Guess what? I've. Got. More! Quicker then I expected. Not even a full day.

xXXx

The next morning found the prince and the newly promoted servant in a secluded area near the castle with swords and armor. Merlin tugged at his, a bit uncomfortable with it as the thing didn't really fit him too well. Besides, he wasn't used to armor in this world. It might give some protection but here? Here he had magic that could do the same with much less effort and more success. Oh. Also, he had to act like a complete novice with a sword.

This would be difficult if I couldn't block my memories of every time I've been a master swordsman.

Luckily that also meant he would be a good match for Arthur's level of skill. The prat hadn't given him any tips as to how to wield one. Probably thought he didn't need the advantage. Stupid princely pride.

Anyway, Merlin relearned pretty fast as he had fought with sticks before in Ealdor. And the prince found himself being matched almost easily. It was the perfect match to make him improve and Arthur didn't really know if he should feel lucky or angry at being bested at something he had been doing for ages.

He blamed it all on the gangly boy's reflexes and stupidly fast learning speed.

But, the prince smirked, wait until he sees all the chores I have for him.

xXXx

Merlin's face fell flat when he saw Arthur's chambers for the first time. The prat himself was busy sitting at his desk and looking over paperwork, though he seemed to be strangely smug about something.

"Your room is messier than a bird's nest", he stated and was rewarded with a twitch of annoyance at his comment.

"Shut up and clean it", was the murmured order.

Sighing theatertically he got to work and swiftly took stock of where everything was before putting things back in their place. All the while commenting on things that caught his attention. Like how he should take care of some of the more easily destroyed things. Or what had made this or this dent and tear? Arthur was steadily getting more and more annoyed.

"Shut it! I'm trying to work!", he finally snapped.

Merlin smiled innocently, "Okay", and shut up until the prince was done. After which his talking continued.

Oh how he had missed messing with stuck-up people.

xXXx

Merlin knocked on Gwen's (he just found out her full name was Guinevere, Arthur's future wife in the legends) door and waited, arms full of armor. She opened it quickly enough and smiled warmly.

"Merlin! What are you doing here?", she sounded happy to see him and the seventeen-year-old couldn't help but grin.

"I was wondering if you could teach me something about these", he lifted his armful a little, "Heard you're the blacksmith's daughter"

It's not that he didn't know a lot about the art but armors were different in every world. Kind of like medicine. He knew a lot about medicine. Hmm… he should research for a variant for his own design diagnostic spell. Could be useful later. Gwen's eyes lit up as she beckoned him in.

"Of course! I'll have to tend to Lady Morgana in an hour or so but until then I'm free", she blabbered and Merlin laughed heartily.

"I'm glad. And you don't have to worry about me not getting it. I'm a fast learner"

"Oh I wasn't worried about you. I mean, I would worry if you did something stupid but learning about armor isn't stupid so… I wasn't… worried", she rambled awkwardly, her endearing flustering rearing its cute head.

"Haha! No worries. Even if I did something worrying, I could still pull it off without worry", his grin turned cheeky.

Gwen laughed, "I'd still worry"

She was glad she'd made such a good friend. It was fun to have him around.

xXXx

Knight Valiant. Soft spoken. Creepily polite words with double meanings. Villainish. A snake shield that gave him a bad feeling. Was it just Merlin or did someone have to keep an eye on the guy?

At least Arthur was doing well in the tournament that started. He had to say, the prince was good. Better than most. He could still see some of the flaws in his fighting style and there simply wasn't enough speed or unpredictability. But he was already using most of what Merlin had shown him in the two days he'd been here. The man was a natural with a sword.

When Merlin was through with him, there would be no one better.

And then he learned that he'd have to prepare Arthur's shield, boots, chainmail and tunic for the next day.

xXXx

He was right. Someone should keep an eye on Valiant.

His shield had magic on it. A pretty impressive bit of containment and possession magic. But this combination was tainted with dark intent. He frowned, wondering if he should sabotage it. Then he didn't have time to decide anymore as footsteps sauntered towards the armory. He waved a hand in a pattern that made his intent clear to himself and his magic. A simple movement slowing spell that would slow the shield's attacks down.

