Once again, no excuses for how late this chapter is. Another relatively short chapter, but they are getting longer.

Thank you to everyone whose reviews! I know Leon seemed OOC in the last chapter, but I needed someone to be the voice of reason on Merlin's behalf, and Lancelot's dead, and I didn't think of Gaius.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 2

Merlin sat with Gaius in their chambers, slowly tracing the knots in the wooden table. Gaius sat opposite him, watching him with worried eyes.

'They can't trace him back to you, Merlin,' Gaius said. Merlin barely acknowledged his voice. 'They think Emrys is an old man.'

'We should have seen this coming,' Merlin muttered.

'There was no way to know what they were planning.'

Merlin let his hand drop and glanced up at his mentor. 'What do you think Arthur will do to me?'

Gaius stood up and made his way around the bench, wrapping his arm around his ward as he slid onto the bench next to him. 'You know Arthur would never intentionally hurt you.'

Merlin nodded, noticing the way Gaius said intentionally. 'I just wish that I could tell him the truth.'

'You will! One day. It just… isn't time yet.'

Merlin felt his heart sink at Gaius' words. One day… 'They're never going to know are they? They'll never see me for who I truly am…'

'Don't say that,' Gaius whispered, rubbing Merlin's shoulder. 'Soon enough, this will all be over and everyone will know what you've done.' Merlin sighed and resumed his action, tracing his finger along the gouges in the surface. It was clear in his face that he didn't believe what Gaius had said. The old man sat there for a few more minutes before standing up. 'Get some rest, Merlin. We're all going to be busy over the next few days.'

Merlin nodded and stood up, making his way up the stairs. He changed quietly before snuffing out the lone candle and lying down. He barely slept that night.

XxX

Merlin arrived on time the next morning, not that it mattered. The King was already up, dressed and seated at his desk by the time he walked through the door.

'So you can dress yourself!'

'You're powers of observation always astound me, Merlin,' Arthur snapped before turning back to the documents on his desk.

'Good morning to you too,' the servant muttered as he set the tray down on the main table. 'What are you doing up so early, anyway? Normally I'd have to drag you out of bed at this hour.'

'Merlin,' Arthur threw down his quill and made his way round the desk. 'There is a mad sorcerer on the loose, who, according to Agravaine, has the power to tear down my entire Kingdom with a flick of his wrist. Unlike you, I don't have I don't have time to be lazing around; I have a Kingdom to protect!'

'Why hasn't he then?'

Arthur frowned, and stood for a moment, slightly shocked. 'What?'

'Why hasn't he?' Merlin repeated, as if he was talking to a small child. 'If this sorcerer is as powerful as you say, then why hasn't he already destroyed the Kingdom if that's what he's so determined to do? Especially if he's a potential ally of Morgana's; Camelot should already be gone.'

Arthur stared at him. 'Are you trying to be clever again?'

'Me? No, of course not.'

'Really?' Arthur's eyebrows shot up. 'Because that sounded like you were.'

'You know me, just rambling,'

Arthur stared at him for a moment longer, before sitting down in front of his breakfast. 'Is this is?'

'Is what it, sire?' Merlin asked, innocently.

'You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Merlin.' He gestured to the plate in front of him, which consisted of a bowl of porridge, an apple and a mug of tea.

'Well, the cook heard you were on a diet, so she…'

'Who the hell told the cook that? I am not on a diet! There's nothing wrong with my weight.'

'Well, that's not what she…' Merlin ducked as a goblet when flying over his head. 'I'll go find you a proper breakfast, sire,' Merlin grinned and disappeared out the room, leaving behind a fuming king.

Once the door closed behind him, he let out a shaky breath and made his way down the corridor towards the kitchens.

He'd slipped up in Arthur's chambers, and had been lucky that Arthur accepted the Merlin is an idiot excuse with no questions. If he didn't gain control of his emotions, it wouldn't take long for someone to connect him with Emrys. Merlin wiped a hand across his brow, before donning his mask, and entered the kitchens.

'The King wasn't too impressed with his diet,' he grinned.

The kitchen maid laughed, and beckoned him over, pulling a tray out from underneath the counter and handing it to him. 'I didn't think he would be.'

Merlin smiled as he took the tray from her. 'Thanks,' he smiled. 'You're a big help.'

She smiled at him as he turned to leave. 'Anytime.'

XxX

Merlin watched from the shadows as Arthur stood with his Knight's, quietly relaying their new orders.

'I don't want anyone to try and apprehend him alone; just gather any information you can about him, and bring it back here. Be as subtle as you can; we don't want Emrys catching on that we're hunting for him.'

The Warlock winced at the word hunting but couldn't help but feel smug at the King's words. Too late…

'Stay safe, men, and report your findings directly to me or Lord Agravaine.'

Arthur turned, and made his way back towards the castle. Merlin immediately stepped out of the shadows and followed him. Once they were inside, Arthur stopped and turned to his servant.

'I want you to talk to the servants; see if you can find anything.'

'Of… of course, sire,' Merlin stuttered.

Arthur frowned at him. 'Is something wrong?'

'No! No, of course not,' Merlin grinned, falsely. 'I'll get right on it.'

Arthur stared at him for a moment, before nodding. 'OK. And Merlin…'

The servant turned back to face his master.

'Be careful.'

'You too.'

Thanks for reading!
Next chapter: The Hunt Begins.

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