Hello my dears. I would like to thank Guest, Elle Light, Guest, Meri Ley (Guest), AndreKl, parrillaxrobbie (Guest), OechsnerC, Guest, Gingeraffealene and mersan123for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.

So here is the next chapter, I originally wrote this as two separate ones, but decided to just put them together, so it is rather long. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Gaius was busy mixing a tonic for the injured knights, something that would help ease their pain while they healed. He had expected to have to do a lot of work when he had seen them return, but instead he found that Merlin had done more than a passably good job on the two men. All he had needed to do was apply honey to the wounds to stop any infection and change the bandages. Merlin really had come a long way from the boy who had known nothing when he first arrived. In fact one day Gaius could see him making an exceptional physician, that is as long as he didn't get himself killed before hand at any rate.

He was just stoppering the last bottle when a knock sounded on his door, making him frown.

"Come in." He called out, wondering who it was and what had happened now. But when the door opened to admit Arthur his frown turned to a smile. "What can I do for you, sire?"

"I… is Merlin here?" Arthur asked suddenly realising that it would probably be best to have this conversation when his servant wasn't in the vicinity. Once it was all confirmed he could tell Merlin what he had arranged. Once there was no going back.

"I'm sorry sire, he informed me you had given him the afternoon off so I sent him to collect some more comfrey." Gaius responded trying to look contrite, but in truth puzzled about why the prince was looking for his servant right now. From what Merlin had told him, they had barely spoken on the journey home. What was going on?

"No, I did. It was you I wished to speak to." Arthur replied moving into the room and making sure the door was closed securely behind him as he did so. He didn't want anyone overhearing this conversation if he could help it.

"Oh? How can I help you, Arthur?" Gaius asked moving so they could both sit at the bench. Maybe he could get the answers his ward had failed to achieve. Maybe Arthur would tell him what was on his mind.

"I've been thinking…" Arthur started to say, but then realised he wasn't sure how to continue. How was he to tell this man who thought of his friend like a son, that he didn't want him serving him anymore? How would Gaius take the idea that he was going to suggest?

"Yes?" Gaius prompted when Arthur said nothing more just sat there with a frown on his face as he stared at the table top.

"You know about Merlin and Morgana I presume?" Arthur replied deciding to change tack as he snapped his head up to stare into the older man's eyes. surely there was no way Gaius did not know what was going on, I mean this was Merlin, he was hopeless at keeping secrets… or maybe he wasn't. If his suspicions were correct, then Merlin was better than anyone he knew at keeping them. Now that was an idea he never thought would cross his mind.

"I do." Gaius nodded cagedly, wondering what exactly Arthur knew about the pair. He hoped he meant the blossoming relationship, and not the fact they were the two most powerful magic users in the surrounding area.

"Well then, you must realise that they could never marry while Merlin is a servant." Arthur said finding himself on solid ground now. It seemed Merlin hadn't kept his relationship from his mentor. That was good.

Gaius blinked at that sentence, trying to get his mind around the fact Arthur was sat before him calmly talking of Merlin and Morgana's marriage. He must have missed that announcement in court, or in his wards ramblings of his day. It seemed he and Merlin had a few things they needed to discuss when he returned. But he knew Arthur was waiting for a response, so using his most grave voice he said, "Indeed."

Having Gaius agreement Arthur nodded before pronouncing in his most pompous royal voice, "therefore I have decided that Merlin shall be your apprentice."

"My… apprentice? Why?" Gaius asked completely confused now. How would Merlin being his apprentice help? Not to mention the fact he already was, the way he had taken care of the injured knights confirmed that if any confirmation was needed. Was that what spurned this strange conversation with Arthur?

"Well that way when I become king he will be the court physician and on the council. In such a position he could marry the king's ward." Arthur explained with a sigh. He had hoped the old man would have understood his plan without him having to spell it out. Surely it was obvious? And in thinking that Arthur conveniently forgot it was Gwen's suggestion and he himself hadn't seen it until she said it.

