Hey guys, I'm really really sorry it took so bloody long to update and I feel really bad but this summer I was working and I never made it to the library and my brother was visiting from Iowa and my dad had his surgery and I had to get ready for college so yeah, sorry. I will be updating again, I decided to break this into two chapters so hopefully y'all will have an update by tomorrow. Also anyone else read the Throne of Glass series? I finished Empire of Storms and just gggaaaaahhhhh!

I don't own Merlin, sadly, but I am trying if anyone has any ideas for a trap to catch him? ah well, I'll think of something...

"No, no no." Merlin objected, paling. "I-I'm not ready, I can't lead Aria, not yet, not alone, I-" Merlin rambled until Richard cut him off.

"yes, you can." he said, looking at him sternly "we will help you" Richard said, motioning to the other knights who were around them, laughing and talking amongst themselves "but first, you must tell the others." Merlin paled even more but nodded.

"Tonight we will talk with the knights while the Knights of Camelot sleep, I'll tell them then." Richard nodded and the two rode in silence.

-line break passing through-uuuhhh don't uh, don't look behind you-nevermind why just bloody don't-you know what stand up slowly, yes slowly, and just run-

"Arthur?" came the gentle, concerned voice of his wife, and queen, Guinevere. "are you all right?" she asked softly and he stared blankly at her for a second before nodding.

"yes, yes" he said, breathing hard. "J-just a nightmare, that's all." right? it had to have been, it had to have just been a dream, but it was so realistic... Arthur shook his head before throwing off his covers and getting out of bed. Looking out the window he saw the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon.

"Arthur, where are you going?" He ran a hand over his face and sighed.

"I'm not sure, I just need to walk for a bit." He answered truthfully before quickly dressing himself, he might have made a joke about Merlin being wrong but he was wound too tight. Before he knew it he was walking through the castle halls, empty except for guards and servants preparing for the day. He didn't realize where he was heading until the library doors loomed in front of him. He sighed but pushed open the heavy oak doors and walked inside. Geoffry looked up curiously but his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the king. He began to stand up to bow but Arthur waved him off.

"Is there something I can help you with Sire?" the old man asked, raising one eyebrow. Arthur thought for a minute, why was he here? He hadn't planned on it, then, remembering what he had decided last night, he nodded.

"Where can I find books regarding the kingdoms and their history?" he asked, surprising Geoffry more.

"Any particular Kingdom sire?" he asked, curious.

"Aria."

-excuse me-just passing through-line break here-pardon me-oh sorry about that-didn't mean to hit you there-

Leon POV

As they set up camp that night Leon noticed that the Knights of Aria, besides Richard, seemed puzzled. Sir Richard, however, had a grieving look in his eye and he kept shooting glances at Merlin, which Leon definitely didn't like at all. When the Knights of Aria insisted on taking all the watches that night he became even more suspicious and decided to stay up to see what was happening.

Later that night, after everyone had settled in for the night and most of the others were asleep, Leon pretended to sleep as well. Just as he started thinking that perhaps he was as paranoid as Arthur always insisted and that nothing was wrong, Merlin stood up. He stood quickly and silently with the grace of a well trained knight, shocking Leon, because surely, Merlin, who was so clumsy he tripped over air, couldn't walk like that, yet he was. Merlin looked over at James, who was currently on watch and jerked his head towards the woods. James nodded in understanding and Merlin disappeared into the trees. A few seconds later James walked to the other Knights or Aria and nudged each before moving to the next, the knights got up so quietly, carefully, and quickly that Leon knew that they too had been feigning sleep. One by one they each disappeared into the trees in the direction Merlin went.

A minute after the last Knight of Aria slipped into the woods Leon stood and followed, being careful not to step on any branches. As he went farther into the woods he saw a flicker of fire and heard a low murmur of voices as he approached and the talking grew clearer as he neared.

Merlin POV

When Merlin was sure all the Camelotians were asleep he stood and walked to the edge of the woods. He then turned to look at James and, catching his eye, jerked his head toward the woods, signalling that he was going and the others should follow. James nodded in understanding and Merlin slipped into the woods.

A few minutes later Merlin and his knights all sat around a fire he had built in a second clearing, not too far from the campsite but far enough away that they wouldn't be overheard. Merlin poked at the fire absently with a stick he had found nearby, his knights watching him expectantly. Richard simply watched, giving Merlin the time he needed to sort his thoughts out. When he still didn't talk they all looked at each other, a question in their eyes. Who was going to get the prince to start talking? Eventually all eyes landed on James who rolled his eyes but stepped up to the plate anyway.

"Merlin?" he asked cautiously, Merlin dragged his eyes away from the fire to look at James.

"hmm?" he gave James a questioning look, the knights exchanged concerned looks before silently urging James on.

"Well," he said carefully, "We were wondering what this is all about?" James asked, waving his hand to indicate the secret meeting. Merlin sighed before nodding and straightening up and squaring his shoulders before looking them all in the eye, one by one.

"There is something you need to know" he began, and the knights all listened attentively as Merlin told them the fate of their king. At the end of the story there was silence and tears gleamed in all of their eyes, Merlin spoke again after a few minutes.

"My father told me, before he died," his voice broke slightly but he pushed through. "he said that when he fled the druid camp his wound reopened and he had to remain in hiding because he was to weak too make it back, he had recently healed enough to make the journey, it took a long time without the proper medicines, and was about to make the journey but then- well, I told you the rest." Merlin finished, a tear rolling down his cheek. There was silence for a few minutes before James finally spoke.

"Then you are King." he said softly, Merlin opened his mouth to say something but there was a sudden snap of a branch and the Knights of Aria quickly stood, drawing their swords.

"Who's there?" Richard demanded "Show yourself" The Knights all turned toward the source of the noise as someone came out. It was Leon.