mind—the balding witchfinder throwing a figure to the ground, Arthur searching desperately through a wood, Lancelot holding a torch close to his face, Gwen drawing her sword. Her eyelids fluttered. She began to groan.

A woman appeared in her dream, thin and gaunt, blue eyes piercing her. She opened her mouth and pain shot through Morgana as a voice whispered in her ear, Know who you are.

Morgana opened her eyes. Her muscles ached; her body was stiff as a poker. She stared into the dark. Why is this happening to me?

The dinner came back to her, Aredian's gaze fixed on her like every secret of her life was exposed to him. He knows.

Morgana sat up. She could run, now. Leave. But, no. That would make it obvious something was happening to her. Morgana wrapped tight arms around herself. She had no one to turn to. Who would believe her? And even if they did, the truth would put her in danger.

In Ealdor, it had taken much effort to make the village elders see Merlin's mother wasn't a threat even if she had studied some magic. And how many times had she implored Uther to recognize a harmless use of magic when deciding judgment? But he was single focused.

Morgana brought a hand to her throat. She hadn't wanted to consider Uther could kill her, but would he? She realized with a start she couldn't answer the question.

"My lady?"

Morgana jumped as Gwen rose from a chair she'd fallen asleep in.

"Gwen."

"Are you alright?"

"I..."

Gwen approached and sat next to her. She rubbed a hand over her back. "Your dreams?"

Morgana nodded. "Gwen. What do you think of magic?"

Gwen's hand stilled. "My lady, please don't think your dreams are magic."

"No, I really want to know. What do you think of it?"

"I suppose that it's not to be trifled with."

"And what of those who practice magic?"

"I'm...not sure."

"Why?"

"You always argue so well with the king."

Morgana smiled thinly at that.

"What you say makes sense. And Merlin's mother used it, and I think she did a good thing, but a sorceress tried to kill Arthur... So, I don't know."

"At least you don't sound so ready to kill those who use it."

Gwen laid a kind hand on her arm. "What if I promise you if you have magic, I'll still serve you?"

Morgana patted Gwen's knee. "Dear Gwen. Arthur's lucky."

Gwen withdrew her hand. "Arthur?"

"I know you see him."

"He asked me to make some things for him."

"Yes. And to take them to him. I'm not blind."

Gwen didn't answer.

"For what it's worth, if Arthur is ever brave enough to admit his feelings for you publicly, I'll browbeat Uther until he agrees."

"Why don't you lay down, my lady?" came Gwen's guarded reply. "And let me sing for you."

Morgana rested her head on the pillow, listening to Gwen's sweet voice singing an old ballad of love. She let her mind wander to her own love, to Lancelot, somewhere in the castle, maybe on duty or sleeping. What if he knew? He was the king's knight. Surely he would denounce magic out of duty.

Morgana crushed her hands to her chest. She couldn't tell anyone. Not yet. Maybe not ever.


"Merlin! Get up!"

Merlin blinked his eyes and stared up at Arthur peering down at him.

"Breakfast."

Merlin sat up, rubbing at his eyes. He raised his arms above his head and yawned as he stood. Arthur smirked as he pulled out a chair at the table. "What?"

"How you can sleep so soundly when you are in so much peril is beyond me." Arthur sat down.

Merlin sauntered over to the table and flopped into a seat next to Arthur.

"There's a man who might think you have magic and attempt to get the truth out of you, and you don't seem to care."

Merlin shrugged. "I care. But you'll keep him from doing anything, right?"

Arthur nodded.

"Then, I guess I don't need to worry too much." The fears of the night wielded less power in the bright light of the morning. If he spoke succinctly, the witchfinder wouldn't have anything to pin on him. His eyes roamed over the table and the two platters that had been filled with sausages, rolls, fruits, and bowls of grain. "I get to eat this?"

Arthur suppressed a smile. "You're my guest. Eat up."

Merlin took the plate Arthur offered him and piled it high, digging in with abandon.

"Doesn't Gaius feed you?"

Merlin responded while chewing. "Yeah, but it's never this good or this much!"

"I'm glad you're getting something more in you, then. You're spending the day with me, and this morning we test new recruits."

Merlin stopped chewing and eyed Arthur. "You're not going to..."

"Water boy and shield carrier."

Ugh. Merlin chewed slower, hoping to stave off the boredom as long as he could.


The door to Gaius' chambers creaked open, and the physician looked up from his work. "May I help..." His breath caught in his throat, and he firmed his jaw. He'd been expecting this visitor.

"Gaius." The balding Aredian locked eyes with the physician.

"Aredian." Gaius didn't move or raise a hand in greeting.

"It's been a long time."

"So it has."

Aredian moved his gaze around the room. "I'm looking for your assistant. Merlin, I believe?"

"Merlin is with Arthur."

"The prince?"

"He serves him."

"Hm," Aredian intoned. He wandered farther into the room, eyes searching it. "So you've stayed here all these years."

"The king has never found fault with my services." Gaius spoke neutrally, but Aredian caught the implication anyway.

"You mean as he did mine? Well, you see he brought me back now."

"I suppose he thinks he had no choice."

