Chapter 10: The Whole Truth

He was in a lethargic state. Merlin went in and out of sleep for the rest of their way home. Not sleep, not really. It was as if his eyes were closed but still recognized his surroundings. He barely knew what was happening what people around him did to him, for him. He could feel Arthur's worried presence the whole time, as he carried him and shifted him around. He couldn't move any part of his body, his feet were sore, his legs were weak, his back was still in pain and he could still feel the wounds leaking blood. He was unable to control his body over this unimaginable force that had him in such a state.

The first time he woke up and cracked his eyes open he could see the blurry image of golden hair. His cheek was on Arthur's shoulder, where he struggled hard against his throat to breathe. They were on a horse, riding fast, trying to catch the few minutes before dawn. He fell in darkness again and never saw that there was just a brief second that Arthur's skin started to turn red and then a layer of smoke started to cover him. They were in the grounds of the coven and he tried to hide under the shade of the tall trees for as long as he could till he finally reached the stables. He dismounted the horse and took Merlin in his arms quickly.

The next time Merlin's eyes cracked open he saw curious eyes preying over him as Arthur tried to reach their chamber. Merlin got surprised by the many piercing gazes that fell upon him and his horrible state. He flinched a bit and winced and Arthur held him closer. His head was pressed on the vampire's shoulder and he calmed. He heard as Arthur told them to make way or something.

He knew where he was the next time he opened his eyes, in Arthur's room and in his bed. There were people around him, too many people in fact. He was flat on his stomach and someone was touching his back. What are they doing to me? He was scared, frightened. He gasped and tried to get away. A hand grabbed his wrist pinning him down and his magic retaliated. His eyes were filled with gold ready to attack. Arthur's soothing voice calmed him, "Merlin, you are save." He heard him say and stopped squirming. Then, "Will you give him some air please? He needs rest."

He didn't hear the footsteps that walked outside or the door closing behind them. Nor did he hear when his sister said "Don't give him vampire blood." Leon led her outside and the door closed behind them again.

Merlin forehead was sweaty. His fever reigned over him, his body, his mind, and his dreams. He had nightmares of Jarl's filthy smile, his breath stinking and Morgause's silver dagger over his sister heart piercing her flesh. Arthur was silver bound and almost dead. "No!" he tried to mutter. A cool cloth touched his forehead, granting him peace.

He was in sleep for some time now without any fidgeting or nightmares or any other kind of disturbances. That was until he felt something around his wrist. Something was binding him tight, wrapping itself around his wrists like a vine. It was strange, it was like shackles. NO! No more shackles! His eyes flung open and he looked down to where his wrists were. Big hands were grasping one and wrapping something around it. He tried to focus his eyes but they couldn't. His eyesight was fuzzy and still very blurry. He couldn't see anything but colours. He panicked. He wanted to know what was happening, who was holding him. He used all strength he had in his muscles and brought his hands to the chest. He felt the soft texture of a gauze wrapped carefully around it. The hand tried to reclaim his wrist, he wanted to retort, put up a fight, but, "Don't worry, no-one else is here." A hand removed his fringe that was glued against his forehead. "Just us." So he let go.

He wanted to be safe, to know that he wouldn't hurt again, or worry for his life. Well, his and Arthur's both. He had to think about that too. No more reckless Merlin, no more bravely stupid retorts. Yeah right… He would laugh if he was awake.

A nightmare plagued his sleep once more but it was an old dream, an old memory. His village was on fire, children lost their parents, they were crying. Werewolves were feasting on people's flesh. Their home was destroyed. Merlin looked to his right, to his left and searched around him for his sister. Then he saw the ten year old raven-head running towards him. Ashes coloured her skin.

"Merlin!" She screamed at her older brother. "Mother… she is dead…"

Merlin wanted to cry but he wouldn't. His seventeen year old self was considered far too old then to cry, or so he told himself. His sister started crying and he lifted her up in his arms, holding her close to him. He looked around trying to find a safe path of escape.

Then he remembered. There was a group of vampire soldiers entering the fire glazed village, slicing the wolves with their swords. For a fast moment, just before he was about to run. He looked at the vampire group behind him and saw a graceful blonde vampire. He was strong and swift and so very powerful. How could anyone ever forget such bravery? Apparently he did, for that was Arthur. His face clearly lit by the embers around him.

With Morgana in his arms he run for his life and a life with no home had begun. The dream forgotten.

