Okay, so working on writing this and figuring out that I will be placing more details in than the original series, each episode will be broken into three chapters. I hope you all continue to enjoy the Lord of Magic. I really do have fun writing him.

I own none of the characters of BBC's Merlin.

Merlin walked along the road shrugging his pack every so often as it drifted too low. While he already missed home, he was beginning to enjoy the freedom of being on the open road. No one was in sight and he was letting his magic out in small bursts, his eyes flashing gold and kicking up a light breeze or making a nearby flower blossom. A grin spread across his lips, if only Will was here. Sure his friend might roll his eyes at the flowers bursting to life, but he wouldn't fail to be amazed at just how easy it was for Merlin to summon force the brilliant colors trapped within the small bud.

He reached fork in to road and pulled out the map from his pack. He looked up at the paths and down at the map again. This must be an old map he guessed because there was no sign of a fork in the road. He gave a shrug and started heading down the left path. He didn't get far when a chuckle sounded behind him.

"Camelot's to the right." The voice said. Merlin turned quickly and stared at the man standing right where he had been just a few moments ago.

"How do you know I'm going to Camelot?" He asked slowly moving towards the man. He was strange; his gold eyes catching Merlin's interest the most. It was almost like he was performing magic right then and there.

"Oh I know a lot about Merlin." He said now heading down the right path as Merlin fell into step next to him. The aura around him just drew Merlin in. He wasn't threatening to him at all, though the more the man talked the more curious Merlin became about him. "Though more on that later. Off to Camelot at last."

"What do you mean by 'at last'?" Merlin asked his brow knitting together as his head tilted in confusion.

The man smiled. "It is by no means an accident you are heading there now." He answered. "You are needed there." He held up a hand to stop any more questions from Merlin. "It is not me who shall be telling you your purpose there. That is left to another. I am merely offering you company on your travels."

Merlin nodded as they walked on. He looked over his companion better. He was of high blood. The cloth that made his clothes screamed of it, yet he bore no crests stating which family he was from. He carried himself with his head held high, but the air around him didn't suggest he believed himself above others. "Why am I drawn to you?" He asked suddenly.

The man's smile only grew. "People with power are drawn to others with power." He explained. "You will be drawn to several more people because of the same thing."

"Where is your pack? Camelot is quite the ways away…"

"I do not need the same sort of sustenance as you." He seemed almost to be waiting for something. "How about a traveling song? Do you know any?"

"Not really no…" Merlin answered looking to the ground. "I mostly just sing non-sense. Words with no real meaning…"

"Are you sure about that?" The man asked with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps the meaning is still locked away, just waiting until you are ready."

"As in I know something but do not know I know it?" Merlin asked a laugh in his voice. "That makes no sense."

"And yet you continue to sing your non-sense songs."

Merlin looked at the ground again kicking a rock with his foot. "I can't help it, they just come out…"

"Songs of the soul can be quite powerful."

"Why do I feel like I've meet you before?"

"You have, but you were too young to remember."

"How is that possible?" Merlin asked. "You can't be that much older than me."

"You will understand why someday, but for now, we need to get you to Camelot." The man said as they walked over sandy hills. "The city has gone too longer without someone like you walking in her streets."

Merlin was just even more confused as he focused ahead of himself again. They fell back into a comfortable silence, Merlin quickly putting the confusing conversation to the back of his head. He didn't notice the man looking Merlin over and shaking his head slightly as if not entirely pleased with what he saw, but knowing there was potential non-the-less in the boy.

The sound of hoof beats reached their ears and the man stopped. "I leave you now." The man answered. "Camelot isn't that far now. I'm sure you will call the place home soon enough." He gave a slight bow of his head and turned on his heel. Merlin gave a small wave as he continued on. He passed by the horseman and turned back, the man was already gone.

Merlin paused in his walking looking for any sign of him. There was none, only Merlin's own footprints and the prints of the horse as it trotted on. A frown pulled at Merlin's lips but quickly disappeared as he turned to keep going.

