Thank so much for the story-alerts!
Just to reply to a review...Of course I know that Merlin is the most powerful sorcerer, but I don't think he knows that...He underestimates himself and he hasn't still realize the extent of his power.
And...sorry for any grammar mistakes but English is not my first language so...
"Can I ask you something, Gaius?" Merlin asked hesitantly. He was talking a risk of exposing himself, but the old physician could be useful to him in the future as he was in the past.
Gaius nodded and sat on the table, starting his dinner.
"Do you…You told me once that I was like your son, is that right?" Merlin didn't wait for a response "Well, if that's true…I would like you to trust me."
"Of course I trust you Merlin, you know that" the old man replied.
"Then you will help me without asking any questions. Please?" he said in a low voice.
Gaius narrowed his eyes. "I am not going to like that, am I?"
"Honestly? I don't know. But if you help me now, you could have a much better life than this." Merlin promised.
"I am sure that there will be a time, when things in this land are going to be better for everyone, thanks to you and Arthur of course. Where is this going Merlin?"
"I…I am not sure that Arthur is going…" Merlin paused for a moment to think this through. All his life in Camelot he believed in Arthur and the changes he would bring in Camelot, even in the new Albion. He was willing to die for him once upon a time. And Gaius knew that. Merlin himself knew that in some way what he was going to do was wrong but…what about him? What about all the risks he was taking every single day of just being in Camelot? If Arthur found out about his magic, he would probably kill Merlin, let alone making him a counsellor or giving him any great position in the court. But what if he wasn't like Uther? What if he was different like the Great Dragon said? The young warlock had doubts and that must mean something. If Morgana hadn't offer him a better life than this now, he wouldn't even think of killing Arthur. But now….
"What?" Gaius asked since Merlin remained silent for a long time.
"Never mind." He mattered. He couldn't take the risk of telling Gaius. As he couldn't take the risk of getting killed or even rejected. Merlin had to think of himself for the first time in a long time and not about other people, not about Arthur. Not about anyone but him.
"What's wrong Merlin?" Gaius asked warily. "You seem…different."
"Nothing is wrong. In fact, Gaius, I think that I am better than ever." I am not scared, I am not worried about anyone, I am not sad, I don't feel alone anymore. I feel more powerful and smart than ever before. I guess emotions hold you back. Merlin added in his head.
Suddenly he flinched. He realized that a moment before, he had doubts about what he was planning to do, about maybe….his morals. But now…Now he just didn't give a damn about….anything. That's strange.
Since Merlin hadn't the change to fulfil his new mission the last night, he decided to do it in the hunting trip. He and Arthur would be alone, since the knights had decided to make a contest of who was going to get the best quarry. It couldn't be more suitable time for Merlin.
"Did you get everything, Merlin?" Arthur asked Merlin as they were about to leave Camelot.
"Of course. I took your arrows, a couple of knifes, some food and water…I don't think I forgot anything." Merlin said warmly.
"That's new." Arthur muttered and he started walking.
When they arrived at the spot they were a couple of days ago, Merlin made sure that there wasn't anyone else around. It was the perfect time and place to do what he had to.
"Are you hungry, Sir? We could rest here to eat something and then continue. I doubt that anyone has caught anything so don't worry about losing." Merlin suggested and before Arthur could reply he got an apple and the bread out of the bag.
"Sure. Why not?" Arthur muttered. He was slightly concerned about Merlin's distant behaviour. He expected at least a comment about their embrace, especially since Arthur always were the distant one in their friendship. But Merlin hadn't even mentioned it. He didn't even made a comment about how silly this hunting game was.
"Merlin, are you all right?" he asked.
"I am great, thank you." Merlin replied. Why does everyone think that something is wrong with me? Do I have to cry or laugh or the freaky time to prove that I am still the same person – which I am not but still…
When Arthur turned around, Merlin grabbed the chance by casting a spell, which knocked Arthur out.
After confirming that he was unconscious, Merlin with a little help of his magic, dragged Arthur to the cave and tied him up on a big rock.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" Merlin said in a high pitched voice, when Arthur was waking up. It took the king a few moments to realise that he was trapped. When he did he instantly tried to free himself.
"Don't bother. You can't." Merlin said.
"What the hell are you doing?" Arthur snapped.
"I am ensuring my future, by I am ending yours." He replied grinning, satisfied of his answer.
"What?"
"I am going to kill you." He added.
"What the-" Arthur didn't finish his sentence. This couldn't be happening. Merlin would never…He was his best friend. He knew that. So what the hell was going on? "You are under a spell aren't you?" he thought out loud.
"Well, a spell helped me come to my senses, but…that's not a bad thing as you are implying." He responded.
"Oh my God! Morgana did this to you, didn't she?" Arthur whispered.
Merlin kneeled and came to Arthur's lever, playing with a knife. "She did nothing wrong. She helped me, in fact."
"With what?"
"She set me free." Merlin said smiling. "You see, I am more powerful than I thought I was. I think that I underestimated myself way too much. That's partly your fault."
Arthur opened his mouth to say something but Merlin didn't let him. He placed the knife against Arthur's lips to make him silent. "Hush. It's my turn to talk now." He whispered.
"Emotions hold you back. I would strongly recommend you to get rid of them." Merlin giggled "But I guess you won't have any emotions when you are dead. Anyway. What was I saying? Oh. Yeah, that you were holding me back. I have to admit that it is my fault as well. I mean I cared so much about what you would think about who I am…"
"What do you mean 'who you are'?" Arthur asked, trying to keep his face straight and not to panic.
Merlin chuckled and got up. "I am not gonna tell you that. Even though I am dying to see your face when you find out about me…I have to stick to my plan. Just in case you somehow escape –which you won't- or Morgana is watching us."
"Merlin, please…Just try to fight this, please." Arthur begged.
"Why?"
"Because this isn't you. Because you are gonna regret this…Please, just try…" Arthur said tearing up.
"Aw. Aren't you sweet?" Merlin said in a child's voice. "You think I want to fight this? You think I care about you?"
"Yes I do. Please, Merlin, I don't know what to do to help you…I am so sorry I didn't realized it before, so I could do something."
Merlin chuckled again and came to Arthur's lever. "How can I make it more clear for you? I DON'T-NEED-HELP!"
"Merlin…"
"Arthur." Merlin mimicked Arthur's voice. "Well, I have to admit that I am not completely enjoying this. Killing you. I still think that you will unite Albion, but…what about me? Where am I gonna be when you do that? What if you decide to kill me? What if you'll be your father's son?"
"What are you talking about? I would never kill you?" Arthur said, trying to keep his voice straight.
"Never say never. Well, enough with the chatting, don't you think? Let's get over with it." Merlin said pointing the knife against Arthur's stomach. "Goodbye, Arthur Pendragon."