It was a bitter wintery day in Camelot, and Gaius's knees were aching. He made his way back to his chambers, trying to ignore the pain in his legs. It was just lunchtime and already he'd tended over a dozen people.

Although it wasn't windy, it was cold and the snow was deep. Most of the people Gaius had seen were suffering the effects of cold and lack of warm clothes.

As he struggled across the courtyard, the muffled sound of hooves made him look around. His jaw dropped as a man came riding up on an angry-looking grey stallion, a man he'd not seen in a very long time.

"Daniel Gedren!" Gaius said in surprise as the other dismounted. "What brings you to Camelot?"

Gedren was about Gaius's age, but where Gaius was the kind, fatherly sort, Gedren was the opposite. He bore scars from his war days and his very presence spoke of amoral cruelty.

Gedren's intimidating, mismatched eyes scanned the courtyard, taking in every inch of it. "Strange sort of place to be since last time I saw you, Gaius," he said dispassionately.

"That was many years ago," said Gaius, a warning edge to his tired voice. "I —"

"I'm not interested, Gaius," Gedren said rudely. "I must speak to the king. Is there someone who can take care of Karadon?"

"I'm afraid the stable staff are busy, but I know someone. He'll be right down." Gaius hurried as fast as he could toward his rooms, wondering why a man like Gedren wanted to talk to Uther.

"Merlin!"

The young man was taking a nap when Gaius came barging into his room. The moment he did so, Merlin leapt up into a crouch, eyes on the door, his teeth bared in a snarl.

Gaius ignored his behaviour. "Get up. You're needed in the courtyard."

Merlin didn't move. "Now!" snapped Gaius, turning around and heading to his own bed. After Gedren's surprise appearance, and being outside so long, he really needed a nap.

Out in the courtyard, Gedren stood like stone, oblivious to the cold and continued to watch everyone else's movements. He did something of a double take when he spotted Merlin making his way toward him.

"You're the help?" he sneered. He gave the boy a slow once over, glanced at his horse, then back at the living stick. "Bit skinny for a stable boy, aren't you?"

The wolf locked inside Merlin strained and snapped, but Merlin was able to keep him leashed. Even now, he may not quite match Arthur in terms of physique, but he wasn't as skinny – or weak – as he'd been, thanks to his transformations.

He was also impervious to changes in temperature and a dozen other things that would kill or incapacitate a normal human.

Not that he'd ever tell that to this brute.

"I'm actually the prince's manservant," he said, his voice sharper than he meant it to be; Gedren's eyes flared, but Merlin didn't notice.

Then, before Merlin could step away, the older man grabbed him by the throat and threw him down into the snow. Dazed, Merlin blinked and tried to breathe, but Gedren had big hands that wrapped completely around his neck.

"If you ever talk to me again, stable brat, I'll see to it that you don't survive the year," Gedren snarled. He took his hands away and brought down his foot instead, letting out a stream of words only a magic user would know.

Merlin blacked out almost instantly, laying limp and unconscious in the middle of the courtyard.

Satisfied, Gedren smirked and, leaving his horse where he was, turned toward a set of doors he knew would lead him to Uther.

Gaius stared in horror out his window. He'd been woken from his nap by Gedren's colourful cursing and on looking out, had been horrified to see Merlin laying unconscious fifty feet below.

He'd rushed down, but by the time he got to the scene, Gedren had vanished and Merlin looked little better than dead.

Gaius's stomach knotted as he knelt in the white snow next to Merlin's limp body. He seemed unharmed, but for a heavy, boot sized bruise on his head and neck.

Gaius turned as Arthur rushed up, obviously having seen what had happened. Angling himself so he couldn't be seen from the throne room window, he attempted to connect with Merlin. After a moment, he sat back with a frustrated sigh.

"Nothing?" asked Gaius.

The prince shook his head. "It's silent as the grave in there."

Gaius winced at the choice of words. "Come on, let's get him up to my chambers. The last thing we need is for something unnatural to happen."

Working together, they managed to get Merlin out of view and into the castle.

Meanwhile, Daniel Gedren was being shown into the throne room.

"Sire," he croaked to the regal king sitting before him. "I have come to offer my services. My name is Daniel Gedren and I am a Hunter, a finder of magic. I was attacked two nights ago by bandits who fear Hunters. They took everything I have and left me only my horse." The Hunter part was true; Daniel hoped the rest of his story could hold water.

Uther continued to gaze at him for a few seconds longer, and then he smiled. "You are traveling through?" Gedren nodded. "Very well. Camelot could use a man of your talents. But beware: we've had your sort here before and it did not bode well. Tread carefully. You may stay here until you have finished what you've come to do. Sedra?" the king said to a woman standing along the wall. "Show this man to his room."

