Merlin felt like he had held his breath since the moment he stepped into the King's Study and now he could let it go. It had not gone so smoothly as he had hoped, but they had stopped the traitor, which was the most important thing. The most pressing problem was solved, but it was far from the only one; Stuart had claimed he knew where to find one part of the Trinity - and for that he needed the King's ring, Merlin guessed since it was so important to have. Before returning it to Arthur, Merlin had memorized the words on it and they were simply Rex Excalibur. It would explain his shock when he thought Merlin had found that sword, but it also revealed how ignorant Stuart was. There was nothing to identify the sword as the holy one and so Merlin couldn't think of any other explanation than the one that Stuart was going mad.

Merlin spent hours, days even, in the secret room in the dungeons to learn as much as he could about the Trinity, hoping he would find a clue as to what the words on the ring could mean - and where the three parts were hidden. Merlin didn't doubt for a second that they were all very much real and that they had to have been hidden by the Merlin back in the days. He was bound to have left some clues for his descendants for when the Once and Future King would rise again - and Merlin figured that Arthur was the perfect candidate. But then was Morgana ever so easily over won? Merlin could scarcely believe it - and Stuart had no magic. He could not really read the ancient language. He had to use guides to translate. Maybe he wasn't related to her after all?

Destiny had become the thing Merlin believed in strongly. He felt a pull towards the old legends and used that to explain why he was so quick to believe in the things Arthur didn't. One of those things even streamed through him with greater and greater power; the magic. And there was something nagging him; something crippling under his skin like a threat he couldn't see. He had an uncomfortable feeling that the entire mystery was far from over as Arthur thought it to be. In fact it might just be starting. The nights were sleepless because of the deep, dark nightmares that still haunted him; they were of the lady in the green robe. Now she always started at the same distance, coming towards him, closer and closer, until he would wake up drenched in sweat.

In the morning, Merlin went down to Mr Gaius for breakfast, as was now part of their usual routine, this time with his blanket still wrapped around him. Mr Gaius was just cutting the bread. "What's the matter, boy? You look like you didn't get any sleep last night," Gaius commented and put two steaming cups of tea on the table as he sat down.

Merlin shrugged and almost looked to be hugging his cup. He took a sip, not really caring that it burnt his tongue. "I still have those dreams I told you about," he revealed. "And I have this bad feeling in my stomach. It feels almost hollow and... dark."

Mr Gaius narrowed his eyes. "Stuart is gone now," Gaius pointed out. "Things will be all right. Could it be that the King's illness affects Arthur which therefore affects you?"

Merlin shook his head. "It has nothing to do with the King," he explained. "I think it's about me."

Mr Gaius didn't look any less confused than before. "I don't follow."

Merlin sat up, holding on to his tea. "Stuart might not be her descendant, Gaius. He didn't have magic. If he did, he would have been a much greater enemy, but he was simply desperate for power. I suppose he has always been standing in Arthur's shadow, which must have too hard on him in the end so he went off the deep end."

Mr Gaius nodded. "But," he added. "How did he then know about the ring? You said he knew where to find one of the three."

Merlin shrugged. "I haven't figured that out. My best guess is that he got help from someone who knew."

"So you believe there is another traitor at court?" Mr Gaius looked a little taken aback.

"It's only a theory," Merlin said, but in reality it was more like really strong feeling he had.

Gaius frowned. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to leave all that for a bit. Even you need to cope with this situation, Merlin. Give yourself the permission."

Merlin made a face. Of course there was logic to what Gaius said, but if the danger was not gone how could he then relax? If there was still a chance that someone could murder Arthur in his sleep? Merlin didn't think he could leave the subject just yet. In fact, he had a very specific person as a suspect of treason. An enemy who acts a friend are the hardest ones to face. One had already been revealed and the second one was still too close for comfort. A sort of grieving had consumed the very walls of Buckingham Palace. Arthur was spending his time at his father's bedside, Elly was too ashamed to show her face and her father had gone in to a sort of mourning over Stuart's actions. Every member of the royal family had theirs to deal with and it was done traditionally and in an almost complete silence.

Since the day of the tournament, Merlin hadn't seen or heard from Arthur. Mr Gaius had informed him that the King was recovering from his wound, but the cancer had spread. He had been given just a few months to live in. It was understandable that the young crown prince needed time to cope. Merlin agreed with Mr Gaius and felt sorry for Arthur, who was in a sense facing the same thing Merlin had not too long ago; he was losing the only parent he had ever known to death. Such feelings as that created were pure poison for the soul. So even if Merlin understood Arthur's need to be alone, he felt a growing need to check on him. The prince was not too happy about expressing his feelings, Merlin thought, like a true Englishman. But whether he wanted too or not, talking helped and so Merlin was planning to go and see him that very same day as soon as his shift ended. He knew where to find Thomas and McGwaine when they were not at Arthur's side. He had to wait for a bit until McGwaine turned up with a cup of coffee in his hand. He spotted Merlin almost instantly and narrowed his eyes.

"Agent," Merlin said. "Can I please be allowed to speak to Arthur? It is important."

