16/5/2017 Hey guys! I just wanted to put a quick update here to let you know that I haven't forgotten about this story. Working full time sucks! I will be back with chapter three as soon as possible. Thanks so much for following my story! :-)

Merlin put his head around the door of Arthur's chambers. As he'd expected, the Prince was still dead to the world. He stood there for a moment considering his options. If he didn't have Arthur's clothes organised and armour polished in time for his training session later that morning, he knew there would be trouble. All the same, if he woke him early, Arthur was liable to throw things in his general direction.

Coming to a decision, Merlin slipped inside and carefully made his way across the room to the wooden stand on which Arthur's armour was displayed. He kept his eye on the sleeping figure in the bed as he went, anxious not to disturb him. In his concern, Merlin narrowly avoided tripping over Arthur's boots at the foot of the bed, and he breathed a tiny sigh of relief, smiling proudly to himself for preventing the mishap.

He slowly began to remove the armour piece by piece, eventually balancing the tottering pile under his chin. Then, he shuffled around to make his way back to the door, glancing over at his friend who was now snoring loudly. As he did so, the helmet on top of the pile began to slowly slide sideways. 'No, no, no!' This wasn't going to happen now he'd got this far. With a quick incantation under his breath, the helmet rebalanced. He had to get out of here.

Merlin paced silently back towards freedom. Five Steps, ten steps, he was almost there, but then...something was under his foot, his stomach lurched, he stumbled and...CRASH! The sound was deafening as Merlin and the armour tumbled to the ground. Those damned shoes!

Arthur jerked awake, instinctively snatching his sword from his bedside and flinging himself out of the bed. It would have been impressive had he not promptly tangled the bedsheets around his legs and also thrown himself to the floor with a painful sounding thud. Merlin remained on the floor as Arthur recovered himself, as though if he stayed still he somehow wouldn't be spotted.

'Merlin!' Arthur exclaimed. Oh.

Merlin got to his feet, looking sheepish. 'Morning.'

'What the hell are you doing?' Arthur demanded.

'Sorry, er, I needed to fetch your armour and...the boots...' He gestured to them. Arthur just stared at him silently. Merlin got to his feet and began to gather up the armour.

'You just...go back to sleep.' He whispered. 'I wasn't here.'

With the armour safely back under his chin he headed back towards the door, ducking out just in time to hear whatever it was that Arthur had thrown at him bounce off of the wall with a resounding clatter. Well he supposed, that could have been worse.

xxxxxx

'Emrys!'

Merlin jumped in surprise, Arthur's things cascading out of his arms for the second time that morning, with a loud crash onto the stone floor. The voice could have been inches from his ear, and even though he'd experienced telepathy before, he still instinctively whirled around to look backwards down the corridor.

'I need you Emrys.' The voice in his head spoke again. It sounded distressed, desperate.

Merlin tried to steady his breathing, his heartbeat slowly returning to a normal speed. 'Who are you?' He asked wordlessly.

'My name is Blake,' came the reply. 'I'm a Druid, we need your help.'

Could this be a trick? Merlin was wary. He knew that Morgana also knew the name Emrys now. Could she have discovered it was him, and set a trap?

'Please, Emrys.' Blake pleaded. 'I'm in the woods on the edge of the Lower town. Meet me there after sunset.'

'Merlin?' A physical voice he recognised interrupted his conversation. Gwen had rounded the corner, and was looking at him with concern. 'Gwen! Er…' He bent down and began hurriedly retrieving the King's armour.

'Everything all right?' She asked with a good natured, yet curious smile.

'Yeah, fine, just...y'know...heavy.' He gave her what he hoped was a genuine, casual smile.

Gwen had bent down to help and was giving the weaponry a once over. 'It all looks okay. This stuff isn't easily damaged.'

She transferred the things she'd picked up into Merlin's arms as they straightened. 'Thanks.' Merlin smiled, and made to walk away, but had only moved a couple of steps when Gwen spoke again.

'Are you sure you're all right?' You look like something's troubling you.'

Merlin pretended to contemplate, and then shook his head. 'I work for Arthur. What could possibly be troubling me?' He grinned, and Gwen gave a small laugh. Then with a parting smile, Merlin hurried off down the corridor.

xxxxxx

'I am in your debt, my Lord.' Morgana told her dining partner, a middle aged man sitting across the table.

On kidnapping the Druid, Morgana had headed for the kingdom of Yeramar. She had heard the tales of the kingdom from Uther, and had known exactly where to come. King Doran had welcomed her, and they were now sharing a meal in the castle's banquet hall.

'When Camelot is yours and Uther has what he deserves, that debt will be paid with interest.' His smile held more admiration than any real warmth, much like the smile she gave in return.

'I still have Emrys to deal with before that time comes,' She reminded him. 'but I trust I can rely on your allegiance until then?'

'Of Course.' He raised his goblet to her and then took a sip. 'About Emrys, you haven't properly explained.' He pointed out. 'Who is he?'

The smile faded from Morgana's face. She was silent for a few long moments before answering. 'I was warned about him.' She told the King. 'He has already thwarted my plans once and I'm going to make sure he cannot do so again.'

Doran raised his eyebrows. 'From what I've heard, he must possess great magic to be a match for your power.'

'That's why I need to find him before he finds me,' She informed him. 'and our little friend down in your dungeons should be a great help.'

'What makes you think she knows where he is?' Doran enquired, interested, putting a grape into his mouth.

'She's a Druid. I've learned that Emrys is legendary within their circles.' Morgana explained. 'Trust me, she knows.'

'She won't tell you willingly.'

Morgana's cold smile returned. 'Oh don't worry about that.' She assured him. 'I have ways of making people open up.'