A/N:

Hey everyone! Here's Chapter 10 to The Climb! Gave it to Cori yesterday to beta and the little star that she is sent it straight back to me, so I'm posting it up now! Thanks to everyone who's been reading, reviewing and commenting on the story so far! I've got a whole load of secrets left for all of you to enjoy, so I'm challenging you to guess what's going to happen!

Anywho, read, review and comment!

LYING BECAUSE I NEED TO

Leaning against one of the large marble columns, Merlin watched the few occupants that filled the vast space of the great hall. Uther stood at the head of the table with maps of Camelot sprawled in front of him. A look of grave concern flicked across the aged face as he stared down at the drawings. He's obviously thinking what Arthur was thinking earlier, Merlin thought and watched quietly as Sir Galahad, who stood beside the king with a bandaged arm, pointed to something of interest on the parchment. Occasionally, Sir Galahad looked up at Merlin, and Merlin had to wonder if Sir Galahad had seen him use magic. If he did see me, he hasn't let on that he did. Merlin knew that Sir Galahad was a good man, a man of honour, a man who believed in the vows that he made when Uther had made him a knight. Yet deep down, Merlin seemed to know that Sir Galahad would never tell anyone of his magical abilities, not even Arthur whom Sir Galahad cared for deeply.

Thinking of Arthur, Merlin glanced at the other end of the table, where Gaius was seeing to Arthur's wounds. The old physician looked tired and haggard, as though all of the injuries he had tended to that day had sapped his strength. Arthur was trying to get him to sit down, but Gaius was having none of it and instead continued with his examination of the prince. Stepping away from the column, Merlin walked over to where Arthur sat on the edge of his seat, looking like he was getting ready to bolt at the first available opportunity. Placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder and squeezing, Merlin felt the young man relax under his grasp. Gaius looked up at his apprentice.

"How is he, Gaius?" Merlin asked, and the old physician looked down at the crown prince and then back up at Merlin.

"He's doing extremely well," Gaius answered and straightened his back, a low moan of pain escaping paper thin lips. "Much better than I, in fact. From what I had been told, I was expecting a rather nasty chest injury, but all I can see is a faint red mark. It appears that you've improved in the art of healing, Merlin."

Merlin frowned. Gaius seemed to have a knowing look in his eyes, the same look that he got every time he suspected Merlin of using magic. But I didn't use magic, Merlin thought defensively. Smiling and saying his thanks to Gaius, Arthur stood up and walked towards Sir Galahad and Uther, still favouring his right leg.

Merlin stepped in closer to Gaius and whispered in a hushed tone. "I didn't use magic to heal Arthur, Gaius." Gaius looked from Arthur to Merlin, Merlin to Arthur. "I swear, I didn't. I made up the poultice like you've told me to do thousands of times and then I applied it to the wound. It was a real gash, Gaius, deep in some places and shallow in others. There's no way I would have muddled up a wound and just a red mark."

"I know, Merlin, but what other possible explanation is there?" Gaius asked and pointed to Arthur. "He looks extremely well rested, as though he hadn't been involved in the commotion earlier. Come to my chambers later, and we'll talk more then. I'm going to go brew up some herbal tea and eat something before you need to be tending to me."

Smiling gently at Merlin, Gaius turned and walked out of the great hall. Merlin went to the head of the table, where Uther was now listening to Arthur intently. As he stopped beside Sir Galahad, Merlin caught the rest of the conversation.

"...which is why magic had to have been used," Arthur finished, and Merlin's eyes flicked over to gauge Uther's reaction. The king's face remained completely blank, keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself for the time being. Arthur turned towards Merlin and gestured. "Merlin seems to believe that it is the work of black magic, father, and that only strong practitioners would be able to control those demons that attacked our city."

Thanks for that, Arthur, Merlin mentally griped, and it took all of his strength to stop from shrinking beneath Uther's gaze, which now took on a look that he only ever used for judging people. Swallowing quickly, Merlin spoke.