His eyes opened to find himself in the room he acquired good memories after such a long time. His vision became focused. His head was half-buried in the pillow. He had been sleeping on his side. He sat up, putting his feet on the rough carpet underneath him. The movement was to quick and he felt lightheaded. He grunted and put a hand over his eyes.

"You are awake then?" Arthur must have heard him from the other room. "How are you feeling?" he asked in a low voice while taking a seat next to him.

"I'm…" his voice went hoarse and he swallowed once. "I'm alright… I think." He looked at him, at his face, his hair, his lips. He couldn't help it. He didn't know what came over him. He just wanted to do it, so he did. He carefully wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck, breathing in his scent. "It's going to take some time…"

"As long as you need." He told him wrapping his hand carefully around him so as not to press on his bandaged back.

Then Merlin kissed him. It was a feathery kiss, so very soft and light.

"Ask me anything!" Merlin told him. "Anything at all! I'll answer everything now."

Arthur smiled at him, his teeth showing. "Are you hungry?"

He brought his eyebrows together. "What?"

"You said anything!"

"Well I didn't mean that!" Arthur just eyed at him expectantly. He rolled his eyes. "I'm starving actually. And thirsty." He told him.

"I had food brought here. It just arrived." He grabbed a shirt and wore it over Merlin. "You'll be glad to know that your sister is fully healed, fully fed and apparently Leon's long lost love."

Merlin slipped his arms in the shirt. "Oh!" he said. "Leon is THE Leon!" he said surprised.

Arthur tilted his head in acknowledgment. He extended his hand. "Can you walk?"

He took his hand and stood up steadying his feet on the ground, still feeling a bit lightheaded. "I might need some help." He said honestly.

He helped him out of the room and across the study and they sat on Merlin's favourite couch. He dug in the food and Arthur looked at him amused. He forgot long ago what it was like to be hungry, well... hungry for food. He forgot how it was to have his stomach grumbling with hunger. It was long replaced with the burning feeling behind his throat and the crazy libido that overtook him. When he felt full enough and he clenched his thirst away, he fell back on the couch.

He turned his head to look at Arthur with a strange expression.

"What?" Arthur asked.

"You continue breaking the rules!"

He rolled his eyes. "Which rule did I break now?"

"You are not asking any questions, therefore I can't reply to any! Rule number four!"

"Alright..." he accepted the challenge and started thinking. He came closer to him they were shoulder to shoulder. "There isn't anyone else after you, is there? I mean, no-one is going to come and take you away again right? Not that I would let them that is..."

"Well I do have some enemies... Not enemies really, just people that I met with a wrong start... But I doubt they know where I am."

"How a young man your age has enemies, is beyond me!" Arthur exclaimed.

"I'm not that young..." he said matter-of-factly.

Arthur had guessed by now that Merlin was drinking Morgana's blood to detain his life. "How old are you then?"

His face changed as he started thinking. "I must be around..." he paused. "Nine hundred and thirty..." he considered a bit further. "...six? Yes, I think so. Nine hundred and thirty six."

Arthur's jaw dropped. "That's impossible! Vampire blood cannot prolong life this much!"

"Vampire blood? What blood?" Merlin asked curious.

"Morgana's I suppose..."

"Oh no, no, no! Vampire blood is forbidden for me! Don't ever think to give me your blood!"

"Why?"

"My magic goes wild! Literally! I have no power over it! The first and last time I drunk Morgana's blood I demolished a whole city down. Not a nice memory."

"Alright, noted. How can you be that old then and be human?"

"Well, I'm not exactly human..." Arthur looked at him warily. "I am magic. I'm immortal."

"Like a god you mean?" he asked him surprised and with awe.

"No." He sighed, finding it very hard to explain. "Magic is my essence, I will disappear when magic does and for magic to disappear, completely, the world must too. Magic is what keeps me alive." Merlin told him.

"So are all people like you then?"

"No, just me." Arthur smiled at him, still not quite sure if he should believe. "Morgana was a witch as well but I don't think she was immortal. She was turned before we got to know. Consider yourself lucky that your Half is immortal and human. That way you can still feed from me."

"You do know that years here are authority." He reminded. "You just got promoted. Your sister as well."

"But I'm no vampire."

"You are not human either!"

"I am!" he said back and Arthur looked at him. "Kind of..."

"You are almost as old as me. Old enough to be an elder."

"I still don't understand why you are so surprised!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Anything else I should know about your mysterious life?" he teased.

"Hmmm..." He considered the enquiry. "I am a dragonlord."

