Dun dun dun... what is this, I hear you say? Over a year later and I actually get around to posting the sequel? Shock horror, I know!

In order to understand what on earth is going on, you NEED to have read Web of Fear. Well you don't have too, but you won't have a clue otherwise and will get very lost, because I'm not explaining it, that's what the first story is for! This is kind of set very early on still. Basically, Morgana is good, Gwen and Arthur haven't developed feelings for each other yet. The first story was set just after episode 4 of series one, and this is supposed to be about six weeks after that, so we are still in series 1 characters!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything! Apart from the bad guy! He is alllll mine! Mwhaha!

A huge thank you to MerlinStar for once again being an amazing beta, thank you so much!

ENJOY!

Feeling suddenly nervous, Merlin ran his tongue over the dry roof of his mouth. What had he to be nervous about? This was it, the day he had been waiting for, for almost six weeks. The day he could return to work, the day the world returned to normality. Six weeks he had spent being cooped up in bed, with Gaius and his mother fussing around him non stop. At first, it was alright. He had spent the first few weeks in a state of semi-consciousness, the fever racking his body as the burn on his chest began the slow stages of recovery. Then it had been rather enjoyable, watching other people fuss around him whilst he just got to lie there. Arthur had even sworn his former servant had put on weight; the rest and the regular meals had certainly done wonders for the boy. But then it just got boring. There was only so long Merlin could spend lying in a bed, and when Arthur had ridden out after some sorcerer, he felt like he was going mad! How could he protect his destiny when he was stuck in bed?

So after much pleading and whining to Gaius, the servant had been allowed his job back again, despite the physician's warnings that it was too early and if he wasn't careful, he would just make his chest worse. But Merlin didn't care. He had risen early for once, a strange sense of excitement and nerves making his blood pound and causing the light sleeper to be disturbed from the fitful dreams that now seemed to plague him every night. He suspected they were also a reason Gaius had been prepared to allow him to return to work. With any luck, the hustle of the day would mean the nightmares would begin to be driven away. So here it was, the day things returned to normal.

Swallowing hard, Merlin raised his fist, noting with mild amusement that it was trembling slightly, and crashed it down hard on Arthur's wooden door, hearing the noise bounce around the room within before a voice bid him to enter.

The prince was already up and dressed, sitting at his table with a commanding presence whilst a young servant served him his breakfast.

"Ah, Merlin. You're late." The prince's voice was detached and almost cold, causing Merlin to start in surprise and glance at the prince in worry. Arthur didn't seem sure of whether to look at him or not, and opted for carrying on eating his breakfast.

"You may go, Timothy," he added to the boy in front of him, who hastily bowed and retreated. He didn't seem at all sorry to be going.

"Sire?" Merlin asked hesitantly, no longer sure of his position. Things had been different between them lately, a friendship truly beginning to blossom. But now Merlin was once more officially the Crown Prince's manservant, the two boys didn't know how to act around one another.

"My armour needs polishing, Merlin," Arthur ordered, pushing his food aside and climbing to his feet. Grabbing his sword off the table from where it was strewn, the prince made to stride out of the room.

"You forgot the other one," Merlin called with a small smile, the second sword a reminder of all that had taken place. Turning on his heel, Arthur almost snatched the weapon from his servant's hand and continued out of the door, not looking back. Surprised at his master's abrupt departure, Merlin hadn't moved when a soft call floated back through the open door.

"Good to have you back, Merlin. I was beginning to get bored."

"Good to be back, I was bored."

"Polish my armour."

"Yes, Sire."

With that, Arthur was gone, but Merlin was feeling far happier. It was clear the prince was as uncomfortable about their new bond as Merlin was, he clearly didn't know how he was supposed to treat his servant. What was one to do when said servant had been through hell and back trying to protect the prince and had since spent the last six weeks practically fighting for their life? It was going to take some adjusting for both of them.

Picking up the armour, Merlin settled himself against the bed, the position more comfortable than he previously remembered. Slowly beginning the mundane task, Merlin let his mind drift over everything as he steadily turned the dull metal back to its shiny potential. Arthur had either become lazy of late, or he had been reluctant to give his new servant any of the chores he normally saved for Merlin, but either way, the armour was a wreck.

With his legs casually stretched out in front of him and the armour resting on the floor in-between them, Merlin felt himself fall into a stupor as the rhythmic sound of the pad on the metal lulled him out of consciousness. It may have only been his first day back, but the warlock was already tired. He hadn't had a decent night's sleep in ages, Claton plaguing his mind as he tried to relax. Not realising his eyes were drifting shut, Merlin continued in an automatic notion. Up and down, up and down. The rag continued on its journey as the hand guiding it moved smoothly, regardless of the fact that Merlin was no longer aware of his surroundings.