Bowing, Sedra beckoned Gedren to follow her.

With a nod to the king, Gedren followed, his smirk unseen by Uther.

Back in the physician's chambers, Gaius and Arthur were waiting for Merlin to wake up. When he did, Arthur was leaning over him, pale-faced and anxious.

Merlin grabbed him around the shoulders without a word. Arthur knew that look on his friend's face. Merlin was hungry, and the prince was his meal.

Contrary to what most people would have done, Arthur relaxed, falling forward; the only thing keeping him from complete collapse were Merlin's hands. Merlin opened his mouth, found the main neck vein and bit firmly into the sensitive skin.

Arthur's groan made Gaius look up but he didn't move from where he sat at his table. He dared not disturb Merlin while he was eating.

Gaius vividly remembered the temper tantrum Merlin had thrown a year earlier when he'd discovered he could no longer eat food. A few hours afterwards, his animal instincts had overtaken his humanity and Arthur had been ambushed outside his chambers.

Arthur had been taken by surprise, and even though he'd tried to fight Merlin off, he'd been the weaker one. Merlin had the advantage of a half dozen transformations behind him and had overpowered the prince and taken what he'd wanted: Arthur's blood.

Doing so had bonded them; the bond they already shared had been a lingering one, but by taking the prince's blood, Merlin had strengthened it, and unlocked new abilities.

A moan shook Gaius from his memories. Merlin had finished, and Arthur was slumped over him. Gaius hurried to separate them before Arthur collapsed.

"Sire, are you alright?" Gaius asked worriedly, leading Arthur to a chair. "He took you by surprise."

The prince waved him away. "Thank you Gaius, but I'm alright."

"Still, it would be nice if he gave you some warning," said Gaius, shooting a disapproving look at his ward, who was happily licking leftover blood from his chin, even though there was none on the prince.

Just as the last of the blood disappeared, a knock came on the door and Sir Leon poked his head through. He frowned at the three of them.

"Is everything okay in here? Some of the knights saw what happened."

Merlin considered Leon a friend, and flashed him a smile, if only to keep him from discovering what had really happened. "I'm fine, he didn't hit me that hard."

Leon didn't believe Merlin, and Arthur knew it. He quickly changed the subject. "What's going on?"

"The king wants to see you, Sire. Gaius, our newest guest has requested a remedy."

"What kind of remedy?" Leon raised his eyebrows at the guarded tone of Gaius's voice.

"Headache," he said after a moment with a confused frown. He withdrew.

"I don't like this, and Daniel Gedren does not need a remedy." said Gaius as soon as the door closed. Arthur and Merlin stared at him.

"Something wrong?"

Gaius began to pace, and it was something he didn't do unless he was really irritated. "Both of you need to be wary of Gedren." The tone of his voice said he was serious. "He's very dangerous."

"He looks deadly," Merlin muttered. "I wasn't willing to admit it in front of Leon, but my head really hurts," he said massaging it as he spoke.

"You're going to take it easy," Arthur ordered. "I'm going to see what my father wants."

"Go to your room, Merlin," said Gaius, moving to his bookcase. "I'll be up with a draught —"

"No."

Gaius turned to Merlin with a quelling glare. With anyone else, it would have made them comply; Merlin just glared back. "I'm not injured enough for medicine Gaius," he said. His voice had a hint of a wolfish growl.

When his eyes suddenly flared a deep insidious red, Gaius silently relented. Now that Merlin had the power of the wolf, he had to remember to tread carefully sometimes.

Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm. "Capendier dinios," he said and the red faded back to blue.

"Sorry," said Merlin. "I hate it when that happens."

"Good thing Arthur was here to calm you down," Gaius said with a sigh. "I would hate to see what you'd be like if he wasn't around."

Merlin privately agreed and was thankful that hadn't happened yet.

"Right, I'm going to see my father," said Arthur. "I'll be back later Merlin; try not to cause trouble while I'm gone."

Leaving Merlin in Gaius's hands, Arthur made his way to the throne room; Uther was there, tapping a foot.

"Well?" the king asked, his face and voice a mix of anger and impatience.

Confusion clouded Arthur's thoughts. "Well what?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Uther's growl reminded Arthur of Merlin's. "Don't you dare," he said. "You know what I'm talking about."

Arthur glanced out the window. It wasn't late yet, but darkness came early this time of year; Camelot was only a few hours away from complete darkness and tonight was a full moon. His heart sank as he thought of Merlin.

