The Beginning of the End

Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End

Warning: This story will include Suggested Violence, Mentions of Execution, Execution, Yaoi, and Fluff
Rated: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters

The regularly spoken words will have the normal double quotation marks, but the telepathic words will only have a single quotation mark, including italics.
2nd Warning: I am going to change this whole episode because I don't like the way that it happened. For all of those who wanted this to be the original episode, Sorry!

In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy.

His name: Merlin

CENTRAL CORRIDOR-DAY

Merlin walked down the corridor when he heard a voice in his head screaming in terror, 'Help!' Merlin stopped walking and looked for the owner of the voice and when he couldn't find them he kept walking.

"Merlin, every time we turn around there is always some weird voice calling you telepathically! They just can't seem to leave you alone." said Percival jokingly.

Then he heard it again 'Help me! Please.' Merlin looked around again until he spotted Mordred who was looking at him. 'Please. You have to help me.'

"How'd he do that?" asked Arthur. Merlin rolled his eyes because Arthur asked him the question like he was supposed to know everything about magic, even if he did know the answer.

"He's telepathic, he has the ability to speak into one's mind. Before you ask, no Gwaine. He cannot read minds." Gwaine looked at Merlin feeling quite intrigued about how he knew what he was going to ask.

Merlin finally realized the boy was using telepathy when the guards just happened to come running into the square. "Search in there. Take the other side. You, did you see a boy run in here?" asked the guard.

'They're searching for me.' Mordred confirmed.

'Why are they after you?'

Gwaine looked at Merlin, "Were you always able to do that?"

"I'm not sure that was the first time I had ever done that. Some people have the ability to do those things while others don't." he replied.

'They are going to kill me.'

"Guards! In here!" yelled one of the guards.

Merlin ran to the side door, looked at the guards, then he nodded to Mordred. 'This way, run. Run!'

Mordred ran to Merlin while he held his wounded arm. "Hey! There he is! Alert the rest of the guards!" Merlin grabbed Mordred's hand and they ran up the Griffin Stairway. "In here, quick down there. We've got 'im."

Arthur yelled at Merlin, "Merlin, are you crazy! You took him to your chambers! Anyone could have found out you were harboring the boy if you made a mistake and slipped up!"

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

Merlin bursts in with Mordred. He ran to his room and hid Mordred in there to keep him safe from the guards. He heard them running down the hallway and stop right at his door. The guards knocked on the door, "Merlin? Merlin?"

"Yes? Please come in." he said innocently. He knew if he went out of his way to invite them they wouldn't suspect him of hiding the Druid boy.

"Sorry to disturb you Merlin, but you wouldn't have happened to see a young boy running in the corridor have you?"

"No. I haven't seen anyone I was too busy making an herbal tea for Gaius." Merlin lied smoothly.

The guards believed Merlin because they knew he was a bad liar and he looked as if he were telling God's honest truth. "Okay, but you should keep the door locked until we find him."

Gwaine frowned, "How considerate, every time I try to talk to those guards they ignore me! Then, they actually come to you and practically tell you their life story!"

Merlin rolled his eyes, "Gwaine calm down. They only asked a question about the Druid boy. Maybe they would talk to you more if you didn't run into them when you are drunk."

"Okay thank you for your concern!" he called down the hallway after the guards. Merlin closed the door quickly and ran to check on Mordred only to find him passed out on the bed with his wound bleeding.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Arthur tried to talk his father down, "The Druid was only in Camelot to collect supplies. He meant no harm. Is it necessary to execute him?"

"Absolutely necessary. Those who use magic cannot be tolerated."

"The Druids are peaceful people." he argued back.

"Given the chance, they would return magic to the kingdom. They preach peace, but conspire against me. We cannot appear weak."

"They say the strongest men are not afraid to show mercy where it is deserved." said Merlin. Once that was said Arthur smiled kindly and thankfully at him.

Arthur was on the verge of giving up, his father would not see sense. "Showing mercy can be a sign of strength."

"Our enemies will not see that way. We have a responsibility to protect this kingdom. Executing the Druid will send out a clear message. Find the boy. Search every inch of the city."

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS

Mordred laid awake and Merlin watched the Square from his window as Cerdan was waiting to be executed. Uther and Arthur were standing on the balcony waiting for the execution to begin. "People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone harboring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people."

Cerdan said his last words, "You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you."

Merlin looked away feeling for the man before him about to get executed. "I can't watch this."