"you want Merlin to be your court physician?" Gaius asked in surprise, not so much because he thought Arthur would replace him, but more that that was not the role he saw his boy being in his court. Merlin was not court physician material, no matter how good he got at healing people. No his role was and always would be at Arthur's side, advising him and keeping him safe.

Arthur of course took Gaius' tone a different way to the one he meant. Therefore he quickly tried to rectify what he saw as a grievous insult to the man next to him.

"What? No. Gaius, I didn't mean… or course I wish you to serve me as you do my father but… hmm… ah…"

Gaius let him flounder for a few more moments before deciding to take pity on the man, and therefore with a smile he said drily, "I am aware of my advance years, sire, there is no need to feel embarrassment about that."

"Right. So what do you think? Are you willing to take Merlin on as your apprentice?" Arthur asked skipping quickly over his faux pas and back to his original reason for being there.

"But sire, he already is." Gaius replied not wanting to commit to anything, knowing full well that there was no way Merlin would agree to this suggestion of Arthur's.

"No, he's my manservant." Arthur states in his most arrogant tone, making Gaius raise his eyebrow at him. Merlin was a lot more than just his manservant and they both knew it.

"Who also helps me out and learns from me." Gaius replied firmly, hoping that was the end of this.

"But surely if he was with you all the time he would learn more." Arthur argued not willing to let this idea go. It was the only way he would be able to continue in his blissful ignorance, not that he put it that way to himself. No to himself he determined that this was best for Merlin and Morgana, and a way to make sure his friendship with the younger man was not ruined by his suspicions.

"He would. Forgive me Arthur, but have you asked Merlin how he feels about this plan?" Gaius asked deciding it was time for plane speaking. And as he said the words he did not miss the ever so subtle flinch prince gave at his question. What was that for? What had happened between his ward and the other side of his coin?

Arthur briefly felt guilt at the Gaius' words. Of course he hadn't asked Merlin, he knew his friend would never agree, but he needed this, for the both of them. Therefore sitting up straight he spoke. "I am his master, it is up to me to decide where he works." Gaius couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at that and wonder if anyone had ever told Merlin that fact, because he was pretty sure that his ward did not agree with that one. "What I need to know Gaius is if you would be willing to have him in such a role." Arthur continued paying no attention to Gaius' behaviour. He needed his answer and that was all.

Gaius thought for a moment before finding the words he needed. "I would be more than happy to have Merlin as my apprentice Arthur, if he wishes to be so."

"Then that is settled. I will inform him of his chance of status when he brings my dinner this evening." Arthur replied with a wide smile as he stood and made his way out of the room. Everything was settled. Merlin would work for Gaius and he would no longer have these feelings and confusions around him. Everything would be fine, and it didn't cross his mind for a moment to worry about how Merlin would take the news.

"You may inform him Arthur, but I do not believe he will be willing to comply." Gaius muttered towards the closed door, and for a brief moment he wanted nothing more than to be a fly on the wall of that conversation later. He could imagine it would be rather explosive. But then he thought better of it. In fact he decided he might just make sure he was in the lower town when Merlin returned from it. He really didn't want to cope with Merlin demanding to know why he hadn't told him about this conversation. Hmm, maybe he should go to the lower town now, because there was no way he would be the one to break this news to his ward. Yes, the lower town was looking more and more promising as a place to hide. Surely they was someone down there that needed his skills? And if not, he could always go to the tavern.

Merlin returned from his trip to collect herbs to find his and Gaius quarters empty. But he wasn't surprised by that. No doubt someone somewhere was ill or injured and required Gaius' help. Therefore without thought he quickly hung the herbs on the drying rack, before moving towards the door to go and get Arthur his dinner. He had been so pleased that he had turned Morgana from her dark path, that he had changed her destiny that he hadn't been able to remove the smile from his face the whole time he had been out of the castle. Even when his mind turned as it always enviably did to Arthur, he didn't stop smiling, though he did try to think of a way to find out what was on the princes mind. He needed to know what was upsetting the prat so he could help him solve it, because when he did that, well then everything would be going his way for once. Yes, once he had sorted out whatever hissy fit the dollophead was having now, well then the future would be bright.

