Chapter: 3

I know my chapters are long, sorry about that. I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to read my fiction. Cause those of you who do are awesome. :)

This might look like a random chapter, but it'll make sense and tie in later on.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or Bones.

"You really should let me help you with that."

"I am perfectly capable of packing my own bag Merlin," Arthur stated, annoyed. He did not appreciate Merlin's condescending tone. He thought him incompetent, unable to do anything for himself. Merlin smirked as he knew he was starting to irritate the young king.

"Okay, I just didn't want your golden locks to get caught in the buckle," Merlin turned his back to grab another shirt from the wardrobe. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Arthur's narrow at the lanky servant, but Merlin continued. "I mean what would Gwen think if you started loosing your hair at such a young age… oh wait it seems that is already happening."

"Merlin," Arthur warned, a frown on his face. Merlin's back was still facing him but he could tell there was a smug grin on the young man's face.

"You know maybe you should ask Gaius for one of his hair tonics. I mean think of poor Gwen. She already has to deal with that extending waist line of yours." A pouch of coins flew by his head, hitting instead the wardrobe door. He turned to face a smirking Arthur.

"That could have really hurt," Merlin feigned a hurt look. Behind it Merlin was actually surprised he had chosen the money instead of the usual goblet.

"Well its good it didn't hit you then," Arthur grinned. He wasn't actually trying to hurt Merlin, he could never do that, but the man went too far with his comments sometimes. He played the hurt puppy look even more, until Arthur whined, "Don't be such a girl Merlin."

"Well maybe if you weren't such a prat," Merlin retorted, breaking the hurt facade.

"Well if you weren't such an idiot you wouldn't need to worry about getting hit with flying money," Arthur grumbled back returning to his bag.

"Maybe it's your hunger causing you to be so grouchy? Wouldn't want your stomach getting any smaller now would we," Merlin laughed. Arthur's head shot up. Noticing the recognizable look on his companion's face, he continued to laugh as he ran out of the King and Queen's chambers and into the hall, Arthur charging behind him.

"Merlin! Get back here this instant!" Arthur shouted as the two bounded down the hall, Merlin a good ten feet ahead of Arthur. The two carried on their game of cat and mouse well into the other side of the castle, dodging maids and knights alike. The chase went on until Merlin turned around and saw Arthur gasping against one of the stone walls. A dopy grin plastered across his face, the manservant silently walked back to his king.

Arthur was keeled over and panting. Merlin wasn't without a sweat, but the satisfaction of his victory caused his fatigue to disappear instantly. Merlin, when he reached the worn out king, opened his mouth, but Arthur shot up a hand to silence him.

"I swear if you say something about my weight I will put you in the stocks for a month," Arthur panted out. Merlin shut his mouth for a minute, but kept the smug grin.

"I was just going to point out that it was probably due to the extra weight of your chain mail, Sire," Merlin stated innocently. Arthur shot him a look but lost it in a fit of chuckles when he caught sight of the servant's goofy grin. Arthur gave his servant a grin and a hard pat on the back, which nearly knocked the weaker man over.

Merlin felt dizzy as the king's hand made contact with the recent burn he had received from the unknown sorcerer a day earlier, but he quickly brushed it off not wanting to draw Arthur's attention to it. He knew the king would undoubtedly question the servant until he told him how he received it, and then he would question as to why Merlin had been in the woods in the first place. He couldn't come right out and say, "Meeting a dragon." It was better for everyone if he just gritted his teeth and put on the idiot persona. He joined in the merriment, forcing the pain subside, and the two men started their way through the hallways, back to the king's chambers to prepare for the dreadful hunting trip.

"Sire," A voice rang through the stone corridor, causing the men to both stop and turn to look at the oncoming knight. He was bounding down the hallway much like Arthur had before.

His curly locks bounced as the red, Camelot crested cape fluttered behind his heavy footsteps. He was among the oldest of the knights, admired and respected by all, and took charge of things when Arthur wasn't present. He was wise and courageous, yet Merlin had noticed under his tough exterior there was something different. His eyes held a soft kindness which few could see unless they truly looked at the man. Merlin often wondered if perhaps someone took the time to get to know him they would find that he was a gentle soul, tough but kind. But whatever kindness the older knight possessed wasn't present at the moment. Instead the crease of worry lined the man's forehead and his mouth was in a strict frown.

Merlin groaned mentally, of annoyance and worry. He knew what was coming out of the knight's mouth wouldn't be good news.

"Leon," Arthur acknowledged his knight's presence. He saw the look in his knight's face as well. He knew something had happened, or worse it has yet to pass.

"You are needed in the throne room, Sire. A man has come forward with some information about 'her,' Sir Leon stated in a hushed tone. Arthur nodded solemnly, and then started in the other direction towards the throne room, Sir Leon and an anxious manservant stepping behind.

The guards opened the doors heavy doors for the king as the party approached the throne room. Arthur walked, his red cape flowing behind just as Leon's had, towards his throne where Gwen was already waiting for his arrival. Sir Leon went to stand with the rest of the knights, and Merlin next to Gaius. The physician and his ward shared a silent acknowledgement of the danger that was afoot. Everyone knew who "she" was. Everyone knew the pain that came with her treacherous plots. All knew why there was a stiff silence and chilling air. She was up to something that would cause someone, if not all, to suffer.