Instead, he was somewhere else entirely. The cold penetrated him and the dark made it hard to see far. He could feel it though, feel the evilness oozing out of the cave walls around him. He could still hear the low moan echoing through the maze, bouncing off the walls and multiplying in volume. Knowing what he was about to find, the warlock frantically tried to change direction, but his feet refused to obey him, instead continuing on the journey over the unstable ground.

Ignoring the pull of magic leading him on, the warlock struggled, trying to force himself back into reality. Part of him knew this was only a dream, but that still didn't make it any easier. It was as if he were both conscious and dreaming at the same time. There was still a part of him happily cleaning away at the armour, but the rest of him refused to return to reality. There. His feet had lead him into the cave, his eyes involuntarily drawn towards the centre. Lying in the pool of blood, same as always, Arthur reached pitifully towards his servant, though whether asking for help or trying to warn him, Merlin knew not. He only had eyes for the weapon embedded in his master's chest as his enemy stood mockingly over the former prince.

"Merlin?"

That voice. The hated voice resonating from the man. If there was to be a definition of evil, it would be him. Claton. The bringer of nightmares.

"Calling, Merlin?"

No. Something was different. The voice was changing. It was no longer one dripping in hate, but in hidden concern. Squeezing his eyes tight, Merlin forced himself to leave the cave. When he opened them again, he was met with the penetrating blue of Arthur's eyes, crouched over him hesitantly.

"You okay?" the prince asked, somewhat gruffly. If the truth be told, Arthur was shaken. He had returned from addressing his knights to find Merlin polishing his armour. That alone would have normally been enough to surprise the prince, his servant actually doing what he was told for once, but then he had taken another look at the boy. His eyes had consisted of this far away look Arthur couldn't describe. He was still cleaning the armour, but was quite obviously not really there. Three times Arthur had tried to address his servant before Merlin had snapped back to reality.

"What?" Merlin asked blankly, as if he had no idea what he had just put his prince through.

"I said-, never mind. Can you go and collect the laundry from wherever Timothy has left it?"

"You're asking me?" Merlin voiced, the surprise clear in his tone. Just as the corners of his mouth began turning up in the beginning of the first smile Arthur had seen him wear for a considerable amount of time, the prince shook his head.

"No, I'm telling you. Go."

"Alright, alright," Grumbling to himself as he awkwardly climbed to his feet, trying to avoid standing on the sharp edges of the now sparkling armour, Merlin missed Arthur's smile. Some things were never going to change. Almost tripping over the shield lying precariously in the middle of the floor, Merlin left the prince's chambers, not aware of the burning stare on his back. Biting his lip in anxiety, Arthur stared after his friend. Maybe this was too early for him to be back? After all, what he had gone through? The prince wasn't sure whether the best of his knights could cope with an ordeal like that and not break from it. Hell, Arthur wasn't sure whether he himself could survive being put through all Merlin had. And yet, he was still the same clumsy idiot as ever, if it wasn't for that look in his eye.

Before the prince could ponder any more, the patter of footsteps could be heard coming down the corridor through the door Merlin had managed to leave open, and paused just outside. Striding across the room, Arthur pulled the door fully open, revealing a stunned Gaius beyond, his fist still raised, ready to knock.

"Er… I… Sire?" Caught unawares, Gaius couldn't quite find the words he was looking for.

"Gaius?" Arthur responded, sounding amused. It was the same whenever he caught one of his knights unaware, especially if they were up to something they knew their prince would not approve of. They simply could not find their way around words, something Merlin always had to comment on, especially considering Arthur was more than used to people being speechless in his presence. He had an aura of power no one else seemed to possess, not even Uther. Maybe it was because he was prince, but there was something about Arthur that not only demanded respect, but earned it as well. People looked up to him as a man as well as a prince. Something else Merlin always seemed to be able to comment on. Come to think of it, Arthur wasn't sure if there was anything his servant didn't comment on.

His train of thought causing him to softly smile, Arthur turned his attention back to the flustered physician standing in his doorway.

"Is there something I can help you with, Gaius?"

"I was just…"

"Wondering how Merlin was?" the prince supplied, already having guessed the reason for Gaius' unexpected call. At the nod, he sighed. It seemed he wasn't the only one concerned about Merlin's return to his duties. Without quite knowing why, Arthur lied to the man he trusted more than anyone.

"He is fine, Gaius. He has gone to collect something for me, but I can assure you that he is fine."

