Nope, I don't own Merlin. That belongs to BBC. However, this version of the reveal does belong to me. So, you should read and enjoy it. Thanks!

"I just don't understand how there's any sport in taking out something that can't fight back." Merlin had been talking nonstop for the past ten minutes. "I mean, I don't understand how there's sport in bashing your friend's head in either, but at least they give you a challenge. A dear can't do that. A dear runs and hides when danger shows up."

"A bit like you, then," Arthur said, annoyed. This short hunting trip seemed longer every second. The two men had left Camelot the day before, only telling Gwen where they would be. Arthur had been feeling extremely stressed, so Gwen had demanded he take some time away from his councils. So, like a good husband, he obeyed. He had made Merlin pack enough for a few days, the two of them snuck out for hunting. Arthur was beginning to regret bringing Merlin at all. "No one can find you in a fight."

"That's' because I'm smart enough to keep out of view. There's a lot someone like me can do from the sidelines." Arthur groaned, trying to discourage some sort of lecture. It didn't work. "Do you know how many times you haven't died because I was there?"

"Merlin, I am trying to hunt."

"Oh yes. Brave King Arthur seeking out a helpless animal to kill for his own pleasure. Not even for food."

"Merlin," he said, his tone imposing.

"No."

"What?" Arthur was shocked. "You don't even know what I was going to say."

"You were going to tell me to shut up."

"Okay… Maybe you did know what I was going to say. But you can't just say no!" Arthur looked around the clump of bushes they were hiding in, searching for nonexistent prey. Merlin kept scaring it away.

"Yes I can. I might just be the only one who can. But the fact is, Arthur, that after all this time, after all that I would have earned a bit more respect from you."

"Respect?" Arthur wasn't sure whether to offended by the idea, so he decided on exasperation. "Merlin, you're a servant!"

"Yeah, but would it kill you to say please? Or at least 'be quiet' instead of shut up?" As Merlin prattled on, Arthur heard footsteps from not too far off.

"Merlin, shut up!" he whispered fiercely.

"Haven't you been listening to anything I've been saying?"

"Please be quiet," Arthur responded hurriedly. Merlin froze, finally realizing something was wrong. He muttered something, looking away from Arthur and listened carefully. The footsteps were clearer now, closer. Two men. Judging by their direction, they would pass right by the hiding spot Arthur had chosen, but most likely wouldn't even see them.

Arthur's was right. Not two minutes later, later men wearing ragged clothes lumbered past. "What did we think we'd be able to find to use in Pendragon's kingdom anyway? King Arthur for ransom?" the first man grumbled. The second man shoved him, and they moved away.

After the footsteps died away, Arthur stood. "Bandits. Come on, we need to get a patrol out here.

But Merlin had other ideas."No. Arthur. Stay down. There are more out there."

"And how could you possibly know that?" the king demanded. They needed to be on their way.

"I… I can… I just know," Merlin completed lamely. "Just… please Arthur, for once, just listen to me from the beginning."

"There's nothing out there. They've gone. Now come on. It's a two day walk back to Camelot." Arthur strode confidently away through the woods. He heard Merlin stumble trying to catch up and barely managed to hold in his laughter. "Merlin: eternally an idiot." And that was when a man about the size of Percival stepped into his path with a nasty grin. Arthur turned and saw more men emerging from the trees all around him. Luckily, Merlin was nowhere to be seen. Arthur hoped the younger man had seen what was happening and taken off. Preferably towards Camelot.

"Hang on," came a voice on Arthur's left. "I've seen you before." Arthur saw a ratty little man looking him over. "You were fighting the champion for the scrawny kid when that fire started. You're King Arthur!"

"And you are all slave traders. It's wonderful to see you again," the king retorted, sounding far more confident then he felt. "Where is the man in charge?"

"I'm in charge now. The last one's dead, thanks to you. He went into Cenred's castle and never came back out. It was that witch, Morgause, I know it."

