A/N: Hey guys! I'm SO SORRY this took so long to update. Once band camp started, I got crazy busy, and then school started and all bets were off when it came to finding time for writing. But it's finally here! Chapter 2! I can make no promises on when chapter 3 will be out, but hopefully it will be at some point in October. I also want to thank everyone who left reviews! Your feedback means a lot to me! Anyway, enjoy!

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Arthur rode his horse to a point where he saw a fire in the distance. He and the knights could see footprints that belonged to Merlin leading that way.

"Leave the horses here," he ordered his knights, as he tied his to a tree. "We don't want to alert the assassin to our presence."

Arthur cautiously approached the clearing motioning for his knights to stay hidden. He knew it would be a bad idea to reveal himself since this assassin was after him. Just as he was crouching down to see what it was Merlin thought he could do to an assassin, he saw said assassin throw a knife at Meelin. He nearly let out a gasp as he remembered nearly losing Merlin just a week ago, and now he was certain there was no way out for his friend. Instead, however, the knife simply disintegrated in midair.

Athur was confused. That knife had been headed straight for the younger boy, and yet he stood there, alive, and the knife was gone. Not even a spec of dust remains. The explanation that jumped onto Arthur's mind was sorcery, he's a sorcerer, but he dismissed it. He already had to deal with a traitorous uncle. Arthur really didn't think he could handle it if Merlin betrayed him as well, especially given how he had defended him against Agravaine the week prior. No, Merlin couldn't be a sorcerer.

Shaking his head to clear it, Arthur heard Merlin say in a deadly tone he'd never heard from the boy before, "We need to talk. You're not getting anywhere near Arthur."

Arthur nearly scoffed at that, but then rememered what he'd just seen. Maybe Merlin had some sort of guardian sorcerer that he didn't neccessarily work with so as not to betray Camelot, yet still kept him safe, hence the confidence. Yes, the elaborate explanation certainly made sense, but it just seemed too complicated. He was missing something, he was sure.

The assassin looked just as confused as Arthur felt, yet also somehow scared. Then again, any warrior would be if their weapon of choice disintegrated in front of them. The assassin said, "How-how did you do that? I mean- I know how, but shouldn't you want Arthur dead? I mean, I don't even know why a man of your talents resides in Camelot, but this is good! With your sorcerery, this job can be done even easier than I was planning!"

At that Arthur was beginning to realize Merlin was the sorcerer. He was hurt and could feel a sting of betrayal starting. What he did not expect was for a sorcerer to defend him, as Merlin responded, saying, "NO! You don't get it! Arthur needs to be protected. I may have magic, but the thing is I'm not just a sorcerer. I am Emrys, and Arthur is the Once and Future King who will bring peace to the land and unite the kingdoms! Our destinies are entertwined, like two sides to a coin, where one is nothing without the other. It is my destiny to serve and protect Arthur and I couldn't be more happy in that position. You, on the other hand, are an enemy of Camelot and Arthur and I will not let you reach him, hurt him, or least of all kill him!"

By this point Merlin had moved forward threateningly. He shouted a quick spell, and vines wrapped around the assassin. Another spell and a flash of gold appeared to put him in some sort of trance as Merlin gave him instructions. "You will return to the Lady Morgana and tell her that Arthur is protected. Tell her you, nor any assassin of the land, will ever get near him again, and then you will never show your face in Camelot again." Another spell and the vines went slack as the man snaped out of the trance. He looked scared.

"Why can't I control what I'm doing?" he asked, frightened.

"A simple spell, Meldrick. If i were you, I'd follow that urge to leave before you got hurt. I dont want to hurt you but I will if you don't leave!" Merlin cast a spell, his final one, causing the assassin's - no, Arthur knew him as Meldrick now - Meldrick's things to be packed in under a secomd. This last spell was different though, in Arthur's eyes. For the others, Merlin's back was turned and it was still plausable for him not to be the sorcerer. But during this spell, Arthur got a good look at Merlin's eyes as they flashed gold and he was torn. One part of him admired Merlin for using his power to proetect him and contimuing to serve him despite it. But a bigger portion than he would like to admit felt betrayed by his friend as his mind kept chanting "Betrayal! Sorcerer! Execute him! He can't be trusted! It's an act!"

"But an act for whom?" the other part of him countered, because it just didn't make sense. Merlin couldn't lie to save his life. Sure, maybe he can keep a secret better than Arthur gave him credit for, but Merlin has never once said to his face that he did not have magic. It was assumed. No, Merlin was still a terrible liar... Right?

As the battle rages inside Arthur, he barely registered as Meldrick grabbed his things and began running from the clearing to wherever he had come from. Marlin was now headed for the clearing edge, too, right where he was crouched down. Luckily, Leon grabbed him, pulling him out of his mind as they ran for the horses. They managed to make it back to Camelot without Merlin knowing he'd been followed.

Later, Arthur watched from his window as Merlin walked into the square as if nothing had happened. He had a light smile on his face, but still looked extremely sleepy. Arthur decided to deal with the revalation of his friend's magic tomorrow, but one thing was for sure. They and the knights were going to have a very long talk about keeping important secrets like this from each other.