A/N: Hi there! I know that I said that I would try and update every three weeks or so, but between helping my Dad on the property to fix stock waters from sun up to sun down and working in town three days a week (Dad can't pay me at the moment), the last thing I want to do is stare at a computer. So here is chapter 2. Enjoy.

This Is a REPOST! I added a couple of paragraphs as something popped up while I was writing this and it needed to be started here.

Arthur had opened his eyes to a familiar face streaked with tears and was about to ask his servant what he was being a girl about when he saw his eyes glow gold. The first thought that flew through his head was that Merlin was trying to enchant him. He felt a hilt in his hand, rolled away from Merlin and brought it up. As he stood, he saw he had slashed his left arm badly. His balance was off as he suddenly grew lightheaded and he fell to one knee. He looked for Leon, worried that the man he thought of as a friend had finally turned against them.

"Arthur, it's ok, Merlin just saved your life." Leon said, holding a placating hand out to him while moving to stand between the pair. His voice was calm, though he caught a hint of worry in it.

Arthur was having none of it. "He's a sorcerer, he used magic on me." The Prince, still holding the broken blade made an advance toward the stricken man.

"Arthur, look at your side, the hole in your chain mail, you would have been dead long before we could have gotten you anywhere near Camelot. Sire, please."

Arthur could see the pleading look in the Knight's eyes, but the warnings he had been hearing about magic his whole life, still made him wary. He looked at the area that felt tender and was horrified at the amount of blood he could see. He probed the area and found the hole in the chain mail, it was wide, as was the matching rip in his tunic. He turned to Merlin, to ask why.

Only to see that he was on the ground, with half of Sir Leon's cloak wrapped around him. The other half was being torn into strips by the knight and wound around his arm. Arthur took a step toward them, only to have Merlin try to back away from him, terror in his eyes. Arthur froze at that development. If Merlin was powerful, why was he so afraid of Arthur, who had no magic.

"Sire, I think it best if you pack everything up, we need to get moving. We need to get him somewhere we can attend to his arm." Leon said as he placed himself between master and servant again.

"If he has magic, why doesn't he heal himself?" Arthur asked as he dropped the useless sword remanent.

"It doesn't work that way. Magic users can't use their own magic to heal themselves. It's too complicated to explain right now, we have to go." Arthur saw the Knight relax as he dropped it, and wondered when Leon had become so relaxed around the sorcerer.

As Arthur gathered their things up, going slowly as he was still feeling the blood loss from his wound combined with the adrenalin rush ending, he heard Leon ask "Merlin, where's your cabin?"

Arthur turned at that and caught Merlin's look of worry and surprise.

"There's no way you're honing your skills inside the walls of the castle, where is it?" Leon asked again.

Arthur could see that Merlin was now so weak from blood loss and the shock of him slicing his arm open, that he couldn't speak. Instead his eyes flashed with magic, and a light breeze blew leaves away. In the light of the quarter moon and stars, they saw a clear path. Arthur looked at him, then Leon before finishing tying down the last of their things.

Leon helped him to mount then the knight went to pass up Merlin, only to find himself flinching.

"Sire, he rendered himself unconscious with that last bit, he's in no condition to do anything." Leon said as he lifted the unconscious magician onto the horse. Nodding, Arthur held the younger man in place as Leon mounted and lead the way

"How did you know he had a cabin out here?" Arthur asked as they rode. While he had a million questions, that one seemed to be the easiest to have answered. He had wrapped an arm around the dark-haired man, keeping him tight against himself. He could feel that Merlin was cold, his light jacket doing nothing to keep the last of the cool nights at bay.

"The village I grew up in had a healer who was able to apply what little magic she had, to her craft. She lived outside the town, so that the town couldn't be accused of hiding a sorcerer. I figure if Merlin is as powerful as I think he is, there is no way he's practicing in the castle." Leon replied.

Well that explained why he wasn't as worried as Arthur, he grew up with good magic around him. "Did you ever have trouble with magic?" Thinking that the man was very supportive of the fight against magic. Come to think of it, it seemed to him that only in the last few decades had there been any trouble with it. He wondered at the reason his father had turned on magic. Wondering again if what Morgause had said, what the apparition of his mother had talked of; was true.