Since he'd begun drinking blood, Merlin's transformations had shifted to coincide with the rising of the moon. The magical lunar chart Arthur had been given a year and a half earlier had been lost months ago. Arthur knew he couldn't leave Merlin alone during the moon and if he had to go searching . . .

"I assure you Father, I don't."

Uther growled again and turned away. "I received word that Camelot has a sorcerer in its midst. Are you telling me you have no knowledge of this?"

Arthur shook his head, secretly afraid that Merlin had been found out.

Uther heaved a heavy sigh. "Search the castle and city. I want the sorcerer found!"

"Yes Father." Arthur left quickly before his father saw the fear on his face.

Uther continued to growl and pace long after Arthur left the room. Finally, he turned to Gedren, who was standing impassively near a support column. "I thank you for bringing news of the sorcerer to my attention," the king said. "Have you any more news for me?"

Gedren bowed, his mismatched eyes glowing with pride. "I do Sire. As you know, I am a Hunter and –"

"Remind me again, what exactly is a Hunter?"

Gedren's eyes narrowed at the impatience in the king's voice, but that was the only emotional output since he'd entered the room. After a tense moment, he said silkily, "A Hunter, such as myself, is someone trained in the magical arts who is hired to find persons suspected of magic."

"Similar to a Witchfinder."

Gedren's eyes flared at that. "We are nothing like them," he gritted out tightly. " 'finders use tricks to catch their prey. A Hunter makes absolutely certain of his target before he strikes."

"And I suppose you have someone in mind?" Uther snapped, hands on his hips. "Magic is banned here, but perhaps in light of your offer, we can bend around that."

Gedren's ugly mouth curved into a sick smile. "Yes Milord, I have someone; he's none other than your son's servant, Merlin. I believe him to be the sorcerer you're looking for."

Uther raised an eyebrow at the accusation. "What proof do you have?"

Gedren smirked. "I was passing him in the courtyard and he melted a patch of snow with naught more than a whispered word. I heard him."

"Guards!" Uther shouted and Gedren's smile widened. "Alert the knights. They are to find Merlin. When they do, he goes right to the dungeons. I want him dead by sunrise."

Nodding, the guards left. Considering himself dismissed, Gedren followed.

His plan was working perfectly. Now, all he had to do was get his tools.

It was beginning to grow darker earlier now, Merlin brooded later that day as he stumbled to the armoury to deposit Arthur's armour for the night. He wished Arthur hadn't left afternoon training to the last minute, but with the hunt for the sorcerer going on, he'd had no choice.

Arthur had told him not to attend practice, as he'd heard from his knights that Merlin was to be arrested on order from the king. To protect him, the prince had insisted Merlin stay with Giaus.

But Merlin had ignored the prince's order.

Merlin dumped the unwieldy load in a corner. Finished, he left the armoury and as he made his way back toward the castle, his stomach began to growl.

The blood lust he hated so much came instantly. The sudden need for the sweet metallic liquid was so severe, he groaned, his hands fisting at his sides. Inside him, the wolf whined.

Unwilling to waste time searching for Arthur on foot, Merlin quickly connected, and found the prince in his chambers.

Arthur tensed the moment he felt the connection spark in the back of his mind. Merlin was hungry again. After a moment he growled, Hurry up, it's getting late and I don't have a lot of time before I have to deliver my report.

Five minutes later, the door burst open and Merlin stood there, panting from exertion, his eyes wild.

The prince braced himself as Merlin crossed to him in two strides and grabbed him roughly. He bit down without hesitation.

The prince went limp in Merlin's hold and if it hadn't been for the tight grip, Arthur would have slid to the floor.

Just as Merlin was finishing, he sensed the moon's rise. Instinctively, his jaw locked around Arthur's neck, his body's automatic attempt to keep from transforming.

It didn't work. A moment later, he jerked back from Arthur and fell to his knees. The hold that was usually kept on the wolf shattered.

Arthur winced in sympathy as Merlin groaned and screamed. He lay on his side now, panting and twitching as he was forced to change. Smooth black hair replaced his clothes; his hands and feet became giant paws and his eyes turned from their usually welcoming blue to deathly yellow. His nose and mouth changed, narrowing into a slim muzzle full of lethal white teeth.

A few minutes later, a massive black wolf rose from the spot where Merlin had been. Shaking itself, it padded over to the window, sharp eyes glinting in the dark.

"Are you alright, Merlin?" Arthur's voice was soft, barely a whisper, and yet the wolf's ear flicked back at the sound.

Yes, came Merlin's voice. I should have waited until after I turned to eat.

