Disclaimer: Still don't own any of the below characters. I'll let you know when I do, however.

As promised, here is Chapter 5. :) And it's my official birthday post, too. I really must have no life, if I can find time on my 18th (!) birthday to update a fanfiction. That's dedication, I believe.

Just an added note - I apologise for Arthur and Merlin being rather OOC in this. I haven't been able to write them right for a while now. :S I also apologise wholly for the cliffhanger at the end, those who had read my other stories know of my love of cliffhangers. This is just the first of many. :P Hope you enjoy this anyway, and please review. :D

Five

"My quarters are this way," Gaius stated, leading the way.

"You're quarters? The latest victim disappeared from your quarters?" Rose questioned with a private frown.

"No, no. I need to gather my equipment first. The location is out in the city itself."

"Ah," the Doctor muttered. His jaw dropped, however, the moment he entered the physician's room. "Ooh, this is… incredible," and he immediately set about fiddling with the equipment, while Rose rolled her eyes.

"Incredible?" Gaius asked, surprised by his reaction.

"Oh yes, I mean look at this," he picked up a glass flask and examined it through his glasses. "This sort of scientific equipment is still used in your time, Rose. Course, it's completely basic compared to the inventions of the 23rd century. Still, gotta love a good old conical flask."

"I don't even think I understood half of that," Gaius admitted, picking up his medical satchel. "But I can appreciate your love of scientific equipment," and the old man gave a smile, which the Doctor returned enthusiastically.

"I think I like you, Gaius, my friend."

"I… ah…"

"Just say thanks," Rose smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"Anytime. Now, this disappearance."

"Of course. If you'll follow me," Gaius replied, his voice turning grave compared to his previous light tone.

"Allons-y!"

Rose sniggered from beside him, "He means 'let's go'," she explained.

Gaius opened his mouth, forming a small O, as though he were going to say something, before deciding against it and simply nodding. The three of them, in some unspoken agreement, left the physician's chambers together and Gaius led the way out into the courtyard.

"This place is huge!" Rose exclaimed, her head twisting and turning to take in the large atmosphere and architecture that was Camelot. "And completely amazing. I can't believe it – Camelot!" she hissed the last word to the Doctor, who grinned.

"I know!"

"Doctor, Miss Rose, Gaius," Prince Arthur greeted them, suddenly appearing, seemingly, out of nowhere.

"It's just Rose," and Arthur bowed slightly in reply.

"Mind if I join you? My father requested I look into this, personally."

"Certainly, Sire," Gaius replied. "The, ah, site of the last disappearance is no far away."

The Prince nodded, signalling his approval and the now group of four continued on their way. As they passed the stables, there was a commotion from inside and one of the horses bolted from the wooden shelter and out into the street.

"Woah," Rose held up her hands, at the rearing horse, just managing to avoid its flailing hooves. The Doctor spun around with wide eyes, fearing for his companions' safety.

"Rose, you should step back," Arthur commanded, drawing his sword on impulse, despite the fact he had no intention of using it.

"What are you doing?" Rose cried out, having turned and seen Arthur with his sword drawn, "It just a horse and it's only spooked. You're sword isn't exactly helping," she further pointed out, leaving Arthur somewhat dumbfounded. "Shh, it's alright," Rose continued to calm the horse, now ignoring the Prince. Finally the horse calmed slightly and returned to all four legs, leaning into Rose's outstretched palm. She quickly grabbed the reins and turned to face the others.

The Doctor was grinning, "I never knew you were into horses."

"Mum got me a few riding lessons out of town when I was nine," Rose returned with a smile. Turning to face Arthur, her smile dropped. "And as for you."

Arthur had quickly sheathed his sword and now stood there, looking slightly ashamed. "It's not as if I was going to run it through."

Rose glared at him. "You shouldn't have even drawn that stupid piece of metal," she paused and turned to the Doctor, a worried look on her face, "It's not Excalibur is it?"

"Uh, I don't think so, considering he's only the Prince."

