AU: Hi again this is the 18th chapter of The Forgetting Curse. Hope you like it.

Sorry that the chapter is a bit shorter but I didn't have any time.

Let me know in a review what do you think of the story! Special thanks to kitkat2424 for her review. J

Sorry for any mistakes.

Love from me! ^^

The days passed. Nothing about the witch has been found. The life in Camelot has been going on. No one was paying any attention to the four of them. They have looked everywhere and still haven't found anything. Not a single text, paragraph, sentence where Nimway's name have been mentioned.

Another boring afternoon was passing in the library, where Gaius, Morgana, Arthur and Merlin have been spending their time, since the unfortunate afternoon, when they talked for the first time about their dreams. Since then the conversations were almost identical, if they talked at all.

Suddenly Guinevere entered the room they were and after she caught her breath she said:

'Prince Arthur, the King wants to see you immediately?'

'Why? What is going on?' - He asked confused. From what he remembered the last time he was to see his so called father was when he asked for help, which for the record wasn't gave to him. What was he wanting how?

'I wasn't told why, Sire.' - She said with a bow. - 'I was sent to bring you immediately to him.'

'Then I shall come with you!' - He said and stood up. The others in the room stood up but he said firmly: - 'Just my manservant!' - Arthur didn't know if Gwen knew they were together, so he behaved like Merlin was nothing to him. But besides the raven haired boy had told her long ago he kept it formal too.

'Yes, Sire!' - He said, with calm voice. As they were walking to the throne hall, where the King was expecting them, not a word was said. The opened the door and there they saw the Head of the defense department and the Strategist.

'Father, you wanted to see me.' – The Prince said and the servants following him bowed when they entered the room.

'Yes, we might have a little problem.' – Uther said and frowned as usual to the view of his son and his manservant.

'What is it?' – He asked shortly, it was obvious that he doesn't want to be there.

'In the Lower Lands, someone or more likely something, is terrorizing the villagers. I want you and some knight to go, see that the creature is and kill it no matter if human or beast.' – The King said and looked down. The next thing he did was to wave his hand meaning that he wants everybody out. As Arthur and Merlin were walking out of the room with a bow he said. – 'Not you.' - The two of them stopped. Before they entered the room The Prince asked the raven haired boy to stay with him till the end of their meeting.

'Anything else?' – Arthur asked.

'You can walk out!' – He turned to Merlin.

'He'll stay as long as I do.' – Arthur said assailant.

'This is an order. I want to talk to you in private.' – Hearing this Merlin took a few steps back, bowed and walked out of the room, leaving no time for Arthur to speak. He knew what and when to do and he didn't want to get in the king's way. So he obeyed.

'What is this so important thing you want to talk about with me, Father?' – He said and stressed the last few words.

'I want to tell you my decision.' – He started. – 'About you.'

'What do you want to say?' – The Prince asked frowning.

'There is one fact about you that is bothering me.' – The king said. Immediately Arthur understood that they were going to talk about the fact that he was gay. – 'I decided that I don't want such people in my Kingdom.'

'So you are pursuing me out of Camelot?' – He asked. He was a bit shocked. On one hand, he had been here all his life. But when he gave it a thought, this was the place where he was unhappy, until the moment he met Merlin.

'And…' – He said firmly. – 'I am taking your statute of a 'prince'. – He finished and turned to the window. The Prince's jaw dropped.

'And… and who is going to be the future king of Camelot?' – He just asked.

'One that certainly is more worthy that you!' – He said coldly. – 'Now you may go.'

'One last question: When are you going to take off my statute?'

'Right after you return from the fight in the Lower Lands.' – Arthur heard that, but remained calm. He wasn't going to say anything to Merlin, until it was necessary. He walked out of the room.

….A few minutes earlier.

'What happened?' – Gwen asked, seeing only Merlin out of the room.

'Nothing, he just told me to walk out of the room.' – He explained. – 'How are you?' – The boy was a bit worried, so he changed the subject.

'Fine, but what do you think this creature is?' – She asked him curious as always.

