It was a beautiful day in Camelot and everyone was bustling around doing their daily chores. Queen Guinevere was looking around at the stalls set up in the market, Gaius was working on medicines and Merlin was mucking out the stables. Arthur on the other hand, sat in his chambers thinking. He could not get the image he had seen in the reflection of the sword out of his head. It had been two weeks since Morgana had tried to seize Camelot once again and through all the excitement he had forgotten that Merlin was a sorcerer. He kept replaying that day in his head and concentrated hard on that one image. In the reflection of the sword, he had seen Merlin's eyes glow gold and the sword had slid right out of the stone. Only one thing could have cause that…..magic. Arthur knew everyone thought he did it, but the truth was he only believed in himself because Merlin had told him to. He values Merlin's advice believe it or not, but he also values their friendship. The friendship though was questionable and it was not because Merlin did not tell him, it was because Arthur never gave him the opportunity to tell. He was always saying how bad magic was and how if he found out anyone was a sorcerer their head would be gone in a quick second. Arthur did not regret the punishments he and his father gave to sorcerers, though and the ban would not be easily lifted. Merlin had gained his trust and he would keep his secret.
-Later-
Merlin had just been called to Arthur's chambers with much urgency by Gwaine, but he was not worried. Gwaine made things out to be worse they were. He had a very dramatic way about him. It must be the hair. Merlin had been mucking out the stables all day and Arthur was probably going to reprimand him for not doing the other chores. When there were around fifty knights visiting for a tournament usually their horses need a lot of taking care of. When he got to Arthur's door it was already opened.
That's strange, Merlin thought. He always has his door closed. Merlin stood in the doorway waiting for Arthur to welcome him in.
"Why is it Merlin that when the door's closed you barge right in, but when it's open you decide to be polite all of a sudden?" asked Arthur.
Here it goes the beginning to another long rant, assumed Merlin. But it didn't come. Instead Arthur looked more upset than angry. This cannot be good.
"Sorry. That was uncalled for." He said. He rubbed his eyes with his hands and proceeded to get up and pull a chair out. He sat back in the one across from it. He then motioned for Merlin to sit down. Merlin walked over to the chair and sort of fell into it. It was the most comfy chair he had ever sat in. Of course he had sat in it once before, but was too busy eating rat stew to enjoy it.
"What is this about? Am I getting a promotion?" Merlin asked quizzically.
"Merlin, can you be serious for one moment please?"
"Sorry. What is this about?"
Arthur's eyes averted Merlin's and he quietly tapped his fingers on the shiny wooden table.
"Merlin…I need you to do something."
"Typical" Merlin retorted with a snort.
"Merlin, I know you have magic and I need to you to tell me everything." Arthur did not look angry and Merlin was greateful for that. He seemed almost understanding and Merlin felt a tiny bit better.
"Well, for starters, I was born with magic." The rest of the conversation was a blur for Merlin, but Arthur hung onto every word. It seemed for once that Arthur was an actual equal to Merlin.