A/N: Thank you guys so much for your kind comments! You guys are the best!

This chapter is full of plot points and stuff. Please be sure to read extra carefully as this kind of sets up the rest of the story!

I would love to hear your comments and suggestions as usual! XD

Warning: None

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter 13

Merlin listened to the shouts ring out around him, his heart hammering in his chest. They wanted him dead! Why would they want him dead? He felt someone's hand clasp his shoulder and he flinched. He turned to push the person off of him, but he saw it was only Arthur, the king's face unrecognizable because of the disguise.

"This isn't good," Arthur muttered through the corner of his mouth. Merlin just nodded in agreement, turning back to the front of the tavern and watching as the blonde haired leader got the crowd under control.

"Listen!" the man shouted, raising a hand. The talking died down, allowing the meeting to continue on like nothing had happened.

"Merlin is a dangerous foe," the man said. "We need to kill him, but that is easier said than done. As soon as we get close to him, he will destroy us with the very magic that we are trying to destroy."

Trying to destroy.

Merlin's heart stopped in his chest at the words. They didn't just want to purge magic. They wanted to end it, destroy it forever.

"Luckily, we have already started weakening the sorcerer's magic," the man shouted. He spat the word sorcerer out of his mouth as if it were something filthy, something that should be destroyed. Merlin felt a shudder run up his spine.

It all made sense now... The weakness he had felt after using magic to save Arthur... The dizziness he got from preforming a simple spell. These people, the people of Camelot, were doing something to his magic, something horrible, wrong, filthy.

The words bubbled up in his throat before he could suppress them. "What are we doing?" he asked. Everyone's head turned to look at him, dozens of pairs of eyes focusing on his blushing face. He swallowed nervously, his palms feeling wet with sweat.

The blonde man gave him a strange look. "What is your name, boy?" he asked.

"Ben," Merlin said.

"Are you new here, Ben?" the blonde asked and Merlin gave a small nod.

"Welcome," the blonde said. "My name is Cyrus. Are there any other new arrivals here?"

Cyrus gazed around the room, his icy blue eyes spotting several tentative hands raise in the air.

"For the past few weeks, we have been targeting certain... magical items. I can not disclose more information at this time due to confidentiality, but for weeks we have been seeking out and destroying the magical objects of the land. Our job will not be done until every single object is destroyed," he finished, his voice ringing out across the room.

Someone in the corner, a young woman with bright red hair, raised her hand. Cyrus nodded at her and she began to speak, her voice soft.

"I don't understand how that would weaken the sorcerer's magic," she said.

"All magical objects are connected in a way that none of us can understand. If you destroy one, it weakens the power of the rest," Cyrus explained.

Merlin didn't say anything, words bubbling at the tip of his tongue. That doesn't make sense. If they had destroyed simple magical goblets, simple objects of power, it would not have made a difference to him. He was the most powerful sorcerer in the world. There was something else going on, something deeper, something darker.

He turned and gave Arthur a look, their unspoken words making the air as thick as jelly.

"How are we going to end the sorcerer's magic for good?" a person called from the side. Merlin resisted the urge to turn in his chair and glare at the speaker, clenching his fists under the table.

"We can't disclose any more information at this time," Cyrus said. "We have to gather more data and make a few more calculations before we can truly tell you if our plan will work."

More muttering came from around the room and Merlin turned back to Arthur. "This isn't good," he said softly. "Something more is going on here... Something bigger."

Arthur just nodded, his finger's tapping the table nervously.

"With that, I do ask that we have a few volunteers help us with something... Please see me after the meeting for more information. Do we have any questions?" Cyrus asked.

For once, the room was silent.

"Meeting adjourned! Meet back here in one weeks time," Cyrus called. And suddenly there was a bustle of movement, chairs scraping against the wooden floor, people bustling to the door, pushing their way out of the building. Merlin pressed himself to the wall in order to not be swept away by the crowd.

Arthur grabbed his hand, tugging him away. "Let's go," he mumbled, but Merlin shook his head.

"I need to know more," he whispered back.

Arthur stared at him. "Are you insane? What...?"

But Merlin was already gone, weaving his way through the crowd to the place where a small group of people had formed around Cyrus.

"Is this where we get more information on that special task...?" Merlin asked, trying to sound confident.

Cyrus studied Merlin's face, as if looking for something. "This is," he said. "But... it is more for the inner circle of people, people who have been with us for a long time."

"I want to help," Merlin said, trying not to grimace.

"How do I know we can trust you?" Cyrus asked. "We can't let the king have any idea what is going on. This is a very delicate matter."

Merlin thought fast, his mind supplying him with the lie he needed to tell. "My mother and father were killed because of magic. I hate it and everything to do with it," he spat the words out as if he hated magic, his stomach churning and his head spinning slightly. He felt a claw of guilt snag his heart and latch on, making his breath catch in his throat.

Cyrus nodded, giving Merlin a sympathetic look. It was the first emotion Merlin had seen on his face. It looked strange and forced, as if Cyrus had to consciously think about forming the right facial expression.

"That is usually what magic does to people... it has killed many of my family and friends. But I know nothing about you and I can't risk the mission like that. I am sure your intentions are sound. I hope you understand why you can not be involved," Cyrus said. "If you can somehow prove yourself to me, I will consider letting you help... but for now, just keep your eyes and ears open."

Merlin nodded, putting a mask of sadness on his face, as if he were disappointed that he couldn't help. He walked away, his head turned towards the floor.

He spotted Arthur leaning against the wall and stepped over, the room almost cleared of people.

"Any luck?" Arthur asked as they stepped out of the tavern. Cold air brushed Merlin's face and he looked up, watching the stars glint in the sky.

"No," Merlin responded. "But we have to find out what they are doing..."

They walked in silence for several moments, Merlin kicking a rock along the road with his shoe. There had to be something, someone that could help him figure out what was going on.

Suddenly, Merlin stopped in his tracks. He knew exactly what they had to do.

"Turn around!" he said.

"What?" Arthur asked. "But the castle is that way, mate."

"I know," Merlin said. "Just turn around... follow me."

"Where are we going?" Arthur panted as he followed Merlin down the street. "And can you please turn me back into my normal self? I hate this!"

Merlin didn't stop walking, releasing the disguising spell and letting his features fall back to normal, his hair seeming to shrink back into his skull and his nose growing a bit shorter.

"I am taking you to meet a friend. She might know what has been going on," Merlin said.

"Who?" Arthur asked, running his hands through his blonde hair, glad he was back to normal.

"I'm taking you to see Aithusa."

TBC