Merlin left the window and went to the bed to sit at Mordred's side cradling him and feeling very bad about what was to come. Uther signaled for Cerdan to be executed and Mordred screamed telepathically, 'No!' and Merlin's window cracked.

"Hmm, that's a little unnerving the fact that he could do that means he must be powerful, but not more powerful than Emrys." stated Lancelot slyly. Merlin glared at Lancelot with a murderous look. It was not hard to see that he clearly wanted Lance to shut his mouth.

Arthur raised an eyebrow in interest and asked a question Merlin, nor Lancelot wanted to hear. "Who is this Emrys person and why is he so important?" Though everyone heard him ask the question, no one dared to answer.

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

"Do you know much about the Druids?"

Gaius answered the question and then had his own little revelation, "Very little. There are very secretive people. Especially now they're being hunted by Uther. Merlin, please tell me you haven't got yourself mixed up in this?"

"Me? No. Mixed up in what?" said Merlin innocently.

Gaius eyed Merlin and sighed, "That's what I thought."

"For someone with such a big secret, you are a terrible liar." Gaius summed up.

"Well, I haven't done anything."

"Merlin…"

"I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him…like he was inside my mind."

"Yes, I've heard of this ability. The Druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices. While they're searching for this boy, you must be especially careful otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block."

Arthur looked at Gaius incredulously, "He does this and you encourage him?!"

"I might as well have. Even if I told him not to he still would go out of his way to protect the Druid boy. That's what you have to deal with when you have a stubborn ward or child like Merlin."

Arthur murmured to himself. "Oh Gaius you must know by now that there is no one able to be compared to Merlin."

Merlin scowled, "I most certainly am not stubborn, unlike some other people sitting at this table."

"I'm always careful. You know me."

"Yes, Merlin, unfortunately I do."

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS

"He's sleeping. He's very pale. I worry he may have lost a lot of blood." said Merlin who was getting increasingly worried.

"Merlin…Who are you talking to?" asked Percival.

Merlin looked down and blushed, "He is no one." With that kind of explanation, it only served to make everyone more curious.

Suddenly a man just as big and muscular as Percival came into view by the door to Merlin's room. He was considerably tall, he had short dark brown hair that had a slight curl at the ends, and his eyes were a soft emerald-green. "Has he said anything at all?"

"Why is he in your room?" asked Arthur suspiciously.

Merlin smiled sheepishly, "I may have slipped up and he may have found out that I was harboring Mordred."

"No, Zéon. He hasn't said a word out loud."

"Merlin, I know you have magic and I also know that the boy doesn't have to utter a word out loud to talk to you." he said taking a step forward.

Merlin backed up quickly and fearfully, but not without protecting Mordred first. "What do you want?"

He took a few more steps forward until he backed Merlin into a wall and was nearly nose to nose with him. Zéon looked at Merlin desperately with an almost crazed look in his eyes, "I want to know why you stay with here. I want to know why you stay here for him when I can give you so much more."

The room became silent as everyone's jaw dropped aside from Merlin's. Gaius was the first to react. "Merlin! I saw him once before, but you never told me this happened! What did he do to you?!"

Merlin looked down at his hands in his lap. "He didn't do anything, nothing happened. I didn't let it."

Arthur cleared his throat, "Merlin…What was this guy talking about?"

Merlin gave a humorless chuckle and answered, "I stay here to help and protect each and every one of you. Zéon wanted me to leave you all behind and travel with him, also to be with him as a lover would be." Arthur and the rest of the members of the round table looked out for blood, but specifically Zéon's blood. This man wanted to take their Merlin as a lover.

Zéon stared at Merlin's mouth longingly for a good moment and leaned down to capture his lips, but not before Merlin started to struggle away and turn his head so the man could not get what he wanted. This guy was as big as Percival and a simple shove wouldn't have gotten him to move. Merlin raised his hand and slapped Zéon to get him off. "I think now would be a good time for you to leave Zéon."

Arthur seized Merlin's shoulder and looked him in the eyes, "If something like this happens you come to us, you understand. We'll deal with it." said Arthur, but not without the knights' immediate support.

Zéon sighed in disappointment and moved back. "Okay I will leave, but don't hesitate to call me if his condition changes." Merlin gave him a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes and motioned towards the door signaling him to leave. It was not hard to see Merlin was not planning to call him anytime soon. Zéon was halfway through the door when he stopped and turned around, "Uther's wrong."

Merlin was stunned by Zéon's sudden outburst and took no time to question him, "What do you mean?"