"So… It wasn't me then," Arthur said slowly.

"Maybe, but if it weren't for you, he never woulda gone in there."

"But, really, why was he killed," Arthur asked, trying to give Merlin as much of a head start as he could. "Me? Or maybe because he was a slave trader? I mean, look at your life choices. Was going to your king really the best option?"

One of the more simple men actually seemed to consider Arthur's question. But the leader only sneered. "It doesn't matter. We have you, and that ought to pay for past wrongs. I'm sure your kingdom would give anything to have her king back." As if by some signal, the bandits drew their swords together. Arthur nearly grinned. He could get away from these men in the confusion of a fight. He drew his own sword, twirled it neatly, and waited. Three men surged forward and the knight sprang into action. He struck and blocked, lunged and parried, swung and ducked. No one could lay a hand on him. Until, that is, he got distracted by a flash of red and blue peeking out from behind a tree.

"Merlin," he growled under his breath as he turned to block a stab. Then he felt the cold bite of steel down his right leg. He couldn't help but drop to his knees with a cry. The slave traders-turned-bandits surrounded him, swords pointed at his throat.

The leader gasped out a laugh. "Well done," he panted. "But you're ours now. Tell me, are you alone?"

Arthur had to fight the urge to look where Merlin was hiding. "I am." He hoped the lie was convincing. Merlin could still get away if he left now.

But evidently the servant had other ideas. "He's not alone," he called, standing about ten feet away, obviously tense. "I came with him."

The bandit laughed aloud. "So," he said, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. "You brought the twig along. Mighty kind." Arthur didn't reply, He was too busy glaring daggers at his manservant.

"Yes, I'm here too." Merlin's voice was different somewhere, Arthur thought. Controlled, maybe. But also forceful. And it wasn't like Merlin at all. "Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to take Arthur home. He needs medical attention." When the bandits only laughed again, he added, "I'm serious. It would be better for everyone here if you just let him go."

"How would it better? We'd lose a prime ransom."

"Yes," Merlin began in what Arthur called his peacekeeping voice. It was the tone he had used the first time they had met and called him friend. "You would lose a chance at gaining money. But you would keep your life. I'm giving you the option of leaving peacefully. Please take it." But the traders shook their heads.

"What are you going to do?" the man in charge asked. "Go get those big strong knights?"

Arthur tried to jerk his head saying 'yes, go get the big strong knights' but Merlin didn't seem to get the message. He decided to be more vocal, despite the steel at his throat. "Merlin, just go! I'll be fin-"

"Shut up, Arthur."

Arthur blinked. "I'm sorry, wha-"

"Arthur, please. Just shut up. Let me handle this."

The man sneered. "That's quite a boy you've got there, your highness. Telling off his master like that. Maybe you should listen to your master, boy. Or you won't make it out of here at all."

Merlin didn't react, except to smile as though his neckerchief had been complimented. "No, I'm not going anywhere. I'm the biggest threat you could face if you don't let Arthur go."

The king rolled his eyes. The threat wouldn't be at all effective. Sure enough, it set the bandits laughing again. One of them called out, "We don't have much to worry about, then!"

"You have plenty to worry about. Let him go."

"You know," the bandit leader commented thoughtfully, "I don't think I will." He hoisted Arthur to his feet, but set him on his bad leg, causing him crumple to the ground once more.

"Leave him!" Merlin demanded.

"No."

From where Arthur lay, he could see Merlin's face harden. "So be it." Arthur shivered under the ice of his servant's voice. Who knew the younger man had it in him? Even the slave traders paused, staring at him. The wounded king watched as avidly as the others. Merlin raised his right hand to shoulder height and pointed it towards the man. "Astrice!" he shouted and his eyes seemed to be on fire. All the men around Arthur were lifted into the air and launched backwards, lying perfectly still when the collided with the ground.

