*GASP* NO SLASH? I DIDN'T KNOW.

Disclaimer : I only own all the furry little things. I do not own Merlin's characters; I'm just playing with them, I swear.
Warning : Set after season four, Reveal fic, Terribly written spells, Cliffhangers to annoy the heck out of you, Aithusaaaaa (and Kilgharrah), Catboy!Merlin, King Arthur Pratdragon, the Knights of Camelot, GWAINE, and a whole lot of MAGIC~
I apologize for anything that seems out of character :3

Warning; kind of violencey in the middle there... feel the wrath of the unicorn. By the way, thanks to all of you who tried guessing, all your ideas were great lol, but only one of you got it right ;) congratulations to xXMistressMadHatterXx (I seem to be mentioning you every chapter ಠ_ಠ) UNICORNS OMG YES!

The unicorn, as it was indeed a unicorn, cried itself dry on Merlin's shoulder, soaking his jacket and his shirt underneath.

Merlin had absolutely no idea why it was sad, since its thoughts were so chaotic; childhood memories and idle days melded into a jumble of frenzied thoughts.

When he thought it had calmed down for the most part and he wasn't crying tears of empathy, he glanced over at Ayleth for reassurance, and projected a few thoughts to the majestic beast on his shoulder. Are you alright?

The unicorn whimpered, but managed a coherent thought. My sides hurt…. It had an impossibly melodic voice, singing its way into Merlin's head. If Merlin was completely honest, he would say that it sounded a little like Lancelot used to. Merlin had to make a conscious effort not to break down into tears at the simple thought.

He glanced over at the unicorn's wounds, trying not to wince at the torn flesh that marred the sparkling white. One patch by its foreleg was still bleeding steadily. May I help you? Merlin asked tentatively, still not sure of how emotionally unstable the unicorn was.

Yes, thank you. It raised its head from Merlin's shoulder as he bent down to soothe the skin. With a flash of his eyes and a muttered spell, the worst of it healed. He left the smaller scrapes to heal on their own. He sighed and sagged slightly against the white flank before him, tired from the exertion of healing spells. The unicorn snorted, and the pain induced tension left its body.

Thank you, it murmured.

Merlin breathed deeply for a few more seconds, leaning against the creature. What's your name?

I am Fethryn. Who are you?

I'm Merlin, I'm King Arthur of Camelot's manservant….

You are Emrys. Fethryn knelt on his forelegs before him in a strange horse-like bow. Thank you, Emrys.

Merlin sighed. He was used to people-and non-people-recognizing him as Emrys as soon as they met him. Please, call me Merlin.

As you wish, Emrys. Merlin it is.

Merlin hesitated, not thinking a unicorn would be so compliant. He pulled out Ayleth, suddenly remembering she way there. This is-

I'm Ayleth, she said. It's an honour to meet you.

Erm, right, well… we were wondering…. Merlin didn't know how to ask the unicorn what was wrong. He was scared of causing him more grief, and he didn't want to feel his sorrow again.

What's wrong? Ayleth asked gently, cutting straight to the point.

Fethryn rose from his position, unknowingly towering above Merlin. I prefer not to say. The usually melodic tone was biting, icy.

Please? Merlin pleaded. We want to help you.

He snorted again, a little more sadly, but nodded to Merlin. As you wish, Merlin. There have been… attacks, in my domain. Merlin noticed the beautiful voice was quavering.

What kinds of attacks? he prodded.

The augmenting sadness quickly turned to barely controlled anger. There are hunters in the forest. Greedy hunters of worth. Bounty hunters, Merlin thought. They have been destroying the forest, setting it aflame. I could not stop them; they attacked me. He hesitated, voice trembling. They... they attacked the animals. I'd sworn to protect them. They're all gone… I couldn't save them… I….

Shh, it's okay, it's okay, Merlin soothed, feeling another breakdown coming on. There was nothing you could have done. Bounty hunters are... merciless, cruel people. He felt a dagger of ice stab his heart. Freya; that's where his hate of bounty hunters had been born.

Why are you sad, Merlin? Fethryn asked, feeling his emotions and nudging his face with his nose.

He smiled sadly. We've both lost to the bounty hunters, Fethryn. I think it's time to fight back. Especially since he could use his magic without fear.

