(Edited and reposted to correct a minor typing mistake I'd missed.)

Mega apologies for the long update, but you were warned. Before you get too excited. This chapter contains none of the things I promised. It is only the very beginning of what I'd intended to be a much longer chapter, but I have to get on with work and I will spend hours trying to finish this otherwise. So this chapter is pretty much now a filler and a very short one. Sorry! :( It's mostly dialogue again because I can't make the characters shut up. I promise wholeheartedly that more will happen in the next chapter, which will continue where this left off, and you'll start to get some of the answers you want.

Thanks as usual for those who added to favs/alerts and of course to my lovely reviewers.

Chapter 5

"If I may, sire. I think we've established by now who this is," Gaius interrupted.

"I quite agree," said Merlin.

"I've just one more question," Arthur assured him.

Merlin sighed. It was inevitable, he supposed, that he would be subject to interrogation to prove his identity. Despite Arthur now accepting him, he understood the prince's need for complete certainty. As king, he would need to consider all evidence objectively, with a clear head and he'd overreacted somewhat already . He couldn't afford another lapse in judgement. And so it was that Merlin found himself sat on a wooden stool while Arthur perched on the end of the table and bombarded him with questions. The most infuriating thing was that Merlin was forced to lie through his teeth – again – so that his responses tallied with Arthur's version of events. He hoped that his meaningful looks at Gaius had gone unnoticed during these moments, there appeared to be an entire unspoken conversation going on that Gwen and Arthur were blissfully unaware of.

It had at least become clear that Arthur was returning to his usual self – "You're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" Merlin had complained – but even so, being asked to roll up his trousers to reveal yesterday's bruising, had been a bit unreasonable. Merlin was relieved that Gaius had finally decided to put a stop to the proceedings. There were after all, more important issues to deal with. Nevertheless, Arthur still had one more thing he wanted to ask.

"If you were asleep in the stables all this time, how come you weren't woken by the bell?"

"Ah! Uh, I don't know," Merlin answered almost truthfully. He had been sleeping remarkably heavily of late now he no longer had the voice of Kilgharrah roaring in his mind every night. Compared with a dragon's telepathic rages, the clamouring of bells was practically a lullaby. It was probably for the best that he chose not to relate this fact to the prince. "It must be overwork," he groaned. "Day in day out, I'm forced to do no end of ridiculous chores for my overbearing master. I must have collapsed out of shear exhaustion. There may be something wrong with me. I should probably have a few days off just to be on the safe side. What do you think?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and shook his head exasperatedly.

"Alright, so you're definitely Merlin, though I am beginning to see the negative side of that."

Merlin smiled.

"So who's the other man and why does he look like you," Gwen being the one to voice what the four of them were all thinking.

"Who it is, I cannot say. As for his appearance it could be a spell of transfiguration, by which the body has been physically manipulated by magic to assume the form of another, or perhaps a shape-shifting beast of some kind, although thankfully both of these are quite rare," Gaius explained. "In all likelihood, this is some form of illusion and the true person's appearance has been concealed by means of a potion or enchantment. I will not be able to ascertain more until I have completed a thorough examination of the body."

"We need to find out something before long. Merlin can't stay here forever and if my father finds him, he won't chance letting a potential sorcerer walk free. I would speak out for you obviously," Arthur turned to Merlin, "But I fear he would have you killed. There is obviously a threat to the kingdom, whatever that may be, but it is imperative we gather physical evidence before confronting the king," he said, taking command over the situation.

Merlin noticed an flash of unease come over Gwen and knew she was remembering her own experiences at the hands of Uther.

"Depending on the strength of the enchantment, it may yet break on its own possibly within hours," Gaius told them.

"Let's hope so," said Arthur.

"Until then I will do all I can," assured Gaius.

"If there's anything either of us can do..."

"I think Gaius may want some time with Merlin, don't you?" Gwen murmured to Arthur.

"Oh. Yes. Of course." he faltered, then made for the door. "Oh, and Merlin," he said, turning back.

"Yes?"

"Try and be careful."

"You know me, I'm always careful."

"That's what worries me."

"It's not like I haven't hidden in the castle before. Rather successfully I might add."

"If I find you under my bed again."

"You won't, I swear."

"Because if I do." Arthur pointed an accusing finger. Gwen wasn't sure what to make of all this.

"I promise."

"Good." He shot Merlin a final dubious look, before departing with Gwen.

* * *

Gaius knew he should be working on getting to the bottom of this mystery, but he couldn't take his eyes off the living breathing Merlin. The man who'd given his life a new purpose, filling a gap he never even knew existed. Here he was, after all the dangers he had faced, alive and well. With each new threat Merlin went to confront, Gaius knew and feared what might come of it, but he couldn't prevent the boy from fulfilling his destiny. It was as inevitable as day and night, as life and death itself, that Merlin would follow the path to greatness that he was meant to follow.

"Do you really think the enchantment will lift on its own?" Merlin asked him.

"I suppose it's possible," He replied. Knowing that the only reason he had said such a thing was to keep the prince at bay. "I do have every confidence in your abilities however."

"I'll check the book." He regarded himself. "I'll get changed first, then I'll get the book."

"Merlin."

Merlin turned back curiously.

"Come here." Gaius enveloped him in a hug. "I thought I'd lost you."

"You know me. You're not going to be rid of me that easily." More serious thoughts of love and appreciation leaked out from behind Merlin's cheery remark. Gaius acknowledged this and smiled.

"The fact you've managed to stay in one piece thus far is nothing short of astounding."

Merlin pulled back.

"Sorcerers, dragons, magically created doubles, sometimes I wish I just lived a peaceful life."

"You wouldn't want that. You'll find they can get exceedingly boring."

"Why does my destiny have to be so complicated? I've got to keep a big-headed prince alive long enough for him to become king, unite Albion, restore magic and most difficult of all, I've got to keep him from being a complete prat."

"And you're doing a splendid job," Gaius reassured him.

"I just wish I didn't have to hide all of this all the time," Merlin sighed.

"I know. One day Arthur will be ready to learn the truth. Of that I am certain,"

"He wouldn't even believe me if I told him."

"You and Arthur view the world in very different ways. You were born with magic, you understand it in a way that others would struggle to grasp. You probably don't even realise how unique that perspective is. He, by contrast has has had to learn from his own experiences with magic, which have been none too pleasant as I'm sure you'll agree. Arthur is a fighter and he views magic as a particularly dangerous weapon that could be used against him."

"Sometimes I think he's changing," said Merlin thoughtfully. "Then at other times I know I couldn't possibly tell him my secret. Just yesterday, he made it perfectly clear behind his stupid remarks that no good could ever come of magic."

"The prince considers you a close friend, that much should be apparent, especially now. Given his first impressions of you, that in itself is a minor miracle. When the time comes he will decide what is most important to him and after today I think he'll begin to realise what actually matters," Gaius told him wisely. "Now come on, we've got work to do."

Sorry again for not giving you any explanations yet. The enchantment on Merlin 2 WILL be lifted in the next chapter, that bit has been written, and you'll find out about other stuff too. Sorry also for the long update, expect more though.

Reviews always welcome!