Arthur sat frozen on the ground. He couldn't move, couldn't think of how. It wasn't magic. It wasn't because of his wounded leg. It wasn't even fear. It was absolute shock. Shock and disbelief. Merlin trotted over to look at the wound in his king's leg. He tutted then walked over to one of the unconscious bandits and cut a long strip of cloth from his shirt. Returning to Arthur, he bound the wound, never saying a word.

Arthur had to speak first. "Merlin?" It was a question. Was this really his friend? It couldn't be. It just couldn't. But it was.

"Yes, Arthur?" His voice was perfectly calm.

"Did you…" do this? use magic? He gestured to the men around him.

"Kill them? No. I wanted to leave that pleasure to Gwaine and the others. They like to beat up threats to your kingship."

"But… how did…" He just couldn't get the words out.

But Merlin was ignoring him. "They ought to wake up in a few hours. We need to get back to Camelot." He tied off the makeshift bandage and leaned back to look over his handiwork. "Gaius will need to look at that tonight." He grabbed Arthur's right arm and threw it over his shoulder, hoisting the king to his to his feet. "Let's go."

"Merlin, Camelot is a two day's walk from here. We won't make it back by tonight. Even if we had horses it would take us a day at least." The two men started in Camelot's direction, Arthur limping and Merlin mostly carrying him.

"We'll be there. I have a friend who can get us home. We just have to get to the clearing up ahead. It's about five minutes out. Well, more like ten with your leg like this."

"Who is this friend? Another sorcerer?"

Merlin chuckled weakly. "He's not a sorcerer. But you wouldn't believe who it is if I told you. Just wait until you see him."

They were silent for the remainder of the walk. Arthur was trying to find the right words to ask about what had just happened, and he could only imagine how scared Merlin must be feeling right now. When they finally reached the clearing, the sorcerer settled the king on a large rock, and then walked a few steps away. There he stood with his back to Arthur, thinking. Finally, the knight couldn't stand the silence anymore. "Merlin, how did you-"

"Do you trust me Arthur?" Merlin interrupted suddenly, turning to face his king. Whatever Arthur had expected to see (paler skin than normal, eyes darting around to find some way to escape, hands trembling out of fear of being burned to death) Merlin was quite the opposite. He was calm, relaxed, and maybe even happy. When Arthur stared at him dumbfounded, Merlin scrunched up his face. "Okay, maybe that wasn't the best way to put that right now. Let me rephrase that. Do you trust me to get us back to Camelot safely?"

Arthur considered the question. So far, the only thing out of character that his friend had done today was to launch bandits flying through the air. Other than that minor detail, he had been the same loyal Merlin as he always was. "Yes…" he replied tentatively.

Merlin grinned. "Good. Um, just as a warning, our ride back won't be the most conventional trip you've ever taken. Now, I need to go call him." Arthur watched as the sorcerer confidently (more so than Arthur had ever seen him) strode out into the center of the clearing. There he stood with his balanced centered and his arms held just away from his body. Then he turned his face to the sky and began to roar. Arthur really had no other way to describe it. Merlin's voice was deeper, rougher, more guttural, and wilder than anything the king had ever heard before. "O drakon, e mala soiftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo!" He stood like that for a moment longer before walking back over to face his master. "He's on his way," he said casually, his voice back to normal. "It might take a while. I don't know where he's coming from."

"So he may not have even heard you?"

Merlin was grinning again. "No. He definitely heard me. He has to hear me. Now go on. I know you want to ask. Go ahead."

Arthur looked merlin over carefully, trying to find something different about him. Some small tell that would prove him to a sorcerer like all the others. But there was nothing exept the fact the Merlin seemed completely at ease, to the point where Arthur was a bit intimidated. No one relaxes that much unless they have absolutely nothing to fear. The man before him had nothing to fear. He didn't fear being attacked. He didn't fear bandits. He didn't even fear his king's punishment. Maybe he didn't have to fear it, if he was powerful as he seemed. Though Merlin obviously didn't, Arthur felt he had cause for worry.

