I do not own Merlin unfortunately.

Rated M for safety.

This is my second fanfic so reviews are welcome but please be nice! :)

Chapter One - Revelations

Arthur stood half asleep at the bottom of his bed sword in hand as he faced the strange man in his room. It was a badly kept secret that the only two people in Camelot that could enter Arthur's chambers without knocking or whilst he was asleep were Merlin and Uther. Uther well because he was the king and there wasn't much Arthur could do about it and Merlin because as much as the boy infuriated him he could never stay mad at the idiot of a man.

So the man standing in dark clothing at his table was an obvious threat as they stared each other down, Arthur knew he was a sorcerer no one else would be bold enough to try an attack him here. Standing across the room from each other Arthur knew he could never reach him before he threw a spell at him normally though this is where Merlin would actually show some competence in battle and appear from nowhere and attack the man from behind but for some reason the idiot didn't seem to be showing up yet.

"Who are you and what do want?" Arthur spoke calm and clear as he stared the other man down the silence the man let off only served to make Arthur more uncomfortable and nervous not that he would ever admit it.

Eventually the unknown man smirked "I want nothing from you" he hissed his voice almost snake like "in fact I am here to give you a gift."

Arthur arched his eye brow rivalling that of Gaius's he knew no good could come of this gift. "Thanks, but no thank you and if you had any sense you would leave now whilst you still have your life."

The man started laughing before he started muttering in a deep low voice the language Arthur didn't understand but had knew to be that of magic. Arthur was frozen he felt like he couldn't move even though the spell seemed to take for ever to finish and Arthur could have lunged piercing the man's stomach.

Just as he was finishing his spell Merlin finally entered his chambers "Arth" he cut off the moment he saw the man and without hesitating swung the picture of wine in his hand crashing the metal jug down on the mans' head just as he finished muttering the spell and Arthur saw the gold flash through his eyes. At first Arthur felt nothing like maybe Merlin stopped the spell just in time as he watched Merlin smashing the metal jug into the sorcerer several times making sure he was unconscious or possibly even dead.

Merlin looked up at the still frozen Arthur before running over to him and checking his body for wounds "did he hurt you are okay?" he asked franticly as he inspected Arthur snapping him out of his stupor.

"What" he spoke dumbly before realising Merlin was touching him in ways that seemed to send Arthur wild even though he was checking him over for injury. Quickly pushing Merlin away before any of those troublesome images of doing many sexual activities with the boy flooded his mind again. Arthur had admitted a long time he ago he felt something more than friendship towards his man servant but never acted upon them he knew Merlin would never feel the same way and he didn't want to destroy the friendship as a life without Merlin in it somewhere seemed unbearable.

"Yes I'm fine Merlin I think you got him before he finished the spell."

Merlin stopped his intense inspection to look at Arthur's face before nodding "Are you sure?"

Arthur just nodded before sitting on the edge of his bed, he never understood why he was the victim of so many attacks it was something that always bothered him. He knew being the Prince of Camelot would have its risks he would always have an enemy somewhere but surely it wasn't normal for a royal to have this many people to want him dead? Arthur sighed he has somehow managed to enter that dark part of his mind that he tried to avoid with all his might. Whenever he hit this train of thought he became insufferable to anyone and everyone he came into contact with, not that he meant to but whenever he got here is just made him so angry and depressed. For some reason Merlin would always snap him out of it with one of his offhand comments about how great he will become and the kind of King he will be one day.

Arthur looked up when Merlin entered the room with two guards to escort the unknown man away before he started cleaning the spilt wine. 'I'll kill them all, who do they think they are coming at him like this they should know better by now. I just wish they would all see the Arthur I do the kind strong man and the great king he will become instead they just take out there anger on him for Uther's mistakes argh fucking dark sorcerer scum they are the reason magic has bad name.'

Arthur snapped his head up as he looked at Merlin scrubbing the floor and watched him carefully from his movements and the deep frown on his usual cheerful face Arthur knew he hadn't spoken. Besides the voice seemed more like and echo and bounced about inside his head instead of the clear calming voice that normally filled his ears. He continued to watch Merlin very closely something defiantly wasn't right he could never read minds before.

