Al-righty then. Here's the next chapter. Plus, I'm really sorry but, due to the fact that the University has decided to give those on our course almost non-stop lectures on a Monday between 9 and 6, and because I have a society meeting straight after that, there is no way on earth I will be able to get the next chapter up tomorrow. Also, with work to do for Tuesday's lab session, I may not even be able to get it written by then. :'( I promise to try my hardest, but it may be that I won't be able to get it to you until Wednesday... (See- I have reasons. Please don't kill me!)

Anyway, this chapter is a little bit longer to try and make up for it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 16

As they made their way through the castle, both boys still shrouded in the golden mist, Merlin spent most of the time deep in thought. He was trying to communicate with his magic, but it was harder than usual. With a large portion of it outside of his body, it was similar to hearing only snatches of a conversation, where you are unable to make out all that the other party is saying. It disturbed him. He hadn't exactly had perfect control over his magic when he was young, but it had never done anything like this before. It was as though it was only acting out of the desires he had felt at the moment the flames were about to begin tearing at him- the simple desire to survive. It scared him. The young warlock had never heard of a case where magic acted in such a way. And what was that strange tattoo Arthur had shown him? None of this made sense.

He cast a surreptitious glance at Arthur's left arm, although the Prince had already pulled the sleeve back down. Well, he tried to be surreptitious. He knew he hadn't quite succeeded in that respect, due to the self-conscious tug Arthur gave the sleeve in question. From what he remembered, the tattoo had been in the shape of a Dragon. Surely that had to mean something?

For now, though, he had absolutely no clue about anything which was happening. Still, he had seen that Gaius was following somewhere behind. Maybe the old Physician would be able to offer some form of explanation?

The young warlock was jolted out of his thoughts by a sharp prod from Arthur. He was about to protest when he noticed that, sometime during his musings, they had reached their destination. Just through those doors, the entire court would be waiting for them once more. Hopefully, though, this would go a bit better than last time. He'd never liked executions anyway. He didn't really fancy the idea of going to his own. Again.

Uther's voice echoed out just seconds after they had passed through the doors.

"So this was your plan all along, sorcerer? You didn't object yesterday because you were planning to escape?"

"Father," started Arthur, "if you stopped for a moment, you would realise the absurdity of that accusation. Firstly, if that were true then it is also true that Merlin could have escaped at any point throughout the night- there would be no need to wait until he was standing on a lit Pyre. And secondly, if he were trying to escape, then he is the worst escapee in history. Because what would make him decide to escape only to purposefully come back here anyway?" There was a shocked silence throughout the room. The logic in those words was painfully clear. Even the King could not deny it. "Merlin did not intend to escape today, father. He was fully intending to die. It was his magic which saved him. He had no part in this."

It didn't take long for Uther to round on Merlin.

"What is he talking about? Explain."

Merlin made sure to give a small bow of the head before replying. It was probably wise not to anger the King any more than he already had. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his nerves. No matter what, he would not allow his voice to shake.

"I myself am not sure what happened, sire. My magic has always been a part of me- it is instinctual. I think it is acting this way to protect me."

"So you are trying to say that your magic acted of it's own will?"

"In a way."

A satisfied glint came into Uther's eye. "Then that is proof of what I have been saying all along. It was your magic which attacked those guards- this proves that magic is dangerous. Evil."

"No, sire. It does not prove any such thing."

The King's voice took on a steely edge as he replied. "Ridiculous. Of course it does. Why else would it attack those men?"

"Through a desire to protect me, sire." Merlin gestured to the cloud of magic. "From what I understand so far, it seems as though this mist serves the purpose of knocking unconscious any who come near who intend me harm. If someone attacked you, you would not hesitate to kill them in defence. And yet you are not evil. In that case, how does what my magic is doing make it evil? All it did what render those men unconscious- they are, I believe, otherwise unharmed."

"Then you must have ordered it to do so. I have never before heard of a person's magic acting independently."

Merlin had no idea how to react to that. What was he supposed to say? 'Oh, I'm a special case'? Most people had a notorious habit of underestimating him. It was a side-effect of his unassuming personality and gangly appearance. Even after the events of yesterday, he doubted anyone would believe how powerful he could be. Even he wasn't sure how powerful he was. And this was as new an experience to him as to everyone else. How could he be expected to explain what was going on?

Fortunately, he was saved from trying to explain by a cough from somewhere behind him- someone trying to draw the peoples' attention. Turning towards the source of the noise, Merlin was both relieved and grateful to see Gaius stepping forward and giving a small bow to the King.

"Gaius," said Uther. "I trust you have a reason for this interruption."

"I do sire."

"Then you may speak."

As the Physician walked forward a few paces, it was obvious that many people in the room were eager to hear what he had to say, Arthur and Merlin included. The old man had shown innumerable times in the past that he was capable of finding explanations where few others could. And that he was usually correct in his judgement.

"Thank you. I spoke to you last night, sire, about the possibility of Merlin being 'Emrys', a being mentioned in the prophesies of the druids."

