Merlin woke to the sound of birds chirping but he could find no cheer in their songs. The healing spell he chanted before passing out managed to stop him from bleeding out too badly but there was still a great pain in his side. There was a great pain everywhere.

For a moment, he entertained the thought of it being the stone fox having slithered back up from the ground. Perhaps its penetrating gaze locked in on him, making him feel this agony and pain. Maybe what he remembered from the night before -the fight, Frederick, Arthur leaving –maybe it was all just a bad dream. A nightmare. He had been having a lot of those lately.

The pain only increased as he pushed to his feet and surveyed the damage. A few of the villagers had come back to pick up the pieces and bury the dead. Merlin's eyes caught Frederick's body lying lifeless on the ground and he tried to reach him but the villagers took him away before he could get close enough.

Merlin didn't know where to go or what to do. He knew he had to stop this thing from destroying everything and killing more but he needed Arthur for that. He couldn't face it on his own. How much could be expected of one small boy?

Merlin felt like a child as he sank back down to the ground and curled his legs into his chest and hugged them tight. Everything felt so overwhelming. He didn't know what to do.

It took him a long time to make himself move and find his horse so he could go after Arthur. It was the only thing he could do. That thing left Frederick's body and was somewhere, out on the loose. He needed to make sure that Arthur was alright, that he made it back to Camelot safe.

That was his destiny, wasn't it? To run after Arthur.

Did he even still have a destiny if Arthur would not accept him? How could he watch over him when he was banished?

The cut in his side made it difficult to ride but he let his horse do the work as he leaned against its neck and held on. It was when they traveled through the pass the cougars had attacked them that he remembered he was missing his sword. It wouldn't matter. The world could know he had magic now for all he cared. The most important person to him knew about it and left him. How much worse could it get?

He traveled continuously, night and day, until he reached the Red Forest. He remembered the path Brock took them on and used his magic to illumine the way. He only managed to make it back to the hill that housed the village when his and the exhaustion of his equestrian companion grew too much. He figured it would be best to stop for the night in a place he knew was safe –as long as no one found him sleeping. His stomach grumbled and he wondered if he could maybe slip inside and find Vivalda. She may be willing to help him, give him some food, and she could give him more advice. He really needed guidance.

He entered the cave by sneaking in the back and gasped when he found it vacated. Everything was completely cleared away. There were no tents left, no trace of civilization, other than the pit carved out for the fire -still destroyed from the last time he was there- and the usual rubbish that might be abandoned.

He walked to the middle and tugged his horse along, tied it to the same place as before, and found it some water and food tucked away. He went to look for something himself when he saw the curious sight of a book laying open on a stump sitting against the opposite wall. He stumbled over and found some food stored next to the stump and inspected the book closer. On top was a note that read:

Merlin,

I am sorry to say I did not foresee these troubles for you until after you left us. The village is packing in search of safer grounds. They will not listen to my reasoning but I fear I must join them. We must stick together after all.

I regret not being there to help and can only offer you this book. It is open to a very powerful spell, not used by most. If anyone can use it, it will be you.

I recommend a good night's rest before performing it. I hope you can find your other half and that you are able to prevent this terror from spreading.

I have faith in you.

Vivalda

Merlin picked up the book and inspected the spell closer. The point of it was to move an object from one place to the other -a transportation spell. He sucked in a breath at realizing what she must have intended him to use it for. He could use it on himself and travel to Camelot much faster, perhaps even beating Arthur to his destination. The use of such powerful magic terrified him but he needed to get to Arthur. He needed to fix this. The danger of being hanged or burned at the stake be damned. He needed Arthur to understand. He needed to make sure he was alright and that he made it home safe.

After a night's rest, Merlin set his horse free and gathered the ingredients Vivalda left behind. He placed them in the bowl she left him and meditated in front of the broken fire pit, trying to gather all the magic it had seen and snag what still lingered in the air around him. Concentrating only on Camelot he started to chant the words on the page, screaming them into the empty space until he felt his body lift from the ground and the bowl in his hands start to heat. The wind whipped around him and swirled against every inch of his body until it picked up speed and started to scrape and burn. He felt like he was on fire as he closed his eyes and continued to pour out his magic, only having thoughts for Arthur's safety.

