Author's Note: If anyone actually follows my stories, I'm sorry I've been away so long. My flash drive got corrupted and I lost all of the stories I've been working on – including the book I've been writing. I made it my priority to re-write as much of that book as possible and now that I did that, I'm back to working on this – woo hoo!

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 2 Episode 7.

Summary: When Aredian accuses Merlin of being a sorcerer, Arthur refuses to believe it. He becomes shocked when he finds it to be true. He becomes even more shocked when he then agrees to help break Merlin out of prison. Merlin/ Morgana.

Story 20: Behind the Scenes

Chapter 1: Nothing to Be Done

For a moment, Merlin had the surreal feeling of having every single eye in the room on him. It made him want to curl up in a ball and magically disappear… well not magically, because then everyone would know Aredian was right about him having magic and no one could know that.

It seemed that his secret may have run its course as Aredian had just announced to the entire court that Merlin was a sorcerer.

"Merlin? You can't be serious," Arthur said incredulously. With Arthur's words, Merlin felt the tension in the room dissipate. If Arthur said he wasn't a sorcerer, it must be true, at least in the eyes of the people. Merlin was so grateful that Arthur was so oblivious sometimes.

"This is outrageous!" Gaius added. "You have no evidence!" He knew that Merlin wasn't responsible for what the three women had witnessed, but he feared that Uther may not share in that belief.

Merlin wasn't aware of the conversation that happened next. He locked eyes with Morgana and saw the sheer panic racing through her.

Morgana had been so terrified that Aredian would discover her that she hadn't spared a thought for Merlin. She should have realized the danger he was in. She had chewed him out almost as much as Gaius had for performing magic out in the open like that, but somehow she thought he would get away with it. Like he always had.

It was Merlin's magic trick. The ability to go into life-threatening circumstances and magically escape without dying.

They were having a silent conversation with their eyes where Merlin was promising Morgana that he would be safe. Even if he was sentenced to death, he would escape. He wouldn't put Morgana through the pain of watching him die.

It was for that reason that Merlin was very much taken off guard when two guards suddenly grabbed him. He was dragged out of the throne room. He never took his eyes off of Morgana. If this night proved to be his last in Camelot, he wanted to leave with her image in his heart.

That's what Merlin was doing when Arthur came to let him out a couple of hours later. He was mentally with Morgana.

As Merlin was walking out, he passed Gaius. "Gaius? What's going on?" Merlin demanded. He struggled against Arthur's hold.

"Say nothing, Merlin. Do nothing. Promise me!" Gaius begged.

Merlin felt himself fortunate that he was ushered away from Gaius before he could make that promise. He didn't want to make a promise that he had no intention of keeping.

Once Merlin was out of the prison. He turned to Arthur. "What's going on?" Merlin asked.

"Gaius confessed to having a magical artifact in his chambers," Arthur explained. He was refusing to make eye contact with Merlin.

"Please, you've got to do something. You know Gaius as well as I do. You know he would never," Merlin insisted.

"This is out of my hands Merlin," Arthur said harshly.

"Arthur, please," Merlin begged.

"I'm sorry. I truly am," Arthur said softly. He turned and walked away from Merlin without another word.

Merlin watched him walk away with a heavy heart. Gaius was in jail because of Merlin's stupid mistake.

Merlin shook his head. He felt so guilty and he could only think of one thing that could make him feel better. Merlin was barely aware of the walk to Morgana's chambers. He knocked on her door and she opened it just enough for Merlin to slip through.

Before he had the chance to register anything in her room, Morgana had thrown her arms around Merlin. "I was so afraid for you," Morgana whispered. "Gwen saw Arthur leading you from the cells. She told me that I should expect you soon."

"Gaius took my place," Merlin whispered to her hair. "He had a magical amulet, I suppose from when he actually studied magic. Aredian found it and Gaius admitted that it was his."

"I'm so sorry Merlin. I know how you care for him," Morgana said sympathetically.

Merlin let out a choked cough as he tried to swallow the sob that was threatening to consume him. For a moment, he just held Morgana and let her presence comfort him.

