Merlin belongs to the BBC.

The Cursed Truth

Merlin never believed that he was cursed but over the years that belief had vanished. Now he believed that he was cursed when it came to that truth. He had kept it hidden for so many years but he couldn't deny the fact that those who discovered it or knew about it became a target for misfortune, pain or in the worst case…death. When he started to believe it the desire he had to tell Arthur and the knights diminished until it died completely. He couldn't tell them now, not with the fear of afflicting them with the curse's effect. He knew that they were always in danger of being near Arthur and serving him but with how others have beef affected by his curse…he shook his head. He couldn't think about it.

That was until the unfortunate day when Merlin's magic lashed out against some slave trader who tortured him for information. Merlin didn't even bother remembering the name, his magic made sure that the body was unrecognisable, fuelled by his own pain, rage and desire to protect Arthur. Merlin felt drained after that magical reaction but the knights still brought him with them as they escaped, his magic wasn't quite done yet though and Merlin knew it. It wasn't satisfied with doing so little and instead it wanted to bring the whole building down. The walls shook, dust fell from the ceiling along with a few stones. Arthur barked commands which the knights followed without hesitation. Merlin's magic protecting them and guiding them out the collapsing building and towards a safe place, a cave.

It was only after the adrenaline had run it's course in their bodies did the events play out in everyone's mind. Everyone stared at Merlin, unsure on how to react before Arthur's stare turned into a murderous glare and the king made his way towards Merlin. Merlin backed away and into a nearby wall, scared that Arthur really would kill him in his weakened form. Gwaine reacted next, drawing his sword while being ready to defend Merlin.

"Gwaine, don't…" Merlin spoke and watched as Gwaine hesitated. Arthur was the next one to speak.

"You're a sorcerer!" Arthur spat the last word out. "Were you just getting close to me to kill me?!" Arthur demanded, grabbing Merlin and slammed him into the wall. Merlin let out a cry of pain and felt his magic stirring once more. His magic was still restless, that he knew and he couldn't let it lash out on Arthur. The king had the right to be angry, Merlin had kept this a secret for far too long. "When you were going to tell me!?" He demanded another request from Merlin.

"I…d-d-d-on't want…to kill you…" Merlin stuttered. He was completely terrified now. His magic was revealed, they knew his secret…they were cursed now.

"Then why?!"

"I d-d-didn't have a choice!" Merlin yelled at Arthur. "I was born with magic…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" Panic was filling his voice. His inability to fully control his magic had left them all cursed…they were going to suffer even more now because of his carelessness. Tears began to fall down his face, he couldn't stop them. He heard a knight approaching but couldn't tell who, his eyes were locked onto Arthur's enraged eyes. Who knew blue eyes could look so red?

"Let Merlin explain, scaring him like this is hard on everyone, sire." Leon looked at Merlin and nodded. Arthur's fists clenched tighter on Merlin but he let the warlock go. Arthur stormed away from Merlin. The disappointment and hurt could be felt by everyone.

"Who would have thought though? Our little Merlin, a sorcerer," Gwaine tried to smile but Merlin knew that they wouldn't forgive him for his deception.

"It actually makes sense…" Percival spoke up. "I've never met a bunch of men with such good luck than us. All those tree branches falling when they're sturdy? Doesn't make much sense unless someone with magic was making them fall."

The knights all fell silent, the only sound they could hear with the sobbing from Merlin. Merlin had curled up on the floor and was trying to cry as silently as possible. It was a rather pitiful sight if the knights were being honest. Someone who's magic had just pulled a building down to the ground without muttering a single word…was incredible but dangerous. Merlin could do the same to Camelot but he didn't…he played his role as a servant to the Pendragons, the family that caused the purge of magic in the first place. Merlin had thrown his life away for Arthur on so many occasions…why? What did Merlin gain from it?

Gwaine moved over towards Merlin as Arthur returned, he seemed to have calmed down but Gwain wasn't going to take the chance. He positioned himself in the way of Arthur and Merlin and glared daggers. He would protect Merlin, magic or not.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Arthur asked, his voice sounded so drained. "Why didn't you tell me about your magic Merlin?" Merlin flinched under his own name. "I order you to tell me."

Merlin looked at Arthur and uncurled on the floor. If there was anyone who could get Merlin to do something, it was Arthur. As rebellious as Merlin was when it came to orders, he knew when to follow them and when to ignore them. This was one of the times he would follow. Gwaine remained where he was though. He would protect Merlin, he would protect his best friend.

