A/N Thank you for all the kind people who added this story to their favorite and alert and to those who commented- means so much to me! So it's a bit after schedule but it's here so, no rocks please.

Warning: A bit of MaleXMale this time so if it bothers you go away.

Disclaimer: Not mine *weeps and runs off to cry her little black heart out*

The scream echoed through the palace and Arthur's eyes flew open, he was just finishing to pull on his tunic when the alarm went off.
"What on earth?" He mumbled to himself as he dashed out of his room, his gun held firmly in his hand and collided with Merlin, sending them both to the ground.
"Ohmf," Merlin moaned and robbed the back of his head.
"It's your fault." Arthur informed him as he climbed up to his feet and reached a hand down to help Merlin.
"It's not." Merlin retorted and slapped Arthur's hand away from him. "I'm fine by the way, thank you so much for caring." He added sarcastically as he rose slowly.
Arthur's eyes roamed over Merlin's body, dressed in his night cloths with his hair poking in every possible direction, it should have been ridicules and Arthur knew that but somehow Merlin looked endearing and Arthur wanted to grab him and drag him back to his rooms, another scream cut that line of thought.
Merlin's eyes widened. "Morgana." He said before turning around and running towards Morgana's rooms.
As they got there Arthur's father and Merlin's parents were already there, along with Gwaine and Arthur's second in command, Leon.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked as soon as they stopped but Merlin didn't stop, he moved closer to Morgana's door and touched gently in the dark green barrier that blocked his way.
"Oh 'gana." He sighed and closed his eyes allowing his hands to move across the barrier.
"What's that?" Arthur looked at his father.
"It's," Uther started before shaking his head and looking at Balinor.
"My daughter is a seer, prince Arthur, and as such she doesn't have active magic, not in the way that myself and Merlin does, her magic is dormant but sometimes it's being leashed out, like now, to create a, well, sort of a protective shield around her, preventing anyone from getting near her."
Arthur's eyes moved to Merlin who kept mumbling under his breath, while his hands roamed the green light.
"So what's he doing?" Arthur pointed at Merlin.
"Merlin is the only one powerful enough to break through that barrier." Balinor said and Arthur heard the pride in his voice.
Arthur moved closer to Merlin. "How's it going?" He asked quietly.
"Almost got it." Merlin gritted out, his forehead shining with sweat.
"There!" He exclaimed and moved through the light and into Morgana's rooms, Arthur followed immediately.

Morgana's room was pitch black when they entered and Arthur's hand tightened around his gun.
"Merlin?" He whispered and then Merlin whispered something and a big blue orb of light flashed to life bathing the room in blue light and Arthur blinked several times before he got used to it.
Morgana was sitting in the middle of her bed, her hair wild around her and her eyes unfocused.
"Morgana?" Merlin said softly as he moved slowly towards her, he reached for her and touched her hair gently.
"I'm here sis, talk to me." He said slowly.
Morgana's eyes turned slowly to look at him and Arthur gasped- her eyes were burning with fiery green.
"You died." She whispered, her hands moving forward to grasp Merlin's arms. "You died and I, I couldn't save you," Her gaze turned to Arthur and he stepped back. "You didn't save him," Her voice grew stronger. "You allowed him to die!" She screamed and her eyes flashed brighter and Arthur flew backward, heading towards collision with the wall.
Merlin raised his own hand and Arthur stopped mid air and landed softly on the ground.
"You should go," He said, never moving his eyes from Morgana's.
"Merlin..." Arthur started.
"I mean it Arthur, it's not safe and you should check what that alarm sound was about." He finished softly, his shoulders a bit more tense than before.
Arthur nodded and moved towards the door.
"Werewolves." Morgana whispered, her eyes unfocused again.
"What?"
"In the tunnels below the palace, werewolves." She said again, her voice quiet and otherworldly.
Arthur nodded again and left the room.
"Morgana..." Merlin said again and cupped her chin between his fingers, bringing her blazing eyes back to him. "Tell me." His voice was a quiet demand and Morgana nodded.

