When Merlin arrived he looked from one Royal to the other. "Neither of you looks hurt." He commented.

"That's not why you are here, come in and shut the door." Arthur instructed. "And sit down!"

Merlin sat down apprehensively he was worried what was going to come next. Morgana looked at him trying hard to ask him not to blame her, but without speaking.

Arthur sat down and steepled his hands looking form one magic user to the other. "I know you both have magic, I know what Morgana can do and I haven't told a soul. I have kept my silence about you as well Merlin, now I think it's about time your trusted me. I cannot work like this, if we are to help each other it has to be built on trust." He paused before adding "I want to start with the basics, just how strong are you and what can you do also why come here?"

Merlin swallowed and went pale before he spoke. "I came here to help Gaius that's not a lie, he is a distant relative and my mum wanted me to learn more about healing."

Arthur was a good judge of men he had to be to hold his position, he was also a good strategist and could smell a lie a mile off. He also knew when he was being deflected off a subject. "So that's one reason, but I ask myself why a mother would send her son to the one place he could be killed for his 'talents' so why else did you come here, no lying please. I can help you better if I understand. Also you haven't admitted how powerful you are, I know the Lady Morgana dreams the future, a seer I believe the term is. So where is your strength?"

Merlin shrugged "I don't know, instinctive magic I suppose. If I want to do something I seem to be able to."

"Like finding Morgana?" I knew Gwaine wasn't leading us. Does he know?" Arthur asked.

"I won't get anyone else involved" Merlin told him. "Look what do you expect me to say?"

"The truth!" Arthur snapped.

Morgana spoke for the first time "You can trust the Prince Merlin, he won't betray you." She looked at Arthur "He had helped me so much I was scared and felt I had nowhere to turn, he even told me to tell you."

"For that I thank you, but please no more lies. I don't want you to break confidences but I need answers I have to face a High Priestess tomorrow and I have no intention of going in with my hands tied behind my back."

"Morgause" Merlin whispered.

"You know her?" Arthur demanded "Her name hasn't been mentioned." He added suspicion in his voice.

"I have heard of her, I even saw her once, but she didn't see me. or if she did she didn't take any notice I was ten summers at the time." Merlin admitted "I didn't lie I was born in Ealdor but we moved when I was tiny my Mother was scared I was born with magic you see. We went to stay with the druids it was safer. The High Priestess visited, she wanted information from them but they didn't tell her. Their leader said she was prophesised to cause great harm. The druids are peaceful people."

"Born with magic? You mean like Morgana it came out when you aged?"

"No I was using it from birth." Merlin admitted. He had come to the conclusion this is what the dragon and Iseldir meant when they said to follow his heart. He needed to be honest with the other side of his coin. But he would still be careful, something told him not to let Morgana know everything, not now anyway.

"Did they say what harm?"

"I was ten summers, I wasn't in the meetings." Merlin shrugged again.

"Was it the druids who sent you here?" Arthur was getting impatient.

"They knew, but felt I would be safe." He looked at Arthur "Look I have been told I am your servant tomorrow and going with you so can I get ready. We can talk on the way."

Morgana glared at him "But I want to know as well."

That was a good thing for Merlin as it meant the Prince just smirked "Well you can find out later, like I seem to be doing at the moment. Merlin is right we need to be rested." Turning to Merlin he added "Go and fetch everything you need for tomorrow and come back here with it. I want no delays in the morning. You will sleep in the anti-room and I will order us both breakfast in the morning and arrange for our horses to be ready."

Merlin was going to argue but something told him to keep silent to he went off to do as he was told. As he left he heard Arthur stop Morgana following him.

"Stay for a moment please Morgana" then once Merlin had left he continued to speak. "Do you trust Merlin?"

Morgana glared at him, she knew he was stopping her following the warlock as she had intended. "Yes I do? Now can I go?"

Arthur continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Your sister Morgause, you clearly worry she might do something to me, but without your dream do you have any other cause for mistrusting her? Your dreams are not always right."

"I don't know. but why now? I mean she could have come at any time but she left it till now. If I had known I had a sister I would have moved heaven and earth to find her. Something didn't sit right I suppose that's why I didn't tell her you knew. It appeared to me she was priming me for something, trying to make me more fearful of Uther and you." Morgana said trying to remember everything. "Maybe she does just want to get to know me, maybe she only just found out about our relationship"

"Not likely, it is well known throughout the five kingdoms that you are Uther's ward and who your parents were. That has never been hidden. All I can advise is that you are careful. If she visits again try to having Gwen there if you can. As for your dreams I will take care, hopefully Merlin will spot any problems and pre warn me. Either way I have to go it's a matter of honour."

Merlin came back in carrying two bags "I had packed already so it didn't take long." He said as he dropped his bags on the floor. "Where is this anti-room and I'll leave you to it."

Morgana was about to start questioning the youngster as Arthur pointed to a door in the corner "Through there, Morgana is just leaving" Looking at the exasperated woman he added "I really do need to rest it's been a long day and I need to be alert in the morning."

Knowing she wouldn't get the chance to talk to Merlin until after they got back she just glared at him "You had better keep the Prince safe! Or you'll have me to deal with!"

"Leave him alone Morgana and I will see you tomorrow." Arthur gestured at the door. "Goodnight"

Once he was sure she was gone Arthur turned to Merlin who was just disappearing. "We will talk tomorrow and no more secrets, our lives might well depend on it."