Hey! Long time no see! So I'm delving into a new fandom: Merlin! I've been reading Merlin for a while, but hadn't posted anything yet. Then I had this idea and knew it was the one to post!

Um, I hope you enjoy the read! I'll update pretty fast, so hopefully a short wait!

Let's see, there are season 4 spoilers (at least), so if you haven't seen season four, don't read this. It's AU. Lancelot is still alive, so Gwen never cheated on Arthur. Um, that should be all the warnings.

Enjoy! Please Review!

…...

Chapter One: Discovered

Merlin grumbled, scrambling to keep up with the knights and his king as they carefully tracked a deer. He knew his grumbling had been heard when Arthur's voice hissed at him, "Merlin! Shut up! You're going to scare away everything for five miles with all the racket you're making!"

Merlin's eyes met Gwaine's and the knight had to hold back a snort at the smirk on Merlin's face. For someone who looked so kind and innocent, Merlin certainly enjoyed riling up his king and best friend. "It's not like you actually need the deer, prat."

Arthur rolled his eyes and moved forward, chosing not to encourage his manservant any further.

The jovial mood was suddenly destroyed by a cold shiver moving down Merlin's spine and he suddenly knew that Morgana was near. Her magic screamed at him, the darkness that didn't used to be there invading his senses. She's close.

Merlin hissed a curse, attracting the attention of the only knight he could truly warn. "Merlin?" Lancelot asked quietly, looking concerned.

"Morgana." Merlin mouthed the word at his friend and Lancelot paled. He was just about to ask Merlin what he wanted to do when the trees parted and the group found themselves surrounded by unfamiliar looking soldiers, all heavily armed and looking far from friendly.

The knights all had their swords drawn in seconds, but before anyone could move, the trees parted once more and Morgana stepped through.

She looked nothing like the beautiful, kind, fiery young woman they had once known her as. Her hair was tangled, her dress torn. Her eyes, once sharp and focused, were now full of only hate and even insanity. The darkness she clung to had taken everything from her, only she didn't know it.

Merlin swallowed hard. He had a bad feeling about this.

"Morgana." the word sounded forced and painful, like Arthur could barely manage to say it.

"My dear brother. Long time no see. So silly of you to leave the relative safety of Camelot with so few men to defend you."

"Why are you doing this, Morgana? I've never done anything to you."

"Oh, no, you only supported Uther in killing anyone who even thought the word magic. You never tried to stop him, you never defended us-"

"He was the king-"

"You are just as bad as he is!"

"If you had come to me-"

"Enough!"

Arthur fell silent at the sudden outburst.

"No more arguing. I grow tired of this, Arthur. It's time for you to die, so I can take my rightful place at the throne."

"The throne was never yours, Morgana. I was meant to rule Camelot. It's always been that way!"

"Not any more."

The soldiers moved forward and soon the group found themselves fighting for their lives. Merlin ducked under the swing of a sword, wishing he carried a sword for situations like this, when using his magic for outright protection was just too obvious for to be safe

A quick flash of gold and the man stumbled, allowing Lancelot to stab him through, shoving him away, moving on to the next soldier. Merlin stumbled back in surprise as a sword was suddenly thrust at his face, swallowing hard as he realized this really might be it for him.

"Merlin!"

The voice was nearly unrecognizable, but when a large hand suddenly appeared in his line of sight, grabbing the man and literally throwing him into a tree, Merlin realized the cry had come from Percival.

Flashing his large, silent friend a grateful smile, which the knight returned, Merlin stuck close to his side, doing his best to subtly trip up any of the soldiers he could.

Despite the unexpectedness of the battle, the soldiers were no match for the knights and Arthur. They were the elite, the best Albion had to offer and none were a match for them.

Just as the last soldier fell, an unexpected, wild scream erupted from the nearly forgotten Morgana and all of them suddenly found themselves on their knees, their weapons on the ground. They struggled to get up, but Morgana's power held them fast.

Oh no.

"You will die, Arthur. Your skill is no match for my power." Morgana sneered, the all-too familiar smirk appearing on her face.

"Morgana-"

The witch raised a hand, her eyes lighting gold, and Merlin knew it was now or never.

He had no choice.

