Author's Note: Just a little explanation on my version of Soulmarks. In my world, a small percentage of the population (a third or less) are born without them, but everyone else is. They are similar to a tattoo and come in a variety of shapes and colours. Soulmates bear corresponding soulmarks, that can be anywhere on the body for either partner, and the rarest, most powerful bonds have the mark on the same location as their partner's. Well, enjoy!

Merlin glanced at Arthur curiously, before he turned his attention to opening the curtains. "What is it Merlin?" Arthur drawled, stretching lazily. "I can hear the gears in your head turning."

"Do you have a Soulmark?" he asked in a rush.

"Don't tell me you believe in that Merlin?" he asked incredulously. "It's a bunch of superstitious nonsense to explain why some people are born with birthmarks."

"I take it you don't have one then?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," he sighed, getting out of bed. "But that doesn't answer my question."

"Quest- Oh!" Merlin breathed, making the Prince smile. "Well, I've known people with corresponding marks that were well suited," he stated. He averted his gaze. "And I never knew my father, but my mother said she knew she could trust him when he had a corresponding mark."

"I can see why you'd like to believe," Arthur murmured.

"Anyway," Merlin said with a bright smile, "let's get you dressed."

Arthur removed his top. Merlin's eyes were drawn to Arthur's inner right wrist, before quickly helping his Prince to dress. "Is something the matter Merlin?"

"Of course not," he replied with an easy smile.

MMMMMMM

"Do you believe in Soulmarks Gaius?" Merlin asked, toying with his dinner.

"Of course, Merlin," the older man responded. "I knew I would be married to my work, since I don't have one," he stated. He glanced at the younger man knowingly. "I take it you've found the person with your corresponding mark?"

"Yes," Merlin sighed. "But they don't believe in Soulmarks."

"A male then." Merlin blinked. "If your other half is female, you would have said 'she'."

Merlin's expression turned sheepish. "Okay, he doesn't believe in Soulmarks."

"Perhaps he might change his mind, if he realised you bear his matching mark?"

"I doubt it," he sighed, resting his head upon the table. "And it's a perfect match!" he moaned dejectedly.

"You mean-"

"A match in shape and position."

"A rare match indeed. Hardly surprising you would have such a blessing, considering your destiny."

"What good is such a blessing, when he doesn't believe?"

"Have hope Merlin," Gaius spoke, laying a comforting hand over the brunet's. "You were chosen for each other. He will surely come around in time."

MMMMMMM

Merlin carefully lifted the latch on Arthur's door, ensuring he closed it again without making any noise. He crept over to the Prince's bed, peering through the moonlight to ensure the blonde slept on. He did. The warlock relaxed slightly, unable to prevent a smile as he glanced over Arthur's moonlight-gilded face. No wonder so many women in the Kingdom – and beyond – sighed over him.

Merlin shook himself mentally, that wasn't what he was here for. He shifted position and held his right arm parallel with Arthur's, lowering it until their marks were only inches apart. The Warlock's spine arched, his eyes glowing golden, as images flashed through his mind.

Arthur blinked awake. Merlin dropped to the floor and under the bed. The Prince's head appeared over the edge, looking expectantly at the brunet. "Merlin," he remarked, amused. "What are you doing here?"

"Just checking something."

"And you didn't wait for morning because…?"

"I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep unless I checked. Didn't mean to wake you."

"Get out from under there," he ordered, amused exasperation filling his voice as his head withdrew. Merlin appeared covered in dust. Arthur chuckled. "I think you need to clean under the bed."

"I'll put it on my list of jobs," he stated, turning.

"Wait," Arthur ordered with another chuckle. "Can't let you go out like that," he murmured, standing. "You'll make someone think there's spirits in the Castle," he continued, helping to brush the dust from Merlin's clothes.

"Yeah, wouldn't want anyone to think the Castle is haunted."

Arthur smiled and gestured for Merlin to turn. He complied. A few moments passed in silence. "There," he announced, brushing the clinging dust from his hands, "all clean."

"Thanks," the brunet remarked, ducking his head.

"Merlin, the next time you have a burning question," he said climbing back into bed. "Just make a note of it, and wait until morning," he continued with a yawn.

"Will do," he promised then slipped from the room as quickly and quietly as possible.

