[The Same Coin]

A/N: Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've written a fanfic, so please forgive me if you don't like it. I hope you all like it. I thought it was an interesting plot. This chapter consists of 1,946 words.

Setting: The story takes place after season four and before season five. Gwen is queen. EVENTS ARE NON-CANON.

Disclaimer: I do not own BBC's Merlin.


{Chapter One}

Arthur and Gwen were sitting on the thrones of Camelot as one of the guards escorted a young lady into the room. The rest of the royal court had said that the young lady insisted on seeing the king and queen. Gaius stood to the right side of the throne, near the windows.

The woman nervously knelt on her knees to greet the king and queen, but Gwen said, "Please, stand up." The woman stood up and looked at Arthur and Gwen. "What is your name?" Gwen asked calmly.

"My name is Trina, milady," Trina said.

"What is it that is so important that you wished to speak with us?" Arthur asked this time.

Trina said, "I was traveling back home to my village with the rest of my friends, and my younger brother. All was well until we were attacked by bandits. We tried to fight them off, but they were too strong for us. All of a sudden, the Lady Morgana appeared. She killed everyone I was traveling with. I alone escaped to inform you."

Trina looked worn out. The clothes she was wearing had dirt and several tears on them. Gaius took a look at Trina's feet. They looked red, saying that she probably ran all the way here.

Gaius then said, "Sire, it appears to be that these bandits this young woman is speaking of are in league with Morgana."

Arthur put his hand to his forehead, showing a hint of frustration. He removed his hand from his head and asked, "Where were you when the bandits attacked?"

"I don't know really know where we were, My Lord. But we were traveling towards Ealdor at the time," Trina said.

This happened near Merlin's home, Arthur thought.

Arthur finally said, "Thank you for telling me this. You may go."

Trina bowed. She turned and started to leave. One of the guards escorted her out of the room.

Gwen looked at Arthur and said worriedly, "Why would Morgana attack travelers near Merlin's home village?"

Arthur replied, "She wants to draw Merlin out. Merlin is a clumsy buffoon. He would be an easy target to kidnap and use against us."

Gwen nodded. She asked, "Then what should we do? We can't just ignore this."

I helped Ealdor before. We even won against Kanen. If I can help them before, I can help them again, Arthur silently thought.

"I'm going to go put a stop to this," Arthur finally said.

He started to get up from the throne but Gwen stopped him, "It's too dangerous Arthur... I can't afford to lose you."

Arthur looked at Gwen and smiled, "I'll bring Gwaine and Leon with me." Gwen still looked hesitant, but Arthur finally said, "We stopped Morgana before, we can do it again."

Gwen finally gave in, "Alright, you better come back." Arthur and Gwen exchanged a kiss, not caring that Gaius was there. Gaius was too busy thinking of Merlin.

Merlin picked up some sort of illness the day before. It was bad enough that Arthur decided to give him the day off, seeing that he didn't want to catch it. Gaius was doing everything he can to help Merlin get better, but nothing seemed to work well. The illness made Merlin feel very weak and tired, but he was coughing a lot, plus a lot of other unexplainable symptoms.

Arthur was about to leave until Gwen asked, "What should I tell Merlin while you're gone?"

Arthur replied back, "Um… you can try telling him that I went to visit Queen Annis with Gwaine and Leon. Tell him there was something I needed to discuss with her about the other kingdoms." Gaius didn't even hear the story he was supposed to tell Merlin. Even if he did hear it, he would still tell Merlin the truth on Arthur's whereabouts.

"Alright, I love you Arthur," Gwen smiled.

"I love you too," Arthur returned a smile and left.

Not long after Arthur left, Gaius then said, "Gwen, I am sorry but I must leave to attend to Merlin."

"Of course, I hope he gets better soon," Gwen said.

Gaius turned and exited out the door, and started walking back to where Merlin was.


Merlin was on a bed when Gaius returned. He was sleeping, dreaming. It wasn't a nice dream though. Judging on Merlin's shaking body, it was a nightmare.

"Arthur, I wanted to tell you something," Merlin said nervously. They were in Arthur's room. Arthur was sitting at his desk, writing a speech.

Arthur sighed. He said in a slightly annoyed tone, "What is it you wanted to tell me Merlin? What is so important that you decided to tell me while I'm in the middle of writing a speech?"

They exchanged glances with each other. Finally, Merlin mustered up his courage before saying, "I have magic."

Arthur heard the words clear as day. He just needed to hear it one more time, "Can you say that again?"

Merlin was fighting hard not to let tears stream down his face, "I s-said that I have m-magic."

That was enough to make Arthur snap. He rose from his chair and grabbed his sword. Before Merlin could say anything else, the tip of Arthur's sword was at his throat.

"How long have you kept this from me?" Arthur demanded, betrayal clear in his voice.

"Arthur, please…" Merlin started.

Arthur didn't let Merlin finish, "How long!?"

Merlin let a tear out and finally muttered, "Since we first met."

Arthur's hand clenched tighter around the hilt of Excalibur. He was breathing heavily while he said, "You've been lying to me. All this time, you've been lying to me!" He let out a dark laugh, "How could I be so stupid? I knew there was something off about you. I just never would have thought you would have…"

Arthur didn't say the last word. It was as though he thought the word 'magic' would bring evil upon him if he said it.

