Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Sorry for the wait. It's almost on time. Hope you like it :)

Last time:

"You won't be my manservant any longer. I'm naming you my Magic Advisor."

Merlin ran for a while and making sure he wasn't followed, the new advisor went into an unused room, closed the door and sunk to the floor as he leant against the wall. Trying to even his breathing, Merlin recalled the whole talk with Arthur. It seemed unreal as the memory replayed in his mind

He still couldn't believe everything that had happened: him being named Advisor of Magic and Druids being allowed to practise healing magic. It seemed that the Prophecies were coming true.

Merlin's heart was still beating rapidly as he rested, and not because of the run, but something so much more. When he again recalled the talk with Arthur, guilt flooded him. The King of Camelot had been extremely serious and sympathetic, he'd also spoken so much about trust, and more than once the warlock wanted to come clean and say him everything right then and there. But he couldn't.

Merlin sighed as he felt a wave of frustration, for it would have been much easier if Arthur knew about his magic. Saving the king's life and the city would have been simpler and wouldn't require him coming up with such ridiculous excuses as being in tavern.

However, Merlin couldn't tell the king now. Not when Arthur had finally given magic a chance. Finding out that his best friend had magic and lied for all those years would have been the last straw and hardened his heart forever. Yes, the king was a man of his word, so he would allow Druids to come to Camelot unharmed, but in theory he had done it long ago. Just none of them was willing to take the risk.

And it brought Merlin to another topic. How the hell did Arthur think him well suited to the task of writing the law? Yes, he studied some law books, had better than general notion of how it should be done and it was in accordance with his destiny, but the prat didn't have a clue about any of this!

As far as Arthur knew, he's entrusted an important task to somebody totally unqualified. Yes, Merlin wrote king's speeches and sometimes helped him with creation of laws, especially those concerning peasants, but it wasn't the same.

He shook his head and decided to leave the question of the state of Arthur's mind for another time. The king had taken many hits to the head, so it wasn't that unlikely something was amiss inside it, but for now there was a law to write.

The warlock had to consider townspeople in the equation. Whereas nobles might be unhappy, they wouldn't attack. At least not physically or in the open, however the lower town's dwellers could. Even though the prejudice wasn't so strong there and they sometimes sought out Druids by themselves, some were still adamantly standing against magic.

So, perhaps a guard? It could be enough, but it would look like the king didn't trust the new residents since they were under guard. Let alone the fact that it probably would make the Druids nervous. A knight would have had the same effect, unless... Unless he was behaving more like a companion than an escort.

Merlin could ask the Round Table. Most of them didn't come from Camelot and were more open minded than the rest of the knights. They could observe from the background and from time to time show their support even by a simple conversation. The view of one so close to King being friendly with known sorcerers would help a lot. Hopefully it would put most of the suspicious ones at ease and stop any troublemakers.

The warlock spent some more time pondering any possible solutions, their advantages and disadvantages. As he did so, Merlin was all the while marvelling at the fact that it wasn't just his wishful thinking and Arthur was actually allowing practice of magic.

Then Merlin's mood dampened upon the realisation that he still wasn't free and hadn't come clean with his friend. During his talk with Arthur there were times he'd wanted to say something; to tell the whole truth, but something stopped him. Merlin was afraid the king would hate and banish him, because he knew deep down that Arthur wouldn't execute him.

Probably unwittingly, but the king made the best choice he could in naming Merlin Magic Advisor. He had the respect of many magic users, who would see it as a sign of coming of the Golden Age of Albion, and hopefully agree to wait a little longer.

When Merlin decided that he would go mad with all this thinking, he made his way to physician's quarters where Gaius was preparing some medicine.

Upon seeing the warlock, the guardian and Court Physician spoke in surprise. "Merlin, what are you doing here? Arthur couldn't possibly give you another day off!"

Turning to him, Merlin looked to him attentively."You mean, you don't know? He didn't tell you?" Merlin questioned, as he wondered whether he actually knew.

This led to the man stopping his work completely. "Who didn't tell me what?" Gaius was becoming annoyed which showed his raising eyebrow.

"What a prat!" exclaimed irritated Merlin. He started pacing and rambling vividly gesticulating. "It's so like Arthur. He loads me with work and doesn't even tell anybody. Oh no, that would have been too much trouble for his Royal Pratness! Lets just Merlin deal with everything. He has no free time trying to save my backside so make him stop sleeping too!" Merlin quite well mimicked Arthur. "I bet Geoffrey knows nothing of it either!"

Jars on shelves started to rattle, and Gaius wanting to save his equipment, came to his ward and caught him by arms.

"Merlin, stop rambling and tell me what's going on." Gaius forced the warlock to stop moving and look into his eyes. "What did Arthur do this time?"

"He made me his Advisor of Magic!" shouted the young man, emotions high.

The shock was evident on his foster father's face. Gaius didn't even reprimand him for speaking so loud about magic. The physician's legs bended and Merlin helped him to the nearest chair, anxiety replacing anger and irritation.

"How.. when... does he know?" Gaius asked worriedly.

"No, no, he doesn't." Merlin replied quickly sitting opposite to the old man and trying to reassure him.

"Then why?" Confusion was evident on Gaius' face.

"Why now, I have no idea." Merlin shrugged. "He said something about wanting to fulfil his promise to the Druid boy, but if that was the case, he should have done it long ago. Why me? Apparently I have learnt much about magic from counteracting and researching magical threats alongside you and waste too much time in the tavern." The last part was delivered with a pointed look towards the Physician.

Gaius only raised his infamous eyebrow. He had already calmed down considerably and could analyze the situation.

"What happened that Arthur feels the need to have a Magic Advisor?" the father in all but blood questioned.

Merlin sighed, got up and massaged his head. Then he turned back to the physician and admitted. "He intends to allow the use of healing magic by Druids."

Gaius was gobsmacked again. Then he started to smile. "Arthur is becoming the king he is destined to be. Perhaps things were moving too slow for fate's liking and it decided to speed things along." He stood up and embraced Merlin in a hug. "I'm so proud of you, my boy."

"But what if I'm not ready?" The distressed warlock wanted to start pacing again, but Gaius didn't let him. "What if I only mess up everything? I'm just a peasant boy from Ealdor!" Merlin commented as his insecurities were getting to him. He may be powerfully but that wasn't to say he had no weaknesses.

"Merlin, you know you're much more than that." Physician said looking into young man's eyes. "And I'm not talking about your magic. I'm talking about your courage, desire to help others and do the right thing no matter the cost for you. Many lesser men would have crumbled long ago under the weight you are carrying alone. You're the best suited for the task."

Tears were running freely through both of their faces and they embraced each other again. "Thank you, Gaius. I don't know what I would've done without you."

"You would have done excellently, regardless of myself, but know you can always count on me, Merlin," Gaius promised as he held Merlin's shoulders, giving them a squeeze.

"Thank you."

They sat again and Merlin relayed everything that had happened since morning.

Next chapter Merlin will make Arthur look like and idiot :)