Merlin slowly stood up from the floor and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes and looked directly at Arthur. As he did so, he felt a strange feeling bubble under his skin and assumed it was linked to his magic. It was still restless, still desperate to get out, still burning under his skin. He glanced down at his veins and swore that they were giving off a pale golden glow. He was going to be punished anyway…what worse can Arthur do? His own curse had already hurt him and the betrayal he saw on Arthur was hopefully the last thing he felt.

"You really want to know why I didn't tell you…?" Merlin spoke, his voice was broken from the crying but he continued, "I didn't tell you to protect you." Arthur was about to protest but Merlin held his hand up and silenced his king. "I didn't tell you because of a few reasons. One, magic is outlawed and punishable by death…if I revealed to you that I had magic then you'd have me executed. I was born with my magic, even as I talk to you now I can feel it burning under my skin, desperate for an outlet. It wants to be set free but in doing that here…will only hurt you all. Two, because you always say Arthur that magic is evil. It's really not. Magic is but a form of energy that people are either born with or learn to harness it. It's what people do with magic that determines if it's 'good' or 'evil'. You always say that it corrupts but again, it doesn't! Fear, rejection, hurt, anger and hatred can turn a good person bad. That's what happened to Morgana, she was living under a man who would have her executed if her gift ever came to light! She was scared and alone! She turned to Morgause because she made Morgana feel safe!" Merlin didn't realise that he had started to yell at Arthur.

"If you have magic, why didn't you help her?!" Arthur shot back hearing about Morgana.

"That comes to point three, I'm cursed Arthur! Anyone who finds out about my magic is doomed to suffer or die because of me!" Merlin snapped back. "Will discovered I had magic and later died protecting you! When you got bitten by the Questing Beast, I made a deal with a High Priestess to trade my life for yours but she went against it and nearly killed my mother! Gaius did technically die as he saved her but I brought him back and traded his life for the High Priestess I killed! Then there was…" Merlin stopped himself. Could he really mention Freya? No, he wasn't ready for them to know about her and instead skipped to the next person. "Lancelot discovered me when we killed the Griffin and then sacrificed himself to close the veil between worlds! I've lost too many people because they knew about my magic! Too many people have suffered because they were either protecting me or knew of my magic!"

Arthur took a step back as Merlin ranted at him. Even the knights were shocked to see Merlin actually yelling at Arthur, Gwaine quickly moved out the way. Arthur looked away from Merlin, he could practically feel the pain radiating off from Merlin as he spoke about those he lost. There was someone else that Merlin refused to talk about but Arthur pinned it to the person he refused to mention had hurt him the most.

"Merlin…" Arthur started before Merlin held his hand up, trying to control his breathing.

"Don't. I'm going to go…and release my magic before it lashes out at everyone…I'll be coming back here so if you're going to accept that I have magic…if not, then leave." Merlin pushed past Arthur and left the cave. He heard someone going to follow but stopped by someone else, Merlin was thankful for them.

Arthur watched as Merlin left the cave and turned to his knights. Gwaine was behind held back by Percival and Leon's hand on his chest. These were his knights but he felt unsure on Merlin now. He was a sorcerer, he had lied to hi- No, Merlin confessed back when the magical plague hit Camelot but Arthur didn't believe him. Merlin had confessed back then and everyone played it off as a joke. He turned to face Leon.

"Leon, do you remember when he confessed to being a sorcerer?" Arthur asked and Leon nodded.

"Of course, you played it off as Merlin being in love with Gwen."

"Do you think Merlin's really cursed?" Arthur hesitated to ask. Leon shook his head though.

"I can't say. I don't know much about curses but I can see why Merlin views that particular truth as a curse…"

"I can't ask all of you to stay if you're against magic…but I'm going to stay," Arthur admitted to them all.

"You won't be here alone. I'm going to stay by Merlin's side until the very end," Gwaine smiled and received a nod from Arthur. No one moved. It seemed they were all willing to stay which made Arthur grateful. Arthur glanced out the cave and was greeted by a glowing forest, the nature drinking up all the magic that Merlin was releasing.

"Even when releasing his magic he still shows the good…I was expecting a destroyed forest," Arthur admitted as he looked over the forest.

"He's Merlin, and he's the one letting his magic out, not his magic escaping control," Elyan spoke as he approached Arthur.

"Maybe it's about time I learnt more about magic…not just to understand Merlin more, but others who have magic." Arthur looked at his knights and was pleased to see that they silently agreed with his decision. He thought back to the 'curse' as Merlin had called it and shook his head. All curses can be broken and Arthur was determined to break Merlin's 'curse'. He just hoped that he knew how to do it. "We're all going to learn more about magic, signs and other important things to better protect ourselves."

"Yes sire." He heard his knights reply.

Thanks for reading~ Take care out there.