"I know you believe all magic is bad, sire, but what happened today... it could only have been done by someone strongly linked to the black arts, which I've heard is the truly evil form of magic," Merlin clarified, and Uther tilted his head to the side, weighing Merlin's words.

"You believe that magic can be good, Merlin?" Uther asked, and the eyes of Arthur and Sir Galahad turned and focused on him. Merlin forced down a feeling of panic.

"I believe... I believe that if magic was used by someone with a good heart, then the magic itself would be good," Merlin answered carefully. "Just like if a vile person with only hatred and anger used magic, then the magic itself would be evil."

Merlin watched as Uther pressed his fingertips together and rested them under his chin in a contemplative way. Arthur continued to look at Merlin as Sir Galahad returned his attention to the drawings. Merlin gave his lover a small smile.

Uther was about to speak when the great hall doors opened. Everyone turned, and Merlin's blood ran cold as Owen walked in, flanked by two guards. Arthur limped around to stand by Merlin's side, back straight, full weight on his sprained ankle. With the scraping sound of a wooden chair on the stone floor, Uther stood up, walked around to the approaching party and stood with his back straight. Like father like son, Merlin thought. Sir Galahad stood beside his king, hand placed gently on the hilt of his sword.

"What is the meaning of this?" Uther asked as Owen stopped a few feet from them, the guards' faces blank and expressionless. The guard to the right of Owen answered.

"Owen claims that he has important information that you should hear, sire."

Merlin watched as Uther took a step towards Owen, the flame-haired giant wearing a mask of assurance and apprehension, all mixed together. Something's wrong, Merlin thought as his body went icy cold, almost as though it was filling up with foreboding.

"Sir Galahad had informed me that you will be leaving Camelot. I pray that what you have to tell me is truly important, else I will personally make sure you leave Camelot within the hour," Uther said grimly.

Owen turned and raised a hand, extended a finger and pointed it at Merlin as he smiled smugly.

"I am here to inform you, great King of Camelot, that your son is not only sharing his bed with a whore, but a powerful warlock as well."

Before Arthur knew what he was doing, he was around the table and laying into Owen. Distantly, Arthur felt the pain of his sprained ankle, but then he got Owen in a headlock and started punching. Arthur felt arms wrap around his waist, thicker than Merlin's slender arms, and they began to tug him away from Owen. Not wanting to let go of the man who had called his partner a whore, Arthur slammed his fist once more into Owen's face, feeling a rush of vindictive pleasure at the sound of bone cracking. With an almighty tug, Arthur was yanked from Owen. Blood poured from the large man's nose as the two guards grabbed hold of Owen's arms. Owen was holding his nose and trying to move forward towards Arthur, eyes ablaze with rage and anger as the two guards struggled to restrain him. Then Owen went very still as the cool blade of Uther's sword rested across his neck. Arthur chuckled, which earned him a heated look from the king.

"I suggest you do not test my patience, Arthur. Your behaviour was unacceptable," Uther ground out and turned his head to look at Owen. Arthur felt a slender finger jab him hard in the arm and when he turned to see Merlin, Arthur had the decency to look sheepish. Uther continued, "You make grave accusations, Owen. What proof do you have?"

"With regards to Merlin being a whore that stains your son's honour," Owen began, and Arthur stepped forward instantly, only to feel a slender hand yank him back. "You will need to take my word for it, sire. I have had the misfortune of sampling the delights that Merlin has unashamedly offered. I know only too well how sweet words falling from those lips entice even the most honourable of men into bed with him."

Every fibre of Arthur's being wanted to be left alone in a room with Owen, just so that Owen could learn a few lessons about how to be a man of honour. How dare he speak of Merlin in this way! I swear I'll kill him if I get my hands on him again. Arthur watched Uther look from Owen to Merlin and then back again, sword still steady against Owen's neck.

