A/N: I was watching Merlin's second season when this fic popped into my head. I hope you enjoy reading it.

The sky over Camelot was growing darker. The storm was coming, high and strong, a dark and mighty thunder storm. Already when Arthur was a little boy, he didn't like the thunder. Then he used to ran to Gaius, who always read stories to him. When he was teenager he was always with his father or Sir Leon and he never showed how scared he was, neither of them also never suspected.

Later on he had Merlin who had somehow guessed his fear. Merlin never told Arthur that he knew about it but he was always there with his prince when the storm was raging around the castle. Even if Merlin hadn't told him what he knew, Arthur still sensed why his manservant was with him at those times.

But now as the king of Camelot only place he could be when the storm was coming was alone in his chambers, he didn't have anyone.

Of course he had Morgana, she had become on of his best advisors but he could never tell her about his fear. That would have made him look weak in her eyes, and he couldn't allow that. And Gwen, his beautiful Gwen… But he hadn't found the right time to tell his fiancée about his childish fear. There was of course Gaius and Sir Leon, but he couldn't ask them to help him. Yes, Gaius already knew and Leon, had at some point during his teenage years guessed it, but it was too much to ask of them.

Merlin was gone; three years ago Uther had discovered that Merlin was sorcerer. Arthur remembered it well:

Arthur was standing beside Uther, his heart troubled with pain, he couldn't look at the boy who was kneeling in front of them. He looked at his father who was furious. Arthur didn't understand why, it was Arthur who should have been furious, but instead he was sad, he knew exactly what was coming.

"How long have you been practicing magic, sorcerer?" Uther voice was cold and determined.

"I was born with it; I could fly things with my mind even before I could talk." Merlin's words were confident, Arthur looked at him and saw bravery, his manservant wasn't afraid, he was ready to die.

"So you are admitting that you are an evil sorcerer." Arthur was frowning; his father was putting words into Merlin's mouth.

"No, your Majesty, I did not say that, and I'm actually a warlock." Arthur closed his eyes, great, using that voice and words Merlin had moved his execution much closer, "I have never used my magic against you, Prince Arthur or Camelot. All I have done is saved you, helped you, and protected you. I haven't done anything evil in my life. And if I could mention, when you discovered that I can do magic I was saving your son's life." Oh Merlin you idiot, it was not the best thing to say. Arthur sighted, now it was sure he would lose his servant and best friend forever.

"Magic is banned by the law in Camelot, you are a sorcerer and that means, Merlin of Ealdor, tomorrow at dawn you shall be executed." Uther sneered.

"NO!" there where two yells, Arthur recognized one as his own, but he did not even know that he had spoken and the other one was Gaius'. Uther send death glare at Arthur, prince knew that his father would never listen to him. Then the King turned the glare at Gaius.

"That is my decision."

"No, sire, listen, please!" Arthur saw desperation in court physician eyes. He breathed out when he saw his fathers nod.

"What Merlin is telling is the truth, my lord. Merlin has never used his gift against you, the prince or Camelot. He has only used it for good." Gaius started listing every good deed what Merlin had done. Its length baffled Arthur; he would have never guessed it to be that long. Arthur saw that his father was listening. When Gaius finished, Arthur could see Uther's face, he had started to relent.

"Alright, as you have done so much for my son and my kingdom. I won't execute you, but from this day forward until the day I die you, Merlin of Ealdor, you are banished from the Kingdom of Camelot. Now leave, I want to see you gone from this castle and city by sunset." Arthur felt like crying, he had lost his best friend forever. He didn't know how he would live, how would he become great king if he didn't have Merlin by his side. But at least he will not be dead.

"Arthur," prince came out of the haze and looked at Morgana who had approached him and placed gentle hand on his shoulder, "Arthur, Uther said that Merlin was banished until the day he died." Suddenly Arthur saw ray of light, someday everything will be fine.

It all had happened three years ago, Arthur had not heard a single word from his friend. For a year Uther had been dead, for a year Arthur had been king, for a year there were no laws against magic, all sorcerers were welcome to Camelot. But there was no Merlin.

"Alone, again?" Arthur took a breath, Morgana; she was the only one who was brave enough to enter with out knocking. He didn't say anything nor turned around.