Merlin let his power burst forth, freeing himself from Morgana's hold and he dived forward, putting himself between Arthur and Morgana's outstretched hand.

Morgana looked shocked. "How did you-"

"That's enough, Morgana. Haven't you caused enough pain and death already? What will this gain you?"

"Foolish, foolish Merlin. You really don't have any brains do you? All you've achieved now is a sooner death. You are helpless. I'll destroy you, right in front of your precious king, then I'll kill him."

Merlin sighed, then said softly, "You should have backed out while you could."

As the knights watched incredulously, Morgana laughed aloud.

"What do you think you are going to do, Merlin?"

Merlin smiled, but nothing like his normal smile. This one was cold and angry. Morgana was surprised at the bolt of fear that burned through her at the sight.

He raised a hand, his eyes flashing gold. Morgana was thrown backwards, slamming into a tree with a cry.

Silence reigned behind him and Merlin couldn't bring himself to turn, to see the eyes full of shock, hate, and anger.

He had just handed his executioner the torch for the pyre, but it ultimately didn't matter. He had to save Arthur, his friends, no matter the cost to himself. It was his purpose in life, his destiny, as the dragon loved to remind him, and he wouldn't want it any other way, no matter how much pain it caused him.

Morgana pushed herself to her feet, fury and shock crossing her face. "You...You have magic."

Merlin smirked. "Surprise."

"You traitor." she breathed.

"No, Morgana, you are the traitor. Arthur is not his father. Someday, he will be the greatest king who ever lived, the Once and Future King. More importantly, he is kind and compassionate. If you had gone to him, he would have helped. I tried to help you. You chose your path."

Morgana let out a wordless snarl of fury, stepping forward to confront the warlock once more, but a sudden hand on her arm stopped her.

Mordred stepped from the trees. He was taller, older, than the last time Merlin had seen him. He could feel the power oozing from Mordred and felt himself shiver.

"He has more power than you think. Now is not the time."

Morgana threw one final look at Merlin. "I will kill you." it was a promise, Merlin knew, but he found himself just sighing and shaking his head. "You will try."

Morgana disppeared with a whirl of black smoke and the group was once more alone.

Merlin slowly turned around, fear now building in his chest as he realized he had to deal with his, possibly former, friends.

Lancelot was looking on him with worry and compassion, knowing how hard this was going to be. Gwaine and Percival just looked surprised, though Merlin didn't see any anger, which brought him slight comfort. Elyan and Leon looked uncomfortable and angry.

However, it was the man standing closest to him whose reaction mattered the most to Merlin. He hesitantly looked up only to flinch back at the look on his best friend's face.

Arthur's face was twisted in fury, but beneath that hurt and betrayal was clear.

His face went blank after a moment, a cold look of disdain his mask.

"We must return to Camelot." he said, his voice strained with the effort of sounding calm. "You will remain quiet until I say otherwise. Do you understand?" he snarled.

"Arthur-" Merlin tried, but Arthur's growl cut him off, sharp and furious.

"I said do you understand?"

Merlin fought back tears and simply nodded.

…..

It was the longest and hardest journey they had ever had. Absolutely silent, as Arthur nearly skewered anyone who even thought about talking, especially if they turned to Merlin to say something.

Arthur refused to even look at Merlin, except for once to see if he was following.

Merlin had never hated himself so much in his life.

…..

It didn't get any better when they reached Camelot.

Arthur turned and ordered the knights to get some rest, then turned to Merlin. His voice was distant and forced calm. "You will muck out my stables, clean my room, and polish my armor. Return to your room after that and you are not to leave until you come to wake me in the morning. Do anything else and I will change my mind about executing you."

Merlin was white-faced, but nodded and hurried off to follow the orders, tears streaking silently down his face.

…...

Merlin hadn't talked to anyone in over a week. A quick explanation to a worried Gaius was the only time he had spoken. Arthur gave him orders, kept him busy to the point of exhaustion, but never looked at him and didn't talk to him beyond that. The knights were not allowed to speak to him, though it was only his pleading glances that kept Gwaine and Lancelot from losing their tempers with the king for the treatment.

Ultimately, Merlin wasn't sure if this was worse or better than being executed.