When he opened his eyes he was panting hard, expecting to find he had done the spell wrong. With relief and surprise he recognized the woods surrounding him belonging to Camelot with the castle in the distance. He did not end up in a different kingdom and all of his body parts were intact and connected! However, he felt completely drained as he pushed to his feet, falling almost instantly.

The pain in his side was greater than before and when he looked at it he found blood pooling against his shirt making it stick to his body. The slice from the sword had opened again. He did not have enough power left in him to repeat the healing spell and instead stumbled to the castle slowly, slinked around, and hid from the knights until he managed to reach Gaius.

Gaius was surprised to see him and even more surprised when Merlin told him he needed to be quiet and keep his return a secret. Then came the interrogation where Merlin confessed every little thing that had happened as Gaius treated his wound the old fashioned way and Merlin inspected his new spell book.

Gaius would not let him see if Arthur had yet returned and told him to sleep the night away before he could worry more. Merlin wanted to fight him but his body betrayed him and he fell unconscious before he could argue.

Gaius checked for him every day but it was a full week before he brought news of Arthur's return. Merlin did not listen to the physician's plea and went to check Arthur for himself. He stood outside the prince's window and waited for him to go inside. What he saw made the pain he tucked away pulse to the surface as Arthur trashed his room and screamed in a fit of rage. Merlin returned to his bed that night but could not sleep with the echoes of those yells fresh in his mind.

I never want to see you again.

The pain he felt from Arthur's dismissal was worst of all.

He let everyone down.

His destiny was ruined.

His partnership with Arthur was finished.

Albion would never come to be.

Merlin swallowed his pride and visited the Great Dragon the following night.

"How do I fix it?" Merlin pleaded as he leaned against the rocks to keep himself upright. He still had not fully recovered.

"You must gain Arthur's trust again. You must work together."

"He hates me."

"You must."

The magic the Primal Dusk created was slowly making its way to the center of Camelot. The scale of Merlin's failure was becoming more apparent as the death tolls raised and the villagers flocked to the castle for shelter.

Merlin started keeping a continuous eye on Arthur, working up the courage to face him. He seemed alright to those around him but Merlin knew better. He could see the stoic face the crowned prince of Camelot wore but he could also see past the cracks. Arthur was angry and hurt and it was all his fault.

He had been rather skillful in his sneaking about, but Arthur was observant and did catch him staring -more than once. Maybe Merlin wasn't as skilled as he thought.

The first time he speedily ran behind the architecture and hid until Arthur turned away. He stayed away from Arthur for the rest of the day but could not leave him for long and started his stalking back up that night. He stayed hidden behind the columns across from Arthur's window but he had the feeling Arthur was catching on.

It was more than just a feeling when Merlin decided to watch the knights training and Arthur caught him hiding. It was his stupid shoe! It got caught on a stick and he tripped back and missed Arthur looking up. He saw the anger in Arthur's eyes and sprinted away before the fully armed knight could act.

That night, Merlin longingly watched him strip out of his armor and thought that meant Arthur was going to bed. It left the usual weight pulling at the emptiness inside as he remembered the nights they shared that bed together, but he turned to go home instead of trying to fill the void. He never expected Arthur to beat him there and be talking to Gaius of all things. Based on the angry yells, Merlin decided it was best to hide outside the room as he listened to the argument.

He admitted that he felt the smallest twinge of hope when Arthur did not outright say he would kill him. He even managed to feel a bit of pride over Gaius' words and concerns. Those good feelings were quickly wiped away as he watched Arthur leave in a rush, not even bothering to look behind him or he would have seen Merlin staring at his back, contemplating if he should follow.

"Get inside, close the door!" Gaius yelled at him quietly and Merlin did as he was told, leaning back against the door with a frown as Gaius tried to send a smile his way. "Come, finish your dinner."

Merlin did not move and nodded towards the hall behind him, "I have to talk to him. I have to fix this. If not for me then for Albion. I did this. I ruined my destiny. I have to fix it before it's too late."

"I don't believe Arthur would listen to anything you have say right now."

