Merlin never got that much attention before. Almost everyone accosted him just to talk to him. He felt a bit overwhelmed because of it, but at the same time he was really glad and surprised that the information about him having magic was taken well. Merlin looked across the room and saw Gaius talking with Arthur. The king seemed to enjoy this little party unlike the physician who looked slightly concerned. Without unnecessary thinking Merlin stood up to walk over to them.

"...and I think it was too hastily, sire," Merlin could hear what Gaius was saying as he got close enough.

"Gaius, everything is fine, see?" Arthur gestured around with his hand.

"It was unexpected and, as far as I know by the looks on council members' faces, they don't seem happy about it."

Merlin leaned against a pillar so that they couldn't see him. He glanced at Arthur who was just about to argue with Gaius.

"But I don't care what others think…"

"Arthur, I think you forgot about something," Gaius cut him off. "You're the king now. Making decisions cannot be reckless."

"I know," Arthur replied after a beat; "but I didn't want Merlin to wait and live in hiding."

"I understand, but also I know how hard it is for Merlin, did you think about it?" Gaius asked.

"Of course," said Arthur resentfully. "He told me himself that he didn't want to hide anymore and I promised him that he would live free when we got back to Camelot."

"Well, but I didn't know it would come so fast," Merlin spoke up, revealing his presence. Their heads snapped to him. "I thought it would take time to prepare the people of Camelot for that," he stood next to Arthur looking at him. The question mark painted on the king's face. "You said it yourself," Merlin added, seeing his expression.

"Ah," Arthur sighed; "I must've changed my mind. Anyway, I don't really think that the people of Camelot needed preparation for this. Once they used to live among sorcerers and many of them practised magic before my father banned it."

"But still, some of the council members stood by your father's side and I think that you should confer with them first, sire," said Gaius.

"I guess I missed that part, I'll call the council meeting tomorrow," Arthur nodded.

Gaius bowed his head slightly and was about to go away, but Arthur reminded himself about something and stopped the physician.

"Gaius, I heard that something's happened to sir Gwaine," he glanced at Merlin and then he laid his concerned look on Gaius.

The physician sighed. "He was tortured by Morgana, it's really a miracle that he lived."

"May I see him?" Arthur asked.

"He needs rest, but it will be good for him to see someone else other than me and Percival. He is in his chambers."

Arthur thanked Gaius and headed to the exit from the hall. It was late evening and through corridors echoed soft murmurs of wind. He reached the stairs and looked up into the darkness. At the top of the staircase one of the windows was open. Arthur narrowed his eyes and walked over to shutters. He glanced briefly at the training grounds outside the window and went on shutting it. All the torches were extinguished, but luckily for Arthur, he knew by heart the layout of the castle. He stood at the door to Gwaine chambers and knocked. No answer. He knocked again, but no one did respond.

It was stunned silence. Arthur looked in both ways and then he put his ear to the door. He narrowed his eyes and frowned. Nothing was to hear from inside. After a few seconds the king pushed gently on the door handle and poked his head into the room. Across the chamber, the always funny and chaotic knight was now sitting in his bed looking into empty space.

"Gwaine?" Arthur said.

Dark haired man seemed distant, like he was in a different world. Arthur walked slowly in, pushing the door behind him which closed with a soft creak. He sat next to his friend with a concerned look. Gwaine didn't even move, he just kept staring at the wall in front of him.

"Gwaine…?" Arthur got closer.

In the knight's vacant eyes he noticed a shine of pain mixed with sadness. He carefully put his hand on Gwaine's shoulder and as he did so, the knight snapped his head towards him. Arthur shuddered.

"How do you feel?" he asked hesitantly.

Gwaine was looking straight at Arthur with no emotion, he started saying something, but everything was inaudible though his lips were moving. Finally he managed to whisper one word which was very well known by Arthur.

"Morgana…"

"She's no longer here," said Arthur.

Gwaine blinked a few times, getting aware of the king's presence.

"You're alive," he whispered.

"You stopped her."

"I couldn't get her away with everything that she did," Gwaine was talking slowly. "Apparently, she turned out to be stronger again. Glad Merlin showed up, always on time."