"Keep an eye on him for me, Sire?" Gaius asked quietly, hastily bowing and making his exit before Arthur could respond. The prince had looked slightly taken aback by Gaius's request, as if the obvious display of affection was not something he was used to. Watching the old man's retreating back with a frown, Arthur bit his lip, wondering if he had done the right thing. It was clear Merlin was far from fine, but Arthur could understand his need for returning to work. He knew what it was like to be cooped up inside for weeks on end and the increasingly desperate need for freedom. A memory the entire castle was anxious to forget sprung unbidden into Arthur's mind, the time a few years ago he had broken his arm in a hunting accident. He was still surprised the castle had been left standing after those six weeks, the prince had never been so bored in his entire life. He had changed to so much since then. No. Merlin had changed him so much since then, with his constant challenging of things the prince had always taken for granted. Shutting the door softly, Arthur turned back to face his room, noting with some satisfaction just how clean the armour was. He may always moan about Merlin, but the servant really knew how to do his jobs properly and still have the time to talk back. Merlin hadn't been the only one getting bored over the last few weeks; Timothy's constant agreeing to everything Arthur said was really beginning to get on the prince's nerves.

"Don't hurt yourself." The voice came out of nowhere, making Arthur jump. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed his manservant return. Spinning to face the door, the black haired boy grinned goofily back, his arms full of laundry. Unceremoniously dumping the pile on the unmade bed, Merlin looked towards his master, eyebrows raised. Almost squirming under the penetrating stare, Arthur glanced away.

"What?" he asked eventually, being able to feel that Merlin was still watching him, even if the prince had turned away to avoid the piercing blue.

"You were thinking." Despite himself, Arthur had to laugh. He had been stuck with boot licking servants for too long.

"Is that such a crime?" Turning away to hide his grin, Arthur didn't notice the far away look return to Merlin's eyes, the bright blue misting over and almost looking grey. For a moment, nothing happened, and then the servant shook his head furiously, as if trying to rid himself of an annoying noise.

"It sounds painful." The grin disappeared off Arthur's face as quickly as it had arrived and he spun to face his servant, his frown showing the only concern he was going to portray. It wasn't the insult, he needed them more than he would admit to keep him sane, it was Merlin's voice. It was almost as if it wasn't his voice at all, sounding far darker and frankly threatening than the clumsy servant was capable of. But Arthur knew different. He had seen how the boy had gone up against deadly sorcerers and barely flinched as he had been tortured in front of Arthur. How he had turned the sorcerer's threats against him, eventually helping them defeat the monster. Merlin was more than capable of sounding threatening, that much was certain. But why now?

"You alright?" Arthur asked again, wincing inside as he realised this was the second time already he had asked the boy that. Maybe he shouldn't have been so hasty in covering for Merlin against Gaius.

"Yeah, why?" Merlin responded, looking taken aback at Arthur's change in tone. It was as if, once again, he had not realised the changes taking place.

"You actually came up with a half decent insult," the prince invented quickly, determined that if Merlin was not going to tell him anything, he was not going to pry. By the tone of the servant's voice, he had no inclination of what was happening. Knowing he would deny it even if he wasn't alright, Arthur decided to leave it at that.

"Anyway, Merlin. You're right. I have been thinking-,"

"Ouch."

"Shut up. Anyway, after, you know, what happened, it's about time you learnt to defend yourself."

"No, Arthur please-,"

"Shut up Merlin. Meet me on the training ground in half an hour." Without looking at his servant, Arthur knew from experience he would be pouting. It wasn't as if the boy was being asked to help the prince train this time. It was something Arthur had been considering for a while, and after consulting Gaius about it before Merlin's return, the two had decided it would make sense if Merlin could at least hold a sword without the threat of chopping his own arm off. Especially as the stubborn fool always insisted on riding into danger with the Knights, seemingly without a care in the world.

"Go back to Gaius and get the training shirt he gave you last time, it should stop the armour rubbing. Then go straight down to the field, Merlin. And don't try and avoid it either, I'll just hit you harder."

"Well that's a good incentive," Merlin grumbled, heading towards the door. He had only been back a matter of hours and already was being subjected to this. It so wasn't fair. Stomping his way down the corridor, Merlin paused just as he reached the door granting him access to the physician's chambers within. Knowing his mother would still most likely be there unless she was once again helping Gaius – and there was even the possibility of the physician himself still being there – Merlin took a moment to collect himself. No doubt he was about to get bombarded with questions about why he was back already and whether he was alright. He had hoped being back at work would stop that particular question, but if anything, it was worse. It seemed to be the only thing he was hearing these days.

So... *holds breath* What did you think?