Chapter 18:

Merlin's felt his face flush as heat consumed every inch of his body, suddenly everything was starting to feel heavy to him. He stood solid like rock, his heart that was once beating so rapidly had slowed to an almost stop. He held his breath as the room remained motionless, trying to comprehend the words that had just escaped the spirited man's mouth.

After a good split second, Arthur let out a short and breathy laugh. "Merlin, don't be ridiculous."

"Sire," Mithian called seriously, seeing how that response had affected Merlin. She knew it would take a lot of courage to come out with a secret that had been weighing on him since he was a child, and this great step shouldn't be met with a dismissing response.

"He is telling the truth, Arthur," Rodor confirmed causing Arthur's lighthearted reaction to cease. "he is the boy I am speaking of."

The King of Camelot's face dropped entirely, his features revealing one of surprise and almost denial. Surely he'd suspect something different about his servant, but he would never have thought this. After the recent revelation of him being a knight, his respect and admiration for his friend only grew as he learned that Merlin's always been the type to risk his life to save others. He'd already knew his servant to be courageous, but learning more of his past gave him a different perspective on his best friend.

This, however, was different. He didn't believe that he could find out anymore secrets from his best friend, but he was finding it so much harder to accept this. For years he'd been right by his side, and he was keeping such a huge secret.

Arthur let out a scoff in disbelief, his lips curled up as he let out a breathless laugh. "It can't be him," he shook his head. "he's Merlin. He's my manservant," he asserted. "he can't be," he muttered. "you can't be him. This Emrys everyone seems to know all about."

"Emrys is the name the Druids call me," Merlin said quietly. "but I am still just Merlin."

Arthur took a few long deep breaths as he put all of the pieces together like some sort of complicated puzzle. This revelation did make so much more sense. It explains why he's always disappearing and how he's always managed to survive even the most impossible of situations. How lucky Camelot always was, his funny feelings that always turn out to be right. It was as if this was the missing piece of information that explains everything Arthur's always wondered.

"But you're not just Merlin," he countered. "you're him too."

"He is apart of me, yes, but it's never changed who I am," Merlin maintained. "I use magic to protect you, and that's all I've ever used it for. To help others, protect them. I use my magic for good and only for good."

"And you all knew about this?" Arthur asked, looking around at the faces of the people who came from Nemeth. He even looked to Gaius, who bowed his head down knowing there weren't many words to say at the moment.

"Arthur-" Merlin tried to speak.

"Stop. I don't want to hear another word from you. Or anyone." Arthur rubbed his face as he thought of what to do. No one else in the room was capable of speaking their mind as they let the information about Merlin sink in. Most of the room was completely speechless. "This meeting is dismissed."

"Arthur-"

"We'll talk again tomorrow to figure out a strategy to get King Rodor back on his throne," he announced. "I just-" he inhaled sharply, looking to Merlin for a mere second before turning away sharply. "I need time to think. I can't even look at you right now." He walked out of the throne room, not giving a second glance towards Merlin or anyone else as he tried comprehend what exactly just happened. Gwen would follow him soon, but she remained rooted in her seat as she looked to where Merlin stood.

Everyone else in the room stayed planted in their spot, watching the King's abrupt exit. All their heads turned back to Merlin, who stood frozen in the center of the room. The only noise that could be heard was the door swinging closed upon Arthur's exit.

"I knew that sword looked familiar," Gwen thought out loud, breaking the silence. Merlin looked to his oldest friend from Camelot. "it really was you when you said you saved my father."

Elyan looked to his sister curiously, then to Merlin. He had been listening to all of arguments for the good in magic and believing in them, but he didn't really have much of an opinion given he hasn't had many experiences with magic. "You saved our father?"

"Many years ago," Gwen answered. "our dad fell ill from a seemingly incurable disease, but Merlin saved him. When I was accused of being a witch, he admitted to Uther that he was the one who used magic," she smiled at Merlin. "Arthur didn't believe him, but he risked his life to save me and my father. Can't imagine how many other times he's saved our lives."

Merlin looked down. "It was my fault you were being sentenced to death," he said somberly. "I wasn't going to let you take the fall for something I did."

