In case any of you were wondering, this story is set mid season 3 after "The Crystal Cave" -ish I should say. Hope that clarifies everything.

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"We need to talk." Arthur ordered.

When Arthur met his gaze, Merlin tore his eyes away. He couldn't bear this! He couldn't bear having the one conversation he dreaded having all his life. He couldn't bear to see the disdain, the disgust, and the betrayal in Arthur's eyes.

Silence draped its pall over the atmosphere of his room, and the tension was so thick that you could have cut it with a knife. What on earth was he supposed to say? So much has happened in his life, so many moments and events were interwoven in such a complex fashion that Merlin didn't even know where to start. His tongue was snared.

It was Arthur who shattered the silence first.

"When did you start practicing magic?"

The accusation felt like acid in his ears. He fiddled with the string of his blanket.

"I was born with magic."

It felt so strange talking about magic with Arthur. Arthur! The man whom he's hidden his power from for so long! It was surreal!

"All this time..." Arthur breathed and scrubbed a hand over his face.

There was no use prolonging the process. It was evident to him that Arthur would eventually wash his hands of him completely. At least now they'd both get some answers, and Merlin can convince him otherwise.

"I-in," Merlin cleared his throat. By God, was he terrified. "In the forest, you called me "Emrys"-

"Yes." Arthur ground out. It was clear that he was trying to contain himself from the way he was clenching his hands in his lap.

Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat.

"How? H-how did you know it was me-

"I saw it- I saw you!"

Merlin froze.

"What?"

Arthur took a sharp intake of breath and abruptly stood out of his seat, combing a frustrated hand through his golden strands of hair.

"When I tried to get you down- when I touched you- I-I felt this...this.. overwhelming strange sensation.."

Merlin tried to prop himself up without hurting himself. He was most definitely talking about the energy, but how come Arthur felt it? It made sense that it happened to him- he's the sorceror. So, why Arthur?

Arthur glared at him and grew silent, if only for a moment, before continuing. "That was when…" he took a deep breath as if preparing himself," I saw you send the dragon away. The beast that almost killed me, the knights of Med- whatever, you were there. You…" Arthur trailed off, tugging on his tufts of hair in frustration. "You were there for everything." He breathed. "Then I heard it. I heard the name Emrys and I...I knew it was you."

"So," Merlin shyly began, "you saw visions of me?"

Arthur ignored his question and chose to study him instead. Merlin would have shifted under the inscrutable, hard gaze if he wasn't so physically and mentally drained. His temple throbbed and under the wound was his eye that experienced some strain as well.

"I thought I knew you," Arthur concluded, as upright and rigid as a sword.

"I'm still the same person."

"I trusted you."

It was a blow to his heart. His empty stomach contracted in pain.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Arthur's fierce armor cracked slightly and he slumped back into the chair and buried his face in his hands. Merlin fought the urge to apologize again. His head shot up from his hands.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He would have laughed if he could.

"How could I? You wouldn't know what to do."

"I wouldn't...I don't," he admitted.

"And I didn't want to put you in that position."

Arthur looked at him as if he couldn't fathom what he just said.

"That's what you're concerned about?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes," Merlin sad sincerely. " I know it's hard to understand, Arthur, but I had to do this-

"Why?" Arthur demanded angrily.

This was it. The big reveal.

"Because we are apart of something much bigger than ourselves. You're destined to be a great King, and if I had told you about who I truly was, I couldn't protect you." He leaned in as much as his wound would let him, gazing truthfully and tearfully into Arthur's eyes. "I'm proud to be your servant Arthur. I've only used magic for you."

Arthur swallowed thickly and gazed upwards. "God help me." He said breathlessly. He shifted his eyes back to Merlin, but he wasn't quite making eye contact. Merlin reckoned Arthur was staring at his bandaged temple.

"Merlin," he began, and shot out of his seat and quickly started toward the bed. Merlin flinched. Arthur immediately stopped in his tracks, lips thinned into a regrettable line, and resumed with cautionary steps, as if stepping towards a wounded animal.

He kneeled beside the bed, beside Merlin, eyes never leaving his handiwork. Arthur parted his lips, but when he couldn't find the words he was looking for, he closed them. He brought his hand towards the wound and Merlin fought to keep absolutely still. His calloused fingers ghosted above Merlin's brow, and Merlin didn't have to be a mind reader to see the sheer amount of guilt and disbelief in his eyes.

