Hello! Sorry for the delay of this chapter. I hurt my hand and it has become quite difficult to type...yeah, I know, not much of an excuse.

Once again I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews and alert/favorites. I'd also like to thank my beta KeshoBesho.

Special Thanks to Alaia Skyhawk who inadvertently gave me the title for this chapter.

Do I thank too much? Aw, well. Please Enjoy.

CHAPTER FIVE

The throne room was full. The walls were lined with rows of people and there was only open space in the middle of the crowd starting at the door and opening to a wider berth of area when it came to around ten feet in front of the throne. Arthur was already sitting in said throne, but he was squirming just a bit in his seat, impatiently waiting for the man who had caused such a ruckus to converge on "his" throne room.

I was also having trouble standing still. My new found power was intermittently activating and I was beginning to feel a massive headache forming behind my eyes at the onslaught of emotions and thoughts coming from the various citizens in the room. This power was becoming cumbersome in the fact that I couldn't control it at all. One minute there would be no one else in my mind except for myself, the way it should be, and the next five different beings would seemingly attack me. They would infiltrate my brain, hurling their worries and fears at me with abandon. I didn't know how much more of this I could take. If I couldn't get a handle on this I would have to become a recluse.

The doors swung open in an overly showy manner and a man, no more than 5 foot 8 stepped through the doors. He had slightly greasy chocolate brown hair that looked as if he hadn't washed it in over four days. Said hair went down to around the middle of his face, resting slightly on his cheeks. Pain and anxiety were flickering in the back of his dully murky brown eyes. His clothes were ripped slightly in various places and mud stained his boots.

As he walked through the sliver of open area to kneel in front of Arthur I noticed that he was favoring his right leg, obviously trying to hide an injury. So whatever information he was here to release it had obviously harmed him to get. This information must be something dangerous, not that I didn't know this before, with Arthur's mood it was hard not to know.

Now that I was looking with more a physicians eye I could tell that the man's left arm had also been injured as he was holding it slightly closer to his body. His elbow was also bent in an unconscious way to stop more pain from radiating through the injury. There were small cuts littered all over his face as if he ran through the forest quickly, not taking time to brush aside branches with his hands beforehand. He had obviously been in a hurry to leave wherever he had gotten the first two injuries.

The man finally reached the open area in front of Arthur and once he did he knelt down, quietly intoning, "My Lord."

"You may rise." Arthur responded in an equally quiet manner. The man rose slowly not putting any weight on his right leg and holding his left arm closer to his body to keep it from jostling. He kept his head down, refusing to look into the eyes of the King.

"My King," the stranger began, his head remaining bowed, "I am sorry to say that I come here with unfortunate information." The man's voice was still very quiet and to compensate everyone in the room had now become deathly silent. No one moved even a muscle in fear that the movement would cause a noise which would block out the voices of their King and the still unnamed stranger.

The man audibly gulped before he continued, raising his head minimally but keeping his eyes downcast. I tensed at his hesitation, whatever he said next would inevitably change life in Camelot for quite some time. By the way this man was speaking I had to guess that the change would be for the worse.

As the man continued to hesitate a volley of emotions penetrated my defenses, yet this time they were only coming from only one man. I closed my eyes and couldn't help but cringe slightly as the feelings circulated through me, invading my senses. They were so powerful and all consuming that I couldn't even get a sense of what they were at first. All I knew was that they were painful. They ripped through me like I was nothing but wind.

I forced myself to take a couple of deep breaths and push back against the unwanted emotions. After what seemed like a week of struggling I could finally discern what the emotions were. There was a deep-seated fear which made my stomach churn and head ache, but what was even more palpable was the grief. This man felt as if he had done something wrong. The emotions were those of someone who had betrayed someone that they loved dearly.

Before I could dwell on my discovery a new sensation wrapped itself around my mind and my fists curled at the intrusion. Why am I such a failure? I couldn't even stop them. I am so weak. I do not deserve anything but death for my betrayal. I couldn't protect them and now I have to ask the ones I wished to protect for help.

