Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter 1 – Not An Enchantment

Arthur paced back and forth in his father's presence chamber as he awaited The King's arrival. His romantic getaway with Guinevere had been spoiled when his father and Morgana had happened upon them and he feared his father's reaction to catching him with a servant. Hearing footsteps approaching he turned his anxious gaze on the door as his father strode in. Before Arthur could even open his mouth Uther burst out laughing and clapped his son on the shoulder.

"I thought you would be furious." Arthur said with a sense of relief.

"I was young once, I am more than familiar with the temptations of serving girls." His father replied and Arthur felt himself relax.

"Well I am sorry I kept it from you. I thought it for the best."

"No serious harm has been done. I can't allow it to continue obviously." Arthur felt his blood run cold as he tensed up once more.

"What are you talking about?"

"You can never see this girl again." Uther said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You just said that no harm had been done." He argued and Uther's joking demeanour turned serious in an instant.

"You've had your fun now it must come to an end."

"What does it matter that Guinevere's a servant?" He tried to reason with his father though ultimately knew it was futile.

"The survival of Camelot depends on forging an alliance through your marriage."

"But I can't marry someone I don't have feelings for."

"Your first duty is to Camelot."

"I care about-"

"I cannot allow this, I forbid it." Uther stressed.

"You can't forbid my feelings anymore than I can. I won't deny it any longer, I love her." Arthur felt his anger rising at his father's clear attempt to keep him from Guinevere; he would not be separated from her. "I love Guinevere."

"You leave me no choice, she's banished from the city." The King replied as he began to walk out.

"You can't do that!"

"She has three days to leave, to return is on pain of death."

"She has nowhere to go, her life is in Camelot!"

"You have caused this to happen, Arthur." As his father laid the blame at his feet Arthur truly saw the man others had said existed, one who would not bend, nor take the blame for anything. "My decision is final."

"Please!" Arthur begged. "Do not banish her. I give you my solemn word never to see her again."

"You've made it clear to me that you cannot control your feelings for this girl."

"No! I-"

"This is for your own good." Arthur did not try to stop his father this time as he left, knowing that if their fight continued right now they would come to blows. With his heart feeling heavier than it had ever been, Arthur followed his father out the door, though headed for his own chambers, hoping to find Merlin there.

"How did Uther know where to find you?" Merlin asked when Arthur burst into his chambers.

"I don't know. You were the only person who knew where we were." His tone was somewhat accusatory, though it was clear he did not want to believe his friend – for although he would never admit it that is what Merlin was – could betray him so.

"I didn't tell him!"

"Oh, maybe something you said gave it away." It was far more likely that Merlin accidentally gave away their location than a betrayal.

"I didn't say anything!"

"You know Merlin, you couldn't keep a secret if your life depended on it!"

"You'd be surprised!" He retorted a little too vehemently, for Arthur took note.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." The manservant replied after a moment. Arthur let it drop for now; there were more pressing matters at hand. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know." Arthur admitted. "But I must do something. I cannot allow the woman I love to be banished from her home."

"We'll think of something." Merlin tried to reassure him and Arthur heard that note in his voice again which spoke of something deeper. However, any questioning he might have done was interrupted by Morgana's arrival.

"Leave us, Merlin." He said, and his manservant did so most unwillingly. He waited outside while Arthur and Morgana talked, shooting her a distrusting look when she left a few minutes later.

"What did Morgana say?" He demanded, entering Arthur's chambers without knocking as was his custom.

"Why does it matter?" Arthur wanted to know. He had moved to the window and was looking out over the city towards where he knew Guinevere must be packing by now.

"It doesn't." He backpedalled, trying to play it off as nothing. "Just curious." With a sigh Arthur turned to face Merlin.

"She said she was sorry this had happened and asked what I planned to do."

"And you said?"

"I said I would leave with Guinevere." He admitted. "I would leave with her and upon my father's death we would return and Guinevere would take her rightful place by my side as Queen." Although Merlin's face was expressionless Arthur could tell his mind was hard at work. "What are you thinking, Merlin?"

"Nothing." Was his quick reply.

"It's clearly not nothing. Spit it out!"

"It's really nothing."

"You're hiding something from me." He was once again suspicious.

