Merlin has a few words for Arthur. A little of Morgana ( she doesn't like Arthur) and Gwen.

"Now, boy, I expect a punctual, reliable assistant to help me attend to the needs of Camelot. I'm not your Uncle Gaius. He was a good man. You will find my methods different. "Do you understand?"

"What time is my lunch break," Merlin asked innocently.

Aredian stared coldly at Merlin. "King Arthur asked me to retain your services as an assistant. I deferred to my king, boy. Your lunch is not of importance. Do you understand?

Aredian was a tall slender man with a skinny long face. Brown hair dusted with gray. His eyes were cold and lifeless. Crow's feet decorated his eyes. He shook long pointy fingers in Merlin's direction. His clothing was complete black like a raven. A black hat with a wide brim shielded his face. His expression was sullen.

"Sir, I joked. To clear the air. I know my job and you won't have any trouble.

Aredian gave a stiff nodded as he walked away from Merlin . "I have a meeting with King Arthur. Organize the ointments. Cut cloth for bandages. Make a list of current people with illness. Label any loose herbs."

"Yes, Aredian," Merlin replied quickly. "Have a good meeting." Aredian strolled out of the room silently. Merlin signed when the door slammed shut. How am I going to get all of that done? I wish the ointments would jump into the cabinet and the cloth would cut itself. Herbs, hop into those little sacks. I'll write a list.

Merlin heard a clipping sound behind him. Slowly, he turned his dark head; a large pair of shears cut a pile of bandages. Various ointments hooped back into their cabinets. Herbs scooted into little bags. I just thought it and it happened. I didn't say a word. My chores are done. Maybe, Emrys won't be so bad. Coasting, I can do half the work now. Merlin grinned as he grabbed a piece of paper and a quill.

Gwen poured steaming water from a kettle into a waiting silver teapot on Queen Igraine's fine wood table. She eyed the table with hard eyes. Gwen decided to use a sliver bowl of apples as a centerpiece. She placed a sliver tray of cinnamon cookies close to Queen Igraine's chair.

Okay, everything is ready for Queen Igraine tea with Lady Morgana. I have apples for Lady Morgana. She doesn't eat sweet things. Always worrying about maintaining her strength for battle. Queen Igraine's favorite cinnamon cookies. I've done my other chores. After tea, I'll place milady's request for dinner. Then, I can meet Merlin and walk home.

Or should I say Emrys? How did we get into this mess? Arthur will behavior horribly, if he ever finds out about Merlin. Merlin would live in a dungeon. Rats as his only company. Just till summer, then Gaius said we would leave Camelot. Merlin will have nothing to fear outside of Camelot. Gwen's hand rested on an oak chair. Her concerns over Merlin played on her mind.

Gwen didn't hear a lightly rapping at the door. Soft footsteps missed her notice. Gwen's eyes didn't realize that Lady Morgana's beautiful twisted in distaste when she spotted Gwen.

"Gwen, care to share your thoughts?

Gwen removed hands and curtsied quickly to Lady Morgana. Morgana's eyes were as hard as green stone. "No, thoughts, milady. "

"So, you don't have a brain. Always thought you were stupid."

Gwen flinched from Lady Morgana's harsh words. She lowered her eyes. Morgana circled around Gwen. Her pale hands flipped Gwen's loose curls. "Nothing to say. You always have a word for Arthur. Do you enjoy toying with him? Don't answer because I don't want a lie." Morgan shoved Gwen against the table. Gwen's hand gripped the edge of the table for balance. Morgana's angry eyes stared deeply into Gwen's frightened chocolate eyes.

"Stay away from Arthur. He makes our lives miserable because of you. I don't even see why you caught his eye. You're pretty, not beautiful. Your hair is glorious."

"I'm sorry, milady. If, I angered you."

"You just don't get it. Arthur has responsibilities. His focus is on bedding you, not finding Emrys or conquering Albion."

Gwen nodded in agreement. Her hands ached against the hard wood. "I understand."

Morgan smiled sweetly. "No, you don't. You want to play games. He will eat you alive and spit you out. Your fragile heart will break. Then, the residents of Camelot will feel sorry for poor sweet Gwen. You will come between Arthur and his subjects . A few moments of pleasure isn't worth the pain . Have you ever felt pain, Gwen?"

