Authors Note
So the much awaited chapter 2! All of the reviews and alerts made me soo happy! So a lot of people seemed to be surprised by where this one was going…did I not explain that well enough? Because if I didn't I am sooo sorry about that. Anyways, a lot is happening in this chapter so here we go…
The break did nothing to cool Arthur and Merlin's temper, in fact, they were even angrier after the stop. Arthur was angry because they had lost the doe while they stopped and was trying to blame Merlin as usual, while Merlin was trying not to kill Arthur. As the day progressed, the tension only seemed to grow. Arthur kept missing the shots and blamed Merlin, and Merlin was trying to keep his temper under control but with every insult it got harder.
Arthur had planned on making this a two day trip so Merlin could get out of the castle for even longer, but now, both were starting to regret that decision. But, seeing as they were now to far away from Camelot and it was getting dark, so they had no choice but to make camp. The other knights watched Merlin and Arthur wearily. They had stopped arguing, but where constantly sending silent glares at each other. Gwaine decided to do something that could possibly get him killed, but would maybe get Arthur and Merlin on the same side.
"Can you two stop bickering like an old married couple?" Gwaine asked. Arthur stopped glaring at Merlin to look at Gwaine, looking dangerous.
"What?" Arthur demanded.
"Come on Arthur, its obvious…" Gwaine continued.
"Gwaine…you better shut up…" Lancelot informed Gwaine, eyeing Arthur wearily.
"You don't have to pretend you don't see it Lance…we all do, right?" Gwaine asked everyone, but, knowing Arthur's temper was bad, wisely stayed quiet, "you guys are just scared…yep, they all talk about what you two are doing together…" Arthur stood up looking murderous.
"Don't hurt Gwaine Arthur…he's just being an idiot" Merlin told Arthur.
"Do you hear what he's implying?" Arthur demanded.
"You get used to it" Merlin sighed.
"What do you mean?" Lancelot asked, hoping to keep Gwaine alive.
"The other kids…they would say…they said the only reason Will was my friend was because…because…well they decided we liked each other…that's all that could be 'expected' of the son of a whore" Merlin informed them bitterly.
"Several questions but…my first one would have to be who's Will?"
"He was my best friend back in Ealdor" Merlin replied, "when it was being attacked by bandits me, Arthur, Gwen and…well we went there and…he was killed…today…it's the three year anniversary of his death…" Arthur felt really stupid and had to wonder how he'd forgotten. He was a sorcerer…that's why a tiny voice in Arthur's head reminded him.
"Is that…why you were upset?" Arthur asked.
"Yes…" Merlin whispered.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry I didn't realize…" Arthur apologized, lifting Merlin's spirits ever so slightly.
"It's ok" Merlin whispered
"He was…a good man…" Arthur added.
"Even though he was a sorcerer?" Merlin asked bitterly, pain and hate both very evident in his voice.
"Yes…he didn't deserve to die…" Arthur continued. Merlin looked surprised by Arthur's comment.
"He was…a sorcerer?" Lancelot asked looking pointedly at Merlin.
"We only found out because…the bandits where winning so he used magic to scare them off. And then…even after the way I reacted…jumped in the way of an arrow that was meant for me…he saved my life" Arthur explained. Lancelot locked eyes with Merlin and saw the guilt that filled them.
"Okay…so why would they call your mother a…a…whore?" Gwaine asked.
"My parents where never married…and that's huge…people could never get over the fact that my parents weren't married when I was born…they never even knew who my father was…"
"People can be so cruel…" Arthur agreed.
"The adults…most were mean but…some people were nice…Will's father…he was like…he treated me like his own son…but…most of the other kids…they were…vicious…" Merlin explained.
"What do you mean?" Lancelot asked. Merlin sighed and explained,
"I guess…there parents must have always talked about how horrible a child I was because...the kids…they'd 'punish' me…they would always beat me up and…one day…they were getting really rough…they…tried to kill me" Merlin was having a harder and harder time speaking, "Will…he saved me…he saw what was happening and…we weren't friends then but, he knew it was wrong so he got his dad and got me out of there…I don't remember much after that I remember seeing Will's face a lot…and my mothers. She told me that Will was with me every day taking care of me…" Merlin looked away, hoping they wouldn't see the tears that threatened to fall.
"He sounds like he was a real good friend" Lancelot replied.
"For mist of my life he was my only friend" Merlin agreed, "he helped stopped the other kids from beating me up but…they would always throw around insults…trying to find a good reason for why he'd hang out with someone like me…so they decided it was…because obviously I would be like my mother so…" Merlin stopped speaking, ashamed.
"So they decided…you liked each other…" Gwaine continued, looking murderous.
"Yea" Merlin replied softly.
"What I don't understand" Arthur began, "is why he didn't use magic to help you…why did he let them say those things if he could just use magic and really make them stop."
"He was better then that…" Merlin whispered darkly, trying not to crake under the pressure. He hated the lies…
"Ok then…where did he learn such powerful magic?" Arthur wondered. Merlin just wanted to tell him everything so badly…but he hated magic. Arthur, seeing Merlin's face hastily added, "I'm just curious…you don't have to…" But Merlin had, had it with the lies, he was done with them.
"He wasn't a sorcerer!" Merlin exclaimed.
"Huh?" Arthur asked, "Look, I saw the tornado…"
"He didn't make the tornado" Merlin said again, "I did."
"What? Arthur asked disbelief plainly obvious.
"I'm used magic, not Will…I'm a sorcerer."
End Note
Yes…another reveal fic by me…so, will Arthur believe Merlin is telling the truth? If he does how will he take it? Come back tomorrow to find out! Let me know what you think so far! Reviews really give me inspiration to write! You guys rock!