Arthur hurried down the tunnels, his gun ready and his men behind him, soon they heard the growls and Arthur lifted his fist to signal his men to stop.
He parted his group into two and each moved from a different passage, aiming to trap the werewolves between them.
Soon they saw them and Arthur and his men stopped dead in their tracks; this weren't normal werewolves, they wore light armor and had short daggers with them, Arthur had a bad feeling about it.
"Kay,go back up and send for more men, we can't take them all down by ourselves." Kay nodded and vanished through the tunnel.
Two minutes later he returned and Arthur signaled to his men to move forward, they closed the circle around the werewolves and stayed for another minute in the shadows until Arthur's cry of "NOW!" echoed around them and they charged.
The tunnel filled with clashes of bullets on armor and Arthur couldn't recognize his men's grunts from the creatures growls.
"Come on man- we can take them!" Arthur encouraged his men as he yanked the spear at the end of his gun from the chest of one of the werewolves.
Arthur smiled as he saw the creatures withdrawing and moving closer to each other, their black eyes shining in the torch's light.
"Hold still men," Arthur cautioned, his gun raised in front of him. "We have them now and they know it." The leading werewolf stared at Arthur and smirked- Arthur blinked, werewolves weren't supposed to smirk.
"You think you are so clever prince of men." The creature said, his voice gruff and low.
"What?"
"Your time is running out and your only hope will soon be gone." He drawled.
"Why is my time running out and what hope?" Arthur said, hoping to gain more time while his men changed their positions around the pack.
"You should ask your father about that princeling and I think it would be best if prince Merlin did the same." His eyes were focused on something above Arthur's head and Arthur knew who exactly is going to be there. Turning around slowly he lifted his eyes and indeed, at the top of the stairs stood Merlin, his eyes wide and lips parted in a silent "Oh".
"Merlin! what are yo-"
"Arthur watch out!" Arthur turned around and stared at the scene in front of him:
The leading werewolf was stuck mid air, fangs glistening in the light and claws outstretched towards Arthur, Leon was stuck mid step between Arthur and the creature while the rest of Arthur's men were spread around the cave in the middle of a fight against the rest of the pack.
"What- I- Merlin?" Arthur asked without taking his eyes off the creature.
"Oh sure, now you keep your eyes on the vicious creature out to kill you." Merlin said sarcastically as he came down the stairs; his hand outstretched and his eyes glowing gold.
"What did you do?" Arthur asked, his eyes glued to Merlin's golden ones.
"Stopped time, obviously," Merlin said and came to a stop near Arthur. "And it's not as easy as it seems you prat," He gritted. "So will you get on with it?"
Arthur blinked. "What?"
Merlin rolled golden eyes and waved a hand around them indicating the frozen werewolves.
"Finish them off golden boy!" Archie piped from somewhere over their heads.
"Yes that!" Merlin breathed. "Get on with that!"
Arthur nodded and moved forward, he moved his men to the side and shot a single bullet in each of the creature's head.
"Come on Arthur..." Merlin groaned. "I-I can't hold it much longer."
"Just about to finish Merlin, hold on." He then moved to the leading werewolf, frozen mid air and stared.
"What are you waiting for you prat?" Merlin gritted, his breathing heavier than it was a moment ago.
"I want, I need to question him, I need to tie him up."
"Fine." Merlin snapped and clicked his fingers as golden ropes appeared around the werewolf.
"Now, ready or not- here they come!" Merlin's eyes flashed gold one last time before he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Arthur rushed to his side and caught him before he hit the ground when the noises filled the tunnel once more: Yells and shouts from Arthur's men could be heard as they tried to understand what happened.
"Arthur?" Leon's voice cut through the panic roaring in Arthur's ears as he stared at Merlin's limp form.
"Arthur?"
"What?" Arthur snapped.
"What happened?" Leon looked around him at the dead bodies of the werewolves.
"Merlin stopped time and I killed them. Take that thing to the cells and summon Gauis as well as Merlin's parents to my rooms." With that he rose from the ground with Merlin in his arms and left the tunnels.