"All you did was save a man's life," she reminded. "that is not a crime." She stood up and took a few steps to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know it doesn't make up for all that you have done, Merlin, but thank you. You'll always be that same Merlin to me," she comforted and Merlin offered a half smile. "I'll go talk to Arthur."

"It's been a long night," Rodor pronounced after the Queen made her exit, seeing all the stunned faces still in the room. "perhaps we should all get some rest and finish discussing this tomorrow."

"What of our men?" William asked, remaking his presence known.

"Tell Morgana I'll face her," Merlin declared. "I'm not hiding anymore."

"No, Merlin, you can't," Mithian objected with a cry. "she's obviously luring you into a trap."

"She's right," Percival spoke up, though he admired his courage he also feared for his safety. "who knows what she has planned for you?"

"It's been a hell of night, Merlin," Gwaine added. The revelation of his magic coming as a shock, but not affecting how he sees his best friend one bit. "perhaps you're not thinking straight. You should rest before making any big decisions."

"I know your magic is powerful," Rodor stated. "but Morgana does not underestimate you. She will be prepared to do everything she can to make sure you are no longer a threat."

"I'm not going to let anyone die because of me," Merlin asserted, putting serious emphasis into each of his words. The room grew silent once more at his outburst, but Mithian wasn't going to have it.

"I understand that it's a difficult situation, Merlin," Mithian snapped, taking the few steps to face him. "but if you face her now, you might die. Then who's going to help the people you claim to protect by going there in the first place?" They were mere inches away from each other, both with a rather challenging look on their faces.

"She's right, mate," Elyan agreed quietly. Nobody wanted to see him come that close to death once more. Now that Morgana knows who he is, who knows how angry she must be.

"You went against Morgana just a few days ago, and we almost lost you," Mithian reminded shakily. Her lips quivered at the thought that he was going to face her once again, unprepared and a look in his eyes that says he's not afraid to lose his life. She'd just gotten him back, and she wasn't going to lose him again. This time, it could be for good and the mere thought of it was enough to break her heart. "I almost lost you."

Merlin's eyes softened at how her voice cracked, not meaning to make her feel this way. "I'm sorry, but-"

"No buts, Merlin, it's far too dangerous. Even for you," Gwaine argued, hearing how determined the warlock still was. "give yourself some time-"

"What if I don't have time?" Merlin asked abruptly. "We all know what's she's capable of, and I can't just stand around and do nothing while she continues to hurt innocent people. Especially when I have a chance at defeating her."

"I get that you feel that way Merlin, truly," Mithian sympathized, swallowing the tears that threatened to fall. She knew the weight of his responsibilities were great, but it shouldn't be at the expense of his own life. "but it's a death wish."

"I have to at least try," he sighed.

"Just for tonight, Merlin," she grabbed his hand gently. "she can't hurt anyone tonight. Not without losing the only leverage she has against you."

Merlin sighed, his blue eyes softening as he looked into her glistening brown ones, seeing how worried she was for him. He could only nod at her plea, not wanting her to worry anymore.

"Lets get some rest," Rodor quietly proclaimed once more. "we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Gwen walked swiftly through the castle corridors until she reached her shared chambers with Arthur. She opened the door quietly, checking to see how her husband is doing.

"Arthur," she called softly as she closed the door behind her.

The man in question stood in the middle of the room, and she could tell he was just pacing earlier. He turned to follow the sound of her voice standing by the door. He just gazed at her in silence, so many thoughts running through his head about his best friend. She moved closer to him, holding out her hand for him to hold and he did.

"How could he keep this from me?" Arthur asked simply, clearly hurt that his best friend didn't trust him enough to confide in him this one secret.

"I don't think he wanted to," Gwen answered softly. "I understand how you must feel right now, but nothing about Merlin has changed."

"Everything has changed, Guinevere," he said with a sigh. "he's not just Merlin. Apparently he's also from Nemeth, he's a knight, he's," he paused. "he's a sorcerer."

"Warlock," she corrected, remembering the words Rodor used to describe Merlin. "he's a warlock."

"What difference does it make?"