Now Arthur was sure Merlin was lying. "Merlin, dragons don't exist."

"They don't anymore. Aithusa, the last dragon died in the 10th century."

Arthur sighed. "Here I thought you were a reckless human coming into my Coven in terrible need of caring after and protection."

Merlin smiled and then he climbed on Arthur's lap, straddling him. His hands locked behind Arthur's spine. "But I do need protection and lots and lots of caring after." He whispered.

They kissed passionately. Arthur's fingers were lost in Merlin's hair. The warlock's lips were rough against his pillowy ones, dry from the thirst of the past few days. So Arthur dragged his tongue over his lower lip and the he nudged his lips open. Merlin granted him access to his own tongue. He moaned and Arthur 's fangs extracted, going hot from Merlin's sound. He pulled back, trying to get a hold of himself. Their foreheads were still touching and their lips were only an inch away.

"Sorry..." Arthur said squeezing his eyes shut.

"Do you need blood?" Merlin asked him, his eyes open and looking at him with concern.

"Yes, your blood has been everywhere on me and that isn't helping much but I can't drink from you yet."

"Can't you drink from donated blood?"

"I did but it didn't help much." He held him closer sniffing his neck. "Only yours..."

"I heal fast. You can drink in two days." He reassured him placing his chin on his shoulder. They stayed there for a while.

"Where is everyone?" He asked lifting his head up.

"Morgana is being taken care of by Leon and Gwen. Lancelot has an injury, nothing too serious, he is resting. And your friend Gwaine has been flirting with every female he finds in his way."

"Gwaine is here?"

"Yes."

"You let a werewolf in your castle? Willingly?" he asked kind of amused.

"Gwen said I should be nice."

"And you obeyed like a good boy." He smiled.

Arthur tried to come with an excuse. "I value her opinion." He said determined and Merlin laughed.

The door was knocked and Merlin quickly dislodged himself from Arthur.

"Come in!" Arthur said loudly and retracted his fangs.

Morgana came in with a worried look on her face and then smiled as she saw Merlin awake and well.

"Merlin!" she exclaimed and Merlin stood up to approach her.

He hugged her tightly, his hand on her hair. Morgana planted her head in Merlin's chest and fisted his shirt in her palms. He leaned down to give her a kiss on the crown of her head. He pushed her slowly away to take a look at her.

"Are you alright? Have you healed yet?" he said while lifting the sleeves of her dress to examine her wrists. The skin was smooth and white again.

"I'm fine. Physically I am." She gave him a sad smile.

He put a hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry. It's over now."

"It wasn't your fault!" She said in his defence and he smiled. "When you left I thought you were safe and I was so glad but then when I saw you came back I was so, so mad at you! You should have let me there! You almost got yourself killed! What were you thinking letting her put those shackles on you again? And the way you challenged and talked to her! When are you going to stop being so reckless and stubborn!?" She scolded him like a proper sister.

"If I left you there what kind of a big brother would I be? Everyone seemed to think that I would just leave you in that place!"

"Maybe because they themselves wanted to escape." She explained.

"Look... Everything is fine now. I came back, everyone got out and I-"

"You almost died!" She argued.

"I thought you'd be used to it right now. We have been kidnapped, chained, lashed for centuries now." She couldn't argue that but what kind of a sister would she be if she didn't scold him? He looked at her in her eyes and said "I promise you that it won't happen again. I think that vampire covens are not as bad as we thought. Maybe we should stay here until this whole witch-hunt is over or more..." He suggested. "Would you like that?"

She smiled. "I would like that very much." Happiness was drawn on her face. Then she looked behind to see Arthur who had been completely ignored during their family fight. She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, prompting him to introduce her.

"Oh right! Arthur this is Morgana. Morgana, Arthur." He introduced.

Arthur, ever the gentleman, took her hand and kissed it. "My Lady." Morgana blushed. "I hope you were treated well."

"Yes, thank you. Gwen is like a sister and Leon is just wonderful." She said.

"Yes, I'm sure he is." Merlin said.

She punched his arm gently. "Don't be rude to him. I like him very much. He actually wants to ask your permission to see me."

"Oh just to see you then?"

"Merlin..." Arthur warned. "Leon is a very respectable man! Give him some credit!"

"Yes, yes he can have you." Morgana kissed him on the cheek.

"He will still want to ask you though." She told him. "Be nice when he does!"

"When am I ever rude?"

"I can think of a few times." Arthur said and that owned him a glare.