"Well he's going to have to. I have to try. I need to fix this and then I'll stay away. I'll watch him from a distance. Whatever I need to do. He can hate me later."

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you Merlin."

"No, believe me Gaius. He does."

"At least wait until tomorrow. Let him have the night to think it over."

Merlin found he could not sleep again and almost ignored Gaius to go and talk to Arthur like he wanted, but he knew Gaius was right. He tossed and turned until the morning light streamed through the window and he helped Gaius with his duties while staying out of view for the entire day.

That night, he snuck into Arthur's empty room with plans to wait for his return. What he found shocked him. Gaius said Arthur refused all other help, refused to take up another manservant -and that pleased Merlin, though he did not admit it- but this was a mess! Nothing was in its proper place. The fireplace was all ashes, there was food on the ground, and clothes were everywhere! He sighed and started to move everything back to where it belonged, at least it was something to do while he waited.

Merlin was just finishing off the clothes -the rest of the bedroom area still needed cleaning- when Arthur came walking through the door. He had started to strip himself of his armor and did not notice the other person in the room until he took the first few layers off. Apparently, it was Merlin's instinct to walk forward and pick up the discarded armor that made his presence known.

Arthur's instinct at seeing him was to grab the sword off the table and hold it between them as he stepped back and took in Merlin's appearance. Merlin supposed he looked dreadful. After all, he had only just recovered from the last time that sword speared him and that combined with his stress and black, baggy eyes from lack of sleep.

If he was being honest, Arthur didn't look much better. He looked exhausted and all Merlin wanted to do was help him get to bed so he could sleep. But they had other things to talk about.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur commanded, still holding his sword up high, though Merlin noticed the fidgeting of his fingers on the hilt. It was just like the last time Arthur held a sword to him, in the caves when he was possessed. Arthur could not decide what to do then and he appeared to be in the same predicament now. That was something at least. He wasn't trying to cut off his head. Yet.

"Your new servant is extremely lazy Arthur. Even lazier than me. I didn't think that was possible," Merlin tried and failed to lighten the mood.

"I'll give you one chance to leave," Arthur pointed to the door with the tip of his sword. "I suggest you take it."

"I need to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Then listen."

"Why should I?"

"Because people's lives are at stake!" Merlin's outburst only tightened the grip Arthur had on his weapon. Merlin tried to pacify him by holding his arms up in surrender. "The lives of Camelot and of everyone."

Arthur dragged a chair across the ground, refusing to lift his glare, and gestured for Merlin to sit. Merlin did what was asked of him, even though it only made him feel like an animal caught in a trap.

"Explain," Arthur started to walk around him with the sword honed in on its target.

Merlin wanted to believe he felt safe from a stabbing but Arthur was prone to violent outbursts. He could be quite aggressive. Quite the alpha. Merlin swallowed and answered, "There is a prophecy." He squinted his eyes as he tried to remember the words he had memorized. For some reason, having a sword pointed as his gut was not helping him get them out faster. "It says, when the two halves bond together on the bed of Fjörgyn under the light of the hidden moon and the hidden dawn, the call shall be made and the Primal Dusk will crawl from below for the approaching battle with the Great Being." Merlin smiled to himself and breathed out, "That was actually right."

Arthur did not seem so impressed as he continued to pace while working over the cryptic words. It probably did not make any sense to him at all. "What does that have to do with Camelot?"

"It's talking about us."

"Us?"

"Alright," Merlin tried to turn to him but Arthur wouldn't catch his eye for long, only holding the sword threateningly in front of his face until Merlin turned back around. "There is a lot I have to explain to you. Um-"

"Why don't you tell me only what I need to hear? Since you know what's best for me anyway."

"Arthur-"

"No, no. Go on."

Merlin groaned as he sank back into his chair but stared at the table and did what was asked of him. Again. "There is second prophecy about us- well, about you."

"A prophecy about me?"

"Your destiny is one of greatness and I am meant to help you there." Merlin couldn't help sounding proud as he spoke but Arthur did not share his enthusiasm. He turned his back to him and walked to the window as Merlin sat stuck in the chair.

