Okay I don't own Merlin and I am now editing with the help of my wonderful grammer and spelling corrector. Sailor nova who is amazing and if anything is wrong up here well that's because it wasn't corrected.
"You have to tell him." Lancelot said eyeing Merlin as he shifted uncomfortably. "He should know all that you've done for him."
Merlin shook his head. "That's not how it's supposed to be. My destiny is to protect him and I can't do that if I'm dead or banished."
Lancelot narrowed his eyes, "He won't do anything to you Merlin."
"He might not but Uther still hates magic and with everything that has happened with Morgana, Arthur might have hardened his heart to the idea of living peacefully with magic. Besides even if he wanted to go after me what would stop him?" Merlin asked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"I would and so would Gwaine. Besides you said it yourself, you've got magic." Lancelot said repeating his words from the night so many months before, when the kingdom was dark.
Merlin did the same and repeated Lancelot's words back to him, "Having magic doesn't make me invincible. Besides Gwaine doesn't even know anything about my secret."
Lancelot didn't speak for a moment before conceding. "You do not have to tell Arthur as long as Uther is alive. I won't force you, but you should at least tell Gwaine." Merlin opened his mouth to speak but was cut off. "And before you say anything, we both know that Gwaine wouldn't say a word to anyone."
Merlin didn't respond at first but finally he sighed in defeat, "Fine, fine. Bring Gwaine out to the lake tonight and I will tell him."
Lancelot looked curiously at Merlin, "Why are we going so far out just to tell him?"
Merlin rolled his eyes, "Because I don't expect he'll believe me, so we'll need a demonstration and when he does believe me, he'll want to see some magic for himself. I can also almost guarantee he'll be loud about it."
This time there was no argument and Lancelot rose from the seat across from Merlin but as he walked out he turned to Merlin and bowed, catching him by surprise. Soon the door was opening and Gaius was returning from the palace with a weary and worn down look on his face.
"What is it Gaius?" Merlin asked noticing he seemed worse that usual today.
"I believe that we might have a big problem Merlin. First the king is very sick at the moment," Merlin jumped up and his mouth opened but he was stopped before any words came out, "It is natural illness that must run its course but it's taking its toll on him. If he continues with his medicine he would be better within a week but it's hard to tell because he's a bit unstable for the time being. I believe the illness was brought on by the recent stress put on his mind."
Merlin nodded and watched him for a moment before he asked curiously, "What else is there Gaius?" because he knew that what had been said wasn't all there was.
Gaius still looked upset and Merlin noticed he was a bit shocked too. "Morgana and Morgause have sent a messenger for the King. They seek an audience with Uther tomorrow."
Merlin looked just as shocked as Gaius had when he had first heard the news. "What could they possibly want? Will Uther actually let them near Camelot?"
Gaius looked Merlin in the eyes questioningly, "Do you think that he'll have a choice in the matter?" Merlin shook his head no and Gaius finished with what he was saying, "And we still have no idea what they want."
Merlin nodded with a dazed look on his face. "I can't believe how ridiculous they're being. What could they possibly want? What could be so important that they would come here personally?"
"I don't know but I think that we're going to find out that sooner than either of us had originally hoped." Gaius said.
He looked older than Merlin had seen him ever, "I know what you mean. I thought we'd have more time to recuperate before we got pushed into another battle."
Gaius nodded in agreement. They were both exhausted, and Merlin found that it was quite funny that Arthur still believed him to be lazy and have no reason to be tired. Merlin rolled his eyes at the thought because not only did he protect Arthur and all of Camelot from magical threats but he also protected them from being killed by non-magical threats as well.
Merlin looked out and noticed how late it had become. Gaius was already asleep so Merlin slipped out the door and headed to the lake where they were supposed to meet.
Merlin arrived at the lake a little later than he had originally anticipated he would so he wasn't surprised to see that Lancelot and Gwaine had already arrived. Still he was nervous and was forced to take a calming breath before he stepped out of the cover of the trees. "Hey you guys!" Merlin called in an attempt to seem like he wasn't completely freaking out on the inside.