"You know, it's not healthy." But Arthur again didn't say anything, Morgana started to worry. Usually Arthur would have had some quick-witted remarks to shot back at her.

"You are thinking about him, aren't you?"

"About who? The great dragon?" Sarcasm, way to go, Arthur best defence is an attack.

"Arthur, please," Morgana was never one to plead, but she had watched how the man she considered as a brother, was burning himself.

In the last three years Uther's ward and his son had grown closer. It had started when Merlin was sent away and Morgana confessed to Arthur that she was a seer. Arthur had taken it quit well, that secret and Merlin's banishment had moved them closer. Then they had companied their powers in fight against Uther's outraged war against magic. Of course, the king had showed mercy to Merlin. But after that he went with vengeance after other sorcerers. Arthur and Morgan tried to reason with him, but it didn't stop the king. During the last year Morgana had become Arthur's most trusted advisor.

"Yes, I thought about him, I don't understand why hasn't he come yet?"

"Everything happens with a reason and in their own time." Morgana tried to keep irritation out of her voice, how many times they had had that talk with Arthur.

"What if he is dead?"

"No, Arthur, he is not. We would know that, believe me, we would."

"I guess you are right. But I can't get the fear out of my heart." Arthur looked how the rain started pouring, and heard the first clasps of thunder in the distance.

"The fear will be always in your heart. It is fear for the people you love." Morgana saw Arthur smile a little.

"Now stop mopping around, you dolt, I have requested our dinners to be brought in here, I thought we could keep each other company at this stormy evening." Morgana had just confirmed Arthurs suspicions Morgana knew about his fear. But Arthur didn't care.

Few hours later Morgana had left, but the thunder was still raving around the castle. Arthur tried to sleep but every time he closed his eyes the thunder cracked. When it happened seventh time Arthur groaned, if he couldn't sleep then he could do some paperwork. He rose and then froze something was not right. The drapes were open, he knew he had drew them close when he had gone to bed, there was sun shining out side although it was night and Arthur had heard the thunder just few minutes ago.

"Well look who has decided to wake up." Arthur turned around, smile on his face. He knew that voice, he looked at the fireplace where the voice came.

"And were have you been, idiot?" His eyes and voice were full of mischief.

"Here, there – everywhere." Amusement left Arthur at Merlin's words. He looked closer at his friend. Merlin still had his youthful looks, but his face was hardened by time. His eyes seemed so old, like he had seen too much. Arthur tried but couldn't envision the grin – what he remembered – on his friends face.

"Is it a dream?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, Arthur, I put a spell on you, but your restlessness and discomfort from this storm didn't let me sleep." Merlin rose and stepped closer. Arthur could see a light beard on his face and his dark hair had grown longer.

"How is it possible?"

"Thru the bond we share. Your physical body is sleeping, as is your mind, but because of the spell we have this dream."

"Even if it is a dream, it is good to see you." Smile came back to Arthur; he could see the smile on Merlin's face.

"Same here, it is very good to see you, prat." Arthur found the freedom to laugh, he had missed this.

"Idiot," He sobered a little, "when will you come back?"

"When the time is right."

"When will that be?" Arthur felt irritation creeping to his voice.

"Soon, maybe, I don't know."

Arthur wanted to say something but Merlin cut him thru, "Now, you must go back to bed."

"Why?"

"You know for a prat you ask too many questions."

"And you are still an idiot." Arthur could see a grin on Merlin's face, even if it was only a shadow of what it once was it was still there.

"Go to bed now, the dawn is closing, soon you must wake up: the dream will end."

Arthur crumbled but he did what Merlin asked. "I have missed you."

"And I have missed you, but know close your eyes."

"Who is the king here?"

"You are, sire, but sometimes you must hear good advice."

Arthur sighed and closed his eyes.

"I will be seeing you soon, Arthur, King of Camelot," was the last thing he heard. When he opened his eyes, Merlin was gone and he could hear the rain against windows. But the thunder was gone and he felt peace, the feeling he hadn't had for many years.

"Thank you, Merlin."

A/N: There it is, I hope you enjoyed it. I don't know right know if there will be one or two chapters more, time will tell. But I promise they will be up soon. And yes you read correctly Morgana is good in this fic and no, she won't turn evil because I liked the good Morgana in the first season and in the beginning of the second. I know this is now begging but review.