Merlin splayed his hand against the curving scroll as he tried to focus. His father required his input on a letter from neighboring kingdoms, but today was obviously not his day. Merlin sighed, sitting upright and stretching. The prince was about to shift and start anew but a sudden scream echoed through the room. Merlin spun in his chair, looking for the source with wide eyes. Nothing appeared to be out of order, there wasn't any tormented soul in his chambers, and after waiting a bit, Merlin turned back to the scrolls. Probably someone in training landed a hit.

Help!

Merlin slowly stood up, and turned toward his window which faced the courtyard. Someone was trying to reach him. Feeling a little dazed, he stepped out his chambers, ignoring the small "Sire?" and walked briskly down the hall. Someone or something was pulling him towards the courtyard. A minute later he was outside, striding slowly down the great stone steps and he glanced around for the voice.

Help me!

Again, there it was, and Merlin tensed, eyes narrowing as he searched the busy courtyard.

Please.

With a hand against his head, he peered closer towards a cart sitting lonely in the square. A small boy sat under it, a dark green cloak covering all but his piercing blue eyes.

Please, you have to help me.

The boy's mouth did not move, but Merlin knew this was who was calling him. Why did the boy need help?

Help me.

Merlin turned slightly, just about to call the guards to order them to help the boy, but the very guards he was about to summon ran around the corner, busy, and Merlin understood in a second. The boy was a magic user, and the guards must be searching for him.

"Search in there. Take the other side." The guards called, and Merlin relaxed his facial features, using his skill he acquired in board meetings to remain neutral.

One shortish guard stopped a citizen and said, "Have you seen a boy run in here?"

They're searching for me.

Merlin stared harder at the boy and asked, projecting his voice toward the boy, Why are they searching for you?

The boy simply stared at him with those eyes and replied, They're going to kill me!

The prince realized he would not be getting anything else out of the small boy and quickly moved toward a small door that Merlin had used countless times to get away from Arthur and his friends as a boy.

Come, this way.

When the boy didn't move, Merlin added urgently, run, run!

With only a small amount of hesitation, the boy leapt up, and with his arm held against his stomach, ran as fast as his little legs could hold him, his green cloak billowing out behind him. Merlin watched nervously as the guards saw him and alerted the others, but the boy had a good head start and was in the prince's arms before the guards could follow. Grabbing the boy's hand, Merlin ran up the stone stairs and to the closest room he could think of: Morganas.

Bursting in, he slammed the door closed and turned to face his sister as she stared indignantly at him.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?"

"The guards are after him, I didn't know what else to do."

Morgana caught sight of the boy and she raised her eyebrows. "More mischief, Merlin?"

There was a pounding on the door and a guard called out, "My lady?"

Morgana couldn't tear her eyes away from the boy's eyes, the deep blue lake seemed to reflect so many emotions. Pain, sadness, loss.

There was more pounding and Morgana came to herself quickly. "In there," She pointed to her dressing area and went to answer the door.

Merlin ran to the alcove and pulled the curtain around him, the boy following his example.

"Sorry to disturb you, my lady. We're searching for a young druid boy."

Merlin barely heard the words as the boy soundlessly collapsed, and the prince caught him just as he was about to hit the floor. Looking him worriedly over, Merlin eyes widened as he remembered the way the boy had been holding his arm. The young prince had just removed his cloak when Morgana collapsed to her knees next to him, Gwen hovering in the background.

"What's wrong with him, Merlin?"

The young prince wordlessly took his hand away, and Morgana gasped at the sight of the blood on his palm.

"The druid was only in Camelot to collect supplies. He meant no harm. Is it really necessary to execute him?" Arthur asked, leaning on the council table as his father looked over a scroll. The eldest prince had heard about the search and couldn't help but think of a tiny Merlin getting executed for his magic.

"Absolutely necessary. Those who use magic can not be tolerated."

As always, hearing his father say that while his own son used magic made Arthur swallow hard, but he locked it away and continued, saying, "The druids are a peaceful people."