"It is not magic that has done wrong, it is the wielder. I know magic wasn't something you chose. I know it chose you. If I had a say in whose hands I'd put my life in it would surely be yours. Uther says 'To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all' but for you to be associated with said people he would absolutely and unquestionably contradict himself."

Merlin was touched with Zéon's speech, until it hit him. Zéon had just confessed to him that he knew Merlin did not learn magic and if he knew that what else did he know? "How do you know I didn't learn magic?"

Zéon chuckled and an obsessive look made its way into his eyes once again, "Merlin you have so much to learn. I know almost everything to know about you, and if I didn't know something like this wouldn't you say my research was in vain?"

Percival sneered at Zéon, "Merlin you better tell me where this man lives," Percival mumbled the last part of the demand, "If he keeps looking at you like that he is going to need to be dealt with." All the knight cheered in agreement and Leon was no exception. They were all surprised at him the usually calm and collected knight shouted with them.

"Who are you? You're not just Zéon you are something else. You are a magical creäture aren't you, but you are not weak you have way more power than the average sorcerer. You have just as much power as me maybe even more. It was My Lady's plan to make me the only one of my kind with this amount of power. That is not possible…unless you are a demigod." Merlin trailed off.

Zéon smiled softly at Merlin, "I thought you'd never figure out that I was different, but it is of no surprise to me. I always knew you were clever." With that Zéon left.

Arthur looked at Merlin for about a second after not figuring out what he was thinking about. "Who is your lady?"

Merlin smiled, "The Triple Goddess also known as the creator of the Old Religion." Arthur nodded in acknowledgement, but he would be nervous if he ever ran into her in a dark alley.

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS-(HOURS LATER)

Zéon was once again in Merlin's chambers checking on Mordred's condition and Merlin was pacing nervously obviously thinking about how they were going to escape with Mordred. Zéon turned towards Merlin, "He's burning up. How long has he been like this?"

"Since early this morning, I think his wound may be infected. We need to stop it before it spreads and I already tried cleaning the wound."

"Then we need to get Gaius before it gets any worse." Zéon retorted.

"No. We can't involve Gaius. It's too dangerous. Besides, if he finds out about this, he'll execute me himself."

Gaius chuckled, "I almost did."

"We need to get him out of Camelot, and we can't do that while he is sick. We need a physician."

"Can't you just heal him?" asked Gwaine.

"No Gwaine, it is not that simple. I can't just say a spell then he will be healed. You have to be very skilled and powerful in healing, you have to see it not just as wound but as something more complex. It is skin, cells, nerves and so much more. You heal a wound wrong and you can forever disable someone."

"I'll treat him."

"Merlin, do you know how to treat an infected wound?"

"Not exactly, but I'm a fast learner." Suddenly there was a knock on Gaius's chamber door. "Stay in here and hide Mordred and yourself with a spell." he whispered.

Merlin closed the door to his chambers and opened Gaius's, when seeing the person at the door he plastered a big smile on his face. "Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call. I'm looking for the Druid Boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers."

"You're not searching my chambers."

"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire castle. It'll only take a few minutes, Merlin."

"I'm not having you mess up my things."

"Don't you think it was strange how Merlin kept talking about his things, Arthur? When has he ever obsessed over his things?" Leon proposed.

"Now that you say something you are right he never does." said Arthur contemplatively wondering why he didn't realize this obvious fact sooner.

"I'm not interested in your things. I'm just looking for any evidence that the Druid boy is in the castle and I bet your things are already messed up, you don't need my help to do that."

Arthur looked around and made is way to Merlin's door and opened it and there sat Mordred's boots in front of Merlin's bed in plain sight, but of course Arthur didn't see them there.

Gaius clipped Arthur over the head, "Arthur! You foolish boy! You are fortunate the Druid Boy wasn't taking that moment to assassinate you. With your skills of observation he could have already killed you!" All Arthur could do was give them a sheepish smile. Gaius looked at both Merlin and Arthur disapprovingly and sighed in defeat, "Seems your carelessness is catching like a virus Merlin."

Merlin was quick to distract him in his search. "Perhaps the Druid Boy is hiding in your chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know." When Merlin was talking to him he didn't maintain eye contact because he was casting a silent spell to move the boots.

The members at the table snickered at Merlin's retort. Gwaine had to it take about five more steps further, he was the one who chose to laugh shamelessly and it was of no surprise. He also snorted in an imitative voice, "Perhaps the Druid Boy is hiding in you chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know. Merlin, if you keep telling jokes like that you are going to kill us!"

