Okay, sorry if this one is short, but it is the end of the episode. Things are going to be different than they were in the show itself here. Then again as mentioned before, this is AU.

I do not own the characters of BBC's Merlin.

"Oi!" Gaius said entering Merlin's room the next morning. "Have you seen the state of this room?"

Merlin jerked awake looking around confused. Memories of last night came back to him as he frowned.

"What is it?" Gaius asked noticing the change in Merlin.

"I met him again last night." Merlin answered.

"The Lord of Magic?" Gaius asked. "Here?"

"Yes and no…" Merlin said. "I heard a voice in my head and followed it. I met the dragon. While we were talking he showed up again. Said something about me having stayed up long enough and then put me to sleep. Next thing I know I'm waking up here."

Gaius sighed shaking his head. "No more night time run arounds." He said dropping the boot he had picked up to the floor. "Get dressed. Breakfast will be ready soon and I need you to run an errand for me. And Merlin, be careful around him. Not much is known about him, but from the stories about him, he tends to have his own agenda most of the time."

Merlin nodded finally getting up and rooting around the mess he had on the floor. "And be sure to clean up this mess!" Gaius said before leaving.

Merlin sighed as he picked up a clean tunic. It was clean last night. In fact he cleaned it everyday. It was just at night his magic escaped him and moved things around. He guessed he had to be thankful it was limited to the room he was in. He would need to find some way of controlling it even as he slept.

He forced the thoughts aside as he quickly dressed and moved out of his room. Gaius was just finishing getting breakfast ready and Merlin sat down to eat.

"What's a Warlock?" He asked after a bit.

Gaius looked up at Merlin a bit surprised. "Where did you hear that?" He asked.

"The dragon." Merlin explained. "He called me 'young warlock'."

Gaius nodded his head slightly. "Long ago Warlocks were very common." He explained. "They were seen as a status symbol if you had them in your court. From a young age, youngest recorded to date was five; they displayed a great ability for magic. However, they remained untrained until they were nearly adults. They would then be thrown into magical combat. The problem with this was, they had lots of raw, untrained power. Several of them died before they could truly master their art. The druids then stepped in and started taking these youngsters in and teaching them. They were no longer warlocks though, just very powerful sorcerers. The defining feature of a warlock is that they had to learn as they went. No one could really help them. A physician could heal them up of course if they got injured, but they really were on their own most of the time."

"So a bit like me?" Merlin asked. It seemed to fit.

"Yes, though if you are a warlock I fear I won't be able to help you much." Gaius said with a sigh. "I also fear what that means for you. Merlin, the body of a warlock was always heavily scarred by the time they could be considered masters. Magic always leaves its mark on a person. Any injury you receive that is caused by magic or a creature of magic will leave a scar."

Merlin blinked at Gaius the spoonful having paused on its way to his mouth. "Then I guess I should try and avoid magical combat." He said. "Should be easy enough here, magic is banned."

Gaius smiled nodding his head. "Right you are." He said holding back the slight bit of doubt he had. "Though I also caution you around magical objects."

"Why?" Merlin asked around his mouthful of food.

"Warlocks are drawn to magical items like moths to a flame." Gaius picked up a small jewel from nearby and held it in front of Merlin. Merlin's eyes locked on it sensing the magic coming from it. "This jewel has a minor charm on it from back before the purge. Though clearly the signature is still strong enough to catch your attention."

Merlin took it rolling it over in his hand. "It does feel faint." He said. "More like a whisper of what it used to be."

"Yes, well you might find yourself near other objects of magic." Gaius said taking the jewel back. "The stronger the magic in it the greater the pull. You might even find yourself with a small collection of artifacts. I urge you to try and restrain yourself from keeping anything magical."

"Alright." Merlin said now finished with his bowl and pushing it forward out of his way. "What did you need me to do?"

"Take this to the Lady Morgana." He said handing over a pouch. "Poor girl suffers from nightmares. Then go into town and get me some herbs. I'm running low on Henbane, Wormwood, and Sorel."

Merlin nodded as he got up and was out the door in a flash.

His first stop was to deliver the potion Gaius had created. He went to the castle and thanked his lucky stars that he didn't run into the prince at all. He found his way to Morgana's chambers. The door was opened and he just walked in catching a glance of the woman in question. She was stunning.

She didn't seem to notice who she was as she turned and headed for her changing screen. "You know I've been thinking about Arthur." She said catching him off guard. It clicked in his head that she most likely thought he was Gwen. He couldn't blame her, why reason did she have to think anyone but Gwen would just enter her room?

