It seems like it has taken me half my life to write this chapter, I apologise!

Thank you for all the kind comments though, I appreciate them :)

Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen (Arthur's POV):

Arthur woke with a pain in his heart but a clear head.

He was only doing what he'd been forced to do, and somehow, that made him feel better. To know that he had no more control over this, as he didn't have over, let's say, nature.

Morgana had made her choice, and he was making his.

Rising from his bed, he walked to the weapons room where he found Merlin pacing up and down.

"Merlin, stop that. You're making me nervous."

Merlin glanced at him and immediately went to the armour that was lying ready on the table. "Sorry, it's just – "

"This will work, Merlin. Have some faith."

Merlin picked up the armour and placed it carefully over Arthur's head, securing the straps. "It's not about the plan. It's Gaius…He didn't come home last night. I'm worried. Mother says there's nothing to – "

Arthur's head shot up, almost colliding with Merlin's. "Hunith's here?"

Merlin pulled back in time, eyes widening slightly. "Yes…is that a problem?"

"N – No…Where's she going to be when all this goes down? We don't want her getting caught in the middle of this, worried for you."

"She won't, don't worry. She's got firm instructions to stay in my room. That's far away from the Throne Room, so there's no reason for her to get hurt."

While Merlin finished buckling the various pieces of weaponry on him, Arthur stared out the window pensively.

So Hunith was in the kingdom… All of a sudden he felt cautious, as if she was stranger, even though he had fought for her and her village, and she had lent a helping hand whenever she could. But back then he hadn't known that this woman had married a dragonlord and raised a sorcerer.

Before, she could have been put on trial, for associating with a criminal and harbouring a sorcerer in her household, all of which would more than likely have led to execution.

But now, all Arthur felt for her was a sense of awe, for having the strength and courage to bring up a sorcerer in secret all by herself.

"You're done. Are you ready?"

Arthur looked down at himself, wearing the armour and weapons of a king, and thought about what was going to happen.

"I'm ready."

(Merlin's POV):

As soon as Arthur went up to the Throne Room, Merlin ran to the physician's chambers, but as soon as he opened the door, his smile dropped upon seeing no Gaius.

Where could he be?! He didn't even know the plan!

He refused to believe that Gaius would leave of his own accord.

"Merlin? Why aren't you getting ready?"

Merlin snapped out of his thoughts and moved towards his mother's voice, in his room.

"Mother, I – "

"No! Don't come into the room." She barked.

Merlin stepped back at the harsh tone of her voice. "Mother?"

"Just a minute dear, I'm in a tangle – ah don't worry, right – "

Merlin stood outside the door about to ask her if she needed help with whatever it was she was doing, when it opened and his mother came towards him slowly, hastily putting on her head scarf and patting it in place.

"Are you still going through with the plan?"

"Err yes, yes."

"Sweetheart…why aren't you at the throne room?"

"I…It's Gaius, mother, he hasn't been around for twenty four hours, and I know you say there's nothing to worry about, but I think – "

"You need to find him."

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes dear. It's important you rescue him."

Merlin frowned "From what? Is he in trouble?"

"Oh – I don't – He most probably is. Why else is he not here?"

Merlin's face dropped "I don't know. But what about Morgana? I need to be with Arthur in the Throne Room, he'll be wondering where I am!"

Hunith reach forward and pushed Merlin lightly towards the door. "Don't worry, I'll explain to Arthur right away, he'll know to wait for you. Morgana hasn't been sighted recently, so there's no big rush."

Merlin let himself be guided to the door but was still uncertain. "Ah I don't know. I'm worried for Gaius but what if I'm late? I can't do that to Arthur and the kingdom. Those magicians are relying on me you know. They need me."

"Yes of course Merlin, but are you willing to risk dear Gaius' life?" There was a hint of urgency in Hunith's voice and face.

"I'm sorry Mother, I didn't mean it to sound like I'm willing for him to die. Of course I'm not. You're sure you'll go to Arthur?"

"Right this minute. Now go."

Merlin walked out into the passageway and found that he could either go left, to the Throne Room, or right, to the outside of the castle, where he could begin his search.

He could feel magic play at the back of his mind, strong magic, and a hint of Gaius' mentality (an imprint that all humans can make on others with a magical mind, and experience). He could also feel his mother's mentality, but that was because she was right next to him. He made his decision and ran to the right.

He called over his shoulder "Don't worry I'll be back in time, I promise!"

He just knew Gaius was in trouble, and he couldn't leave him. His friend, his warden, his father.

(Arthur's POV):

"Arthur". Arthur twisted his head, tense, to focus on the voice that was whispering his name. "Arthur."

"Who is it?" he hissed.

Gwaine poked his head round the doorway of the Throne Room. "I can't find Merlin anywhere."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?!"

Gwaine stepped out fully and shrugged. "I don't know where he could be. I searched his chambers, empty. I went to the tavern, empty, save for the few drunkards drinking their life away. I was tempted to join them, I admit, but I needed to focus on the task at hand, even though we knights won't be needed 'til later, but that's no trouble the landlord said, he said – "

"Right Gwaine, I get it. But without Merlin, these sorcerers who have come forward to take part in this battle can't be concealed. And Morgana will know instantly that this is a trap."

Gwaine saluted his king, with nothing left to say, and was about to go to where the knights were hidden (in the store room down the hall from the Throne Room) when Arthur stopped him.

"Hunith's not in the chambers?"

"Who?"

"Merlin's mother, Hunith, remember? She came from Ealdor, and had strict instructions to remain in his room. She wasn't there?"

"No… mind you, it was the last place I checked, about fifteen minutes ago, so maybe she's there now?"

"If you searched those chambers fifteen minutes ago, why are you only here now? It takes about five minutes to get here from there."

"Well, I…umm…you know, the tavern was the last last place…"

"And you thought you'd sneak in some ale, right?"

"Well, I – "

Arthur walked forward and clapped a tense Gwaine on the back. "Good man. You don't know how this job will end. It's good to enjoy things while they last."

Gwaine relaxed, but grabbed Arthur's forearm in a gesture of companionship.

"I do know how this job will end. With you victorious. And that evil bitch dead. And Merlin drunk. Now that will be a sight to see."

Gwaine wondered off, while Arthur remained in the room. He was still tense, wondering where his wayward magician had gotten off to, but a smirk played on his lips while he imagined his friend drunk. A sight he had never seen, but which was frequent according to his physician.

"Now that will be a sight to see." He murmured.

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