"Given the chance they would return magic to the kingdom." Uther took a sip of his wine before walking out of the room. "They preach peace but conspire against me. We cannot appear weak."

Arthur straightened, already knowing he lost this but willing to keep trying. "Showing mercy can be a sign of strength."

Uther turned. "Our enemies will not see it that way. We have a responsibility to protect this kingdom. Executing the druid will send out a clear message."

The king glared at his son and then exited, his passing words burdening Arthur's mind. "Find the boy. Search every inch of the city."

Morgana glanced back at the silent boy. After he had collapsed, Gwen had helped her mistress and prince lay him down and take his shirt off. The boy, who had not spoken a word, lay staring. Morgana turned back. Morgana was standing by the open window, where outside, the druid, presumably the boy's father, stood with his hands tied on the executioner's platform, a crowd around him.

Uther came out onto a balcony, Arthur and Merlin next to him.

"The man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death."

Morgana breathed in disappointment and looked up to see Merlin grimace from where he stood next to Arthur.

"We are still searching for his accomplice." Uther continued.

Morgana narrowed her eyes. Accomplice? He was a small boy!

"Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor."

Morgana looked at the boy, worry in her eyes.

"Let this serve as a warning to all."

The man on the block spoke up suddenly, and Morgana's attention diverted to him.

"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you."

Morgana turned away from the window. I can't watch this.

Though she wasn't looking she couldn't block out the sound of the ax, and suddenly the mirror next to her fractured with a loud crack and she looked up in shock, seeking Merlin's face reflexively to where he stood with his father. It was at that precise moment she saw the youngest prince flinch hard, and his eyes to hers, shocked.

Obviously something had happened that she missed, magic, if her cracked mirror was anything to go by. Morgana glanced at the boy and almost took a step back at the angry expression on his face. It was murderous, angry, and hurtful. Such an expression should never be on a child's face. Morgana gulped and looked away. She hoped Merlin knew what he was doing.

Merlin flipped through a new book on magic Gaius had been able to secretly barter for, but his thoughts were not on the words or pictures. Morgana's concerned face echoed through his thoughts. When the boy's father had been executed the word 'no' had screamed through his head. No doubt it had been the little druid boy, but whether he had intentionally sent it through Merlin's head wasn't important. Shortly after the execution Merlin had rushed to Morgana's chambers, where his sister told him gravely of the cracked mirror and the druid's decline in health. Now he was contemplating what to do. Looking up at Gaius, he asked unemotionally: "Do you know much about druids?"

Gaius answered without looking up. "Very little, they're a very secretive people, especially now that they're being hunted by your father."

Merlin hummed, taking that in. Gaius straightened suddenly, pointing his feather at the prince. "Merlin, please tell me you haven't gotten yourself mixed up in this."

"Me? No. Mixed up in what?"

Gaius stalked closer. "For someone with such a big secret, sire, you are a terrible liar."

"Well, I haven't done anything."

Gaius wasn't convinced. Evicting Merlin with his famous stare, the physician said sternly. "Merlin."

Merlin bit his lip. Should he tell Gaius? He was the best healer in the city, if not country, but then again…he shouldn't drag him in this mess. Deciding to give the old man what he wanted, Merlin drew in a breath. "I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him, like he was inside my mind."

Gaius looked thoughtful. "Yes, I've heard of this ability. The druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices. While they're searching for this boy, you must be especially careful. Otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block."

Merlin smirked. "I'm always careful, you know me."

Gaius didn't laugh. "Yes, sire, unfortunately I do."

Merlin sighed and looked back to his book, swallowing the victory that threatened to break out on his face. It was a good thing because a second later Gaius spun around with his eyes narrowed. Merlin shrugged his shoulders at him.

Morgana let him in her chambers later that day with a worried look on his face.

"I can't stay long," Merlin told her. "I just want to check on the druid boy."

Morgana nodded and said, "he's sleeping. He's very pale, I worry that he lost a lot of blood."