&&&&&&&&&&&

"Well?" Arthur demanded.
"He will be quite alright sire." Gauis assured him. "He simply used too much magic and exhausted himself."
"He did the same thing when he was a young boy." Balinor assured him. "He stopped time so that he and Morgana could keep on playing."
"He did?" Uther asked.
"Oh yes," Hunith smiled gently down at her son. "The only reason we knew about it was when he let go of the time flow and told us it was time for dinner!"
Uther's eyes widened and Gauis looked highly amused.
"He slept for the rest of the week afterward naturally, but still, for a five year old it was quite impressive." Balinor said with a proud twinkle in his eyes.
"Five-quite-you-he." Uther spluttered.
"What his majesty is trying to say is that we are grateful for Merlin's help."
Uther's mouth closed with a snap. "Yes. Exactly what I was going to say."
"I think it will be best if left him to sleep." Hunith said and caressed Merlin's soft hair, Arthur's fingers longed to do the same.
"Agreed. Come along Arthur, we need to prepare the feast for the successful fight." Arthur nodded and left the room silently, casting one last glance at Merlin's sleeping form.

"Emrys." Merlin's eyes snapped open and he sat up in his bed.
"Who's there?" He said, happy that his voice didn't quiver-much.
"Just a friend." The voice answered from the shadows.
"Then show yourself!" Merlin demanded.
"Not yet. I just came to warn you."
Merlin's eyes narrowed. "About?"
"The young Pandregon."
"Arthur?" Merlin asked and cursed himself when he heard the shadows laughter.
"Indeed. He isn't all that he seems."
"What are you talking about?"
"Just that you should be careful Emrys, not all is as it seems."
"You aren't making any sense!" Merlin yelled and voices could be heard from outside.
"I will leave you now Emrys, but remember my warning."
The door banged open and Arthur burst into the room, gun in hand.
"Merlin!" He said and hurried inside, his eyes searching the room for intruders. "Are you alright? I heard shouting and- why are you smiling like that?" Arthur stopped and frowned. "Do I have something on my face?"
"No," Merlin said and another chuckle escaped his lips. "It's just, well, your hair."
Arthur's hands went immediately to his hair. "What's wrong with it?"
"It's all, well," Merlin made a vague movement with his hands. "It's standing up! In all directions, and it looks like you slept on the floor and..." Merlin trailed off when Arthur blushed.
"You,you did? I mean you slept on the floor? Why? And- and where?"
Arthur mumbled something and looked down.
"I'm sorry," Merlin said with a smile. "What was that?"
"I stayed outside your room to, ah, look out for ah, things and I might have, fallen asleep..." He finished weakly.
Merlin rolled his eyes. "You really are a prat aren't you?"
"Oi! I'd let you know that I'm the best guard in the land!"
Merlin's lips curled up in a smile. "All right, it was very kind of you, to look after me, while I was asleep." Arthur's blush deepened and Merlin frowned. "Arthur? everything is alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, fine! I'll just go and ah, let your parents know you are up okay?" And with that he fled from the room, leaving an amused Merlin behind.

"A picnic?" Merlin said skeptically. "Really?"
"Yes." Morgana said with a sure nod of her head.
"But why would I want to go on a picnic?" Merlin didn't whine. He didn't.
"Because," Morgana said as she made sure Gwaine packed everything. "There is nothing more romantic than a lovely picnic in the woods, with a nice lake in the background and lots of trees that you can be pinned to and-" She trailed off when she noticed Merlin's wide eyes and open mouth.
"Oh for god's sake Merlin! I was talking about me!"
"What?" Merlin yelled.
"Stop being such a prude little brother." Her eyes twinkled with an evil spark. "Besides, I bet you are just dying for Arthur to pin you to some tree and have his wicked way with you."
Merlin turned bright red and spluttered because okay maybe he did have a couple of dreams that included himself and Arthur and walls or trees or well any solid surface really, but Morgana wasn't supposed to know that!
"I- I don't-that is-I-"
"Anytime today would be nice Merlin." Arthur drawled from the top of his horse as he rode near them.
Merlin threw his hands in the air and after shooting one last glance at Morgana climbed his own horse and rode ahead of them.
Arthur rode in step with Morgana and smiled at her. "So what exactly did you tell him to get him so worked up?" He said, his eyes glancing at Merlin's tall form atop of his horse.
"Only that I knew his little secret." Morgana shrugged.

