It was an average day for Merlin, Camelot's resident secret-sorcerer. He was up in Gaius' room, mixing potions to remedy the various ailments of the people in the castle and around town. Gaius was working silently in the back of the room, grinding herbs for this and that.

There came a knock at the door. King Arthur let himself in.

"To what do we owe this great pleasure?" Merlin asked, smiling. "Dost the king's bidding need be done?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "For goodness' sakes, Merlin," he said, "can I not come in here just to chat a bit with you without being mocked?"

"I suppose there's a first for everything!"

"Well, now that you mention it," the king said, "my armor does need polishing…"

Merlin slumped. Wonderful. "So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked. He was genuinely interested. If the king wanted to talk to him, he would usually be asked while performing his servant duties, or, in a more dire situation, he'd be summoned to the throne room. If Arthur was putting in the effort to come all the way up to the physician's rooms, it must be important.

"I wanted to talk to you about the Lamia," Arthur answered. "More specifically, why the Lamia did not affect you as it did my knights."

Merlin froze. Does Arthur know my secret? he wondered. Dry-mouthed he asked, "Wh-what do you mean, sire?"

"I think you know exactly what I mean." Arthur was staring at him relentlessly. "Gwen told me all about what happened, including the fact that the knights were enchanted, yet you and she were not."

Merlin could hear that in the back of the room, Gaius had stopped grinding herbs to listen in.

"Of course, with Guinevere, it was obvious- she's not attracted to women, so she wouldn't fall under the Lamia's spell. But you, Merlin… you're different. I hope you don't take offense at me saying you're not exactly the strongest of people-"

"N-none taken," Merlin stammered, turning back to his potions to hide his face.

"Yes, so you couldn't have physically taken her on at all. No, I think the answer lies in you- the very being that you are."

Merlin's heart was beating out of his chest, and sweat was forming on his neck. He knows. Oh, no, he knows. He must have seen me use magic at one time or another. What am I going to do? I'll have to leave Camelot as soon as possible, I'll-

Merlin was startled out of his worried thoughts by a clap on the back. He looked up to see Arthur, standing next to him and grinning. Wait- what?

"Don't worry, Merlin. Whichever way your heart decides to go, your secret is safe with me." He turned for the door.

Merlin blinked. "But- Arthur!" he spluttered. "I'm not- I don't- hold on!"

Arthur smirked, walking away. "I won't tell a soul," he said over his shoulder. "Except maybe for the purposes of blackmail."

"Arthur!" Merlin cried, but he'd already reached the door.

"And just so you know, none of the knights are fair game, you hear me?"

Merlin turned. "Gaius- a little help here?" he pleaded. The old man simply shrugged, barely suppressing a smile.

Arthur poked his head around the door. "Oh, and Merlin? I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't spend so much time in my private chambers." And with that, he shut the door, leaving a confused, still-spluttering Merlin behind him.

"Gaius," the boy moaned. "What am I going to do?" he looked pleadingly at his mentor, who just shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Merlin," he said with a chuckle, "but there are some things you have to deal with on your own." He went back to his herbs, still sniggering under his breath.

Merlin stared at the door, completely and thoroughly stunned. "But.. I'm not…" he murmured, before heaving a great sigh and going back to his potions, which contained small budding flowers, each bloom seeming to be laughing with uncontainable mirth.