"Then may I suggest that no matter how hungry you get, don't eat and turn," said Arthur, heading to the door. "You can always eat after. I'm going for supper, are you coming?"

Merlin hurried after him.

As Arthur entered the dining hall, Uther's eyes widened at the sight of the huge wolf-dog, but he said nothing. Instead, he watched Arthur's interaction with the dog, bitterly wishing he'd gotten rid of the monster a long time ago.

As the king's guest, Gedren was sitting at the table, as was Gaius. Gedren had requested he join them, claiming he wanted to catch up, for old times' sake.

But Gaius, Arthur and Merlin knew better. Gedren didn't care about anyone; Gaius figured he wanted to get their measure and since Merlin wasn't present in human form, he suspected Gedren wanted to rule out any association with magic.

Good thing your not human right now, Arthur said to Merlin as he lifted a forkful of roasted sweet potato to his mouth.

Yeah, I'd be in trouble, Merlin replied, leaning against Arthur's leg and looking up at him with a hopeful expression.

"Forget it," said Arthur, out of habit. Merlin could eat human food but because his system had become accustomed to blood, he had to cough it up later.

Merlin whined and Arthur knew he was trying to convinced Gedren that he was an ordinary canine and not a shape shifting sorcerer.

"What's that?" Gedren asked, leaning down to see. He hadn't noticed Merlin come in with Arthur.

But he moved too fast, startling Merlin. Instantly, Merlin let out a frightening hiss, and put himself between Arthur and Gedren, hackles raised. He was glaring at Gedren with those fearsome yellow eyes and his gleaming white teeth were bared in a snarl that said, 'back off!'

Gedren paled and quickly sat up again. "Sire?" A shadow of unease crossed his ugly face. "Why did the dog do that?"

"That mutt is a recent acquisition of Arthur's," the king said with a disproving look at his son. "He's been coming here once a month for the last year and a half. I have no idea why Arthur's so attached to him."

The prince felt Merlin's ire. Watch it Merlin, Arthur cautioned sharply, nudging his friend under the table. Don't do anything stupid. It would be just like you to reveal yourself in front of a magic hunter and my father. Don't screw up.

Yes Sire, Merlin grumbled and lay down with what could have been a whine of disappointment.

Why are you pouting? Arthur asked as Gedren got Gaius and the king on the topic of bandits.

I want a piece of him, Merlin growled. He attacked me and your father let him stay!

Merlin . . . Arthur was starting to get annoyed. I know you're upset but just try and sit through the rest of supper and then you can have the night off.

Merlin huffed. I won't make any promises, he said.

The rest of the meal went off without anymore interruptions. As servants came to clear the table, Uther said, "Arthur, where's Merlin?"

Taken aback by the abruptness of the question, Arthur stumbled over his answer. "Uh, he wasn't feeling well."

"I see." Arthur didn't look away as his father watched him carefully. "Well, I'd better see him doing his job tomorrow or he's going to be out of work."

Merlin gulped. Now what? He asked as Arthur led him out of the hall.

Arthur sighed. "You can't change back until after the moon wanes, so we'll just have to figure something out."

Like what? Merlin asked. You heard him. If I'm not your servant that means you could be dead by next week!

"Hush!" hissed Arthur. "That's enough, Merlin," he whispered as the hall began to fill with other people. "We'll talk about that later. You can go relax now, the rest of the night is yours."

Arthur returned to his own rooms, intending to go over some official papers. Half an hour after he sat down, the alarm bell began to sound.

Instantly, he was on his feet. As he ran out the door and down the corridor, he connected to Merlin, and found him in Gaius's chambers, asleep.

Merlin! He called, jolting the warlock from his nap. We need to move. There's no time! He said, sensing Merlin getting out of bed. Stay there, you'll have to merge!

A few seconds later, an invisible, heavy weight settled at his back, covering him from head to toe. Arthur's vision briefly flared golden yellow then returned to normal.

All right, I'm here, what's going on? Merlin asked as he sunk a little deeper into Arthur's body, just below his skin.

"I don't know," the prince gritted as they joined a throng of knights. "The bell just went off."

Merlin growled. Gedren.

"How do you know?"

He's a sorcerer, a learned one, like Gaius, Merlin replied. Arthur felt him power up, using his magic to locate Gedren. Found him!

Arthur slowed, ducking behind an alcove, out of sight of the other knights. "Where?" he whispered.

In the forest. If we hurry, we might be able to get there ahead of the knights.

Peeking around the corner of the alcove, Arthur checked to make sure the knights wouldn't see him. With the coast clear, he hurried in the other direction toward the stables.