Chapter 2

Authors note: Hi everyone! Sorry this has taken so long to update! (English coursework, history essays etc, etc ¬.¬) Anyway, I'm gonna start updating way more often, starting now J A HUUUGE thank you to BiggestMerlinFanAlive, BloodredCrimsonhands, and HeroesBonesSNPB for reviewing my very confusing first chapter, and to anyone else who managed to read it! I want to dedicate this chapter to you guys, and to my best friend who will HOPEFULLY try and get through this story ;)

And, I don't own Merlin! Belongs to BBC and other rightful owners! (*sigghh*)!!!

Merlin hadn't uttered a single word since last night, much to Arthur's disgruntlement, other than "Good morning, Sire!" and "Would you like me to muck out your horses today, sire?" This alone was an obvious indication that something was definitely wrong with Merlin. The Merlin he knew wouldn't offer to muck out his horses if it meant Arthur would jump on one foot whilst singing opera. Something Arthur certainly wasn't planning on doing any time soon.

Once Merlin had finished bustling frantically in organising the various papers on Arthur's wooden desk, knocking over even more of Arthur's possessions then he would usually, Arthur had finally had enough.

Dropping the sword he had been examining onto the bed Merlin had previously made, he folded his arms angrily across his chest. "Merlin. Are you going to tell me what's wrong or am I going to have to play guessing games like a small child?" Arthur cocked his head to one side, awaiting an answer.

Merlin stopped shuffling the messy papers and turned to Arthur, his eyes wide. "Nothing, sire. I'm perfectly fine!" Merlin looked at Arthur for about a second longer, not quite meeting his eyes, and then continued aimlessly organising Arthur's messy table. Arthur sighed, sensing that he wasn't going to get anything out of Merlin today. "Then I have no longer have any use for you today. You are dismissed."

Merlin looked up at Arthur in slight shock. "But sire?"
"That will be all Merlin...I suggest you ask Gaius if he has any errands for you. I'll see you tomorrow."
Merlin nodded and left the room.

Arthur slumped into his expensive fur covered chair, questions gnawing at his brain. He could only hope that Gaius would be successful in interrogating his ward, where Arthur had not been.

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Gaius was mid way through examining a small phial, containing a thick, milky coloured substance when the old wooden door creaked open, revealing a rather distracted looking Merlin.
"Merlin?" Gaius put down the phial, raising a well exercised eyebrow. "What are you doing back so soon?" Gaius was used to Merlin blundering in at increasingly late hours. Glancing briefly to the well-lit window, Gaius established that it was barely mid-day.

Merlin looked sheepish.
"Arthur is giving me the afternoon off. He wanted me to ask you if you have any purpose for me."

Gaius took a step forward, ignoring Merlin's question. "Why would he do that?"
Merlin looked down. "He- he seems to think there's something wrong with me."
Gaius took another step forward, concern etched into his wise, kindly face. "Well now you mention it you have been unusually quiet today. Is everything ok? ...Merlin?"
Merlin looked up and gave Gaius one of his trademark smiles. But something was wrong. The smile didn't quite meet his eyes. "You know me Gaius. Of course I'm ok."
Gaius frowned and pulled out a worn wooden chair from under his work bench. "Sit."
Merlin sighed but did so obediently.
Gaius mirrored his actions, pulling up a chair next to him and sitting down slowly. Leaning forwards intently in his seat, looking straight up at Merlin with a deep meaningful stare. "Tell me the truth Merlin."

Merlin tried desperately to tear his gaze away from the physicians but couldn't. A voice in his head was pleading with him to see reason, to tell Gaius, his most trusted confident. But he just couldn't. Could he? He couldn't drag Gaius into this, risk his life too. But Gaius' eyes were so trusting, so loyal. Gaius had never failed him. Never.

"He's back." Merlin choked out for the second time in two days.

Gaius placed a comforting hand on Merlin's shoulder, his gaze still fixed on the warlocks' blue eyes.
"Who is, Merlin?" Gaius' tone was soft, gentle, encouraging.

There was a long pause.
Merlin's eyes were desperate.
After an age, Merlin finally cracked open his lips.

"Edwin."