Title: To Tell the Truth
Description: The knights get captured (and Merlin obviously). They use a truth serum on them, hoping to get Camelot's secrets, but instead, learn that one of the knights knows Emrys. And his identity.
Word Count: 1,553
Part: 1/1
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They had been captured. Again. It was an average day. Arthur went on a patrol, Merlin complained, they got captured by a sorceress, and were now sitting in a dungeon. Yes, very predictable. Still, it was uncomfortable and they needed to find a way to escape. Just then, the woman came back to interrogate them.

"Why are we here?" Arthur asked.

"I would have thought that was obvious," the sorceress said, "I want information on Camelot's defenses."

"You'll never get anything from us."

"No? Not even if I used this?"

She held up a vile of purple liquid. When she saw their confused faces she explained.

"It's a truth potion. One that takes a lot of time and skill to make. But, it's very potent. Just one drop and you won't be able to lie."

"Then we just won't speak."

"Oh, trust me. I have ways of making you talk."

The knights glanced at each other nervously when she opened the cell and forced each of the knights to consume one drop of the liquid. She skipped the servant. While she knew they heard everything, why would she waste a drop of her precious potion when she had six perfectly good knights who would tell her all she needed to know?

"Alright, so who's going to talk first? No one? Okay then, what about you?" she pointed to Arthur.

"How can I sneak into Camelot undetected?"

Arthur tried very hard to keep his mouth shut, but in the end, it was pointless.

Once she was satisfied with the information he told her (although he did manage to hold back quite a bit) she moved onto someone else.

"Your turn," she said, looking at Lancelot.

"What can you tell me about Camelot's protectors?"

Both Lancelot and Merlin's eyes widened, and they wished she hadn't used that specific word. "Knights" would have been better. But no. She had to pick the one that could encompass Merlin as well. Just great. And because he was thinking about he, he was likely going to say it.

It took all of his will power not to blurt out the first thing that came to mind, which was Merlin, or Emrys.

"Oh, come on. You've got to know something? Who stops the assassins? Who is the King's personal guard? Who protects him?"

Lancelot couldn't think. He wanted to say anything, except for the one name on his mind. He almost blurted out Merlin's name. But, he managed to instead change it to Emrys. It wasn't much better, but at least it wasn't the name his face was associated with.

"You know Emrys?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Lancelot wanted to deny it. He even shook his head. But lying with his words was impossible.

"Yes."

He couldn't stop himself from answering her questions. Whether it was the potion, or a spell he didn't know.

"And he protects Camelot?"

"Yes."

Lancelot felt like he was betraying his friend. He promised to keep his secret, but here he was blurting it out to anyone who would listen.

"Is-" she stopped, pointing at Arthur, "Is he the Once and Future King?"

Merlin had told Lancelot about the prophecies. He knew the answer to her question, and had said as much.

Her eyes widened.

"Who is Emrys?"

Lancelot bit down on his hand, determined to keep quiet. He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Who. Is. Emrys."

"I can't- I won't-" he managed to stutter out.

Her eyes flashed gold, telling Lancelot (and Merlin) that she was using a spell to make them talk.

"Who."

"Merlin!" he yelled, and all the knights eyes widened, even if they didn't know who this "Emrys" was it was definitely the truth, since he couldn't lie.

She finally got her answer. One problem though. She had no idea who Merlin was. Meanwhile, Merlin was slowly standing up, taking a defensive stance and ignoring the looks of shock and confusion on the knight's faces.

"Where is he now?" she asked.

Lancelot fought harder than ever, but like before, it was pointless.

"Behind you."

The sorceress turned around so fast and her eyes widened when she looked upon the servant in front of her. He looked deadly.

"You! But- you're just a servant!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"A servant to the king."

She was panicking now.

"I-I'm so sorry! If I had known... I would have never- I swear!"

"You will face no consequences if you let us go."

She didn't hesitate to reply, and immediately replied, "Of course!"

She untied their rope bonds with a flash of her eyes.

"Thank you for your mercy, my lord," she said and bowed.