"Pass me that dress will you Gwen?" She asked making Merlin look around for the dress she could have possibly meant. Seeing one laid out he assumed it was the one she wanted and picked it up handing it around the screen to her keeping out of sight. "The man is insufferable." She complained clearly back onto the topic of Arthur. "Just because I'm the King's ward doesn't mean I have to accompany him does it?"

Merlin had no clue what to do. If he spoke he would give himself away, he sounded nothing like Gwen, he knew that. "Well does it?" Morgana asked. Merlin did his best to imitate Gwen and agree with the lady. It seemed to please the woman enough as Merlin ducked down to remain out of sight. This was not good. He could just see her screaming as soon as she found out he wasn't Gwen.

The questions coming from Morgana only made Merlin more nervous he would be caught soon he just knew it. "Gwen Where are you?"

"Here…" Merlin said trying to speak like the girl he had only briefly met.

"I need some help with this fastening." Morgana called. Real panic began to set in as Merlin looked around frantically. "Gwen?"

"I'm here." Came a voice from behind Merlin. He whipped around relief flooding him. Gwen seemed to pick up that it had been a mistake. And smiled at him jerking her head to the door.

He gave her a smile of thanks and gestured to the potion he was to deliver. She nodded as he dashed out the door.

That night Merlin found himself at the last feast of Uther's celebration. Gaius had taken him along as a guest finding the boy needed some enjoyment for the evening. Merlin was able to find Gwen quickly enough and the two of them settled into friendly conversation.

"Thank you for the save before." He said earning a giggle.

"It is no problem." She said. "I know you didn't mean for it to happen. You're too much of a gentleman for that."

"Thank you." A grin on his face. He knew Gwen meant it as the compliment it sounded.

"Now if only more noblemen were like you we would be living the life."

"I doubt many others where raised solely by their mothers." Merlin answered without thinking.

"You never knew your father?" She asked curious.

"No, my mother said he had to leave before I was even born because of some sort of war." Merlin explained. "He never returned so my best guess is he died in battle. "Shame really as when I was younger I heard from some of the other villagers how sweet they were together. Several wishing he had stayed. Apparently he was a decent enough man."

"I'm sure you ended up with some of his better traits then." Gwen said smiling.

Merlin then spotted Arthur and rolled his eyes slightly. He was goofing off with a bunch of knights as usual. Gwen giggled a bit at Merlin's reaction. "You like him just a little don't you?" She asked.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked sounding offended. "There is no way I would ever." He narrowed his eyes at her. "You though… You talk about him quite a bit. Are you sure you aren't the one who likes him?"

She blushed a deep scarlet. "Don't be ridiculous!" She shot back clearly flustered. "And so what if I do? A lot of women like him."

Merlin gave a small chuckle as he turned his attention towards the entrance. Morgana had walked in. He felt his heart skip a beat as he stared. She was even more stunning than before. There was something about her that seemed to draw him in as well. He blinked thinking about it before it clicked.

Magic. It was faint, as if it had yet to wake up, but it was there. "Pretty isn't she?" Gwen asked Merlin snapping him from his trance.

"Yes she is."

"She is also the King's Ward." Gwen said.

"Meaning?"

"Look, but don't touch." Merlin turned his head to look at Gwen with a raised eyebrow. "Uther would chop your head off if he so much suspected you had a relationship with her. He is quite protective of her. So is Arthur."

Merlin nodded. "Thanks for the warning." He said. "Though I highly doubt I will be seeing much of her."

Horns sounded signaling the entrance and start of the dinner. Merlin moved back into a corner near the stairs as he watched Uther enter. Merlin could understand why Uther had started the purge when he did, but surely he felt as if he could lift the ban soon right?

'Stay on your toes Merlin.' He heard in his head. He looked around for the Lord of Magic. He couldn't find him at all. 'Eyes ahead, be alert. You will be needed shortly Godling.'

'Godling? I thought I was a Warlock.' Merlin thought back. He did as he was told hearing the chuckle in his head.

'Later Merlin.' He responded. 'You have much to learn before I can tell you why I call you Godling.'

'The dragon was right, you do talk in more riddles than he does.'

'His name is Kilgarah. Best for you to remember that. Now pay attention, your destiny begins now.'

Merlin had been zoned out for Uther's entire speech and had only started paying attention in time for the Lady Helen to begin singing.

The tendrils of magic began to drift about the air. Merlin could feel it caressing his skin and closed his eyes letting it wash over him. It was tugging at his mind trying to get him to sleep. 'Merlin!' Snapped in his head making him force his eyes open and cover his ears.