Merlin and Morgana stared at the boy who was on his back in the corner on a few scrunched up blankets, his eyelids purple and his face pale.

"Has he said anything at all?" Merlin questioned. He hadn't told her that the druid could talk through his thoughts.

"Nothing. He won't even tell me his name."

Merlin nodded. It seemed they had to wait for the boy to wake up.

That night, as Morgana sat in the dining hall opposite Uther, she let her thoughts run away from her. What were they going to do with the boy? They needed to get him out of the city, but they were guards all over the place. They wouldn't make it two meters without getting caught. She glanced up to see Uther staring at her and smiled.

"You seem troubled, Morgana. Is something wrong?"

"No, my lord. I'm sorry I'm not better company."

"I was merely concerned for your well being, that's all."

"Thank you my lord. All is well." Morgana assured.

The door opened and Arthur came striding in.

"What news of the hunt for the druid boy?" Uther asked.

Arthur came to lean on a chair. "We've conducted an extensive search. The boy is nowhere to be found."

"You mean you failed to find him?"

Morgana winced. She knew Arthur had the need to be the prince Uther would be proud of, and the word 'fail' was a sore word.

"Perhaps he already left the city."

Uther sat up straighter. "You're telling me that a wounded boy is able to evade the guards and escape the city? Nonsense. Someones hiding him. I want him found."

"He's just a boy." Arthur retorted. "What harm can he do?"

"He is a druid and that makes him dangerous." Uther said, starting to get angry.

Morgana knew it was her time to talk, not just to placid the king but also to throw suspicion off herself. "The druids would see your fathers kingdom destroyed." She said,

Arthur turned to her, disbelieving that she would say that while her own brother was a magic user.

"I had no idea you were such an authority on druids."

Morgana sighed to herself. Saying that would maybe throw Uther off, but now it had made Arthur angry, and possibly suspicious himself.

"Morgana is right. Double your efforts." Uther insisted.

"Yes Father." Arthur said reluctantly, walking back out.

"And keep searching until you have found him."

Arthur cast an angry glare at her just as Merlin walked in. Morgana didn't meet either of their eyes.

"He's burning up. How long has he been like this?" Merlin asked, laying a hand on the druids forehead. It was late in the morning and Morgnana had met Merlin outside of the council chambers after a council meeting, worryingly telling him that the boy was ill.

"Since early this morning. I think his wound may be infected." Her blue eyes stared at him, showing her worry and despair. "We need Gaius before it gets any worse."

Merlin instantly shook his head. "We can't involve Gaius. It's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself."

Morgana stared at the druid. "We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he's sick. We need a physician."

Merlin sat up a bit and looked at her, his eyes bright with an idea. "I'll treat him."

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Merlin, do you know how to treat an infected wound?"
"Not exactly. But I'm a fast learner. I couldn't heal you those months ago, but this is just an infection. I'm sure I can. You can help me. Together we should be strong enough to."

Morgana shook her head. She was sure Merlin had enough magic of hers and his combined, but before she could say anything there were footsteps, and Merlin pushed her slightly to go. Morgana got up, swiped the curtains to cover him and went to answer the door.

Merlin hid behind the curtain, peeking through a slim slit. The door opened and Arthur's voice wafted through.

"Don't get excited. It's not a social call. We're looking for the druid boy. I'm going to search your chambers."

"You are not searching my chambers."

"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire castle. It will only take a few minutes."

"I'm not having you mess up my things." Morgana said snarkily.

"I'm not interested in your things. I'm just looking for any evidence that the druid is in the castle."

"Perhaps the druid boy's hiding in your chambers." Morgana said, and Merlin rolled his eyes. "They're usually such a mess, you'd never know."

Arthur was strolling around the chambers. "It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant."

Morgana scoffed. "If you can't even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?"

Arthur turned to her. "Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities, and as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."

"Well, I'll save you the trouble."

"Trust me, If I could find him, I would."

"The druid boy's hiding behind the screen."

