A/N Yes it's me again. The chapters for this and my other fic, Eyes are the Windows of the Soul, will be posted alternately. That is if I remember which one I posted last. Also, I am very much sorry, but I live for Arthur thinking he's figured out Merlin's secret, only for it to be wrong. And yes I am aware of the inconsistency of Arthur asking Merlin about the Dolma, and Merlin seconds afterwards thinking Arthur found out about his secret. I am just going to say that they are two idiots of the same coin. Enjoy.

Arthur ran.

While he knew that it was bad for the soldiers and knights to see their leader run away from the end of the battle, even if they were victorious, he ran.

Up, and up, and up, he climbed the steep cliffsides, hoping to catch (no, he thought, not catch, that had too many bad connotations, merely see if he could talk to the witch) the witch before she disappeared.

Distracted by these thoughts, Arthur didn't notice when the incline started to plateau out, and neither did he notice the body, until he tripped over it.

Later on, Arthur would place the blame on Merlin for collapsing there, I mean come on, surely he knew that that was right in the middle of the path upwards. (While everyone openly supported their King, they all knew that it was because he was distracted, and really didn't mean to hurt the young man).

But those thoughts were far from Arthur's mind, as with the agility of a knight of a many years, deftly caught his balance, turning around as he did so, to face the new threat.

At first the pile of rags looked just like that, a pile of rags. And then they sat up.

It took Arthur a second to realise that it was Merlin ("No, Merlin I did not just think you were an enemy." "Merlin, I'm the King, I don't have to give you a reason for what I'm doing up here.")

And then Arthur looked around. He was sure the Dolma had been up here, or maybe it was on that other ledge, too far of a jumping distance?

No, Arthur shook his head it was definitely this one. Just across on the valley floor was the small outcrop of rocks upon which Morgana had been standing during the battle. And just a few metres away, if he looked really closely, he could make out Mordred's body among the sea of red and black that littered the floor.

Arthur was brought back to reality by Merlin, who had at this point, realising that the King was so far gone in his thoughts, slapped the King across the face.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

It is still said to this day, that the King's first words after the battle was over could be heard from the battlefield, all the way to Camelot, upon which there was much rejoicing.

Merlin took a step back from the King, hands clasped around his ears, eyebrow raised in a perfect imitation of Gaius.

"I called your name three times, and you didn't respond. Three times!"

After this Merlin's rant turned into a whole load of mumbo jumbo, arms waving, and faces contorting into weird expressions, that if Arthur's brain wasn't trying to catch up, he would of found it highly amusing.

"Stop."

Maybe it was the weary tone in which he said it, or maybe Merlin had finally learned at least a little respect for the hierarchy (Arthur disbelieved in the latter, he knew Merlin had respect for him, and was loyal, so Arthur was more than willing to bet his crown that the reason was the former) but Merlin stopped his inane prattle.

"Where is she?"

Merlin face contorted once more, and he opened his mouth to speak. Arthur could see the question already forming on his lips.

He sighed.

"The Dolma, Merlin. The Dolma. I saw her up here, and I would like to have a civilised conversation with her."

Merlin looked around, his body tense, as if for the first time realising that he was up here alone with Arthur.

And then it hit Arthur.

Merlin was here. Merlin had said that he was collecting "herbs" for "Gaius".

Perhaps...

But...

It was the only possible explanation though.

As Arthur once again came out of his thoughts, it was to see a very pale and confused, no wary, looking Merlin, staring right at him.

"Don't worry, Merlin," Arthur said, inching closer to Merlin as if you would with a scared animal. "I know what you're hiding."

Merlin took a step back.

"Y-you do?"

Arthur grinned, taking a large step forward, slinging his arm around the younger man's slender shoulders.

"Yep."

By this point, Merlin was looking positively terrified.

Arthur sighed.

"Merlin, I'm not going to kill you for it. In fact, I really should be rewarding you for it, I mean you did have a hand in saving Camelot after all."

Arthur thought he had seen relief and pure happiness on a man's face before, but none could be compared to this. Merlin's entire body stopped trembling, and he stared at Arthur in pure shock, a mixture of wonder and disbelief on his face.

And then he started shaking again.

Arthur could do nothing but stare.

He had no idea how to comfort him, not being adept in the art of emotions, but there was one thing Arthur knew about this. These were tears of relief, relief and happiness, and like in any situation where one is feeling uncomfortable, they laugh.

Arthur couldn't help it, it was a small chuckle, and he knew that he had to put Merlin's mind at ease.

"Merlin, did you really think I was going to kill you, just for enlisting the help of a sorceress who singlehandedly saved Camelot?"

At this the shaking stopped.

Arthur really didn't understand what he'd done this time.

Merlin was just staring at him, with that confused puppy dog look, head tilted to the side, bright blue eyes staring at him, and once again the eyebrow was raised in a pale imitation of Gaius.

Sometimes, Arthur really didn't understand this man.

But before he could question his manservant's *cough*read 'friend'*cough* strange behaviour further, a huge clatter of armour came running up the hill, and as he turned, he saw his most trusted knights, those of what had been dubbed the 'knights of the round table'.

"Arthur there you are," Leon called, striding towards Arthur to pat him on the back, both in congratulations and to check whether he was ok.

"Merlin!"

Arthur looked over Leon's shoulder to see Lancelot (of course it was him, it was always him) already walking towards Merlin, arms outstretched, in which Merlin collapsed and laughed.

By this point, the rest of the knights had noticed Merlin, and were crowding him, asking how did you get here, and where have you been? All of which Merlin casually deflected by saying that he was here to help Gaius with the wounded, and could one of them show him the medical tent?

Arthur groaned in frustration. It seemed like he wouldn't be getting any answers from Merlin today.