Author's note: Hello everyone! Yes, here is the next long awaited chapter *Daydreams about crowds going wild* Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.

Anyways, I had a lot of fun with this chapter and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Cheers!

TTT

Chapter 6

"Emrys!" Fernor called maliciously, "Get over here and clean this up!"

Merlin glanced up from where he was scrubbing Lord Haymor's floors. The ground he had just finished cleaning was now covered with ash. Fernor was standing in the middle of it with a longsuffering look on his face.

"Look," Fernor was saying, his voice dripping in condescension, "I know that where you come from, you probably aren't expected to pull your share like you are around here. Your family more than likely lives in the smutty part of town, where people are completely ignorant on how to do a proper days work. I understand that, I really do. But if you are going to work with us, you will have to learn to do your part."

Merlin sighed, grabbed the wash bucket, and wordlessly began to redo an hour's worth of work.

Fernor watched him a moment longer, then went back to sweeping the fireplace.

Danen frowned from where he was changing Lord Haymor's bed sheets. The relationship between Fernor and Emrys had seemed to be strained over the past week, and on Fernor's part almost hostile. He didn't get it. He liked Emrys, though he had to admit, he was a bit guarded.

Danen jumped as he heard a crash.

The bucket Fernor had been piling the ash in had just tipped over.

"My apologies," Danen heard Fernor murmur to Emrys, though by the glint in his eyes, Danen expected he wasn't apologetic at all.

Emrys looked up and locked eyes with Fernor, who was looking smug. Just when Danen was sure Emrys was going to speak, the door opened and a content looking Lord Haymor strode into the room.

Fernor quickly went back to cleaning the fireplace, and Emrys lowered his eyes.

Lord Haymor raised his eyebrows, obviously sensing the tension in the room. He slowly looked from one servant to the other, trying to discern the problem. Nobody looked back. Puzzled, Haymor decided that it would be best not to get involved with his servants' quarrels. If he did, he knew it wouldn't end well.

Lord Haymor cleared his throat and addressed Fernor.

"I am going to need my ceremonial garments mended before the banquet this week. Would you take them to the seamstress for me?"

Fernor nodded, and with an almost indiscernible glare at Merlin, he walked out of the room and shut the door.

The mood in the room seemed to lighten considerably with Fernor gone, and Lord Haymor smiled slightly.

"Emrys, I am going to be having a guest for lunch this afternoon-" Lord Haymor stopped, bewildered, "Emrys, why on earth are you only wearing one shoe?"

Behind him, Merlin heard Danen choke back a laugh. Danen had asked him that same question days ago, but Merlin's flustered, hasty answer hadn't satisfied him in the least.

"I was, uh, out walking in the rain and my shoe got stuck in the mud." Merlin said, trying to act natural about it.

Lord Haymor looked amused.

"And you didn't go back for it because…?"

Merlin fidgeted uncomfortably on the floor. He hated lying. Sighing inwardly, he tried to remember the lie he had told Danen.

"Well it was raining really hard and I couldn't see it, so I decided to come back in the morning, but when I did it was gone. A dog must have carried it off."

Lord Haymor raised an eyebrow, but questioned Merlin no more.

"Well, as I was saying," Lord Haymor said, "I am having a guest for lunch today, and I would like you to serve it, Emrys."

Merlin looked up at him, surprised. Danen had told him that Lord Haymor had almost died twice from his food being poisoned. The fact that Haymor was letting him serve him was an amazing display of trust.

"Yes Sir!" Merlin said happily, grinning, then added, "Thank you."

Lord Haymor gave him a curious look, as if he couldn't quite figure him out. Then with a nod of his head, he walked out of his chambers and closed the door.

…..

Merlin balanced a large platter heaped with teetering cheese and fruit as he walked up the stairs.

The rest of the food was already in the room and he had been told that Lord Haymor's guest had already arrived. Merlin had been living in the castle for two weeks now, and it had taken him exactly that long to figure out the confusing stairways and twisting hallways, and every other 'way', but finally, he had mastered it.

So Merlin was feeling very proud of himself as he walked up to the door that led into Lord Haymor's chambers, and with a grin, sprang in and closed the door behind him.

He wished he hadn't

For at the head of the table sat Lord Haymor, and at the other end, with his back to him, was the last person in the world Merlin wanted to see.

Mini Arthur.

Merlin dropped the platter.

Instinctively, his eyes flashed gold causing time to slow, just a little bit, but enough for Merlin to be able to catch the platter before it hit the ground, albeit not gracefully.

"Do you need some help with that?" the amused voice of Mini Arthur asked, turning in his chair to face the disturbance.

'I'm dead,' Merlin thought, panic beginning to sink in.

Merlin and the captain's eyes locked. Mini Arthur's eyes widened in recognition, then in surprise. Merlin took a step back towards the door, his hand moving towards the latch, bracing himself to make a run for it.

"Well come on in," Lord Haymor said, slightly impatient, "What are you waiting for?"

