I must've truly fallen asleep because the next thing I hear is Merlin talking with Gaius next to me before they got interrupted by my father asking what they are doing. I listen to them explain what is more than likely a lie. I know that now, because the vile smells like rain water and Merlin's clothes feel wet from heavy rain.

Father joins me at my bedside once more as the two of them leave and though i can hear him talking I find myself remembering little things that happened concerning Merlin. He showed such conviction in saving me, despite being a sorcerer.

I was taught that all magic was evil, yet the magic he tried to use on me was only meant to save me. He even went to a dragon to ask how to save me, and then there was talk of destiny and him protecting me. I'm forced to think about how powerful Merlin really might be with such talk and how a even high priestess considers his existence important.

One of the first memories to come to mind is when we were holding a tournament. Merlin hadn't been in my service for very long at that point. As I'm replaying the conversation of him telling me the shield is enchanted and Sir Valiant was cheating, I remember the strange feeling in both my heart and my gut that told me I could trust Merlin...and I remember how it felt when that trust was shattered. It was strange. It was as if someone who I had known all my life betrayed me in the worst way possible.

The final day of the tournament I hadn't seen Merlin the entire time, partly because I sacked him, but I remember wondering where he was.

Now my memory has reached the fight, Sir Valiant is besting me and I can't help but look at his shield, and suddenly the snakes come alive. He looks shocked and he says "I didn't summon you!" 'That's because Merlin did...he somehow figured out to prove that he was using enchantments and sorcerery. If it hadn't been for Merlin I would've died of a snake bite!'

I try to remember another time Melrin was with me when something magical related happened, and I remember when he, Morgana and I went down to the water reserve to hunt for a beast. We chased it's echoes throughout the hallway until Morgana screamed. I fought it and never struck a blow...then Merlin shouted "Arthur, use the torch!" I started attacking it with the torch and soon it turned into living fire. The beast was finally slain and Gwen was proven innocent hours later.

After that I remembered when I had gone to get the morteus flower for Merlin and was being chased by spiders as I was guided by a beautiful glowing orb. I thought it was from that woman but the longer the orb lingered the more comforting and familiar it became. That very well could've been Merlin...no one else apart from that woman knew I was there...but at that time Merlin was dying...

Trying to chase away that thought until I saw Merlin again, I remembered the griffen. I wasn't there when the beast was slain...well I was but...anyway, I thought you had to fight magic with magic...at the time I thought Lancelot did the impossible...but Merlin more than likely had something to do with it. Perhaps he enchanted a weapon Lancelot was wielding. They were the only two standing and Lancelot knew nothing of magic.

Every memory that I can conjure at the moment had a consistency with Merlin giving a strange sort of wisdom, knowing something about magic, staying by my side even when I didn't want him to and then there was today. He had bargained his life for mine. I drank the liquid...'I won't see Merlin again...will I?'

I try to lift my head to look at my father, who I now realize is asleep against the side of my bed, and to my surprise it actually works. I watch as he stirs awake and I don't think I had ever seen him so relieved. "Arthur." I look up at Gaius who is walking closer and I can't help bit think 'Does he truly know what Merlin has done?' Then I see him walk away urgently and with a forlorn expression. 'That would be a yes.' And I flop my head back onto my pillow with a heavy heart.

"I thought we'd lost you."

"Don't worry father. I'm not going to die. I think there's someone watching over me. Keeping me from harm." 'Yeah...and I don't even know if I'll see him again and if I do what will I say?'

"Perhaps you're right. It's going to be a long jourey to become king. You will need a guardian angel." I can't help the smile on my face and the laughter that threatens to surface as I think of the irony. 'If only you knew who and what it was that is watching over me.' "I'll go inform the court their prince lives."

A few hours later I was finally allowed to get up and eat. It feels like I haven't eaten in days.'What am I going to without...' Before I finish my thought I hear my door open. 'He's alive! I hadn't seen him all day I thought...' "Merlin." is all I can get out for now. 'Perhaps I can discuss his magic with him.'

"How are you?" He asks as he closes the door.

"Good."

"I'm pleased."

"Yes..." I move to sit down in my chair. "And I owe it all to Gaius. " 'Maybe that will get him to say something.'

"I need to talk to you."

'Yes you do...but...' "You still haven't gotten it yet, have you? I decide whewhen we need to talk..." Before I can say more he interrupts me.

"Not today." 'Well that's certainly not what I expected.'

"Sometimes I wonder if you know who I am."

"Oh, I know who you are."

"Good."

"You're a prat. And a royal one." 'From our second meeting.' I can't help the laughter that comes through. It feels so normal and free to be able to laugh with Merlin like this. I was always able to be myself around him.

I hold my shoulder remembering what he was willing to do for me on that island and I find myself with a strange question. "Are you ever going to change, Merlin?"

"No, you'd get bored." I rub my shoulder and my arm thankful that he won't ever change but I'm also thinking of how solemn he sounds. "Promise me this, if you get another servant don't get a boot licker."

'He can't be quitting...can he?' "If this you trying to leave your job..."

"No." 'Good.' "I'm happy to be your servant till the day I die." 'You're a sorcerer yet you are so devoted and loyal to me...How? Why? And why are you looking at me like that? With the look of defeat. You're alive you should be happy!'

'I need to say something.' "Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times..."

"Well...I know you. You're a great warrior One day you'll be a great king."

"That's very kind of you." 'You're hiding something...again...'

"...But you must learn to listen as well as you fight." 'What!?'

"Any other pointers?"

"No..." 'Oh God...why does this sound like he's saying goodbye...' I can feel my breath quicken with worry with each passing second. "...That's it. Just don't be a prat." He leaves my chambers and I can only pray that I'm wrong. That, that wasn't a goodbye. He had already been so willing to give up his life for mine.