Morgana headed to the physicians chambers as soon as she could, getting there she found Merlin by himself as Gaius had gone to see one of his patients in the lower town. Shutting the door she looked at her friend and as he was on hos own spoke.
"I am sorry I asked you to do something you were not comfortable with, I just thought you would help Arthur, after all I know you think highly of him no matter what you pretend."
"Forget it Morgana I won't change my mind." Merlin almost snapped at her.
"I didn't think you would, but do you mind telling me what you meant by the purge starting? Clearly you know more than me or maybe a different version. As of course we have all heard Uther's." Morgana was doing her best to sound casual.
Merlin glared at her. "I am busy Morgana, I have a lot of potions to make up and I need to concentrate. So can we speak later? After all you wouldn't want me to kill someone unintentionally would you?" Morgana wasn't the only one trying to hide what he was really thinking. It took several more increasingly blunt comments on Merlin's part before the Kings ward left with the promise to speak to him later.
Merlin threw the potion he was making against the wall after she had left. Now he knew he had no choice. He would have to speak to the Prince. After clearing up the mess he made Merlin made his way to the Princes chambers, he knew the prince wasn't training that morning due to the Royal visit and also knew he had paperwork to catch up on. So with a huge amount of reluctance he timidly knocked on the Princes door, rather than just barging in, as he was prone to do. On hearing the Princes voice he opened the door and walked in. Standing before his Prince, Merlin waited for the man to look up.
When Arthur did he was surprised to see Merlin stood meekly in front of him. Looking terrified. "Merlin! What do I owe this honour to, you actually knocking and acting as you should before royalty?"
Merlin gave the Prince a glare.
"That's more like you" The Prince laughed. "Now what is it as I have to get this done?"
Merlin shuffled a bit before he spoke "I sort have something to tell you, something you might not like. In fact I know you won't"
Arthur frowned. "Then why tell me? Have you broken the law, even more than you already do?"
"Look you aren't making this easy." Merlin said his nerves getting the better of him. "I need to tell you something before someone else finds out because it's not fair otherwise."
Arthur put down his quill. "Have you broken the law?"
"No more than usual." Merlin admitted
"So who else will find out this secret?" Arthur was now curious.
"Morgana" Merlin admitted "It's to do with you, so you should know first. I wouldn't have ever told you but I let something slip when Morgana made me cross and now she wants the full story."
"Arthur shook his head in exasperation "Merlin spit it out! And what did the Lady Morgana do this time."
"She asked me to…..Oh no I'm not telling you that. Look I told her that bending the rules of magic started the purge. Now she wants to know what I meant." Merlin looked down at his feet.
"So what did you mean?" Arthur had a hard edge to his voice. "Sit down before you fall down."
Merlin sat in the chair at the side of Arthur's desk. "Look I don't know what happened I wasn't there but I heard stories about it."
"Merlin I am well aware the purge started because magic killed my mother. But what has bending the rules mean and what rules?"
Merlin swallowed deeply and then spoke "Please don't be angry and listen until I have finished" he pleaded.
"Go ahead" Arthur could see how distressed the young man was and he clearly believed whatever he was about to say "I will keep silent."
"You have the right to know, I just wish it wasn't me telling you. The Queen, your mother, couldn't conceive, and the King asked the then court sorceress for help. But to make a life a life has to be taken. But when your mother died the King in his grief blamed magic. I was told he knew someone would die but didn't care. I guess he thought he could choose someone or that it would be him. It was his guilt and grief that started the purge. Magic shouldn't be used that way it's against all the rules."
Merlin waited for Arthur to say something, anything. When he didn't Merlin looked up. Arthur was staring into space. He then spoke in a dead sounding voice.
"Who told you this?"
"I grew up in Essetir there is no ban on magic there. We often had druids visit the village. They would talk and sometimes we kids would eavesdrop. Grown-ups often didn't tell us much and we learnt a lot by listening." Merlin wasn't telling quite the truth but near enough not to trip him up.
"Do you believe this?" Arthur demanded.
"I have no reason not to. I know there is a price to pay for everything and that the balance must be maintained, I follow the old gods and that's what we were always being told. They had no reason to lie." Merlin looked at the man who was his destiny and who he was beginning to see as a friend.
Arthur stood up and went to the window. "That's my father you are talking about! Your King!" His voice hard and unforgiving.
"He isn't my King I don't come from Camelot." Merlin pointed out. "I am sorry, I know you love your father. But I couldn't tell Morgana without you knowing, she will keep on until she gets it out of me. At least this way you can say you knew before she did, even if you don't believe me."
Arthur could at least appreciate this much. Morgana was like a dog with a bone of she even smelt a secret. He didn't want to believe what he had been told, but felt he couldn't dismiss it outright. Many tales and rumours had a basis in fact. "Thank you for telling me. I can't just believe you but I will look into this. I would appreciate it if you don't discuss this with anyone else. If Morgana bothers you tell her to come and see me." He paused "But for now I have a meeting with the Kings." He turned as he was following Merlin from the door. "What made you say bending magic was wrong? What was she asking?"
Merlin looked embarrassed once more. "Magic should only be used for good, some magic borders on dark magic or is in some cases very dark and should never be used, no good ever comes of it. Morgana wanted help to get the kings to stop trying to marry you and Princess Mithian. She was trying to help!" the last thing he wanted to do was to get the Lady Morgana in trouble. "Can you forget I said that?" he pleaded realising he may have made things worse. "I seem to be suffering from foot in mouth. Maybe I'll just get you all to forget it."
Arthur's head snapped round "Could you? Make us forget I mean?"
Merlin rolled his eyes "I guess if anyone had the power they could but I wouldn't that would be an example of wrong use." Merlin made sure he didn't admit too much in his attempt to backtrack.
Arthur gave Merlin a strange look but didn't say more and walked away leaving Merlin stood in the corridor outside his room.
