Author's note: Thank you to everyone who favourite-ed and put out alerts for this story, I really appreciate it. A special thanks goes out to EnglandBabe1997, thank you so much for always reviewing, and telling me how much you like my stories! It means so much! Remember guys, reviews make chapters come out sooner! ~RK

Merlin knocked on the door, quietly.

"My Lady?"

"Come in."

The door squeaked as Merlin opened it, but made not a sound as it closed. "I have your sleeping draft."

Morgana smiled and walked over to take the bottle, giving Merlin a chaste kiss as she did. "Thank you."

His face split into a grin that made his eyes crinkle, and Morgana laughed.

"What is it?"

"I think I've just realized that I'm in love with you."

She stood for a second shocked, and then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. This was nothing like before. It was passionate, and filled with love. She pulled away as Merlin's arms wrapped around her waist.

"I think I'm in love with you too." she whispered.

That night was one that Merlin would forever remember. They lay on her bed and simply talked. To some it may seem rather dull, but to them both it was the most intimate thing they could have done. The servant and the king's ward, completely in love.

"Merlin?"

"Yes?"

She sat up beside him and smiled.

"What is it Morgana?" he grinned back.

It happened faster than was possible. She pulled the dagger out from behind her back, and stabbed him in the stomach.

Merlin woke in his own chambers. It was the plus side to living with the physician, never having to leave the comfort of your own room. He felt a dull pain from his midsection, and looked down to see scarlet stained bandages. He groaned, remembering what had happened. Well, Arthur now had two reasons to kill him.

"You're awake then." the door to his room opened, and Gaius walked in.

"Just."

"Here," he said, handing Merlin a foul smelling concoction, "it will help with the pain."

"The pain's bearable right now Gaius, but thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Merlin, you need to tell me what happened. I've never seen Arthur so livid."

He groaned again. "He'll want to see me I suppose." Gaius nodded. "I will tell you everything, I promise, but can I get talking to his royal pratness out of the way first?"

The eyebrow was raised. "Watch how you speak to him, Merlin."

"Yes, alright."

The physician left, and Merlin could hear him talking in the next room. He only caught a few words such as 'rest' and 'time', but he didn't have long to ponder over what they could have meant, because Arthur came strolling into his room shortly after.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"About..?"

"About any of it Merlin! About you and Morgana, or the fact that you have magic."

"Ah."

"Don't 'ah' me. I like to believe that I can trust every person inside this castle, but apparently I am mistaken."

"Well it wouldn't be the first time would it?" Merlin wished he could take the words back as soon as he said them, but what was said was said. Arthur's face was a mask of pure fury. Merlin sighed weakly.

"Forgive me. What would you like to know?"

"I want to know everything."

"Well that's helpful, thanks."With those few words it became painfully clear that Arthur was not in the mood for sarcasm. "Where would you like me to start? Ask me questions, it'll go faster."

Arthur thought for a moment, before pulling a chair next to Merlin's bed and sitting.

"Why did you decide to learn magic?"

"I didn't." Arthur sighed and shook his head. "It's the truth Arthur. For most men, it takes years of study and discipline to even begin to use and understand magic. I am an exception. I've been using magic since before I could talk."

"That's not possible."

"Apparently it is."

"Why would you come to Camelot if magic was banned? You would've been safer if you'd stayed in Cenred's kingdom."

"My town may not be a part of Camelot, but the people are. You were closer to us than Cenred was, and you became more of a leader than Cenred. 'You' being the Pendragon family, obviously. People did not take kindly to magic in Ealdor. It was as much a secret there as it was here."

"Why move though? Ealdor may not have liked it, but you wouldn't have been executed."

"My mother wanted me to. She wanted Gaius to teach me. I think she thought I'd be less alone with someone else who at least used to practice magic.."

"But your friend," he had to think on the name a moment, "Will. He had magic didn't he?"

Merlin gave a small smile and shook his head. "Will knew about me. He was my best friend. When he was dying he took the blame for me, because if you thought that the threat was dead, you wouldn't look further. He didn't see the point in both of us dying."

"He was a good man. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. I finished with my grieving years ago."

Arthur nodded. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask, but he just didn't know how to word them. "How many times have you used magic since you've been here?"

"More times than I can count. The majority of the time to save your sorry behind too."

"What?"

"Oh yeah, don't pretend like you don't believe me. Nimueh, Valient, Sigan, Sophia, Morgause, the immortal army," he paused before adding "Morgana. You wouldn't last a day without me."

"This is ridiculous. It's complete and utter nonsense. You're Merlin! You're not meant to be a sorcerer!"

"I'm a warlock actually."

"Warlock?"

"It's the term for someone born with magic."

"Oh, well, you're not meant to be a warlock then!"

"You're taking this rather well."

"How did you stop Morgana?"

Merlin paled, though that might've been from the pain increasing in his abdomen. He pushed himself up into sitting position, wincing slightly.

"How did you stop her?"

"I snuck into the castle. I tied a poppet under her bed. It drains the magic from her. She remains powerless as long as the poppet is there. It doesn't matter that she doesn't sleep there any more, it's still the centre of her magic."

"What do you mean?"

"Morgana's a seer. Her dreams were visions, and I suspect they still are. She uses magic through spells and incantations, but before everything else she's a seer."

"So she was born with it too?"

"Yes."

"So she would be..?"

"A witch." Merlin closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He shook his head slightly. "This is all my fault Arthur, I'm sorry."

"Merlin, you may be a pain most of the time, but I'm not about to blame you for Morgana's betrayal."

"I knew this was going to happen. Well, no, I didn't know, but I was told.."

Arthur stiffened. "Told by whom?"

"The Great Dragon. He warned me against her. He told me that she was corrupt and that her soul was twisted, but I didn't want to believe him. I couldn't -" Merlin broke off, choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry." he whispered, "I could have stopped this."

"You did. You did stop it Merlin. Morgana failed. Her army fled. You saved us."

"I doomed us. She knows of my magic now. She'll hate me." There was something to be said about a man who could break your heart with three words, but that's exactly what he did. His heartbreak was so obvious, that it yours broke too. Arthur no longer had any doubt about Merlin and Morgana. He had hoped that it was some hasty, clumsy, short affair, but apparently he had hoped in vain. He knew a broken man when he saw one. The only thing he could think to do was try and change the subject.

"Can you help us?"

"Help you?"

"Contrary to popular belief I am not a fool, Merlin. We will have to fight magic with magic. Are you strong enough?"

Merlin laughed, and Arthur raised a questioning eyebrow. "Arthur, you would find it just as funny as I do if you had any idea who you were talking to. Yes, I am strong enough."

"Good. Get some rest. We'll need you at full strength, so I don't want you complaining about anything Gaius gives you."

"Yes Arthur."

"And Merlin," he said, getting up to leave, "thank you. For everything."