"No I'm not. You yourself said I couldn't keep a secret to save my life."

"And you disputed that."

"Well it's still nothing."

"Merlin…" He warned.

"It is nothing, I promise. But if it turns into something I will let you know." It was obvious that that was the only response he was going to get, and though he didn't like it, Arthur knew he'd get nothing else out of his manservant.

"Fine. Don't tell me then." Turning he went to the table and picked up his sword before making his way to the door. "I'm going to the training grounds. Work off a bit of steam before I go see Guinevere again." The training grounds were exactly where a frantic Merlin found Arthur a few hours later.

"What is it, Merlin?"

"I just saw some guards dragging Gwen into the castle." He huffed out. With a horrified look Arthur took off, closely followed by Merlin. The two arrived at the royal presence chamber and Arthur threw open the doors before the guards even had a chance.

"What is the meaning of this?!" He demanded, trying to mask his worry at seeing Guinevere kneeling on the floor with her hands bound.

"This poultice was found under your pillow." Uther replied, holding up the offending item.

"You had my chambers searched without my knowledge?"

"Clearly it was necessary. This is some kind of love charm, you were under its spell."

"That's ridiculous!"

"How would you know?"

"Because I know how I feel! I'm not enchanted."

"Can you tell me how it came to be in your room?" Uther held the poultice up once more, letting Arthur get a good look at it.

"I don't know, but I don't believe Guinevere put it there."

"Until its spell is broken I can't take anything you say as the truth." Turning from his son, Uther pointed at the next person to be blamed for sorcery in his kingdom. "Her father consorted with sorcerers."

"My father was a good and innocent man and you executed him." Guinevere replied, not looking up at The King.

"So you would seek your revenge by enchanting my son?!"

"No!"

"My lord, whatever this poultice is, I do not believe Gwen is responsible for magic." Gaius tried to intervene.

"I don't care what you believe, Gaius." Uther's words held a warning for the physician to stay silent. "Arthur is under her spell that is the only explanation for his behaviour."

"Father, you have to see reason. Guinevere has done nothing wrong!"

"She has been found guilty of using magic and enchantments." His father responded. "She will be burned at the stake.

"No!" Arthur's tone was now desperate.

"Restrain him." Uther ordered when his son surged forward.

"You can't do this!" Arthur yelled as two guards came to hold him back.

"My lord, at least give Gwen a fair trial!" Gaius implored, heedless of his King's previous warning.

"I have all the evidence I need."

"I'm begging you!" Arthur tried again. "We will leave Camelot. Never return. Just let us go! I relinquish my entitlement to the throne!" Guinevere turned and looked at Arthur with wide eyes, not sure if she was believing what she was hearing. He would give up the throne for her? Although she knew Arthur loved her, that Uther's claims of sorcery were entirely untrue, she did not know he loved her more than his kingdom.

"My son would never do that." Uther insisted. "It is proof beyond doubt you are enchanted."

"I will never forgive you for this!" Arthur spat out.

"She will die. The enchantment will be broken. You will see that I was right. Take her away."

"No! Guinevere!" Arthur renewed his struggles against the guards as two more came forward and grasped Guinevere's arms, hauling her to her feet.

"Arthur!"

"No!" Finally breaking free, Arthur rushed forward and pulled his love into a kiss before the guards were able to grab him again. "I will always love you." He whispered as Guinevere was dragged from the room. When the doors closed behind her and the guards had taken their place in front of the doors once more, those holding Arthur released him.

"I know you do not see it now, still being under her spell. But I am right, Arthur, and come tomorrow when she is dead and the enchantment is lifted you will thank me." Uther spoke from his place on his throne. All the anger Arthur felt came forward at his father's words and he released a great roar, drawing his sword and turning it on his father, holding it to The King's chest. The guards situated around the room lurched forward, some drawing their own swords while others merely held the hilt, though none made a move against their Prince.

"I will thank you for nothing." Arthur growled; his furious eyes boring into his father's now shocked ones. "I am under no enchantment and Guinevere is no sorceress. It merely suits your needs to have her declared one, no matter how falsely. That woman you would see dead is the woman I love! Not because of some enchantment, or some spell, but merely because of the kind, generous, wonderful person she is. Though I don't expect you to understand love."

