Okay. I'm back. I'm serious. I have a perfectly good excuse: A level exams. I'm not sure what their equivalent is in America or anywhere else, but they're hard here in England. So I am sorry, but I said I wouldn't leave this story unfinished, and I'm sticking by that promise!

R: Aww I hope your view of Arthur improves as you read this story xD

Marmar: Aww thanks! I know right :'(

Luigia: Hope you like Leon's reaction :D There's nothing I can do about the length of my chapters I'm afraid, it's whatever my fingers type :p but thank you thank you for your review xD

Aimee: oh my god I'm so sorry! I wanted desperately to tell you why I couldn't continue (exams) but because you don't have an account, I couldn't PM you! I hope you like this chapter and thanks a million for your review and prompts!

Enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen (Merlin's POV):

Once he was done recounting his tale, (it was becoming a bit like an adventure in a story book) for the second time that day, he was met with a varied response:

Gwen was nodding wisely at everyone, as if she had known this for a long time.

Percival was looking him up and down, as if he still doubted that Merlin could have done all that he said.

Gwaine was grinning at everyone, whispering to various people that apparently he knew that his friend had been odd from the first time they met, and using his skills as a knight, he had found out earlier, much earlier.

Leon's jaw literally dropped to the ground, eyes clouded with anger, doubt, wariness.

Arthur looked like he was actually enjoying everyone's else's reactions, despite himself.

Merlin himself was tired, rubbing his brow wearily. "So that's me."

Leon was the first to act. He lurched forward "Seize him!"

To Merlin's surprise, all other knights jumped to his defence, instinctively forming a line in front of him.

It was Gwaine who spoke. "I don't think so."

Leon swung wildly, facing each of them. "What is the matter? We have a sorcerer in our midst, he should be captured."

Percival smirked. "This is Merlin..."

Leon turned on him "I wouldn't expect you to understand fully Percival, you have not been here as long as I, have not been a knight as experienced as I - "

Percival bristled. "I am a perfect knight actually."

"Oh really? Then you'd follow the rules! He is an outcast, a traitor to Camelot when he first arrived, and how do we know he's telling the truth?"

"Merlin has saved our lives countless of times - "

Arthur's voice penetrated the argument "That's enough. Merlin stays free while we have this problem, end of."

All heads turned to Arthur, who looked as if he could really do with a rest too.

Gwen rubbed his shoulders reassuringly. "The king has spoken, and what he says goes. Now, there is the matter to discuss of Morgana."

Gwaine frowned. "Well it might not be her, we're not certain, but if this Aithusa...creature...hasn't done its job, what are we to do?"

Would this day never end? Merlin lifted his hand. "I'll sort it."

He added in his head as always. But this time, everyone would know it was him.

Gwaine winked at him. "And we will do our best to help you. Even though we do not have your skills."

Merlin smiled gratefully as everyone else nodded, while Leon did not reject this.

Merlin started towards the entrance. "Now I must speak with Gaius immediately. He has known other priestesses of the old religion, he may be able to give me information on their routine. We all know Morgana wants one thing though. The crown of Camelot."

"Which she will not have."

Merlin met Arthur's eyes, standing in the very room where he had first saved his life from sorcerers wanting revenge.

Hopefully this time would be the last.

(Arthur's POV):

Arthur made sure Merlin had left before entering the physician's chambers.

Gaius was sorting his pack out before going about his daily rounds but when he saw Arthur, he strode forward and hugged him.

"I knew you would pull through, Arthur."

"All thanks to Merlin...Please, don't let me stop you from your work."

Gaius patted his back and returned to his remedies, while Arthur remained silent for a few minutes.

"Speak of what is on your mind, sire."

Arthur let a small smile play on his lips "I was just remembering the time when the witchfinder came to Camelot. We all thought he was a fraud, Gaius, but he actually did catch the sorcerer, remember?"

Gaius nodded "Yes, indeed I do. Merlin was foolish back then, did not understand the full extent and danger of his powers."

"But you covered for him...I see it all now. Every time. When Merlin tried to give himself up in exchange for Gwen, I thought he was in love, and you said he was mad. But all he was actually doing was telling the truth, right under our - me and my father's - noses."

Gaius finished packing his items, and walked towards the door. "I understand you have questions Arthur, and I can try my best to answer them, but am I the right person you should be addressing?"

"Everyone tells me to talk to him, I know, but Gaius...I can't - I've been, I mean, I don't know - "

Arthur shut up instantly as Merlin came tumbling through the doorway, dragging along a sack behind him.

"Gaius! Gwen says she needs you because of some sort of headache, and she gave me all this armour to wash and told me to come straight down here, I swear she's turning into Arthur more as each day comes, I mean, is it not enough for him to give them to me?"

"Ah right, you should stay here then" Looking from one young man to the other, Gaius picked up his satchel and hurried out, closing the door behind him.

Arthur was left standing there until Merlin turned back from frowning at the door and noticed he was there.

"Woah Arthur, what are you doing here?!"

"I came here to talk to Gaius. You?"

"Gwen told me to wash all this knight armour. She said it'd be easier to do it here, to you know, use magic... And I live here."

"Right, of course. Um, I should go. Council meetings and that."

"Yeah, sure."

Arthur walked to the door, and wrenched it open. Well, he thought he did. It wouldn't budge.

"Merlin?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did Gaius lock this door?"

"What!" Merlin hurried to the door and tried to life the latch, but it was locked from the outside.

Arthur sighed. "Can you open it?"

Merlin frowned. "No, I just tried, didn't you see?"

"I meant with magic!"

Merlin blinked. "Oh. Uh, no."

Arthur breathed deeply, trying to keep patient. "Why not?"

"I don't know the spell."

"Oh my - Let me get this straight, you can kill people, you can make horses appear out of smoke, but you can't unlock a door."

"Mhm." Merlin shrugged. "Sorry."

Arthur went to Gaius' chair and sat down, instantly spying the sack. "Gwen told you to wash armour?"

"Yeah."

"There's only one problem. The knights are having their practice right now."

Merlin frowned and walked to the sack, untying it. When he looked inside, his eyes widened.

"Arthur, these aren't pieces of armour. They're Gwen's clothes."

"You couldn't tell the difference between the weight of armour, and the weight of dresses?"

"Well I'm sorry, but I don't make a habit of complaining if the load is lighter. Why would she give me dresses?"

"Because she knew I was going to be here."

"So...you want the dresses?"

Arthur stared at Merlin, then rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

"Give me strength."

Please review :) some quality Arthur/Merlin quality time next!

Picture the face Merlin's does when he says "so you want the dresses?" xD You know the one, right?