Chapter 2 Not that bright."Merlin, Merlin."

Merlin was awoken by a voice he had never heard before. Merlin sat up and stared at his pillow like it was a demon. The door to his chambers swung open. Gaius stood in the door

"Good morning. I got you water you didn't wash last night."

Gaius said. Merlin's cheeks flushed."Sorry." Merlin said looking down at his hands.

"Well breakfast is in the main chambers. Get changed and come down to eat." Gaius said before turning to leave.

"Thank you Gaius." Merlin called. He could hear the man chuckle before closing the door as he left. Merlin came down to the main chamber where Gaius had prepared breakfast. It was lukewarm porridge and watery but Merlin ate it happily. There was a bucket of water next to Merlin as he ate. Gaius walked up from behind him and pushed the bucket off the table. Merlin stood his eyes flashed gold and the water and bucket froze. Gaius gasped making Merlin look up shocked. The two held each others gaze for a few seconds till Merlin let the bucket fall.

"How did you do that?" Gaius asked

"It just happends." Merlin said shrinking under the older man's gaze. Merlin walked over to the wall and grabbed a mop to clean the water up.

"well we better keep you out of trouble. You wanted to help me out for a bit so here." Gaius said setting a small sac and bottle on the table. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once."Merlin picked up the small sac and committed it to memory which was which.

"Okay." Merlin said nodding picking up the bottle.

"And here." Gaius said holding out a plate with a sandwich on it. Merlin smiled and took it .

"Off you go." Gaius said nodding to the door. Merlin smiled and headed to the door.

"And Merlin! I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed. I would hate for you to end up starting a war." Gaius warned. Merlin nodded and took off. Merlin ate his sandwich as he walked down the stairs that led to Gaius' chambers. He smiled as he walked proudly in the courtyard. He stopped at lady Percival which he would be sure to refuse to do so again. Then headed to sir Olwin's room. Merlin knocked on the door and smiled as an old man answered it. The man reminded Merlin of his tutor when he was a boy. The man's eyes were so squinted they looked like they were shut, his nose seemed to hang down towards his nose, and his lips seemed to be a straight line.

"Erm... I brought you your medicine." Merlin said softly guiding the man's hands to the bottle. Merlin turned then quickly turned back to remind him not to drink it all. But as soon as the name gaius left his lips the man had already finished the bottle. The man looked back at him.

"I-I'm sure It's fine." Merlin shrugged. Merlin turned and he heard the door close. Merlin let out a sigh.

"Might as well go to town." Merlin said to him self and walked out. He smiled as he passed the palace gates and looked up into the sun.

"Where's the target?" a voice called. Merlin looked to his right and saw a bunch of knights facing one servant. The one that stood in front was a tall, bulky blonde.

"There sir?" the servant said confused. Looking over to the target holding two shields and a few spare peaces of armor.

"Into the sun?" the blonde knight asked.

"It's not that bright." The servant argued.

"A bit like you then?" the blonde asked. Merlin stopped walking and watched. The knights behind the blonde laughed. Merlin's knights would be put in the stalk for such treatment of anyone no mater their stature. The servant sighed.

"I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" the servant asked. The servant set his armload down and picked up the large target. He started to walk to the other end when the blonde knight drew a small dagger, and threw ti at the servant. Merlin looked from the servant to the knight.

"Hey! Hang on!" the servant shouted startled.

"Don't stop." the knight ordered. The servant took a few steps back.

"Here?" he asked hopeful.

"I told you to keep moving." the knight said. The servant shuffled his feet and then threw yet another dagger. It flew straight towards his head. The servant brought the target up to shield him. The blonde opened his arms.

"Come on. Run!" the knight said. The servant started to run cowering under the target as he ran. Merlin could see the servant flinch each time a dagger lodged it's self into the target.

"Do you want some moving target practice?" the knight asked to no one in particular. Merlin had to admit the knight had some aim, but Merlin could best him at twice the distance. His father had taught him himself. Throwing daggers was one of Merlin's only gifts. The servant dropped the target but as it rolled he ran behind it in cover. It landed at Merlin's feet. The servant went to get it but Merlin put a foot on it to prevent him from doing so.

"Hey come on now that's enough." Merlin said as the knight had his back turned and was laughing. The knight turned confused.

"What?"he asked almost surprised.

"You've had your fun, my friend." Merlin said, not backing down as the knight walked closer to him.

"Do I know you?" the knight asked. Merlin extended his hand.

"I'm Merlin."

"So I don't know you?" the knight made no move to take his hand.

"No." Merlin said.

"yet you called me friend?" The knight asked. Merlin smiled at the tension.

"That was my mistake." He said

"yes I think so." the knight said.

"Yeah," Merlin started then changed to his humorous side. "I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin continued. Merlin turned and started to walk away.

"Or I one who could be so stupid." the knight said. Merlin stopped smiled and turned.

"Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

"No"

"Would you like me to help you?" the knight asked. Merlin let out a bark of laughter, startling the knight.

"I wouldn't if I were you." Merlin said deadly serious.

"Why what are you going to do to me?" the knight chuckled like he was invincible.

"You have no idea." Merlin said.

"Be my guest. Come on." he said opening his eyes wide, an open target. "Come on. Come oooon." the knight mocked. Merlin took a swing at the knight. The knight grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. Merlin sighed, he been in this position before, by his father of all people, he almost started a fight and his father stopped him.

"I'll have you thrown in jail for that." The knight hissed in his ear.

"What, who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin asked.

"no I'm his son, Arthur." the knight hissed. Dread and pain filled Merlin when Arthur kicked out Merlin's knees. Two guards came and dragged him to the dungeons. Arthur turned to his knights and laughed.