Merlin walked out the door and almost ran into Valiant. Oh, boy, was he glad to have done that. It was a pity he hadn't had time to think up a containment spell.

xXXx

Merlin regretted not making that containment spell now. Knight Ewan got bit by a snake from the shield. It was venomous. He knew. That snake was common in other universes, though he couldn't speak for this one. Actually, that one might not even exist here… No it must just be from somewhere else. And when were the evil snakes not venomous? But that meant he had to get some snake venom to make an antidote. Or find a corresponding medicine. He knew a recipe but it needed froscae seeds and no froscaes grew here. In this reality.

Wait… he could probably do that. Actually, he could definitely do that. Yeah. The knight could be saved.

xXXx

Merlin went straight to Gaius the second he got his chores done. He closed the physician's door and put aside the armor pieces before coming up to the old man.

"Do you have an antidote?", he asked.

The physician looked at his ward in mild surprise before shaking his head, "How did you know?"

The warlock shrugged, "Valiant's shield had magic with dark intent. There's three snakes in it", he looked at the snake bites closely, "It was a viperiade viridi flaviventris, I think. There's an antidote I can make… though one ingredient is impossible to get"

Gaius' eyebrow had been steadily rising, "Since when have you had physician training?"

Since my second lifetime, thought Merlin. That wouldn't be a good response here, though. Hunith had a little bit of it but he hadn't learned it all from her. So he made an excuse no one would be able to prove.

"I've been sneaking into druid camps since I was six… They teach you things", he said quietly. And it was actually true. Whenever one came near, he went. He blinked as one stray thought crossed his mind. It had big implications. And Merlin didn't want to think about them until a bit later. How he hadn't made a connection yet was a mystery.

Gaius nodded, feeling a bit incredulous at all this teen had accomplished. But a person's life was on the line, "You said one ingredient is impossible to get"

Merlin gave him a meaningful look, "It can be replaced. I know how but… it's the druid way"

He started looking for the ingredients without waiting for a response. It would take him three hours to brew and that was if he used magic to speed the cooling and boiling process. He needed to learn preservation spells as soon as possible. Luckily he had that magic book. Gaius didn't say anything for a long moment but moved next to him and asked what he could do. Merlin gave specific instructions, grateful for the help. It cut the time by half.

Sir Ewan would be on his feet in the morning.

xXXx

"Good morning, Sire…", Merlin drawled as he kicked the chamber door open and closed, carrying the tray with the prince's food. It had taken a bit longer than he thought when Gaius told him to use as little magic as possible. The prince grumbled and turned to his side. Merlin envied him. But he'd have to get up. So he just set the tray on his desk and flung the curtains open to let some light in. Straight into Arthur's eyes.

A warning growl, "Merlin…"

"Yes, Sire?"

An incoherent mumble as the prince sat up and started working through his morning clothes the servant had set there the last day. He was a quick learner. He had to be when thrown into sometimes hostile worlds where survival was based on manners or something else ridiculous. It was hard to believe this was only his third day at Camelot.

But Merlin had something to tell Arthur today. And he chose the moment the prince sat down to eat breakfast.

"You know… Valiant is cheating", he started casually, causing the blond to almost choke on his food.

"What?"

Merlin turned to the baffled prince with a serious expression, "Sir Ewan was bitten by a snake. Gaius and I got an antidote made and he told us last night"

Arthur instantly got over his shock, deadpanning, "And tell me how that makes Valiant a cheater?"

A slight grimace was his answer, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Just. Ask Sir Ewan, Sire", and the servant got back to work. His job was done. Arthur's curiosity was peaked and he would go. Or pester him until he told… and he didn't plan on telling.

xXXx

"There is a snake in his shield!?", Arthur asked, aghast, as Ewan retold what he'd learned. He was now strong enough to sit and had just showed the snake bite to the prince.

The knight gave a sure nod, "I'm afraid so, Sire"

Merlin was gratified by the astonished look the blond was giving him. The prince would never say it out loud but Merlin knew Arthur agreed when he said 'you wouldn't believe me'. It was hard enough to believe from a knight's mouth. A servant would just be laughed at, no matter their experience in fighting. The hierarchy system was stupid when things like these happened.

