Thump, thump.

Thump, thump.

Thump, thump

Was the only sound that Merlin could hear ringing in his overly large ears. He was stood, slightly shaking in front of prince Arthur's chambers, feeling more terrified than he had ever felt in his life. The moment felt so surreal, almost as he was living inside a wacky dream that was about to play the situation that he had successfully avoided for the past two years. Uther Pendragon learning Merlin's deepest secret.

It was the same Uther Pendragon that hated every creature and word that was abnormal. The man that had killed thousands of innocents of people for being born or for learning one special gift. Magic. And that was why the warlock in question wasn't at all looking forward to stepping through the doorway that he stood in front off; and having his whole future torn away from him.

Merlin wasn't afraid of death. Living in a city where every other day a deadly creature attacked, made a person accept the prospect of lying in an early grave; and add the fact that a few brave warlocks and sorcerers lived in the same city only increased the chance of an early death. But that didn't mean that the warlock in question welcomed the idea of going to Avalon in open arms.

Without thinking, Merlin brought a shaking hand towards the door that would change his not very long future. He braced his hand to do one simple gesture, a knock on the door; but found out that his hand was frozen a centimetre or so away from the wood. Yes he could face evil sorcerers, giant revenge seeking dragons, evil men coming back from the dead and even possessed mythical beasts. He had stopped every one of them easily, but could he take the life force away from an angry magic hating king?

No.

The guilt would slowly overwhelm him. He could not kill the future king's father, despite the fact that he was Uther Pendragon, the king of murder. If he did; the memory would be with Merlin forever. The look of shock on the elder royal face, while another look of betrayal on the younger would always remain with him. It would of followed him as he slept, crept into his nightly routine of nightmares; implanting the face of the Pendargon's into his head for eternity.

Thinking back to the present, Merlin remembered the moment that his mentor had told him about the prince's poisoning. The timing of the event was brilliant. The one time that the younger Pendragon's protector had the evening off, the royal had to get himself knocked into another near-death situation. It was just typical.

Flashback

It was a normal evening for Merlin. The young warlock knelt over several pieces of dirty armour, clearly scrubbing them inside his small room. Secretly Merlin was surprised, only a few hours before had his master gave him the evening off work; telling him to enjoy himself as he had some important job to do. The act itself was so unlike Arthur, that Merlin had a hard job to keep his jaw off the floor.

Gaius had been called to a meeting with the king shortly after the warlock had come back from work. The 'blue eyed idiot' thought it was a regular meeting with physician and king.

That had been an hour ago.

Humming a tune that he had heard earlier that day, Merlin continued to scrub the dented metal; only every now and then complaining under his breath about "Stupid pratts" and "idiotic clotpoles". He was so absorbed in his own world, that he didn't notice Gaius entering his sleeping quarters.

Looking up, the manservant saw that Gaius looked troubled. The elderly physician had a worn out defeated expression that was situated on his face. His shoulders were hunched back, making him look twice his usual age.

"What's the matter Gaius? Has Uther ordered a dirty tank of leeches for me to clean?" His teasing tone tired to lighten the mood as it usually did, as it normally got a scowl or a small smirk from the elder, but this time it only got a shake of the head. "Gaius whatever is the matter?"

"The Prince has been subjected by an unknown but fatal rare plant. He has only a matter of hours before his body is subjected to the paralysis, and the only known cure is magic. The king won't leave Arthur's room, and the spell to heal him must be cast in his chambers. The old man watched as his wards face turned a ghostly shade of white, and paused before continued with the dreaded news. "Merlin my boy, I'm sorry to tell you this, but its time you reveal your magic". Gaius briefly closed his eyes waiting for the news to sink in.

A gulp could be heard through the silence that settled in the room, a small second past before the warlock spoke."Is there anyway out of letting the king know?" Merlin asked; his voice filled with an even amount of both dread and acceptance. His sapphire eyes that betrayed the emotions that he was felling were being used to stare straight at Gaius, as they watched his reaction. At the small shake of his mentors head, Merlin let out a small sigh of defeat, as he unconsciously rubbed a hand through his inky hair, completely forgetting the half finished armour.

The stillness in the room was tense, Gaius stood still, body looking almost a foot smaller than it usually did; while Merlin knelt on the floor, thinking about what he should do, and the consequences after his actions. Slowly a humourless smile crept upon the younger's lips, and that ignited dull acceptance which could be seen in his eyes with unshed tears.

Merlin knew that the moment that he had been dreading had arrived, and that his secret would soon be revealed. With all the happiness that he could muster, Merlin stood up and turned to face his mentor, and said one sentence that would have consequences.

"Can't keep the Pratt waiting."

End flashback.

So there he was, right in front of the door that would change his destiny.

Breathe in

Breathe out.

After finally getting sensation back to his hands, Merlin softly knocked on the door, and after hearing a weak "come in", he opened it and stepped through...

Edit: 8th of May 2011.