AN: Hello! It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry. Been very busy. And also there's a bit of writer's block. But, I'm hoping after this chapter, things will be getting going very soon. This chapter is very short. But I promise, I'll make the next chapter a lot longer to make up for it!

Many weeks passed and Merlin did his best to avoid Arthur, and his father. He couldn't imagine what would happen if Arthur remembered him. He wondered if Uther would remember him though. He had watched Merlin grow for years before they left. Then again, Merlin had changed a lot while he was gone.

Merlin would help Gaius out with his deliveries and herb collecting. Every once in a while he'd bump into Gwen along the way and would have a small chat with her.

On one particular day, Merlin was walking through the market as usual gathering some supplies that Gaius had requested.

He was almost done but when he spotted a blond head in the crowd of people. He quickly turned and walked in the other direction,only to be stopped when a hand slapped his shoulder and pulled him back.

"Hello." Arthur greeted cheerfully.

"Sire." Merlin replied politely and kept his head down.

"So now you're being polite? What happened to the cheeky idiot I met weeks ago?" Merlin's eyes were focused on the ground.

"I-I'm sorry, Sire. I-"

"Are you sure we haven't met before? You look very familiar."

"N-no, my lord." Merlin lied.

Arthur didn't say anything for a long second. He stared at Merlin, but couldn't put his finger on it.

"What is your name?" He asked.

"Uh-" Merlin panicked. "Will." He said the first name he could think of.

"Will." Arthur said raising his eyebrow. It doesn't fit, he thought. He doesn't look like a 'Will'. Without saying another word, Arthur nodded, and left.

Merlin let out a shaky breath he didn't even know he was holding. He raced back to Gaius's chambers before he could get into more trouble.

0000

Merlin continued to avoid Arthur the best he could. It was a bit difficult as it seemed that Arthur was always looking for Merlin. Each time he found him, he would poke fun at him.

The warlock spent most of his days in his room, where he wouldn't be found by anyone but Gaius.

Merlin was on his bed reading a book he found in one of the mass stacks in Gaius's chambers. "Merlin?" Gaius said from outside his room. Gaius slowly walked into his room holding something wrapped in cloth.

"Did your father ever teach you?"

"Teach me what?" Merlin said as he put the book on his night stand.

"Magic."

Merlin shook his head. "My mother and father thought it was too dangerous for me to learn. Even though we were outside of Camelot, it was still looked down upon. And in the little village I lived in, things spread around quickly."

"So, you've never learned any spells?"

"No. Only the ones my father taught me when I was younger."

"But you still used magic."
Merlin shrugged.

"I don't really say anything. Sometimes it just happens."

Gaius took a deep breath. "I don't want you to do anything 'accidentally' with that magic of yours. Here." Gaius handed him the object wrapped in cloth. "This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me."

At first, Merlin didn't understand. He opened it and flipped through the pages. Gaius smiled as he watched his nephew's eyes widen when he realized what the book was.

"But this is a book of magic."

"Which is why you must keep it hidden."

"I will study every word." Merlin's smile widened. "Thank you, Gaius."

AN: Like I said, very short. I apologize again! I'll make it up to you guys! :)