I'm thrilled by the response the first chapter got. I would like to thank all those you followed, favourited and took time to review.

However, the special thanks go to ProcrastinationIsMyCrime, who agreed to be my beta reader and corrected my mistakes. If you still notice some - that's probably me not listening :)

I also recommend you to check ProcrastinationIsMyCrime's series titled "A Broken Coin", because it's really great.

The first chapter is now updated. Some wording and paragraphs might have changed, but not the information conveyed so you don't need to read it again unless you want to.

I don't own Merlin.

Chapter 2

This was going on for far too long and Merlin had enough of it. Since their return from the patrol two weeks ago Arthur had been behaving strangely. Almost constantly watching Merlin when he thought the servant wasn't noticing. The banter was now rare and seemed forced on the king's part. Arthur was also telling him ridiculous things like the one about the South Gate being Camelot's week spot, but in reality it was well fortified and guarded, at least as far as Camelot's standards went. If someone wanted to take Camelot they would have done much better by using the siege tunnels, but they needed to know the localization of course. Morgana's last takeover was the perfect example, and for some reason the king seemed angry when he pointed it out.

He tried talking to Arthur, but he was tight lipped and usually changed the subject or loaded Merlin with some chore on the other side of the castle.

It wasn't normal and he knew that something was bothering Arthur, but he just didn't know what. And since the king refused to speak to him he went to the only person who could be able to help.

Upon being wed the King and Queen of Camelot were traditionally given their own chambers that were adjacent to one another, although Merlin knew Gwen only used the Queen's chambers for dressing and going through paperwork. Knocking on the door of the Queen's chambers, Merlin waited for permission before entering, where he saw the queen going over some documents. When he entered, she raised her head and smiled.

"Merlin! What a nice surprise. Please sit down and try those cookies. They are really delicious," Gwen offered kindly.

"Thanks Gwen."

Merlin sat but didn't eat. Queen noticed that something was bothering him. "Merlin, what's on your mind?"

He sighed and answered. "It's Arthur. Ever since the last patrol he was behaving strangely. He keeps giving me strange looks and ridiculous tasks. And sometimes doesn't call me 'idiot' for the whole day!"

"Yes, I imagine that the last one is bothering you the most." She said with a smile.

"Gwen! I'm serious."

"Sorry. I know what you mean. Did you try to talk to him about that?"

"Of course I did. He wouldn't speak to me. That's why I came here. Perhaps he will open up to you."

"I will do what I can". He started to leave when she called after him. "And Merlin. Come sometimes to just talk. I feel we haven't spent enough time together since I became queen."

"Sure Gwen. As soon as the prat gives me some time off"

When he closed the door he heard her laugh which caused a smile to appear also on his face. It was dark and Arthur had already dismissed him for the night so he planned to have a good night's sleep. Of course he couldn't have what he wanted, because that's when he heard someone speaking within his mind.

"Emrys. We need to talk to you. There is a clearing two miles to the west of the Camelot. Come as soon as you can."

Merlin groaned as he recognised the voice. It was Iseldir, chieftain of a druid clan and if he took the risk to come so close to the city then it must have been important. There went his sleep.

Last two weeks took a toll on Arthur. He was constantly watching Merlin trying to find out who he worked for and with whom. He could trust no one with the task and he feared it brought no results. He just met with too many people and had too many occasions to hand over information. Even his ruse with the South Gate didn't work! Because despite the appearances and general opinion Merlin was no fool, and by now knew Camelot just too well. It was driving him insane, especially that the person he normally would have gone for advice to was Merlin.

He was just getting back after an impromptu inspection of guards when he spotted someone sneaking in the dark. So naturally he followed. It was when one of torches lighted the figure that the recognition struck him. It was Merlin.

His worst fears got confirmed. Up until now he was deceiving himself that he was wrong. That those golden eyes had been a reflection of the sun. That his friend didn't have magic. That he wasn't a traitor. He could no longer deny it.

For a moment he wanted to reveal himself, demand an answer and hear his ridiculous excuse or just prevent him from meeting whoever he was suppose to meet. But after a thought he decided to follow his manservant. It wasn't as easy as it should be. Usually clumsy and so loud on hunting trips, Merlin was now surprisingly proficient in sneaking and first of all silent.

They got to the gate. Arthur thought that it would be the end of the excursion but he was wrong. Suddenly a barrel rolled down the street and both guards went to investigate leaving an empty gate, which Merlin used to get out of the city.

Arthur wanted to hit his head. How could they be so incompetent?! And so soon after an inspection! But he could ponder it no longer and went after his servant.

They travelled west for some time through the forest until they come across a quite large clearing. Arthur hid in the bushes while Merlin stood in the centre of it apparently waiting for someone. And soon two figures appeared from behind the trees. They were druids.

Then happened something incredulous that made Arthur stare agape. They bowed. They bowed to Merlin! Merlin nodded to them.

"Thank you Emrys for coming so fast."

Emrys? So even his name wasn't real. Just an alias to fool everyone.

"You said it was important so I came as fast as I could. What's the matter Iseldir?"

Yes, that confirmed it - if the greeting and no surprise at each other's presence didn't. Merlin knew them and deliberately sneaked out of the city to meet them. Until this moment he had subconsciously believed all of this to be a silly mistake. Even after spotting Merlin sneaking in the dark.

But he consorted with druids. Why would they do this? He kept his promise and didn't persecute them anymore.

"I bring bad news Emrys. The life of Once and Future King is in danger and with it the fate of the whole Albion."

Once and Future King? It sounded familiar. He was sure he had heard it somewhere.

"If that's all you shouldn't have bothered. Arthur's life is in constant danger and I need no reminder. Only last week I thwarted two attempts on his life. One was some assassin sent by Odin, who tried installing a deadly trap in the king's chambers. The other one was Morgana's follower, who enchanted a cook to poison Arthur's food. I dealt with both of them. So you really have no need to remind me."

He did what?! He saved my life two times alone in the last week?! I had no idea that they tried to murder me. Merlin stopped them and is talking about it so matter-of-factly as if it was a common occurrence. Perhaps it is.

"No, you don't understand Emrys. It's worse than that. Morgana is more active than ever before. She paints you as a traitor of your own kind, Pendragon's pet sorcerer."

"That's not true!"

"We know. But many are confused. Unrest is growing in magical community and she is using it to gain new followers. She is winning even those more peaceful, since they see no change for better even though Arthur is now the king. But even this isn't why we asked you to come here tonight. This is Acton, chieftain of a druid clan from Mercia. He came to me with disturbing news."

Iseldir signaled for him to talk.

"In our clan lived a powerful seer by the name Taina. Before the Purge even the kings used to come to her for advice because she was almost never wrong and could see future on demand. Two weeks ago she saw something horrible but told us only that the future of Albion is in peril and that 'even Emrys won't be able to succeed only by himself'. Then she left camp and didn't come back."

Merlin sighed.

"Thank you for coming here and warning me. I know how much you risked by doing that. But I don't see what I can do except for the usual of being alert"

"Perhaps you should tell the king. He may be the one whose full support you will need", proposed Iseldir.

"Arthur knowing and magic being free is what I want with the whole of my heart. But he is not ready. I was trying to soften his attitude towards magic but so far with no success. And Morgana's hand in Uther's death didn't really help matters either. He would hate me and execute or at least banish. And then I would be even more limited in what I can do."

"You know him the best. Good luck Emrys"

The meeting ended and Merlin went back to Camelot. Meanwhile Arthur sunk to the ground and sat there trying to sort out the mess that his mind was.

Did you like it? I'm curious about your thoughts.