"It's hardly my fault! You never clean when you are supposed to, so it gets messy."

"Well Sire this is not looking good for you. When you are King you have to be able to do the simplest things like cleaning your own chambers." Arthur scoffed and kept searching. He looked under the bed and stood. As soon as he stood up and removed his gaze from the floor the boots ran under the bed.

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

After Arthur investigated the chamber for any evidence of the Druid Boy and left Merlin started searching through Gaius's books. Merlin mumbled to himself, "Bites, bruises, burns, wounds… Infections…" Merlin then grabbed a few bottles and some herbs.

Gaius just walking into the chamber spotted Merlin, "Ah, there you are. I need you to pick some heather for me."

Merlin who was trying to get out of there as quickly as possible to treat Mordred said, "Err, can I do it later? I was just going…out."

"Who set this book out?" asked Gaius.

"It was me. I was doing some reading."

"Oh? I'd given up hoping you might take more of interest in my work."

"No. It's fascinating."

"Merlin, you are a riddle wrapped in a mystery."

"That's me. I was just getting some cleaning supplies. Arthur's been complaining about the state of his chambers.

"Merlin I can't believe you played that card, and it's true you should see my chambers!" yelled Arthur.

"I think Arthur's chambers can wait. I'm not missing the chance to begin your education."

"Really. I should go." Merlin pleaded.

"Sit! We'll start with some basic anatomy…" said Gaius as he dropped a giant volume about anatomy on the table."

"Ha, it serves you right since you decided to lie to me." Gaius chuckled.

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS

Zéon looked at Merlin, "What took you so long?"

"Sorry, once Gaius gets talking about anatomy, there's no stopping him." Merlin explained while he started looking over Mordred's condition. "I don't think this will work.

"What do you mean it won't work? You have all the supplies right there."

"We need him to heal fast and I'm not exactly good at this medical stuff, I don't want to have to include Gaius in all of this. So I have another plan."

"What may that other plan be?" asked Zéon who was clearly curious.

"I'm going to heal him with my magic, and if anything happens I need you to help me with yours. Seeing as he has magic I don't know how that will affect mine as I'm healing him. I never had to really heal anyone who possessed magic."

Merlin placed his hands over Mordred's wound and concentrated on it. A gold light emanated from Merlin's hands and into Mordred's wound. Mordred's wound miraculously closed up and Merlin didn't even utter a word.

Lancelot gaped, "In all my years I have never seen a wound healed like that."

"Why are you even surprised? Merlin has always been extraordinary, even in a world of wonder he can still perform such unexplainable feats. He always performs magic without incantations when that should be entirely impossible." retorted Gaius.

Mordred turned his head towards Merlin and smiled sleepily. "Thank you, Emrys."

"Emrys?" asked Percival. "Why did he call you that?"

"That's what I wanted to know." replied Merlin.

"Emrys? Why do you call me that?"

Zéon and Mordred looked at Merlin and said together, "That is your name."

Arthur made a face and laughed, "It's creepy how they said that together like they rehearsed it."

Merlin didn't even glance at Zéon, I mean what didn't this guy know about him? Now it was ridiculous because he knew things about Merlin that he didn't even know about himself. "Speak to me."

"I think he is asleep now." stated Zéon.

DRAGON'S CAVE

Merlin went to the dragon's cave to ask him if what he was told was true. If Emrys was real. As Merlin went down the tunnel corridor he saw the guards continuing their search for the Druid Boy. "Hello?" The dragon climbed around a corner and roared. Merlin flinched and then sighed, "Do you have to do that? You scared the life out of me!"

Gaius raised his eyebrow to the point that it almost touched his hairline. "Well Merlin, how do you expect him to have fun? He was stuck under the castle for nearly 22 years."

Kilgharrah ignored Merlin's comment and cut to the chase, "Young Warlock, no doubt you are here about the Druid Boy."

"How did you know?" he asked as he looked at the dragon curiously.

"Like you, I hear him speak."

"Why does he call me Emrys?"

"Because that is your name."

Gwaine snorted, "I was pretty sure your name was Merlin, but now seeing as so many people seem to agree that you are not, I am compelled to think otherwise."

"I'm pretty sure my name's Merlin, always has been."

"You have many names. Emrys, Ambrosius, Myrddin and many more not even I can tell you."

"A prophecy is written about you, you're the strongest and only warlock to ever walk this earth, and now your second name is Emrys? What else do we not know?" asked Leon making a list.

