This is my first ever Merlin Fan fiction. I hope you guys like it. This is my take on Merlin if he had a little bit of backbone (something,i think, we all wished for).

This is basically an extended part of ep 7 of s4 'The Secret Sharer'. The whole episode is exactly the same except for the last scene. That has been edited to fit my whole room is still a mess by Agravaine's searches and Gaius is well enough to atleast stand. The story picks up when Arthur leaves Gaius after apologizing to him and Merlin didnt came back with them. You might find Arthur a bit OOC but it will all be explained.

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Merlin.
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Gaius saw Arthur leave, closing the door behind him. Gaius heaved a great sigh trying to keep his shame and misery from leaking through his ever present physician's facade. He looked at his trashed chamber. It's mess reflecting accurately to the one in his mind. His own appearance wasn't any better. His hair was fuzzy and wild, his face was covered in dirt and sweat and he was exhausted. It had been an intense few days as not only he was betrayed yet again by his king, albeit a different king, but he also let Merlin, who he thought as his own son, down by spilling his greatest secret to his arch nemesis, Morgana.

Gaius's misery and regret didn't let out as Merlin didn't came back with them and he still hasn't shown up. Dreadful thoughts of losing Merlin swam in his head as he assessed the damaged done to his chamber. Potion bottles, pots and glass tubes lay broken on the floor. Various potions spilled from the broken bottles all over the room table and floor. Gaius took a deep breath, picked the broom and started sweeping when he heard hurried footsteps and somebody enter through the door. Gaius immediately perked up as he recognized the figure on the doorway. His eyes instantly filled with tears and he uttered a single word with a huge smile dripping with relief.

"Merlin!''

Merlin looked at his mentor, his eyes sweeping over his condition and appearance and couldn't hold back the tears that blurred his vision. He ran and engulfed his father-figure tightly in a hug.

Merlin: "I thought I lost you."

Gaius: "I thought I lost you, my boy."

They both looked at each other with watery eyes, too pleased to see the other alive and well. Merlin felt guilty, thinking this was all his fault. Gaius always has to go through such measures to hide his identity.

Merlin: "Gaius-"

Gaius: "I know what you are going to say, Merlin but I must tell that It Is Not Your Fault "

Merlin: "No Gaius, you always have to go through so much for me and because of me. I thought I almost lost you and that feeling...is absolutely terrible and I don't want to go through that again... I c-can't...I can't lose my father again."

Twin tears streamed down Merlin's face and he embraced the physician once more. Gaius patted him on the back while gazing at the ceiling with glistening eyes.

They remained like this for a moment, both collecting their thoughts and themselves together but soon Gaius realized that Merlin's secret has been spilled and Morgana will stop at nothing to get him. He couldn't let that happen. Gaius released Merlin from the hug and uttered those words that always haunted him in his dreams.

Gaius: "Merlin, You must leave Camelot immediately."

Merlin was shocked by this sudden statement. Gaius would never say such a thing, would never advise Merlin to abandon his destiny and leave Camelot, unless something drastic happened.

Merlin: "Gaius, Wha-What's the matter?"

Gaius, stating the obvious: "Morgana!"

That name alone is a thing of nightmare, something that sends cold shivers down one's spine. Morgana, high priestess of the old religion, Camelot's biggest adversary and a thorn in Merlin's side.

Gaius: "I am so sorry Merlin, I didn't had the strength to fight against the Catha and I revealed everything. I told them your true power, your destiny and the prophecy, the fact that you are referred to as Emrys by the druids and the old religion and now Morgana knows and she will come for you. You HAVE to leave Camelot at first light. There is no time."

Merlin saw the disappointment and remorse in Gaius's eyes as if he had let his duty down or failed at his task but that's the thing, it was never Gaius's responsibility to hide Merlin's secret, to protect his identity. He was doing it willingly and that almost cost him his life. Merlin calmed the physician down.

Merlin: "Gaius! Morgana doesn't know who I am. She is still unaware of who Emrys is. Alator didn't said anything to Morgana and changed his allegiance to the right side, our side and he protected my identity... My secret still remains a secret."

Alator chose to protect Emrys, just like Gaius, because they all believed that Emrys, with the Once and Future King, will bring peace to the lands of Albion; sorcery will once again be free.

Upon hearing Merlin's reassurances Gaius released a huge sigh of relief. His weary face immediately brightened and he thanked Alator for keeping his boy safe from Morgana's clutches. The dark and gloomy night didn't look all that dreadful now.

Merlin gave his mentor a toothy grin and looked at the destroyed room. He took a deep breath and put his hands on his waist.

Merlin: "heh...looks like my day job has already started."

He took the broom from Gaius and started sweeping all the broken mess on the floor. Gaius stared at him fondly, pleased to see such a sight. Merlin looked back at Gaius and wrinkled his nose.

Merlin: "You need to take a shower, old man. You smell like you came from the stocks and I should know."

Gaius: "Who are you calling an old man, you idiot boy?"

They shared a look and then burst into laughter. Gaius picked up a bucket and went out to freshen up. Merlin was left alone in the chamber, picking up books from the floor. While cleaning, his thoughts started to wander. He kept thinking of the events that happened, Gaius's face in pain from the torture. He never want something like this to happen again. He couldn't handle it. He tried shoving these thoughts aside but his mind refused to turn from the dark, scary and horrifying path that still pull at his heartstrings painfully.