Well, hello there.. Really REALLY long time no update on this. My apologies for the delays.. A lot has been going on again, however, slow, but steady I'm still getting there. I'm still around! :) Thank you again for your support and reviews and favs and follows on this. I feel humbled and amazed at the response every day. Time for updates to come around, don't you agree? Let's get straight to it! On with the fic..

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He had come up with some daring tales; had made hard decisions and faced increasing danger and tragedy in his life; smuggling people out of Camelot in the time of the purge or baring witness to horrendous amount of executions and torture, and still staying so close to and serving the very man responsible; however this was a whole different calibre of a problem and for the first time in a very long time Gaius was speechless and completely lacking any ideas.

The ordeal.. his boy had went through was unimaginable.

The physician found himself looking at his ward, - or rather the unmoving mop of black hair - and felt like he could use some fresh air or a strong drink, - or both – but not quite having the strength in him to get up to go after either of those.

They sat in silence for some time after Arthur had finished talking. While the young man was trying to compose himself, the elderly physician was simply unable to say anything in his bewilderment.

Now the prince was sitting across from him, elbows on the table, forehead resting on his clasped hands. He seemed to have calmed down, but Gaius was certain he was deep in thought, though unsure of what was going on in his head.

In all the commotion and uncertainly, at least he could be sure on one thing: the prince wanted to keep his manservant safe. And from that alone the elderly man felt himself ease up just that bit. Knowing that at least he wasn't alone trying to look after the boy meant a lot. There was also Gwen and Morgana, of course, and now Leon, but still at times looking after Merlin felt like he was trying to keep a storm hidden in broad daylight.

The young warlock's been reckless and careless many times, going against warnings and acting on his own whim. His small deeds on occasion have caused ripples that have turned events into tidal waves around him and despite the times when he displayed wisdom and courage and readiness for sacrifice, the old man wondered more often than not, if the boy will ever grow up to be mindful and responsible, towards his skills and destiny – and his guardian's nerves! – and learn the meaning of duty.

But now, that reckless boy had surpassed all that.

And at what price..

However, as much as Arthur's support felt like a blessing, with 'magic' now being a very real and present notion, Gaius still couldn't stop wondering if he could actually trust the prince.

Old times and hardships haven't hardened him, they just wore him out in soul and mind, and times may have changed, he couldn't help feeling paranoid and tense when magic was in discussion. Especially when it involved Merlin. - The witch hunter was a raw and fresh enough of a reminder. - Times may have changed indeed, but not everything did along with it.

Was this another test to root out magic users and the Pendragons wanted to find out where his loyalties lie? It would certainly be something he could easily imagine of Uther. But Arthur?.. Could he really make all that up, just to see how the physician would feel about the possibility of his ward having magic? It all seemed unlikely. The obvious damage on both the young men made it seem very unlikely.

The prince was not like his father. Merlin would swear by that, regardless of the silly disputes between the two and Gaius had started to see it too, especially since the warlock became the prince's manservant.

He was feeling a little embarrassed for having doubts, but still he chose to be careful.

"What would you like me to do, sire?"

The blonde shook his head, but didn't look up.

'Well, that won't be much of a help..' Gaius thought. He cleared his throat and decided to take the usual approach.

"I'll do some research. See if there is anyone or anything in the old religion that is capable of such things.. Of making a person's eyes glow.. Or anything similar to what you've described to me." He paused for a moment, then added. "And of course whether it had any remaining effect on you or Merlin.."

The prince was just nodding, still not looking up.

The physician figured, while he was leafing through tomes some ideas might come to him. Learn more about the crystal, possible spells and find out what may have happened; as well as plan an escape route if it comes to that. For both Merlin and himself..

He'd realised there wasn't much for him in Camelot. The purge had taken all it could from him, without the elderly man even realising it. He had his work and his patients and the everyday events. Feasts and council meetings, to which he was sometimes invited to; tournaments and training injuries; people visiting him with various ailments from the lower town. He could dedicate days to his studies and get lost in books and notes and scrolls. No wonder he couldn't tell the days after a while. There was something missing.

It all changed on that faithful Wednesday, when Merlin had walked into his chamber and the physician was reminded once again of magic and his faith, and with the young man's presence, his days were lacking more and more of the dullness he has gotten used to along the years. He did long sometimes for some peace and quiet, but he treasured the young man's company more than solitude.

Camelot will find another physician. However there is only one of Merlin. And his heart ached as he recalled how terrified and confused the warlock had been, and how desperately he was trying to get them to leave.

"Yes.." He mumbled to himself and he was already thinking about what books to look though. Finding anything will also take time and perhaps time is what they needed now.. - Not that he wanted to find out more gruesome details. Being a physician, he had seen some horrible things, but this still made his meagre meal so somersaults in his stomach. Time will still be good. Both his ward and the prince will be able to heal, and this whole thing might just blow over.. He had his doubts, but he also knew that Uther didn't tend to spend much time thinking about servants.

Arthur finally looked up at the physician, and Gaius tried his best to read the prince's features, but all he could determine that the young man looked troubled and tired, however he seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion and when he spoke he sounded determined enough.

"Not a word of this to my father." The prince said in a low voice. "My father can't find out.. about any of it. That's an order."

The elderly man just looked at him; not nodding nor objecting, just waiting. He was still trying to quiet the voices that whispered of traps and deceit, but if the royal gives an order what else could he do, but go along with it? Right?

"Yes, Sire.." He said eventually with a slight bow.

"I'll see if I can find out where this Balinor is, or what's become of him." Arthur continued and it made the physician's heart jump a little. "I'll send some scouts out as well. I'll have Guinevere give Merlin a shave. And when he gets better.. I'll take him back to Ealdor." The prince said plainly, though he looked like he was fighting a battle with himself on that. He picked up his cup and stared into it to avoid having to look at the elderly man.

They noticed the footsteps a little too late and by the time they both picked up their heads, the door had opened and their unexpected visitor stepped into the physician's chambers.

Gaius's heart suddenly raced, as did Arthur's but both managed to school their features in the presence of King Uther.

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Apologies for typos. English is third language..

Hope you enjoyed that. Let me know what you think!

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Almost forgot.. Guest review replies:

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Guest 28/04/16

Aww, I know -_- .. I do hope you still like the read tho ^^;

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Guest 03/12/15

Thank you so much, I'm really glad you are liking the story! (Yes, thank you, things are getting sorted out)

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Guest 11/03/14

I know, I've been really absent for a while, but I'm hoping to make time for least a little bit of writing every now and again. I really enjoy writing, so I hope I can keep it up. Yes, move went alright, been here for three years now :D It's good fun! Thanks again for reading and taking the time to review! Hope you enjoyed the newest chapter as well~

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jellowind

Hahaha! You are too kind! :D Thank you so much! Happy to hear you are enjoying my work. ;) If you make an account you can get notifications too =O

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Guest 29/12/13

^^; Working on it.. Thank you~

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Irene

So... got an account yet? xD Haha! Thank you! I do try, I do try.. Thanks very much for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy the update as well!

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Allpau1

Thank you! Working on it now!

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Guest 23/09/13

Aww, thank you! I hope despite the crying, you enjoyed the read~

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Guest 22/09/13

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the update, and yes, move went well, thank you!

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Thank YOU all!