Alrighty, another update in less than 24 hours. You lucky ducks! =P. This never happens...because I usually take forever to update. But originally, I was going to post this chapter as chapter 14, but I decided to go for the shock factor in the end so I waited to post it. Soooooo...I won't say anything else until you've read this one. And hopefully you've all forgiven me for that surprise in the last chapter. I felt mean...my own sister was even shocked, lol.

Earlier that day

"Food for the prisoner."

Merlin abruptly turned to see Rowan standing there with a plate of bread and cheese. The guard quickly unlocked the cell as the boy walked in.

"Any news from Gaius?" Merlin whispered, making sure they weren't being watched.

"Gaius?" Rowan asked as he set the plate down.

"Yes…or…I thought…." Merlin trailed off. "It's hopeless."

"No, it's not," Rowan said slowly.

"Easy for you to say," Merlin mumbled as he bit off a piece of the bread.

"Look, I know it's difficult for you to believe, but I have a plan."

That got Merlin's attention. "Really…was this part of your dream?"

The boy shrugged. "Perhaps. Here, drink this water. You must be thirsty."

Merlin willingly obliged as he gulped down the whole glass of cool water. "So, what's your plan?" he asked, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"You'll see in just a second," Rowan said, watching him strangely. He continued to cast furtive glances behind him.

"What?"

"Feel any different?"

"Um, should I?" Merlin looked down at himself, not really sure what Rowan was getting at. Then, suddenly, he felt it. He wasn't sure how exactly, but the sensation made him feel nauseous. Clutching onto his stomach, Merlin braced himself against the back wall of his cell.

"What…what did you put in the food?" he muttered, groaning softly.

"Shh, not too loud. They'll hear. Merlin, look down at your hand."

Warily, Merlin obeyed. To his amazement, he didn't recognize the hand that was being held in front of him. In fact he felt different all over.

"I…I don't understand…"

Rowan flung off the remaining food on the platter and held it up for Merlin to see his reflection.

"Take a look."

Still feeling sick, Merlin barely caught a glimpse of himself, but what he saw was enough. But, no…it was absurd.

"Rowan, why do I look like you?" he croaked.

"Because you are me. At least for a little while."

"I don't understand…change me back…"

"Can't. It's part of the plan." Suddenly, Rowan pulled out a bottle from his pocket and downed its contents. Merlin watched as a remarkable transformation took place right before his eyes. Rowan became a different person…and not just any person. He became…Merlin.

"You can't do this…I'm calling the guards…" Merlin stood up, the nausea beginning to wear off.

"And tell them what? That you changed into me and I changed into you? They'll never believe you."

Merlin groaned and looked distastefully at his empty cup. "You put it in the water, didn't you?"

Rowan nodded. "I knew you'd never agree to my plan, so I had no choice. I've been working on these potions all through the night."

Both of them jumped when a guard appeared. "Oi! Hurry up!" the burly man grunted.

Rowan stared hard at Merlin, who was now supposed to be Rowan. Merlin caught on. "Uh, yes, have to return this plate once the prisoner's done…Arthur's orders…"

"Hmph," the guard muttered as he walked away.

"You'd better leave," Rowan said as he gestured to the door.

"I'm not leaving the cell like this. What are you thinking anyway? You really favor being burnt at the stake?"

"No one wants to die," Rowan answered, a strange light in his eyes. "But I have to fulfill my destiny, same as you."

"Then why not just tell Uther you hid the book…why go to all this trouble?"

"Believe me, the thought did cross my mind. But I'm not taking any chances...I knew you wouldn't let me take your place. Besides, Uther could very well execute both of us. Gwen's still at risk."

"Gwen hasn't been released?"

"Oh, she's been released. But she's under constant watch. Uther doesn't trust anyone. Besides, I know I'm supposed to do this, Merlin. This was my purpose in coming here…to save you. In my dreams, I saw myself at the stake. I tried my best to prevent it, but now I see that it would have been too late anyway. You were already too involved with the Lady Morgana."

"This isn't her fault," Merlin snapped.

"Not directly, but notice how she conveniently lets other people die for her."

"I gave her the book," Merlin responded, his voice an angry whisper.

"It doesn't matter," said Rowan, waving him off. "She's still partly to blame."

"I can't believe this," Merlin said as he brought his hands up to his now unfamiliar hair. "I won't let you die for me. Once I'm out, I'll tell Gaius…Arthur…everyone…"

"I thought you might," Rowan answered as he closed his eyes and muttered some strange words.

"What are you doing? Stop that…" Merlin said as he glanced nervously behind him. First, a transformation spell, and now what? Merlin thought he knew almost every spell in the book, but it appeared the Druids had taught this boy well. He had never felt so powerless.

Rowan stopped and glanced curiously at Merlin. "There, it's done."

"What's…done…" Merlin trailed off. "Oh, what am I doing here?" he asked, a dazed look on his face.

Rowan passed him the tray. "You're taking this tray back to the kitchen and you're going to help Gaius gather some herbs. Your name is Rowan."

Merlin nodded. "Yeah…Rowan. Of course." He methodically took the tray and turned to the cell door. "Um, now what?"

"Call for the guard to let you out," Rowan said. "Oh, and almost forgot." He fished around in his other pocket and pulled out a vial along with a letter. "Drink this right after the execution and then bring this letter to Arthur. It will clear you of everything."

Merlin dumbly nodded and pocketed both items. "Right."

As Rowan watched Merlin, or rather himself, walk away, he felt a sense of satisfaction and sadness. Yes, it would appear that his plan was working, but the final step would be the hardest to carry out.

Soooooo, what do we think? Didn't see this twist coming? I've had this idea with the story from the very beginning, so I was super excited to finally write it! Also, for anyone who was wondering, Merlin hasn't changed into an old man yet, so he's never dealt with any kind of aging spell or, in this case, a body-swapping/transfiguration spell. I felt like Rowan's knowledge of magic would be pretty strong since he grew up as a Druid. Share your thoughts...can't wait to hear what you think! And come on, did you really think I'd kill Merlin? I wouldn't be that mean. =P He's got a destiny to fulfill!

And Elle, thanks for the review! Wish I could respond to guest reviews but I'll just respond here. Glad I'm not the only one who was frustrated with Morgana always disappearing like that. Hope you feel a little better after this chapter! :)