Merlin froze and looked around in a panic. He saw the bulge beneath the blankets and the way Arthur's hips rotated. This wasn't supposed to happen, this attraction was only supposed to be one way. He took a slow deep breath; you couldn't blame someone for what they dreamed. It might not mean anything. He turned and quickly left the room, closed the door and leaned against it. He hoped that he could calm down his pounding heart. The young man had no idea how long he'd stood there and waited until he was needed.

"Merlin…MERLIN." A voice yelled from the bedroom

"Back to normal, well as normal as things get." He forced a smile as he opened the door and walked into his Lord and Master's quarters. "You called Sire?"

Arthur could feel the blush on his face; he'd never had such an erotic dream before about a man, and it made it more uncomfortable that it was about his manservant. "We have more training to do today."

"More?"

"Yes, more…Merlin." He choked out those words; they had been ones he'd whispered in his fantasy. The future king had a lot of excess energy to burn off, and maybe he would be so tired it would be a dreamless sleep tonight.

XXXXX

A week had passed, and Codor was now getting frustrated, more than that. He was angry. No matter what he did Merlin kept turning him down. There was also never a chance to be alone with the warlock; if they were, it wouldn't be long before they were joined. Everyone seemed to be getting in their way. No matter where they were, someone always interrupted them. There was only one thing left to do. He needed to drive a wedge between Arthur and Merlin. The Prince had done his best to make sure that he wasn't anywhere near his servant. No one seemed to know about Merlin, and yet they all seemed to want to protect this nobody.

There was one thing he could do it would mean that Merlin would be afraid for his life and Lord Codor would come to his rescue. Merlin would be very, very grateful.

XXXXX

"Prince Arthur, if I may have a word."

"Of course, Lord Codor, how may I aid you?" It was the last thing he wanted to do, but this man was a guest, and that meant he had to be polite.

"It's about your servant, Merlin."

"Of course it is," He muttered. "What about him?"

"I've been watching him closely–."

"Yes, you have, extremely closely."

Codor sent a glare at him before he carried on. "For your safety, there are some things I think you should know."

"For my safety, you are concerned about my…wait; you believe that Merlin is dangerous, that my life is in danger from Merlin?"

"He may not be a danger but, I don't think you know everything about them."

"I know him, everything about him. He is with me all the time." Which was one of the problems he had after that…dream he had.

"Haven't you noticed strange things that happen when he's around?" Codor slowly walked around and once behind him he leaned forward and whispered in Arthur's ear. "I've heard how you managed to survive things. Whoever is against you seems to lose, as if by magic."

"Magic is not allowed to be used in any way."

"Yes, it is it would be hazardous for someone's health if they were magically inclined. These people might keep it a secret. You know to protect themselves against those who might hurt them, or perhaps the person they served."

Arthur just stared at Codor, it couldn't be true.

XXXXX

Lancelot was frozen to the spot. Lord Codor had just told Arthur about Merlin and what the young man could do. This could mean the death of his friend, he wasn't sure if the prince would do anything, but if King Uther found out, and it would be the end in death and a celebration. It wouldn't be the first time. He had to do something.

XXXXX

Gaius placed a bowl of stew in front of Merlin and smile at the younger man. He'd never thought he would have a son. The young warlock may not be biologically his, but they were family.

Just then the door flew open and in ran Lancelot.

"A problem has arisen."

"What is it?" Merlin stood as he asked.

"Codor has 'indicated' to Arthur, that Merlin has magic."

"He what!" The warlock shouted.

"You two stay here," Gaius ordered. "I'm going to check on Arthur; perhaps I can persuade him that there is nothing magical going on here."

"Lancelot, you can't stay here, it's too dangerous. King Uther would love to get rid of you, he was angry when he son made you a knight." Merlin didn't want anything to happen to the other man; they were friends, even with him having magic.

XXXXX

"Arthur, it's time for the council meeting."

"Father, not now." All he could think about was that Merlin might have lied to him ever since they had known each other.

"You will join us now." Uther ordered, "You are my heir, and therefore these are things you must learn for when your reign begins."

"Very well." There was no way he was going to get out of this. At least he could forget about this for the moment. He needed to have a clear mind when he met with his servant.

Gaius arrived just in time to see father and son disappear into the council room. He only hoped that Arthur wouldn't say anything without talking to Merlin first. He hoped that this was going to give them some time to come up with a plan or to help the situation or aide in an escape.

XXXXX

Gaius sighed as he finally made his way back to his quarters. It had taken a while as it seemed everyone needed to talk to him and it was urgent and had to be done there and then. He opened the door, and his mouth fell open at the man and lying on the floor. It was Lancelot. He rushed to the knight's side and knelt down.

"Lancelot, you must awaken." He felt the man's forehead, and then lifted his eyelids. He was breathing normally, and that was a good sign.

Lancelot mumbled as he slowly became aware of the world around him. "Merlin?"

Gaius glanced around the room and noticed there was no one else there he'd been worried about the man on the floor he forgot about the younger man. His heart started to speed up. 'Merlin?" He called out.

"Find him, Gaius, you have to find him."

The healer got to his feet and went into Merlin's room, it was empty. His clothes were gone, where was his protégé? If he'd left on his own accord, Lancelot would've known. What had happened here?

XXXXX

Ildur stopped his wagon as soon as he felt that he was far enough away. He climbed down, went around to the back and climbed in. He stared to move cloths and herbs until a face was uncovered.

"We promised to protect you Emrys."

TBC