"Not entirely sure," she answered honestly. "but sorcerer in Camelot doesn't sound too kind for someone who's done so much for the kingdom," she continued. "and for you."

Arthur remained silent, thinking about the truth to her words. "He still betrayed me."

Gwen exhaled a sharp breath. "He's saved your life, and countless others more than once," she countered. "I understand that you're hurt, but he would never betray you."

"But he did, Guinevere," he snapped. "he's been lying to me about who he really is for years."

"Can you blame him?" She asked, raising her voice slightly. "The first time you two met, you were already trying to kill him."

"It's been years since we met," he pointed out. "and I wasn't actually trying to kill him."

"Perhaps, but imagine being Merlin," she challenged. "imagine having to hide your powers your whole life in fear of being persecuted."

"I would never have hurt Merlin," he argued. "I actually thought of him as my friend."

"He still is your friend," she emphasized. "you may not have hurt him, but your father would have."

"My father's dead… for a while now," he looked to the floor somberly.

"Yes, and magic took part in his demise," she reminded carefully knowing it was a subject he didn't want to remember. "how was he supposed to tell you, when what happened with Morgana and your father would make anybody turn against magic?"

"Well maybe if he had told me-"

"If he had told you earlier, what was going to stop you from hurting him or reacting the way you are right now," she cut him off. "also I'm sure telling you while your father was alive would have put you in a bad position and I know Merlin wouldn't want to get in between you and your father."

Arthur stopped arguing to think about that. It was his father that led the Great Purge, the man who would go deaf at any mention of the word magic. Yet, he can remember the times that Merlin would try to save his father. Particularly when Merlin stopped him from ending his father's life after he had found out about the circumstances regarding his mother's death.

"Why would Merlin try to spare my father's life, knowing his hatred of everything having to do with magic?" Arthur thought out loud causing his wife to look at him curiously. "When Morgause told me about how my mother died, I tried to kill him."

She thought for a moment about his question. "Merlin may not have been fond of the man, but he was still your father," she answered thoughtfully. "Merlin's your best friend, and he would never allow you to do something like that."

"If he allowed me to kill my father, magic would have came back to the land earlier," he surmised. "isn't that what he's been trying to do?"

"All Merlin's ever tried to do was protect and serve his prince, now king," Gwen concluded, seeing Arthur's face soften slightly. "he's your best friend, Arthur. You know him. He's never changed. He's always been the person that put others first, without thinking of himself. Nothing has changed," she let out a breath. "he even gave up being with Princess Mithian. To protect you. To be by your side."

Arthur looked to his wife, listening to every word she's been saying. His stance softened as found a new perspective on the situation. After what's happened with Morgana, Agravaine, and the few other betrayals he's been through, he couldn't help but assume the worst from his best friend.

"I should talk to him," he decided after a few beats of silence. "listen to what he has to say."

"That's a good idea," she agreed with a small smile. "but not now. It's late, and you should get some sleep. We'll all have a clearer mind tomorrow after some rest."

"Thank you, Guinevere," he squeezed her hand before they could move to get ready for bed. He took both of her hands in his, and pulled her in closer. "what would I do without you?"

They shared a short and sweet kiss before moving to get ready for bed. Arthur walked towards the space behind his divider to get undressed into his night clothes when he realized something.

"Uh, Guinevere?" Arthur called out quietly. He looked into the mirror, fully clad in his chainmail and armor. Normally, Merlin would be there to do his job, but not that night. Gwen walked out of where she stood, and laughed as Arthur struggled to take off his chainmail. "Little help, please?"

Gwen shook her head with a small laugh, walking over to help him remove his armor. "Merlin's been gone less than an hour and you're already lost without him," she joked, laughing a little harder when the chainmail was removed, revealing her husband's pouting face.

Merlin walked Mithian to her chambers that night, making sure she felt alright considering everything that's been happening to her, her family, and her kingdom. She invited him inside, also wanting to check on him given the night he's had.

"I know Arthur will come around soon," she told him softly. "the two of you are best friends. You've been through so much together, and I know he'll see how much you care for him and how much you would sacrifice for him."