I stiffened; the thoughts were not mine.

Images flashed through my mind, horrific scenes. Death and blood. I felt extreme anger and sorrow when I saw a young girl, no older than seven, stabbed with an invisible sword. I knew on some level that these feelings weren't mine, but that didn't seem to matter. I could feel tears pour down my face in the memory, I tried to stand but to no avail. I could not do anything. More of my friends died needlessly around me at the hands of a man who I couldn't even see. Fear filled me when I saw another shimmer of a weapon close in on me.

I tried to remind myself that these images weren't really of me but the power of them continued to surge through my body and I was helpless to it. I would not be able to stop it before they wanted to cease.

More images of friends falling to the invisible and children screaming filled my brain before suddenly ceasing. I was pulled out of the memories of the man in front of me by Arthur's voice. I had never been so glad to hear his supercilious tone.

"Well?" Although I said his tone was supercilious in reality it was gentle and kind, but really who ever thinks of those qualities when they think of Arthur?

Both I and the man shook our head at the same time, dispelling the memories which now plagued both of us. "Right, yes, sorry." The man said quickly, obviously embarrassed to have lost so much of his composure in front of the King.

I smirked at his antics, I always thought it was quite humorous how citizens became so flustered in front of Arthur. Actually, to be truthful it wasn't really the citizens reactions to being around Arthur that was funny, it was Arthur's reaction. He always blushed and nothing is funnier than a blushing King.

"I have come to inform you that an army is planning to attack Camelot." For the first time since the man entered the room his voice was loud and clear. His head had also raised and he was now looking Arthur directly in the eye, no doubt trying to show that he wasn't lying and to try to make the King take his warning seriously.

Throughout the room there was silence. The news had stunned all of those in Camelot into a stupor. Not one person dared to speak until the man had finished. They needed to know exactly who it was that was going to attack their home.

"The army is being led by a sorcerer whom I do not know the name of. Although I can tell you that he is massively powerful." As the man continued I could feel a collective wondering about how this man knew this information flit across the room from person to person.

It was almost as if the man could also read the thoughts of those around him for his eyes suddenly widened and he became slightly frantic in his explanation. "I know this because my village was attack by the sorcerer's army. He killed so many without even presenting himself in front of us. The only thing we saw were what looked like shimmers in the air and then those same shimmers were attacking us, effectively killing as well as a sword could."

At his words I removed my gaze from the man opting to look at the ground instead. His memories were still clear in my mind and I knew exactly how terrifying those seemingly harmless shimmers actually were. Although I now could not see the citizens of Camelot, who had gathered within the room, I could now hear gasps coming from several citizens. I knew what those gasps held. Fear. Fear of the sorcerer whom had killed so many without even trying. Killed without a care. I could almost feel the hatred for magic rise in the room, and due to my new ability I probably could.

"I just narrowly escaped death myself. I was told-" The man once again looked down and his voice became quieter. "I was told that I should inform you of the upcoming attack. They said they wanted you to be ready for them." The man was now visibly shaking with regret and fear.

"They also told me to inform the unnamed protector of Camelot that they were looking forward to battling him." At his words I snapped my head back up to look at the man. The sorcerer must know about me. Although the fact that he didn't use either of my names to identify me in the warning told me that perhaps he didn't really know who was protecting Camelot. He must just know that someone with magic has been protecting the city. I let out a breath trying to calm down and keep my mind away from more grim possibilities.

"Who is this "unnamed protector" that they speak of?" Arthur asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I do not know. That is all I was told." The also unnamed man replied.

The furrow in Arthur's brow deepened and his eyes seemed to dull slightly, to anybody else it may have looked like he was suspicious of the man. However I knew that the expression actually meant he was thinking deeply about what the man had said. Sure he was probably a little bit suspicious, but not enough to actually suspect anything malicious of the man who gave such information to him.

