Author's Note.

Yay! Back with a Merlin story! Enjoy.

"Be careful. Remember what I told you." Merlin nodded sharply trying not to whine or pout. Leaving Ealdor was not his decision, he wanted desperately to stay with his family. His dad looked tired and more worn than he had ever seen him. His mother was fairing better but looked worried. Balinor continued, "No magic in anything but your classes. Don't act different in any way and try very hard Merlin, try your best to blend in with the other sorcerers. They'll know your more powerful but that is all." Again Merlin nodded.

Hunith started tearing up, something she had done many times over this summer. Merlin was eighteen and that meant as for all sorcerers, he was to go to Camelot. King Uther of Albion had done what his grandfather and father had tried to do all those years ago. Rid the world of magic. And Uther was doing a damned good job out of it too. With the past twenty five years he ended The High Council, which used to oversee the use of magic and waged an underground cold war with the supernatural. He had even gone so far as of nineteen years ago tricking a high priestess of the Old Religion into creating a book of all magical children born, appearing on the pages at the precise moment of their birth. Now it was the Registry of Magical Beings. Or just R.O.M. Registry of Magics. Uther Pendragon was a tyrant that had a way of moving people to his side, he had France persuaded within a year, then Germany. By the time Merlin was five and had caused a thunderstorm in a tantrum, he already knew that magic was outlawed in all of Europe, most of Asia and Southern Africa unless trained by a qualified royally inspected teacher. Children were separated from their relatives in Europe, Merlin being one of the few exceptions, his father was powerful enough to shield him. Most weren't that lucky. He also knew he was different form most magic wielders, his father had taught him in secret spending most their summers and hell even some winters in the protected forest that surround their village.

Though Ealdor had served it's purpose. He had been around more humans than sorcerers and Balinor wanted to keep it that way. Safer, he always said. His father had a mistrust of everyone since the fall. He had once been a general in Uther's army, had known the man well too from his stories. But Uther was growing paranoid and keeping an eye on the young seemed like an excellent idea. Teach them what magic was good and bad and shift their opinions. Keep all the threats to his reign under his control. And Merlin was the largest threat, so when he hugged his mother one last time he tried hard to keep a straight face.

They had talked about running, maybe Australia, maybe India. But Balinor shook his head, the druids would know and those that lived in London with the King would have to tell. They would make it maybe two years, five even with Merlin's magic but not forever and by that time there could be executions. Merlin knew it was just a matter of time before that step was taken.

His mum and dad busied themselves with his suitcases as Will appeared. Immediately they hugged. Will was his longest, best friend. The only human besides his own mother that didn't care about that. "Don't forget about me okay?" Merlin nodded as Will kissed him on the cheek. Both smiled, it was common knowledge that the two were on and off, never too serious to stay together long enough, their friendship though had always remained, til now. Merlin would not be able to return for five long years. Perhaps even longer.

They parted slowly each recognizing this as a finality. He couldn't believe it came so fast. Slowly he turned away, hugged his mum, now crying fully. And then got into the car. Balinor sighed heavily as they started to drive. Merlin tried to keep Hunith and Will in his sights but soon they were around a bend and heart hammering out of site. Then Merlin faced forward, the dirt road through the forest a familiar sight. This time it wasn't welcoming. He turned to his dad, "This is going to alright." Balinor nodded stiffly, "Of course, just remember-" "Stay invisible. I got it." Balinor and Merlin were alike in many ways, though Balinor was honey eyes and built like a mountain man where Merlin took after his mother, blue eyes and lean though Hunith did let Merlin grow out his hair this year, something he had been begging to do for three years, the resemblance increased. They had the same personality both held respect and honour in high standing, as well as promises. But Merlin knew as much as Balinor loved him, he hated Uther Pendragon the same amount. This was becoming another common trait the more Merlin heard news on the telly.

They spoke all about magic throughout the day. Going over lessons from childhood about nature magic and scrying, to the Fae and Avalon something he was warned to never speak about in Camelot. He went over the histories of not only his line but also the Seven Great Wars over the past thousand years. It was fun, relaxing, everything Merlin had long ago memorized. Magic was like breathing to him. Most sorcerers were born human, they just had more proficiency with magic, the Old Religion called to them. Druids were druids, magic in them for life but Merlin had to hold close his heritage, fearing those collars he heard Switzerland had finally been able to make, with the help of a few dead.

The next day was a different story. They hardly talked at all, checking out of the motel and driving through London was a new experience for Merlin. Head never seen so many people. Then they were through the mad mass of people and sky scrapers and buildings, another hour and they saw Camelot, surrounding the dominating castle was a medium sized village. Not small enough for everyone to know each other but not quite a town yet. He could see some pubs, a few grocery stores and boutiques., even a blacksmith hut, with a flat above it. Camelot used to be The High Councils but it was seized and made into the best university in well some said all of Europe. At least for humans. For the magical it was prison.

The odd thing was that it was set in the most beautiful places. Merlin knew a druid coven had built it over a thousand years ago but it seemed brand new. Part of it's magic most likely. A lake could be seen in the distance, forest and hilly countryside. It was amazing if he didn't have to be here. Balinor stopped, the car closest to the door and handed Merlin his schedule, his key to the doors and a map. Finally the first words of the day were, "Come on, we can't hide like this forever."

Merlin wished he could.

They had help taking his stuff up to his rooms by a family friend, an ancient man in druids robes named Gaius. Balinor smiled warmly as they started the hike up the stairs, small talk over the last few years not seeing each other. "...Yes I do miss Hunith's baking, such a joy..." "...I'm sure Merlin will be fine..."

