All Merlin could do was watch helplessly, held down on his knees by guards, his hands shackled behind his back, as both of the evil sorceresses stood side by side in the Council Chambers, the King's throne chucked ruthlessly into the corner of the room. More guards held King Uther of Camelot and Prince Arthur to the ground, while the two sisters smirked down on them, almost laughing.

"Look at the brave little King." Morgause chortled, her large brown eyes dancing in the light with malice. "On his knees, before the great powerful Priestesses of the Old Religion."

"What do you want, Morgause?" Uther asked bitterly. "Why do you do this?"

Okay, so it had been a long, long day. Everything had been as normal; Arthur had been teasing Merlin, Merlin had been teasing Arthur, Uther had been sorting out the treaties between Camelot and Escetia and the knights had been having a jolly good time sparring on the training field. Until, that is, Morgause and her army of vengeful sorcerers had infiltrated the citadel, capturing Uther and Arthur and restraining all the knights, Gaius and Merlin. Morgana had been quick to join her half-sister; her betrayal to the King had finally been discovered.

"And what shall we do with the little King now, hmm?" Morgause taunted them all, smirking.

"Sister, stop this play and we can get to the matter at hand." Morgana told her coldly, her eyes filled with darkness and anger at her father and half-brother.

Arthur stared at her disbelievingly. "What's happened to you, Morgana?" he whispered. "What ever turned you into this?"

Morgana regarded him with fury. "For so long, Uther had murdered innocent people. People with magic, who use it for their families, to treat the ill, heal the injured, killed mercilessly! Why should people with magic hide in fear, when magic is a gift to be treasured?"

"Magic is evil!" Uther yelled.

"SILENCE!" Morgause shouted. "Who are you to say that magic is evil, when you have a sorcerer protecting you, within these castle walls?"

Merlin froze and felt Gaius and Lancelots' eyes flash towards him in half fear, half alarm. Uther's eyes widened and Arthur's jaw dropped. Merlin had an urge to facepalm, but was unable to since his hands were tied.

Uther gasped, "A sorcerer? In MY kingdom?" He looked enraged. "What is the meaning of this? Who do you talk of?" He struggled, but was forced downwards again.

Morgana's smile was terribly evil. She strode forwards towards her father and half-brother. "Emrys." She hissed. "Your little protector. The man who has put his life on the line ever since he arrived in Camelot, for you! So many times he has saved you both. Assassins… vengeful sorcerers fighting to avenge their lost loved ones… the Griffin, the Questing Beast, Serkets, the Great Dragon… Cornelius Sigan, Aredian the Witchfinder, the Goblin, many many more! He halted my attempts of both of your lives, using his powerful magic. To think… the most powerful warlock to ever live, serving the one person who would kill him without a moment's hesitation. And hiding… in fear of his life…"

Morgana's eyes flickered to Merlin, and the young warlock inhaled sharply. Morgana knew. They knew who he was; they knew he was Emrys. Lancelot and Gaius' eyes were locked onto Arthur's manservant and Merlin made sure to look anywhere but at the two sorceresses, the King and the Prince.

Morgana smirked. "… And he is in this very room."

Uther and Arthur immediately attempted to look around, searchingly, thinking they would recognise this 'Emrys'. Gwaine, Percival, Elyan and Leon were all gazing around too, muttering to themselves about the suspects.

"Then where is he then?" Uther whispered. "Who is this powerful warlock, Camelot's saviour?"

Morgause laughed. "You don't know? He will reveal himself." Morgause glared at every person in the room, before her eyes settled on Merlin. "I will force him to."

"How long has this Emrys protected us?" Arthur demanded.

"Over three years, maybe even longer." Morgause chuckled.

"Why hasn't he tried to take Camelot?" Uther asked, seemingly confused.

Morgana cocked her head. "It is not in his nature. He would never hurt anybody in Camelot, striving to protect them instead. He is not evil; his heart is pure. His only aim is to protect… little Arthur." Morgana laughed at Arthur's baffled expression. "He seeks no recognition. All he wants is for his Prince to be safe from harm."