"Oh?" Arthur's eyes met hers and she smiled at him politely.
"Yes, it is actually, the same secret as yours Arthur dear." She said sweetly.
"What?" Arthur was a bit concerned because, she couldn't possibly know about his thoughts regarding Merlin could she?
"Oh yeah, every little detail and then some." She was grinning widely now and Arthur gulped.
"I-I don't-I don't think that-" Arthur stammered.
"You shouldn't think Arthur." Morgana said smugly.
"All you have to do is pin him to some random tree and well, have a go at it."
Arthur's eyes widened. Ladies weren't supposed to say those things!
"Morgana I assure you that-"
"Your intentions towards my brother are completely honorable? Please, not all of my dreams are nightmares Arthur," She paused and then shivered. "Though some of the things you did were a bit-"
"Okay!" Arthur yelled, now completely red. "Just, just stop talking! Please!"
Morgana smirked. "Good, then I will make sure to keep Gwaine as far away from you as possible."
Arthur groaned and after throwing her a dirty look rode ahead to join Merlin.

&&&&&&&&

"Come on Merlin!"
"No!"
"You have got to try it!"
"No I don't." Merlin said stubbornly.
"Come on!" Another splash and Merlin moved quickly out of it's way.
"No."
Another splash and Merlin rolled his eyes as the water froze in front of him and he shot Arthur a dirty look. "Really Pandregon?"
Arthur shrugged and Merlin wasn't looking at the way the water slided down his face and his hair glistened in the sun.
"It was worth a shot." Arthur said and dived back under water.
"Come on little brother!" Morgana said before she jumped from the cliff into the lake.
Merlin rolled his eyes and laid down on the grass and closed his eyes.
A while later something blocked out the sun and Merlin blinked his eyes open to see Arthur standing above him. He was half dressed for which Merlin thanked whatever god that listened to him until he noticed that Arthur didn't bother to wait until he got dry before he put on his breeches, which mean that they clung to him and Merlin gulped.
"Merlin?"
"Ha?" Merlin mumbled.
"I'm up here." Arthur's smirk could be heard in his voice and Merlin blushed.
"What?" He asked and kept his eyes firmly glued to the ground.
"Come on, I want to show you something." Arthur said and his hand appeared in Merlin's vision.
Merlin hesitated for a moment before he took Arthur's hand and rose to his feet.

"Where are we going?" Merlin asked as they wandered through the forest, further and further away from Morgana, Gwaine and the safety of their company.
Arthur was still holding onto Merlin's hand and his thumb was caressing Merlin's knuckles, sending hot shivers down Merlin's spine and through his body; Merlin prayed that he didn't notice.
"I want to show you somewhere special." Arthur said and his grip tightened, pulling Merlin closer to him.
"Is it far?" Merlin asked again if only to distract himself from Arthur's fingers who proceeded now to caresse Merlin's wrist with soft touches that weren't enough and set Merlin's body on fire.
Merlin hoped that Arthur won't notice his quickened breath and swallowed.
"Are we there yet?"
"Yes!" Arthur called and came to a stop near a small spring.
Merlin looked around him, aware to Arthur's presence near him but it didn't distract him from the beauty of the place.
"Arthur it's, it's beautiful in here," Merlin breathed and felt Arthur shiver next to him but well, Arthur was shirtless and Merlin guessed it was from the soft breeze that passed through the clearing.
"Thank you." Merlin said and turned to Arthur with a smile on his face.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Arthur's eyes; bright and oh so blue,looking straight at Merlin.
"Arthur?" Arthur's gaze softened and he squeezed Merlin's hand and smiled. "You are welcome." He turned Merlin around towards the spring and positioned himself behind him, pointing at something over Merlin's head. "This is the place where I used to come to as a little child when things in the palace became...well, too much." He finished and his hand moved from Merlin's hand to his hip.
Merlin swallowed and nodded.
"I know what you mean, sometimes when things got a bit too much I'd go down to my grandfathers lair and just sit with him."
"Your grandfather's lair?" He chuckled softly, his breath ghosting along Merlin's ear. "You are making him sound like some sort of a beast."
"Well," Merlin started and Arthur stilled. "What?"
"He is sort of, I mean, he doesn't like to be referred to as one but really what else can you call a giant dragon I mean honestly."
Arthur's hand tightened around Merlin. "A dragon? Your grandfather is a dragon?"
"Great dragon." Merlin corrected and hesitated a bit before covering Arthur's hand with his.
"Great?" Arthur murmured softly, close to Merlin's ear as his hand twisted in Merlin's hold and he entwined their fingers together.
Merlin nodded. "The last of his kind."
"Do I want to know how your father was born then?" Arthur's lips ghosted over the soft skin below Merlin's ear and Merlin shivered.
"Not so sure about it myself." He whispered and tightened his grip on Arthur's fingers when his lips finally,finally touched Merlin's skin.
The kiss was soft and light and Merlin might have convinced himself that he imagined the soft touch if it weren't for the fact that Arthur's lips kissed his skin again, harder this time, creating a hot trail all along Merlin's neck and Merlin moved his head to the side to give Arthur more room.