"Only when an evil sorcerer came to the village. The healer left to make the other follow, the other one stole her powers and killed her so she could try and take on Uther." Leon turned in his saddle to look back at him and Merlin,

"Healing magic like she had, is only ever used for good, and those who choose to study it cannot attain the powers we saw in Merlin."

"Merlin healed me." He pointed out.

"Yes, but it was not easy for him. For someone who can fling a person fifty yards without a word, healing that wound should have only taken a few minutes and a handful of murmured words. It took him almost double that. My guess, is that he's focused mostly on spells that can help you, healing spells he's only glanced at and never really studied."

Arthur asked how he knew so much about healing magic, the answer was the healer that lived near where he grew up had taught him about magic.

Arthur nodded as they entered a clearing and there to the left of them was a small hut, half embedded into the cliff behind it. It was made of many branches woven together creating the walls and roof, with mud and leaves filling the holes. Reeds from the nearby creek that he could hear made the roof waterproof, layered together like thatch. In front of them, was a small hill that rose above the cabin. A fire pit and several logs were placed a few metres from the entrance, and nearby, a small fenced area held a number of plants in what Arthur assumed to be a herb garden.

Arthur helped Leon get Merlin off the saddle and into the hut. Apparently, Merlin was awake enough to get the fire going, as Leon laid him on the bed, causing Arthur to stare a moment at the merry flames. Arthur busied himself getting water and placing it over the fire to boil to cover his momentary pause while Leon pulled off the makeshift bandages to get a good look at the wound. Arthur winced at the damage done to the boy's arm, it was still bleeding a lot and looked like ribbons.

"Sire, once the water boils, can you clean the wound? I'm going to see if I can find some herbs to help."

Arthur, while still uneasy at being around his manser…, the sorcerer, nodded and set about organising supplies to clean the wound once the water boiled.

It had only been a few minutes before Leon returned with the saddlebags, followed by a man dressed in robes. Arthur didn't recognise him, but when he spoke, Merlin turned toward his voice. "Leon, what's this? Who is he?"

"Someone who can help, Sire." Leon replied as he dropped the bags at the door and stood between him and the man Arthur had realised was a druid by his robe.

"I've just about had all the magic I can stand tonight, Leon." His voice tired.

"I would not be here if all was well, Prince Arthur. Emrys will die before you reach Camelot and your own wounds will reopen if I do not finish what he started; this cannot happen." The druid spoke for the first time. His voice was soft and respectful, not something Arthur was expecting from a person whose kind he and his father had hunted. Something about what he said triggered a question.

"Who's Emrys?"

"Merlin is Emrys?!" Leon asked at the same time. Arthur looked at him at that, hearing the tone of recognition, as did the druid, who had now moved next to Merlin.

"Answers are best for later, for now I must heal him."

Arthur nodded and moved aside as the druid started to speak. As he watched, the wound closed and the skin sealed over it, all that was left was a slight pink scar. He looked to be in his late sixties, a little younger than Guias, but not by much. He had grey hair that could almost be called white, and it was just clinging to the man's head by a few wispy strands. His face was deeply lined, testament to a life of hardship and sorrow, but not without joy if the laughter lines around his eyes were to be believed. The violet coloured eyes, that were currently a shade of gold, showed concern for the man he was healing, as well as a hint of mystery; at what, Arthur could not guess.

The druid muttered a few more words before turning to the two men. "He will awaken later. No doubt you injured him while he was healing you?" The druid pointed to Arthur's side, making him look at the wound. It had reopened, judging by the fresh blood that he could only now just feel sliding down his hip, and he was only starting to notice the dizziness.

"If you would allow me Prince Arthur? You will bleed out before you reach the castle. Emrys was only able to block the blood from leaving your body, but he was unable to heal the wound entirely."

Arthur looked a moment at the older man before shooting a look at Leon. The blonde knight nodded and Arthur nodded to the druid, knowing that Leon would have his back. Arthur never took his eyes off him as he muttered a few words and the wound sealed until nothing but a faint scar was left, looking like it was months old. It had stung slightly, making him gasp, but he didn't feel any different.