Merlin looked up sharply at that, and then quickly withdrew his head. Confused but trusting in Morgana, he listened carefully to what his sister was saying. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you've wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on."

Arthur stared at her with narrowed eyes. "So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?"

"In my experience you don't need any help looking like a fool."

Arthur looked down, annoyed. Merlin put a hand over his mouth to stop his chuckle.

"What are you waiting for? Take a look." Morgana insisted.

Arthur made a face at her. "Why don't you go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is you do all day?" The eldest prince sneered as he walked out the door.

"Bye, Arthur." Morgana laughed. "Good luck with the search."

Arthur slammed the door.

Merlin relaxed with a sigh of relief. Although Arthur finding out would probably not result in telling their father, he didn't want to bring another person in this mess. Which turned Merlin's thoughts back to healing. He needed to learn how. Fast.

That afternoon, after Merlin had searched up 'infections' in his book, he went over to Gaius chambers and knocked quietly, hoping the physician wouldn't be in. To his luck, he was not, and Merlin crept in, searching quickly for the herbs he needed. Just as the prince was about to leave, Gaius slid through the door.

"Sire!"

The prince turned, surprised. "Ah… Gaius."

"To what do I owe this visit?"

Merlin stood there for a second, his mind blank. He had not prepared a lie. Oh Gaius was going to kill him.

"Have you come to learn more about the work of a physician?"

Merlin opened his mouth to reply, to say something, but Gaius wasn't finished.

"Well, I'm not going to miss out this opportunity to continue your education."

"Really, I should be going," Merlin grinned guilty and moved quickly towards the door before Gaius' "Sit," echoed through the room and Merlin sat immediately. Prince he may be, but one learned not to dismiss that tone.

Merlin's eyes widened as Gaius set a book as thick as the bench he was sitting on the table with a heavy thud.

"We'll start with basic anatomy."

Late that night Merlin exhaustively knocked on his sister's door, his ingredients in his hand.

"What took you so long?" Morgana hissed.

"Sorry," Merlin said tiredly. "Once Gaius gets talking about anatomy there's no stopping him."

Merlin quickly whipped together a green looking potion and kneeled next to the druid boy. He was laying restlessly against the pillows, sweat dripping down his face.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Morgana asked as Merlin carefully took the boys injured arm and applied the poultice to the gash.

"I'm doing my best."

"Are…Can you do some magic?"

Merlin glanced at Morgana, her eyebrows knit together tightly as she stared at the boy.

"I'm horrible at healing magic. Remember I tried to heal you?"

Morgana bit her lip before saying, "I'll get you some water," and rose.

Merlin continued applying the poultice.

Thank you, Emrys.

Merlin almost jolted, but he stilled himself, looking up to the boy's face. His eyes were open slightly, staring at the younger prince.

Emrys? Merlin questioned. He didn't know anyone named Emrys. Had the boy mistaken him for kin? Why do you call me that?

The boy turned more to face him, eyes slowly blinking. Among my people that is your name.

Merlin's eyes widened as he slowly sat back. You know who I am? How?

As a prince, people were bound to know who he was, but it was unlikely the druids, who lived far away from Camelot would know who the second prince was, much less have another name for him. The druid boy didn't answer, his eyes closing as sleep called him. Merlin leaned forward. "Speak to me."

Morgana kneeled next to him suddenly. "I don't know if he can't speak or he's just too scared to."

Merlin nodded, suddenly feeling very tired. "He was speaking to me in my head, though."

Morgana glanced at him sharply. "In your head? What did he say?"

"He called me Emrys. He said that's what the druids call me.

Merlin held the torch high as he yelled, "Hello?" in the darkness of the cave. What the boy had told him had not left his mind, and there was only one creature he could think of that might know some answers.

There was a loud roar and Merlin jerked back, catching sight of the dragon perched on a rock. The creature flapped his wings and landed in front of the prince.

"Do you have to do that?" Merlin gasped, his heart still beating fast. "You scared the life out of me."

"The young warlock. No doubt you're here about the druid boy."