A while later he rounded a corner and stopped staring at the sight before him, a grin broke out on his face. The city was stunning. The white towers seemed to kiss the sky as banners of red and gold flapped in the wind. Merlin could almost see the magic humming in the walls. It was faint and seemed to be calling out to him, he felt himself leaning towards the city and caught himself before he could loose his balance. It seemed to knock him out of his trance as he shook his head and continued on the path.

He entered the first set of gates and one of the first things he noticed was all the people. They moved about carrying on their business. Visitors seemed a common thing as no one gave him a second glance. If this was Elador, the visitor would be stared at to the point they felt uncomfortable. Merlin however didn't mind the lack of attention. His eyes instead darting about taking in everything he could. Many of the people seemed to be heading for the castle itself. He became curious as to why and just followed the crowd.

The mass of people gathered around a chopping block. So an execution was going to take place. He had the thought to just continue on his way, he wasn't a fan of seeing people put to death, but something compelled him to stay. That was when the drums started to beat. Merlin watched as a man was marched out and forced to kneel before the block. He looked up at the King. What had been the man's crime to cause such a punishment?

Merlin felt his heart freeze at the King's words.

"Let this serve as a lesson to all." The King began; two knights flanked him while he himself was in full chainmail. "This man, Tomas James Collins, is judged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned, on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just King, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."

With that he nodded to a man who raised an axe while another forced the prisoner to lower his head onto the block. This couldn't be right. Why would his mother send him here of all places? Why would that strange man on the road claim Merlin was needed here? He had magic. Merlin could feel the pulse of it leaping around his veins crying out in anguish at the thought of such a thing.

Merlin's head whipped around. Surely this was a prank of some sort. Or a sort of reenactment of some dark moment in this city's past. Any moment now another person will step forth and end this. The awe swung and Merlin's eyes nearly flashed gold as the man's head fell into the waiting basket.

Merlin was about to bolt from the crowd when an old woman stepped from the mass a cry of anguish ripping past her lips. "There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic." The woman said, grief clear in her voice. Merlin felt his heart stop at the sound. So much pain in her words and no one seemed to sympathize.

"It is you." She said. Merlin glanced up at the King. She was speaking treason, Merlin knew that much. "With your hatred, and your ignorance. You took my son." Merlin fought back the tears, the realization of him not being able to use magic ever and this woman's pain creating a strain on his emotions. "I promise you, before these celebrations are over you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."

"Seize her." Uther commanded pointing at the woman. Merln felt the shift in the air. Me knew she was going to do magic before she even spoke the words. A whirlwind kicked up and when it died down she was gone. A small part of him was relieved that she had escaped, but there was something that made him uncomfortable about it. Like he would be seeing her again, and it would not be a pleasant encounter.

Merlin looked around him as the people began to leave the courtyard going back to their lives as if nothing had happened. He decided it was best for him to find Gaius as his mother told him to do. Asking a pair of guards for directions he found the spiral staircase up to the chambers easily enough.

Everything in the room seemed to catch Merlin's eyes as he looked around for the man who lived there. He found him up on a small balcony looking at some supplies there. "Gaius?" Merlin called trying to catch his attention. When he didn't respond Merlin cleared his throat loudly. It seemed to do the trick, but as the older man turned he put too much weight on the old railing and fell.

Merlin didn't think. His eyes flashed slowing time around the falling man giving Merlin time to look around the room. He spotted a bed and moved it to rest under the man. He then released his hold on time just as Gaius landed on the bed unharmed.

"What did you just do?" Gaius demanded as he got up and looked at Merlin. A spark of fear ran through Merlin.

"Nothing!" He said quickly.

"I know what it was!" Gaius said causing Merlin to look fearfully at him. "I just want to know where you learned to do it."

"No where." Merlin answered. Gaius wasn't buying it.

"Where did you study?" He asked his tone softer as he noticed the panic creeping into the boy in front of him.

"I've never studied magic or been taught." Merlin answered.

"Are you lying o me?" Gaius asked him his eyes narrowing. He had never heard of someone who didn't have to learn magic to use as well as this boy did.

"What do you want me to say?" Merlin asked.

"The truth!"

"I was born like this." Merlin answered, full honesty in his voice.