Ayleth gasped. Merlin! We have to give the flowers to Arthur, he'll be asking about you….

It won't take long, Merlin assured her. He turned to the horned creature. Which way?

Fethryn sent him a rush of emotions before answering; relief, sorrow, anticipation, and fury at the bounty hunters. Thank you, Merlin. He knelt, beckoning for Merlin to get on.

Merlin slid on a little awkwardly, knowing how painful riding a horse without a saddle was for too long. Strangely, Fethryn was very comfortable, and glided through the trees as smoothly as if he had wings. They were going astonishingly fast; Merlin's tail was swept behind him and his ears were flattened. He held Ayleth tightly against his chest, not wanting her to fly away. He gripped Fethryn's mane with his other hand.

When Fethryn slowed to a trot next to a burnt tree, Merlin saw only a glimpse of the damage. Not a single tree was left unscathed and he could smell smoke. There were a few roasted carcasses littering here and there. Fethryn whinnied sadly and tried to turn around at the sight. Merlin shushed him gently and incited him to go on.

The quickly saddened unicorn pushed forwards, towards the smoke.


The fire was a lot bigger than anyone had anticipated. It wasn't necessarily a big forest fire, as far as forest fires went, but it would quickly escalate if they did nothing about it.

Merlin stopped the unicorn and hopped off, stepping up to the fire. Ayleth leaped away from him, shying away from the flames.

Merlin, what are you doing? she wondered nervously.

We have to stop the fire. He raised his arms, the flames licking his palms. "Æwielm," he whispered. A small spot next to a charred tree spluttered, spitting up foam. And then it erupted in a fountain, dousing the area around it. A few other spots on the ground started spitting water, and the fire was quickly extinguished. Merlin beamed in the spray, stretching his arms above his head, feeling the cool water on his skin.

"Well, well, well," said an oily, unpleasant voice from behind him. He, Ayleth, and Fethryn whirled around, only to face the greasy, unshaven faces of three dirty bounty hunters.

"I'd say a sorcerer would be worth a lot," another sneered, pulling out a small dagger. "Especially one like that."

Merlin stepped forwards, pushing the two animals behind him. Let me handle this.

"Come on, little cat," the third spoke up. He was thinner than the other two, with a pale beard and hungry eyes. He stepped towards Merlin, rubbing his thumb against his forefinger and making strange chirping noises. It wasn't like when Percival did it; Merlin felt absolutely no inclination to go to him. If anything, he wanted to go further away, but he forced himself to stand his ground. Bounty hunters were bad people; he wanted to be rid of them. Merlin raised his hand menacingly.

"Leave," he snapped clearly.

It didn't have the effect he was hoping for. The man with the knife laughed, and the oily-voiced one brought out a net. "Ooh, we're so scared of the little kitty."

Merlin narrowed his eyes. "Leave," he repeated.

They continued to laugh. "Or what? You'll do one of your silly magic tricks, cover us with water?"

Merlin's eyes flash gold, and the speaker, the thinner man, flew backwards into a tree. He crumpled to the ground.

The other two stared at him. "You shouldn't have done that, little cat," the man with the knife said dangerously, stepping forwards.

The warlock did not move. "I warned you," he said softly. He raised his arms towards the other two. He could feel the magic stirring inside him, begging to be let out….

Let me do this Merlin, Fethryn said, nudging him out of the way. The magic within Merlin died down in surprise, but he stepped aside all the same, feeling the fury rising in the unicorn.

The bounty hunters laughed. "That's it, then? You're hiding behind your unicorn? Come on, let's get them," the one with the net said, preparing to throw it above their heads. The one with the dagger leaped forwards… and flew back mid-jump. He screamed. He started writhing on the floor, clawing at his head, hard enough to draw blood. He didn't stop screaming, letting out expletives that melted into nonsensical spluttering and… he went silent, foam dripping from his open mouth, hands falling limply to the sides of his head. He was dead.

What did you do? Merlin asked, stuck halfway between utterly horrified and curious.

I showed him the pain of the earth. I helped him understand what he was truly doing.

Merlin gazed at the stricken creature. Are you sure that's what he deserved, Fethryn?

Yes, Merlin. I think he got what he deserved. There was a cold knife of steel within his words, slicing through Merlin's thoughts. There was so much raw emotion that Merlin felt his earlier tears returning.