Merlin shifted. "How did you know?"

"Like you, I hear him speak."

"Why does he call me Emrys?" Merlin asked.

"Because that is your name."

Merlin raised a brow, shaking his head skeptically. "Pretty sure my name's Merlin, always has been."

The dragon ignored the comment. "You have many names."

"Do I? How does the boy know who I am? I've never even met any druids."

"There is much written about you that you have yet to read."

Merlin's eyebrows furrowed. What on earth did that mean?

"You should not protect the boy," The dragon continued.

"Why? He has magic, he's just like me."

The dragon bowed his head a little and responded, "You and the boy are as different as night and day,"

Merlin tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

The dragon narrowed his eyes. "Heed my words, Merlin."

Merlin shook his head as the dragon flapped his wings and shouted as he flew away, "Why should I not protect him?"

The dragon didn't answer. Stupid dragon.

The next morning Merlin knocked on the door of his fathers chambers. "Father? It is Merlin."

There was a murmur and the doors opened. Merlin nodded to the guards and strode in. The king was eating breakfast at his table, writing on parchment at the same time. Uther glanced up. "Merlin, join me."

The prince sat, twisting his hands underneath the table. "Did you sleep well?"

Uther scowled. "As well as you can when there's a druid hiding in Camelot."

Merlin's stomach twisted, and he was silent for a moment.

"Well?" Uther speared a grape with his fork. "I trust you did not come here merely to talk about rest."

"I…Father, I wanted to ask about my name."

Uther's eyebrows rose. "Your name?"

"Yes. I mean, Arthur's named after you, and I was just curious about mine."

Uther looked up at him. "What brought this on?"

Merlin shrugged. "Someone confused my name and it got me thinking."

Uther didn't say a word for a moment, and Merlin's hands twisted out of Uther's sight. Anything to do with their birth, or more importantly, their mother, was a topic no one was to talk about.

When Uther did talk, it startled Merlin. "I was busy in the throne room with petitions when your mother went into labor." Uther speared another grape. "No one could be spared to tell me, and so I unknowingly sat in the throne room, just as a storm thundered in Camelot. A few hours later the storm broke suddenly, and I looked outside to see the sun, a merlin sang in the silence. So when I learned of your birth, Merlin seemed the proper choice. The first song in the break of the storm." Uther glanced at his son, noticing his wide eyes. "Does that answer your question, Merlin?"

"Yes. So you never thought of naming me something else?"

Uther shook his head. "I never gave it much thought."

Merlin thought over that in silence. So his Father did not know of this Emrys, or he wasn't telling him. The first seemed most likely, but you never knew with Uther.

"Thank you for telling me, Father. I'll leave you to finish your breakfast in peace."

Uther set his fork down as he looked up at the prince. "Join me for breakfast, Merlin, I haven't had a conversation with you in a while."

"I would be honored, Father, but I promised Morgana I would help her…study." Merlin finished lamely, inwardly wincing.

Uther raised a skeptical eyebrow, but said nothing, and Merlin walked out of the chambers with a sigh of relief.

Merlin knocked on Morgana's door, hoping that when he walked in his poultice would have done something and the boy would be up. He had a feeling it wouldn't.

Gwen opened the door and smiled sadly at him, closing the door behind him as Merlin went straight to the corner. Morgana was kneeling next to the boy, his eyes staring at her, glazed as they were.

"How is he?"

"Getting weaker. Whatever you did yesterday, it hasn't worked." Morgana turned to look at him. "We have to ask Gaius for help."

Merlin sighed, bringing a hand up to his head. He had really hoped it would not come to this.

"After all you've done for him, you can't give up now." Morgana said determinedly. "Please, Merlin."

Merlin debated what to do in his head, but Morgana wasn't finished pleading. "If he doesn't receive treatment, he'll die."

The dragon's warning echoed through Merlin's mind. But no, if the dragon wouldn't explain what he meant then Merlin could hardly condemn a boy simply because he was told not to. "Okay." Merlin nodded and headed to Gaius' chambers. Hopefully the physician wouldn't kill him.

