Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, this is an alternate universe fan fiction, in which I have used the characters, places, quotes and story from the BBC TV show which I do not own.

A/N: Thank you D Rose for pointing out the typos in the last chapter - that really was quite bizarre! I am sorry that this is quite short, but I have an explanation at the end. Sorry in advance!

No-One Knew

~ARTHUR~ (kind of...it's more Arthur's world)

The day after Arthur had returned to Camelot, Gaius woke to the sun shining in his face from the window above. He was still not used to sleeping in what used to be Merlin's room, after the boy had insisted on it his last visit. Gaius had not done so before, as he held on to the hope that Merlin would return in a few months, and everything would turn back to normal. But Merlin had clearly pointed out that "You are an old man now Gaius, whether you like it or not, and we both know that it will make your life much easier." Merlin was right of course. By moving into Merlin's room, he had more space to devote to the physician's art. He sorely missed Merlin's presence.

He stepped out of the room and almost fell down the couple of stairs. Who would have thought. There sat Merlin, casually crushing the herbs Gaius had intended to do later that morning, and watching the fire that had already been started, just as if it was his daily routine in his own home. He was in a deep state of contemplation, and so didn't hear Gaius shut the door behind him.

"Merlin!"

Merlin turned around to face him, a grin spreading through his face.

"Gaius!"

Merlin threw himself into his mentor's arms, was hugged back before getting a rap on his head.

"Ow! What was that for?" he cried out indignantly.

"That, Merlin, was for not a single visit, not a single letter, not even a word for almost a whole year!"

"Oh, umm...wellll..."

"I was worried Merlin. I appreciate that you probably don't even think of me back here, but really Merlin. How hard is it just to send a message? Just to know that you are alive and well?" Gaius scolded Merlin.

"I'm not dead?" Merlin tried.

Gaius sighed. "You are impossible, Merlin. How long have you been sitting there and why didn't you wake me?"

"I came before dawn, and I didn't want to wake you, I mean you out of all people should get all the rest that you can, I'm sure nobody has seen an old man like yourself with so much of your never ending energy. It's remarkable really, Arthur and everyone else should give you much more credit. Geoffrey of Monmouth is younger than you and every time I have stepped into Camelot's library, he is always fast asleep, but you handle of of Camelot's health on your own, never mind advisor to the king and..."

Merlin trailed off in his rambling, becoming subject to, what he liked to refer as 'The Eyebrow' from Gaius.

"I miss you too you know. I think of you every day, along with the knights, and Gwen, and Arthur."

Gaius enveloped him in a hug again. "Then why don't you stay?" he said, half serious, half teasing. "It's not like you are doing anything particularly more useful travelling around."

Merlin laughed in return. "I'll have you know, Gaius, that I have become an exceedingly good physician..."

They laughed together, happy to be together again after such a long time.

A/N: Okay, so I have been (and still am) very ill over the past weekend, so I haven't had a chance to update. Unfortunately, that has left me flooded with all sorts of work for the coming week, and guess what. I am away for three weeks after that. So suffice to say, that I will not be able to update anytime soon. I really am sorry, but I am not abandoning this fic, even if I do not return to it in a month or two. Really sorry. So to all my readers, I hope you have a Happy Christmas!