"Merlin..." Arthur murmured against his skin and moved them backward until Merlin heard a soft 'thump' and he guessed that they hit a tree.
"Arthur..." Merlin whimpered when he felt the lightest touch of teeth on his pulse point. "Please..." Arthur spoon him around and Merlin found himself pressed against the trees with Arthur's hot, burning body before him.

"Everything Merlin..." Arthur whispered and moved closer, his eyes locked with Merlin's.
Merlin swallowed and Arthur's eyes followed the movement of his throat.
"Merlin..." Arthur's lips were so close to his,so close.
"Please..." Arthur whispered, his warm breath sending tremors down Merlin's body.
"Yes," Merlin whispered back, his hands coming up and around Arthur's neck, drawing him closer. "Yes to everything."
"Thank god." Arthur breathed before he crushed their lips together, hot and messy and oh so good.
Arthur was biting gently on his lower lip before his tongue licked it better and Merlin moaned softly as his hands tangled themselves in Arthur's hair.
"Gods Merlin..." Arthur mumbled against Merlin's neck as he pressed hot kisses and licks to the soft skin there.
"Been dying to do that since I saw you..." Arthur's hands traveled beneath Merlin's tunic and touched the hot skin of his stomach making Merlin to moan and crush their bodies together.
"Arthur..." Merlin scratched softly across Arthur's back and Arthur moaned and kissed Merlin's mouth again, their tongues entwining with each other while their hands roamed across each others bodies.
When Arthur scraped his nail against Merlin's nipple Merlin bucked up and their erections rubbed against each other causing both men to moan loudly.
"Gods Merlin," Arthur breathed and angled his hips so he could rub against Merlin.
"Fuck Arthur." Merlin swore and his hand drifted down to grab Arthur's ass, bringing him closer.
"Going to take you against this tree Merlin," Arthur whispered and Merlin nearly came right there.
"Don't think I'll be able to walk if I won't." Arthur continued as his hands left Merlin's chest and moved lower to the bulge in his breeches, he cupped Merlin through the material and squeezed gently.
Merlin bucked up and his moan was ripped from deep in his throat.
"Fuck!Do it Arthur! Just, fuck..." Merlin whimpered when Arthur's thumb brushed against the wet spot in the front.
"You'll let me take you Merlin?" Arthur breathed, his breath coming out in harsh pants. "Here? In the woods? Against a fucking tree? Are you that eager for me to take you?"
"Fucking prat, I'm not going to-Oh GOD!YES!- to-to make your ego even bigger than- ohfuck- he already is."
Arthur laughed softly and kissed Merlin again, his tongue exploring Merlin's mouth.