"Yes, milady when my parents died. Gaius' death was painful. Losing Hunith was dreadful."

Morgana chuckled. "No, silly girl, have you ever felt pain from a noble. We give a special type of pain."

"No, milady."

"Well, here's your first lesson."

Morgan grabbed the teapot. Quickly, she poured boiling hot water on Gwen's arm. Gwen screamed in pain. She fell to her knees and clutched her arm. Morgana smirked. "Remember, lovey, Arthur's going to burn you. Get ready for the pain." Tears streamed down Gwen's face. Her mouth trembled in fear.

"Milady, may I go see the court physician?"

"Oh, go run to Merlin. However, he can't save you."

"Thank you."

Hurriedly, Gwen left Queen Igraine's' chamber. She ran swiftly towards the physician's apartment. Tears blinded her vision.

Arthur listened to Aredian drone on about medical practices. Emrys roamed around Albion. He needed to organize search parties. Hire new genealogist. He was stuck with a rambling court physician. At least Gaius didn't make demands. This one had ambition. Arthur notice Aredian assessing the luxurious decorations of the Council Room. Aredian's eyes memorized each precious item.

"Sire, please join me in my apartment, I would like to inform you on my new policies."

Arthur frowned. "Of course, Aredian."

Merlin was startled by Gwen's tear stained face. She clutched her right arm. Her mouth mumbled a few quiet words. Merlin gently scooped Gwen into his arms. She rested her dark head on his bony shoulder. Merlin lowered her to a chair. His nimble fingers touched the wet sleeve of Gwen's dress. Gwen whimpered in pain. Merlin ripped her sleeve. A large red area covered her small brown arm.

"What happened, Gwen?"

Gwen looked away.

"What burnt you? Or, who burned you"

Arthur and Aredian open the door to spy Merlin's large hand resting on Gwen's face. Arthur's sapphire eyes grew hard. He frowned . Aredian brushed past Arthur, "Merlin, I don't pay you to play with your girlfriend."

Merlin gnashed his jaw. His icy blue eyes shot Aredian an angry look. "She's not my girlfriend. Gwen's hurt."

Arthur walked towards Gwen. He quckly scanned Gwen for injuries.

"Aredian, she has a large burn on her arm. See to it," Arthur commanded.

Aredian looked a little shocked at Arthur's harsh tone over a mere servant. "Sire, she's a servant. She can wait."

Arthur crossed his arms. " Gwen is my mother' maidservant. She needs help. Treat her arm."

Aredian frowned. He walked over to Gwen. "What did you do to your arm?"

Gwen shook her head.

"Sire, I can't treat her if she doesn't answer me."

Arthur signed in annoyance. He slowly returned to Gwen's chair. He shoved Merlin out of the way. Gently, he cupped Gwen's chin in his hand. He force Gwen to look into his eyes. Arthur noticed her eyes were red and swollen. Gwen had sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. His hand felt warm on Gwen's face.

"Guinevere, what happened to your arm? Answer me."

"I spilt water on my arm," Gwen whispered softly.

Merlin looked at Gwen in disbelief. Gwen was right handed.

"That's impossible, Gwen. You use your right hand," Merlin rebuked sadly.

Gwen gave Merlin a tear filled look. Her eyes begged him to stop.

"Guinevere, "Arthur began softly," Who hurt your arm? Don't be afraid. No harm will come to you."

Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur. "Sire, she knows that's a lie."

Arthur removed his hand from Gwen face. He moved to stand in front of Merlin. His handsome face twisted with anger. "Did you call me a liar, Merlin?'," Arthur spat. His arm crossed over his broad muscular chest.

Merlin expelled a deep breath."Well, sire, Nobles are allowed to abuse and hit servants in your kingdom. Your mother didn't do it. Another servant would never burn Gwen. So, one of your nobles did something to her arm."

Arthur reflected a moment. "You're wrong, Merlin."

"No, I'm not. Your father wrote the law when you were away. Gaius spent hours tending to servants' wounds. How your people have suffered at the hands of your nobles?"

"None of the nobles would dare touch her."

