Hi there Merlin fans readers and to my lovely awesome followers, all the love and thanks goes to all of you. Enjoy.

Not alone.

Elitherine was bleeding badly, and in pain, and really pissed off. Why did she think that Merlin would hesitate for a moment to strike her down?

Merlin had thrown a sword at her, striking her in the shoulder, but thankfully the injury wasn't that serious, but she wasn't a healer, it will take time for it to heal completely.

But that doesn't change the rage that settled in the pit of her stomach, or the worry.

Quinn wasn't going to join her, that much was crystal clear, what concerned her at the moment was River.

She saw the hesitation, practically could feel it, she may have trouble in the near future.

Even as he dressing her injury she can see it in his eyes. She knew something was breaking within him, and Quinn had something to do with it. She fears that he is going to turn on her, but she'll be prepared.

Quinn had not spoken a word since they learned of rivers betrayal.

Merlin understood all too well what it felt like having someone that was thought of as a friend turn their back and betray everyone around them.

It was a pain that never completely fades away, that hurt of knowing a friend betraying another friend cuts deep than any blade ever could, and that pain always leaves behind a wound that never completely heals, that always leaves a scar behind, and that scar tells a painful memory of the one who betrayed you.

Merlin knew he had to make her see that, but he felt she needed to be alone at the moment, so he joined Arthur outside.

"How is she?" Arthur asked when Merlin walked to stand beside him.

"Not good"

"I know the feeling"

"As do I"

Both fell silent, each lost in their thoughts. Merlin didn't need him to say who he was thinking of.

Even after all this time Merlin still thinks of Morgana from time to time.

No matter what he did he simply couldn't change it, no matter how many times he had gone back in time he can never change her outcome, it was always the same.

River maybe no different, but if anyone can get through to him it was Quinn. It was clear to see that she has some sort of influence over him, there was a bond between them, like the bond between him and Arthur.

But Arthur would never join forces with the enemy unlike River. Arthur can be pigheaded and stubborn yes, but him ever joining with an enemy is laughable, and Merlin knew without a doubt that Arthur would never betray him like River had just done to Quinn.

He was broken out of his chain of thought when Arthur began to speak.

"River's not Morgana but still, it reminds me of her, of everything that happened"

"I know"

"Did you know Quinn thought you were in love with me?" Asked Arthur, changing the subject.

"Yes, she told me" he smirked "And she told me you fancied the idea"

Arthur looked at Merlin, after a moment he started to laugh.

"Oh no!" Exclaimed Arthur when he had collected himself. "You and I? Oh no no"

"You don't have to sound so offended about it" Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Sorry Merlin, but you have to admit that it's hilarious. You and I?"

Merlin thought a moment, then said.

"Nah, I could do better"

"Oh? Why is that?" Asked Arthur shoveing Merlin's shoulder playfully.

"Your a prat"

"And?"

"A ass"

"Oh?"

"And a royal ass at that"

They laughed. It felt like it had been ages since they laugh together like this.

"That's Quinn" said Arthur after a moment. "Like you she seems to always put a smile on your face no matter what"

"If I didn't know any better I would say you do love me" said Merlin with a playful smirk.

"Merlin-"

"Shut up?"

"Exactly"

They fell silent again until Arthur decided to break it. "Yes"

Merlin looked at him, confused.

"What?"

Arthur met his eyes. "I do love you, you are my most trusted friend, you are much more than just a manservant to me. I was going to talk about this with you when we got back to Camelot but. ."

Merlin was a little scared, all he could think about was that Quinn was right. Arthur was in love with him. No no no no, this can't be happening this can't be happening.

Arthur placed his arm over his shoulder. ". .When we get back to Camelot I'm going to make you my top advisor"

Merlin just stared at him in shock.

When it came a parent that he was supposed to say something he said.

"So, does this mean I get a day off?"

Arthur snorted. "No"

"I- I don't know what to say"

"I know" he removed his arm and patted him on the back. "You're like a brother to me"

Merlin was lost for words. Arthur just- he can't believe it.

"Merlin" said Arthur. "Thank you?"

"Right right, thank you" he smirked "but you are still a prat"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Will nothing change?"

"No"

Anger, a red-hot anger that was out of her control had settled in the pit of her stomach. She was pacing, what else can she do but pace?

Gwaine and the other two nights was sitting at the table watching her warily as she continued to pace around the apartment. The lights kept flickering on and off, she paid no heed to it.

Her anger wasn't directed at them, no, she was only angry at one person and one alone.

River.

How could he do this? Do this to her? Why didn't he say anything to her? Why? She didn't understand!

Then what the Great Dragon told her came back to her, then she understood.

She stopped pacing. Now it all made sense, she knew what she had to do.

She turned and headed for the open door, when she froze.

She listened intently to Merlin's and Arthur's conversation.

Quinn's heart soared Like an eagle in flight when Arthur declared that he was going to make Merlin his top advisor when they got back in Camelot. Merlin sounded so happy, and she was happy for him.

Quinn had decided what to do, but it was a hard decision to make, but she feels like it's the only one that she could.

But now she second-guessing her decision. If her plan fails what happens to Merlin, and the promise she made him?

Quinn didn't mean to overhear Merlin's and Arthur's conversation. But in some ways she was glad she did.

But what to do next was the hardest thing she ever did in her entire life.

She stepped around the open door.

"Sorry to interrupt. But can I talk to Merlin, alone?"

Arthur looked between them before smiling knowingly. "Of course"

Arthur went back inside closing the door behind them leaving Quinn and Merlin alone in an awkward silence.

Merlin was the first to speak. "Are you okay?"

"I will be. River. .that's not. .that man wasn't the River that I knew. .the River I knew would not. . ."

"I know"

"I have to stop him, I have to stop Elitherine"

"We will Quinn, I promise"

She looked him in his bright blue eyes, and knew she couldn't do it.

She smiled. "I know"

Quinn can't do this alone, but that was just the thing, for the first time in her entire life she wasn't alone.

With love to all. If you guys want Merlin and Quinn to kiss again just let me know.