Merlin snorted somberly, "There are still many things you don't know and we have not even scratched the surface."

"Do I? How does the boy know who I am? I've never met any Druids."

"There is much written about you that you have yet to read. You should be wary of this boy."

"Why? He has magic. He's just like me."

"No one is like you, Merlin. You and the boy are as different as day and night."

"What do you mean?"

"Heed my words, Merlin."

"Heed his words? I'm sorry my friend, but he didn't leave you with much to heed." Lance scoffed.

"Why should I not give him the entirety of my protection?" without any answers being giving the dragon flew out of sight.

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS

Merlin watched over a sleeping Mordred as he paced nervously around his chambers contemplating a way to get Mordred out of Camelot unscathed and undetected. Zéon looked at Merlin with concern. "Let me take care of him for a while. You need to sleep. You'll make yourself sick if you go on like this."

"I'll be alright. My real concern is how to get him out of here before we are all discovered."

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

"The search for the Druid Boy is becoming a real nuisance. With all the extra security around the castle, it's taking me twice as long to do my round." Gaius complained.

Merlin looked at Gaius as if he was about to crack and blurted out, "I'm hiding the Druid Boy in my chambers!"

Leon's eyes widened when Merlin yelled out his secret. "Wow. Merlin you could have definitely hid that better."

Merlin looked down and blushed, "Well you see, I'm not very clever under pressure."

Gaius refrained from strangling Merlin and smiled at Merlin all the while offering him a false sense of security, "When you say the Druid Boy is in your chambers, you mean he is in there right now!" Gaius started out softly, but unfortunately that didn't last very long throughout the conversation as he came to a deafening yell.

Gwaine elbowed Merlin and whispered in his ear, "Remind me never to get Gaius mad."

Merlin curled into himself and significantly shrunk, "Sort of?"

Gaius threw his arms in the air exasperatedly, "Merlin, you promised me that you wouldn't get involved."

"I know. I'm sorry. I had no choice."

"Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy, and you're harboring him under their very noses. Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?"

"Was I supposed to hand him over to the guards to be executed?"

"You think you can save this boy? What happens if you're caught? Who's going to save you?"

"You're saying it's wrong to harbor a young magician?" asked Merlin who was feeling smug to be able to turn this back around on Gaius.

"The difference is, Merlin, that your magic is still a secret. Though it's a wonder how, considering how careless you are."

Arthur nodded, "I totally agree!" he said talking to the Gaius of the past.

EXT. LOWER TOWN, MARKET-DAY

Merlin and Zéon watched the guards together. "Halt there." the guard stopped a man pulling a cart out through the gate.

Zéon looked at the guards and turned to face Merlin although a little too closely, "The guards are searching everyone leaving the town."

"There's another way out. There's a secret door in the armory. It leads to the lower town. I'll take him out that way."

Zéon shook his head, "No. It's too dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt. I'll do it."

"But I-I'm good with secret doors and things." Merlin stuttered while he blushed.

"If you are caught, Uther will execute you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I knowingly put you into harm's way."

Gaius sneered at the young man who was being projected in the memory. While he didn't like Zéon for trying to court his ward, but tolerated him for the time being, Zéon did seem to want to keep Merlin safe.

"You'll need at key for the door."

"Who has it?"

"Arthur."

ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS-NIGHT

Arthur dined on his soup while Merlin casted a spell involving his keys right behind him. "Inbringe, cume mec."
"Bring come to me."
Arthur's keys floated off his belt as Arthur asked, "Is there any bread?" The keys jingled behind Arthur's head as he turned, trying to hide themselves.

Arthur looked at Merlin in confusion and asked, "What was that?"

"What?" Merlin responded acting innocent.

Gwaine looked at Merlin all the while wiggling his eyebrows, "Not very sharp is he, mate?"

"There was a sound."

"Was there?" Merlin continued to hover the keys behind Arthur's head as he stood up in search of the sound.

"What is that? Can't you hear it?!"

"I can't hear anything."

"Are you deaf? It's like a…jangling sound." Arthur then walked toward Merlin.

Merlin thought fast and screamed, "There!" and pointed behind Arthur.

Leon laughed albeit dignifiedly, "Merlin you are just horrible!"

Merlin smiled, "Well, you know… I do my best."

"What?"

"I thought I saw something." Arthur moved to where Merlin pointed, and Merlin dropped the keys in the soup not having enough time to retrieve them.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" Merlin inquired.