"That's impossible." Gaius said before looking at him. "Who are you?"

"Oh!" Merlin said removing his bag and pulling a piece of parchment out. "I have this letter." He held it out to Gaius who took it.

"I don't have my glasses." He said waving the paper around slightly.

I'm Merlin." He said having calmed down. It seemed that he wasn't about to be turned in for his small burst of magic.

It seemed to dawn on Gaius who was before him. "Hunith's son!" He said now seeming to be more pleased to see him. "But your not meant to be here till Wednesday."

"It is Wednesday…" Merlin said. Apparently his new guardian was forgetful This was going to be just wonderful.

"Oh…" Gaius said. "You can put your stuff in there." He said gesturing to a small room. Merlin started to go and do as he was told when he stopped and turned around.

"You won't say anything about… um…" He said gesturing to the area where the bed now rested.

"No." Gaius assured him. "But I should say thank you."

Merlin visibly relaxed and sent a grin towards the man before him. He continued on his way into the small room.

That night Merlin was starting to get settled into his room when the sounds of the city drew him to the window. He opened it and looked out at the scene. He had a great view of the entire place. A grin slowly pulled at his face. His eyes slid shut as he let his skin drink in the soft coolness of the nigh, a breeze ruffling his hair slightly. He looked up at the moon and then back down to the city. He couldn't help himself as he leaned on the sill.

Words he couldn't understand fell from his lips. The soft tones accompanying them just made him relax more. He watched the people move about below as he continued to sing. He didn't know that Gaius had stopped outside his door in shock at the sound of the boy he was to look after. It clicked who had fathered him instantly.

Gaius turned to the note pleased that Belinor had made it to at least find someone he loved. Though, Hunith never mentioned the man in her letters to him. Maybe this note would have more information. He began to read it.

Gaius looked back to the door that lead to Merlin, the singing dying down now. No, he had not learned much else, but he did learn that Merlin might not have been lying when he said he was born with magic. He had no idea why Hunith sent him here of all places, but he did know the boy needed some guidance. He would offer all he could, but if what he had witnessed himself and the emotions in the letter were suggesting, Merlin was no ordinary magic user.

Merlin was dozing lightly the next morning. The sun just beginning to hit his face when a voice rang in his head.

'Merlin…'

He thought nothing of it, sleep still held his mind in its carefully embrace.

'Merlin.'

The voice rang again finally waking him up. He looked around for the sound but couldn't see anyone. Whoever it was, they were gone now. He could hear Gaius moving about on the other side of the door. The smell of food causing him to start getting dressed.

He walked out pulling on his jacket as Gaius was putting a porridge into a bowl. He set it down inviting Merlin to eat. Looking at it, the boy had to admit it didn't look that appealing, but he wasn't about to complain about getting something to eat. He was about to take a bite when Gaius pushed a bucket off the table.

Merlin stood up fast his magic reacting and freezing the water in place. He looked Gaius before his magic's hold on it broke and the water pail crashed to the ground the water spilling about.

"Did you incant a spell in your mind?" Gaius asked wanting to know the extent of Merlin's abilities.

"I don't know any spells." Merlin answered his fear flaring up again despite Gaius' calm tone.

"Then how did you do it?" He asked, a curious note merging in with his calm demeanor. "There must be something."

Merlin shifted from one foot to the other looking for all the world like a child caught trying to take a cookie when their mother had already said no. "It just happens…" He answered. He quickly went to get the mop from the corner to clean up the water.

"Well we better keep you out of trouble then." Gaius said turning and getting a few items. He turned back. "You can help me until I can find you some paid work." He set the two items he grabbed on the table explaining to whom they went to. He then picked up a plate that had a sandwich on it. "And here."

Merlin smiled taking the much more appealing food. "Off you go." Gaius said gesturing to the door, a smile present on his face as well.

Gaius gave Merlin a quick warning before the boy set off eating his sandwich and delivering the medicines. He had just finished when something, or someone caught his eye.