"Thank you. You will be rewarded for telling us this." Arthur said in common procedure, but his voice was monotone and he was obviously not really in the room anymore. His thoughts elsewhere.

"Thank you milord. Although I don't feel like I deserve such praise for delivering such bad news." The man intoned in a voice completely opposite of Arthur's, in other words, full of emotion. With those words the man, who still hadn't given his name, left the throne room quickly.

Arthur remained in his seat while the rest of the civilians also left. They all left whispering in worried tones, glancing back at their King with looks of what could only be desperation on their faces. Arthur kept a stoic expression plastered to his face until the last of the citizens had left. His mask then tumbled off with a sigh of relief and the confusion and worry could be clearly seen etched into his features.

"I'm sure it's going to be alright." I said nonchalantly, trying my best to comfort him without revealing anything about the plan that was now forming within my mind.

"And why do you say that Merlin?" Arthur's voice held some irritation in it which I took as a good sign that he was coming out of his worries slightly.

"Well, Camelot is very strong, thanks to you, and I'm sure that we can handle this." A small, hopefully soothing, smile was tugging at my lips as I turned and looked at Arthur.

"Yes, because if my servant says it, it must be true." The words were somewhat of an ongoing joke between the two of us. For every time he said something like that my words came to fruition.

I just smiled an impish grin back at him, tilting my head lightly so he got the full effect of the sarcasm I was conveying without speaking. He just rolled his eyes at me and my smile grew causing him to sigh in what could be construed as exasperation. I took it as friendship, quite a leap I know, but I have been around him for a very long time.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off Merlin? You could probably use the rest." Arthur's voice was genuine and I startled backwards just a bit. Arthur never asked me to take a day off unless something really bad was happening, or going to happen, and even then it was rare.

"I-I guess so…are you sure you'll be okay?" I couldn't resist asking, he had been acting so strange lately.

"Of course! Who do you take me for?" Arthur's voice was sarcastic, but I could hear the undertone of fear in his voice; or perhaps I could feel it. This new power of mine made me doubt everything.

"Right. Well…I'll see you soon Arthur." I decided to give him some space. Perhaps he just needed some time alone with his thoughts to sort through some things. Then again I could be way off. It was hard to tell, even with my new ability.

I began to walk away from him turning back just slightly to make sure he was alright. If it wasn't for my magic I'm sure I wouldn't have heard the next thing he said.

"Thank you." His voice was so quiet for a minute I thought I had imagined it.

"You're welcome." I said with a smile; I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Smiling. I had yet to decide if it was a good or bad thing. Judging by the look on Arthur's face when I smiled I'm leaning towards the former.

Exiting the throne room I couldn't help but sigh at the ridiculousness my life had become. For one, Gwen now knew my secret. Not only that, but she was perfectly comfortable with it. I'd say she was even more comfortable around me now than when she didn't know about me. Another thing is this attack which is going to happen. The fact that some sorcerer out there knows about me is a bit disconcerting. Admittedly I have been making a bit of a ruckus by defeating many enemies but I guess I assumed that since no one in Camelot noticed, nobody outside had either. I should know better than to assume by now.

Lost in my own thoughts I didn't notice the fact that I had already arrived at the doors leading into the physician chambers, and in turn my room. Instead I continued to stand right in front of them, head down and thoughts racing. I most likely would've stayed that way for quite some time if it wasn't for the fact that someone opened the door. That someone was Gaius.

"Merlin, what do you think you're doing?" His voice was quiet yet concerned. Although some would say it held disapproval I knew otherwise. I spent so much time with the man it was hard not to know exactly what his tone of voice actually meant.

"What?" Sometimes my intelligence astounds me.

Gaius just sighed, he'd also been around me long enough to know when I was lost inside my own head. "I just wanted to know why you were standing as still as a statue outside of this door."

"Well, I'm sure there's a reason…" My voice trailed off as I realized I really didn't have a good reason for being completely spaced out.

"Right. Well, if you think of it, let me know." The side of Gaius' mouth quirked upwards in a suppressed smile, his tone snarky.