"A different sound, like a…like a splash." said Arthur obviously thinking he had gone mad. Merlin being the endearing dim-witted person he was, offered Arthur bread like that would make matters better.

Arthur left, but not without checking his hearing on the way out. Merlin grabbed the key from the soup when Arthur was absolutely out of the room.

MERLIN'S CHAMBERS-NIGHT

Merlin walked into his chambers with a big smile on his face feeling very accomplished. After all getting Arthur keys was way too easy. Arthur glared at Merlin in embarrassment and went as far as to turn a bright shade of red.

"It's time to sneak the Druid Boy out of Camelot and you can't stop from going with you." said Merlin.

Zéon sighed in defeat and talked while also leaving no room for argument, "Okay, but you have to stay behind me."

Gwaine shamelessly wiggled his eyebrows at Merlin and said, "So he the overprotective type. Not bad, he may be a good match for you. Well aside from the fact that he may be insane!" Merlin stuttered angrily at Gwaine all the while turning a deep shade of crimson.

Merlin eyed Zéon apparently not hearing or just not listening the order he was just issued, "That's really sweet, but I can protect myself."

Zéon stared at Merlin and retorted although not rudely, "You shouldn't have to protect yourself if you stay behind me like I have told you to."

Merlin rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the now awake Druid Boy sitting on his bed. He kneeled down in front of Mordred and reassured him. "We are getting you out of here tonight."

DRAGON'S CAVE

Merlin looked up at The Great Dragon, "I need to know why you told me not to protect the boy."

"You seek my counsel and yet you choose to ignore it." Kilgharrah shot back feeling slightly annoyed.

Gaius rolled his eyes and commented to himself, "I know the feeling. He does it all the time, it's like he never learns."

Merlin rolled his eyes at Gaius, "I can still hear you."

"Just tell me why." Merlin pleaded not having much time.

"If the boy lives you may not be able to fulfil your destiny."

"What's he got to do with my destiny? You said it was my destiny to protect Arthur."

"Then you have the answer you seek."

"You're telling that little boy is going to kill Arthur?" asked Merlin in shock.

Arthur looked at Merlin with wide eyes, "He was going to kill me?"

"His destiny was not definite it all depends on the path he will take to get there." said Merlin with the utmost confidence.

"If the boy's power were to fall into the wrong hand, it would demand the destruction of Albion."

"No. You can't know that for certain." Merlin said clearly in denial.

"You have the power to prevent a great evil, fight for him young warlock. If his powers were to get into the wrong hands it would not bode well for Albion succession."

PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS

Merlin walked out of his chambers holding Mordred's hand with Zéon trailing behind him. Not without running into Gaius along the way. "We're going to return Mordred to his people tonight Gaius, so if we get caught—which is unlikely—please set up a good alibi for yourself."

Gaius looked Merlin in the eye and said, "I have complete faith in your abilities…who is that behind you?" asked Gaius with a raised eyebrow in curiosity.

Merlin looked at Gaius and flashed a half-hearted smile at him, "Just a friend of mine."

Gaius looked at Merlin, "I obviously knew something was wrong, I just didn't know what. Merlin, I hope you know you can come to me if ever you are in trouble."

Merlin smiled at the man he thought of as a second father, "Well, it's not like I can forget you are always here to tell me that."

"Okay Merlin. Be careful, although I may have certainty in your actions, there is no such thing as being too careful."

EXT. TUNNEL EXIT-NIGHT

Merlin, Mordred, and Zéon snuck past the guards across the drawbridge. The guards were on their way so Merlin hurriedly attached a grappling hook and pulled off the grate.

Mordred's legs weren't long enough to catch up with the older men, so Zéon picked him up bridal style and ran with Merlin away from the approaching guards.

Arthur looked torn, "I can't say whether I am happy or upset. My guards are incapable of catching anyone! Although I am happy you got away safely and unharmed."

Merlin snickered, "Yeah they are rather incompetent when it comes to capturing people who are escaping."

EXT. FOREST-NIGHT

Merlin, Zéon, and Mordred met the druids in the woods. The druid elder named Iseldir bowed to Merlin. "We are forever indebted to you, Emrys, for returning the boy to us."

Merlin shook his head, "It was no trouble, and I should not be rewarded for doing the right thing."

Iseldir smiled inwardly, he was happy this was the boy destiny chose to return magic back to Albion. "We will remember this Emrys, you have my word."

The druids turned to leave, Merlin and Zéon waved to Mordred as he left. "Goodbye Mordred!"

TBC