"You know magic," he said finally.

"That's not a question."

"You're a sorcerer."

"Still not a question. But sort of, yeah. Technically, I'm a warlock, which is kind of like a sorcerer. Next?"

"How long?"

"I've had magic since I was born. I only really learned how to control it when I came to Camelot. I found an old book of spells that taught me a lot."

"But that's impossible," the king argued, confused. "You have to learn magic, seek it out. You can't just have it."

Merlin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I can. And, while it's not the most common thing, it does happen. Morgana naturally had magic. I've met a few others like that."

"Fine, I'll take your word for it. For now. Tell me, have you ever used magic in Camelot?" Maybe if it had only been a few times, they could ignore it.

"Yes." The answer was matter-of-fact, but Merlin's tone implied that it should have been obvious.

"How many times?"

"I don't know, actually. Way too many times to count."

"To do what?"

"Mostly to save your life to be perfectly honest. And in an emergency, to distract you or get you out of the way. Sometimes I do when you've been really annoying, but only when you've really bad. Oh, and when you give me more chores than anyone should be able to handle, I sometimes use it to help."

Arthur was shocked. Merlin had been using magic around him this whole time. "When was the first time you used magic near me?"

"Umm," he thought about it. "The second time we met. When you wanted me to fight you with a mace. Remember how everything seemed to be in your way, or to jump out at you? That was me."

"So this is what you meant." When Merlin looked confused, he clarified. "You said you take me apart with less than a single blow."

"Yes, I was implying magic. But I never would have actually done anything like that."

"Why did you stay in Camelot? I mean, when my father assigned you as my manservant, you had to know you'd be found out. Then you'd be killed."

Merlin laughed. "They can try to kill me. I won't hurt anyone if you do decide to sentence me to death, but I won't die. I'll always be around, where you can't see me, to keep you safe."

Arthur almost laughed and joked about Merlin saving his life when he remembered that this had happened no more than a half hour ago. And probably more often than he ever realized before. "Just how powerful are you, then? As powerful as Morgana? Morgause?"

"More. I'm not sure exactly, but Gai- the Druids say I'm the most powerful sorcerer there's ever been. I'm not sure if that's true, but I know I can take care of myself and you."

Arthur leaned forward quickly, and then winced as he moved his leg. "Gaius knows?"

For the first time since they had sat down, the warlock appeared nervous. "What? No." It was a rather obvious lie.

"Who else knows?"

Merlin sighed in resignation. "My mother. My father knew when he was alive. And Lancelot knew. Agravaine found out just before he died. A few Druids. But no one else."

"Lancelot? And he didn't tell me?"

"No. We weren't sure how you'd react and he wanted to protect me."

Before Arthur could argue further, a strange sound filled the air. It was familiar, though from some time ago. It reminded the king of a bat, though judging by the volume, it was a very large bat. Merlin jumped to his feet with a goofy grin, nearly losing his balance. "Remember Arthur. You said you trusted me to get us home." Then he took off, stopping in the middle of the field, looking straight up. Finally, the warlock's so-called friend arrived. A large golden bronze creature landed near the warlock, and Arthur could now see why the creature had sounded bat-like and familiar. Its large wings curved gently against its scaly body. This was the Great Dragon. The knight's first instinct was to grab his sword and rush out to defend Merlin but two things stopped him. The first was that Merlin had (on purposed he realized later) placed his sword too far away to reach quickly. The second was that the dragon began to speak.

"Hello young warlock," he said in a wry voice. It has been quite a while since you have called on me. Why have you brought me here?"

Arthur was frozen. The bloodthirsty beast was talking to Merlin. And Merlin seemed perfectly okay with this. He was still smiling. "I have a problem. I need to be back in Camelot by tonight. Can you take me?"

The dragon threw his head back and laughed. "We have gone over this before, Merlin. I am not a horse." Was it actually joking?