Merlin's gaze shifted to Lord Haymor, who was staring at him oddly, then back to the Captain, who looked as if a puzzle had just been solved.

"Emrys," Haymor said exasperatedly, "Don't just stand there. You're making the Captain wait."

Not sure what else to do, Merlin threw a quick glance at Mini Arthur, who was already beginning to look amused, and hesitantly walked up to the table.

"Don't worry, milord," Mini Arthur said, smiling widely, "I am perfectly alright. If I were you, I would worry about your servant here, he looks a bit flustered."

Merlin tossed the Captain a confused look. Why didn't he arrest him? Mini Arthur just raised his eyebrows at him, daring him to object.

Lord Haymor looked from one to the other, trying to read their expressions, then with a slight smile replied, "He is new to this job, but he will figure it out soon enough."

Lord Haymor raised his hand, motioning for Merlin to fill his goblet with wine. Merlin hastened to obey.

"So," The captain began, leaning casually back in his chair, "How is it that you came upon this servant in the first place. I thought that you had decided to never get another one after what happened last time."

Merlin looked up in surprise, suddenly interested.

"His was a special case," Lord Haymor replied seriously, "We found him lying half dead in the woods after being attacked by bandits. He needed a place to stay."

Mini Arthur glanced at Merlin with a smirk. He had Merlin's life in his hands and he knew it.

"So, bandits?" Mini Arthur asked, now facing him, "They must have been fearsomely dashing if they were able to take you on."

Merlin felt like a mouse being played with by a cat, just waiting to be eaten.

He opened his mouth to reply when the Captain continued on,

"Oh, don't worry, under the right circumstances you could be quite dashing yourself. Just imagine how you would look behind iron bars. They would quite complement your cheekbones I'm sure."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, sir," Merlin replied, as Lord Haymor looked at the Captain quizzically.

The Captain, noticing Lord Haymor's look, cleared his throat and returned to pleasantries.

"So, Emrys, how have you come to be in our humble little kingdom? You don't seem to be from around here."

Merlin shifted uncomfortably.

"I, uh, I hail from Mercia…sir." Merlin said disconcertedly, wishing that Mini Arthur would just arrest him and be done with it, but Mini had apparently decided that it would be more fun to make his life miserable first. Mini's next question just enhanced Merlin's suspicions.

"Is that so?" Mini Arthur asked, acting interested, "So why did you come here?"

Merlin glanced uncomfortably at Lord Haymor, who was watching with interest.

"My master and I were here as traders," Merlin said, debating whether he should make a run for it now or later. Either way he would probably be shot or stabbed before he reached the hallway. He was getting scared.

"Ah, traitors," Mini Arthur said with a smile, "You certainly look the type. What kind of merchandise did you sell? You strike me as a pot selling sort of guy."

Merlin stared at him, not exactly sure what to say. The captain almost seemed to be joking with him, but Merlin could not fathom why. If this had been Camelot, Merlin would have been marched down to the dungeons a long time ago, not teased.

Thankfully, Merlin was saved having to answer by a knocking at the door.

Lord Haymor glanced up in surprise. "Enter," he called out.

A servant Merlin had never seen before peeked his head into the room.

"I am sorry, My Lord," the servant said, "But King Cenred requests your presence in the throne room immediately."

"Alright," Lord Haymor sighed, "I will be there shortly."

The servant nodded and left.

"I am sorry," Haymor said to the Captain, "Cenred has been consulting me more than usual as of late. I think that we may have to reschedule our lunch to some other time."

Mini Arthur smiled and waved his hand, "No need to worry about me, my friend. Now go, making the king wait never ends well."

Lord Haymor inclined his head, and with another apology hastily walked out of the room and closed the door.

Merlin awkwardly glanced at the Captain, who was staring out the window. Mini Arthur slowly turned his head towards Merlin, and smirked.

Suspecting what was going to happen next, Merlin slowly started backing up.

"Oh, I just remembered!" Merlin exclaimed, "Lord Haymor had asked me to wash his garments before lunch! I had better be getting started…"

With that Merlin grabbed a stack of perfectly clean clothes and bolted out the door, the Captain leisurely following behind.

…..

Merlin sprinted down the hallway, not sure where he was going, but getting there as quickly as possible.

It's not that he didn't like Mini Arthur, on the contrary, under normal circumstances they probably would have been friends, or at least close acquaintances. Nevertheless, this situation was not normal, and he wanted to stay as far away from the Captain as possible.

Merlin arrived at his destination sooner than he thought, for as he rounded a corner he saw a well-polished boot sticking out in front of him just seconds too late.

Merlin went sprawling.

"What, do you not enjoy my company?" A voice above him asked, dripping with sarcasm.

Merlin looked up. The Captain was leaning against the wall, grinning down at him.

"And to think," Mini Arthur continued, shaking his head sadly, "That I practically just saved your life."

Merlin looked at him, confused. He really couldn't figure this guy out. One day he was trying to kill him, the next he was being almost friendly, committing treason by not having him arrested on sight.