Arthur dropped his hand guiltily. "The wound needs to be redressed. "Arthur stated. "I'll be right back."

Arthur stood and exited his room. Merlin exhaled and rubbed his tired eyes, rubbing some tears away. He felt horrible, but thankful. He's finally said what he's always wanted to say to Arthur. He thought once his secret was out, he'd feel a featherweight lightness on his shoulders, but in this case, the truth was as equally a heavy burden to carry as a lie.

Arthur returned with fresh bandages.

"Where'd you get those?" Merlin asked. Arthur doesn't even know where everything is in his room, let alone his and Gaius's quarters.

"Found them on the table."

Gaius must have left them there, he mused.

Arthur resumed his position beside him, hands reaching for his head. Merlin pulled away.

"Uhh, what are you doing?"

Arthur fixed him a look. "I think I know how to dress a wound, Merlin."

"Yeah, but why?"

Arthur looked down for a second before continuing with his work. "I told you, the wound needs redressing." He said simply in a drop it kind of tone.

Arthur's hands were surprisingly gentle when he unwrapped his head. He heard Arthur sharply inhale when he presumably looked at his temple. Merlin gazed at the blood crusted bandages in amazement.

I was bleeding?

Arthur used the cup of water on his bedside dresser to wet a cloth. He gently cupped the back of Merlin's head and slightly lifted him from his pillow.

"This will sting a bit," he warned, and pressed the damp cloth to his temple.

As soon as it made contact with his wound, Merlin tried to buck his head away, but Arthur's grip held him in place.

"Ow ow," he hissed and instinctively coiled his hand around Arthur's wrist.

"Don't be such a baby, Merlin," he lightly scoffed.

"It burns!" He exclaimed.

"I know," Arthur said guiltily while continuing to clean the side of his head. "I'm almost done, so keep still."

"I'll try." Merlin grimaced at the horrible sting.

Finally, Arthur was done cleaning the wound, and he moved onto re-bandaging his head. Merlin couldn't help but pout throughout the entire process. Arthur shushed him when he hissed again. He was tightening the bandages so they wouldn't unravel. Merlin was surprised when calloused fingers gently brushed his bangs back, and when he gazed up at Arthur, he could see his eyes were filled with sorrow and regret.

"I'm sorry."

Merlin can count on one hand how many times the Prince has apologized to him. The shock wore off quickly though, and was instead replaced with compassion.

"You've done everything for me, everything for Camelot, and-

"Arthur pleas-

"No." He declared fiercely. "I've been the most ungrateful person."

"But you didn't know," Merlin protested.

"I knocked you out Merlin!" Arthur yelled. "Is that any way to repay a friend who's constantly laid down his life for you and your kingdom?"

Merlin's heart instantly warmed and his eyes brimmed with tears of joy. Arthur finally knew.

He doesn't hate me.

"It's alright- you just weren't thinking-

"No, I wasn't," Arthur bitterly spat. " I shouldn't have hit you."

Merlin shrugged. "I shouldn't have lied."

"You hardly had a choice in the matter."

"People always have a choice."

He took a deep breath and willed himself to calm down. He cupped the side of Merlin's neck and their eyes locked on one another.

"Thank you."

Suddenly, all the hell that Merlin had been through was worth it. Merlin nodded, and quickly wiped the tears that cascaded down his face. He laughed as Arthur smiled radiantly, joy spreading from his heart to every fiber of his being.

"Sire," a voice came from the entrance, "the King requests your presence."

Their smiles dropped momentarily at the mention of Uther.

"I'll be right there!" Arthur shouted back. He let go of Merlin and stood from the bed. "We'll talk more later. Something tells me there's much more than what I witnessed in the forest."

Merlin pursed his lips and looked down sheepishly. He had no idea.

"Get some rest."

Arthur squeezed his shoulder and smiled before heading out and shutting the door behind him. His warm touch seemed to be burned into Merlin's skin because it stayed there long after he was gone.

Merlin shouted triumphantly. It was a victorious cry, one filled with relief and joy. He smiled so widely that it hurt his face. Granted, he still had no clue what had happened in the forest, but he'll have to investigate later. Right now, he was just too damn overjoyed.

His door opened to reveal Gaius holding a bowl of freshly made stew.

"Was that Arthur I just saw leaving?" Gaius asked worriedly.

Merlin laughed. "Yeah. "

Gaius smiled. "I take it you two talked?"

"Yeah," Merlin nodded happily," we did."