"Well, Gwen has a burn on her arm. Maybe, your protection isn't that vast. What about all of the other servants? If you can't protect the object of your affecti… no, desires. How can you protect the people of Camelot?

Arthur stood silently. Merlin's word affected him deeply. Arthur had no idea how difficult life was for Camelot's servants. He felt embarrassed that nobles in his kingdom would abuse their servants. It must have been a foolish noble to harm Gwen. They didn't expect him to visit Aredian's chamber. They knew Gwen would not tell him of her hurt arm. Her eyes swept over Gwen's trembling body. "Treat her arm, Aredian."

Aredian quickly applied ointment to Gwen's arm. He wrapped a clean bandage over her tiny brown arm. Gwen mumbled thank you. Merlin stood protectively over Gwen. Arthur rested an elegant hand across his face. "Merlin , take Gwen home and stay with her. Arthur gave Aredian an icy look. "Gwen, stayed home until your arm is better. I'll inform my mother."

Arthur found Geoffrey fiddling over large books in the Library. Geoffrey hummed and giggled . His fingers gently turn delicate pages. Books archiving historical event in Albion. Legends of great warriors. Myths of beautiful women called to him.

"Geoffrey?"

Geoffrey jumped as King Arthur's deep masculine voice invaded his serene world. The king never asked him any questions. Or paid him any visits to the library. At least, he isn't brutal like his father.

"Yes, sire."

Arthur leaned against the door way. His blue outer coat contrasted with the deep red drapes. His lips twisted in his handsome face. "Are Camelot's nobles allowed to beat their servants?"

Geoffrey swallowed. His hands folded in front of his pudgy stomach. "Yes, sire."

Arthur threw his hands into the air. "Who created such a monstrous law?"

"Your father, King Uther," Geoffrey stated weakly.

Arthur drew in a deep breath. "Rescind the law. It is now illegal to beat your servants. Do I know nothing of Camelot?"

Geoffrey decided not to answer young King Arthur. His father was a harsh man. With strict rules, and degrading painful punishments for Camelot's servants.

"You're learning, Sire."

Gwen stared at her simple dinner of vegetable soup. Her arm ached dreadfully. Merlin paced around their small dining area. "Why don't we just leave now?"

"It's winter ,Merlin. Too harsh to wander into dark dangerous woods."

"Who hurt your arm?'

Gwen gulped nervously. She brushed away a lone tear with her left hand. "Merlin…"

"Tell me," Merlin commanded. You never keep anything from me, Gwen. I accept you lying about Arthur. I would be embarrassed to have feelings for him, too. However, you will tell me what happened to your arm. Gwen turned to face her friend. She was surprised by the authority in his voice. "I'm waiting."

"Lady Morgana"

Merlin stood in shock. Arthur's adoptive sister. One of his loyal knights. Defied his orders regarding Gwen. "Interesting."

"She said that I make the knights' lives miserable by teasing the king. Maybe, she's right. I'll stay away from him. He shouldn't be near us."

"No, you can't avoid him. He will pursue you, even more. Just be careful. Avoid the Lady Morgana. She's cruel."

Merlin dropped on his knees in front of Gwen. Gently, he placed his palm on her injured arm. Gwen's sad eyes looked away from him. "I wish that I could take away your pain. I wish I could heal your arm. You have to be careful in the castle." Gwen face twisted in confusion. Her chocolate brown eyes fluttered around. Her fingers twitched.

"Merlin, the pain is gone."

Merlin eyes grew wide in shock. His fingers unwrapped the heavy cloth from Gwen's arm. Her brown arm was blemished free. Gwen grimaced. "Oh, Merlin."

Merlin rolled onto his side. "Gwen, today, ointments walked into a shelf. Cloth turned into bandages. What's going on?"

Gwen moved next to him. Her delicate brown fingers stroked his dark head. " Magic. Your powers are free. You must be careful, Merlin. You must try to control your thoughts, especially at the castle."

"What are we going to do?"

"You must study the book in the trunk. Every night, you must learn to control your magic.

"So, I'm back in school."

"Yes, Merlin. Thanks for healing my arm."

"Anytime. Stay away from Lady Morgana."

"Stay away from Arthur."

"Pot don't lecture the kettle."

