AN: Here we go another chapter down. Still going strong and hope you enjoy.

-oo-

Chapter 11

His eyes slowly adjusted to the light, warm and welcoming. Candle light.

He tried to get upright but all he managed was a groan and his back being placed firmly into the soft bed. Now, he noticed he was in a chamber. He glanced at the figure whose hand was firmly placed to keep him lying. He met the gaze of a rather tired looking Morgana.

"What happened?"

"Well, after your ridiculous stunt on the bridge, which saved our hides, we managed to ride into the small village."

He shifted his weight and felt the sore muscles protest with his every movement.

"Ah, then it is you that managed to patch me up. I was a bit hazy on the details after we saw the huts in the distance."

She placed her hand in his and traced his fingertips.

"We were lucky Merlin."

He could only nod in return. He realized that this was a rather large predicament for them and in the small time they've spent on the run nothing good come of it. Still if they wanted to turn things in their favor they would need to change some things.

"I know, but what can we do Morgana? Arthur and I are running out of ideas and since finding you was our goal we didn't concentrate on the grand scheme of things."

She stared at the small candle, that calmly wrapped its flames around the small room. It created this false sense of security. One they should not fall victim to.

"It looks like my sister will not rest until all of us are under her boot or meet a scorching death."

That, he already knew. Somehow things have gotten progressively worse and now he just didn't know how to stop it. Maybe this was the first step.

"Maybe it is time for you to tell me why she seemed so interested in Arthur and mines death. How she wanted us to be permanently out of her way. Me, sure it makes some sense being a sorcerer, but Arthur is a mediocre hunter on his best day so why did she come after him?"

Morgana paused her ministrations before trying to answer as nonchalantly as possible. More lies to feed poor ignorant Merlin.

"I do not know what you are talking about Merlin."

"Sure you do. I've had enough of vague conversations and omitting lies that mostly just leave me out of the loop while you and Arthur are trying to hide something that I needed to be aware of long time ago."

She saw how pale she got and if he was in better condition he might have pressed for more of an honest answer but before he could they were interrupted by a knock and a voice.

"Is he awake Morgana?"

They heard Arthur asking and Morgana clearly happy to change the subject quickly answered.

"Yes, get in here."

He almost suppressed a groan of frustration that once more he had to tap in darkness while they share their secrets. Arthur came in, looking as tired as he felt. He nodded at Morgana.

"You should rest Morgana. You watched over Merlin long enough."

She only nodded in return, a loaded pause between them before she turn towards Merlin and pressing her lips to his into a firm kiss. She let go of him all the while running an affectionate hand through his hair.

"You get some rest Merlin."

He could only watch her retreat. Arthur scratched the back of his head as she closed the door behind her.

"I really didn't need to see that."

"Yes well, you're a grown boy. Deal with it."

He stood before him and looked as if he was struggling with something.

"What's on your mind Arthur?"

He snapped back into focus before turning to sit on the nearby chair. He looked haggard to say the least. A world on his shoulders type of thing that Merlin never seemed to understand. He was more deal with it kind of sorcerer.

"Arthur?"

A moment of silence passed before he spoke.

"I am Uther's son."

They said be careful what you wish for and now Merlin finally understood the meaning of it all, as he was left speechless. Arthur still refused to look at him, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Merlin had to wonder was he even aware what he said to him.

"I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. I know you Merlin and I know what Uther did to you."

Like he could ever forget. Every time he closed his eyes he saw his mother's face. The despair and smoke still fill his chest every moment he chooses to remember. It was all Uther's fault; he used to say and seethed in rage as he plotted to take his revenge. That was until he heard of his death and that rage didn't have anywhere else to go but inwards.

He started to hate himself, his choices, even magic. He felt like he was wronged somehow to be cursed to walk this earth with no retribution.

Now his son stood before him, not Arthur. The said man looked towards him and he could see the complete lack of emotion. He wanted this to be Merlin's choice of that he was sure of.

"What do you say to the son of your mother's killer Merlin?"

He could not hear anything because his ears only heard the rapid beat of his heart. He could not see anything else but his own mother's terrified face as she branded him a monster and met her end. He couldn't see anything but Morgana and Arthur as two young children lost and in search for a safe place, for a family. One he was denied at very young age. The one he found with them.

"Why are you telling me this Arthur?" he asked unknowingly taking a step back from Arthur, who's kept quiet for so long, fooling himself that he has ran away far enough from a vicious parent or a war torn village like he has but you couldn't outran this. Never this.

"Because I have terrible news Merlin."

What could be worse than this? There cannot be anything worse.

"I found out by accident. Usually I would go to taverns and inn's for some local information, but today in one I stumbled upon an older parchment and on it, it read..."

He swallowed harshly as he tried to control himself.

"… the hanging of one Lancelot du Lac."

Welcome to the group Merlin. I am Lancelot.

I am going to be a knight one day.

Find myself a decent woman, no offense Morgana, and settle down.

Keep the light in this dark world Merlin. Be the great sorcerer I know you will become.

Do not be afraid to dream big, for a village boy will become a knight one day.

From now on I serve you Arthur. I don't need a title nor a leader to know a man destined for greatness, do I Merlin?

The anger will always be with you, I know. Make it your friend not your enemy.

Don't be afraid to die for what you believe in.

I never had a place and Arthur gave me that, but you, Merlin were the friend I needed.

Farewell for now Merlin. Let us meet again when we've become great men.

