Five and One – The Magic Reveal (2/5)
The Sky is Falling
By CastielLovesDean
Summary: Five ways Merlin didn't reveal his magic to Arthur, and one way he did.
Very minor earthquakes weren't unheard of in Camelot. The vast majority of the time, the ground would tremble, the furniture would shake, and life would go on as usual. Then the Great Quake came about a year into King Arthur's reign. It started like any other minor quake. The people began to pay attention when, after about a minute of shaking, the quake was showing no sign of ebbing. Instead, the tremors intensified. Stone granules floated down from the ceiling, coating shattered dishes and toppled bookshelves with a fine layer of dust. Weakened walls of some of Camelot's older structures began to crack, and everywhere citizens scrambled for safe cover.
Many of those already in the citadel, including King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and their manservant, Merlin, sought safety in the throne room. They anxiously milled about in the grand chamber, waiting out the earthquake as the ground's convulsions waxed and waned. After several long minutes, cracks started to form in the solid stone walls, and soon grew into thick fissures and climbed towards the high ceiling. Just as the ceiling seemed as if it were about to crumble, the quaking stopped. Everyone stared apprehensively at the broken ceiling, holding their collective breath in fear of being crushed by the falling debris. The seconds passed, and slowly, everyone believed they had outlasted the disaster.
They were wrong. A final aftershock broke through the high ceiling, sending heavy chunks of stone to rain upon helpless court members and servants alike.
Merlin couldn't let that happen. His efforts so far to covertly keep the building together had failed, and he could no longer keep Arthur safe without exposing himself. He took a deep breath, raised his arms above his head, and shouted, "Áflíet!" to prevent the deaths of friends and strangers around him. The ceiling fragments stopped magically in mid-air, hovering about ten feet above their heads. Merlin's magic was powerful, but the weight of the stone fragments was almost too much to bear. His body trembled and his knees buckled under the strain.
The people's terrified screams were cut off as they all turned to stare in shock at Merlin. His friend and master, King Arthur, was among them. "Merlin?" he whispered.
"Get out," Merlin ground out softly, struggling not to lose his focus. When no one budged, he screamed menacingly, "GET OUT!" Finally, everyone fled. As the sound of frantic footsteps dwindled, Merlin cracked a golden eye to be sure that everyone had gotten out. He saw Arthur standing just beyond the doorway looking both confused and worried, unable to take his eyes off of his manservant. Merlin's strength finally gave out, and he fell the rest of the way to the ground. He could hear the bits of stone crash to the ground and Arthur call out desperately for him before he lost consciousness.
He didn't know how long it was before he woke up on a cot in Gaius's quarters. A very worried-looking Arthur was apparently sleeping sitting up, holding his hand loosely. Merlin grinned at the touching act, his fear that Arthur would hate him for his magic somewhat dissipating. "Arthur?" he whispered.
Arthur started slightly, then shook the sleep from his head. "Merlin!"
Merlin had to look away from Arthur. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
Arthur shook his head. "Sorry?"
"For deceiving you. I wanted to tell you about my magic, I just... couldn't."
Arthur nodded sympathetically. "I know. Gaius told me everything. Merlin... I knew you were brave and loyal, but I had no idea how much you've risked to ensure of the safety of myself and my Kingdom, and for that, I'm the one who should be sorry."
Merlin felt himself tearing up. "Well, how could you know? I went to great lengths to hide it from you."
"Yes, well, I'm sorry about that, too. I just want you to know that you'll never have to hide your abilities again, and no matter what happens, there'll always be a place for you... here, in Camelot, washing my socks."
Merlin laughed. "Prat."
A/N: I imagine a similar scenario could happen during an attack on Camelot. I went with an earthquake because it was simpler to write.
