A/N: Hello all... Are you still with me? I didn't get any reviews for last chapter, which made me a little bit sad, because I adore hearing from all of you. That's okay though, I will continue to write this story. XD

Sorry that this update took a while... busy as usual! XD I also had some big problems come up that I needed to solve. Hopefully everything works out and I will be a little less stressed.

This chapter is dedicated to Hatakefire, who may never read this story, but who is still the best friend I could ever ask for.

Warning: None

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter 10

Merlin threw open the doors to the great hall, stepping into the room with excitement. He was a few minutes late, the room already filled with people. The chattering stopped as he made his way to his seat to the right Arthur, who was at the head of the table.

"Merlin!" Arthur said. "Late again, I see?"

Merlin grinned, sitting down. "Sorry, I was getting ready."

"See, he is a girl," Arthur commented and Leon snorted.

Merlin rolled his eyes, but decided to let the comment drop due to the fact that servants had just entered the room with platters lined with food. Merlin dished himself several helpings of everything and began to eat, happy that for once, he was not the one serving everyone else, or being forced to watch Arthur stuff his face as he watched. It was a nice feeling, finally being equal to his friends, the people around him,

He should have known the peace wouldn't last.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Something wasn't right.

Merlin could feel his magic tingling underneath his skin, making his skin prickle. The warlock put down his fork, eyes scanning the crowd, sweeping over the knights, the servants, Arthur and Gwen.

Nothing looked out of place. Leon and Percival were arguing about women. Arthur and Gwen were talking quietly to each other. But the feeling grew with each passing second, and finally, Merlin couldn't take it anymore.

He stood, his chair scraping against the stone floor. Arthur looked over at Merlin in confusion. "Where are you going? We haven't even had dessert yet..."

Merlin shook his head, grabbing Arthur's arm and pulling the king to his feet. "We have to get you out of here," Merlin said.

"Wha...?" Arthur began, but was cut off as Merlin dragged him away from the crowd.

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed. "Please stop... I don't..."

"Just come with me Arthur... please?" Merlin asked, tugging on the King's sleeve. Arthur nodded after a moment of hesitation, allowing the court sorcerer to pull him down the hallway and into the king's chambers.

"Stay here, Arthur. Lock the door and don't come out until I come and get you," Merlin said, shoving the king inside the room and closing the door.

He didn't stay to listen to Arthur's protests, turning back and running the way he came, into the great hall, stopping at the doorway and surveying the room.

He couldn't explain how he knew, but something... someone... wasn't supposed to be there. After a few minutes of searching, he shook his head, stepping back out into the hallway and going to Arthur's room.

No one noticed the hooded figure slip out of the great hall.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"I said I was sorry!"

"I don't care, Merlin! You can't send me to my room every time you have a funny feeling!" Arthur replied, his voice sharp and angry.

"You don't understand, Arthur... I couldn't take the chance that you would get hurt... that you would die... again," Merlin said, the last word a whisper.

Arthur froze for a moment, instantly feeling guilty as he heard the warlock. He didn't know how to respond to what Merlin had just said, his heart clenching as he saw the tears gathering in Merlin's big blue eyes.

"Oh," he said. "I'm sorry, Merlin... I didn't know..."

Merlin looked down for a moment, brushing his hand hurriedly over his wet eyes. Arthur pretended not to notice, his fingers picking at the loose thread at the end of his sleeve as he waited for his friend to collect himself.

Merlin looked back up and Arthur grinned. "Come on, Merlin. Lets go..."

"Prat," Merlin muttered.

Arthur looked back at the court sorcerer, the smile spreading over his face. "Are you sure you don't want a servant, Merlin? Now that you are part of the court, you are entitled to one, and George is open and ready to serve you... I could go ask him right..."

"NO!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"...the treaty now only needs to be signed by two more representatives in order for the final..."

Merlin was only half listening to Leon, trying not to fall asleep at the Round Table, his head spinning slightly. His brain was sluggish, his thoughts foggy and muddled.

"...Merlin?" Arthur said.

"...Wha?" Merlin sat up quickly, looking at Arthur.

"I was just asking what you thought," the king replied. "Are you okay, Merlin? You look pale..."

Merlin was about to tell the king that he was fine, just adjusting. The words never escaped his mouth.

He sensed it a moment before it happened, the sound of a bow string twanging and a bold flying across the room. Merlin raised his hands to cast a spell, but it was too late, his magic to sluggish to act in time.

The bolt embedded itself into Arthur's chest and the king dropped to the floor.

TBC