Morgause drew her sword. "Which is why he will reveal his identity when I do… this." The blonde turned her blade and pointed it ceremoniously at the Prince.

Merlin breathed in deeply. He couldn't let Arthur die or his destiny would fail. Closing his eyes to hide the rush of gold, he quickly uttered a short spell and felt his shackles unlock on his hands. Silently, he dropped them onto the floor. The guards knew who he was, what he was doing, and they stepped back, away from him.

Morgause grinned, before lifting her head, preparing to strike as she drew her blade backwards. Arthur scrunched up his face, waiting for the pain. Tears dribbled down Uther's face as he realised his son was about to die.

The sword was inches from Arthur's throat when there was a loud, bold, "NO!"

Everybody wheeled around. Lancelot and Gaius grimaced while the knights gasped; Uther and Arthur both looked shocked, while Morgana and Morgause were triumphant.

Merlin stood, with a noble air to him, shrugging off his servant's posture and adopting that of a great warlock and the last Dragon Lord. "Stop this now, Morgause, Morgana, before you do something you will regret." He growled.

Morgause spread her arms. "Ah, so the great Emrys finally reveals himself."

"Leave Arthur and Uther alone." Merlin snarled, his face contorted with rage. "If you want to live, you would leave now."

"You're not really in the position to make threats, Merlin." Morgana laughed.

Arthur stared. "No." he whispered. "Please… it can't be… Merlin, you can't be Emrys. You can't be a sorcerer." He shook his head, trying to make sense of it all.

Merlin strode forwards, eyes glistening as he unleashed a dragon-like growl. "Leave now, and I will spare you!" he hissed.

Morgause smiled at him, before her eyes glowed topaz for a second, drawing a few tendrils of magic from the earth and destroying it within her. Merlin blinked in horror, stumbling back, weakening. Morgause repeated the destruction of Camelot's magical core, grinning as Merlin reached for something to hold onto to keep him upright.

Arthur frowned. "M-Merlin?"

Morgause struck another blow when she whipped several tendrils of Merlin's magic attached the very land out of him, tearing them to pieces before the warlock's very eyes. The young warlock gasped in obvious agony, falling to his knees, his eyes squeezed shut in pain.

"What have you done to him?" Lancelot yelled, fighting against his guards. Morgana laughed cruelly and nodded for the guards to release him. The knight rushed towards his friend, kneeling down to grab Merlin's shoulders, shaking him. "What have you done?" he asked the sorceresses fiercely.

Morgause raised her eyebrows before explaining, "Emrys is with one with the land's magic. He is a powerful elemental sorcerer, born with his magic, born of magic, born as magic. He is magic. He draws his power from the earth beneath him , the four elements. Sever that tie… and his soul collapses within him."

Morgana chuckled. "He is as good as dead."

Merlin collapsed onto the ground, wheezing, before his eyelids fluttered and closed slowly. Lancelot shook him gently, but there was no reply. Arthur's eyes widened while Uther stuttered, unable to speak, too shocked and fearful to speak.

Morgause laughed, believing she was triumphant, her chuckles echoing through the halls, filled with darkness and spite. What Morgana's half-sister did not see or notice, however, was the most powerful warlock ever rising to his feet slowly behind her. Arthur's mouth dropped open and Uther shook in terror. Merlin grabbed Excalibur from where the sword was slung on the ground, swinging it around in his grip, before growling:

"You never really did find out what happened to Nimueh, did you?"

Morgause froze, before turning around slowly, frowning. "What?"

"You never knew how Nimueh died." Merlin murmured, his tone low and dangerous.

Morgause cocked her head, still frowning. "No. No I did not."

"News of her death sought you, weeks after she told you that she had a new target for you." Merlin snarled. "Oh yes, I know all about that, Morgause. Nimueh wished to see me dead, my head at her feet as she grew tired of how I continuously stopped her attempts on Arthur's and Uther's lives. She asked you, the best assassin Priestess in the land, to track me down and murder me. You refused."