"I don't feel any less dizzy." He said, lowering his shirt from where he had lifted it so Gedren could see the wound.

"Magic cannot replace the blood lost, only the body can. It will take time. You might feel dizzy for a day or two, Sire. If I may, I suggest you refrain from doing anything that requires using a lot of energy. You will feel dizzy if you over do things." The elderly druid looked a moment over at the sleeping manservant, a look of concern flitting across his features for a moment before it vanished.

"Yes, Arthur woke just as Merlin finished a spell, healing the wound in his side." Leon said as he handed the druid a cup of tea as they sat down after the man had healed Arthur's wound. "He took a lot longer to heal Arthur."

"Emrys' wound was easier, and he doesn't have the healing powers I do. He has been focusing on learning about how best to protect the Once and Future King."

As Arthur took the cup handed to him, he asked "Who are you? Why do you call him Emrys?" He had way too many questions running through his head, but he knew that only Merlin would be able to answer the majority of them. So he settled for

"My name is Gedren, Sire. I have lived most of my life on the border of your lands and those of Cenred. I have helped Emrys as much as I have been able. I heard his cry for help when you were wounded. The whole of magic heard it. He knew he would not be able to heal you and asked for help." He took a drink, his face telling the Prince he was savoring the simple blend that Merlin favored. Even Arthur had to agree, it was nice.

"And as for him," he looked at Merlin, continuing his tale, "There is a story, a prophecy if you will, among my kin. He, along with the Once And Future King, will bring about a time of great peace. Together they will bring magic back to the land, unite the five kingdoms and bring about the time of Albion."

"Once and Future King? There's no way you mean my father. He won't ever allow magic back."

"No. I must be going." He stood and made his way toward the door. "He will wake soon. It would be best if someone watched him until he does. Occasionally, magic folk can become ill when another uses magic on them to heal. If he becomes feverish keep him cool. If the fever does not break by dawn, burn this, it contains sage, wolfsbane, holly and ivy, it acts as a signal that someone of no magic requires it." He handed a bundle of herbs to Leon, who looked as though someone had shocked him. And with that, Gedren left.

"There is no way he meant my father." Arthur said as he stood and started pacing the room.

"I don't think he meant him, Sire." Leon said as he too came to his feet and fed more wood to the fire.

"What did he give you?" Arthur asked after a moment.

"Herbs that contain strong oils, mixed with a little magic. When burnt, the magic sends the scent to the person who created it, informing them that someone needs their help." Leon answered as he put it in the packs. Arthur saw him turn to the bed as he himself heard movement.

This next part is from Merlin's POV.

Merlin slowly woke, feeling lightheaded and his left arm feeling like it did after one of Arthur's training sessions. He lifted it to look at it, only to stop as he recognised his surroundings. Memories of earlier that night came back. His head snapped up as he saw Arthur and Leon near the fireplace. He flinched away from Leon as the knight came toward him.

"Hey, Merlin, how are you feeling?" Merlin heard the caring tone, but didn't trust it. He knew that Leon was one of the King's biggest supporters against magic.

Unsure of how either of them felt, Merlin didn't look either of them in eye, instead, focusing on the blanket in front of him.. "What happened?" He asked, his voice raspy. He knew there was no way the wound Arthur had given him would have healed like it did without magic.

"A druid named Gedren came, he healed you." Leon said, passing him a cup of water.

Merlin started at the name. "What was he doing here? He and his tribe usually live in the forests surrounding Ealdor." He took a drink as Leon answered.

"he said that he heard your cry for help when Arthur was hurt. I've heard that magic users can communicate with one another." Leon said as he refilled the cup Merlin handed to him.

"Yes, about that Leon, how about you explain how you know so much? But first, sorcerer" the name said with a little distain, "how long have you been practicing magic?" Arthur stopped his pacing next to the fireplace.

Merlin hung his head as he answered his master, "I was born with it." He figured he had better show a little of what he could do. He looked at the cup in his hand and let the magic flow. It felt like cool water running through his veins instead of over his skin. He heard Arthur gasp as his eyes glowed, and then step back as the cup started to float. "I've been able to do this stuff since before I could talk." He said as he twitched his magic and moved the cup around the room.