'If only Arthur could see the beautiful side of magic' Arthur almost scoffed at that thought. 'If only he could see how it can heal and protect bringing happiness and joy. Instead all he sees is evil and the desire to kill and harm, Uther really has robbed him of so many beautiful things turning him against such wonder and amazement.'

Arthur was staring at Merlin dumbfounded he never knew Merlin felt that way about magic, he knew there were people out there that did but they keep their opinions quiet and with good reason talking about a 'good side' to magic was a fast way to get killed in Camelot and yet here Merlin was in the royal household no less. Even at this thought he wasn't that overly surprised Merlin always liked to look at the light side of things instead of dwelling in the darkness he had a rare innocence about him which Arthur admired. But he had been in Camelot for two and half years even he couldn't admit that magic still had a good side after all the pain and destruction he had seen it cause. Arthur felt guilty at the thought it was something he wished Merlin to never lose it was something that made him just completely Merlin and so special and Arthur never wanted to see that leave.

'I bet this was Morgana's doing she has something big planned I can feel it her and Morgause are going to make their move soon I just wish I kind find some proof to show Arthur before it happens. I miss the old Morgana when she was still kind and passionate before Morgause poisoned her mind and turned her against her friends and family. This is going to crush Arthur when he finds out I just wish I could protect his heart as much as I protect his body.'

Arthur was starting to get confused as he continued to listen to Merlin's thoughts they were getting darker the further they went on. Morgana would never betray him and Camelot would she? No she was like a sister to him the two of them had grown up together been there for each other their entire lives surely she wouldn't turn her back on him for likes of Morgause a lying cheating High priestess.

'Maybe I can still save her make her see the light again, show her how good and pure Arthur is maybe we can get our friend back. But that will never happen with Morgause still alive I mean after that stunt she pulled with Arthur to manipulate him into killing Uther it's disgusting. Arthur should never have had to find out about his birth and mother that way and it kills me that I had to tell him it was a lie but he was going to kill his father that would have destroyed him. He may not admit but I know how soft and gentle he really is behind that hard exterior, DAMN Morgause straight to hell. Oh how would love to feel my magic destroy her from the inside for all the pain she has caused Arthur.'

Arthur froze as he started wide eyed at Merlin did he just admit he had magic? And did he also say what Morgause told him about his mother dying after Uther sacrificed her to magic to have him was true? This was all too much Arthur he didn't know if he could cope with this, Merlin had lied to him for nearly three years he acted like an idiot servant when in fact he was sitting there in Camelot practising magic right under the king's nose. He wanted to kill him one for practising magic and secondly for being stupid enough to move and live in Camelot, in the castle no less where Uther would kill him quicker than looking at him. Arthur needed air this was all too much as he felt anger bubble beneath his surface he needed to hit something before he erupted at Merlin.

'How it was I could tell him everything come clean I know he could never kill me he's not cruel enough for that. But I'm being selfish I don't think I could ever stand to see the betrayal and devastation in his eyes, one day perhaps? And hopefully he will understand why I spent years hiding and lying to him working in the back ground to make sure he stayed alive but until the time is right I can't tell him.'

Arthur shook his head before abruptly standing and heading to his wardrobe to get changed he needed to head out onto the training field to take his anger out on the new recruits. He knew it wasn't the healthiest option but he couldn't speak to Merlin not yet not until he physically exhausted himself or he might hurt the boy. He sighed as he pulled on his shirt as he thought over the sorcerer's words before he placed this spell on him how could this possibly be a gift? So far all it has done is upset and anger him, changing his view of the one person in his life he trusted more than anyone. "I'm going to be training all day Merlin, I want bath ready when I return, whilst I'm gone you can wash and mend all my clothes, clean my chambers, polish my armour and muck out the stables." He didn't leave room for argument as he headed straight out the door leaving a rather stunned Merlin behind.