"I know, and you know I'd never ask if it wasn't important. Arthur was wounded and needs to be treated."

For the first time, the dragon looked straight at the king of Camelot. "Ah! The young Pendragon is finally away of the war going on around him."

Merlin, that idiot, began to laugh. "Only just. He barely knows anything." Arthur's glare only served to amuse the servant further. "He knows I have magic now. And I guess he's figured out that I'm a Dragon Lord, but-"

"You're a Dragon Lord, too?" Arthur managed to force out. He blushed lightly when both Merlin and the dragon laughed again.

"Yes, I am. The only one left."

Arthur scrunched his eyebrows. "I thought that was Balinor. And he died."

He instantly regretted saying this when he saw a flash of pain in his friend's eyes. "He was my father. When he died, I inherited that ability."

To cover the slight guilt, Arthur changed the subject. "Oh. And is that the last dragon?" He prayed the answer would be yes.

"No. I helped hatch Aithusa some time ago. You remember when we went after the last dragon egg?"

"And that entire tower collapsed on- you got the egg didn't you? That why you were so hell-bent on finding it first. It was your responsibility."

"You see? When you put your mind to it, you actually can be smart." Before Arthur could retort (and, to be honest, he didn't have anything ready) Merlin turned back to the creature behind him. "So, will you take us?"

"That is humiliating work for a creature such as a dragon."

"Alright," Merlin said with a somewhat amused tone in his voice. "I'll just walk all the way back to Camelot with a wounded and nearly defenseless King Arthur. It will take two to three days and he needs medical attention tonight. But if you don't mind the Once and Future King and future ruler of Albion bleeding out on the way, causing a chain reaction with the end result being no Albion and no free magic, that's fine."

The dragon gave Merlin a reproachful look. "You're getting to be as bad as your father, Merlin. Fine, I shall take you and the young king closer to Camelot. I will not, however, take you into Camelot. There is no reason for the knights to know that I am alive."

"That's fine. Thank you." Merlin turned to face Arthur. "Come on. We should probably head out. The warlock quickly scrambled up the dragon's side to sit on his back.

"I am wounded, Merlin. How am I supposed to climb up there?"

"Being wounded never stopped you before," Merlin grumbled in response. "Fine. I'll help you. Grab Excalibur, and hold very still." Arthur wasn't sure he liked the sound of this, but did it anyway. He couldn't hear what his servant said, or even if he said anything, but he could see the flash of gold as his eyes lit up (how had he never noticed that before?) and was lifted off his feet. He was not standing on anything more substantial than air. He was about to protest when he saw the look of extreme concentration on the warlock's face, and the slight tremor in his outstretched hand. He didn't want to be dropped more than he wanted to make a wisecrack. When he finally sat on the back of the dragon, he growled, "Couldn't you have warned me?"

"About my magic and my being a Dragon Lord? No, because you would have killed me."

"Not that. Couldn't you have mentioned that I was going to be hovering in midair?"

"Oh." Merlin looked honestly surprised. "I didn't warn you? I thought I did."

"You only told me to hold still, and then started to use magic on me!"

"Sorry. I thought you would have figured that out on your own," the servant said innocently, eyes wide. But before Arthur could carry the conversation further, the dragon launched itself into the air. Arthur clutched at the ridge along the dragon's back as Merlin spread his arms an laughed aloud. Once they leveled out, the Dragon Lord leaned back, settling in his seat like Arthur did on his horse. Camelot's king had yet to let go of his tight grip. From his hunched position, he had a good view of his servant's face. The younger man's eyes were closed, perfectly at ease. His expression was a combination of everything Arthur knew about him and a few things he didn't. The joy he always seemed to have underneath it all, his loyalty, his eagerness to prove himself, his courage. His power. Arthur had never seen Merlin so open, though he had never noticed his friend's lack of openness before. But this, right here, flying across the kingdom on a dragon, casually shaping the clouds above them into birds, horses, and the Pendragon crest; this was Merlin. And deep down, Arthur realized, something inside of him was trying to respond. Something that tied the two of them together. Maybe it was the destiny that Merlin often brought up.