As they got to his dorm room, 7913, Gaius panting put down some boxes. "...Now magic and humans were always separated, even different classes, teachers for each." Balinor and Merlin immediately glanced at each other, both saying, "Were?" Frowning, they followed him into the dorm, "Yes well, there was recently a treaty marked. They are trying to integrate the young ones, cause less tension between them." Balinor snorted, "You mean Uther wants ready made spies." He gave a look to Merlin which plain ready, 'DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRUST THIS ROOMMATE OF YOURS.' It would have been funny if it weren't true.

He nodded showing he got the message and looked around. It was impressive he had to say. Large but not a square room, more L shaped, all stone. When you walked in there was a little hallway, storage to the right and a decent sized and well decorated bathroom with two sinks. He hoped his room mate wasn't a prude and took up all the hot water. Then the small living space had a telly, and a brown comfy looking leather couch. Bookcases lined the wall and more storage was on the bottom most likely for dvds and the such. Two large beds were to the left, with armoirs on the side and next to those were two large work desks with more storage. Each faced a window, there were also two more window since this was one of only five available corner rooms. There was also a small table for two and a fireplace. Everything was ancient looking, plush and comfy.

His dad grunted not being able to criticize anything. Then again it was sorcerers that built it and after all this was their taste if truth be told. Old, traditional and comfy. He knew King Uther didn't live here but did have his own suite since he did make regular visits. Both Gaius and Balinor stayed to help him unpack. He didn't ask to use magic and didn't use any. Gaius put away all his books on herbs, planet alignments and medicine. Once he found his magic book he put a spell on it, it would only be handled by him, just what his father told him. Then he made it disappear. Technically he was allowed a magic book, but he knew it had to be inspected and most likely taken any way and that book was seven generations old. No way was someone taking it from him.

Gaius nodded once Merlin was finished fussing over his new clothes. His mother had insisted on new ones, she had splurged over the summer, worry and sadness making her take weekend trips to London. She had only showed him his wardrobe last week and he had yet to thank her enough. "Alright Merlin, I teach medicine for both human and magics, history and herbology. I expect I will see you in those courses?" Merlin nodded, "Except for the last one." Balinor coughed as Gaius frowned, "You don't need to take it?" He groaned inwardly as his dad gave him that look.

This was going to be the worst year ever. "Yes, I do need to take it." Gaius nodded, smiled, said goodbye and left. "Don't worry Merlin, just concentrate on being discrete." He hesitated but awkwardly said, "About boyfriends-" "Dad-" "No Merlin, you need to keep your head level. I know you need companionship but we are on the brink of something big. I need you to keep your emotions under control. Just don't get attached, I'm not saying don't have some fun while your here, as long as you keep in mind not to fully trust someone."

Merlin was blushing but nodding. He understood where Balinor came from but having his father tell him it was better for one night stands and fun then being committed to someone was embarrassing. "Okay, I've got it." Then Balinor reached into his trench and gathered a leather bound book. Merlin knew instantly what it was and knew too that if anyone loyal to the king would kill him over it. Balinor passed Merlin it and he gaped at him, "Are you sure?" Balinor nodded looking grim again and Merlin could just see his eyes starting to water.

"Your going to want to be someone different Merlin. Someone other than yourself. Every Warlock does some time in their lives. But learn from us Merlin you can't run from who you are, you can't wake up one day and be someone else, you grow into the person you'll become but it's still going to be Merlin, no one else. You need this more than me. Remember who you are, where your from and don't ever question mine or your mother's love. That is one thing that is and always will be constant. Everything changes but that. This will help you remember it in grave times such as these."

Merlin practically tackled his dad in a fierce bear hug which was returned with force. Then Balinor stepped back, looked around and nodded. "Be safe me son." Then in a blink he was gone. Merlin sighed heavily, laying on his bed, he had chosen the one with the smaller window nest to it. At least morning light would not shine on him. Then he opened up his book, it wasn't new or filled with magic, it was small and copper coloured, some places worn down to a tan colour.

But to Merlin it was the one book that had always made him feel connected. It was Merlin's family tree, chasing his father's line of Dragon Lords right down to the Great Kings. He jumped as the door slammed, the book immediately disappearing to his spell books location. A blonde haired guy a year or two older than him stopped dead on his way to the bed. Merlin couldn't help but to appreciate how hot this guy was. But before he could take in more than blue eyes and a perfectly fitting red tee he heard him speak. And then didn't find him at all hot.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Snapped out from checking him out Merlin raised a brow, "This is my room. You?" "Hell no. Get out. This is supposed to be Mor-" The door opened again and a black haired beauty came in, in the form of a pale faced, long haired, blue dressed lady. Lady was the only word of it as she looked so regal. "Uther changed our rooms, apparently I'm crashing with this girl named Gwen. I think she's frightened of me, how do you think I could-" "Morgana. Why did he change our rooms?" She shrugged as he snapped, "Well?" God the next five years were going to be hell with this guy.

"Well his idiotic excuse is that there will be rumours about it." Arthur practically growled then said, "Is he kidding, your like my sister!" Morgana was already nodding, "Yeah, that's what I told him, then he went into the whole dorms being non mixing of the genders and said if we did it everyone else would." Okay good point Merlin thought and he saw blonde-e was agreeing too. Then Morgana looked over at him and he froze. Oh god he recognized her from the telly. He knew why he thought lady. She was a lady. Actually King Uther's step-daughter.

That meant...

Horror filled him.

Fuck.

"Arthur who is this?"

Merlin's life was officially over.