As he walked through the castle he felt like his head was going to explode as all the loose thoughts from servants, maids, guards and knights flooded into his head all at once. Maybe leaving his chambers with the enchantment was a bad idea but he couldn't go back and face Merlin not yet not until he punched several people and beat his knights a pulp on the training field.

"Sire" a voice shouted behind him causing him to pause and to turn and face the small nervous looking boy and prompting him to continue "your father wishes you to join him and the Lady Morgana for breakfast."

Arthur sighed facing his father or Morgana right now was the second last place he wanted to be next to Merlin. Unfortunately he couldn't hide from these two as the servant walked behind him leading him to the dining hall. As he entered the room all the screaming and endless noise in his mind stopped, and was filled with humming noises and quiet absent minded muttering from both Morgana and Uther. Dreading what secrets these two might unknowingly confess too made his stomach churn before sitting down.

"You wished for me to join you father?"

Uther looked up and nodded before turning his attention back to the parchments in his hand "Sir Leon said a sorcerer tried to attack you in your chamber this morning?"

"Yes father thankfully Merlin crept in and subdued him from behind before he could inflict any damage on me" Arthur responded with a bored uninterested tone.

"Thankfully indeed, he's always there to save the day that servant of yours."

"Yes he is a loyal man there aren't many out there like him who would so willing give up there life for me."

Uther grunted signalling he was already bored with the conversation which Arthur just rolled his eyes before his father thoughts flooded his mind. 'This Merlin is getting to close to Arthur maybe I should do something about this? No Uther leave it just now after all if the boy is willing to die to protect Arthur he is probably worth keeping around besides no good ever comes when Arthur and I fight about him.'

Arthur suddenly felt a conflicting emotion is that all Merlin's life was worth to Uther a human shield for his son? This thought angered Arthur at how easily Uther could disregard someone's live, sure Merlin might not be royal or a noble but he still had a family a mother, Gaius and friends that would mourn his lose deeply but of course Uther doesn't care about that because they are all peasants in his eyes. It troubled Arthur how deeply out of tune Uther was the citizens of their kingdom, what kind of king would disregard the life of someone as unimportant just because they didn't have a title? It was cruel and quite frankly sad. Shaking his head because he didn't want to dwell any longer on the realisations of his father any longer than he had to Arthur tried to tune out Uther's thoughts only to be hit hard with Morgana's.

"Arthur was attacked? Is Morgause planning something without me? I need to speak with her she wouldn't do something so careless though would she? No not when Camelot is within our reach one month and then Cenred's immortal Army will be ready and Camelot will fall where I shall claim my rightful place on the throne. Honestly did Uther think he could he hide being my father for ever foolish man and now his own ignorance is going to get himself and his precious Arthur killed.'

Arthur quickly closed his eyes and rubbed his face to try and hide any shock, betrayal and devastation before Morgana or his now sister could realise something was wrong. That was a strange thought Morgana was his sister how many other things had Uther lied to them both about? Unfortunately Arthur wasn't able to dwell on that discovery because all he could think about was how she wanted him dead. He was confused why would Morgana want him dead he had never done anything to warrant such a desire from her, sure when they were younger he would tease and wined her up but that's what you do when your children. He had never purposely went out his way to cause her any harm for such a hatred to born, yes this was definitely Morgause work, maybe he should let Merlin kill her then he might get his sister back? It was information over load everything he had discovered over the last hour was too much for him to handle he let out a low quiet groan he needed answers and he needed them now! The thought entered his mind what would make Morgana join the high priestess and turn her back on him, surely there must be something connecting the two after all Morgana was fiercely loyal and it would have to be something pretty dramatic to change her views.

'Look at them both sitting there as if they are innocent as though they have done no wrong when they are nothing but murders and liars. How I wish I could ignore my sister's warnings and kill them both now with flick of my wrist. I know she is right my magic isn't trained or strong enough yet but it would be so easy with just us three in the room they wouldn't stand a chance. Arthur's sword could never protect them both he's not fast enough.'