Merlin nodded, her words being a great comfort to him. She took short steps towards him, reaching up to gently hold his face in her hand. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel the warmth of her hand against his cheek. He took a deep breath, remembering this moment, turning his head to kiss the inside of her palm softly. He raised his hand to his face, holding hers in his as he basked in her solace.

"You don't have to hide anymore," she stepped closer to him and his arms slowly wrapped around her, his lips pressing against the top of her head.

"No more hiding," he repeated quietly as she looked up at him. His eyes looked lost as he stared at the wall behind her bed post.

"Merlin," she called to bring him back to the present. "you're going to be alright," she assured. "everything will work out. Things always seem worse before it gets better, trust me."

Merlin smiled at her positivity at this time. He knew she was going through the world at the moment as her very home was being threatened, her family's legacy as well as her own, and the well being of her people, yet she stood there trying to comfort him. It's only been a few days since her last traumatic experience with Morgana, and her strength at this time amazed him.

"You're amazing, you know that," Merlin asked with a small smile on his face. "can't imagine what you must be going through now that Sir Brennis usurped the throne." He took in a sharp breath as he thought about the man, who'd previously been hell bent on courting her, take away her families kingdom. He absolutely loathed him at this point.

"In the one week I spent in Camelot, I learned how important it is to have hope for the future," she told him. "I'm not going to give up on my people, and I will do whatever it takes to help them."

"Nemeth is lucky to have such a strong princess," he smiled proudly at her. "and an even stronger queen. Your mother would be so proud to see the person you are today," she looked down at the mention of her late mother. "beautiful, inside and out, strong, smart, and possibly the most kindhearted person I've ever known."

Merlin leaned down and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. Unlike their recent kisses, this one was more fervent, similar to the one they had shared in Nemeth. His hand traveled down to her lower back and her hands gripped the fabric on the front of his shirt, each trying to pull each other closer until there was absolutely no space in between them.

Mithian's hand flattened on chest, sliding up to hold the back of his neck, kissing him harder as she feels the urgency in his lips. She hadn't even realized that she was pulling him back until her knees hit the front of her bed, making him fall on top of her. Their lips never ceased to separate, her hand only keeping him still as she felt the entirety of his body press against hers.

Despite the hand that held him in place, Merlin realized what had happened and picked his head up, his arm propping himself up on the bed as he stared down at Mithian. Both of them panted, trying hard to relax their breathing. Their hearts were beating rapidly, heat coursing through their veins as they remained in that position for a few moments longer.

Merlin cleared his throat. "I should, uh," he let out a few short breaths. He stood up, peeling himself off of her and Mithian followed shortly. She smoothed out her dress, a bright red blush adorning both of their cheeks as neither realized how fast that kiss escalated. "I think this where I should say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Mithian asked curiously, tilting her head slightly.

"Sorry," he shook his head with a chuckle. "I mean good night."

Mithian smiled, giving him one last short kiss. He made sure to savor this last kiss, his eyes remaining closed even after they had pulled apart. "Good night, Merlin," she whispered softly causing him to open his eyes again slowly.

"Good night, Princess," he whispered.

The next morning, Mithian walked down the corridors towards the physicians chambers to have breakfast with Merlin before they were to go to the meeting with Arthur. However, she was met with a surprise when Gaius had informed her that Merlin had never went back to his room last night. The older man had just gotten out of Merlin's room only to find that the bed had been left untouched.

Mithian's heart skipped a beat, and she ran to Arthur's chambers as fast as she could, hoping Merlin wasn't where she thought he was. Without even knocking, she barged into the room and looked around, startling both Arthur and Guinevere who were still in bed at the moment.

"Princess Mithian," Arthur greeted in surprise. "is there something wrong?"

"Has Merlin been in here," she gasped, out of breath from the run.

Arthur and Gwen looked to each other, shaking their heads. "No, what happened?" Mithian's heart only raced faster, that response was definitely the one she didn't want to hear.

"I think Merlin went after Morgana by himself."

AN: oh shoot Merlin did whattttt? I hope you like this take on the magic reveal, and thank you so much for giving this a read :) Also thank you for all the follows, favorites, and kind reviews :) it means a lot and I hope I didn't disappoint with the magic reveal this chapter. steamy merthian today lol ;)