Therefore it was with a spring in his step and a goofy smile upon his lips that he entered Arthur's chambers, tray in hand. And hey, he was even almost on time and everything. If he hadn't stopped to check for poison he would have made it easily, but there was no way he wasn't going to do that.

Arthur was sat waiting, he had spent the rest of the afternoon trying to think of what he was going to say to Merlin. Trying to build himself up to having a conversation with the man he suspected of being a sorcerer. Trying to convince himself he can look into his friend's eyes. But still he was taken by surprise when his door opened without a knock. Oh, he knew who it was, it was just…

"You're early."

"No I'm not. I'm on time, as you requested." Merlin responded without missing a beat as he placed the tray on the table and started to arrange the dishes upon it in front of Arthur.

"You're early for you." Arthur muttered falling easily into their normal banter at his friend's response, forgetting for a moment all the thoughts in his head so he could just enjoy his friend's company.

"Well my apologies prince part, would like me to go and wait in the hall for a while before coming back? That is if you like your dinner cold." Merlin asked standing up and crossing his arms, though he frowns slightly when he realised that Arthur still wasn't looking him in the eye, even if he was talking to now. It was a start he guessed.

"It always is, I've got used to it." Arthur replied with a shrug reaching for his goblet.

"Coltpole." Merlin muttered as he moved towards the wardrobe to get Arthur's sleep wear ready for him.

"Idiot." Arthur responded without thought. It felt normal, and it eased Arthur as nothing else could. Or at least it did before everything in his mind came flooding back and he found himself staring down at his dinner, the idea of eating it turning to ashes in his mouth. He could not put this off any longer. "Merlin, join me, if you would."

"Okay." Merlin replied not sure how to take that. This was the second time Arthur had asked him to join him to eat and it was starting to become unnerving. He moved to take the chair on Arthur's right without thought, grabbing some of the meat off of Arthur's plate before the other man could protest. They then sat in uncomfortable silence as they both tried to eat. Finally Merlin could stand the tension no longer. "What's going on Arthur?"

"I have been thinking." Arthur responded not looking up from the food he was pushing around his plate.

"You know that's a bad idea." Merlin interrupted with his usual derogatory tone making Arthur look up and glare at him for a second.

"Shut up, Merlin, and listen. I have decided that you should apprentice Gaius full time." Arthur stated, placing down his cutlery and bringing his head up, even if he was looking over Merlin's shoulder as he did so.

"What? Why?" Merlin spluttered his face contorting into a vision of horror as if Arthur had suggested he go out and kill fluffy bunny rabbits with his bare hands.

"You are obviously good at being a physician, I saw the way you looked after my knights. And if you are to marry Morgana you cannot be my servant. As court physician you will be a valued member of the court, and as such will be in a position to ask for her hand." Arthur stated, not commenting on Merlin's facial expression, and instead determined to get out all he had to say. Though that could also be because he was not actually looking at Merlin, just looking in his general direction.

"But… I'm your servant." Merlin responded as if that was a fundamental law of the land. One that couldn't be changed by anyone or anything.

"You can't be forever." Arthur replied, his voice gentler now, knowing how it would hurt his friend if he thought he was pushing him away. And he wasn't, not really, it was just…

"I am willing to be your servant until the day I die, you know that." Merlin's answer was absolute. There was no space for argument in those words, no leeway or wiggle room.

"Come on Merlin, you love Morgana, you can't marry her holding the position you currently do. I am doing this for you." Arthur responded in exasperation. Why couldn't Merlin see how much better this would be for him? How could he not see that working for Gaius would be a chance to better his station? Why couldn't Merlin let him go?