MMMMMMM

"Merlin," Morgana breathed, "I have magic."

"There's no need to be frightened Morgana," Merlin assured. "I have magic too."

"Merlin?"

With a comforting smile, his eyes glowed gold and a jug of water floated to his outstretched hand. Her breath hitched. "I know magic is outlawed in Camelot, but it is an amazing gift, and you can do so much good with it."

"You've been saving Arthur all along," she breathed.

"And you, Gwen, Uther, Gaius," he listed with a grin. She laughed softly. "I recognise you as kin Morgana," he stated, holding his hand out to her, palm vertical. She placed her hand against his.

She inhaled sharply as images flooded her mind. "You've been keeping secrets Merlin," she breathed, "a lot of secrets."

"Yes," he agreed solemnly. "It is one of the burdens of having magic, at least as long as it is outlawed in Camelot, but I have hope that one day it will not be so."

"When Arthur is King." He nodded. She glanced at him sidelong. "He has become a better man through knowing you."

"I've become better through knowing him," he stated. He looked at Morgana earnestly. "I don't know how much you saw, but I want to be honest with you."

"All right," she responded, patting the space beside her.

He took the seat with a smile. "I've been going to see the dragon."

"The dragon?" she repeated in wonder.

"Yeah, he's been talking to me since I first arrived – the difficulty lies in getting him to shut up," he added wryly. She laughed softly. "Some of his advice I've taken, and others I've ignored."

"Go on Merlin," she encouraged.

"For instance, he wanted me not to help Mordred, and I tried, but regardless of what he would grow up to be, I couldn't leave a child to die." She nodded in understanding. "And maybe the reason he would grow up to be a threat, is because I treated him as one."

"Say it Merlin," she urged.

He sighed. "He told me not to trust you, but you're my friend, and I couldn't let you go through this alone."

"Especially since…" she prompted.

"I had a vision of my own," he admitted. "I saw the moment you told me of your magic, I did not trust you with mine, and that lack of trust led you down a dark path," he spoke softly.

"Merlin," she breathed, placing her hand over his. "You could not blame yourself-"

"But I saw that it all stemmed from this moment, because I did not trust and help you, your turned to others of questionable morality." He blinked. "Please don't think I just told you because I didn't want you to become evil – which I don't want you to be, of course-"

"Merlin," she interrupted gently.

He took her hand in his. "You are my friend Morgana, and a good person, and I don't want you to go through this experience alone. I was fortunate, and I want you to have a similar good fortune."

"Your mother wasn't scared of your magic then?"

He shook his head. He leant closer and lowered his voice, "I could use magic before I could talk."

Her eyebrows rose. "So young?" He nodded with a sheepish smile. She laughed softly. "It must have been difficult to hide it."

"It can be, at times, but I just have to make the choice I can live with in the moment, and have hope for a future where magic is accepted once again."

She smiled. "I hope that day will come too Merlin." She gazed upon him curiously.

"Ask," he urged.

"How did you have a vision?" He blushed. "Now you have to tell me."

"I found the person with my matching soulmark."

"Congratulations."

He ducked his head. "He doesn't believe in them," he sighed. "Anyway, I saw it, knew it matched mine, and that it was in the same location as my own."

"That is rare," she breathed, awed.

"Well, I began to doubt that it was an exact match, so I snuck into his room while he was sleeping and aligned my arm with his to check."

"Don't tell me you touched marks while he was asleep?" she demanded.

"Oh no!" he responded quickly. "I made sure there was a gap," he held his hands several inches apart to demonstrate, "far enough apart to ensure no accidental touches, but close enough to check the locations truly aligned…" he trailed off.

"And?" she prompted.

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly. "Perfect match, and even being that far apart, well, it gave me a vision of this moment and the consequences of heeding the dragon." His expression turned earnest. "I don't care if I get hurt worse in the future, I'm going to believe in you now," he declared. "The Morgana I know wouldn't do the things I saw, and learning you have magic cannot be enough to cause you to change so much."

"I hope I never become that person," she murmured.

"Well, not wanting to is half the battle."

She grinned. "I'm not sure that is completely accurate Merlin, but it's a nice thought." Silence settled between them for a moment. "Merlin, would you let me see your mark?" He smiled and rolled up his sleeve, exposing the multicoloured, swirling mark upon his inner right wrist. "Arthur," she stated.