Sister? Magic? Oh god Arthur felt the pressure of a tremendous headache coming he got his answer, Morgana had magic and Morgause was her sister that is why it was so easy to turn against him. He couldn't help but think that if Merlin and Morgana had just come to him explained that he might understand after he loves them both he would never want to see them dead no matter what even if it meant he had to send them both away. What he didn't understand is how Morgana now that she had magic wanted Arthur dead but yet Merlin was willing to use his to protect Arthur with his life if needs be he was so confused. Surely maybe his father was wrong? He could understand how the power to corrupt was there after all having that kind of power can go to your head, but he also knew if anyone had the strength to fight of any darkness it was Merlin he just wasn't capable of being so cruel and malice. But then although he always knew Morgana had a sinister side to her he didn't think she could turn to heartless and cold. He looked down at the food in front of him for once in his life he wasn't hungry and just pushed the food around his plate that straight away should have been a sign to the others in the room that something was wrong, but then even his father didn't seem to care enough to notice a small thing like that. Only Merlin would Arthur could see how his eyes would soften as he the raven would look at him in concern whenever he done something like this before trying to get him to talk about to make him feel better.

Everything always lead back to Merlin the idiot man servant that seemed to be the only person in Arthur's life that cared enough to learn his tells and break through his hard princely exterior. The realisation made him realize he could probably forgive Merlin after all magic must have a beautiful side if he used it. Yes he was still furious with him but any ill will towards him was gone. He was going to have to speak to the boy and get answers all this thinking and frowning was really starting to hurt his head. But first the training field he still needed to beat some of the anger out that he was feeling.

He sighed before pushing his plate back and standing up "if you would excuse me father, Morgana but I must get to training now."

"Of course Arthur" Uther grunted without looking up from the reports Morgana gave him her usual smile which unsettled him more. Her ability to lie and act as if nothing had changed actually scared him a little. With quick nod he left the dining hall and headed to the training field where once again his mind was bombarded with loose thoughts from the rest of the castle.

Arthur approached the training field he didn't even bother with his courteous smile he would normally give them instead he just grabbed his shield and sword and approached Leon.

"Sire" he spoke nodding to Arthur who rust nodded in return.

'Oh great he's in a mood maybe I should send a squire to warn Gaius I really don't feel like sleeping with bruised and nearly broken limbs again. I wish he would just talk to Merlin when he gets like this I love him I really do. But when he is a mood like this training is brutal and Merlin is right he can be a bit of prat! I know beating things can help at times but he brutalizes us I'll need to speak to Merlin get him to fix whatever is wrong with Arthur this time. But then it's probably because he was attacked in his chambers I suppose I can't really be angry at him for that? I wish people would stop trying to kill him and let him be happy he deserves to have some of it in his life,'

Arthur eyed Leon carefully he really wasn't enjoy being able to hear peoples thoughts, it also made him unsettled that his second in command could read him almost as well as Merlin could. But then he shouldn't be surprised he has known Sir Leon since he was child they grew up and trained together and faced near death more times than he can count surely some form of bond must be formed from that? He decided to take it easy on Leon and brutalize the other knights after all Leon seemed worried about him he couldn't punish him for that. Arthur tried his hardest to tune out the thoughts of the knights he faced down, the swearing that screamed in his head the silent yelps of pain when he went down extra hard on them did make him feel slightly guilty. But he balanced that out with the thought of they will face enemies that will attack with this strength and they must be prepared. So he powered through ignoring any form of guilt that swelled inside him at the silent cries of his men, right now he just needed to hit things and this was only socially acceptable way for a prince to discreetly relieve his anger.

He was merciless with his training as he came at them hard all day it wasn't until the sun started to lower that he finally called it to an end. His knights fought well against his never ending strength of the day but now that he had finished he realized how exhausted he himself was. Which after all was the desired affect this was supposed to have on him maybe now he was tired he could talk to Merlin but first he wanted a bath then with wine yes lots of wine, then he and Merlin would talk? Three jugs of wine should do it after all he didn't think Merlin would be able to get through it with the calming effect of alcohol either. Once again trying to block out the screaming in his head as he walked through the castle Arthur finally made it to the safety of his chambers where Merlin for once was just finishing his bath.