Merlin made to stand up, and the Captain held out his hand. Merlin hesitated, not sure whether he should take it or not. Then with a grin he could hold back Merlin took it and stood up.

"So," Merlin asked awkwardly, "Why aren't you arresting me? I mean, not that I'm complaining, but…"

Mini Arthur gave him an unreadable look. Merlin fidgeted uneasily. 'Why can't I ever just keep my mouth shut'Merlin thought, hoping that he hadn't just dug his own grave.

"I saw what you did," Mini Arthur said seriously, "You took an arrow for your prince. Even being your enemy I cannot deny that that was more than a little brave, Emrys," He smirked, "Or, if I remember correctly, Merlin."

Merlin smiled. That was the first time he had heard his name, his real name, in weeks. Nevertheless, he didn't buy this guy's story. Whether he was brave or not, he was still his enemy. Yet he didn't have time to press the matter, for Mini Arthur stuck out his hand.

"I'm Calvin," He said, then added with a smile, "but you can just call me Cal, everybody does."

Merlin shook it, the grin he was famous for spreading across his face. The name suited him.

"Thanks," he said, smiling, "I suppose you can just call me Idiot, everyone else does."

Cal laughed.

"Oh!" He said, holding up one finger, "I believe this is yours."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out Merlin's missing shoe.

"In the future Merlin, if you're going to create a diversion," Cal said intelligently, "Use a pebble."

Merlin's eyes widened. Cal knew that he had destroyed his army's food supply, and yet he was still letting him go. Yes, Cal most certainly was hiding something.

But as Merlin took the shoe, he laughed, "I tried!" he exclaimed, "but there wasn't a single pebble in sight… Just shoes, my shoes."

Cal smirked, and then glanced at the sun.

"It's getting late," he said, surprised, "Already an hour past midday. I need to be off."

"Alright," Merlin said, then finally got up the nerve to ask, "Cal?"

Cal looked at him, and then raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Why are you really letting me go?"

Cal glanced at the ground, and then quickly looked back at Merlin.

"I have already told you." He said simply.

"'Course you have." Merlin said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Cal smirked, shook his head, and walked off.

…

Arthur walked towards the throne room. His father had summoned him, claiming that it was an emergency. Arthur's gait slowed as he neared some steps. In the two weeks since he had been home, his knee had healed tremendously, even Gaius had admitted it. He had even been able to resume some of his regular responsibilities. Nevertheless, his knee still pained him.

Upon arriving at the throne room, the two guards stepped aside, and Arthur strode in.

"You summoned me, Father?" Arthur asked formally.

Uther glanced up from a letter he was currently reading.

"Ah, yes, Arthur," Uther said, pleased, "I have just received a letter from a man in Cenred's Kingdom. He has informed me of the existence of a powerful sorcerer who goes by the name of Emrys. This sorcerer's only ambition in life is to destroy Camelot and everyone in it."

Arthur frowned, and then asked, "In Cenred's Kingdom? Is that enough proof to confirm our suspicions of Cenred's intent to attack Camelot?"

Uther sighed, "I do not know son. If a war with Cenred is inevitable then it would be in our best interest to attack first. Nevertheless, attacking him first, and then realizing that he never intended to attack us at all would be a tragedy."

Arthur looked out the window. He was right.

"What do you wish of me Father?" Arthur asked, already expecting to receive the answer they both knew was the only option available.

"I need you to ride out, travel to Cenred's Kingdom and kill this sorcerer before he has a chance to even step a foot in Camelot. You will take ten knights with you; the others must stay to guard the city should Cenred attack."

Arthur nodded.

"Of course, Father," Then added, "May I choose the knights I will be riding with?"

Uther almost smiled. "No," he said thoughtfully, "I have already chosen, two of which will be Sir Allen and Sir Kay."

"Father!" Arthur said offended, "They almost killed-"

Uther raised his hand, silencing his angry son.

"They are trustworthy, Arthur. Their responsibility is to you, not to Marlin."

"Merlin," Arthur corrected, annoyed.

Uther waved his hand, dismissing the subject.

"They are riding out with you Arthur, because I want them to." Uther said, and then softened his voice, "If it were not completely urgent I would never even consider sending you until your knee was entirely healed, but under the present circumstances I am afraid that I have no choice."

Arthur's heart warmed slightly at Uther's concern.

"Don't worry Father, we can handle the sorcerer."

Little did he know how wrong he was.

Author's note: Hi again! *says into microphone* yep it is that time folks! It's the moment you've all been waiting for! It's now time to thank my amazing reviewers! *waits for applause to subside* So here they are….Notquitebezerk, Ebonyice, 1, Falling down the stairs, Ruby890, Eclipseoftheheart17, wisegirl24256, catwomanswrath, Cwam, Emachinescat, Suzie, Lilyplusjamesistotallove, Whirlwind421, llLethell, Merlin Fan, Nykskyblue, rawr52, ariacle, and Coby!

Thanks again! Cheers!

TTT