Prologue

.:Merlin:.

Twigs and leaves snapped underneath his boots as Merlin stomped his way through the undergrowth of the wood. He knew it was probably unwise. That he was probably attracting all the creatures in the woods, and not the cute and fluffy variety. Yet Merlin couldn't bring himself to care.

Everything had gone so wrong. So very, very wrong. It was not supposed to have happened like this.

"Arthur?"

Merlin's voice rang with nervousness as he addressed his king, his friend.

Arthur, typically, ignored his servant, his own voice ringing around his bedroom chambers as he continued to rant.

"The laws of Camelot are final Merlin. My hands are tied. Yet, I don't know. She wasn't using it for evil, so how can I condemn her to death?"

Arthur stopped long enough to run harried fingers through his hair. Some blonde strands stuck up at odd angles, a fact Merlin would have had great amusement looking at, any other time. But this time he was serious, he had had enough and it was time to make Arthur see.

"Arthur" he tried again and this time the King turned to regard him, his inner turmoil clear in his eyes.

"What would you do Merlin? If you were in my shoes?"

Merlin looked at Arthur, indecision still raging war within him. He had kept it a secret for so long, yet the desire for it to be known had been growing for a while now. Ever since Arthur had become King really. Then Arthur had started to turn away from him, for what could an idiot servant offer a great and noble King like Arthur.

He had tried, really he had. But every time, Arthur turned away from him, only to turn to Gwen for council. It hurt. Every time he saved Arthur's life or saved Camelot from the latest peril and he was only pushed aside, as someone else got the credit. It hurt.

He honestly did believe in Arthur, that he would one day make a great King, and that Albion would exist, but it had been 5 years now. Gaius always told him that his actions would one day be noted and he would be revered throughout history. But he was only human, a young man. He could only take so much.

So with a firm resolve he lifted his eyes to meet the King's blue ones. He had a small frown on his face. "Well?" Arthur asked.

"I agree that magic has been only a source of evil in your life Arthur. That is only brought heartache and pain to you, but I think that magic is only the weapon. Like a sword in the hands of a malicious person can do great wrong yet in the hands of a Camelot knight can do great good. It is the person not the weapon that is to blame."

Arthur stayed silent, eyes firmly fixed on Merlin's. They didn't seem angry or hateful. It caused Merlin to hope. Taking a deep breath, Merlin continued.

"Sire, I…" he had to stop, so many years of living in fear telling him to shut up and just leave the room. But he couldn't, he had come so far. He had to go on. "Arthur, you know I am loyal to Camelot. I would do nothing to harm you or it's people. You've seen me willing to sacrifice my life for the good of Camelot."

"Merlin, what on earth are you talking about now? What do you want, a pat on the head?" Arthur interrupted, arms folding across his chest as a familiar "I am not impressed" expression appeared on his face.

Would be nice, Merlin thought automatically before shaking the thought out of his head. Now was not the time.

Gathering all the courage he had left he looked Arthur straight in the eye.

"Leohtbora" he said, feeling the magic leave his body and the torches along Arthur's wall burst into flame.

Arthur's face and whole body seemed to freeze. Full minutes ticked by, and he didn't so much as blink.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked, apprehension making his hands shake. "Please Arthur say something"

"Get out"

The words were spoken quietly, yet when Arthur's gaze locked onto his, they were so full of betrayal and hurt that Merlin had to physically take a step back.

"Arthur?" he questioned, pleaded.

"I said, get out!" Now Arthur was advancing on him, his face a mask of black rage. "I never want to see your face again!" he seethed now pushing Merlin up against the cold stone wall.

"I hereby banish you from the land of Camelot."

"Arthur, no… please."

"And if I ever see you again" Arthur continued as if he hadn't heard Merlin at all. "You will be executed."

Merlin kicked a stray rock, watching it bounce along the faint deer trail he was following. He had gone through nearly every emotion he thought was possible to exist since that moment, but now he firmly stuck in the rage category.

Screw him, he thought. Screw them all.

Another stone received his anger, this time flying down the ravine to his right. How many times had he saved their lives, saved them from their own stupid selves. And what thanks did he get? Absolutely none.

He had had enough. "I'd like to see them try to keep that stupid kingdom running for one week without me" he said to no one in particular.

A/N - Okay so I know I should be working on "Truth of a legend" but I was watching season 5 and this popped into my head and refused to leave until it was written.

I just wanted to explore the extremes of their emotions basically, and pushing their relationship to the very extreme. Due to this, there will be some dark themes going on, underlying but nothing too intense as I want to keep the fic a "T"

Chapters will be a lot longer than this very short prologue.

Let me know what you think.

Harlisan.