Morgause's eyes widened. "And then only months later did our paths cross. I came to Camelot to challenge Arthur and there you were, always behind him, always by his side."

"Exactly." Merlin's face split into a terrifying smile. "Have you realised yet?"

Morgause looked horrified. "You killed Nimueh." She gasped.

"Indeed." Merlin agreed, power radiating from his body. "I killed the High Priestess of Death, at the Isle of the Blessed, to save my mother, Gaius, and my Prince. Do not think you can defeat me, Morgause."

Morgause flailed slightly then, in fear of her life. "I'll kill them all! If you lay a finger upon me, I swear I will not stop until your precious Arthur is dead!"

Morgana added, "I will avenge my sister and will not rest until Arthur's body is at my feet."

"Oh, big mistake. Because you just threatened Prince Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King. And I'm prepared to protect him with my life or die at his side. I am destined to help him rebuild Albion, to save the land, to bring magic back into the earth and teach those the ways of the Old Religion. And you, Morgana Le Fay and Morgause Le Fay, are standing in my way."

A bolt of lightning snapped down from the ceiling, from the sky, striking the floor a footstep away from the two sorceresses. Morgana and Morgause stepped back in fear, eyes wide, crying out. Merlin let out another dragon-like snarl as his eyes flashed gold again and another bolt of lightning struck downwards towards the witches.

"Leave, NOW." Emrys roared.

Morgana and Morgause clutched each other, terrified. As Morgause began to speak, a whirlwind surrounded them and they vanished from view; when the wind died down, it was obvious that they had gone.

The guards released the knights and Gaius, as well as Arthur and Uther, sprinting for the doors, running for their lives. Leon and Gwaine hurried after them, looking out in the corridor.

Leon rushed back in. "The sorcerers, Sire! They are retreating!"

Uther staggered to his feet at the same moment that Merlin collapsed, unconscious, breathing heavily and convulsing. Lancelot and Gaius knelt beside him, quickly checking him over, while Arthur helped his father stay steady.

Arthur quickly ordered Leon: "Get the knights chasing them, driving them out of our lands. Quickly! And get all the prisoners out of the dungeons!" Gwen was hovering on his mind, and since the dungeons was where she was, she should be released first. Leon nodded once, rushing off.

Gaius was shaking with relief. "Well done, my boy. Well done. You saved us all, Merlin." He whispered to his ward.

Arthur looked around, helpless, before running to collapse beside his manservant. "Is he… is he alright?" he asked quietly.

Gaius nodded. "Yes, he will eventually be fine. His body and soul are exhausted, as is his magic. He will need rest."

Uther stared at them all, his gaze finally settling on the sorcerer. His sorcerer. The man who had continuously saved his life, for no reward or recognition. The man who had been born with magic, with no choice.

There was only one thing he could do… He strode up and reached down, heaving the young warlock into his arms, telling them, "Prepare the chambers next to my son's."

Sir Percival nodded and rushed from the room while Uther began to carry Merlin up the stairways, with Arthur and the others traipsing behind him, opening doors when need be. Finally, when they reached a set of royal chambers a corridor away from Arthur's, they entered and Uther gently set the shivering, unconscious warlock onto the bed, while Gwaine lit candles and Elyan threw blankets over Merlin.

Uther collapsed down into a chair next to the desk, staring at this sorcerer, unable to tear his gaze away from the man who had been condemned to death from birth, who had broken the law to save his life every single day, when his very existence was against the King's policies.

"How long until he is fit?" he asked the physician, as Gaius gave Merlin a vial of potion to help with the pain and stop the spasms.

"It depends, Sire." Gaius told him gravely. "As the magic of the land is restored, Merlin will recover. However, the restoration of Camelot's core magic may be a slow process. Merlin may be downed for days, maybe weeks at the most."

At that moment, Gwen rushed in, flustered; her hair was uncombed and messy, her dress was tattered and she looked tired. She had been in the dungeons after all. She had run into Leon when she had been released and the knight had immediately directed her to the Prince and Merlin.

