A\N this chapter took way to long.

Chapter 9

It was six in the afternoon. Sara, Cara, and Allan came over a hill and saw the tips of Camelot. The stone castle set in a dark shadow.

"How much longer?" Allan complained moving in the saddle.

"Oh stop your crying," Cara said looking back at him. "It's only about a days ride now, maybe less," Sara said gazing at the far away castle. Allan moaned.

Arthur sat in his chamber. Alone. He wanted to talk to Merlin but with his outburst, he thought it would be better to just leave him for now. He paced back and forth. Why was Merlin so touchy about Mordred? What has Mordred done to make him like that? Arthur sighed and plopped down on his bed. He held his head in his hands.

"Merlin the prophecy could have changed," Gaius said. Merlin paced back and forth in front of him.

"No Gaius, I know it's true"

"How? You can't see the future Merlin"

Merlin stopped pacing and scoffed.

"What?"

"Nothing" Merlin began to pace again. But something hit him. I'm no seer… how did I see the future?

"I have to go see the dragon"

"Wh-Merlin!" Merlin ran out the door and down the hall. Leaving a very confused Gaius. Arthur decided to go and talk to Merlin, he knew he would be with Gaius.

Merlin briskly walked around the corner, running down the hall. He ran through the castle and out the doors.

Arthur walked down the hall to Gaius's chamber. When he got there he softly knocked on the door. Gaius opened the door.

"Sire, what can I do for you?" Gaius asked, even though he knew he was looking for Merlin. "Is Merlin here? I need him" Arthur asked looking over Gaius' shoulder into the small chamber.

"No, he's not I... sent him to get some things for me"

"when he gets back tell him to come and see me" Gaius nodded and closed the door. Arthur sighed and walked away. As he walked back to his chamber he saw Mordred.

"Mordred!" Arthur yelled out. Mordred turned and looked at him.

Merlin made his way through the woods. Orange sunlight shined through the trees. He finally got to the open grassy field. He summoned a voice deep within him calling out for the dragon. He heard the flap of his big wings and saw him coming over the trees. Merlin stepped back as the dragon landed.

"Why have you called me this time young warlock?" He asked looking down at Merlin with his amber eyes. "I saw a future that could have happened and I changed it… but I think it's just replaying" Merlin said his voice shaky.

The dragon looked at him, studying his face. "Then you must let it play out"

"What?!" Merlin yelled waving his hands in the air. "Merlin, changing the future is never a good idea"

"But I had to! if I didn't…. Arthur and I would be dead" Tears started to come over his eyes. The dragon was silent for a moment. "Maybe that is how the future is meant to be, maybe there is nothing you can do" Merlin looked up at him tears streaming down his face.

The dragon flew away without another word leaving Merlin alone in the field with his thoughts, He felt hopeless his energy drained and his heart ripped in two. He made his way back to the castle dragging his feet behind him.

Arthur was waiting outside in the main square on the steps. He wanted to see Merlin first thing when he came back. The whole day he was worried about him but now he was really worried.

It was dark outside and Merlin still hadn't come home, but as he sat down on the steps he saw someone come around the corner. "Oh, thank god," Arthur said as he saw Merlin walking up to him.

Merlin smiled when he saw Arthur and this made Arthur smile. Arthur walked up to Merlin and pulled him into his arms, wrapping his arms around Merlin's waist. Merlin put his hands on Arthur's shoulders and held on tightly.

"Where were you? I was worried about you" Arthur asked as he let Merlin go, but he still had his hands on his waist. Merlin smiled. "I had to go do something… I will tell you another time, okay?" Arthur looked down and then took a deep breath.

"Okay," He said he was trying to understand Merlin. Maybe he really didn't need to know, but he knew that when Merlin was ready he would tell him. Arthur pulled Merlin back into his arms, but as Merlin rested his head on Arthur's shoulder his smile faded and look of dread came over his once happy face.

They walked back to the castle and Arthur turned to Merlin stopping him. Merlin looked confused as Arthur began to talk.

"So I got the council ready and called the meeting" Merlin looked even more confused. "Meeting, what meeting?" Merlin asked perplexed. "The meeting to tell the castle about us"

"Oh, I completely forgot!" Merlin exclaimed. Arthur laughed. "Come on let's go" They headed for the council chamber and the whole court was waiting for them. They walked together and a few smiled and some others looked confused.

As they walked Merlin saw Cedric and he felt his heart sink he knew what would happen but he had to act like he didn't. Arthur turned to face the court and then looked at Merlin. Merlin looked around the room and he met Gwaine's gaze.

Gwaine smiled and nodded at him, Merlin smiled back. Merlin looked to find Gaius. He was in the back and gave Merlin a reassuring nod.

"Hello everyone, I have an… announcement" He paused. Merlin looked over to him. A nervous look came over Arthur's once calm face. Merlin took his hand not caring that the whole council saw. Arthur looked over to Merlin and looked down at his hand and smiled.

People started whispering.

"I and Merlin are in love," Arthur said his voice light and his face relaxed. Merlin's chest filled with joy when he heard Arthur say it and as he did he held Merlin's hand a little tighter, but as claps filled the room Merlin couldn't help but feel dread.

One person wasn't clapping. Cedric. Merlin made dead eye contacted with him. Merlin's eyes hard and menacing. Once the clapping stopped and the room became quieter Cedric spoke. "Sire you will need an air and you must make an alliance with another kingdom you can't be with this servant!" He shouted.

Merlin felt his chest tighten with anger and fear. Arthur went to pull Merlin back but Merlin stepped in front of Arthur. Arthur put a hand on Merlin's upper arm but Merlin stood his ground.

"What are you going to do hm?" Cedric mocked. Merlin held his hand up, staring Cedric dead in the eye. Cedric strained his back, a little bit of fear swelled his face. Everyone watched as the three stood off against one another, the room was dead silent.

"Your castle will fall and I will be happy to see it" Cedric sneered. The knights drew their swords and pointed them at Cedric. Cedric froze "But you won't see that day" Merlin snapped his chest heaving up and down.

"Guards!" Arthur shouted stepping in front of Merlin. Merlin grabbed Arthur's wrist and held on tight. The guards burst through the door and looked to Arthur. "Restrain him and take him to the dungeons" The guards came up and grabbed Cedric by his upper arm, holding him firmly.

They dragged him out of the room. Merlin whipped around and looked Arthur over. "Are you okay?" Merlin asked.

"Yes I'm fine, are you"

"Yeah" Merlin breathed out. Everyone in the room had a shocked look plastered on their faces. Merlin knew Cedric would escape tonight and he knew he should let it happen. He can protect Arthur better now that he knows, but will he really let that man escape?

The meeting was dismissed. They got nothing but support which surprised them a lot, but the people trusted their king and if he was happy they were happy.

Merlin laid in bed snuggling up against Arthur's chest.

"I love you"

"I know" Arthur scoffed at Merlin and pushed him away. Merlin laughed and kissed Arthur. "I love you too"

Cara trotted her horse ahead of Sara.

"There it is, Camelot," Cara said looking over the castle.