A/N: if I told you I've watched 157 episodes (52+ hours) of One Piece, would that make the delay in this chapter being written any more forgivable? XP

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

-)-(-

Amyas sat, brooding, in the tavern room he was currently occupying. Fingers tapped on his thigh as he thought, eyebrows knitted together. The time was coming. His dragon would soon be returned to him. And yet…and yet he could not believe it to be so simple. The ease in which this Merlin had agreed to meet with him, the rapid swap in his personality…He could not get it out of his head. The oddity of it had him, however reluctantly, admitting that he was nervous. Something did not seem right.

Frown deepening, Amyas brushed the parchments to his left aside – letters from his court, demanding answers, demanding to know when he would return. They concerned him not. He would return when he had gotten what he had come for, and not a moment earlier. They would be made to pay for their impudence when he came home. To question a lord and demand things of him – such insubordination would not be tolerated.

Erasing their foolishness from his mind, the lord made his way over to the copper basin he had had brought into his chambers. A jug of water was promptly emptied into it, the clear liquid filling the basin. When it was still, Amyas placed a hand over its surface. As always when he was uncertain or unsure, he would resort to his scrying. It was a skill he had practised from childhood and one he was more than proficient in.

"Lóc nu sé æltǽwe þing. Áberan!"

Waiting for the water's surface to still once more, he bit back an angry growl when its image did not show him Merlin as he had requested, but instead a woman he did not know. He glared at her features, the pale skin, the matted hair, the dark green around her eyes. There was something of a shifty air about her, an edge that would not be smoothed, an inclination to betrayal and selfishness. He was almost inclined to like her on mere principle. But she was not what he had asked. He went to erase the image and start again when her mouth moved, the words sliding off of her lips.

"You mean to tell me you have not found this Amyas person yet? I see a mere peasant has outsmarted you."

"As I have told you Morgana, the man has magic. There is no telling where he could be by now."

Amyas felt a smile creep up his cheeks. So someone else had heard about him. How curious. His name had been mentioned at court only and no further. He doubted this 'Morgana' was an ally of Camelot so how then did she know of him? A traitor in Camelot? Oh, that would suit him rather well. Another set of hands to be utilised would always be of benefit.

His attention fell back to the image he was seeing, listening more closely to the conversation taking place. "Then we must assume his journey has led him beyond Camelot."

"He…" the male voice, the body of whom was located outside of his sight, paused. "…Arthur came and asked me about this man. He has been…unbalanced lately."

"Arthur?" Morgana scoffed. "What could possibly have him on edge? Is he missing Gaius so badly?"

"There was the incident with his manservant…"

Amyas bit back a laugh. This man knew this game well. Supply a little to regain power. He was now the one with the power. From Morgana's impatient scowl, she knew it too.

"What incident?"

"A few days ago Merlin was taken to the castle's dungeons on report of treason."

"Merlin? Treason?" Morgana could scarcely comprehend the idea. Her tone grew bitter. "He's so loyal to Camelot he would betray even those closest to him to save it. The idea is ridiculous. Who was it that accused Merlin this time? That boy seems to forever be getting himself into trouble."

"The matter seems very hushed," the other voice revealed. "However, I am of the knowledge that it was Arthur himself that issued the order. When I spoke to him of it after Merlin's release, he refused to tell me anything. I could tell, I could see it in his eyes, he was hiding something."

Amyas allowed himself a moment of twisted pride. So, he had made Merlin become distrusted by even his own master. This was good news. Even if the servant had since been let out, that did not deny the fact that he had been suspected and accused. The pieces, it seemed, were coming together better than he could have hoped. Perhaps he did not need to be so cautious and on guard after all. Perhaps Merlin had truly been bluffing with him.

With a pleased smirk, he banished the image from his scrying dish, swooping out of his chair and pulling his cloak on. It was time to find this Morgana and see of what use she could be to him.

-)-(-

Arthur pointed up at Merlin with a shaking finger. "You, my friend," he panted, "Are useful in a tight spot."