Arthur contemplated on what to do and decided on the honorable thing, "I'll request an audience with my father"

It was an entirely different matter if they got brushed off there.

xXXx

Apparently, a knight's word, a prince's word, a servant's word, a court physician's word and a snake bite wasn't enough evidence if the shield's snakes didn't come to life. As if they would when they weren't commanded to do so. Arthur was fuming at being ignored like that. And accused of being a coward. At least there were four of them that knew the truth, all gathered in Gaius' chambers and… Merlin decided to brighten the mood a little bit.

"At least the other contestants were warned", he muttered in the strained silence. Sir Ewan looked startled, as did Arthur, but they conceded the point and were in a less foul mood after. Their call might have saved lives.

"Well", Gaius said after a while, "I believe we should all return to our duties. Sir Ewan, you need to get some more rest and you two", he looked to the prince and servant, "have to prepare for the next round"

Merlin opened his mouth to point out another thing, "Shouldn't you have a sword or something here? To protect yourselves? Now that Valiant knows were in on him he'll probably send a snake after one of us. Most likely Sir Ewan or Arthur"

"And since when have you earned the right to call me by name?", the prince cut in, not even bothering to protest to the sound plan. But something needed to be complained about. Preferably at someone too.

Merlin looked to him innocently, "Since the audience?"

And the two engaged in easy banter as the servant set about going to find a sword for Ewan. The tension was almost completely gone when the door closed. This incident certainly brought them closer.

xXXx

Luckily the next day's matches went by without too many problems. Merlin was proud as Arthur used one of his moves to throw the opponent's sword out of the knights grasp. To think he'd only seen it once! The prince was a prodigy with a sword without a doubt. It wouldn't be long before he could spar all out and have a chance of losing. Well, if he didn't use magic.

No snakes came looking for them. Which was good. But it also meant Valiant was at least somewhat smart.

Merlin was smarter.

(Okay, maybe the proper adjective would be 'wise')

xXXx

This book, Merlin thought as he flipped to another page, is a treasure trove.

He finally, finally, had a formal book for magical plants and spells. It gave new ideas. It also gave some idea as to how this world's magic was different and similar to Harry Potter universes and others. The night was young and Gaius was probably asleep already. Merlin wasn't tired yet… and he'd placed a ward of some sort to repel snakes from their chambers. Sir Ewan was still here to recover completely and he wasn't taking any risks. The only thing that was bothering him now was tomorrow… Arthur, the crown prince, would have to fight a cheating knight only after treasure and gain. A knight who would resort to anything if it meant getting what he wanted. Even killing said prince.

Another page. Merlin blinked and read further. A slow smirk.

Valiant wouldn't know what was coming.

xXXx

Morgana walked in just as Merlin finished up getting Arthur into his armor. He had talked all the while to ease the tension and piling confidence on the already arrogant prince. The warlock was sneaky like that. The king's ward walked to the young man she considered brother, concern hidden behind beautiful features.

Merlin could feel strong untrained magic within her. One straining to come out but not finding a way.

I have to help her when it manifests or she'll panic…

The Lady helped the prince with the rest of his armor and looked on as he started walking away. Almost as if afraid something was going to happen. Almost like she knew something was going to happen.

What had Gaius made her give her the other day? A remedy against nightmares?

Nightmares… or visions?

He didn't have time to contemplate. He'd be in position once the fight started.

"Arthur", Morgana called out and the blond turned his head to look at her, "Be careful"

A wan smile, "See you at the feast"

And he walked away. Merlin would make sure he'd keep that promise.

xXXx

Arthur… was holding up remarkably well. Valiant was good but the prince that had been sparring a ninja for the few days before the tournament was better. It might have been a good combination but the opponent was desperate for gold and had three poisonous snakes in his shield. Snakes that Merlin was willing to lure out. Arthur could take care of them. And if he couldn't well… he'd be here to protect him.

Arthur swung at Valiant's unprotected shoulder and the other knight barely got his sword up in time. A parry, a dodge. The prince danced away from his sword.

Merlin muttered the animation spell, a concealment charm covering the gold in his eyes. Not that it would be noticed here anyway.

Three snakes slowly slithered out of the shield for all of the audience to see.