Lancelot raised an eyebrow, clearly he was not fooled, or maybe it was just that he knew how hard this was going to be for him. Gwaine on the other hand smiled and called out, "Merlin, how's it going? Mind telling me why Lancelot here dragged me all the way out here to this lake in the middle of the night?"
Merlin bit his lip as the tried to think of a way to explain his secret to Gwaine. "Merlin has something to tell you, but it's a secret so you can't tell anyone." Lancelot said instead of waiting for Merlin to speak.
"Okay." Gwaine said as he turned to look at Merlin and Merlin was surprised that he actually seemed to be taking this seriously, "What is it Merlin?"
"Well," Merlin started, "Do you remember how we went to save Arthur from the realm of the Fisher King?" at this Gwaine nodded and so Merlin continued, "Did you notice how once we split up none of the creatures attacked me, or that I was the one who found the throne room and then got stuck in it alone?"
Gwaine's eyebrows rose and a confused look crossed his face. "What are you trying to say Merlin?" he asked though not out of suspicion but confusion.
"Gwaine, I have magic." Merlin said, putting the truth into the simplest words he could find because he didn't want to have to repeat himself.
Gwaine looked at Merlin and tilted his head to the side in order to examine him. "So what are you saying... that you're a sorcerer then?" he asked.
Lancelot listened with rapt attention because even though he knew the secret he never asked any questions in fear of making Merlin uncomfortable. Gwaine on the other hand, had no such qualms.
Merlin half smiled at the way Gwaine casually brushed off his secret. It felt as good as it had when Lancelot had shown that he didn't care if he used magic or not. "Not exactly. Sorcerers are those who grow up and decide to learn magic, or are taught it as a kid. Most people who use magic are sorcerers, but I'm not one."
Gwaine was going to ask the obvious follow up question but he was beaten to it by Lancelot, "But then if you aren't a sorcerer, then what are you?"
"I'm a warlock." Was Merlin's easy reply. "A warlock is different than most people with magic because I didn't have to practice to control magic or use spells. I was born with that knowledge and only since I have arrived here in Camelot have I begun using spells.
"Are you sure?" Gwaine asked with an eyebrow raised questioningly, and then he looked to Lancelot. "Are you sure?"
Lancelot nodded, "I know it seems impossible but I saw him use magic. He does have magic."
They looked shocked but not suspicious or wary. It was of no surprise to Merlin when Gwaine spoke first, "That is amazing. Do you know how lucky you are, but," Now he stopped as if he was just realizing something, "But if you have magic why would you risk your life protecting Uther, Arthur, and Camelot?"
Merlin sighed, but this was a question that he had been expecting from Gwaine. "I don't protect Uther because he is King, I protect Uther because Arthur wants his father protected. I protect Camelot because one day it will be Arthur's kingdom and I protect Arthur because it is my destiny and one day he will be a great king, the Once and Future King as he was meant to be."
They both nodded but Merlin looked back in the direction of the castle. He didn't know why but he had an ominous feeling about tomorrow. "Before we go would you like to demonstrate for me a bit of what you can do with magic?" Gwaine asked.
Merlin agreed and showed him a few small tricks before looking back to Camelot and saying, "We should get going now."
Gwaine and Lancelot agreed and Gwaine said, "Oh and don't worry about it Merlin, your secret is safe with us." As they headed back to get a good nights sleep in preparation for tomorrow's 'guests'.
When Merlin got back to is room he felt tired but he also felt relieved that he had one less friend that he would have to lie to. He tucked himself into bed and let his eyes drift closed and let sleep take him.
He pulled himself out of bed early the next morning, earlier than he was used to but he didn't realize it until he had reached Arthur's room and saw that he was still asleep and it was too soon to wake him.