Merlin started again, "Arthur please, I've only used it for good…"

Arthur moved his sword so that it was pointing to Merlin's heart. He yelled, "No! I never should have trusted you! You betrayed me, just like Morgana and Agravaine did." A moment passed before Arthur continued, "You must be working with Morgana. I should kill you, right here, right now."

Merlin's eyes widened, "No, Arthur! Please, you have to listen to me!"

"I don't negotiate with sorcerers," Arthur said bitterly. The next moment, Arthur ran Excalibur through Merlin's chest. Merlin collapsed to the floor, looking at Arthur with disbelief. He was returned with a glance of pure hate. Arthur watched as Merlin suffered. Eventually, Merlin stopped breathing.

"Guards, get this sorcerer out of my sight," Arthur looked at his guards.

Merlin snapped his eyes open. He was met with Gaius trying to shake him awake.

"Wha-What happened?" Merlin struggled to say.

Gaius sighed in relief, "Finally, I've been trying to wake you up for the last minute. You looked as if you were having a nightmare."

I was, Merlin thought. He hated when he had nightmares about revealing his magic to Arthur, and Arthur killing him for it. It was strange though, this was the first kind of nightmare he had ever after Arthur became king. It was different from the other ones. The other ones that he had were from when Uther was still alive, and Arthur was a prince. When Arthur found out about his magic, he would struggle to make the choice to hand him in or keep his secret. In the end, he was handed in and executed, every single time.

Merlin didn't like to think Arthur was like his father, because he wasn't. Arthur was Arthur, and he is a better man than his father. If that was the case, why didn't he tell Arthur about his magic yet? That's right. Merlin didn't trust Arthur enough not to kill him if he did find out.

It wasn't that Merlin didn't want to tell Arthur. He did, very badly. But ever since Uther's death, Arthur told him he would never lose sight that magic was evil ever again. It's pretty hard to tell your friend that you're a sorcerer after you're told something like that. And it didn't help that Morgana was out there, thinking of ways to try and kill Arthur.

Gaius gave Merlin some medicine. Gaius finally said after a long while, "Morgana attacked a group of travelers heading towards Ealdor. Arthur is going there now with Sir Gwane and Sir Leon."

The words 'Morgana', 'attacked', 'Ealdor', and 'Arthur' were enough to make Merlin struggle to get out of the bed, "I have to help him. He's going to get himself killed."

Gaius pushed Merlin back down, "In the condition you're in? You're too tired to even walk, Merlin. Arthur will be fine. Sir Gwaine and Sir Leon are with him. Besides, even if you do manage to catch up with them, you'll slow them down because of your condition. He'll be fine."

It was hard for Merlin to accept Gaius's words. He was so used to saving Arthur's life. He couldn't just sit around and wait to get better. His mother was still alive, but she won't be for much longer if Morgana attacks Ealdor too, he had to stop her.

"How do you know Morgana attacked people near Ealdor?" Merlin asked curiously.

"A woman escaped from the attack and came here to warn Arthur. She claims to have come from Ealdor as well," Gaius replied.

"Did you get her name?" Merlin asked. He then coughed.

Gaius handed Merlin a glass of water. He replied as Merlin was gulping down the water, "She said her name was Trina."

Merlin choked and spit out the water he just drank. Gaius was startled and put a hand to his heart.

"Merlin! Are you alright?" Gaius asked worriedly.

"There's no one in Ealdor named Trina, Gaius. Ealdor is a small village, I know every single person that lives there. There's no one in Ealdor that's named Trina," Merlin said. He was starting to panic now, "It's a trap. We have to stop Arthur and the others."

Gaius put his hands to his head, "I'm sure Arthur will be fine, he is with Sir Gwaine and Sir Leon. Let us hope you get better soon."

Gaius started to leave until Merlin asked, "Where are you going?" He started coughing again.

Gaius replied, "I'm going to speak with Gwen. Don't go anywhere while I'm gone."

Merlin nodded, "I'll see you soon."

Gaius nodded in return and left. Merlin was deep in thought. How was he going to save Arthur? He was stuck here. Gaius was right. He was too tired to walk. If he was too tired to even walk, no way he could catch up to Arthur to warn him.

Then, it hit him. He knew what he could do to try to save Arthur. He'll send a blue orb, like he did the other time when Arthur was trapped in the caves, trying to get the cure for him after he drank poison to save Arthur's life. Arthur kept rambling about this blue orb for some time. Maybe if he conjured another one… Arthur would be saved. Merlin hoped the plan would work. After all, Arthur hasn't seen a blue orb for a long time. Also, his views of magic changed ever since Uther was killed.

Let's hope this works… Merlin thought.

Merlin whispered some words, and he summoned a blue orb. Merlin smiled, but his smile faltered when he started to feel sleepy.

No… not now, I have to warn Arthur first, Merlin tried to persist, but it wasn't any use. He fell back to sleep. The blue orb still remained in his hand, but it was starting to flicker and fade every once in a while.


A/N: I hope you liked the first chapter. It's longer than I thought it was going to be. If you review, please have them positive. The next chapter focuses more on Arthur, and Morgana will make an appearance as well. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Thanks!