"He couldn't rely on you, could he?" Aredian's crystal green eyes swiveled his direction. "Unless magic has become your way again."

"The king has no reason to doubt my loyalty," Gaius replied staunchly.

"Perhaps not. Your assistant, however." Aredian tapped his cheek with a finger. "Comes from Essetir, yes? A foreigner. And in the prince's service?"

"Merlin is a child. He is no threat to Camelot."

Aredian turned and moved back to the door. "We shall see."

"Aredian," Gaius called after him. "This is not like last time. Uther will not be so easily persuaded to kill any you target."

Aredian didn't look back. "You haven't changed, Gaius. You still let compassion cloud your vision."

"Better that than be consumed with hate. Every man, woman, and child you condemned haunts your steps. Friends, Aredian."

Aredian glanced back. "Your friends."

"Family."

Aredian turned on his heel and exited.

Gaius pressed a hand to his chest, taking several long breaths.

"Well done, Gaius."

Gaius startled, turning. A pale woman stood at the bottom of the stairs that led to Merlin's room. She appeared older for her age even though her brown hair tied back in mountains of braids remained glossy. "Nimueh," Gaius breathed.

"Where did this bravery hide when my kin died?" Her bright blue eyes were hard.

Gaius took a step towards her.

"I'm not really here."

Gaius paused, then moved close to her and threw a hand out to test the truth of her statement, his gesture meeting air.

"Always Gaius. Testing and analyzing. Careful. Never rash."

Gaius stared at the image. "I told Uther he was wrong."

"But you didn't save them, did you?"

"No, and I'm sorry."

Nimueh's gaze scrutinized him, and she spoke quietly. "I think you are, though I'm not here for an apology. I've taken an interest in your little charge."

"Merlin?"

"Yes." Nimueh grinned. "Merlin, I suppose you call him. Tell me. Did he surprise you, such a gangly thing with so much power?"

Gaius stared at her.

"I mean him no harm."

"I wish I could trust you."

"Like I trusted you?" Nimueh snapped. "I don't think you have a right to question my integrity."

"You almost killed Arthur."

"I gave him his life."

"And that means you have the right to take it?"

"Perhaps."

"Then I cannot trust you."

Nimueh's bright eyes drifted into the middle distance, away from the physician. "That's what is so touching about this young one. He's not been beaten down by life yet. I thought he'd come to us full of experience and wisdom ready to fell Uther's unjust kingdom, but fate sent a growing child to shape and mold."

"You tried to use him to destroy the prince."

"Yes, and I regret it."

Gaius cocked his head as her eyes focused once more on him.

"If he can change the prince, who am I to stand in his way?"

"Then you do not come here to hurt Arthur or Merlin. Uther?"

Nimueh smiled slowly. "I come to rebuild what was lost. To make way for Emrys. I've waited and now is the time."

"Why come to me?"

"To tell you Aredian knows Emrys has come. He will covet his power. This is no ordinary witch hunt."

Gaius glanced to the door. "How do you..." He looked back. Nimueh had vanished.


Merlin tumbled backwards as one of the new recruits demonstrated his strong arm, swinging a sword repetitively into the shield Merlin braced himself behind. Arthur clapped, moving to congratulate the recruit. Merlin pulled himself up off the ground, rolling his aching shoulders. At least that had been the last one.

"Hey, boy, water!" one of the other recruits called out to him.

Merlin slogged to the side of the yard, setting down the heavy shield, then ladling water from a bucket into a cup. He trudged back across the yard, handing it to the young man.

"About time," the man grumbled. "Thought a servant to the king would be more efficient."

Merlin, used to arrogant nobility, but no less annoyed as he had been when he first encountered them through Meleagant, rolled his eyes.

"And I thought a knight of Camelot would be more honorable in his speech."

Merlin glanced up at the man who had joined him, hands on his hips, glaring down at the recruit. "Sir..." Lancelot inquired.

The recruit swallowed. "Baudwin."

"I'll remember that. Perhaps you shall soon need lessons in good manners. What say you, Sir Leon?"

Leon, who had followed behind Lancelot, nodded gravely. "Indeed. Though it would be a hassle. The last knight that required such training took, what, a week to recover?"

Lancelot nodded to Leon. Sir Baudwin shrunk down in his seat. Lancelot turned away, spinning Merlin by the shoulder. Merlin grinned at the two knights. "Thanks."

"Anytime, Merlin," Lancelot smiled.

"Merlin, water!"

Merlin sighed, running back to the bucket and filling another cup. He dashed to Arthur, who took it gratefully and downed it.

"Sire."

Arthur lowered the cup and looked to the guard approaching. His stomach lurched. "Yes?"

"Your servant boy is asked for."

Arthur handed the cup to the recruit standing next to him and laid his eyes on Merlin. The boy looked so trusting. He steeled himself. If Aredian dare accuse his servant, he'd bring the whole weight of his authority on the witchfinder, and if necessary, the point of his sword.