That makes you just as bad as them, Ayleth said coldly, clearly not approving.

Fethryn rounded on her. What are you trying to say to me, mouse?

Merlin took advantage of the distraction to put a much gentler end to the last bounty hunter. "Geswefian slæp," he said softly. The large man's eyes rolled up in his head, and he collapsed next to his friend. Merlin sighed. He didn't like hurting people… even if he hadn't necessarily caused him any pain.

Ayleth looked over. What did you do?

I put him to sleep.

Merlin, Fethryn said, clearly disapproving, he will wake up and kill more people. Is that really what you-

Forever, Merlin specified.

Fethryn snorted angrily. He does not deserve such an easy end.

Fethryn. Please calm down; they're all dead. You don't have to think about them anymore. Let's find some survivors.

The unicorn nearly melted back into its earlier lament before controlling himself. There aren't any, Merlin.

Merlin smiled. The unicorn was still drowning in guilt, but he could feel the many frightened presences around them. There were many survivors. I beg to differ.

Fethryn sighed, exasperated. Merlin-

Come on, the cat replied, settling himself on his back. I'll show you.


On the way back to the camp on Fethryn's back, Merlin had located and rescued five more animals; a small black rabbit, two little blue birds, a raccoon, and a tiny grey owl. There had also been an innocent fawn, but Merlin had convinced it not to follow, since Arthur and his men were on a hunt after all. He allowed the others to follow, as long as they didn't get to any trouble.

Where are we going, Merlin? the small owl, whom Merlin had named Tinnig, asked from his perch on the cat's shoulder.

We're heading back to Arthur and the knights. It's not very far.

Fethryn had allowed the two birds, Mala and Enzo, to rest on his head as long as they stayed clear of his eyelids. They sat there happily, amazed by the unicorn's white horn. Are they nice? Mala chirped.

They're not going to eat us, are they? the raccoon, Leda, asked nervously from where she sat behind him on Fethryn's back.

Merlin allowed himself a chuckle. That was all the group had asked so far; 'where were they going', 'were Arthur and the knights nice', and 'would they eat them'. No, they wouldn't. Besides, I wouldn't let them.

He felt a flash of fear from Peter, the small rabbit, who was in his lap. They won't hurt you, Peter, he assured him.

Peter gazed up at him. How can you be so sure?

Well, to be completely honest, you're a little too small to be a proper meal to them… so there's really no point, Ayleth said from her perch on Merlin's other shoulder.

Peter's ears flattened. Hey!

It's not an insult, Peter, Merlin said, shooting an amused glare (if there was such a thing) at the mouse.

I'll protect you, Peter, Tinnig stated boldly, having become quick friends with the rabbit.

Peter hummed skeptically, leaning back against Merlin, who laughed. It was ridiculous how quickly he'd made friends in the small time he'd been a cat. Maybe he'd be talking to plants later, and seeing just how alive the world truly was.

Going hunting would be so much worse for him now….


When Merlin the cat came back on the back of a unicorn with two birds on its head, a raccoon behind him, a rabbit in his lap, a mouse on one shoulder, and an owl on the other, it's needless to say that everyone stared at him.

"Well," Gwaine said, striding over and planting himself beside the unicorn, "It appears that Merlin here has become Snow White."

Merlin frowned bemusedly. "I've become what?"

"Gwaine, stop blabbering… Merlin where have you been?" Arthur demanded, stepping beside the knight. "And where are the flowers I sent you for? Is that a unicorn? What are you doing?"

Merlin stared. Ayleth? he asked tentatively.

Nope.

Tinnig?

Sorry, Merlin.

Peter?

Flowers?

Mala, Enzo, Leda... any of you? He received similar responses from each.

He sighed. "Erm, Arthur, well, you see…."

"Merlin!"

"It wasn't my fault! There were bounty hunters, and there was a fire, and…."

Merlin, Fethryn interjected calmly, you forgot about me.

Merlin paused mid-speech, causing Arthur to be slightly concerned. Have you got them? he asked hopefully, almost scared of the answer.

We shall see.

Merlin frowned. What does that- He was interrupted once more as Fethryn dipped his horned head to the ground, spilling off Mala and Enzo, and nearly causing all the animals linked to Merlin to fall when the warlock slipped. Fethryn!