"Do not understand love? How can you say that when my love for you is-"

"You love me only so far as it suits you." Arthur pressed the tip of his sword a little further into his father's chest. "I see that now. All that you care about is your power and yourself. You only care for me so long as I fit in with your plans and no further, for if you truly cared about me you would see my love for Guinevere is real, and you would never wish upon me the pain of losing her. I meant what I said, that I would never forgive you for this. This is not over. I will do all I can to see Guinevere released and if by chance you stop me, know that as of the moment Guinevere's life leaves her, I will no longer have a father." Arthur pulled his sword away from his father and stormed out of the chamber, Merlin closely following behind him. They ended up in The Prince's chambers, unsurprisingly, and Arthur collapsed into the nearest chair with his head in his hands while Merlin stood quietly to the side, allowing his master and friend the time he needed. Over an hour passed before either moved and they only did so upon hearing guards take up positions outside Arthur's chambers shortly before a clamour was heard in the courtyard below. Arthur went to investigate and saw men setting up a pyre.

"It appears my words did nothing to dissuade my father." Arthur said.

"We must find a way to save her." He replied.

"How? There are guards outside my door, guards in the courtyard below…it's impossible." When Arthur turned his way, Merlin saw a look of absolute heartbreak in his eyes. "I can't lose her, Merlin. I can't watch her die." Merlin stared at the other man for a moment, warring with himself and trying hard to find an alternative solution. However, the desperate and devastating look in his friend's eyes was enough to sway him towards the solution with the highest probability of success, regardless of if he had spent the last few years hiding it.

"What if I said I could save her? That I could get her out of the dungeons, you out of this room, and all three of us out of Camelot?" Arthur stared at him for a moment before turning back to look outside.

"Don't be absurd, Merlin. What could you possibly do?" As if in answer, the pyre outside went up in flames without having been lit. Thankfully no one was near it at that exact moment, though everyone in the courtyard jumped away in fear before scrambling to put the fire out. Arthur turned to face Merlin once more, believing the unprovoked fire to be too much of a coincidence, but also not believing for a moment his manservant had anything to do with it. Keeping his eyes locked on Arthur's, Merlin muttered a few words and his eyes flashed gold. The jug of water that sat on the table a few feet away lifted into the air and floated towards a nearby cup and, with another muttered word. began to pour itself.

"I have magic." He all but whispered, finally averting his gaze as Arthur's eyes grew wide with shock. "I was born with it. I can't help it, but I am a sorcerer, Arthur."

"N-no. That's impossible."

"Why? Because I'm your servant? A bumbling idiot? Why is it so hard to believe I have magic?"

"Because…because you're you, Merlin. Magic and those that use it are evil, and you're…not."

"That's what your father has told you. What your father would have everyone believe. The truth though, is that magic is naught but a tool. Just like a sword or axe, magic can be used for good or evil, depending entirely on who wields it. Evil is in the hearts of men, not in magic." This confident, strong Merlin was one Arthur had never seen before and he wasn't sure what to make of him. "I don't expect you to change your thinking overnight, and if you hate me for it and never want to see me again I will understand." He sounded far from happy at the thought of that. "But let me help you. Let me save Gwen and then…then you never have to see me again if you don't want to." With the mention of Guinevere Arthur's mind snapped back to the task at hand.

"I don't…I don't know what to think, Merlin. To learn, after all these years, that you have magic…" Arthur shook his head trying to clear his mind. "I'm shocked, and hurt, and beyond angry that you've kept this from me. But you are right that Guinevere needs help. We will talk after. I want you to explain all this properly and give me time to think." Merlin nodded, happy at least that he wasn't being told to go to hell and having the guards set on him. "But Merlin," Arthur's serious tone drew the warlock's undivided attention. "Even through my confusion, hurt, and anger, I can see that there is at least some truth to your words that not all magic is evil. You have been in my service for years now and could have killed me at anytime but haven't. Even knowing now that you have magic…I still cannot believe you are evil. Just know that I have yet to decide if your words apply to all magic, or just yours." Again Merlin nodded, though he was unsure how to react to Arthur's statement. It was more than he had let himself hope for, that Arthur would not immediately banish him from his side or declare his magic an abomination. "Now…how do we save Guinevere?" The plan was quite simple. Arthur would take down the two guards outside his door, leaving them alive if at all possible to deliver a message to his father, and between him and Merlin they would get to the stables and Arthur would prepare three horses while Merlin, who's movements were neither restricted nor watched, would get Guinevere out of the dungeon. They would then meet at the side gate and leave for an as of yet undetermined place. When night fell they put their plan into motion. Arthur threw open his door with sword in hand while Merlin carried a couple bags with a few belongings and a purse full of coins.