Arthur noticed his mother' s beautiful face wrinkled with concern. Her fork traced a path around her green beans. Igraine had barely spoken to Arthur or Morgana during dinner. Morgana ate quietly. She sat sipping a goblet of rich wine.

"Mother, Gwen will be fine eat your dinner. I commanded it as your king."

Igraine smiled faintly. "My son ,the king giving me orders?"

"Yes, I need to take any interests in the residents of Camelot?"

"Somebody, besides, Gwen," Morgan asked sharply. Arthur leaned back in the chair to assess his sister. He noticed a faint anger hidden in her eyes.

"Well, Morgana, I made a few changes today for all of the residents of Camelot. Nobles are no longer allowed to physically abuse their servants in Camelot," Arthur replied softly. Arthur noticed a slight twitch on Morgana's face.

Igraine smiled proudly at her son. "Arthur, what a wonderful change. I begged your father to protect the servants of Camelot. He refused. He wanted to locate Emrys and conquer Albion. Hail the Pendragons."

Arthur drank a small sip of wine. Morgana's trembling hands brought a green bean to her crimson mouth. "Yes, I saw Gwen in Aredian's chamber. Her arm was a deep red. A serious burn."

Igraine frowned as tears shimmered in her blue eyes. "Gwen is like a second daughter to me after Morgana. I always wanted more children. I can't bear the thought of her being in pain. I shouldn't have left her. Fortunately, Morgana was here."

Morgana swallowed nervously as she felt Arthur's probing eyes on her face. "Yes, she attempted to fill the teapot for lunch. She refused to let me help her. She's such a good worker," Morgana lied.

Arthur leaned forward. He caught Morgana's green eyes. He smiled brightly. "Yes, I would hate for Gwen to have another accident. It would be a dreadful time for all involved, especially mother."

Morgan bobbed her dark hair.

Merlin sat at the table. A few candles illuminated the room. He could hear Gwen's breathing as she slept in a dark corner. He hands turned a few pages of the magical book. His mind began to memorize the pages. He recited the unknown words deep into the night.

Arthur stood quietly staring at Camelot. He knew nothing of his people. In pursuit of Emrys and domination of Albion, he spent years away from Camelot. He rarely celebrated holidays at home. He was a king of a familiar and unfamiliar land. He was supposed to conquer Albion. He could barely rule Camelot. A rap at his chamber door broke his thoughts.

"Enter."

Lancelot sauntered into Arthur's chamber. He slammed Arthur's door with a bang. His tunic was rumpled. His face flushed.

"Lancelot, I asked for you hours ago."

Lancelot smiled seductively. "I had a dinner date." Arthur knew what Lancelot was served.

Arthur walked towards his trusted friend. He sat on the edge of his table. "I'm concerned about Morgana."

Lancelot fixed his red tunic. "Really. She was on point during our last battle. She's searching for Emrys."

Arthur frowned. "I think she.. No, she poured a pot of boiling water on Gwen's arm. Lancelot's face crumpled in shock. "No, Morgana knows the unspoken law about Gwen."

Arthur crossed his bare feet. "I don't think she cares. Gwen wouldn't say what happened to her arm. Merlin screamed about nobles abusing servants. Did you know that was a law? Lancelot nodded.

"Well, the law was repealed. Nobles are no longer allowed to touch their servants. Nobles will receive a penalty for abusing anyone.

"Because of Gwen?"

"No, it's the right thing to do."

Lancelot looked deeply at his friend. "Are you sure you don't carry feelings for Gwen?"

"No, she's a servant. She's intriguing. She sassy. I want her."

"The idea of her being burnt and in pain, doesn't bother you?'

"No," Arthur said nonchalantly.

Lancelot realized Arthur cared Gwen. Pray to the gods, hopefully, Arthur would never realize that he's in love with Gwen. Arthur played with his own heart. Young inexperienced girls weren't Lancelot's preference. They are too fragile. "Well, my old friend. I'll watch Gwen and Morgana for you."

Arthur frowned. "Just watch ,Morgana."

Lancelot smiled. "Of course."

"Gwen's protection is my concern. Not yours, Lancelot. Not Merlin's. So, any news of Emrys? Has our scouting parting returned from Alined's lands."