Merlin ducked his head. "Yes," he sighed. "A non-believer, who doesn't even like me half the time." He shrugged and covered it back up again.

"It's beautiful Merlin," she complimented. "Thank you, for honouring and trusting me with the gift of seeing your soulmark."

MMMMMMM

"Arthur!" Morgana called as he strode down the hallway. He stopped and turned. "Join me," she urged, leading him into her room.

"What is this about Morgana?" he asked as he closed the door. "I do have duties to perform."

"Show me your wrist," she demanded. With a long-suffering sigh he went to undo his left sleeve. "Your right wrist." He looked at her sharply, but did as she asked. "Just as I thought," she murmured.

"What?" She shook her head. "Morgana," he insisted.

"You don't believe in them, so it hardly matters," she replied lightly with a smug smile.

"Morgana!"

She laughed lightly, grinning at his exasperation. "I was given the honour of seeing another's soulmark yesterday."

"And?"

"It was a perfect match to yours," she stated.

"Who was it?" he demanded.

"You don't believe in them Arthur, you've told me many a time, so what does it matter?"

"Morgana," he groaned.

"Tell me why you want to know, when you don't believe, and I'll consider telling you."

"That's the best offer I'm going to get isn't it?" She grinned mischievously. "It's not that I don't believe in them," he began. Morgana's expression turned sceptical. He licked his lips. "I knew it would not be long before Father disagreed with a belief in soulmarks, just like he did with the old religion or magic, so I thought it best to give an example to others before he could."

"And the fact Uther doesn't have a Soulmark has nothing to do with it?"

He smiled wryly. "He used it as an excuse to cheat upon my Mother – he doesn't know that I know," he added. She nodded her understanding. "I knew that when I found my other half," he stated, holding up his wrist, "I would honour them for the gift they are. Even if I had to keep their existence secret from Father."

Morgana regarded him seriously. "Do you agree with Uther in everything? Or do you think he is wrong in some of his views?"

"He is wrong in many," he replied solemnly. "But there is nothing I can do about his edicts while he is King," he replied deliberately. "I can try to convince him toward leniency, but we both know how often that happens," he continued. She inclined her head. "Well?"

"What?"

"Morgana," he groaned.

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes."

"Once you know, you can't erase the knowledge."

"Morgana!"

She laughed and beckoned him closer. With a sigh he complied. She leant up until her mouth was by his ear. "Merlin," she breathed. He let out a sigh of relief. She leant back. "Pleased?" she asked with a smug smile.

"How long have you known?"

"That you're in love with him?" she responded with a knowing smile. He nodded. "Since the first time I saw you look at him, when you thought no one was looking. It was obvious," she stated. "Although you might to work on your approach with him, he seems to think you don't like him."

"Did he tell you that?" Arthur demanded.

"He said you didn't like him half the time. I always wondered about the way you treat him, especially since I know how you feel about him."

He sighed. "Father doesn't agree with that either, and I knew if I let myself be nice to him…"

"You might give Uther ammunition against you?" she guessed.

"Or worse, Merlin," he added with a shudder. "I dread to think how he might react, since he believes relations between men is unnatural."

"Two men, or two women," Morgana pointed out. He inclined his head in acknowledgement. "I take it you don't agree with that either?"

"Personally, I think it's more unnatural to break a vow of commitment, and still consider yourself honourable," he added with a bite.

"Careful Arthur," she cautioned, "if the wrong person heard you say that…"

"I know," he sighed. He leant forward and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for telling me Morgana, and always looking out for me."

"You do the same for me," she replied with a warm smile. "Now go, enjoy the gift you've been given."

MMMMMMM

"Merlin?" Arthur called out as he entered his chambers.

"One minute," Merlin's voice came from under the bed.

"Will you need another pat down?" the prince teased, leaning casually against the table.

"Hopefully not," he replied, accompanied by the sound of vigorous scrubbing. "All done," he declared, scurrying out from under the bed.

"Graceful as ever Merlin," he teased as he leant forward and offered the brunet a hand up. Merlin blinked, but accepted the help. "I've got a request to make," the blonde stated, releasing the Warlock's hand the moment he was upright.

"Since when do you make requests?" Merlin replied with a cheeky grin.