Blocking the one sense seemed to help him pick up on the magic that poured from the Lady Helen. He knew now, it wasn't the Lady Helen. It was that old woman from before. He looked around trying to find some way of breaking her trance on the people. He could see them all falling asleep and cobwebs starting to cover them all in a blanket. He noticed the chain connecting to the chandelier and summoned up his magic using the fact she had her full attention on Arthur to break it.

It came crashing down on top of her cutting off her singing and breaking her spell. The people began to wake up and they all noticed that Lady Helen wasn't Lady Helen. Merlin thought things were safe until she pushed herself up and threw the dagger right at Arthur.

Merlin felt his magic flare up again as time slowed long enough for him to reach Arthur. He pushed the Prince towards Uther who caught him a bit too preoccupied with making sure both he and Arthur didn't loose their balance. The dagger would have hit Arthur's heart, but instead Merlin found himself gasping in pain as his eyes screwed shut. His arm was between the hilt of the blade and the chair, blood already running down his arm.

Arthur reached over and wrenched dagger free making Merlin shout again as the sharp blade travel through him again. He instantly pulled his arm to himself as Gaius came over taking the wounded arm and looking it over.

"You saved my boy's life." Uther said watching as Gaius began to put a temporary bandage on Merlin's arm. "A debt must be repaid."

"Really, you don't need to…" Merlin said becoming completely flustered. Arthur was looking at him in disbelief. Merlin could barely understand why he had done it himself.

"Don't be so modest." Uther urged. He was set on giving the boy some sort of honor worthy of him. "You shall be awarded a position in the royal household. You will be Prince Arthur's manservant."

Both Arthur and Merlin looked at each other before looking away in disgust. Seriously what was Uther thinking making these two be around each other at a near constant basis?

Gaius watched as Uther left to see to his other guests. "Excuse me sire, but I must tend to your new manservant." He said now leading Merlin away. "I fear the blade might have had an enchantment on it giving it more force than the woman was naturally capable of."

At those words Arthur dropped the dagger and watched after the pair as they left. He could have sworn he saw Merlin's eyes flash gold before the boy had screwed them shut in pain. He couldn't be sure though and he wasn't about to condemn a man who had just saved his life because of a trick of the light. Arthur had to smirk though. He would now be able to get more time around the boy and tease him further.

Merlin watched a candle as Gaius worked on cleaning and wrapping his arm carefully. It didn't hurt as much anymore. Once Gaius was done Merlin's head snapped towards mirth filled laughter. Gaius looked as well having heard it and dropped a pot he had been moving back to his work bench.

The Lord of Magic waved a hand repairing the pot as he still laughed moving over to Merlin. "A Manservant!" He said the glee in his voice was clear. "Oh this is going to amuse everyone."

"Do you know how dangerous it is for you to be seen here?" Gaius snapped at the man. The god merely smiled at Gaius finally getting control of his laughter.

"I am merely here to congratulate the warlock on a job well done, and his first scar." He said picking up Merlin's arm and looking at the bandages. "It won't be your most stunning scar by far, but it is a start." He looked to Gaius with a stern look. "Remember, he is a Warlock. Your help is limited."

"I know…" Gaius said picking up a book and walking over. "But I'm sure this will help all the same. Keep it hidden."

Merlin blinked taking the book and flipping through it. The god looked over his shoulder at it and snorted in amusement. "You'll have that memorized in no time." He commented standing up straight. "Best put it away now. Someone is coming."

"You called me a Godling at the feast." Merlin said hoping to get more answers. Gaius looked at the two of them and watched at the god smirked.

"And I told you all in good time." He answered finally. "For now, you just need to know your destiny is to keep Arthur safe. This is why you have come here now. Arthur's life is in danger from many different forces. While he can take on the normal ones himself, you are needed to deal with the magical ones."

Merlin's brow knitted together as confusion set in. "So I'm to use magic in a place that would chop my head off in order to protect a prince that would most likely run me through himself?"

The god nodded. "Just about, yes." He said an amused smirk falling onto his face. "Arthur is still young, his mind is his own, but he has trouble listening to his own voice. You can help him with that. Make him think through his actions more. It will work itself out." He stepped back into the shadows vanishing before a knock on the door could be heard.

Merlin hid the book as a servant entered. "Prince Arthur requests Merlin's presence…" He said quietly. Merlin held back a groan as he got up to go and see what was needed of him. He took one last look at Gaius who gestured him to get moving. A smile formed on Merlin's lips as he turned and made his way to the castle. This was going to be interesting.

Please R&R folks! Next chapter coming soonish.