I thought I'd add one last part of the story. Right now what's going on is Arthur escaped from being held hostage (by Morgana and Morgause) and has run into Merlin who came to find him, after going through some struggles himself. They are away from Camelot. You may notice Merlin talking about a travelling necklace. The necklace can take a person to a pre-determined location instantly, and Merlin has possession of it with Arthurs knowledge. They used it once before but had no choice.
"We need to head out soon before your father wakes up. If he knew you were gone he'd freak!" Merlin said, looking around for a boat or ship. Merlin didn't want to suggest they use the necklace, a tool of magic to quickly get them back to Camelot, especially after Arthur suffered by magic users.
Arthur sighed and looked to the side.
"I don't know if I want to go back to Camelot, Merlin."
"… What do you mean?" Merlin chuckled unbelievingly. Merlin felt very tired and all he craved at this point was to bring Arthur home safe and crawl into his own bed and sleep for a week.
"I just don't want to go right now Merlin." Arthur said looking at the sea.
"Well… what do you want to do?" Merlin asked trying to contain his annoyance.
"I don't know Merlin." Arthur sighed.
"Look Arthur, I don't know about you, but I've had a long day." Merlin heart flickered when Arthur turned to him in shock. "Uh, I mean, uhhh heh heh! I mean it'd be a good for you to get some rest." Merlin grinned nervously.
Arthur shook his head and looked at Merlin in concern.
"You are looking scrawny Merlin..."
"Thanks?"Merlin said following Arthur going towards the shoreline. Arthur kept walking and found a quiet spot near the sea and sat down. Merlin sat down next to him, feeling the sand beneath him, absolutely bewildered. What were they supposed to do sitting in the sand past midnight? Why was Arthur so quiet? The cool breeze blasted on Merlin's face making him feel terribly sleepy. He looked at Arthur, moonlight shining on him, who was facing down in deep thought.
"Arthur, you are going to have to tell me what's bothering you. I know something is."
"You wouldn't understand Merlin." Arthur said still looking down.
"What wouldn't I understand?" Merlin scoffed.
"You have no idea what I just went through Merlin!" Arthur said raising his voice, facing Merlin. He shook his head in frustration and returned looking below. Merlin shocked by Arthur's outburst felt a bit irritated.
"You went through? What about me! What could you have possibly gone through that was so horrible? Did Morgana bore you with stories about her bad hair days?"
Arthur plucked a blade of grass growing through the sandy shore and threw it. Merlin was surprised Arthur didn't get angry, and was beginning to regret it.
"I learned about my father Merlin…"
Merlin shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Merlin…. Do you ever feel like your whole life, you've been lied to? That- that the only reason you were born… is to fulfill this… this destiny determine by someone who you've never even heard of?"
Merlin's heart beat hard when hearing every word coming from Arthur's mouth. Arthur went on.
"That- that the only reason, the sole reason for your life, is to, is to play this ONE role that is so big and so burdensome? And that so many people depend on you to play that role right? That – that SO MANY people are expecting so many great things from you?"
Merlin watched Arthur shaking his head as another breeze rustled his hair. His heart beat boldly against his chest, while his body trembled feeling almost numb with disbelief. For the first time, he realized Arthur's pain was something he could relate to. He knew exactly how Arthur felt for he too was expected to be this great wizard that had this great destiny, that the only reason he was alive was to fulfill this destiny he began to despise so much.
"Merlin, If I tell you something, you promise to me you will not judge me or tell anyone else." Arthur asked turning to Merlin.
Merlin looked at Arthur, heart pounding hard. He nodded. "I wouldn't tell anyone Arthur, you know that." He breathed in wonder.
Arthur looked back down.
"Merlin, I – I was born from magic. My father asked Nimueh to grant him a son, and... and she used magic to make it happen. All that Morgause had shown us the day we first met her was all true."
"Arthur, I don't see you any differently. None of that matters to me. You are still the same Arthur I know and appreciate." Merlin genuinely said reassuringly, looking into Arthurs eyes and nodding.
Arthur chuckled and shook his head.
"I was born from magic Merlin. I'm born from something my father has taught me is wrong. You don't think I'm – I'm vile?" he chuckled, plucking another blade of grass.
"I'd never think that. Magic doesn't mean a person is evil Arthur. It's how one uses it."
Arthur shook his head and threw the blade of grass.
Merlin gazed at the sea and watched the waves crashing in.
"Do you think you have magic?" Merlin asked solemnly, still staring at the waves.
"What? No... no I was just born from magic."
"What if you did?" Merlin said turning to Arthur seriously. Arthur looked at Merlin in deep thought.
"I don't." Arthur smiled.
"But what if you did..?" Merlin asked again.
"Merlin, if you think I'm lying to you-"
"What do you think about those with magic Arthur?" Merlin asked softly.
Arthur looked at Merlin for a while and looked down.
"My mother worked with the magical community of Bossiney. She wanted to live side by side with those with magic peacefully. Because of my father, the relationship went the other way…"
Merlin stared at Arthur, wanting to probe him more but held back.
"My father made a lot of mistakes Merlin. Sometimes I don't know whether I can forgive him, or care to see him again."
Merlin watched Arthur, trying to comprehend what Arthur was talking about.
"When I look at my father Merlin, I've realize one thing."
"What is it?"
"My father didn't have a friend, someone he could go to whenever he had a problem or dilemma." Arthur said looking at Merlin. "He had no one to tell him that what he was doing was wrong, or right; he had no one to confide to. Sometimes I wonder about myself. I wonder if... "Arthur looked away from Merlin. "I wonder if I didn't have... a friend… what would I really be like."
Merlin smiled.
"Did you just say that you are happy I'm your friend?"
Arthur cringed.
"Merlin?"
"Yes..?"
"Don't."
Merlin couldn't shake off his appreciation for Arthur. The two boys went through so much pain and torture these past few days. They were attacked at and suffered through horrible things. An now they were sitting in the sands under the cool dark night completely worn out. They not only shared the pain of what they went through the past few days, but shared the same burden of fulfilling this damned destiny. He so wished he could confide in Arthur that he knew exactly how he felt, but decided against it. Merlin stared at the sea realizing the sky was becoming slightly lighter. It was close to dawn, causing Merlin to shift to his side uncomfortably.
"Arthur, I know you want to stay here in Carmarthen, but, if your father knows you aren't in the kingdom-"
"You're right Merlin." Arthur said getting up to his feet. " I don't want my father reacting brashly. We should leave." Merlin got up too and looked to the sea.
"So… we should try to find out when the passengers ship comes so that we can get back to Camelot."
"What are you talking about..?" Arthur asked shaking his head a little.
"Well.. I mean the only other option is this necklace." Merlin innocently suggested, eyes open for Arthurs reaction
"We're going to use the necklace." Arthur said firmly, nodding his head, and walking to the side.
"But it has magic.." Merlin tested, watching Arthur.
"Yeah, a little magic here and there can't hurt. It will come useful whenever I want some lamb from the tavern here." Arthur said with a look in his eye.
Merlin smiled to himself in awe and took the necklace out. He somehow felt a little less worried about revealing his true self to Arthur. But he wanted to wait. Merlin grabbed Arthurs arm and held onto the necklace firmly.
"To Camelot."