In front of the two royal thrones, which were now occupied by the king and queen, a young man stood. He was a peasant; at least he was dressed as such. His brown trousers and green shirt were smudged with dirt. His short brown hair was matted and full of burs. He looked as if he had been wandering in the woods and fell of a cliff face.

Merlin watched him warily. He had learned during his years in Camelot that the visitors to the palace, especially those with information, should never be trusted. His time working under Arthur had changed him from the peasant boy he had been; naïve and trusting everyone he met. He quickly lost his naïve outlook, but he no longer could believe the words of strangers. He was following his destiny, but there was a constant price calling for its dues. The moment he was willing to believe the world was trustworthy; something would cause his faith to shift. It made him cautious, too cautious. Trusting others became a risky move which would most likely result in heartache. So the man in the center of the room, even if his true intentions were just, remained a mystery and therefore a threat to the king's silent protector.

"What is your name," Arthur asked the man in a proud yet soft voice. He was worried he would frighten the man as he was already shaking. His green eyes darted from the king to the many faces that were watching him intently.

Arthur was also cautious of the man. He knew the treacherous ways of his half- sister and how those who followed her were willing to lie, kill, and die at her beck and call. He couldn't tell if the man's nervousness was due to something that happened to him at Morgana's hands or if he was one of his sister's many pawns.

"M-my n-name's Gudine, Sire," his eyes darted towards the queen. She sent him an encouraging smile, her eyes glistening with un-doubtable kindness. She, unlike her husband and friends, still had hope in the truth behind people's words. At least that was what others thought. Deep down but slowly ascending towards the surface she felt the bite of Morgana's betrayal. Her heart felt heavy as more and more people came forward and spewed their lies in her face. There was so much betrayal left by Morgana. It left a scar on her heart which reopened whenever another false story or deceiving word was thrust at her face. Still she tried her best to show kindness to strangers and give them the benefit of the doubt. His shoulders relaxed as her gaze fell upon him.

"Why have you come here," Gudine's eyes shifted back towards the king when he addressed him.

"I-I have come to warn you, Sire," Gudine responded looking at Arthur's feet.

"Warn me of what," Arthur's voice tensed, and Gudine grew more nervous.

"I saw a woman, Sire. She was dressed in all black. Her eyes were wild and so dark that they filled my heart with despair. I saw her in the forest and s-she was speaking to a man. I heard her," Gudine's gaze became distant. He looked as if he was recalling a horrible event.

"What did she say? Who was the man?" Arthur asked anxiously but still held his kingly tone. Gwen placed a hand on his arm, causing him to relax back in his chair. He allowed his left hand, his left elbow leaning on the armrest, to gingerly cover his mouth to hide his look of anxiety.

"I no none of the man, Sire," Gudine's eyes looked Arthur in the face. "But I did hear her say, 'Tomorrow Arthur Pendragon dies.' I thought you should hear of this threat, Sire."

"Did she say anything else?" Arthur asked still covering his face.

"Y-yes, Sire, she told the man to meet her in the ruins of the Temple of Assuard."

"Morgana what are you up to," Arthur whispered to himself. Gudine stared at the king waiting for a response. He didn't know how his good deed would be rewarded but he worried for what he was going to say next.

"Sire, I think her to be a sorceress," Gudine stated softly, almost in an inaudible volume. "I saw her speak out a foreign, strange word and the grass… it caught on fire, but it wasn't a normal fire. It was in a circle around her. She mumbled words, words I do not know the meaning to."

"What happened next," Leon asked noticing Arthur's puzzlement. Gudine's eyes fell on the knight then back on his king.

"I do not know, Sire," his head fell in shame. "I ran. I feared being discovered, so I ran as fast as I could. I am sorry, My Lord."

Merlin, despite how he tried, couldn't help but feel for the man. He genuinely looked ashamed for not gathering more information for his king. Morgana looked genuinely concerned for Uther before she killed him, the dark voice in his mind reminded him. He looked at Gudine's feet, not wanting to deal with the battle raging in his head.

"You are a good man, Gudine," Arthur stated, watching his subject for any change in attitude or facial expression. Merlin looked up to see if the man would suddenly spew incantations, as well. Gudine's eyes lightened up and he lifted his head to eye level after hearing his king's praise. The peasant let out a sigh of relief. Neither Arthur nor Merlin saw a change in the man which would indicate that he was lying, but they didn't see anything that would lower their guard either.

"You shall be rewarded for your loyalty," Arthur stated plainly. With a deep sigh he signaled for the guards to escort Gudine out. The loyal subject gave a stiff, awkward bow before he was led out of the throne room by the armored guards. Merlin watched him intently until he disappeared behind the wooden doors. Once the stranger was gone all eyes turned towards the king, awaiting his orders.

"Gauis," Arthur began, removing his hand from his face. Gauis already looking at the king, took the place of Gudine in the center of the room, Merlin standing a footstep behind him.

"Yes Sire," Gauis asked.

"Tell me of the Temple of Assuard."

"It is one of the sacred temples of the druids. The temple was legend to be dedicated to the spirit of a mysterious High Priestess who protected those who were pure of heart. But the temple was destroyed at the beginning of the Great Purge. No one has gone there for more than two decades. It would seem only logical that Morgana would choose it of all places as a meeting place, Sire," Gaius informed the king and the court. Arthur sat, absorbing what his court physician had told him. After a few moments he stood up and looked at the different faces of the court.

"We leave for the Temple of Assuard at day break," Arthur announced.