"What do you mean?" At least he sounded vaguely interested. "What does it say?"

"I'm not sure I should tell you. Knowing one's destiny is a great burden to bear."

"You speak as if you know."

"I do."

"Is that more magic then?" Arthur would not turn to him but Merlin could feel the anger bubbling over in his tone. "Are you like the sorceress we met? Can you predict the weather as well?"

"No. It's not-"

"So what can you do?"

"I don't know."

"Well how can you not know?" Arthur finally turned but it was with a malice Merlin did not want to see. He almost wished he would look back out the window so that fake smile would not be aimed at him. The only smile he wanted was a real one and he knew he would not get that. "All this magic and power and you don't know what you're doing with it? How long have you been practicing?"

"It's not like that."

"Really?" Sarcasm always was a first defense with Arthur. Second was violence. Merlin eyed the sword nervously even though it was no longer raised to him. "I saw you take down that beast. That must have taken a lot of magic. Which means practice. Are you telling me you haven't been running off behind my back, getting one over on me? Hiding behind Gaius with your potions and spells and book-...oh gods. That spell book was yours!"

"It's not like that!" Merlin jumped from his chair as Arthur voiced his realization, a sudden flash of anger hitting him when he was reminded of what Arthur did to his book. "And yes it was. But I don't just run off and have fun!"

"Then what do you do? Hmm?" Arthur was clearly angry now, letting his sword tilt against the ground as he pushed his face into Merlin's personal space. "Why is it that if you have magic you're here, cleaning up my clothes and bringing me food and mucking out my stables? Why work for me? Why are you here? Why Camelot?"

"For you!"

"No! I don't accept that! You could have left with Vivalda or Brock or Frederick or even Richard from…you won the wrestling match. How did you…I knew you cheated!" Arthur stomped away, running a hand down his face in exasperation. Merlin had the feeling he had been recognizing a lot of discrepancies from his past but his presence was obviously reminding him of a few things he missed. "Do you cheat at everything?"

"I don't-"

"Why haven't you left? Why did you come back to Camelot?! Why did you come back here? What are you doing here?! I told you to stay away!"

"I can't!" Merlin lashed back. "I couldn't if I wanted to. You are my destiny!"

"Bollocks! I don't believe you. You seriously believe calling me your destiny will work? All these ridiculous prophecies?! Just more lies you tell me!"

"Would you shut up?! Just shut up! It's not a lie. Gods, why can't you open your eyes?! You- I love you and-"

"Don't-"

"Don't tell me not to say it because I won't listen!" Merlin wouldn't let Arthur interrupt him again as he was the one to advance. "Arthur, everything I've done I did for you. I put myself in danger on a daily basis just so I can make sure your arse is alright. At first, yes, it was because I was told to but now- can't you see it? This is my destiny. You are my destiny. It's been that way since the day we met. My magic, I was born with it. I never started practicing anything. I just did it. But I've only used it to protect you, you stubborn git!"

"I bet you're just loving this then!" Arthur yelled right back. "You finally get to rub it in my face. You get to tell me about all the times you've saved my life like Gaius said and get the praise you deserve for being the big hero. Get to show me up."

"There was a time when I wanted that but-"

"Just like a sorcerer."

"But not now! All I want now is to keep you safe! I never meant- I never meant to fall in love with you, but I did. I never meant to hurt you-"

"But you did." A heavy silence filled the room as Arthur took a step back from him, their yelling having brought them too close for comfort with that confession.

Merlin wasn't sure what else to do or say. There was so much he wanted to get off his chest but Arthur was barely listening to him now. The tears were breaking over his lids and he swore he saw Arthur's eyes get glassy. He blinked until the water overflowed as he saw Arthur struggling to take back control, scowling at the ceiling. Merlin's hand reached out, he wanted to walk to him, to hold him and comfort him like Arthur had done for him so many times before. But Arthur flinched at the movement and he pulled his hand back, gasping as he felt the rejection slam into him once again.

Arthur swallowed harshly but his voice still sounded thick as he turned and tried to control his temper when asking, "So why didn't you tell me? It's me, Merlin. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to know because I knew it would- I knew that your father would never change his mind and you'd be forced to-"

"To choose."