"Apologies, My Lord, but The King has ordered you remain in your chambers." One of the guards said, eyeing Arthur's sword wearily. Arthur smirked and flipped his sword menacingly in a circle.

"Come now. Do you really believe that two of you can stop me?" The two guards looked to each other and the smaller, weaker of the two nodded, indicating he would go for help before quickly running off. The one that remained was dealt with in but a moment as Arthur used his momentary distraction against him. The guard found his sword knocked out of his hand and the hilt of Arthur's sword coming down on his head, knocking him out. Arthur and Merlin then took off down the corridor after the other guard only to find when they turned the corner that he was already unconscious on the ground.

"I wondered when you'd be making your move." Sir Leon said from his place leaning against the wall.

"Leon…you did this?" Arthur asked, indicating the guard. Camelot's First Knight nodded.

"That was the easy part, let me tell you. The hard part was waiting by your chambers with no one growing suspicious. I can't tell you how many servants stopped to ask me if I, or the men I was supposed to be training, needed anything. Finally had to tell one of them that The King trusted none but me to keep you in your chambers for them to leave me alone."

"And The King knows nothing of you being here?" Arthur's suspicion was obvious, made even more so because he had yet to put away his sword.

"No, he doesn't." All manner of joking left Leon's eyes. "I am on your side in this, Arthur. Gwen is no sorceress and anyone who thinks so is deluded. The King has gone too far this time, and I won't watch her die."

"You speak as if you know her well." Finally Arthur sheathed his sword, believing Leon's words even if his last comment surprised him.

"She is nothing more than my friend, though a lifelong one at that." Arthur still looked confused. "She did not tell you that we grew up together? Us and her brother, Elyan?"

"No."

"I'm not terribly surprised. Gwen is nothing if not proper and when we both ended up in the citadel she told me that publically having an association with a servant would diminish my prospects as a knight."

"That does sound like her." Arthur had to agree.

"Her mother was maid in my family's household. As you know my mother does not exactly follow the proper order of things in regards to a person's station in life, so Gwen and Elyan shared in my lessons when we were little, and we played together too. Gwen is arguably my oldest friend, I've known her almost since the day she was born." Leon felt the need to explain and Arthur was glad for it.

"That actually explains a lot. I've noticed the smiles she sends you." Leon's expression turned worried.

"You didn't think that she and I…? Sire, I swear-" Arthur held up his hand.

"Absolutely not. You knew of my feelings for Guinevere even if you never officially knew. Besides, I know Guinevere loves me, as I love her. The smiles she sent you were affectionate, even loving, to an extent, but never like that. I was curious about them, but knew that Guinevere would tell me in her own time."

"As touching as this conversation is, perhaps we can continue it after we have rescued, Gwen." Merlin suggested.

"Right." Arthur and Leon agreed. With their new ally it was easier to make it to the stables and less heads had to be bashed together; with the word of Camelot's First Knight that The King had summoned Arthur, none of the guards they passed questioned why he was out of his room. Even so, they knew it would not be long before the guards they had knocked out would awaken and sound the alarm so they dare not tarry.

"You've got the horses, I'll meet you at the western gate with Gwen." Merlin said before taking off. Leon looked to Arthur confused.

"He's going to get Gwen out of the dungeon?" Arthur sighed and paused for a moment before deciding to be entirely truthful.

"There's something you need to know about Merlin…"

A/N - Another Merlin fic! This was written awhile ago, though I've done a fair bit of editing. Mostly rated T, though chapter 3 is more M rated. 23 chapters total, all of them finished, just needing a final edit, so there should a few chapters posted each week!

Review please!