'I don't know. The king didn't say anything about what harm was done on the villagers, nor if anyone has seen this thing.' – He said and leaned his back on the door. He wondered what was so important thing that Uther wanted to talk with the Prince in private.

'Are you going with him?' – Gwen asked, leaning next to him.

'Of course. Destiny remember?' – He smiled. It was nice to have someone who knows everything about you. It is better than a diary.

'Oh…' – She was unable to tell anything else, because right in this moment Arthur walked out of the Throne Hall. He wasn't looking quite good, may be a bit sad, like a child.

'What happened.' – Merlin asked and stepped towards him.

'Nothing. I should prepare to go. The knights and I are setting off first thing in the morning.' – He said and started to talk. Something was had gone wrong the other boy thought.

'Wait, why did you say 'the knights and I', I am coming too. You know that right.' – He said and held Arthur by the hand.

'No. It is too dangerous. Besides, we don't know what are we facing.' – He said and continued walking.

'I don't understand. I have been to your other of your so called missions. I can handle it.' – Merlin said and looked really determinate.

'No means no, I don't want you to get hurt.' – Arthur said. After thinking for a few second the boy said.

'Fine, but at least I will be there tomorrow to send you.' – They continued walking in silence. – Do you have any idea what are you going to face?'

'Not really. My father...' – He fell silent for a moment. – 'Haven't told me anything special, just that people have been terrorized. Nothing more.'

'Arthur.' – Merlin stepped in front of him. – 'What happened?'

'What do you mean?' – He asked, trying to sound confused, no matter if he knew exactly what was he talking about.

'When I exited the hall, what happened inside? You didn't look sad before I left. What did your father told you?' –Merlin asked, placing his hands on the waist of the Prince, cutting his way.

'Nothing. He just told me something, but I don't want to think of it now.' – He answered looking down.

'What?' – Merlin lifted his chin with the tips of his hand.

'Look, I promise to tell you after I come back, alright?' – His eyes looked like he was going to cry. Seeing that Merlin did the one thing that ran though his mind. He kissed the Prince on the lips and felt the warmth between them. He loved him. He loved kissing him, and Arthur was very wrong if he thought, he would be left to go alone to fight that monster.

'Let's go.'- The blond said after he broke the kiss. – 'It is getting late. And tomorrow I will be going early in the morning.' – Merlin just nodded and they both walked silently to the Prince's chambers where after another short kiss they told each other 'good night' and 'I love you' and went to their own beds.

….

Merlin entered the healers and saw there Lady Morgana and Gaius still looking at some books. In the evening, when the library closed they moved the search here and continued. When they heard him enter they both jumped.

'Merlin!' – Morgana said. – 'What happened? Where is Arthur?'

'The king wanted to talk with him and now he went to bed.' – He said shortly and sat on a chair.

'What did Uther wanted? Had something happened?' – Gaius asked a bit worried.

'Well there is some sort of creature in the Lower Lands that is hurting the people there and he want the Prince to find out what it was and to get it killed.' – He said and leaned his hand on the table. Suddenly he felt really tired.

'I guess the both of you are setting off first thing tomorrow?' – Morgana asked.

'No. Arthur wants to go alone, but he will not have this chance.'

'What do you mean?' – Gaius asked, sensing where the thing were going.

'I mean that I am going after him. Tomorrow morning when he goes I will take after his tracks about fifteen minutes later.' – The boy explained.

'Why doesn't he want you to go with him.' – The healer asked.

'He said it was too dangerous, but that wouldn't stop me.' – Merlin said. – 'And I beg you not to tell him, or anyone.'

'Of course.' – Gaius said.

'Morgana, I can count on you, right?' – He asked.

'Yes, of course.' – She fell silent for a moment. – 'I am coming with you. You might need some back up.'

'No, you cannot. The king is going to send people after you.' – The boy said and shook his head.

'It is not a question.' – Firmly she said. – 'I will ride next to you.'

'Fine. But I don't want you to get hurt.' – he said, he was too tired to argue with her. – 'I am going to sleep. Good night.' – Before he entered his room said. – 'My Lady, Gaius.' – And then closed the door. He sprawled himself on the bed and not too long after that he was in the dreamless sleep.

Hope you liked it. ^^