He blinked, sure it had been a trick of the light. But no, that smirk was all too familiar to him now. Merlin started off towards him, really the man needed to hide his golden eyes. This place was too dangerous for eyes like that. When Merlin seemed to reach his location the man seemed to jump to another one. Laughter was in the man's eyes as he kept moving further away from Merlin every time the boy reached him.

Merlin followed him out of the gates and huffed not seeing him anywhere anymore. He was about to turn and head back in when a voice caught his attention.

"Where is the target?" The voice came from a blond not much older than Merlin himself. There was something about the young man that made Merlin stay and watch what was going on. He was clearly a knight from his state of dress.

"There sir…" the servant boy said a bit confused as to what the man before was getting at.

"It's in the sun." the blond replied.

"It's not that bright…" The servant rebutted. His confusion only growing. Really he had only been bringing them more daggers to throw at the target.

"A bit like you then?" The knight said earning a laugh from his fellow knights. The servant however didn't find it as amusing yet held his tongue.

Merlin was quickly rethinking his interest in the blond. Really, what gave him the right to belittle another man just because of their station?

"I'll but the target at the other end shall I sire…" The man said setting down the blades and going to pick up the target. He was walking along as the blond spoke to his knights taking a dagger.

"This will teach him…" He whisper before turning and throwing the dagger. It landed in the middle ring. The action made the servant transporting the target speak in indignation.

The blond merely encouraged the servant to keep moving, claiming it to be moving target practice. Merlin had just about enough of it. This was not practice, it was torture.

The servant dropped the shield and was stooping to pick it up but Merlin had stepped on it. "Hey." He said getting the attention of the blond knight. "Come on, that's enough."

The blond looked at Merlin as if he was clearly crazy. "What?" He asked as if he didn't believe that the boy had spoken to him like that.

"You've had your fun my friend." Merlin said before he thought about it. Why had he even said that?

"Do I know you?" The blond asked walking towards him. He was now very interested in this thin man, perhaps even too thin is the way his clothes were hanging off him was anything to go by.

"I'm Merlin." He said holding out his hand. Really what was wrong with him? Merlin could not make out why he was so interested in this person before him. He was being drawn into him. Did he have magic as well? The feeling was different though then the man Merlin had met on his travels. No, this blond couldn't have magic. So what was with this strange pull he felt?

"So I don't know you?" The blond didn't take Merlin's hand. Merlin retracted it quickly enough as his head ticked to the side. This person had no manners it seemed.

"No."

"Yet you called me friend." This blond was really getting on Merlin's nerves, and he knew he shouldn't but the words were leaving his lips before he could stop himself.

"That was my mistake."

"Yes, I think so." The blond said in agreement.

"Yeah, I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." There it was, his sarcasm slipping from his tongue without a thought. For some reason he didn't regret it.

"Or I one who could be so stupid." The blond said back as Merlin started to leave. It made him turn to look at the blond. "Tell me Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

Merlin felt a spark of indignation flare up in him at the thought of being on his knees. He fought it down though to keep the ire out of his voice. "No."

"Allow me to help you." The blond said.

"I wouldn't if I were you." Merlin said, he could feel his magic nearly crackling amongst his fingers. The small surge of power flaring in his veins ready to leap o his command.

"Why? What are you going to do to me?" The blond asked clearly highly amused by the boy in front of him.

"You have no idea." Merlin said the thoughts whipping through his mind in a flash. There was so much he could do with just a twitch of a finger.

"Be my guest." The blond said holding his arms out making himself an easy target.

Merlin was about to use a burst of magic when he remembered the consequences for it. Instead he swung his arm around to land a punch. The blond acted quickly twisting the arm behind Merlin's back painfully.

"Could throw you in jail for that." The blond said calmly. He had to admit, he liked the spunk this boy had. It was rather refreshing.

"Who do you think you are? The King?" Merlin asked trying to get out of the hold on him.

"No, I'm his son." The blond answered. "Arthur." The guards came for Merlin then leading him quickly to the dungeons. Merlin found himself in a cell.

This was just wonderful, he had only been there a day and had found out that his magic could get him killed and he had just picked a fight with the Prince. He was off to a wonderful start in Camelot.

Please R&R guys! Another chapter or two will be coming soon enough so don't worry.