"I'm glad you are alright Merlin. I will leave you two to rest then and I will retire as well it's almost morning." If she was the little girl she was so long ago she would have skipped out of the room.

"How long was I asleep?" he asked Arthur.

"A day and a night."

"Have you slept at all?" He asked him.

"Someone had to keep an eye on you." He took his hand in his and dragged him over to the bed. Merlin fell dead on it, ready to fall asleep again. "Your bandages need changing." He told him, dragged him up and took his shirt off.

Merlin sat on the bed, his back to Arthur. He slowly started to peel the bandage off and dress the wounds anew after adding some ointment on them. He did the same for his wrists. Merlin could feel an almost naked Arthur at some point wrapping himself around him.

Arthur was happy, so very happy. He would never admit it though. But Merlin knew.

...

Arthur woke up to an empty bed. His hands searched around the bed before he finally decided to stand up. His hair beautifully dishevelled. He searched for Merlin in the other room and then he found him. He was sitting on the floor with a book in his lap, his face was serious as he turned the pages.

"This can't be good." He said.

Merlin lifted his head. "What can't be good?"

"You are looking into my books again." He told him, arms crossed. "I'm going to ask only once, is there a book in particular you want to read?" he teased.

"No." He said honestly and chuckled. "But while I was searching for that damn book for Morgause, I found many other books of magic."

"Really?" Arthur said with a frown.

"Yes, you have three here and more than a dozen in the library. How did you come by them?" he asked curiously.

Arthur took a sit on the floor, crossing his legs. "I like to collect books from every century or decade if possible, for my personal use. That way I can never forget a language or important events. There are some however I never got to learn the language so they just stayed here." He extended his hand prompting him to give the book. He studied it for a while in silence. "Yes, this is one of those books. I never met anyone that could read them, must be an old language."

"Not just old, ancient. The old religion was thousands of years old by the time I was born."

"Is that a language?"

"The old religion is the oldest and purest source of magic. It is a language but also magic itself. There are very few that can read it, it's a gift that chooses you. It takes years to learn it and even more time to be able to use it." Merlin explained.

"How long did it take you?" Arthur asked.

Merlin looked at him warily as if he was holding something back.

"What?" he asked concerned.

"The thing with me is I never had to learn it. I was born like this. I could do magic before I could walk. Morgana too, she started doing magic around her twenty years though. It isn't common even for us, many people told me."

"So there are, other people out you there?" Arthur asked bewildered.

"Not as many as there used to be and I recently killed one, a very talented and promising one."

"Mordred." Arthur remembered.

Merlin nodded. "He was my apprentice. I taught him everything he knew. He lived with me and my sister for a while but then he turned all evil. He tricked my sister, bound her with silver and gave her to Morgause for money." His voice was filled with sadness.

Arthur looked at him and felt he needed to change the subject. "So this book, what is it about?"

Merlin's face lit up. "Well, it's about magic, obviously, but this one is about healing magic. I never had a talent for it, so I guess I can start working on it now. This book..." he pointed at a second one. "...is basic magic, for beginners. I hardly need it but I think we should keep it in case any magically gifted comes in our way. And this last book..." he said pointing at the last one. "...I don't know who the hell wrote it. But there are a bunch of mistakes in there, so corrections are in order! I'll have a look at the rest downstairs later. I think I found some more about healing magic."

Arthur smiled. "I see you found things to occupy yourself with."

"It would seem so." He smiled back and took the book from Arthur's hand putting it aside.

"Are you staying then?"

"If you'll have me."

Arthur kissed him in reply. His hands bringing him closer. Merlin's fingers travelling under Arthur's shirt were desperate to touch some skin. The vampire grew hungry for more and pushed him rather harsh on the floor. He trailed hungry kisses down his throat.

"Shouldn't we ah... use the bed?" he said through pants and moans.

"Too far!" he growled.

He was undoing Merlin trousers, his trousers actually. His hands were fast and hooked at the edges of it ready to pull them down when the door knocked. Both of their eyes flung open and stayed completely still. They both panted rapidly as they tried to calm themselves.

"Damn!" Arthur exclaimed and quickly stood up.

Merlin quickly did his buttons again and gave a scratch on his hair straightening it. He did the same for Arthur whose hair was out of control. Meanwhile Arthur cursed under his breath for people that kept interrupting them.


A/N- There are going to be two more chapters at least, I'm not sure how many. Hope you liked Merlin's revelations!