She began to quickly walk away, when Merlin stopped her.

"Wait."

She turned back.

"My lord?"

"Give me the potion. You will have no further use for it."

She nodded frantically and pulled it out of her pocket before handing it to him.

"Go. Spread the word. Arthur Pendragon is the Once and Future King, and Emrys is at his side. It won't be long now."

She nodded again and rushed off.

Merlin sighed as she went out of view. This was going to be a pain to explain. He turned to face the knights, wracking his brain for any lie, but couldn't think of one fast enough.

"Who- What just happened?" Gwaine asked.

"I- erm, well..." Merlin couldn't decide how to start, but before he had time to reply, Arthur spoke up.

"Why would she call you a lord?"

Heat flooded Merlin's cheeks and he looked at his feet, shifting awkwardly.

"I hate it when they do that," he mumbled.

"I didn't ask how you felt about it. I asked why it even happens in the first place!"

"Prat," Merlin murmured, looking up at him.

"Merlin."

"I don't know why they do it! They just do."

Arthur sighed.

"Okay. And who exactly is "they" anyways?"

Merlin mumbled so quietly that Arthur couldn't hear what he said.

"It's who?"

"The druids damn it! Druids, sorcerers, dragons, magic people and creatures and stuff..."

His voice trailed off.

Arthur's eyebrows shot up.

"And why do people in the magical community have a special name for you?"

"I don't know! Their stupid prophecies or whatever."

"Prophecies?" Gwaine interrupted.

Merlin looked at his feet and shifted uncomfortably.

"Yeah, I mean… Uh, they kinda think I'm this- You know, because of the way I was born and all…"

"Mate, that made absolutely no sen-"

"Because I was born with magic! Okay! It's not like I ever got a choice. No, "Oh hey baby Merlin, do you want to be born with magic in a world where it will either get you burned or enslaved? Too bad here you go you're the most powerful of us all now. Oh yeah, and you're also immortal, but let's not talk about that. Also I'm not going to give you any training or guidance and just put you in the heart of Camelot for you to have this destiny thrust upon your shoulders and every day you have the threat of death hanging over your head and if any of your friends knew they would hate you and probably want you dead."

Merlin was breathing heavily by the time he finished his rant and nobody spoke, not sure what to say.

"Haha, Merlin," Arthur said, "Very funny. Now can you please explain what the hell is actually-"

His next words got caught in his throat when Merlin's eyes flashed gold and a butterfly flew from his outstretched hand.

"I was born with it, Arthur. I never had a choice in the matter."

"Why-" his voice was hoarse and he suddenly felt as though he couldn't breathe, "Why did you ever…"

"Come to Camelot?"

He only nodded in reply to which Merlin shrugged.

"I could no longer control my magic. It's instinctual. I would always use it without even thinking and I couldn't stop. I came to get some help."

Arthur laughed a pitiful laugh.

"Who in Camelot would-"

Oh.

"Gaius."

Merlin nodded.

"I- I see. Let's just… Let's just get back to Camelot. I never want to hear a word of this conversation. Understood?"

All of the knights, and Merlin nodded. As they began walking, Merlin let himself fall behind so he could speak to Lancelot.

"I'm so sorry Merlin. If only I'd been able to control myself-"

"No. Lancelot, this isn't your fault."

"Merlin, please. Let me make up for what I caused.

"It's okay Lance. This had to happen sometime. I just… never expected it to happen like this. I only hope he doesn't murder me the minute we're within the city walls.

"You'll get through it. Have faith in Arthur, he'll come around."

"I kept this from him the whole time I've known him."

"To save your life," Lancelot pointed out, "He's your other half, Merlin. Two sides-"

"-of the same coin. I know. It's just-"

"Trust in him, Merlin. Trust in the destiny you've sacrificed so much for. Trust in the man you have made a fair and just king. He will not be hasty to judge."

"Not unless he's blinded by betrayal. I've betrayed him, Lancelot."

"A half cannot hate what truly makes it whole. He may be hurt, but you will overcome this. You both will."

The End
Sorry it's a little rushed :)