"I love this," Merlin said dreamily. "I've only been allowed to ride Kilgharrah twice before this, but I wish I could do this all the time."

Arthur wasn't sure how to respond, so he decided to ask, "Kilgharrah? Is that his name?"

"He's been under your castle since you were born," Merlin laughed, "but you never learned his name?"

"I never had reason to necessarily interact with it. HIM! I didn't interact with him," he corrected hurriedly when he caught a glimpse of the dragon's eye. "But I have a question. You said you've only been allowed to ride him twice before. But you're a Dragon Lord. Can't you make him let you ride him?"

Merlin gave him a reproachful look, making feel not unlike a child again. "I could make him, yes. I could make him do all my chores, write poetry and do a dance if I wanted to. Dragons must obey a Dragon Lord's order."

"But…?"

"But I wouldn't do that. Think about it Arthur. You could do the same to any of your subjects. You could order any of them to do anything. But when you need someone to do something for you, and that person isn't me, you prefer to ask them instead of ordering them. I feel the same way. It's better for all of us if I respect their wishes, and they want to help me than if I force them. Do you understand?"

Arthur thought it over thoroughly. "Yeah, I do. I guess I didn't think about it like that." They fell into silence for a few more minutes.

"Arthur," Merlin finally began, sounding nervous. "Are you going to tell anyone about me?"

Arthur took his time to consider the question. What should he do? He should tell everyone. Merlin had broken the law and deserved to be punished. He should keep everything a sec ret to protect his friend. The laws were, at least partially, unjust. Both sides made sense. Both sides were right. But he knew what he had to do. "No. I'll leave that to you. As far as I'm concerned, you haven't hurt anyone, and you don't plan on doing so. But I am going to keep a closer eye on you from now on."

Merlin's worry evaporated and was quickly replaced with one of his trademark smiles. Arthur couldn't help but smile in return. "Oh, thank you Arthur! But if that's the case, then we need to come up with a story."

"What do you mean, a story?"

"I mean how we were gone for two and a half days and managed to fight bandits near the border and return. Especially since we didn't have horses and you're injured."

"Oh. Right. That makes sense. Any ideas?"

"Actually, yes," the boy responded cheerfully. This did not surprise Arthur. Merlin was very good with words when he prepared speeches for the king. Although, he was the worst liar, Arthur had ever seen. Or maybe he was the best for keeping this a secret for so long? Arthur was very confused. "I say went about a day's walk out. After the first night, we decided this whole trip was a bad idea, so we were to set out for Camelot first thing in the morning. But, when we woke up the next morning, we were surrounded by bandits. You fought them off, and helped a little bit. They ran after you wounded too many of them and took off towards the border. I overheard that that's where they were heading. Then, I bandaged your wound and we started back towards Camelot. That explains the length of the trip and why you're hurt. Also, that's how we know where to send the knights."

"But Leon will want to see where we fought," Arthur argued reasonably. He was impressed by the simple lie, but there were a few problems. "And most of the bandits weren't that bad off. And won't they have fled already?"

"I can find the Druids and have them help me fake a fight. The bandits, if they are conscious, are probably still wandering around trying to find us. They have no way of knowing that we are almost back to Camelot. And as for their injuries-" he leaned forward and spoke slightly louder, "Kilgharrah! Would you be able to take on the bandits and make it look like sword wounds?"

"Of course, young warlock. But only because it is needed to keep your secret hidden. I will not clean up all of your messes." Arthur thought the dragon sounded like a father giving a child a warning to behave.

"I understand. Thank you."

After a pause, Arthur said, "Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"I do think you should be able to tell the knights. If I'm planning to change the law about magic, I want their support."

Merlin looked very excited. "You're going to change the laws?"

"If there is a just reason, and it is truly the right thing to do, then yes."