"What happened?" Gwen asked, gasping for breath. "What happened to Merlin?" she cried out, seeing the servant's body lying on the bed.

Arthur hugged her tightly to his chest, ignoring the disapproving glances from his father and some of the knights. He was just relieved that she was safe from harm and they had been once again reunited. "Don't worry, he's fine. He saved us all, Gwen, from Morgause and Morgana."

She looked shocked. "They're… gone? But how?"

Gwaine whipped around, grinning. "Merlin's a sorcerer!"

Gwen gasped. "What?"

Gwaine nodded seriously. "I know, right? But the only thing I really want to know at the moment is… can he turn water into ale?"

Elyan and Percival both shoved the knight playfully and Gwaine winked at Gwen before returning to the line of which his comrades had formed near the door. Arthur was now frowning at Excalibur, having taken it from his servant's hand when he was being carried up into the chambers, while Uther was once again… staring at Merlin.

Uther frowned. "Gaius."

"Yes, Sire?"

"You knew." Uther looked up at him, confused. "You knew that this man was a sorcerer and you didn't tell me. You harboured a sorcerer right under my nose."

Gaius nodded, somewhat cold. "Indeed I did, my Lord. I did so out of loyalty to Merlin. Just a few seconds after I met him, three years ago, he saved my life. I swore to him that I would not tell anybody of his magic. He was terrified and scared; the first thing he saw when he walked through Camelot's gates was a young man, the same age as him, being burnt at the stake for having magic."

Uther frowned at the floor, before turning back to the knights. "Did any of you know of this man's abilities?" he asked in a low voice.

The knights looked at each other before Lancelot slowly raised his hand, grimacing.

"Lancelot." Arthur sounded surprised. "You knew of Merlin's magic? Since when?"

"The first time I met him, Sire." Lancelot explained. "We were attacked by the Griffin, and he tried to help me become a knight. It was not I who defeated the Griffin." Lancelot looked guiltily at his best friend. "It was Merlin. I confronted him about his magic before leaving. I practically backed him into a corner and forced a confession. He was so frightened… I swore that I would not tell anybody, on my life."

Uther gazed at them all. "You all seem to be mentioning one thing in particular." He said, before turning back to stare at the now sleeping soundly warlock. "You've all said about how terrified and scared he was."

"Well, he was." Lancelot frowned. "What does that have anything to do with it?"

"It has everything to do with it." Arthur butted in, walking forwards, arms crossed. "His fear for his life stopped him telling me, and by not telling me, he put his life in danger every time he followed me on one of those stupid quests." It was obvious Arthur was getting angry by the way that he was gritting his teeth, and the way he chucked Excalibur away into the corner of the room furiously.

"Come on." Gwen intercepted before a fight could break out. "Let's leave Merlin to sleep, and we can talk about this later. I hardly think arguing about fear and magic is going to help Merlin recover, is it?"

Gaius nodded in agreement. "That is right, Guinevere. We should leave Merlin to rest."

"We can't leave him here alone." Arthur protested. Everybody raised their eyebrows; was he saying that even while unconscious Merlin was a threat. "I mean, he's not protected. What if Morgana or Morgause come back, to try and kill him?" Ah, now there was the reason.

Uther stood, nodded fiercely. "Yes, Arthur is right. Somebody will always be in this room with Merlin. We'll all take shifts everyday, an hour each. Not for one second will the sorcerer be alone."

Lancelot raised his hand. "I'll start off."

"Good." Arthur nodded in approval. "And… Father, do the Council need to know of this?"

Uther turned to Arthur, raising an eyebrow. "Good point, Arthur. None of you are to mention this is anybody at all; none of the Council, none of the lords. This is strictly confidential. Tell anybody, any of you, and I'll have you hung."

With that, the King strode from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Gwaine exhaled out, snorting. "Hey, he needs to loosen up. Think I should invite him to the tavern?"

"Gwaine!"

"What?"