Merlin shot him a wicked grin. Arthur had to admit, he was rather unnerved by the fact that he was panting and quivering with exertion while Merlin, his dolt of a servant, had only the faintest sheen of sweat on his brow. For all his strength, Arthur had not stood a chance against Merlin's magic. The servant was far more talented than he had ever given him credit for, using magic in ways he had never known possible. To create shields, to summon mists and fogs, forks of lightning, to move at immeasurable speeds.

It left no doubt in his mind as to which of them was truly stronger. He was infinitely glad Merlin was on his side.

However, with Arthur's acceptance of magic, and subsequent allowance to use it, he realised that he might have to be more careful with how far he pushed Merlin. After, there was no telling what stupid tricks the fool could pull on him. He had no doubt that Merlin's knowledge of magical pranks no doubt rivalled his general knowledge. No, he would not like to be on the receiving end of that.

Arthur straightened up from where he was half-lying on the grassy ground, sitting more correctly. "Your magic…" he started tentatively, tensing himself as much as Merlin tensed; the subject was still a grey area for both of them. "You have to practise it, don't you? Like I practise with a sword, you practise your spells."

Merlin nodded seriously. "Of course. If I didn't, there's no telling what might happen." He took a seat next to Arthur, toying with a grass blades at his feet. "Most likely the spell wouldn't work at all…but there's a chance it could backfire. That's why I never use a spell until I've practised it…well, I try anyway. Sometimes circumstances don't allow."

Arthur gave a nod of agreement. That was something he understood well. His blue eyes flickered back to Camelot, the lights shining out at him across the darkness. Merlin followed his gaze and stared at it too.

"From here, you can see why people want it, don't you?"

The king started at that, surprised to hear such wisdom from his manservant. "It is the most beautiful city I ever beheld," he admitted after a moment. "I am honoured to call it my own. And its people are even more so."

"You have a good kingdom," Merlin told him. "And your kingdom has a good king. You will do them proud Arthur."

"Thank you old friend. I can only hope that to be true."

"It will be."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I'm by your side," Merlin retorted, a serious expression managing to stay on his face only until Arthur's incredulous one appeared. He then grinned, eyes crinkling, ducking away from the playful swing Arthur sent his way. "No," he finally said, shaking his head. "I know because you're Arthur. I wouldn't have stayed your servant if you hadn't proved to me that you had the makings of a good king."

"And I thought you stayed my servant because your job was the only thing that paid for your tavern visits." His remark was met with a sour pout.

"What is your plan to defeat Amyas?"

The question caught Arthur off guard, staring at Merlin's profile, half-masked in darkness, as he contemplated his answer. "If I was honest and said I didn't really have one…"

"I would say I suspected as much and would go and make one of my own."

Arthur spluttered indignantly for that and folded his arm huffily. "Fine. What's your great plan then, Merlin?"

The warlock hummed in thought before turning to face him. "We know where Amyas will be but he doesn't know how many of us there'll be."

"He'll probably think you're alone," Arthur pointed out. "Which already gives us the upper hand. We've practically already won the fight."

Merlin shook his head. "You can't rely on that. Amyas has magic too. He may have powers that I don't. He knew about Aithusa's existence. Gaius once suggested that perhaps he could scry. If that's true, then he may see us all coming regardless."

"Scrying?" Arthur repeated uncertainly.

"Scrying is where you use magic to see other places through something else, like a crystal, or a mirror, or water even. You look into it and see something else."

"You think that's what he used to find your dragon?"

"I have no idea what he's capable of. But no one else knew about Aithusa so it's the only explanation I can think of." He waved a hand, dismissing the subject. "But that still doesn't mean we'll lose. Even if Amyas knows I have back-up, he'll also know I have the dragon. I'm sure he thinks he'll be able to defeat us with his magic regardless."

"But you don't think he'll be able to." It was a statement, not a question.

Merlin's face blackened. "He will not get Aithusa on my life."