"And throwing that guy earlier?" Leon asked, following the cup and plucking it out of the air as it passed him

Merlin let the magic fall back into his centre as he answered. "That is instinctual. Like yours is to bring up your sword when you're attacked, mine is to fling them away. I've had to be careful since coming here, but I've managed."

He looked over at Arthur and saw the shock in his face. "What happens now?" He asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer. Arthur took his time answering, and the longer it took, the more worried Merlin got.

"I need time to think about all this." He said, moving from his spot at the fireplace toward the door. Merlin saw the worry and the slightest hint of fear in his eyes when he looked back. "Just one thing, the thing with Morgause? How much was real, and why did you side with my father?"

Of all the things to ask, it had to be that one. Now it was Merlin's turn to take his time. "I don't know how much of that night was real and how much was Morgause's words, but your mother was there that night. I know what spirits feel like, and she was real, not an apparition. I'm sure, that if she had been allowed to stay longer, explain things in full, it would have made a lot more sense. I think Morgause only allowed her to say a few things, just enough to nudge you into killing your father; which was her real goal. As for your father, if you had killed him, it would have torn you apart. The horror of what you had done, along with his use of magic to bring you into the world would have destroyed you. Even as you fought him, I could see it was tearing you up."

"So you risked turning me from magic forever so I wouldn't kill my father?" Arthur had now turned to face him fully, and Merlin saw disbelief in his face.

"Growing up without a father is one thing, but committing patricide, regicide, living with the knowledge that you killed your own father, the King; it would have sent you into a depression that could have destroyed Camelot. Yes, I turned you against it then, but I just couldn't let you kill your own father."

Merlin watched as Arthur processed that. As the man was about to head into the first rays of the new day, Merlin called out to him. "Arthur, what are you going to tell people when they ask where I am?" He knew he wouldn't be returning with the other two. He saw Leon's eyes widen at that.

"I don't know. Who else in Camelot knows?"

"Just Giaus." Merlin said, "My mother asked him to watch out for me."

"You aren't returning with us?" Leon asked as he looked between the Prince and Merlin.

Merlin answered with sadness in his voice, "I think, right now, me being around wouldn't help matters."

Arthur nodded, "I need time to think this out, Leon. If I asked it, would you be able to find a way for me to talk to my mother?" He didn't turn to face him.

Silence filled the room. Merlin looked at his Prince, shock running through him. "If that is what you wish me to do, I will find a way." Merlin watched with sadness as his master left without actually formaly requesting him to find a way to talk to Yigraine. Just before the door closed behind the older man, Merlin uttered a few words.

"Hwonne hleórberan galdere eallunga mearcpæþ gewardod anlædan drút. Earfoþháwe onhæle mándæe."

He watched as his magic cocooned Arthur a moment, outlining him in gold before it was absorbed. His eyes glowing at their conclusion. He knew that Leon hadn't seen that, only those with magic can see magic.

"Merlin, what was that?" Leon asked when he saw the servant's eyes.

Merlin stood and headed to the back of the room, closed off by a reed mat hanging from the roof. "When he's ready to accept me as I am, and with no fear, the path he sees will lead him to me. Remind him that I will serve him till the day I die. You can only use magic to find this place, don't try to come back, you will only get lost. There is a stream to the east of here, beyond the ridge. You'd better tell him to wash the blood off his clothes before you head back into Camelot, unless you want more awkward questions. Get Russel to be his manservant, he's good. Watch out for him. Goodbye Sir Leon." And with that, he slipped behind the partition and into the tunnels of the mountain. Merlin had a feeling it was going to be some time, if ever, before he saw either one of them again.

A/N: The spell I translated roughly into Old English. The meaning of the spell is something along the lines of:

"When he accepts the warlock for all that he is, the path he sees will lead him to his friend. Let him be hidden from those that would harm them both."

I realised that Arthur's point of view is a little short, as is Merlin's, so I joined them together. In fact, so far, Leon's POV's are the longest, so I think most of this will be from his view point.

A/N2: Also, this story has headed in a direction I wasn't planning, a few characters decided to pop in that I hadn't planned on. So until I get the story back on track or the characters stop messing with it, this might be the last one for a while.