Uther slowly stood up from his seat. Arthur readied his sword as they slithered all the way out of there, ordered by Valiant to kill him. A swift strike beheaded two, the third quick enough to spring farther away for a more precise attack. With a lucky parry Valiant got Arthur's sword out of the prince's hand. It was him, Valiant and a deadly snake. Him without a weapon.

Merlin was just starting to wonder whether to interfere when Morgana stood and threw Arthur his sword. From there it was a fast take down of both snake and its master.

Good, the warlock thought even as he glanced at the sorcerer knight lying dead on the ground, He won't have to burn on a pyre. Or walk to the block.

Arthur's eyes landed on the ninja-trained warlock and Merlin gave him a congratulations with his quirked smile. He could've sworn the prince's lips twitched upwards too. Hmm. He'd be getting a friend out of this job sooner than he thought.

But first he should get ready to ready the victor for a victory party that's fancily called feast in these parts.

xXXx

That night Merlin laid awake and contemplated his life here. More specifically, the prophecies. Of the Once and Future King and Emrys that the druids had sung. No, it wasn't the prophecies themselves that had him in this state of half excitement half worry and fear. If he had this correctly Merlin was the Emrys character and Arthur the King.

The Once and Future King.

Emrys meant immortal.

Nothing was proved yet. But the implications…

I might be here for a while, Merlin thought and wasn't sure whether it was a good or a bad thing.

But well. Like everything else he did… He'd cross that bridge when it came.

xXXx

It had been three weeks since Merlin had been appointed as manservant. And he was beginning to think he'd brought a curse of some kind to Camelot. Because since he'd come, there had been magical attacks one after another. First someone seeking revenge, then a man after gold, and now it seems there was someone making a plague with vile magic of some sort.

He had been on his morning walk, or run, at sunrise and found a dead man in an alley. His skin was blue white and pupils glazed over so they too appeared white. The body would've looked terrifying if he hadn't seen worse. But now he had to get him to Gaius. And probably inform Arthur. Easiest way would've been to just carry him over the rooftops and go invisible. It would be fastest too. Well, except for teleportation but he had yet to figure that out. He checked if someone had seen him. Nope. Not many people were out at this time.

To the roofs then. And to Gaius.

xXXx

"Morning Arthur! Prince. My Lord. Sire. Whatever", he called out in the chambers as he closed the door, putting the breakfast tray to the side, "Just get up you lazy person!"

He listened to the routine grumble as he went to open the curtains. Absently, he blocked and threw back the pillow sent his way and went about picking up fallen objects. Arthur let out a small sigh as he lifted himself out of bed. Merlin hadn't known it took that much effort until he met this blond prat.

"Why do you have to be so cheerful in the morning?", Arthur growled in irritation as he threw his blanket to the side.

Merlin looked to him blankly, "...If you call this cheerful I want to know what's glum"

The prince took a closer look at the manservant and was surprised to note he wasn't looking cheerful at all but grim and serious. A sense of foreboding descended on him. This wasn't good. He'd never seen the man look like… this.

"What's happened?", he asked sharply, sleep gone.

Merlin put the things he'd picked up back in their place before turning to him with seriousness Arthur had seen a glimpse of when Valiant had come and Sir Ewan got bitten.

"A plague made by black magic. Gaius is looking for a cure and the cause. I'm requesting for some time off to help him and ones that have caught it"

Now the prince understood the grimness. Understood it well. And felt its weight on his own shoulders.

"Request granted. Don't slack off"

Serious look morphed into a sharp smile, "When have I ever?", and he was out the door to leave Arthur with the problem of what to do with his clothes and who to grab for servant-of-the-day.

xXXx

Merlin drew up drafts. Of everything he knew about plagues. Which was quite a lot what with him making a point to keep his medical knowledge sharp. He thought of this from the perspective of whoever did it. The easiest ways to bring up a plague were to poison the food or water source. Other ways included doing something to the air or just designing the disease to get caught by certain kind of individuals. A curse would be improbable but doable.

He would bet on the water.

"Gaius, do you know ways to poison the water source?", he asked the old man.

The court physician almost dropped the vial he held. He whirled to look at his ward who was leafing through a book of poison herbs, two other books at his side.

"Water source? Why do you think it's the water?"