"Are you okay?" He asked her after he had regained control on his emotions. He knew this had to be just as hard on her as it was on him.

"I'll be fine. I know this sounds bad, but I'm glad that you aren't in jail anymore," Morgana told him. Even as she said the words, she felt guilty for how true they were. She would rather Gaius be in jail, because it meant that Merlin wasn't.

Merlin didn't say anything to that. He didn't share her relief so he didn't know how to respond to that. After a couple of hours, Merlin went back to Gaius's chambers. He winced when he walked in. The entire room was in disarray. Merlin knew he wouldn't be able to stay there, not when he knew that Gaius's life work was thrown around the room as if it were nothing more than the doodles of a child. Gaius had dedicated his entire life to studying all the books that were scattered around the room and now, it would all be for naught.

Merlin turned and left. He couldn't bear to be there one more moment. Merlin went to Arthur's chambers to complete his nighttime duties. As he got Arthur ready for bed, Merlin brought it up. "I'm going to be spending the night in the servant's chambers," Merlin said nonchalantly. He had only stayed in the servant chambers once since he became Arthur's manservant, so he wasn't entirely surprised when Arthur looked at him like he had grown an extra head.

"Why?" Arthur asked.

"In case you need anything tonight," Merlin said with a shrug. He didn't want to make a big deal about why he would be staying there. Merlin wouldn't have told him at all, but Arthur had the only key.

"It's because of Gaius, isn't it?" Arthur asked gently. He had seen the mess that had been made while they were searching for anything magical. Arthur wouldn't want to stay there either.

"No," Merlin muttered. Arthur rolled his eyes. Merlin was an awful liar. Arthur studied Merlin for a moment before he handed him the key. "Thank you Sire."

Merlin used the key to open the door in the back of Arthur's chambers. The servant chambers were dusty and small, but at least it didn't hold the memories of what Gaius had sacrificed for Merlin.

Merlin slept fitfully that night. He kept dreaming that Gaius was being burnt to death and he woke up just to remember that that was the fate that would await Gaius.

After Merlin completed his morning duties, he went to visit Morgana. She didn't say anything to him, she just welcomed him in and gave him her support and comfort. He stayed with Morgana all day until a knock on her door sent him ducking for cover underneath her bed.

Merlin couldn't see what happened, but he could hear what they were saying.

"The witch-finder is requesting your immediate presence," a guard said.

"D-d-did he say why?" Morgana asked, trying to hide her fear.

"He just said he needed to speak with you. I am to escort you to his chambers," the guard told her.

Merlin wanted to jump out from under her bed and refuse to let her leave, but he couldn't. He wasn't supposed to be here. No one could know about him and Morgana. The only person that knew was Gwen and that's just because she walked in on them once.

Merlin could hear Morgana's soft footsteps as she went with the guards to Aredian's chambers. Once the door closed behind them, Merlin got out from under her bed.

He paced anxiously, waiting for her to return. It seemed like hours had passed before she returned. Merlin looked over her, making sure that she showed no signs have having been harmed – emotionally or physically.

She was crying lightly and that was the first thing Merlin addressed. "What happened? Are you okay? What did he want?" Merlin asked.

"He wanted to ask me about my nightmares," Morgana whispered. Her breath caught in her throat, alerting Merlin to how close to hysterically crying she was coming. "What if he figures out that I have magic? What if he figures out that my nightmares are visions?"

"He won't figure it out," Merlin assured her. "And even if he did, Uther would never believe him."

"And if Aredian finds proof? Uther has hardened his heart. He hates magic more than he loves me," Morgana pointed out.

"That's not true," Merlin argued. He didn't know whether or not he believed his words, but he had to believe that Uther would never let Morgana die. She was his ward.

"It is," Morgana said sadly.

Merlin placed one of his hands on either side of Morgana's head. He looked into her deep blue eyes and saw the conflicting emotions playing there. "Morgana," he whispered. "Morgana, I love you far too much to lose you. I promise I will not let anything happen to you."

Morgana nodded. "I know you won't," she sighed.