"Yeah, I wouldn't say 'always on time', but in the right place and at the right time."

"And always from hidden, it took me a while 'till I realised," Gwaine said as if it was something obvious.

"Don't you say you knew, too," Arthur gave him a disbelief look. Gwaine chuckled almost inaudibly and shook his head.

"He was doing his tricks under your nose, you were just too blind to see it," Gwaine paused and took a breath. "I wasn't certain though, I had guesses," he closed his eyes and let his head fall back on the pillow.

Arthur was concerned about his friend's strange behaviour. He was staring at him for a moment and turned to leave because he didn't want to disturb Gwaine's sleep, as he did so he flinched when a figure appeared in front of him.

"God…, Merlin!" Arthur said in a loud whisper. "Couldn't you just somehow signal your presence?"

"I didn't want to wake him up," said Merlin. "Gaius told me to give him this," he showed Arthur a vial with a light yellow liquid in there.

"What is it?"

"It's valerian, will allow him to calm his mind," Merlin put the vial on the cupboard next to Gwaine's bed. "We have to make sure he takes a few drops when he wakes up."

"What if he doesn't take it?" Arthur asked.

"As Gaius told me, he is a little withdrawn, he has nightmares and hallucinations."

"Yeah, I noticed he's different and tired, but he was talking with me as usual."

"He was happy to see you, everyone was," Merlin looked at Arthur with a slight smile.

Arthur sighed. "I can't imagine what he went through…"

"Day after day he's getting better," Merlin headed towards the door.

"Let's hope so," Arthur walked behind him. "I have a council meeting tomorrow morning and I would like you to be there, too," he said when they were in the corridor.

"Me?" Merlin glanced at the king. "But I've never been to council meetings before. I believe you can manage there without me," he smirked.

"Of course," he smirked back; "but you won't be there as a servant, more like an advisor."

"Advisor?"

"Yes, everyone knows and… we have to prepare papers for magical law. Who else would I need, but you," said Arthur looking at him.

"I don't know, Arthur…," Merlin frowned, shaking his head.

"Merlin," Arthur stopped and took him gently by his shoulder; "Please, this is very important to me and I want it to be you," when the warlock saw Arthur's pleading look, he couldn't refuse him.

"Fine," Merlin sighed. "How could I say no to you, Arthur," he laughed quietly.

"Great," Arthur smiled.

They walked in silence while the king was fighting with himself what to do next about Merlin being his advisor. Still, it was a little bit strange to him, knowing that his friend wasn't really who he had thought he was all this time. And for Arthur it was obvious that Merlin deserves a better position in Camelot. They didn't say a word until they reached the king's door.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you," said Arthur, nervously taking his breath. Merlin glanced at him. "I think it is understandable that you can't be my servant anymore," he knew what Merlin's reaction would be.

"What? Why?" a slight shock painted on the warlock's face. When Arthur didn't reply he continued. "You're sacking me? Again?" there was disappointment in his voice.

"No," he said quickly; "I'm promoting you."

"But I want to be your servant!" Merlin raised his voice, but he reflected himself immediately and softened his tone. "Sorry."

"You can't be an advisor and a servant," Arthur said calmly.

"What if I refuse to be your advisor?" he asked. "Then I could still be your manservant."

"Not at all."

"Why not?" he was angry with Arthur and couldn't understand his decisions. "If you don't want me as your servant, say it, or is it just me being…"

"No, I'm glad you're by my side," Arthur cut him off. "You're just made for great things, Merlin."

"Ah…, I should've known…," he shook his head. "I told you nothing's gonna change."

"I know," the king looked away. "I feel uncomfortable with you being more powerful than me and still serving me."

"It was like that all this time, you just weren't aware of it," he looked at Arthur's face. "I can't erase it from your memory," he chuckled.

The king glanced at him. "You really couldn't?"

"Oh, Arthur," Merlin laughed. "Maybe…, but I don't want to. You'll get used to it, unless you want me to leave."

"Don't even dare, Merlin." he said walking into his chambers. "Don't think I'll ever let you," he laughed.