"Wow! I should have told you about my magic ages ago!"

"I mean it, Merlin," the king said seriously. "You'll have to prove it to me. And tell your friends if you think they can handle it. They deserve to know." The rest of the trip was made in silence. Arthur final managed to relax enough to let his hands hang free and glance over the dragon's sides to the ground. He could understand Arthur's love of flying, but he didn't think he could do this more than once. There was something unnerving about not being in control of yourself. The trip ended in the same clearing where- "Hang on!" Arthur said aloud after Merlin help him to dismount. "I killed you. Right here. I stabbed you right through the heart. Merlin told me so- You lied to me, didn't you Merlin?"

Kilgarrah barked out a laugh. "You did not kill me, Arthur Pendragon. You cannot hit me in the heart for you do not know where my heart lies."

"So, Merlin lied to me to protect you."

The warlock in question pulled his friend's right arm around his own shoulders to help the king stand. "That's right. Now come on. We have to get you to Gaius."

"But what about asking the Druids for help?"

Merlin grinned at Arthur. "I did that already. Most of them have telepathic abilities. I asked them for help when we flew over their camp. They said they'd do it."

"You are full of surprises today, Merlin." Then Arthur turned to Kilgharrah. "Thank you for helping us today. And I apologize for my father's actions against you."

"You have nothing to apologize for, young Pendragon. My imprisonment was Uther's doing, not your own."

"I feel as if I owe you a debt," he pushed. He truly did feel guilty about all that had happened and he was honor-bound to offer.

"The only thing I would ask is that you listen to Merlin. He has a wise head on his shoulders. He will give you good advice and lead you to your destiny."

Arthur looked at the blushing man supporting him before turning back to the dragon. "I will. Thank you." Kilgharrah made a slight bowing motion that the two men before him returned. He then spread his wings and flew to the north.

As Arthur and Merlin made their way towards the Citadel, the older man said, "So, Merlin. You're a sorcerer." Merlin nodded. "And a Dragon Lord." Another nod. "You can speak to the Druids with your mind." Raised eyebrows. "Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Umm, Morgana is scared of me, but she doesn't know it."

"And what does that mean?"

"She is afraid of a sorcerer named Emrys, which is my name to the Druids. I'm not sure how she learned that name though. Or why she's so scared of it for that matter."

Arthur wasn't sure what that meant. "Okay? Anything else?"

Merlin thought about it. "Well, the Catha- basically and army of warriors dedicated to the Old Religion- their leader, Alator of the Catha has sworn his loyalty to me. So if it comes to it, I can call up an army to fight under my name."

The wounded man froze and the warlock almost tripped at the sudden stop. "MERLIN!"

"What?"

"You have an army ready to fight for you and you don't think it's important enough to tell me?"

"Umm… No? It's not that big of a deal. I haven't seen them in a while."

"It is that big of a deal! It's an army of sorcerers!"

"But they're not going to bother you. I told Alator that I would only contact him if he was really needed or if he would be able to pass freely through Camelot. When you finally make things right again."

"You really should tell me about things like immortal armies."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "If I wanted to, I could take away everything that makes you Arthur and get you to do my chores. The Catha shouldn't be your primary focus right now."

"You couldn't do that to me," Arthur argued, though he did wonder if it was true.

"I've done it to you before," was the simple response.

"You WHAT? When?"

"Um, remember when you first met Tristan and he thought you were a simpleton?"

Arthur's face looked dangerously close to murderous. "Yes," he muttered through clenched teeth.

"Well, I knew you would never have left Camelot of your own free will, so I took your will away. It was rather cute actually. And you said 'please' and 'thank you' and washed the dishes, and rubbed down the horses and-"

"MERLIN!"

"Yes, Arthur," Merlin asked innocently.

"How could you- You made me- Don't you ever-" Arthur couldn't find the words. After another minute's struggle, he took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "How many times have you used on magic on me?"