The two young friends shared a startled glance. So Uther already knew about the prophesy? And still he had been about to have Merlin killed? Was he really so blinded when it came to magic that he would ignore such a thing?

"Gaius, you have no proof of such a thing. And I believe I told you last night that such superstitions hold no meaning in my Kingdom."

"Nevertheless sire, I believe it may be that this could offer some explanation as to why Merlin's magic is behaving in such a manner."

The King leaned back in his throne, and Merlin could have sworn he saw the beginnings of an eye-roll. Maybe that was where Arthur had picked up the habit.

"Very well then, you may continue."

"Thank you sire." Gaius took another few steps forward, so that he was now standing in front of the two boys. There were obvious reactions to the fact that he had passed through Merlin's mist unharmed, but no-one commented. "As I told you sire, 'Emrys' is the man foretold to become the greatest magic-user of all time. A man who would be as much a part of magic as magic would be a part of him. The events of today serve only to deepen my suspicions that Merlin is Emrys. For if he is a part of magic, it is understandable that his magic would protect him. If, as I believe Arthur was heard to say yesterday, Merlin has been able to use it instinctively since his birth, then as a life-long companion it would be reasonable to assume that his magic would not want to see him die. For while this is a phenomenon which has not been seen before, it is understandable if he is Emrys. For one with the destiny to guide and protect the Once and Future King in his path to the throne, perhaps the old religion sees him as too important. Perhaps it will not allow his death."

It was, thought Merlin, a feasible explanation. But still he was unsure of one thing. Normally, he would never bring it up, considering the King's temper. But this was not a normal situation. Besides, his magic would not allow him to die, or apparently to even be harmed, so maybe this would be the best time to address the issue at hand.

"Gaius?"

The old man turned towards him, along with everyone else in the room. Merlin almost cringed- he really wasn't sure he liked having this much attention on him. In fact, he would almost prefer to muck out Arthur's stables.

"I understand about my magic protecting me. I can guess as much from talking to it- although I'm not completely sure about why it's doing it in such a manner, but there is something else."

"What is it?"

"Well, for some reason, it gave Arthur some kind of tattoo. Is there any reason for this that you can see?"

This seemed to be a bit much for Uther to take. He rose to his feet, furious.

"What is this? Do you mean to curse my son?"

"No, I-"

"Father, calm down."

Shocked eyes around the room were now on Arthur as the young Prince stepped forward. "Merlin has just said that he doesn't know why it happened. And, I admit, I myself am interested in finding out. Gaius?" He walked toward the Physician, pulling up his sleeve and extending his arm as he went. "Do you know what this means?"

Glancing worriedly at his ward, Gaius bent over slightly, examining the tattoo as closely as he could. After a few minutes (during which most people hardly dared to breath) he straightened up again.

"I cannot say for sure what it is, as once again I had never seen or even heard of such a thing happening, but judging by the words- at least, the ones I can make out- it seems to be some form of protection."

"Protection?"

Gaius turned to face Uther. "Yes my lord. I cannot pretend to fathom exactly what is said, but there seems to be some form of protective spell woven into the Dragon's scales."

Merlin could hardly believe it. To think that his magic had done something so complex, purely on instinct. Plus, if even Gaius could not figure out the extent of protection the tattoo offered, it must be quite a complicated spell. Part of him yearned to study the tattoo- to try and figure out what mysteries the spell held. Maybe it even held some clues for him to work out more about the nature of his magic- it had always been his friend, but there were many things he had yet to learn about it. Things which, considering his destiny as Emrys, he sincerely doubted he would ever find from studying books.

However, that hope was rapidly quashed by a single look at the King's face. He was glaring at Merlin with more fury than the young warlock (or, indeed, Arthur) had ever seen before.

"You dare to mark my son, the Crowned Prince of Camelot, with your magic? Remove it at once."

Merlin quailed slightly, but answered anyway. "I do not know how, my lord. I don't understand how it happened, and until I have my magic fully under control again I doubt I will be able to understand. As such, I cannot remove it."

"Besides," quipped in Arthur, "I see no reason for him to try. You heard Gaius- it is some kind of protection. Surely the fact that he did such a thing subconsciously shows that his true allegiance to Camelot runs deeper than even I realised."

"I do not know why he has done such a thing, Arthur, but as King I cannot allow magic to rear it's ugly head in my land unpunished. I will not see this kingdom fall back into darkness- it took far too long to create the peace we now have. The only way I see to destroy the mark he has put on you is through his death. But, as it seems I cannot kill him, then I will have to take the next best step."

Uther raised his voice, making sure that every word could be heard around the room.

"The sorcerer is too dangerous to allow to roam free. In light of this fact, I, Uther Pendragon, decree that he is to be imprisoned in the deepest of Camelot's dungeons. Never to be released."

*Runs away to escape flying machetes, pitchforks and flaming torches. Not to mention the volleys of arrows.* EEEP!