Who can resist those bambi eyes?

Merlin's say started just after a few hours' nap. Gaius forced him to drink disgusting medicine what Merlin was perhaps ever tasted. Hunith had made a delicious breakfast that Merlin was not able to eat. Andrew and Ywain, which had already become friends, rushed in talking excitedly about the tournament and they destroyed the meal in an instant. Aeron appeared in a short time later, examined Merlin and began to speak with Gaius. Eventually, they moved to develop more disgusting beverages. At this stage, Merlin slipped out of the door.

Using the magic he saw quite well. He felt bad, but not so bad that it would be left to lie down in bed. He was headed towards Arthur's study, opened the door and saw George cleaning the mess which the King had deigned to leave behind.

"My Lord!" George cried out with surprise and Merlin grinned. "Morning George. What have I said to you?"

George stiffened and looked injured. "My L. .. Merlin." Merlin saw that George was hard to pronounce his name familiarly. "You are no longer a servant. I could not possibly ..."

"Yes you can. You just did that." Merlin sat down behind the Arthur's desk and quickly looked over the schedule of day and already arrived messages.

"Is he still asleep?" Merlin asked, and George closed his eyes for a moment.

"I believe sir. The Queen said that he should rest ..."

"Is Gwen already on the move? She does not seem to get rid of old habits. Good, it makes this easy." Merlin stood up and took with him the most important papers.

"My Lord!" George exclaimed, but Merlin was already out. He walked past the guards around the corner, saw the kitchen boy bringing the breakfast took the tray, examined it, and gave more than half of the food back, leaving only an apple, water, bread and cheese.

"Bon appetite." Merlin wished the boy, who grinned and ran away. Merlin sailed in the King's bedroom.

"Good morning sunny." He set the tray beside the bed, and rushed to open the curtains. In the bed he heard the familiar scowl and Arthur was trying to dig deeper into the bedding. Merlin pulled the blanket off coldly.

"Merlin!" Arthur snapped. "Tournaments not continue until the afternoon today."

"I know, but you have other things to be treated today. I put the list and the messages on the table." Merlin answered overly exited.

"What a hell is this breakfast?" Arthur murmured.

"You gain weight if you eat too much. I guess I have to speak at the matter with Gwen so she put George under control."

"Merlin!"

"Oh, and Tristan decided to participate in today's competition."

"Isn't Gwaine also competing today?"

"Yes. It will be interesting don't you think?" Merlin grinned and Arthur grabbed an apple when he finally got up and walked to check the messages. Merlin searched the wardrobe and found suitable clothes. When he helped Arthur they discuss possible new knights. They agreed that Ywain and Tristan were top on the list. Merlin was really hard to say anything about the others, but Arthur has appeared to have clear opinions his own.

"The council meeting is at midday. We see then." Merlin was about to leave, but Arthur tried to stop him.

"Merlin, we have to speak about your…"

"Later." Merlin slammed the door shut. He wasn't ready to discuss about his future. Not before Arthur would know everything.

"Merlin, what are you doing?"

"Gwen!" Merlin startled.

"Are you alright?"

"Absolutely fine."

"You don't seem fine. Maybe I…"

"No need. I have to go see the queen. I mean Annis, not you, not that I don't want see you…"

Gwen sighed when she watched how Merlin tried to avoid her.

"Please, Merlin, just, don't do anything stupid, really."

"Me? Doing something stupid?" Merlin smiled when he disappeared around the corner. "Stupid indeed." He muttered when he was alone finally. Now he headed other side of the castle and found his way to Annis. When he knocked on the door he realized that hadn't really spoken with his grandmother and felt nervous. The maid opened the door and her eyes went bigger when she saw Merlin and blushed.

"Can I see…?" Merlin started to ask when he heard Annis' voice.

"Come in Merlin."

Merlin entered the room and watched the older lady. "Glad that you finally came. Maryssa, you can go now."

"My lady." Maryssa retreated with hurry, still blushing.

"Does she know?" Merlin asked when the door shut.

"Yes, every one of my servants knows. But they keep their mouth. Lady Maryssa is actually your little cousin. Sit, you look like you are going to faint."

Merlin couldn't but do as she said.

"My queen…"

"To you Merlin, I'm just Annis. You to know, you are my oldest grandchild." Annis walked over to him and smiled gently. "You know." Annis sat down beside of him. "When I first time met you, back then when you followed Arthur. I was amazed. You looked so much of Owain. But I never though that you could be Hunith's son. I didn't know about you."

Merlin relaxed. "It's so odd, to think that I really have family. I never knew about my family so I never though about it. It was just me and mother. And because of my magic, it was lonely life. And now, it all is chancing."

Annis' hand gently touched Merlin's cheek.

"You two, your mother and you, are so much like Owain. Your kindness, your strength to face the world. I can't imagine how much you have suffered over these years. I know that you have built your life and home, your family is in here, Camelot, but, if you ever need anything, just remember, you have also me and my sons."

Merlin was out of words.

"About your mother, I'm trying to convince her to come with us, only for a while. The situation here will evolve a lot, and you're in the middle of it all. It may perhaps be a good to Hunith that she would be somewhere where she's safe."

"Safe?"

"I know you have enemies. And you don't know how Arthur is finally going to react." Annis reminded him.

"That may be true. I speak with her." Merlin admitted. Annis nodded. "Good. Now, can you eat anything? And what happened last night? I have only heard some rumours."

So Merlin stayed with Annis until was time to join the meeting. When he came out of his grandmother's chambers, Percival was waiting him.

"I do not know what is going on, but first Tristan asked me to keep an eye on you. Then Gwaine. Then I came across with Arthur and Guinevere. What have you done? I understood that you have a lot to do with the Druids and you get yourself sick, but what is going on?" Percival was curious and started to follow Merlin. Merlin thought. "When the meeting is over, I'll show you." He finally decided, and Percival nodded and stopped to wait at outside when Merlin, as usual, came last and late in the meeting.

Merlin was actually surprised at how well the chance of law was taken. The oldest members had already been living in a time when magic was free. Only the youngest were sceptical because of under the fear none of them had been involved with magic. They mainly discussed the threat of Morgana and Merlin had to tell the modified story from the night.

The decision ultimately was to give the Druids opportunity to prove that they were worthy of trust. When the meeting was over, Merlin wouldn't have wanted to rise from his chair, but he forced himself up and out before Arthur had time to say anything. It was time for Percival to tell the truth.