"I have to go," Merlin whispered sadly.

"Stay with me," Morgana pleaded.

"I have to go help Arthur, and Gwen will be here any moment," Merlin pointed out.

"Then come back. Please Merlin. I just feel like something awful is going to happen. Please don't leave me alone," Morgana said desperately.

Merlin studied her for a moment. "I'll come back," he promised. Merlin left shortly after that to go help Arthur prepare for bed.

If Arthur noticed how distracted he was, he didn't say anything about it. Merlin was barely aware of his chores. He was so nervous about Morgana and Gaius that he didn't have room to think about anything else.

When Merlin finished, he went back to Morgana's chambers. He could see that Gwen had been there because Morgana was sitting on the edge of her bed. Her elbows rested on her knees and her forehead was leaning on her hands.

"I'm back," Merlin whispered.

Morgana looked up, a small relieved smile making its way onto her face. "Thank you," she whispered.

This wasn't the first time Merlin had stayed the night. He knew when Morgana needed him, this was the best way to help her. He was always careful to leave before anyone could find out he had spent the night with her. He didn't want to know what rumors would spread if someone noticed how often he was here.

The next morning, Gwen walked in to wake Morgana. "My lady," she said softly shaking Morgana. "Uther is requesting your presence." Morgana sat up and looked around. She always slept better when Merlin stayed, but she rarely slept this late.

Gwen quickly helped her dress and Morgana made her way to the throne room where she took her seat next to Uther. Morgana looked at Arthur confused, but he shrugged at her. He had no idea why they had been called here.

They got their answers moments later when two guards dragged Gaius into the throne room. Aredian shoved him. "Confess!" Aredian declared.

Morgana's mind went blank. She couldn't listen to this happen. She couldn't watch Gaius die. Morgana looked towards Merlin. He looked like he was choking on air.

Morgana knew the exact moment that Gaius's sentence had been passed, not because the king got to his feet to declare it, but by the look on Merlin's face.

Morgana was faintly aware of Gaius being dragged out, but mostly she was aware of Merlin. He looked so angry he could kill Aredian. Morgana's eyes widened as Merlin started to move. If he attacked Aredian, Uther would have him arrested.

"Arthur, you've got to stop him," Morgana said terrified.

"Wha–" Arthur began to ask.

He was cut off by Merlin who was charging Aredian. "You're a liar!" Merlin shouted. Arthur jumped to his feet, intercepting Merlin when he was inches from attacked Aredian. "You're a liar!" Merlin repeated, fighting against Arthur's hold.

"I'll deal with this," Arthur said, waving the guards off. Arthur roughly pulled Merlin with him. He walked Merlin to the cells. He let go of him and had to duck under his swing. He grabbed Merlin again, restraining him so he wouldn't accidentally hurt himself. "I know you're upset. I know you're angry. It's alright. I'm not throwing you in jail," Arthur assured him.

"Then what are you doing?" Merlin asked bitterly.

Arthur let him go. "I'm breaking the law," he said quietly. He opened the door to Gaius's cell then stepped aside to give them some privacy.

Arthur stared at the wall outside of the cells, wishing there was something, anything he could do to make this better. Merlin walked out of Gaius's cell about half an hour later. His eyes were rimmed red, but Arthur couldn't find it in his heart to make fun of him for it.

They walked out of the cells. The moment they were, Merlin turned to him. "Gaius is innocent," Merlin told him. "That amulet that you found wasn't his. He took the blame for it because he didn't want me to get arrested. Aredian had to have planted it. There has to be something we can do!"

"There's nothing we can do," Arthur told him sadly.

"But you know he is innocent!" Merlin shouted.

"We have no proof!" Arthur yelled back. "Gaius confessed. If we had proof that Aredian planted the amulet, then maybe we could do something, but there is nothing we can do. There is no proof."

"Proof," Merlin spat bitterly.

"I'm sorry," Arthur said sincerely. "I truly am."

Merlin groaned and stormed away. He was angrily pacing in Gaius's chambers, thinking about what Arthur had said.