Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the show Merlin, BBC does.

The Tablet of Melkor

Chapter 2

The magic ceased suddenly, and Merlin felt he was in control again, but the damage was already done. Why couldn't he control himself? His magic always obeyed his command, and he couldn't help but feel suddenly fearful that this time it did not.

Arthur knew the truth now and while that was a relief, he was terrified to know how the prince would react. This was almost as bad as when the witchfinder accused him except unlike that time, it wasn't hearsay Uther saw the magic. Merlin felt as though he let everyone down, Arthur especially, but at the same time he knew he hadn't done it deliberately.


Arthur was absolutely flabbergasted. Merlin was a sorcerer! There had of course been a few times in the past when such a thing had been brought up, but Arthur always laughed at the prospect. To think that his clumsy idiot of a servant could be practicing magical arts in the very castle of the king who forbade it was simply preposterous. Yet hadn't Merlin saved his life on more than one occasion, and hadn't he always seemed to know just how to save the day from the various magical threats that always seemed to target Camelot.

Before Arthur would've said that he always trusted Merlin, but no he wasn't so sure. He kept the greatest, most dangerous secret of all and had not been honest with him. Arthur didn't know whether to be angry, hurt, shocked, or awed at the thought of Merlin being a sorcerer. It also made the prince question Merlin's motives. Why had he come to Camelot, why had he sought to work as a servant when he was so powerful? And why did Merlin stop Arthur from killing Uther that time when it would've been far safer for him to let the king die.

There were so many questions that he wanted to ask Merlin, but Arthur couldn't be sure that he could even trust that Merlin would tell him the truth. The thought of Merlin being executed that night disturbed the prince. He had it drilled in his head time after time that sorcerers were bad and must die so that Camelot would be safe, but this time it bothered him, more so even then when he helped the druid boy Mordred escape. There was only one thing he could do, talk to Merlin.


Merlin jumped up with surprise as he heard someone approaching his cell. "Gaius," he said, as his mentor came closer.

"Oh Merlin, you have really landed yourself in a right mess," Gaius said despairingly.

"I know," Merlin acquiesced. "But I didn't try to use magic, it just happened."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I wasn't even trying to use magic at the time!" Merlin explained.

"But that…" Gaius started and then frowned. "It seems altogether unusual that after being in control of your magic for most of your life that only now it is subconscious by nature."

"I know," Merlin agreed. "But what am I going to do? I'm supposed to protect Arthur, but how can I do that when I'm on the run from Uther or burnt on a stake?"

"I cannot answer that," Gaius replied honestly. "Everything depends on how Arthur reacts."

Merlin nodded, and felt the butterflies rise in protest in his empty stomach. How would the prince react to find that his manservant has been practicing magic in secret? He didn't have to wait long. Mere minutes after Gaius left, the prince came to the cell door.

Merlin studied Arthur's face, trying to determine just what he was thinking, but the Prince kept his face guarded so that there was no sign.

"You're a sorcerer," Arthur stated simply in an accusing voice.

"Yes," Merlin said cautiously.

"You know the law, why have you studied magic?"

"Arthur," Merlin started. "I was born like this; I cannot help doing magic when it is part of my very being! You have to believe me Arthur; I would never ever use my magic to harm Camelot."

"How can I believe your words when you've lied to me ever since you came here?" Arthur asked, an edge in his voice.

"I had no choice but to lie, the first day I was in Camelot a man was executed right in front of my eyes for the very same thing. What should I have done Arthur?" Merlin asked, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Ealdor's in Cendred's kingdom and yet you decided to come to Camelot, what could've ever compelled you to come here?"

"Because I already didn't fit in there and some were already suspicious. My mother was worried and she knew it would be good for me to be with Gaius."

"Has Gaius always known about you?" Arthur asked.

Merlin hesitated, not wanting to get his mentor in trouble. But then when he met Arthur's searching gaze, he nodded. "Since the day I arrived in Camelot."

"Why did you become my servant?" Arthur pressed.

"Because Uther didn't really give me a choice in the matter," Merlin stated simply, and then took a deep breath before elaborating. "Also because it is my destiny to protect you."

Arthur laughed once, and looked at Merlin incredulously. Then his expression hardened. "I don't know if I can believe your words, nor can I trust you any longer."

Merlin opened his mouth to speak, but the prince put up his hand. "Save it, I don't want to hear it any longer."

Arthur hesitated and then without even looking at Merlin, he opened the door. "My father will have my head for this, but I will not see you die even though I should since you've broken the laws of Camelot. Farewell Merlin, I never want to see you again."

"But Arthur," Merlin started to protest.

"Go now," Arthur commanded, his steely gaze proving to Merlin that there was no way he could argue. He stepped out past Arthur and left Camelot for good.


AN: I was blown away by all the response I got to this story, thank you all very much! That really encouraged me to get this chapter out as soon as possible. Unfortunately tornados ripped through my area the other day, and since I left my house so quickly to run to a shelter that I forgot to turn my computer off and it crashed when the power went out. I lost all my files, so I had to rewrite this and is why I was delayed a few days. Next chapter Merlin sets off on his own, and the mysterious plague continues in Camelot.