Arthur ignored him as he slipped behind the changing screen and stripped he poked his head round to see Merlin for once actually being competent at his job as Arthur's discarded clothes were already in his hands traveling towards the laundry basket. Arthur quickly walked the short distance before climbing into the bath letting a low moan escape it was the one thing Merlin never failed at in his job was drawing a bath. He always had the mix of oils and soaps perfect to ease his sore muscles not to mention the water was always a perfect temperature and never seemed to cool even if he spent a full candle mark soaking in the water. Then the reason hit him Merlin's magic none of his previous servants had ever managed such a perfect before let alone every time and he actually felt his lips twitch into a small smile before quickly erasing any trace of it he was supposed to be mad at Merlin not smiling like an idiot.

Thankfully Merlin's thoughts were filled with nothing but mundane things like his chores and cursing Gaius for making him find this herb and the flower which relieved him he wasn't sure he wanted his bath ruined with Merlin's thoughts of magic, Morgana and Morgause.

"Merlin go fetch my dinner with extra and three jugs of wine" he spoke calm and clear for the first time since breakfast.

"Three jugs of wine Arthur? Don't you think that's a bit much?"

Arthur groaned and rolled his eyes "just do it Merlin" his tone whiny that is of course if princes whined.

Merlin sighed before heading to the door 'great that's all I need to try and fight a drunken Arthur to bed, honestly this has been a horrible day he can be such a prat at times.'

Arthur rested his head against the smooth wooden edge of the bath Merlin would be at least fifteen minutes which meant he could relax for ten in the well needed silence before getting dried and changed for his return.

As expected Arthur had just finished pulling on his comfiest tunic when Merlin entered his chambers juggling the wine and a tray filled with food before somehow placing it all on the table without spilling anything. Where had Merlin's sudden competence as a servant some from?

"Will there be anything else Arthur?" he asked.

Arthur nodded before heading to his door and sliding the bolt into a lock position "take a seat Merlin."

'What's going on' Merlin though nodding to Arthur before slowly sitting down at the table "is everything alright Arthur?"

Arthur sighed before sitting in usual chair and pouring two goblets of wine sliding one over to Merlin "it's been a very interesting day Merlin."

'Something is wrong! Arthur never gives me wine he knows how much of lightweight I am. Did that Sorcerer do something to him, stay calm Merlin listen before jumping to any conclusions?' "How so Arthur?"

Arthur almost smiled would Merlin ever stop worrying about him. "Well ever since this morning I have been making shocking discovery after shocking discovery. It seems today has been most enlightening to people around me."

'Oh my god he knows! He found out about my magic, no calm down if he had there were would be shouting Merlin stay calm!' Merlin took a deep breath "Really, and what have you discovered?"

Arthur had to refrain from throwing his goblet at Merlin his thoughts were in a panic but yet his face stayed relaxed and his voice and smooth and calm as ever. It was infuriating Arthur just wanted to scream sorcerer at him but this matter had be dealt with delicately. "I have discovered a great many things about my Father, Morgana and of course you."

'Yep I'm done for he knows, that's it I'll be banished by sunrise oh god it wasn't supposed to happen this way. It's going to be so much harder to keep him safe if can't stand beside him fucking Dragon and his annoyingly cryptic destiny crap. Fuck it! If Arthur knows I' will tell him the truth about everything I care to much about him to continue lying he doesn't deserve it even if it means I have to break my own heart and leave him.' Taking a few calming breath's Merlin steeled his emotions readying himself for very long conversation to come and suddenly grateful for the amount of wine Arthur asked him to bring. "Is there anything you would like to ask me about?"

If it wasn't for the years of practice Arthur had behind him of hiding his emotions he would have let the shock run all over his face at Merlin's thoughts. He didn't expect Merlin to accept and come to terms with what was about to happen to easily he half expected some shouting and possible throwing of objects before Merlin finally broke and admitted his magic out loud. Taking a few breaths to calm his own nerves after all he had no idea what onslaught of information was about to come his way but he wanted to know everything.

"Merlin do you have magic?"