As they traversed halls leading to the guest room reserved for Aredian, Merlin replayed the conversation between himself, Gaius, and Arthur. Aredian knew a powerful sorcerer was in Camelot, but hadn't been able to see him. Merlin absentmindedly scratched at the top of his head. Gaius claimed he had some amazing gift being born with magic, but he couldn't yet fathom why such power had been granted him. It certainly couldn't be just to accomplish the small skills Gaius taught him, useful as they were. He had saved Arthur, and that would be enough for him, but he wondered if he was meant to accomplish even more.

Merlin sighed. And Arthur still thought magic was bad, but he couldn't really blame him. Even the short time he'd been in Camelot, he hadn't met many who used magic for good. Maybe that was because Uther had killed them all. Merlin swallowed nervously.

When they reached Aredian's door, Arthur knocked. The door opened, the witchfinder smiling abjectly at them, though his expression appeared sinister to Merlin knowing he was the guilty party in this whole affair.

"Ah. You're Merlin?"

"Yes," Merlin answered.

"I've brought him as you asked," Arthur said.

"Thank you, sire. Come in, Merlin." Merlin stepped inside, and Aredian began to shut the door. Arthur threw up his hand to prevent the door's closure.

"I will be attending as you talk to him."

Aredian's eyes sparked for a moment, then relaxed. "Of course, my lord."

"He is my servant, under my charge. I want to know exactly what he's been up to."

Merlin worked to keep his face impassive at Arthur's careful wording.

Aredian drew back, letting the prince enter as well. "Please sit here." Aredian indicated the table in his room. Merlin sat down and Arthur next to him. Aredian took a seat across from them. He contemplated Merlin for several seconds. Merlin tried to still the wild beating of his heart, reminding himself Arthur wouldn't let him come to harm.

Aredian held out his arm and whistled. The kestrel Merlin had found winged its way across the room to its human perch. "I've spoken to the royal falconer. He says you brought him this bird." The kestrel clambered up onto the witchfinder's shoulder.

"I was the one who suggested that," Arthur answered before Merlin could speak.

"Oh? And why was that?"

"Merlin was concerned since it was blind."

"Ah. So you found the bird, Merlin?"

Merlin met Aredian's critical gaze and nodded.

"Where?"

"In a clearing."

"The bird was just sitting there?"

Merlin kept his eyes linked with Aredian's. "It came to me."

"Did he?" Aredian laced his long fingers together on the table.

"Merlin was trying to feed it," Arthur explained.

"I see. And you tended the bird once it was in the mews?"

Merlin nodded again.

"You are from Essetir?"

Merlin glanced at Arthur, then back to Aredian. "Yes."

"How did you come to Camelot, then?"

"I don't see what this has to do with the matter at hand," Arthur interrupted.

Aredian spoke slowly, "Cenred is no friend of yours, sire."

"Merlin isn't Cenred."

"No." Aredian looked back to Merlin. "Have you ever learned magic?"

"No," Merlin answered swiftly.

"And your mother?"

"No."

"Father?"

"I don't know my father."

Aredian raised his chin and then smiled. "So, Prince Arthur plucked you away from your mother?"

"He saved my life while I was on a mission," Arthur spoke proudly. "I brought him here to look after him."

"So you ran away from home?"

Merlin gulped. "Not exactly."

"Then why did you leave?"

"I...I'm not sure... I just didn't want to stay anymore."

"I've heard you saved Prince Arthur's life more than once. Confronted a sorceress. Nimueh, was it?"

"I just wanted an antidote from her."

"And she gave it willingly?"

"Not right away."

"Why would she give it to a child?"

Merlin shrugged.

Arthur leaned forward. "Merlin has been a loyal servant to the Pendragons. He has served me dutifully, and I owe him my life. He is trusted by all in Camelot."

"Yes, I know,"said Aredian. "Everyone speaks highly of him."

"Do you think his finding your kestrel means he is a sorcerer?" Arthur asked directly.

Aredian tilted his head before answering. "I think he is a child. One that might make a mistake, perhaps seek out magic knowledge out of curiosity."

"I haven't," Merlin swore.

"There is no magic ability in you?"

"No," Merlin spoke as strongly as he could.

Aredian waved his hand. "You may go."

Arthur stood along with Merlin. He placed a hand on his shoulder as they moved to the door. A sudden squawk sounded, and the kestrel left Aredian and fluttered to Merlin, alighting on his shoulder.

Aredian stood. "Forgive him. He has perhaps become attached to the one who has nourished him these last few days." He whistled. The bird didn't move. Merlin lifted his shoulder to encourage it. Aredian whistled again, and it flew back to the witchfinder's arm.

"Sire," Aredian bowed his head to Arthur. Arthur nodded to acknowledge him and left with Merlin.

Aredian ran a hand over Nero's back. "You like the boy, do you? Is he stronger than I?" He raised his arm, and Nero flitted away to the table.

Aredian stared at the door, his mind thrown back years, to a time when he learned magic aside someone who had meant the world to him. "It's not surprising really," he muttered. "He always was strong in magic, and he did love her too much. But if I had known..." Ah, well. If he had known, he would have revealed the truth, and the boy might be dead. It seemed fate had let him live so their paths would cross. All he needed now was one moment alone with Emrys to prove that even prophecy could bend to his will.