Chapter 2

Sorcerers Attack … What's New?

There were two dangers here and though Merlin was as kin he needed to tread carefully.

Ander paused and Arthur believed he could see uncertainty, he hoped again that this was just a chance encounter, though they were the ones who had been initially attacked he reminded himself.

"I truly mean no harm" Ander still had his hands raised in a peaceful gesture moving ever closer. He had to time this right he thought not only to achieve his aim but to escape in tact, though he was prepared to pay the ultimate price to see this plan through to completion.

To Arthur's point of view the situation seemed to calm but once more the sorcerer uttered

"I mean no harm and to Arthur's ears it seemed to be said in sorrow. Then a number of things seemed to happen at once; Ander surged forward, hand outstretched, the knights leaped into action, Arthur began to raise his own sword and Merlin, that idiot, instead of taking cover dove in front of Arthur.

There was a blue green flash and a crack like a small thunderstorm and everyone shielded their eyes. When Arthur looked back again and the after images had mostly cleared from his vision he scanned the clearing, sword still raised as his training allowed him to do, but he could only see his knights doing the same "Knights!" One by one they responded

"Here"-Leon

"Here"-Percival, they continued on in this way till all the knights were accounted for, Elyan had sustained a small abrasion to his head and Percival had received a blade wound to his arm, all gained in the initial scuffle and not life threatening. Though they would need binding to avoid infection. Arthur had taken note that they were now alone in the clearing and signalled Leon, who as he moved out touched Lancelot's arm to scout out the surrounding area in search of the bandits and sorcerer.

It was then that Arthur heard Gwaine calling for Merlin. Which was absurd Merlin was right… Arthur spun around taking in his men just in time to hear Gwaine state the obvious

"Merlin, I can't find Merlin!" Before anything more than turning their heads could be done Percival called to the others

"Here!" They all turned to see Percival crouch over a pile of very familiar clothing and at first Arthur featured the worst but upon closer inspection he realised that it was just clothing… What he and the others very quickly realised is that the 'bundle' moved. Well stirred is the only description that seemed to fit the situation, that all began to inch forward only to draw back, on instinct raising their swords, as what first appeared to be rags suddenly and fluidly raised itself into a short but steadfast and defensive stance, arms held just in front of him and eyes darting around the clearing and Arthur could see that they seemed to hold no recognition. And, though he was now much shorter and it appeared to be young as well, this was most assuredly their Merlin only now he appeared before them as a slimmer, if that was possible, very young man; possibly only 11 or 12 summers.

Arthur was obviously shocked and also hurt at the unfamiliar way Merlin now looked at him, though he would never admit it. The knights and Arthur shared a look and then Gwaine, why is it always Gwaine, took a few steps forward and Merlin's eyes snapped to him, in faster attention then Arthur had ever witnessed the manservant display.

This clearly shocked Gwaine as well as his steps faltered and he raised his hands, moving no further forward, to show no harm was meant. But almost at the same time Merlin himself raised his hands and seemed to shrink in size and move back. The movement was subtle but had the effect of making Merlin look smaller and younger still. Arthur noticed this and also that Merlin did not seem surprised by his size, only his surroundings and unfortunately all of them.

Arthur took in how scared Merlin seemed to be and took careful steps forwards, sheathing his sword and raising his own hands in the same peaceful gesture. "Merlin do you know us?" He needed Merlin to respond though he feared he already knew the answer. As Merlin's eyes continued to dart around the men, finally settling on Arthur, he seemed genuinely scared, but also calculating…

Arthur's own eyes narrowed as he awaited his answer. Merlin took a careful, soundless, step forward, licking and then biting his lips in a nervous gesture and shyly looking down replied

"No sire, I don't know you or where I am" so softly it took all the men back as none of them had ever heard Merlin speak so demurely and defferentially before, so wholly out of character. Arthur reasoned that maybe it was the result of Merlins now age, after all none of them had known him till his arrival in Camelot. Looking round at his men and seeing that they were deferring to Arthur with what to do next and how to proceed, even Gawain. What did he know about children, beyond ordering the stable boys and message runner around the castle. Keeping with the charade for now, so as not to scare his young servant/friend, Arthur indicated to the others to sheath their own swords and asked in what he hoped was a suitable voice for conversing with children you weren't ordering around.

"I am Arthur (he thought better of using his full title for now), what is your name?" Merlin fidgeted on the spot, knotting and in-knotting his fingers together

"Efron, Sire..um..My Lord" Arthur looked at Merlin incredulously and a surprised

"what!?" From Gawain showed his friends mirrored surprise. Did Merlin just lie to him and not only lie but expertly and with no real hesitation, as a child! Merlin who cannot lie!

"Right um…Efron". Arthur recovered "these are my knights sirs Leon, Lancelot, Percival, Elyan and Sir Gawain." Each knight received a demure smile of acknowledgement, the others being at a loss Leon took it upon himself to suggest that they make for Camelot

"And Gaius, My Lord"

"Yes" Arthur agreed "Mer…Efron, you should come with us, return to Camelot, our home". Merlin's eyes widened briefly before bowing slightly and as they made to gather themselves and the horses for the return journey he cast wary eyes all around. This was not lost on his once friends but they each put it down to a child dealing with a confusing situation, dealing with it quite well they would admit.

He did seem to be warily searching for something. Lancelot moved to Gawain's side and quietly commented

"Does this seem alright to you?" On Gwaine's raised eyebrow capitulated with a sigh "Yes, I mean other than the obvious, why isn't he questioning more? Does this seem like Merlin to you?" The two that had a very different but close bond with Merlin looked over to their friend

"You mean Efron" Gawain chuckled lightly.

"Exactly" Lancelot exclaimed "what's that about?"

"I don't know mate, none of us knew him as a child he was just wary" they shared a sceptical smile

"Our Merlin?!" Lancelot breathed "and he is not that much a child, 13 summers I'd wager" As Percival passed he added

"But he isn't our Merlin is he? Not right now" The threes mood darkened once again.