"The search for this druid boy is becoming a real nuisance." Gaius muttered as Merlin sat on the steps in the old man's chambers, a hand to his chin, wondering how to break the news.

"With all the extra security around the castle, it's taking me twice as long to do my rounds."

Yes, Merlin could sympathize with that. He'd barely managed to convince his guards he didn't need to be followed around.

"Is that everything?" Gaius murmured to himself, finishing putting together his ingredients. Gaius was about to leave. He had to say it now.

"Morgana's hiding the druid boy in her chambers."

Gaius stopped short and turned around. "When you say that Morganas is hiding the druid boy, I take it that means that you're helping her?"

"Sort of."

"Sire, you promised me you wouldn't get involved."

Merlin looked down. "I know, I'm sorry. I had no choice."

"Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy, and you're harboring him under their very noses. Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?"

Merlin met Gaius' eyes steadily. "Was I supposed to hand him over to the guards to be executed?"

"You think you can save this boy? What happens if you get caught? Who's going to save you? Your father will be furious!"
"Are you saying harbouring a sorcerer is wrong?"

Gaius gave him the look. Merlin sighed and walked over to the table. Gaius followed. "The difference is, Merlin, that your magic is still a secret. Though it's a wonder how, considering how careless you are with it."

Merlin paused before saying, "The boys hurt. He's really sick. I've tried to treat him. We need your help."

"So now you want me to risk my neck too? I wish the boy no harm, but it's too dangerous."

Merlin looked up at the physician in disbelief. "If you don't, we may as well hand him over to my father because he'll die anyway."

Gaius was silent, and Merlin continued. "You didn't turn your back on me. Please don't turn your back on him."

The next day, Merlin, Morgana and Gwen stood in the market. Gaius had treated the boy the day before successfully. The boy was almost healed, and it was time to come up with an escape plan.

"The guards are searching everyone leaving the town." Gwen commented.

"There's another way out." Merlin revealed quietly. "There's a secret door in the armoury. It leads to the lower town."

Morgana looked up at him and smacked him on the arm. "That's why you were so good at hide and seek when we were kids, wasn't it?"

Merlin grinned unabashedly. "Maybe. Anyway, as I was saying, I will use that to take the boy out."

"No," Morgana countered immediately. "No, it's too dangerous. I'll do it."

Merlin stared at her. "No, Morgana, I'll do it. I'm the one who first got you in this mess. Plus I'm good with secret doors and things."

"If you get caught, Uther will execute you." Morgana said, but the argument was weak.

Merlin gave her an eyebrow raise. "Out of the two of us, you're most likely to get executed. And I have…you know, talents."
Morgana huffed, but didn't argue, instead saying, "Well you need the key for the door. And Arthur has it."

Merlin hesitated. He didn't want to bring Arthur into this, but he might as well bring their oldest sibling along. "Meet me in my chambers tonight."

Morgana nodded solemnly.

"Morgana," Arthur said, mild surprise slipping over his face before he closed the door. He sat down at the table to join them. "What's going on?"

Merlin and Morgana shared a look. "Arthur, we haven't been entirely honest with you."

Arthur's look of confusion turned to dawning understanding. "This is about the druid boy, isn't it. Are you two hiding him?"

At his siblings' faces, Arthur frowned. "I'm not an idiot."

"Debatable. But yes. I…heard him scream for help, and when I found him I smuggled him to Morgana's room. He got sick and I had to enlist Gaius for help, but now we need your help to get him out of Camelot." Merlin said, his hands still on the table.

Arthur sighed. "If I tell you it's too dangerous and risky, that isn't going to stop you, is it."

Morgana shook her head. "Nope. The boy is exactly that: a boy. I know you don't believe your father is right to hunt and execute him. All we need is the keys to the armory."

Arthur frowned. "The armory?"
"There's a tunnel that leads to the lower town there."
"You are definitely going to get caught if you use that one. No one is going to notice a missing shield? And the guards are still out there as well."
Merlin sighed, and put his elbows on the table to rest his chin on. "So what are you suggesting?"