You will be proud of me, as I am to have known you.

Sir Lancelot, has a ring to it. I will slay my foes and bring freedom to those who long for it most.

Merlin, as a great sorcerer you will surely help me?

The simple numb feeling that traveled from his fingertips and constricted his chest holding his hand in a cold vice grip was like a tidal wave crashing over Merlin. He tried to breathe deeply but all he managed was to pound into an invisible weight that seemed to just push him down. Like in a trance he asked, "Was it confirmed? Is it really him?"

Arthur looked as miserable as he sounded but the hardness in his eyes refused to leave, like a great king delivering punishing news upon his folk he needed to see this through.

"I...yes. It appears that a good friend of ours has witnessed the tragic event."

It felt like the walls were coming in on them.

"Who?"

Arthur got up and finally moved to stand before him.

"Nimueh. The high priestess."

Ah the not really their friend Nimueh, more of a common goal kind of companion at one time. She who searched for the ultimate power, the dark knowledge of magic. Not something he ever felt comfortable with.

"And how convenient is it that our friend seemed to be there and just stand by and watch it happen."

Arthur nodded and it was like some life had returned in his eyes.

"It is the interesting part, but Merlin let's not stray from the conversation. I am the son of Uther Pendragon, you must realize what that means."

How could he not. He knew better than anyone what kind of a monster Uther was but also before anything else he knew people were not the images of their parents. He surely never was. Mother was kind, he recalled, a gentle soul willing to help anyone. Even those with foul past, as she believed in good in people, casting judgement aside.

Merlin, on the other hand, was thought differently by the world. No father in sight to teach him the code of honor because it appeared he had no honor himself. So he had let his life experience teach him the code. He had learned that most vile man are only that and rarely show penance if not for their own gain.

He had learned people would do anything for a coin and a little bit of royal praise. It didn't matter if it actually contradicted with their own code of conduct.

But he also met people who despite how dark they should've turned out were the exact opposite. Arthur, Morgana, Lancelot and Gwaine taught him that a hard life is a good life as long as it's honest. That you should never compromise what you believe in and that good could be found anywhere, otherwise what was the point in living.

"Arthur you, at the end of the day, are a clot pole."

Arthur snapped his gaze towards him and incredulous expression marring it.

"What?"

Merlin kept his gaze firm, trying to convey how serious he was about this.

"You heard me. To think you can come in here and say something like that and think that I, of all people, would suddenly become this other person. Someone that could hate you."

He looked towards his hands, felt the blood that had stained them time and time again.

"I never chose to be this monster Arthur, I was born into it, and after mulling things over for far too long came to the realization that being special was a gift. That I should hone this curse as you would sharpen your sword until it became something that could defend my own beliefs."

Arthur only listened, not willing to interrupt him.

"I know that underneath it all you feel that for whatever reason you have failed Uther. As much as he was a cruel person, Camelot is you birthright. The sole responsibility. You may have not agreed with him or his way of ruling but you are a king's son and seeing Camelot in someone else's hands stings, I know."

"But Merlin, how can you see past that I was a prince of the same royal court that banished people who possessed magic, and that decided that your village was to be trampled under the boots of battle."

Merlin only had one thing to say to that.

"Were you the one who made such decision? Were you the one holding the torches and blades that cut down the small folk? Were you Arthur?"

Arthur sagged back into the small chair with a resigned shake of his head. He understood that Arthur couldn't grasp why he couldn't hate him, but here he saw a bigger picture. A leader of their small group willing to bow and ask forgiveness for something not him but his father did. It said a lot of the man before him.

"You see Arthur you have walked for the better part of your life among us. You know what people want and fear. How the magic can be controlled for good and evil, nothing more than a tool, otherwise I would've met the sharp end of your sword a long time ago."

Arthur only looked at the celling and listened, a tired frown on his face and a hand over his forehead. They needed to end this, there was no time for emotional turmoil. They were friends first and foremost. The history they shared was a testament to that. And that was what mattered most.

"After everything we went through together, after you chose to abandon Camelot, your home when you found out that Morgana had magic as you knew what Uther would've done, do you really even have to ask-"

A surprise on his face. Really, as if Merlin didn't guess the reason they went away.

"Really, think me that oblivious Arthur? I know you are a good man and but even bigger clot pole for doubting that even for a moment."

Arthur raised his head and smiled at him.

"It appears I have misjudged you Merlin."

Merlin nodded feeling the exhaustion sinking in now that his head was clear.

"Indeed you have."

Arthur rose to his feet and came towards the bed and extended his hand for the hand shake.

"Merlin you are something different I have to say. I'm glad to call you my friend."

Merlin extended his hand and firmly grasped his offered arm.

"I will help you take Camelot back Arthur."

"What? No, there is no need for that."

Merlin only laughed as he saw how uncomfortable Arthur was when there was a need to ask for help of any kind.

"This is getting rather uncomfortable Merlin."

Merlin only grinned as Arthur awkwardly retreated towards the exit.

"I am going to make you king Arthur."

Arthur only nodded and Merlin turned serious as he remembered Lancelot's fate.

"First I need you to tell me where we can find Nimueh, if not then find me someone who can."

Arthur nodded in agreement just as Morgana walked inside.

"See I told you Arthur, there is nothing to forgive."

"Were you eavesdropping the entire time?"

"Naturally."

"Morgana!"

"What? Like I wouldn't find out. Now, let's find us a high priestess."