AN: Here's another chapter! I got a review so that made me quite excited. This is another flashback chapter, and it is shortish. Basically, it's Arthur's talk with Gaius. Not all of their conversation is shown, but it will be referenced later with explanations.

Purple: Thanks so much :) I can never tell whether views on the fic are people liking it or not unless they review, and you did! Here's another chapter just 'cause I saw your review...

Here goes!

11 months earlier...

"Gaius..." Arthur began, but his voice cracked a little. Don't get sentimental, he told himself. Merlin was just a servant.

But that wasn't it at all.

Before Arthur could continue, an image flashed through his mind. Merlin confessing to being a sorcerer, in front of the whole court, to save Gwen. Arthur had stopped him. What an idiot Merlin must have called him. He'd been so blind, who knows how many times Merlin has used magic on him?

"Gaius, it's about Merlin." Apparently, this was not surprising to the elderly physician. He also seemed to know exactly what is on the prince's mind.

"You know, don't you, Sire?" Always so formal.

Arthur immediately realized something. Gaius knew.

"You... you knew?" Is all Arthur can say, incredulous. Gaius nods, gravely.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?" He says. How does he know that Arthur would accept him, even though he had harbored a sorcerer and allowed Arthur and his father to be duped? But of course, Gaius was a sorcerer long ago. He must not have the same bias towards it, and knows that the king and prince aren't biased towards him. So it is perfectly OK for Gaius to have harbored a sorcerer. But that doesn't mean that there wasn't a reason why. Arthur sat down next to a shelf of potions, and told Gaius about what had happened. After, Gaius took a moment and just thought.

"Arthur, you are not mad at Merlin."

The prince feels a moment of reeling confusion. Of course he is mad at Merlin! Merlin has just become the root of Arthur's greatest failing, his inability to see the faults in people he loves.

"Yes, I am." Arthur says, defiantly.

"No." Gaius contradicts, shaking his head with a small smile. "You are mad that he never told you, that he expected you to react the way your father would and have him executed, without leaving him time to explain himself."

Arthur takes a moment and ponders that.

"I... suppose that's right." He amends. Gaius nods to himself and thinks a little more. He seems to be ticking off a mental list of points to cover, before coming to a conclusion. From the direction this conversation has taken so far, Arthur has no idea what that conclusion might be.

"Can I tell you something, Sire?" He asks. This question suggests it might be something that Arthur would not necessarily have asked on his own. So he nods.

"Merlin isn't just a sorcerer." Gaius starts. Arthur shakes his head, uncomprehending. Unless Merlin turns into a beast too, which is seriously doubtful, how can he be more than a sorcerer?

Gaius seemed to read his mind. (though hopefully that isn't possible).

"There are those who say he is the most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the earth. That he is magic itself."