So, this is kind of my challenge to myself. I'm writing one fanfiction for each episode of Merlin. Some are one-shots, some are longer stories. I ran out of ideas for fanfictions so this is how I'm dealing with that. If anyone has any prompts for me, feel free to leave it in a review and if I write it after I finish writing these 65 stories, I'll dedicate it to you… so, thanks. And I give you Season 1 Episode 12.
Summary: Takes place when Merlin is asking Gwen if she would kill the king if she had the choice. Merlin tells her that Morgana plans to kill the king. When Merlin goes to stop Morgana, Gwen follows him. She sees him use his magic. Merlin/Gwen.
Story 12: Hidden
Chapter 1: Magic
"You're right. Of course you're right," Merlin said. He could feel his mind spinning. Gwen was right. If Morgana aided in Uther's death, she would never forgive herself. It would make her as bad as Uther. Merlin had to stop her, but how? If he was seen anywhere near Tauren, Uther would assume he was conspiring with sorcerers. The irony.
But Merlin knew he had to stop Morgana. He would just have to be extra cautious. Merlin started to leave. He didn't have a lot of time. They would have already left. Tauren could try to kill the king at any moment.
"Is anything wrong?" Gwen asked concerned.
"No, no," Merlin said quickly. He didn't have time to tell Gwen and it would be dangerous for her to know.
"Merlin," Gwen said in a voice that showed she didn't believe him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Merlin insisted. He glanced out the window in the hallway they were talking in. It would take him about an hour to get to Gorlois's grave. Hopefully Morgana and Uther wouldn't have traveled too quickly. Merlin should get there in time.
Gwen stood in between Merlin and the door at the end of the hallway. "I'm not blind Merlin," she told him sternly. "What is it?"
Merlin contemplated not telling her, but that would only delay his travels. He really needed to leave or it would be too late to save the king. "Morgana intends to kill the king," Merlin said reluctantly. "She asked Tauren for help."
"What?" Gwen said, her eyes widening with horror. As much as she despised Uther, she didn't want Morgana to kill him. "We've got to stop her."
"There's no we. If Uther sees you anywhere near them, he'll assume you're trying to avenge your father's death. Then he'll have you killed. You must stay here," Merlin told her. "I'll stop her. I promise. Everything will be okay. But you need to stay here."
Gwen looked at Merlin. She couldn't deny the truth in his words. "Be careful," she whispered. She kissed Merlin's cheek and then started to walk down the hallway to complete her duties before she could see his reaction. She hoped that he would be okay.
"I will," Merlin promised her. Gwen heard the door close behind him.
Gwen let out the breath she was holding. For several minutes she just stood looking out the window. It was beautiful outside, but she was struggling to see the beauty. Between her father dying and what she knew Morgana was attempting, there was little beauty in her world. She was afraid that Morgana would succeed. Morgana would never forgive herself and Gwen feared what that guilt would do to her friend.
Merlin took a deep breath when the door closed behind him. He knew that he could handle Tauren, but he hated to lie to Gwen. He knew in his heart that he was right to have lied. It was necessary. He pressed his hand to his cheek, it still felt warm from where she kissed him. Merlin only stood there a moment to compose himself before he rushed to the stables and began to prepare for his trip.
As Gwen was walking towards Morgana's chambers to fetch her dirty clothing, Merlin's words hit her. Tauren was a sorcerer. If Morgana had enlisted Tauren's help, there was nothing Merlin could do to stop him. He wouldn't stand a chance against Tauren. Gwen didn't necessarily believe sorcery was evil, but she did believe Tauren was not a good man. Morgana had been consumed by her anger and she lost sight of that. Tauren had left Gwen's father to get arrested. To Gwen, that was unforgivable.
Gwen borrowed a horse from the stables and followed the path she had once taken when she accompanied Morgana to her father's grave. When she was close, she dismounted the horse and looked around, trying to find Merlin. Gwen saw a body on the ground and ran to it. She was terrified that it might be Merlin.
It wasn't. It was a guard. Gwen could see the slash across the guard's stomach and how the blood had spread through his uniform and into the grass. There would be no saving him. Gwen let out a rough breath. She didn't know why she felt so emotional over the dead man before her. She hadn't even known him.
Gwen heard a rustle to her right. She tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible as she walked through the tall grass. She heard the rustle again, this time it was closer. She saw two men. She recognized them. They had been with Tauren.
Fear curled in Gwen's stomach. She didn't dare move for fear they would hear her. They were much closer than she had anticipated.
Gwen heard someone mutter a strange word and something that can only be described as a bluish white bolt of energy shot out at one of the men. He collapsed to the ground and Gwen didn't see any sign of life in him. There was no rise and fall of his chest, no raspy breathing. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or terrified.
Gwen looked around trying to find the other threat. After a moment, she saw Merlin holding a strange staff. There was a bluish stone at the top that seemed to be glowing. Gwen studied the staff. It look familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen it before. It took Gwen several moments to process that Merlin was the only person around other than the guard. He was the only one that could have cast that spell. Gwen didn't want to believe it. Fate had other plans.
"Acwele," Merlin shouted, pointing the staff towards the other man. Gwen watched as a bolt of energy shot out of the staff and killed him.
Gwen froze, unable to speak. She was barely able to process what she had just seen. Merlin had been the one to kill the men. Merlin was a sorcerer. He had magic.