McGwaine looked Merlin over, taking his time before answering. "He's very tired, Merlin, I'm not sure it's a good idea. He spent the entire day at his father's bedside."

"Of course he did," Merlin said. " He needs someone to talk to, though!"

"I know," McGwaine answered. "But I have my orders." He looked conflicted and actually sorry that he couldn't help - but there was no way Merlin was giving up this easily. He was going to see Arthur and not the guards, not McGwaine was going to stop him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you second in command when it comes to Arthur's security?"

McGwaine nodded.

"So what if this is a question of ensuring Arthur's mental safety?" Merlin pleaded. "What if I can help?"

McGwaine stared at Merlin at first not believing what he heard, then annoyance took over and he scratched his forehead in frustration. The confliction had reached a new level. He drew a sigh already knowing that this decision he was about to make could get him fired. It probably would get him fired... but so what?

"All right. You come with me, but be quiet. We don't wanna be heard by Percival. He'd get me in trouble, he would." McGwaine took Merlin through the doors to the private residence, through the wider hallway and up the grand staircase leading to the first floor. Arthur had been escorted to his own room to get some sleep. McGwaine shooed away the guards at the door to take over for them and gestured for Merlin to go inside.

The room was poorly lit and the telly was on. Arthur was lying on the bed, lost in thought and not really watching what was on, until Merlin sat in front of him. He nodded faintly as a welcoming gesture.

"How are you?" Merlin said to break the silence.

The dark circles underneath Arthur's eyes witnessed of the trials he was going through and how they had exhausted him completely. "I can't get any sleep. What happened keeps running through my head. I can't forget it."

Merlin nodded. "I understand that. It isn't an easy thing to forget. It scared the life out of me."

"It didn't look like you were scared," Arthur pointed out with a frown.

"Oh, but I was," Merlin assured him. "But I was more afraid of the gun than Stuart himself to be honest."

At last, Arthur gave just the tiniest smile. "Yes, I suppose that sounds sensible."

"So if I may ask... how is your father doing?" Merlin asked.

Arthur shrugged. "No change there, I'm afraid. The wound is healing perfectly, but the cancer is not." His voice sounded strangely hollow.

Merlin nodded, feeling a sudden need to improve Arthur's mood a bit. "But at least the truth is out," Merlin pointed out.

"Yes, and it is the only thing we have to cherish at the moment." Arthur looked thoughtful when his eyes raked over the London skyline. "You know they want us gone, do you not?"

Merlin frowned. "I'm sorry?"

"There's been some talk that monarchy is ancient - too ancient for our modern world. I wonder if there is some truth to that and I wonder - if that were the case - what I should do with myself. I was brought up a certain way, born and raised into royalty. But what does that really mean when it means nothing to the people out there?"

"Arthur, that's not true..." Merlin said, perplexed. "The people love you. You're the renewal, you're going to be a great king. You've always been widely popular and I assure that hasn't changed because of what Stuart did. If anything, it shows your strength. A strong leader is what every country wants. Monarchy is not something that only belongs in the past - much like religions it adapts modern standards. You will be a modern regent. The people will support you as they always have."

Arthur's eyes still showed his inner conflict. He got off the bed and dragged Merlin towards the kitchen, deciding dinner would do them some good. "There's something I've been wondering about..." Arthur stated, catching Merlin's curious eyes.

"What?"

"My father hasn't seen of course, but sometimes you just say things... Things that you couldn't possibly know. It has come to the point where it's starting to scare me."

Merlin smiled slightly. "My family has history as long as yours. Is it so strange if I know a few things of the past?"

Arthur came to a halt. "It's more than that," he argued. "You sometimes seem..."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"... Wise," Arthur finished, but his face didn't show much conviction. A moment of silence followed between the two over the words just spoken.

Then Merlin flashed a wide smile. "I believe that sounds just like a compliment," he replied and Arthur looked a little uncomfortable.

"Yes," the prince mumbled. "But you are still a clumsy fool and a dollop head most of the time." Arthur grabbed Merlin and nudged him on the head making Merlin squirm to get free.

"If you wouldn't send the guards after me," Merlin uttered. "I would get you."

Arthur scoffed a laugh. "I'd like to see you try. Perhaps a visit to the gym might be wise if that's your intent," he said confidently. "You would never make it."

"I have my ways, " Merlin promised.

A rustling caught their attention. Three butlers were carrying bags out of the residence and Elly was directing them.

Arthur frowned. "Elly?" he called to get her attention. She was evidently startled to be noticed but managed a smile by the sight of him.

"Hey..." she mumbled awkwardly.

"What are you doing?" Arthur questioned as she fumbled with her dress.

A sad smile formed on her face. "I'm sorry, Arthy, but I'm going away for a while... you understand, don't you?"

He looked perplexed, but nodded all the same, and dried a tear off of her cheek in the process. "I'm going to miss you," he admitted and she barely kept it together.

"Tell me how he is, will you?" She smiled at them again.

"Of course."

Elly turned to Merlin. "I wanted to thank you," she said. "For what you did. I never imagined this would happen."

He nodded. "Thank you, my lady." She smiled and kissed Arthur on the cheek before she left the palace without looking back.