When Merlin woke next morning he still felt lethargic his magic was still settling from being free then rebound. He felt the collar round his neck and its larger girth was heavier than before. He looked round the room and saw Arthur already up and dressed, it was a wonder he hadn't been woken to go down to the midden, by now the guards had normally arrived. Still he didn't feel the need to relieve himself so he sat up and then saw his bowl of gruel on the floor beside him. He picked it up and set about eating it. It tasted foul but he knew form experience it was better warm than cold. As he started eating Arthur looked up and grinned at him.

"You're awake then, I wondered when you would decide to join us. The guard has been he will be back soon, here" With that the Prince threw Merlin a lump of cheese and then some bread. "Eat up we need to get to the training fields soon."

Merlin ate his food and was just finishing the last mouthful when the guard came back and unlocked him and took him outside. It was a cold late autumn morning and Merlin shivered as the difference in temperature hit him. Quickly doing his business then having a quick wash at the bucket left at the side for him he was taken back to the Prince who was by now on the training grounds. Wrapping his arms round himself to try to fight off the cold he waited for Arthur to see him.

Arthur was talking to Leon and he soon turned round and gestured Merlin forward. "Come on we are going to start the magic defence training. I want you to use some of your magic and let the knights see if they can get round it. Like we talked about before." Arthur turned to the knights "The mage will not hurt you, give him the same treatment I don't want him damaged. I will watch with Sir Leon and we will try to help work out strategies"

The next hour was a busy one for Merlin and a frustrating one for the knights. They had hardly made any progress by the time the session was over. Arthur was finishing up when Aredian walked across and stood before the Prince. "The King has asked that I take your mage to test his new collar. It won't take me long"

Arthur looked at the witch finder with mistrust "I would like to watch we have finished here"

"You will find it boring Sire and not worth the time." Aredian sneered

"That's up to me to decide, after our recent encounter I would like to learn as much as I can if we are to beat these people" Arthur followed as Aredian pulled Merlin along to the sorcerers ground. Jonus and Cendric were waiting and as the witch finder approached they stood up.

Aredian took the chain off of Merlin and told the other two sorcerers to get ready. Turning to Merlin "You must stop both of them at the same time"

Merlin looked up "I have been using my magic for an hour" Aredian smacked Merlin round the ear. He didn't see Arthur's expression or he might not have felt so smug.

"Do not speak unless spoken to" he pushed Merlin forward and snarled an order to the other two who sent a spell towards the small warlock who just managed to block it. Before more different spells were thrown, this was clearly a well-used pattern. Eventually Merlin fell to the ground with a bang and didn't get up.

Arthur looked concerned and walked forward. "What was the purpose of this! It seemed you were deliberately trying to hurt him!"

"Indeed Sire, I needed to find where his point of power was to make sure he had enough to defend you but no more. The Mages take a while to adjust to a new collar and we need to know how fast they adjust. This follows your fathers orders Sire. The collar is working as I would expect for the day after placement. I will test him again in a week" He swaggered towards Merlin and drew back his leg as if to kick Merlin. Arthur quickly drew his sword and placed it on Aredian's leg. The witch finder lowered his left carefully.

"Merlin is my personal Mage, only I have the right to disciple him. As he has been using his magic with the knights, and now here, I don't think kicking him will help. I need him again later" Arthur's tone was calm and measured but the meaning was clear. "The mage's are a very valuable resource I'm sure you agree. I would not treat any of my horses in such a way so I will not allow my Mage to be treated so."

He turned to Merlin "Up boy come with me" he looked at the other Mages and nodded before walking off.

Aredian turned to Jonus and Cendric and snarled "Get back to your cell, you haven't got a soft master, mark my words next week you will go far harder on the brat"

Jonus and Cendric left with the guards and said nothing until they were back in their cell with the others. Cendric turned to the others "The Prince might go soft on the boy but he will suffer next week mark my words"

Alvarr snorted "Don't bet on it. If the Prince is the once and future King he and Emrys will stand together"

"Do you really believe those tales?" Gilli asked "I see no change"

Alvarr nodded "Yes I do, but they are both young yet. We must keep our heads down and wait"

Arthur spoke to Merlin as soon as they were out of Aredian's hearing. "I am sorry for that, I would not have been able to have stopped it."

Merlin looked at his in surprise "Sire you did help, it would have been worse had you not been there. Thank you"

"I didn't mean you only meant as much as my horse either" Arthur grinned feeling better now he knew Merlin didn't blame him. It was surprising just how Merlin had wriggled his way into his life.

Merlin looked surprised once more "But you love your horses!"

Arthur ruffled Merlin's hair "Your right I do, now you need to rest you look knackered, I do believe our lunch will be waiting. I asked George for some honey cakes, but you know I don't fancy them now" Arthur had soon learnt that his cousin had a very sweet tooth, so ordered honey cakes as often as he could.