The unicorn said nothing, proceeding to touch his glowing white horn to the ground. When he again lifted his head, causing everyone on board to lurch back, there was a cluster of purple flowers sitting proudly upon the ground. There were a few slightly different flowers scattered among them, just as Merlin had wanted.

When everyone's attention was taken by the flowers, Merlin swung a leg over. Okay. Everyone off. This unicorn is unstable. Fethryn snorted as everyone got off.

Merlin grinned at Arthur as he stared at the bouquet on the ground, slightly horrified.

"Come on, Arthur, they're just flowers. I promise they won't kill you."

"Merlin," Arthur said seriously, slinging an arm around his shoulder and guiding him away from the others. "That unicorn just made those flowers appear with magic. Tell me what is wrong with that sentence."

"There's nothing wrong with it, I don't think. And 'that unicorn' has a name."

"Oh, Merlin, stop naming everything you come across!"

"I didn't name him!"

"Oh, it's a him?" Arthur sounded genuinely surprised for a moment.

"Yes, and his name is Fethryn, and he helped me get rid of some bounty hunters who were killing the forest…."

"Whoa. Merlin. No. You did not kill any bounty hunters. You're… you're Merlin. I mean, I suppose you aren't as weak as you seem, but-"

"Arthur," Merlin said, something dangerous flashing in his eyes. "I really don't think you know what you're talking about."

"Merlin," Arthur scoffed, "You can't even lift a sword without impaling yourself."

Merlin sighed exasperatedly. "How can you be so thick?" It wasn't even meant to be insulting. Merlin really wanted to know; it made no sense to him whatsoever how oblivious the Pendragon family could be.

Arthur frowned, though he didn't seem particularly angry. "Merlin!"

"Oh, so you don't believe me?" Merlin got up and trotted over to Arthur's horse, where the King had left his scabbard. He unsheathed the sword a little awkwardly, but familiarized himself as best he could with it as he went back to Arthur and handed him the sword. "Then fight me."

"Merlin, I'm not fighting you."

"Arthur, you have to understand-"

"Merlin, I know you probably used… magic," the King said, wary of the word. "You don't have to demonstrate."

"But how do you think I did it?" Merlin insisted.

"Merlin-"

"Arthur, if you don't get used to what I can do with magic now, we'll have to go through all this later."

"Stop interrupting, Merlin-"

"No, Arthur, I won't stop. Not until you accept it; I know you haven't." He leaned forwards to meet his King's eyes. "When I saw you, in Camelot, when I'd first arrived, I meant what I said."

Arthur remembered that day. "I could take you apart with one blow," he'd said. "I could take you apart with less than that," had come the unusual reply.

"I have accepted it," Arthur stated indignantly.

Merlin raised an eyebrow skeptically, doing a great impression of Gaius. "Then say it."

"Say what?"

"If you say that I have magic, then I'll believe you."

Arthur scoffed. "Merlin, you have magic."

Merlin rolled his eyes, clearly not impressed. His ears twitched in an annoyed manner. "No, Arthur, I want you to mean it."

Arthur's smile faded, and he hesitated. What? Why was he hesitating? He'd accepted the fact fully, hadn't he? "You have… you…." He stopped. He gazed into his friend's blue eyes, noticing for the first time the occasional soft flashes of gold. But… this was Merlin; silly, clumsy idiot Merlin. And yet… this was Merlin. How could he think otherwise? This was Merlin, who'd stayed with him through things he wasn't even supposed to survive; this was Merlin, his friend. And as he gazed into his friend's earnest eyes, he came to realize something. "You have magic." There was very little emotion in the simple words; no judging anger, no betrayed sorrow… simply understanding.

Merlin beamed, giddy with relief. "Yes, I do."

Arthur stared with wide eyes as Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and a thousand tiny blue lights swept past them in the breeze.

WHOO. I JUST FLOOFEY CREATURES-BOMBED YOU.
Hope you don't mind X3

Again, I am stealing minor lines from xXMistressMadHatterXx (the Snow White reference [thank you!])... I will stop saying that eventually. Maybe. Not.

lol, I'm not good with intense scenes... I hope I did well asdfgh.
Sorry about the weird little scenette at the end there... it was a plotbunny c: IT WANTED TO BE THERE. I AM MERELY A MESSENGER.

Please review!