At that sentence Merlin could feel all his carefully laid plans come crashing down. All his visions of the future went up in smoke. Because there was no way he could give up his position at Arthur's side. He needed to protect him. That was his job. Arthur was everything to him everything he did was for the other man, to make him the king he knew he could be. He could not let anything come between that, even if it meant… even if it meant that he had to give up Morgana. Give up trying to save her. Give up trying to stop her becoming his enemy. And even if it meant breaking his own heart into pieces, he would do it for Arthur. Because for his king he would do anything. Therefore taking a deep breath and closing off the part of him that was screaming at him to think about what he was doing, closing off the part the loved the seer, he said one word in a voice with brooked no arguments.

"No."

"No?" Arthur repeated in astonishment? What did Merlin mean, no? He couldn't say no.

"No. if you insist I choose, I will always choose you, Arthur." Merlin replied with such broken honesty that for the first time since the battle Arthur actually looked at his friend.

And what he saw made his mouth drop open. Because what he saw also tore his heart out. The determination that mixed with the pain in Merlin's eyes was something he had never seen before. Though there was a similarity to the looks he got when he was being wise, giving advice which helped him see what he needed to do. Helped him become who he was today. And looking at the man sitting next to him, sitting with a straight back and steel in his eyes, he saw his friend. The true Merlin that was often times hidden behind the goofy smiles and clumsy mishaps. The man staring back at him was the same one who had followed him out to fight the dragon, the same one who said he had magic while enchanted, the same one who had helped his knights after the battle. The same one he suspected of being a sorcerer, and yet it was also… Merlin. Loyal faithful Merlin. The one man he knew who would never betray him, the one man who would always be at his side.

And in that moment Arthur knew he could never send him away. Because he needed his Merlin as much as it seemed the younger man needed him. His suspicions faded away, not because he didn't think Merlin had magic, but more because he was no longer worried by the idea. Looking into those eyes, the eyes of his most loyal subject, he knew he would never do anything to hurt him. He opened his mouth to ask the question that haunted his mind, but then closed it again. He didn't need to hear the words, didn't want to hear the words. Didn't want to have to choose between this man and his father, but he knew he needed to say something, do something to show the trust he was putting in the younger man. Show him what he meant to him. A heartbeat passed, and then another before the words he needed to speak came to him.

"Magic is banned in Camelot."

At his words Merlin straighten even more his head going up and for a brief moment he looked like a rabbit caught in a trap. But in a blink of the eye the look was gone to be replaced with a different, more intense one. One that Arthur felt could see right through him, as if the man in front of him was weighing him, and he couldn't help but hope he didn't come up wanting.

"I know." Merlin finally said in an even tone, his voice deeper than Arthur was used to, more serious than he had ever heard him. It was all the confirmation he needed to know his suspicions were correct. Merlin had magic, and yet he was loyal only to him. That sent fear racing through him, but not fear of Merlin, but fear for him. He didn't want his friend to die because of him.

"The practise of any kind of sorcery is a death sentence." Arthur replied needing to put voice to his fears, even if he keep his tone serious and even, not letting the younger see the worry he had for him.

"Yes." Merlin agreed without hesitation or a hint of worry in his voice, as if the idea of his own death was nothing in his mind. How could anyone not feel scared of their own death? How could he take the idea so simply when the mere thought of Merlin burning alive frozen Arthur to the bone? What had he ever done to warrant this man in his life? What had he ever done to deserve Merlin's loyalty and protection? He didn't know, but he knew what he could do. And that was everything in his power to repay the man for all he had given him. For all he didn't know that he had done for him.

"I won't make you choose." He said with a nod of his head, making it a vow in his mind that he would never make Merlin choose. Never make him have to decide between himself and anyone else. Merlin had his trust, and he always would.

"Thank you, sire." Merlin breathed, for once not saying his title in a way that was derogatory, because he had understood what Arthur was giving him. That Arthur had accepted him for who he was, okay sure the prince didn't know everything, and he was sure to be angry when he did, but it was enough for now for Merlin to know he had Arthur. That his dreams were not in vain, because if Arthur accepted him, then surely there would come a time when he could accept everyone with magic, right?