"On you specifically? I don't know."

"Fine. Tell me, then."

Merlin scrunched his eyebrows and grunted as he stumbled. "Tell you what?"

"Tell me how you've used magic on me."

So, Merlin told him. He told him as many stories as he could remember, sometimes backtracking if he forgot something. Arthur listened patiently, only interrupting if Merlin began to ramble. There were so many stories that there wasn't a single silent moment until they reached the Citadel's walls. Not wanting to appear weak to his people, the king lead the way to a door away from the Lower City. He limped past some surprised guards, using Merlin as more and more support. Eventually, they turned a corner to find a conversation between Leon, Tristan, and Gwaine. Arthur made to go back the other way, thus avoiding notice, but Merlin had other ideas.

With a grin, the servant called out, "Oh! Hello! We're back."

Each of the knight's reactions was different. Gwaine turned so fast that his hair fell into his face, covering his smile. "Merlin! Good to see you." He didn't get his greeting to Arthur in time.

Leon scowled at the two men, storming over to them. "Where have you been? You can't just leave like that. Gwen and I have been trying to cover for you since you left-"

Tristan watched Arthur with measured eyes. "And I thought you were the responsible one. Maybe a hunting trip wasn't such a good idea-"

Arthur opened his mouth to defend himself, but Merlin spoke first. "Um, can we save the scolding for later? Arthur needs to get to Gaius."

That was when the knights noticed the bloodstained rag wrapped around their king's leg. Leon growled and turned to his fellows. "Tristan, Gwaine, take Merlin and Arthur to see Gaius. I'm going to find Gwen to tell her that your back." Then he stormed off.

Arthur glanced at Merlin. "What's eating him?"

Tristan strode over and indicated that he would take Merlin's place holding Arthur up. Merlin gave up his position and rolled his head around his neck and the knight replied, "He's been doing your job for the past two days. Where have you been?"

Merlin helped Arthur to tell the lie they had planned before falling back with Gwaine. After another minute, he turned down a branching hallway and started away from the group. "Where are you going?" Arthur demanded.

Merlin gave him a look that said it should be obvious. "To do my chores. You know how you are without food, and you haven't eaten since this morning. And you'll want a bath. And you-"

"Fine! Go!"

Merlin smiled and trotted off. Gwaine checked to make sure Tristan was fine taking Arthur on his own, then followed after his friend. When he caught up, he commented, "You seem to be in a good mood."

"I guess I am," the boy said after a moment. He grinned up at his friend.

"Now that seems strange to me. You just got back from a hunting trip with Arthur. You hate hunting and Arthur could not have been fun to be around after he got hurt. And you were attacked by bandits."

"I know. But Arthur didn't catch any game, and I wasn't hurt in the firth. And it gave Arthur and me a chance to talk."

Gwaine looked at Merlin as though he was crazy. "You. You talked with Arthur," he asked in a disbelieving tone. "What did you talk about?"

The servant looked down at his hands. "Oh, you know, stuff. I might have mentioned that I deserve a little more respect."

Gwaine grinned and clapped him on the back. "There's a boy. It's about time. He treats you like dirt most of the time." Merlin shook his head, but didn't argue. By now they had reached Arthur's door. The servant nodded a goodbye and pulled the door open. "Hang on! Let me help you. You've practically been carrying His Highness-and-Mighty for a day and a half and I have nothing better to do."

"It really wasn't that bad," Merlin said, but he seemed to thinking something over. "You know what? I'd love some help. Arthur's right."

"Right about what?" Gwaine asked, entering the king's chambers.

"Oh, nothing. But I have something very important to tell you. And you just might not believe it…" As Merlin pulled the door closed behind them, Gwaine could have sworn that the boy's eyes were gold.

And there you have it. I have a few ideas for how some of the other characters find out; namely Gwaine and Morgana at the moment. It you want to see these, let me know and I'll get right on it. I'm glad you liked it!

Aralana