I narrowed my eyes at his tone. After a short-lived staring contest I sighed and looked away, allowing Gaius to win. Even though I wasn't looking I could feel the smile on his face.

"Gaius?"

"What is it my boy?" Curiosity layering his answer.

I opened my mouth just to close it once again. I didn't know how to phrase t his next question. Gaius was one of the people I trusted the most and yet I didn't know how he would react to an increase in my power. He already believed that I was the most powerful warlock to ever live; and that was without this new ability.

"Whatever it is," Gaius began placing his right hand lightly on my left shoulder, "I'm sure I'll understand."

I took a deep breath, not wanting to look up at his face for reasons that not even I knew. Perhaps it had something to do with my new power. The thought solidified my resolve. I had to ask Gaius about this. Otherwise I would be in the dark about my own powers, something I never wanted to experience again. I had spent my whole life being oblivious to the amount of power I held and how rare and unique I truly was. I never wanted to experience anything like that again. With that in mind I started again, attempting to be slightly more confident this time.

"Have you ever heard of someone being able to…well…" My voice trailed off once again, much to my chagrin. I just couldn't seem to continue.

"Being able to what?" Gaius' voice was now once again curious. His love for mystery and magic obviously bubbling to the surface.

I sighed, this was going to be slightly awkward, but considering how I usually was it wouldn't be that much different from my regular life. "Being able to sense other people's emotions." My voice was barely above a whisper; luckily Gaius was standing close enough to me that he could hear me.

"Perhaps, why do you ask?" Gaius' eyes had narrowed minimally and his eyes were trained on me.

I fidgeted under the scrutiny, my uncomfortableness going up a couple notches. I know that he was just curious but I always felt weird being the center of attention; even if it was just under the eyes of one. I had to be, if I was an attention seeker I would've been killed long ago, being what I am. My mind circled the possibility. What if I had been outed as a Warlock when I was back in Ealdor? What would've happened? Would I have been dead?

I shook my head trying to dispel the thoughts, I had been doing that a lot lately; considering the 'what ifs'. It wasn't healthy and although I knew that it was remarkably difficult to stop that way of thinking once you started.

"The thing is.." My voice dropped to below a whisper. "I believe I've been feeling other's emotions."

Silence encroached upon us. Judging by his lack of speech even though I had lowered my voice he had heard me. I didn't know how he would react. Obviously the first thing he felt was shock, which wasn't surprising considering the revelation. Knowing this I attempted not to feel hurt that he didn't immediately accept me. He had to process the information. I just wished that he'd process it faster.

"Are you alright?" I had to break the silence. I had to know what he'd say, otherwise I thought I'd go mad.

"Yes, sorry; it's just…you took me by surprise is all." Gaius blinked several times, I had been so in my own mind that I hadn't noticed that he had been staring at me the whole time. It's quite funny what the mind blocks out when it wants to. "There hasn't been a reported case of an empath for…over two thousand years, and even that case was supposed to be just a story."

I was dumbfounded. An empath. A being that supposedly hadn't existed for thousands of years. My magic boiled up inside of me, reacting to the words. It knew what I was and was rejoicing that the knowledge had finally been bestowed upon me. My magic had finally had another part of it revealed. Bit by bit my magic's true self was coming into the light. Taking into account that my magic was me, and I was my magic, I was rejoicing along with it. I was learning more and more about myself. This was the second best thing I could think of occurring. The first of course being the acceptance of magic in the world.

So, even though I didn't know what exactly being an empath entailed, or what I could do, at least I knew what I was. I knew the name; and as they say, names hold an infinite amount of power.

Thank you for reading!

Please review! I enjoy suggestions and as I am a lenient writer if you ask me to do something I most likely will...

Next on Destiny and Love:

There was rage. An all consuming rage that seemed to be directed straight at me. The emotion caused a bitter taste to form in the back of my throat.

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I attempted to turn away from the sight but I found that I couldn't.

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