Merlin looked up, "Well, that's the easiest way to start a plague. I could think up at least four ways to do it non-magically. Plus, it wouldn't require the sorcerer to be in Camelot"

Gaius' eyebrow rose steadily to his hairline, "Four ways? Should I be worried?"

A slow grin spread across the warlock's face, "It comes in handy" For situations like these.

With the new idea thrown to the mix, the possibly correct idea, Gaius plunged to research as Merlin ran out to ask some questions and request people to find another source of water.

xXXx

Ah. Miraculous. The water really was the source and the bodies stopped dropping when people stopped drinking it. And Merlin also experimented a little and saw that the disease slowed when in contact with a mix of basil, garlics, heather, and honey. Bizarre, he knew. Gaius immediately took that as a base for a cure and the boy with magic suggested giving it a magical boost. No one would be able to figure it out. Except someone who had magic. Arthur certainly didn't, even as he was looking for the sorcerer. After a bit of convincing Gaius agreed. It managed to slow the death rate of ones who had caught it to an almost standstill. Gwen's father included. Merlin felt bad for not giving a more permanent cure but knew it wouldn't be wise except if he got it mixed with a somewhat really working remedy. He just hoped Gaius would get one done in the span of a week. He doubted they could stop the disease for longer.

As for the new water source… It was far away in the forest and people were sent there to carry it back. The city wouldn't be able to hold it up for long. Of course, there still was unpoisoned water at the castle but apparently that was for the nobles. Arthur wanted it shared and was doing his best to get it so. Merlin trusted Gaius to handle the plague as he searched for something to cleanse the water. He did find something. A possibility.

A creature called afanc. He remembered the legends from other worlds, a dangerous creature living in a lake.

In this world it was created with clay by the most powerful of sorcerers. Made of clay, molded with water. Earth and water. A bit of research later in the place the water came from confirmed it.

Merlin needed to consult someone who had lived in this world longer and knew of magic. He opened the mind link he had to the dragon.

'Kilgharrah? Do you know how an afanc can be defeated?'

He got an immediate answer, 'You've finally called, young warlock. I've only one piece of advice: trust the elements that are at your command'

'...You just love being cryptic, don't you?', Merlin thought with exasperation, 'Base Elements, the Five, Elements of Harmony, the Periodic Table or something else?'

He sensed amusement at the other end, 'Take your coin's other side with you'

And with that the link was closed. Merlin's brow twitched. Other side of a coin? Rina or Arthur? He'd like Rina better but thought the dragon meant Arthur. Well, it would be good to have a prince's word that the water was now safe. Not that bad an idea from the dragon. But he still might do something else. As for the elements…

…He had way too many at his disposal.

xXXx

King Uther was told of the afanc. And Merlin figured out what to destroy it with. It was among the Base Elements. Earth and water's opposites, wind and fire. Why Kilgharrah couldn't just have told him he had no idea. The king sent his son and some knights to take care of it. Merlin went along with them because he had been the one to find the solution.

He even came up with a non-magical way to take care of it. Kind of.

The knights went down in the tunnels with two left at the doors, lest it escape. It was left open so that gusts of wind could get in. They had torches, every one of them. And water. And towels. Plus lamp oil.

Yes. Merlin had taught them all how to breathe fire.

It had been a spectacular sight in the courtyard as everyone tested it. Sir Ewan, now a knight of Camelot, turned out to be very good. Second to Merlin who had done it before. Arthur was a close third and miffed for it. Still, every knight there had some respect for him now. And Merlin thought Gaius was proud of him to have come up with such an ingenious idea. Not that it was his in the first place. Maybe he should've just done the task in shadows…?

Anyway the afanc went down pretty easily after that, thought Merlin did have to summon an additional blast of wind and order the knights to wipe their mouths with the towels/wet pieces of cloth. It wouldn't do to have them all burned from the mouth. Congratulations and a feast were in order and the city hailed their saviors. Somehow Merlin got included in them, thought he didn't know if he liked the attention.

Then he came aware of a feeling. A feeling he hadn't noticed until it was gone.

The feeling of being watched.

Looks like he had to look out for more trouble coming his way.

xXXx

Uhh... Does this count as a cliffhanger? 'Cause I hope not. Haven't written much more than this to be honest. Well. I'll publish it sometime when I have it ready. I think. See ya then! Or in another Cycle!