"I do believe you're lying to me," Uther spoke quietly and smiled — a smile that was reserved for people who had crossed him. "For your lies, I will see to it that you receive one-hundred lashes."

"I am not lying!" Owen cried out, and the blade of Uther's sword nicked him, causing a rivulet of blood to leak down his neck. He glared at Arthur and Arthur glared right back. "Merlin is a warlock! I saw him use magic with my own eyes, I swear it!"

"More lies," Arthur spat out, and he could feel Merlin's slender hand trembling in his. Arthur squeezed back and looked at Uther. "What proof could he have, father, when Merlin has not left my side?"

Uther lowered his sword slowly from Owen's neck and placed it back into its scabbard.

"Speak quickly of what you saw."

Merlin's blood ran cold as he heard the words fall from Uther's lips. He felt his whole body trembling and when Arthur looked at him, Merlin tried to muster a confident smile. Owen now had centre stage and if he gave a convincing argument, Merlin knew it could spell the end of his life.

"This afternoon, when Merlin threw the spear that saved the prince's life... it glowed with a blue light, hovered in the air and then shot forward to kill the demon," Owen answered, and Uther looked over at Merlin. Merlin could hear his heart pounding loudly in his ears. Arthur snorted and Sir Galahad moved to step forward as Owen added, "That was what Sir Galahad saw too."

"Is this true, Galahad?" Uther's tone of voice gave Merlin the shivers, and he looked at Sir Galahad, the truest and most honest of knights. Sir Galahad didn't look at Merlin as he answered his king.

"No, sire. It's not true," Sir Galahad said firmly.

"Liar!" Owen immediately exclaimed. "You lie to protect the man that everyone knows you wish was in your bed!"

Sir Galahad wants me in his bed? Merlin could see the colour flush the knight's cheeks and knew it was true. So he protects me out of love?

"I do not lie," Sir Galahad countered and knelt down in front of Uther, took the king's hand and kissed the rings on the old fingers. "My king, I have served you well over the years, and I will continue to do so. I have never lied to you, only reporting to you what I know to be the truth. Merlin is no warlock, sire. I swear it."

Uther listened quietly, and Merlin prayed to every deity that he knew of that this would be enough to quell the accusations. They're not accusations, though, Merlin admitted to himself. More like truthful statements that could kill me.

"If it wasn't magic, oh noble knight, then how do you explain Merlin throwing the spear?" Owen demanded. "He is at least half the weight of the prince, and the spears that Camelot makes are heavy. The prince himself can throw the spear a modest twenty feet, so how do you expect someone like Merlin to throw the same spear more than thirty feet?"

Merlin's blood ran colder still at the statement, because what Owen had said was logical and extremely plausible. Uther turned to study him, Sir Galahad rose from the floor, and Arthur looked at him, eyes full of questions.

"I am no warlock, sire. You must believe me," Merlin pleaded and looked deeply into Arthur's eyes before looking back at the others. "Arthur has made it his personal mission to make sure that I can handle the weapons that Camelot makes, so that if anything was to happen that could threaten his life, I would be able to handle myself. He's told me that even an idiot needs to know how to throw the spear and how to use the sword."

"It's true, father," Arthur agreed and looked at Uther. "Ask any of the remaining knights, and they will tell you that for some time I've been giving Merlin lessons in fighting. You have said that I need to be well protected, and well, Merlin can only be used as a human shield for so long."

"But how many times has Merlin saved your son's life, sire, by miraculously being in the right place at the right time?" Everyone's attention returned to Owen, who was now trying everything to get Uther to believe him. "Once is a miracle, twice is questionable, but all of the other times? Surely you can see that this is cause for concern."

Arthur turned to look at Merlin, and Merlin could see and feel Arthur unknowingly probing his sub-conscious, trying to ferret out the truth. Merlin wished that he could tell Arthur everything so that there were no more secrets between them. Merlin wished that they were living in Ealdor with his mother, William and Galwaine, all happy with the simple way of life. Most of all, Merlin wished that he had never gotten involved with Owen, because now things were unravelling too quickly.