"I'm." Arthur said against Merlin's lips as his hand worked on the ties of Merlin's breeches.
"What?" Merlin gasped as the air touched his heated flash before he moaned when Arthur's hand closed around his shaft.
"I'm," Arthur repeated. "I'm eager, I want to be inside of you Merlin, to feel you all around me, all that heat and shivers and your moans, fucking driving me crazy Merlin, I'm going to take you here, against this tree and then again in my rooms and in yours and on every other solid surface there is really." "Then stop talking and get on with it you tease."
And just then something crashed into the clearing, roaring it's head off and they both opened their eyes to stare at it.
Arthur turned around, shielding Merlin's body from the bird? Lion? Something in between?
"It's a griffin," Merlin breathed behind him and Arthur's hand went behind him to press Merlin protectively against his back,his other hand went for his gun-only it wasn't there, he left it in the camp before.
"Shit." Arthur cursed and eyed the beast who seemed like it was eying them back.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked behind him and made to move from behind him.
"Don't move." Arthur gritted and his hand tightened around Merlin's form.
"Oh for fucks sake! Arthur! Stop it! You are unarmed while I can make it explode from within if I could get a clear view of it!"
Arthur took a deep breath and moved Merlin slowly to stand in front of him, his hand across Merlin's chest.
"Fine." He growled.
Merlin threw him a quick smile and entwined his fingers with Arthur's across his chest.
His eyes glue gold and then-Nothing happened.
"Is it working in slow motion?" Arthur asked.
"No, it's, let me try another thing." He tried again, mumbling under his breath several times before his hand clutched Arthur's in a death grip.
"Merlin?" Arthur said cautiously.
"It's not working," Merlin said urgently. "We need to go, now."
"What do you- Aren't you supposed to be this all powerful sorcerer?"
"Don't-you prat! It's just not working and we need to go now!" He tugged on Arthur's arm just as the beast roared again and charged at them.
Arthur swung them both to the ground as the beast slammed into the tree they were standing before mere seconds before.
"RUN!" He yelled at Merlin and tugged him to his feet.
They started running, their hands still linked when Merlin stumbled and went crushing to the floor, sending Arthur several feet ahead of him.
The griffin was after them and Merlin's eyes were wide as he looked at Arthur.
"Merlin get up!" Arthur yelled as he rose to his own feet.
Merlin rose slowly and Arthur saw that he twisted his ankle.
"Arthur go!" Merlin yelled back, his hands already gathering the force for a blocking shield.
"I'll hold him off while you get help! I can knock him out but I can't do it if I have to watch out for you!" Merlin kept yelling while the shield grew larger and thicker.
"I'm not leaving you!" Arthur yelled as he started running towards Merlin only to be stopped by an invisible wall.
"No!" He screamed. "Merlin! What do you think you are doing?"
"Saving you!" Merlin screamed back just as the Griffin came crushing through the forest.
"No! I won't let you! Merlin!" Arthur pounded against the shield as the beast took a run towards Merlin.
He won't watch Merlin die, he won't!
"Merlin!" Arthur's scream was swallowed by a massive blast and the beast flew through the air and landed in a silent heap .
The wall vanished and Arthur ran to Merlin's side, wrapping his arms around him and checking for injuries.
"Arthur, Arthur stop.I'm alright." Arthur held him closer and took the weight off Merlin's twisted leg.
"I though I'd lost you." Arthur mumbled into Merlin's neck.
Merlin's arms wounded themselves around his neck and he hugged Arthur closer.
"Not that easy."

Arthur rose his head and was about to say something when he noticed a woman standing on the edge of the forest looking at them.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked and twisted his head to look at what Arthur was staring at.
Arthur moved forward so that Merlin was behind him, impressive eventhough he wasn't wearing any clothes.
"Who are you?" He demanded.
The women stepped forward and then stopped, bowing her head slightly.
"I mean you no harm Arthur of Camelot." She said, her voice ringing around them.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I've been tracking this beast for the last few months, it was time I found it." She looked over at the dead Griffin. "My name's Freya."
"You did it?" Merlin asked from behind Arthur's back as he put his head on Arthur's shoulder.
"Yes."
Merlin left Arthur's side faster than Arthur could understand and he was near the woman in seconds, which was impressive considering his twisted ankle, Arthur thought bitterly.
"That's amazing! How did you do it?"
And when Arthur saw the adoring look that Merlin was giving Freya something dark and angry uncurled in his chest and his fists tightened.
"Come on Merlin," He said as he walked up to him and grabbed his hand, taking half of Merlin's weight, "Time to get back."
"Oh," Merlin said and smiled at Arthur. "Freya will come with us, won't you Freya? My parents would want to thank you for saving me, well us." Merlin said and flashed a quick grin in Arthur's direction.
"I would be honored,sire."
And as they walked back towards Camelot;Arthur looked at Freya over Merlin's head between them and he could have sworn that for a moment her eyes were black.

As always- reviews are love!