"Goodbye, my boy," Hunith smiled. She gave Merlin some bread for the long journey home to Camelot. Hunith knew that her son may not return to Ealdor for some time, but as she watched Merlin and his companions ride away, she knew he was where he belonged.
"Night then," Arthur yawned. He flopped onto his pillow and rolled onto his side. Merlin sighed. There was no way he would be able to sleep. He was carrying the burden of Will's death on his shoulders – if only he had told Arthur the truth, Will would still be alive.
"I'm an idiot," he murmured. He felt a hot tear fall down his face, unable to hide his sorrow. It wasn't just his friend's death; it was because he could have saved him with a click of his fingers. "I'm such an idiot."
"No you're not," Gwen's voice made him jump. She got up and walked over to him. "What's wrong?"
"I'm living a lie, Gwen," he sighed, "I always have been."
"What do you mean?"
"You have to promise not to tell." Gwen nodded. "Only a handful of people know – Gaius, my mother – Will."
"I promise I won't tell."
"I – I'm a sorcerer." Gwen gasped, more out of sheer horror than shock. Then a thought came over her.
"Merlin," she looked him in the eye, "Does that mean it was you who cured my father?"
"Yes," he sighed and looked down awkwardly, shuffling his feet around. She took his hand.
"Why do you act like that's such a bad thing?"
