AN: Hello! I honestly didn't expect to get another chapter out so soon. Hopefully the next one will be just as quick, as I've already got it outlined. Hope you enjoy!

A few hours passed peacefully, with no sign of any intruders, though Merlin remained awake. The fire had died down to embers, and a faint orange glow illuminated the clearing occupied by sleeping bodies. Percival had just taken over the watch, and was leaned against a tree on the edge of the clearing, staring off into the trees. Restless, and tired of feigning sleep, Merlin got up and moved towards the knight, trying to think of an excuse as to why he would be leaving the group at this time of night. As he reached the tree where Percival was reclined, the man turned to glance at the warlock. Merlin muttered something about not being able to sleep and wanting to take a walk and, at his friend's nod, turned to trudge off into the forest. As the glow of the fire faded behind him, he heard the knight's warning not to get lost. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He knew these woods better than the ones in Camelot.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, Merlin came to the waterfall that he remembered was nearby. It wasn't much more than a trickle of water over some stones, but it was still beautiful as the moonlight danced across the ripples and droplets. Overwhelmed with memories of his family's visits to this clearing before they lost everything, Merlin chose a flat area near the pool and sat down, staring unfocused into the clear water.

He could almost hear his brother's peals of laughter as Aurelius chased Merlin around the clearing, their mother fussing over whether or not they would be hurt and their father reassuring her that they would be fine. That was the first time anyone realized just how powerful Merlin could be. Their game of tag had quickly ended in a scuffle, which in itself wasn't unusual. But when Merlin banged his knee on a jagged rock, and Aurelius' panicked whispering and tiny conjured dragons no longer calmed him against the pain and the shock of blood, the weather turned ominous. The clear sunny day was quickly replaced with dark, fast-moving clouds, the wind whipping through the trees and low rumbles of thunder echoing through the forest. Luckily, Balinor, who was known by his people for his calm demeanor, was able to quiet his young son, and the storm vanished just as quickly as it appeared. After "the incident", as they had taken to calling it, Merlin began his magical studies, though they remained basic. He mostly just learned how to control his emotions. But when his kingdom was attacked, he lost his teacher, and Hunith had sent him to Gaius, cementing his destiny in Camelot. And now, here he was. Back in the same clearing, with another storm brewing. Though this one may not be so easily controlled.

~~~~~~~~~~break~~~~~~~~~~

Arthur awoke to Percival's shout. Grabbing his sword and jumping to his feet, he was surprised to only see one intruder in the clearing, rather than a group of bandits, as he would have suspected. The man was tall, with broad shoulders and shaggy dark hair, the ends curling around his ears and the nape of his neck. He wore a white tunic and brown pants, with worn leather boots and a green travelling cloak. His face was tired, his green eyes set with weariness and he had the dark shadow of a beard. The most distinguishing feature was the thin white scar that graced his jawline, suggesting that he had taken part in at least one vicious battle. Though his stance suggested many more.

The knights of Camelot surrounded the intruder, though the Dreócræftan knights seemed unconcerned. Leveling his sword at the stranger, Arthur called out, "Identify yourself."

The man, though armed with a sword at his hip, simply raised his hands in surrender. "I do not wish you any harm." His voice was surprisingly soft, though it commanded respect. "My apologies for startling you. I only wished to reunite with my knights."

"Your knights?" Arthur's brow furrowed in confusion, then a look of understanding quickly smoothed his features. "You must be Dreócræft's prince. Aurelius," he stumbled over the unfamiliar name, "if I remember Garrick correctly." At Aurelius' nod, Arthur continued his introduction. "I am King Arthur of Camelot. My knights and I have come to assist you in reclaiming your kingdom."

As he spoke, he gestured for his knights to stand down, not wishing to upset the foreign monarch.

"I am grateful for your offer, King Arthur. My uncle is quite treacherous and has no qualms about ignoring the codes that make war somewhat honorable. We will need all the help we can get to end his villainous reign." Despite his commoner's clothing, Aurelius radiated an air of dignity and nobility. There could be no doubt that he was Balinor's son and heir to the throne. "Forgive me if this is rude, but are these the only men you have brought? It will take many more than five extra knights, no matter how skilled, to defeat my uncle's men."