"Arthur, I love you," Merlin whispered and tears threatened to spill down his cheeks. Merlin prayed that Arthur mistook this for something other than fear at almost being discovered.

"Look into my eyes, Merlin, and promise me that Owen is lying. That nothing he's accusing you of is true," Arthur spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear, yet gently enough to cause Merlin's heart to drop at what he knew he needed to do. Uther moved over to watch the exchange.

"I swear, Arthur. Everything that Owen's accused me of is nothing but lies," Merlin answered, voice and eyes unwavering as he felt his heart break at having to lie to his lover.

Uther turned around slowly and looked at Owen, who suddenly began to look very pale and unnerved. Merlin took in a deep breath as he watched the king backhand Owen across the face.

"I want him taken out of Camelot and disposed of," Uther stated and glanced at Sir Galahad, who nodded in understanding. As the guards and Sir Galahad pushed Owen towards the doors, Merlin suddenly spoke up.

"Sire. You said that you would grant me one request for anything that I want," Merlin began and looked at Owen who turned around. I might have lied to keep myself alive, but I won't let him die for speaking the truth. "I ask that instead of disposing of Owen, you have him sent to a kingdom in the north. There's been too much blood spilt today, and it doesn't need to be added to."

Merlin waited as Uther appeared to carefully consider his request, Arthur by his side leaning on his right leg. He's damaged that left ankle more, Merlin mentally grouched and wished Arthur hadn't leapt to fight Owen. Even if his heart was in the right place. Refocusing himself, Merlin let out a small sigh of relief as Uther nodded and Sir Galahad resumed pushing Owen out from the great hall. Uther announced that he was going to retire for the night, yet there was a change in the way he looked at Merlin. He suspects, Merlin realised with cold dread as the king left the hall. Owen's planted the seeds of doubt and now Uther suspects.

The doors had barely closed behind Uther when they were pushed open again, and Morgana rushed in.

"Morgana? What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be resting," Arthur said as he slumped down into one of the chairs at the table, finally giving in to the pain of his sprained ankle. Merlin sat down in a chair beside him and Arthur gave him a gentle smile, hand reaching over to take a slender one.

"I was, until I had another dream," Morgana answered and the two men at up straighter in their chairs. Morgana stood in front of them, pacing up and down, only stopping when Arthur noticed that her right hand was bandaged up. "It's nothing, Arthur. Just a snake bite."

"Snake bite?" Arthur asked, concern lacing his voice as he looked at Merlin, who looked equally concerned. "How did you get a snake bite?"

"Elizabeth left a snake in my room in the dream and then when I woke up, the same snake was there and lunged at me," Morgana explained, and Merlin leaned forward in interest, while Arthur looked confused. "I think she was the one who released the snakes that attacked us today. She's evil, Arthur, like nothing I've ever known. She said that I had to deliver a message to Merlin..."

At the mention of this woman apparently knowing Merlin, Arthur looked at his lover sharply, eyebrows knitted in deep concern. Merlin squeezed his hand, and Morgana waited for a moment before continuing.

"She said that I was to tell Merlin that times are changing and that not even what gifts she seems to think Merlin has will stop it. She... she said that no matter how much Merlin will fight to protect King Arthur, you will fall and so will Camelot."

"She must have meant prince," Arthur instantly corrected, and Morgana nodded her agreement. When Arthur turned to look at Merlin, he saw that the raven haired man looked more than just concerned. He looks afraid, Arthur noted as Merlin stood up. "Where are you going?"

"I told Gaius that I would check on him," Merlin answered and quickly walked towards the door before turning back. "He's looked after everyone else today, I need to make sure he's all right."

With that, Arthur watched Merlin all but run from the hall, leaving him and Morgana alone.

Please read, review and predict what's going to happen!

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