This had never happened. In fact, more often than not, Merlin was late and Arthur would gripe at him. He wished he could explain to Arthur that despite his preconceived notion that he wasn't the only person who had saved Camelot. Merlin did acknowledge though that he didn't really mind staying in the background, not as long as Arthur was safe.
This brought him to the reason why he was in Arthur's room so early. The bad feeling that he had got yesterday had not gone away, but it had steadily gotten worse the closer that it had gotten to morning, and now it was so bad he wished to completely lock the castle down. He knew though that it wasn't possible and now it was time to wake Arthur.
Merlin threw open the curtains, "Rise and Shine Arthur!" he shouted in a cheerful voice as he turned back to face the prince.
It was harder than he thought it would be to pretend that nothing was wrong, but the alternative was worse. Arthur looked up at his servant groggily and noticed his breakfast was already set up on the table. "You okay Merlin?" Arthur asked as he pulled himself up out of bed and moved to the table where his food was, "I mean you are here on time and doing your job."
Merlin glanced at Arthur who didn't realize how spot on he was about something being wrong, "Nothing Sire, I always do my job." Merlin answered a bit sarcastically.
Arthur raised his eyebrow in disbelief, "Merlin you have been my servant for a long time now but rarely do you arrive on time and never have you gotten here early." When Merlin said nothing Arthur looked back over to him again, "Seriously are you okay Merlin?"
"Huh," Merlin said as he jerked back to reality at the sound of Arthur's voice, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Bad feeling I guess."
Arthur seemed to believe him so he went back to eating his breakfast as Merlin quietly stood looking out the window. He could feel Morgana and Morgause coming closer to the castle. It wasn't a surprise since Gaius said that they would be coming. They had even informed the King in advance. Still he felt an unknown factor. Something bad was going to happen, that he knew for sure.
"Merlin are you sure that you're okay?" Arthur asked again as he looked at Merlin who was looking out the window with a glossy look in his eyes and he had been abnormally quiet this morning, "You seem off today Merlin. First you got here early, then you did your job, and now you're being quiet."
Merlin looked at Arthur but his eyes seemed to go past him though, "Sorry, I just," he paused wondering what exactly he should say because he clearly didn't believe he just had a bad feeling, so in the end he just replied with the bare minimum, "I just don't feel well."
Arthur looked at Merlin carefully and acknowledged that he was telling the truth. For one he looked worse that usual, more pale and sickly, and if there was anything that he had learned about Merlin it was that the boy couldn't lie to save his life. "Go home then. I don't need a sick manservant."
If it had been any other, less important, day Merlin would have jumped at the chance but if Morgana and Morgause were coming to Camelot he would stay by Arthur's side in order to protect him if it becomes necessary. "No thanks, Arthur. Gaius said that it was nothing to worry about."
Arthur rolled his eyes and then looked away, "You should feel this way more often then, maybe some of your work would actually get done that way."
Instead of making a comment as he would have usually done he just bowed and quietly said, "Yes Sire."
Whatever it was that was wrong with Merlin Arthur noticed that he didn't want to talk about it and he didn't have time to argue with him because he had that meeting today, "Get my clothes Merlin and then we're heading to the throne room where we will wait for our guests to arrive."
The word 'guest' was spoken with spite and anger. 'At least he understands almost how bad this is,' Merlin thought with a melancholy tone as he rushed to do what Arthur had asked of him and soon they were heading to meet his father.
When they got through the throne room they found Uther sitting on his throne surrounded by knights. It was simple to tell that he was sick because his face was really pale and a light sheen of sweat covered his skin.
Arthur was placed below him at the bottom of the steps, and he too was also surrounded by knights. Merlin, on the other hand, stood alone against the wall even with Arthur. They were all waiting with varying degrees of nervousness for their 'guests' to arrive.
For a minute Merlin thought with hope that they had decided not to come but that hope was shattered when the door flew open to reveal Morgause and Morgana. Merlin felt a strong magic waft over him as the sisters stepped to the center of the room seemingly equally evil. "Good to see you again, Uther." Morgana said.
