Plans were continuing for the coronation as well as the trial. The trail date had now been set for three months after the new King was crowned. It was hard to say which was getting the most publicity. Merlin's visits were well covered and each episode would include mentions of what had happened to him. The public fascination with the 'Hidden Prince' showed no sign of abating.
Mordred continued to visit Merlin although he was getting bored with the whole thing. He had done everything his father asked but at wasn't enough. So he decided to make something for himself from the connection. On the next visit out for Merlin to a private opening, this time to the tower of London Mordred tipped of a reporter he knew and Merlin was photo'd going on and out. He was also seen by the press going to the Hammersmith Wetland Trust on a private visit. It had been during normal opening times but was not announced and Merlin went with Mordred, Gwaine and several protection officers. They went on a quiet day but within moments of arriving the press was there so they had to cut their visit short. But the two tip offs had given Mordred some welcome extra money for nothing more than a couple of phone calls.
Eventually Mordred decided he wasn't going to waste another Saturday at Windsor and made plans. He was a rebellious young man at the best of times fed up with not being the eldest and also having to rely on his father for an allowance. He had finished University and wasn't in a hurry to start work, Mordred wanted to sample the good life first, but although being friends with the Prince did give him access to the Royal lifestyle it wasn't turning out quite as he imagined. So Mordred turned up on the Friday evening and on the Saturday morning went along to see Merlin as usual. Gwaine was having a day off as was Elyan and Geraint was the duty protection officer. Merlin knew him but not as well as the other two. Mordred went in and decided to talk Merlin into going into the city.
"We could go and see my friends, they would like to meet you. You could see some of the things I do"
"I don't know" Merlin said hesitantly "I will ask Arthur" he wanted to please his friend and understand so of the things he spoke about but he was worried about meeting people.
"The King is out this morning so is the Princess. We could go and be back before them" Mordred looked at Merlin "Please for me…no one would know it was you, I've bought you some clothes so we can disguise you it will be fun."
Mordred continued to persuade Merlin until he agreed. Merlin was soon dressing in black jeans a t shirt and hoody and a beanie. Mordred waited until Geraint went to the toilet and they sneaked out and down the back stairs, they then went out of the staff entrance. The guards there more interested in who was trying to get in than out. Mordred had one of his friends waiting with a car and they were soon heading into London.
Merlin was still nervous but didn't want to disappoint his friend, not only that but he was still very much in the mould he had been brought up in, of doing as he was told or being punished. Mordred and his friend Gilli were talking as they drove, when they got to London they were met by a couple of girls Kara and Sophia. Mordred was basking in the glory of showing his closeness to the Prince that so few people had met. Parking the car up they took a taxi after deciding to take Merlin for something to eat. Once they realised that Merlin had never eaten fast food they decided to take him to Pizza Hut. Parking the car up they took a taxi and as they got out of the cab and were walking towards the door Merlin took one look at the crowds and stopped.
"Can we go back" Merlin whispered his eyes as big as saucers as he saw the crowds.
"We've only just got here, let's eat first." Mordred said impatiently to the Prince.
Merlin shook his head and started to look around in panic, he turned round and headed back towards where the taxi was pulling out. "Merlin don't be daft!" Mordred yelled.
That attracted attention and several onlookers, who on hearing the name Merlin looked round, Merlin knew he was being looked at and his vision started to go black he stumbled backwards as he started to have a seizure. His foot caught the kerb and he fell into the road there was a bang as a car caught him.
Back at Windsor it was noticed that Merlin was missing. Geraint had returned from his trip to the toilet and a few moments later heard Aithusa barking, he knocked on the door and getting no answer he went in to find the room empty except for the dog. Geraint raised the alarm and a search was started. It was when the cameras were checked that they found out that Merlin had left the castle with Mordred. Arthur was alerted as was the police. Arthur was furious and came back as soon as he could.
When Arthur arrived back in Windsor he demanded to see Geraint "What the hell were you doing, why didn't you know they had gone!"
Geraint had already been questioned by his senior officer and was distraught at his failure. "I'm sorry your Majesty the Prince was with Mordred Sarrum I had no reason to check. I was outside the door at all times accept when I too went to the lavatory. I was only gone a few moments. I went in when I heard the dog barking and raised the alarm then" Arthur had to agree that the man's actions had been correct but that he would kill Mordred when they caught up with him.