The Prince rode back to camp flanked by Knights; to ensure he wasn't an easy target if anymore enemy were in the area. Once back within the safety of the camp Leon sat next to Merlin, and looked at his wound.

"You're lucky Sire, it is a superficial wound. But you must take more care. You are too important to Camelot to take such foolish risks. What made you ride out alone?" Leon looked at Merlin "You can trust me Sire; I am your knight and always will be."

"What do you know of Nimueh Leon? Tell me truthfully." Merlin looked at Leon, he had known the other knight all his life and trusted him above all others.

"What do you know Sire?" Leon countered.

"I need to know Leon. I need to know what you know, your side of it." Leon looked at his Prince. It was clear Merlin knew of Nimueh's role in his life, and wanted it confirmed.

"Sire it was years ago, your father acted wrongly, but so did the Priestess. The actions they both took have had long term consequences, for so many people. I realise you have been told the story and are unhappy." Leon finished dressing the Princes wound. "Don't let the past have an effect on your future."

"How could he? How could my father kill so many for something he asked for?" Merlin looked at Leon. "Does everyone know? Have you all kept this from me?"

"Sire it wasn't our story to tell. I know only because my father thought I ought to know, once I was close to you, he feared this day would come. I believe only a few in Camelot know the whole story." Leon felt sorry for the Prince, to find out your father was flawed in such a way must hurt.

"Does my sister know?" Merlin looked up at the Knight "Does she know she wasn't wanted by our father, that her birth was such a disappointment to him that he was willing to kill so many. To commit genocide."

"Sire I think it was more the death of his wife that caused the problem"

"But he wanted a son! Always a son, how would he have treated my mother had I been a girl?" Merlin was getting very upset.

As he got more distressed he could feel his magic under his skin. But he didn't care. What if they knew, he was just another magic user to be killed. Why should he live when so many had died? By his father's hand, the magic hater who's precious son was a warlock.

"No wonder she hates me!" Merlin put his head in his hands. "Leon, am I a monster?"

"Why should you think that Sire?" Leon was puzzled.

Arthur and Gwaine who could hear the conversation looked at each other. Arthur walked closer "Sire I feel you are getting upset and may be forgetting what a good man you are."

Leon looked at Arthur surprised "Were you eavesdropping on a private conversation, Knight?" He demanded

"Leon, don't please, he is trying to protect me. But you have a right to know my secret." Merlin said making a momentous discussion.

"Sire, take care!" Arthur said to the Prince "Is what you're doing wise."

"Don't question Me!" Merlin looked at Arthur "Leon is my most trusted Knight and friend. He has been at my side longer than you have."

"I'm sorry Sire." Arthur bowed.

"Make sure we are not overheard Arthur, Gwaine. I need to speak to Leon in privacy." Merlin ordered the knights.

"As you order Sire." Arthur looked at Gwaine, unhappy with what Merlin had decided and they walked over to the other knights.

Merlin looked at Leon "I understand if what I am going to tell you means I lose your allegiance, but I want you to know. You are a good man and a loyal one and whatever you decide I respect you for it."

"Sire please, you have no need to tell me anything. I will always be loyal to you." Leon reassured the prince "I have watched you grow up, you will be a good king when your time comes. You care for your people,that's all I need to know."

"No I want you to know it all, I'm fed up of hiding who I am." Merlin took a deep breath "Leon I was born with magic, my mother and grandfather have helped me hide it from my father. I always felt guilty, I knew my father would kill me if ever he found out, today I found out why, and I hate him. I thought I was a bad son to him. For a long time I have felt myself a monster, an abomination but…" Merlin stopped scared to look at the knight he had respected for so long. "All I ask is that you keep my mother and grandfather safe please keep their secret."

Leon put his hand on the young Prince's shoulder. "Sire I have known for years of your secret, it hasn't made me think less of you."

"You have! How?" Merlin looked at Leon in surprise.

"Sire I have been close to you for years, I saw the effect the burnings had on you. I knew your uncle years ago, and that he was a dragonlord. It seemed likely that you might have some talent. Then when I was sixteen I went on a patrol and was almost killed, the rest of my group all perished. The druids saved me with the cup of life. They told me then I would help guard Emrys, who would help bring peace to Albion. It didn't take much to find out about the prophesy, and then it was clear who you were." Leon smiled at Merlin "It was your secret, I knew you would tell me when you felt the time was right."

"Thank you Leon, it is a relief to tell you."

"Who else knows Sire?" Leon asked. He was concerned for his Prince.

"Arthur and Gwaine, I think the others from Essetir might know. Grandfather arranged for them to come to Camelot." The Prince gave a small grin. "Arthur is rather protective"

"I noticed Sire, they are good men." Leon grinned at Merlin.

"What do I do now? I need to defeat Nimueh, or she will bring even more death to Camelot. I could use magic but then everyone will know." Merlin asked Leon. "Our fight with her will surely involve magic."

"Then we must make sure only those that already know can see you Sire. Are you powerful enough?"

"I think so. Leon please I have asked you before please call me Merlin."

"Not know you're Crown Prince Sire, it wouldn't be right."

"The other's do when we are alone, please it would mean a lot to me." The Prince pleaded.

"When we're alone then…Merlin."

"Thank you Leon." Merlin felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He now felt he could face what the next few days would throw at him. After that he would decide what if anything to do about his father.