Arthur was silent for a moment, thinking, before he straightened. "The burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Merlin can blast the grate that covers the entrance, Morgana meets us with a horse, and I'll take the boy."

Merlin and Morgana nodded. "That sounds…doable."

Arthur stood. "We act at once?"

"Wait."

Arthur and Morgana looked to Merlin, who had also stood up. His face had an expression of solemn confusion. "There's something else."

"What is it?"

"I heard him scream in my head, and he was calling for help in my thoughts. He hasn't spoken a word aloud so I don't know if he can't or won't, but he knows how to communicate…" Merlin paused, searching for the right words.

Morgana nodded. "He spoke in my thoughts too. He said, 'Morgana.'"

Arthur had a look of disbelief on his face. "He spoke…through your thoughts?"

"Yes, Arthur, do keep up. As I was saying, though, when I was treating him, he called me Emrys, and when I asked why he called me that, he said that's what the druids call me."

"Emrys?"

"Yes. I went to ask someone I…trust…and he said, 'there is much written about you that you have yet to read.'"

"Right, that's as clear as mud. But your point is?"

"He also told me not to save the boy. I went earlier today again to ask why, and he said…well basically he said that the boy was going to kill you, Arthur." Merlin wasn't about to tell his brother that it would interfere with his 'destiny.'

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Him? Kill me?"
Morgana placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Merlin, I don't know who this person is, but he's telling you to abandon a boy and leave him to die. If he really is going to kill Arthur, his magic can't possibly outdo yours. We'll watch both."

Merlin bit back from saying that there was a lot the boy could do before Merlin reached his magic, but he just sighed and nodded. They were right. Killing an innocent boy for something he could do later wasn't right. How did the dragon even know?

"Swefe nu." Merlin whispered, and the two guards guarding the jails dropped to the floor, asleep. Arthur gave him an impressed look. Merlin rolled his eyes, and headed down the stairs, grabbing the keys. When he arrived at the cell of the boy, Merlin made quick work of the lock and Arthur stepped in.

"Don't be scared. I have sent word to your people. I'm taking you to them. You must come with me." Arthur held out a hand. The boy stared at him, then glanced behind to Merlin, before rising and taking the eldest prince's hand. Arthur led him down the corridors, Merlin a step behind. Arriving at the gate, Merlin held out his hand just as the bell started ringing in warning. Startled, Merlins eyes glowed golden, and the grate disappeared. Arthur rushed out with the boy and greeted Morgana, who was a little while off, standing next to a horse. Arthur jumped up and Merlin lifted to the boy to sit in front of him.

"If Father asks where I am, I've gone on a hunting trip." Arthur whispered to Merlin. Merlin nodded, and met the boys eyes.

Goodbye, Emrys. I know that someday we will meet again.

"And then he spoke, and said his name was Mordred."

"Mordred." Merlin mused. So that was the name of the boy who apparently supposed to kill his brother. The boy's last words to him echoed through his head. If he did meet Mordred again, and he showed any intention of harm toward Arthur, Merlin would not hesitate to protect his brother. Not this time.

A/N:

I'm sorry. Really I am. That was probably the longest I haven't updated. It's been a year since I posted this story, and it came to my attention that the way i'm going the very LEAST time it will take to complete this story is five years. FIVE YEARS. So...

Anyway, yes this chapter is very short. I couldn't find a way to involve Morgana's escape attempt without them looking like complete idiots, so I decided it would have to be shorter. I remembered that this story wasn't my attempt to completely write out the show, but change it a little. When I first started watching this show, I thought that a few episodes in Arthur would find out about Merlin's magic and they would achieve things together. YEAH. Horrible prediction. But thats kinda where I'm taking this story.

Thank you so much for reading, and special thanks to those who interacted with this story! I hope I can get out the next episode soon.

(Please forgive the mistakes...it's all mine.)