"Oh good," and she turned back to Arthur, now looking slightly confused. "Besides, I don't need protecting against spooked horses."

"I never said you did," Arthur responded, trying not to let his anger get the better of him.

Rose continued to glare at him, ignoring the proud look the Doctor was giving her and the silent disbelieving look Gaius wore. She probably would have continued her assault on the Prince, but was interrupted by Merlin as he stumbled ungracefully out of the stables.

"Sire, I… I am so sorry. The horse… it just…"

"Overpowered you?" Arthur suppressed a grin.

"No, it just… anyway, what I meant to say was I'm sorry."

"Of course," Arthur replied and they two of them stared at each other.

Rose glanced between the two of them, "I'll just, uh, take her back to the stables, shall I and leave you too it?"

"No, course not. I'll do that straight away," Merlin replied, quickly, turning away from his master.

"Nah, it's fine. I'll help you," Rose smiled kindly at the boy, before turning back to the Doctor. "If that's alright with you, Doctor," she asked pointedly.

"Sure, sure. Gaius and I can cope, can't we?"

"And me," Arthur cut in.

"Course, I'm sorry. Gaius, Arthur and I can cope," and the Doctor broke out into a grin again, as though smiling made everything better.

"I'll catch up with you three later," Rose promised, with a wave, watching as they walked off.

"Sorry, Miss…."

"It's just Rose."

"Sorry, Rose. But it's probably best if you let me take the horse and get back to work. It's not that I doubt your ability, it's just that Arthur prefers the way I do it," and with that Merlin gently took the reins off her and lead the horse back.

"Oh, I bet he does," Rose muttered to herself with a grin, before following him. She found herself a seat and watched and Merlin ran a brush through the mare's coat in a well practised motion.

"Why don't you just use you're magic to do your chores. You know you could get everything done quicker," Rose remarked, casually looking at her nails, only looking up when she heard the horse brush drop to the floor. "Ok, should have put that a bit more delicately, right?"

Merlin slowly closed his mouth, which had opened in shock. "I… But… HowdoyouknowImasorcerer?" he blurted out, running the words together in a barely recognisable form.

Rose stood up and slowly walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you or anything. I promise I won't tell anyone."

Merlin swallowed, "I just… I didn't think anyone would… How do you know?" he repeated.

"It's actually the Doctor. He can sort of tell if… you're magic or not," Rose told him, hoping it sounded convincing.

"Is he a sorcerer too?"

"No, no, no. He's just a scientist. A rather... brilliant scientist."

"Oh. Does that mean you're a sorcerer?"

Rose frowned and thought back to her previous experience as Bad Wolf. That was sort of classified as magic, wasn't it? Magic by medieval standards anyway. Although, now that she thought about it, everything 21st century would be magic by medieval standards. Microwaves, hairdryers, cell phones, emails…

"Rose?" Merlin interrupted her thoughts.

"Uh, no, not really," she gave an apologetic smile. "But seriously, though. You're magic is safe with me and with the Doctor."

"Promise?"

"Promise," Rose replied. "Does anyone else know?"

"Gaius," Merlin replied, before giving a weary sigh.

"You alright?" Rose asked, kindly.

"I just wish I were able to tell Arthur. I hate lying to him about this all the time."

"You two are pretty close, right?"

"Yeah," and a light pink blushed across his high cheek bones.

"Well, I say you shouldn't worry about it, Merlin," Rose told him, thinking of the Arthurian legend she knew from home. "Arthur will find out at the right time."

"But what if he rejects me. I'm…" and Rose squeezed his shoulder comfortingly, "I'm scared that he will tell his father."

"If he is half the friend you think he is, then he's not going to tell anyone," she responded evenly. "And from what I've seen, he is definitely a good friend to you."

Merlin gave a smile and if Rose noticed the tears in his eyes she said nothing. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Rose gave a small smile. "Now, shall we get back to work with these horses?"

Merlin had just opened his mouth to reply when the drawn out screams of 'No!' reached their ears; the cries, echoing around the stables.

The screams, Rose recognised, as the Doctor's.