Arthur started at that expression. He had seen it before. He had seen it…on his father. Every time his life had been blatantly threatened, Uther's face would contort into that face. And, usually, the person making that threat usually ended up dead. Arthur was fairly certain that Amyas was going to end up much the same. That gaze held no mercy, no remorse, no forgiveness. Which was funny, because those were nothing things he would associate with Merlin. His servant was always the epitome of kindness and forgiveness. Apparently there was a darker side to him that he was only just starting to get to know. A second face, kept wrapped under the surface until it was needed.

"…Arthur! …King Prat!"

"Oi!"

Merlin brushed him off. "You were the one not listening."

"Whatever Merlin," Arthur snapped, knowing from his servant's expression that it hadn't been anything too serious. "You were the one saying it. I'm sure I don't need to listen to it that much."

Merlin was sincerely tempted to throw a fireball at the retreating pompous backside that was presented to him but, miraculously, he managed to keep the urge under control. Instead, he jogged after his master as they trekked back to Camelot.

"What were you thinking about that made you deafer than old Sanders?"

Arthur cuffed over the head before answering, "I was just thinking how alike to my father you are."

He continued on, leaving a gaping Merlin behind him. It was several minutes before his servant overcame his shock enough to get his legs working again.

-)-(-

The sound of footsteps through the leaves behind her was what first alerted Morgana to the fact that she was no longer alone. She quickly stood from her crouching position, abandoning the ferns she was currently harvesting. Ducking behind a large pine, Morgana waited for the figure to step into the clearing. When a man with a long cloak came into the view, she intended to abandon her task and return home. That plan was abolished when the man called her name quite confidently, she emerged, a suspicious look engraved into her features, marring them somewhat.

"Who are you?" she demanded, haughtily lifting her chin.

He sent the same look straight back at her. "My name is Amyas. I heard you were looking for me." It was worth it to see the semi-horrified expression on her face.

"Who told you this information?"

His smile grew ever more smug. "Well, I can hardly be at liberty to say now, can I? That would rather ruin it. But you are looking for me, are you not?"

"I'm looking for someone who is no friend of Camelot."

"Camelot's fate means nothing to me. Whether it stands or falls is of no significance."

"But you could persuaded to help me," Morgana guessed, reading through his lines.

"I could," he agreed, inclining his head. "But only if it were worth my while."

"I will make it so," Morgana assured. "But tell me," she said, stepping closer and eyeing him up carefully. "If the rumours are true, and you did attack Arthur and kill Gaius, what purpose did such attacks have?"

Amyas studied his nails boredly. "Why, to land a blow at the heart of Camelot's sorcerer, of course." Oh how he loved how confused her face suddenly became. It went well with the shattering annoyance that filled him.

"There is no sorcerer in Camelot!" she exclaimed. "Arthur is no friend of magic, this he has made clear."

"That does not mean there is not one," he cut in severely. "So tell me, in your grand plans to eliminate Camelot, what measures have you taken to subdue this sorcerer?"

Morgana sneered at him. "Your sources are wrong, Amyas. There is no sorcerer. Why should I plan an attack on something that does not exist?"

Amyas snorted. She was not worth his time. If Morgana had been after Camelot's throne for as long as he had heard and had not yet discovered the sorcerer within its walls – one that had taken him a mere four hours to find – she was utterly worthless. Admittedly, he had had the help of his scrying, but there was nothing stopping her from receiving magical aid either. Truly, this had been a waste of his time. He said as much.

Morgana's eyes narrowed in rage. "How dare you imply as much!"

He raised a hand when she stepped towards him. "Do not threaten me Morgana or I will be forced to make means to stop you."

Her scowl deepened. "I'd like to see you try. Áwrecan sé lýðerlic-"

"Genettian sé lybbestre innan cwalu!"

Morgana flew across the clearing from the force of the spell, crumpling to the ground and not moving. Amyas stared at her limp body disdainfully for a moment before turning and stalking away. That was enough of his time wasted. He had plans to make.

-)-(-

A/N: sorry to everyone who thought Morgana would be involved. She may pop up again but maybe not. I find her character difficult to work with. She's pretty repetitive. And also, sorry for everyone who wanted to see the Merlin/Arthur fight. It just wasn't gonna happen ever so sorry if you got your hopes up! My bad. :-/

~DG777