"It's true," Merlin caught his eyes and shook his head. "I didn't want you to worry about me. I'm the one meant to worry about you."

"About me?" Arthur chuckled mirthlessly as he spun in place again. "What makes you think I wouldn't have chosen- Doesn't matter. You've lied to me. All this time. Since the day we met."

"If I could have told you, I would have. It wasn't supposed to be like this."

"So you were just going to lie to me until, when? Until the day I died?"

"Until the day magic could be accepted in Camelot."

"That day will never happen. Especially with what we face now."

"You could change that. Not all magic is evil. You could allow magic to be accepted."

"Why would I do that? Have you looked outside?" Arthur stomped to the window as if it made his point. "Look what it has done to us." Arthur clarified, "What it has done to the kingdom. The troops will converge tomorrow. The treaties have been signed. We start our attacks in two days' time."

Merlin leaned back at the forceful punch from that information. The troops wouldn't be able to handle the Primal Dusk. It was only magic that stopped it. They didn't know anything about it. They would be fighting a losing battle. They would all die. If Arthur went, he would die with them.

"You can't go."

"Excuse me?"

"You can't go! Oh, this is all my fault!" Merlin pulled at his hair as he tried to explain his mistakes further. "The prophecy, we- it's my fault. I didn't realize until after. We triggered the event that caused this. The Primal Dusk is the sorcerer you are after but it isn't truly a sorcerer. It's a thing, an entity that thrives on chaos and destruction. The only thing that can stop it is us. That's why it came after us! It's why it possessed the villagers and Frederick."

"It possessed Frederick? Why didn't you tell me?!"

"It was threatening you! It was going to tell you about my magic. Though, I guess it got its way in the end. I should have found a way to tell you. Everyone told me to tell you."

"Everyone? Who else knew?"

"The villagers and anyone with magic can somehow tell." Merlin slowed his pacing and swallowed the lump in his throat as he continued to explain, feeling lighter with every honest thing he shared though that did not make him feel much better. "I'm different they say."

"Different how?"

"I don't know. I don't understand any of this really. Um- Gaius knows. And Lancelot. He knew."

"Lancelot?!"

"I don't make a habit of people knowing!"

"Oh clearly! It doesn't matter." Arthur took a moment to calm himself as well, putting on the mask of his diplomatic role as the prince. "The only thing that matters is saving Camelot and stopping this evil. How do we do it?"

"I don't-"

"Don't tell me you don't know!"

"It's us."

"You keep saying that but there is no us!"

"Yes there is. Even if not- There is. The prophecy between you and I, we are always together. We create the Great Being."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Nothing about this makes sense!"

"I need a minute," Arthur mumbled after a moment of strained silence.

"Arthur-"

"Just sit and be quite."

Arthur pointed back to the chair and waited for Merlin to sit before he walked back to the window and took in a few gulps of fresh air. Merlin watched as he processed the information he gave him and he squeezed his legs in anticipation. The tension could be cut with Arthur's sword if he so chose. He was still gripping it. It could happen. Hell, Merlin wished it would just so something would break through.

Finally, Arthur broke the silence, "What are we supposed to do?"

"You and I fight side by side. Together."

"How can I fight with you if I can't trust you? How do I know you aren't making this all up as some way to see me? As a way to force me to be around you? You're a sorcerer. How do I know you're not the one actually behind this?"

Merlin spun at the sting of his words and sat with Arthur glaring holes into the top of his head. He completely understood Arthur's feeling but he did not believe that was called for. Yes, he wanted to be with Arthur, to know he was safe at all times, but he could not handle more deception. How could Arthur think that? How could he think he was behind this?

How could he prove himself?

Suddenly, with a look towards the floor below, he was inspired. "Come with me." He stood and walked to the door.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"You want me to prove to you that I am not making this up. That I am not behind this." Merlin shrugged casually though he felt anything but comfortable. The constant ache in his chest had not left him and looking at Arthur only seemed to make the pain spread like heartburn crawling up his throat and stinging his burning eyes. "This is how. Just follow me."

"Where?"

"To the dungeon. You need to meet someone."