"When it's about something personal," Arthur replied with an almost nervous smile.

"Arthur?"

"May I see your Soulmark Merlin?" The brunet stilled. "I know it's a very personal thing to ask, but please?" he entreated.

The brunet rolled up his right sleeve, exposing the multicoloured mark upon his wrist. Arthur's smile was bright. "I have the same mark Merlin," he stated, "a fact which I think you know."

Merlin blushed. "Well-I-"

"Yes?"

"You said you d-didn't believe in them," he stammered.

"How long have you known?" he asked, tugging the warlock closer.

Merlin's blush increased. "Since I asked if you had one," he admitted softly. "I spotted it then."

"And what was it you felt the need to check that night?" he asked, eyebrows quirked.

"I wanted to check it was in the same place as mine," he breathed.

"Since that is rare," Arthur stated. Merlin nodded. "Satisfied? Or would you sooner check?" The brunet blinked. Arthur smiled and rolled up his right sleeve.

"Arthur?" he breathed.

"Go ahead," he encouraged.

Merlin slowly reached out with trembling fingers and gently touched Arthur's Soulmark.

MMMMMMM

Merlin blinked, and realised he lay in Arthur's bed, the blonde sat beside him. "What happened?" he breathed.

"What do you remember?" he asked in concern.

"Touching your Soulmark," he replied, went to sit up and stopped with a groan.

"Give yourself a minute," the Prince advised. "It seems more happens than the usual pleasure when you touched my mark," he remarked. "Although that might have something to do with the fact you have magic," he added casually.

"Magic?" he squeaked.

His Prince gave him a look. "Merlin, how many times have you or Gaius said that a problem was only resolvable by magic, and was miraculously solved?"

"A few," he replied softly.

The blonde smiled at him warmly. "That would have been enough, however, I've been aware for a while."

"You have?" He nodded. "Then why didn't you say anything?"

He sighed. "I was waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me, but since soulmates aren't supposed to have any secrets from each other, I thought it best to mention my knowledge."

Merlin smiled warmly. "It's a relief to talk about it," he breathed. "I wanted to trust you with the knowledge for quite a while."

"Why didn't you? Were you afraid of how I would react?"

"Not really." He sighed. "Arthur, you're the Prince, and your Father has outlawed magic, I couldn't put you in a position of having to choose between your loyalty to your King…and me."

"I choose you every time Merlin," he stated, cupping the brunet's cheek. Merlin blinked wide eyes at him. "And would have, even before I knew of our matching marks." He lowered his voice. "My father is wrong about many things, magic included." He licked his lips. "It did at least feel good, when you touched my mark, didn't it?"

Merlin leant into the touch. "Yes," he breathed. "It was…I can't describe it, but not bad or painful. I think it might have been a bit overwhelming. I understand if you don't want to touch mine."

Arthur stroked the brunet's cheek with his thumb. "I would love to, Merlin, but I didn't want to do so without your permission." At the brunet's nod, he reached out and lightly touched the multicoloured mark on Merlin's wrist. He pulled back his fingers within a second, breathing heavily. "Maybe," he panted. "Maybe we need to touch our marks together?" he suggested.

"It felt imbalanced to you too?" Merlin asked softly. Arthur nodded with a smile. The Warlock held up his right arm, his inner forearm pointed toward his Prince. Arthur mirrored him. At the same moment, they both closed the distance, their marks aligning perfectly.

Each let out a breathy moan at the pleasure that filled their beings, before their bond flooded them. Flashes of the other's life filling their mind's eye, soon giving way to visions of future events.

When the images stopped, and both blinked back to awareness, they remained filled with pleasure, their marks still pressed together. "Arthur," Merlin panted, need filling his voice.

"Sh," he soothed, tugging the brunet against him. "I'm here Merlin," he breathed, running the fingers of his free hand through the slighter boy's locks. "I will always be here." Merlin cried out as he reached his orgasm, his pleasure causing Arthur to go over the edge as well.

They slowly pulled apart, panting hard. "Did you mean it?" Merlin panted.

Arthur smiled warmly. "Yes, Merlin."

The brunet smiled brightly. "I will always be there for you, however you need me," he promised, and leant close to his Prince, offering his mouth in a kiss the blonde gladly claimed.