Gwaine made a noise of protest, only to promptly quiet down after Percival elbowed him in the ribs. Arthur cleared his throat in an attempt to cover up the drunken knight's insolence. Though this behavior was easily ignored in Camelot, he did not want to risk upsetting their recent allies. He may have decided to change the laws, but wariness of magic was bred into him and it would take time before he would unnecessarily risk a magic-user's wrath.

"I understand your concern, Prince Aurelius, however, these four are my best knights and have accompanied me on many missions, all of which have been successful. Your uncle, it seems, is as treacherous as my sister, and I am quite familiar with the strategy required in retaking a kingdom. These knights have aided me in reclaiming my kingdom twice over, with only the group of ourselves and my manservant carrying out our plans. I believe that my men, along with yours, could be just as successful as a large army, and with fewer soldier casualties." Arthur paused a moment to gauge the Prince's reaction before continuing. With no signs of opposition, he pressed on. "I also believe that we have the advantage of magic on our side. I am assuming that your uncle and his men also have magic, but once again, he and my sister may be too alike. My knights have faced dark magic before and prevailed, with the help of only one warlock. With his help, and with your and your brother's powers, I believe you will prevail as well. Not to mention the aid from magical abilities I presume your troops possess."

The Prince paused in thought. "You are quite wise, King Arthur. Garrick was correct to push for your support, and I am gladdened that you have agreed to help. However, I am curious about your change of heart regarding magic. Camelot's war on the old religion is infamous. How is it that you have made such a drastic change that you have a magic-user, and a warlock no less, in your services?"

Arthur hesitated. He was uncomfortable baring Merlin's secrets to strangers when the warlock wasn't around to correct him. "I think it would be clearer if the man responsible were here to explain it himself. My manservant, Merlin, is the warlock that I mentioned, and he is travelling with us. Though I am not sure where the buffoon has wandered off to. Percival, you were on guard. Did you see Merlin leave?"

"Yes, sire. He left maybe an hour ago. Something about taking a walk."

While discussing his manservant's whereabouts, Arthur and his knights missed the darting looks between Aurelius and Garrick.

"Very well, if he does not return within a half hour, we'll search for him." Arthur interrupted the furtive glances. "It is unlike him to disappear for so long when we are travelling together."

"I apologize, but," Aurelius leaned toward Arthur with interest, "did you say that your manservant's name is Merlin?" At the King's nod, he felt a glimmer of hope. "It is quite an uncommon name, is it not?"

"I suppose so. But Merlin is not originally from Camelot, so perhaps it is more common in his native kingdom. I had not thought to ever ask him about it. Nor his mother when we met."

"His mother? Perhaps I am unaware, but is it customary in Camelot to have such close relationships with servants?"

Arthur chuckled, as did the other Camelotian knights. "No, it certainly is not. But Merlin is a special case. He didn't give any of us much choice. In fact, he could be quite obnoxious about it." He paused, remembering when he first met his friend. But he continued again before Gwaine could interject with his own stories. "Soon after he came into my service, Merlin's village was attacked by bandits. Though Ealdor lies in Lot's kingdom, I refused to sit by and allow innocent people to be harmed. My sister, Morgana, my wife, Guinivere, and I travelled with Merlin to help rid Ealdor of the criminals. This was, of course, before Morgana grew to hate Camelot and when Gwen was still a servant. We stayed with Merlin's mother, Hunith, while we trained the villagers in combat." If Aurelius flinched at his mother's name, no one seemed to notice besides the Dreócræftan knights. "She's a lovely woman. She comes to visit Camelot at least once every year. Her uncle, Gaius, is our court physician and Merlin's mentor."

"This...Merlin sounds like an interesting man." There was an almost pained look on the Prince's face. " I look forward to meeting him."

Before he could say anything else, the calm of the clearing was disrupted by the manservant's noisy return.

"Aurelius?" Merlin was incredulous.

"Merlin?" Arthur looked from the warlock to the prince, surprised that Merlin knew a foreign prince's name.

The incredulity quickly changed to anger. "Where the hell have you been?"

AN: Thank you again to everyone who reviews, favorites, and follows! It makes my day!