There was a chilling silence filling the air as both sorcerers stood with stoney expressions. Morgana's melted into a sinister grin as she lifted her palms, muttering a spell to send a shock wave towards Merlin and Arthur, who was standing a few leagues behind his servant, watching the situation unfold. Before she could do so, Merlin lifted his own hand and pointed his spell towards Morgana, lifting her into the air as his eyes stayed a pale amber color.

"You choose to do this, to promote death and destruction in the name of 'justice'. You justify your actions with the actions of others and claim the genocide you perpetuate is in the name of vengeance, but you are wrong to do so. I and so many others have lived under the persecution of Uther for years, with each breath plagued by the fear that we may be hanged or burned at the stake for who we are, who we were born as. But we have chosen to assume a new path, as it is clear that Arthur has done what Uther never could. He has grown, he has changed. He has done much for the good of Camelot and yes, although similar fears as those present with Uther hold a particular sinister control over many, we know that he is capable of change. Your actions do nothing but further your thirst for power and soil the name of sorcery further. You do not deserve the title of High Priestess, nor the power that comes from it.

"But even so, I could not describe how difficult this is to do."

His eyes flashed a new color now, a scarlet red. New power flowed through his veins that he'd never felt before, and he felt the words to an encantation come through his mind from his heart. It was inherent, it was only what he knew he was. It was power that was always within him.

A blast of yellow light erupted in a circle around him and Morgan was thrown leagues ahead of Merlin, while his magic swept through Camelot, striking down each of Morgana's soldiers and leaving Camelot's citizens unharmed. Arthur held his arm in front of his eyes, blinded by the brightness of the spell, as Merlin began to rise a bit off of the ground, sending waves of the yellow light across Camelot.

Once he returned to the ground and the yellow light had faded to a faint glow surrounding Merlin, he approached the fallen witch, looking down at her pitiful figure, eyes filled with tears. He knelt down towards her, to which she began to scramble away, but Merlin held his hand out to signify he would not harm her.

"Morgana, I understand your pain. I understand that the fear of persecution you and I have dealt with could harden the hearts of any man. You weren't always like this. T=You used to be so caring, so happy. I understand that you may never be that way again, and that isn't your fault. But please, I beg of you. Let me help you."

His eyes were caring, tear-filled and expressive. Morgana looked into them for a hint of deceit but found none. He truly wished to help her.

No one had ever tried to help her before.

Slowly, then more quickly once she felt the motion come easier, she nodded. She reached out and grasped Merlin's hand, and practically fell into his chest, wrapping her arms around him and sobbing into his shoulder. What had she done? How could she harm those she used to love so much, whom she used to care for so deeply?

She looked behind Merlin towards Arthur, who returned her gaze with kind eyes. Forgiving eyes.

Although she could not understand why, nor vocalize her gratitude,

they had forgiven her.

Arthur had muttered a quick "We will be discussing this," to Merlin as the two brought Morgana to a room in the castle. They discussed at length the terms of her staying, including, for the time being, an enchanted bracelet which would dampen her powers.

"It is only temporary," Gaius had reassured her. "We want to be sure we both trust each other. You need to trust us and we need to trust you. You are free to stay and walk about the grounds at your leisure, but must not have full access to your powers. Mundane spells should be accessible but nothing damaging or dangerous."

Merlin stayed with Morgana the entire day, the warlock being once a source of great fear but now a source of kinship, one of the few people who made her truly feel as though she belonged.

After Morgana had been dealt with, Merlin and Arthur both walked towards the castle gardens, which were often deserted.

"I know, you want answers. And I'm happy to give you them, please. Ask me anything."

Arthur looked at Merlin, a bit puzzled.

"When did you first choose to be a sorcerer?"

Merlin laughed, until he noticed Arthur was serious and quickly cleared his throat.

"I-I didn't choose, Arthur. I was born with magic, just like my father, and his father, and his father before him." He paused for a moment. "Just like Morgana."

Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. "And your friend? Was he born with it?"

Merlin smiled sadly. "No, no. Will wasn't a sorcerer. He tried to cover for me."

Arthur paused a bit but didn't react.

"Who else knew?"

"Lancelot. Freya, Gaius. My mother, of course. Gwaine, most recently. A-and my father."

Arthur felt a small sting at the sound of each name he recognized, but that was overcome by confusion when Merlin mentioned his father. "You told me you never knew your father."

Merlin looked downwards, still not entirely recovered from the loss of his father. "Not until we went looking for him."

"We went looking for your father?" Arthur was confused. He couldn't recall ever searching for Merlin's father.

"I'd rather not talk about that now."

Arthur understood the subtext. Something had happened, yet another thing he had been oblivious to.

"Look, Merlin, I'm not banishing you, or executing you. I-I understand. I don't think I ever did, nor that I'll ever know exactly what it is you are, but.. I'm trying. And I really need you to know you're safe here."

The two made eye contact for a moment, an unusual moment of closeness between the two, of complete seriousness that was seldom experienced with them both.

"Thank you," Merlin said, keeping his voice steady to the best of his ability.

The two continued walking through the garden, now silently, shoulder to shoulder.

As equals.

A/N: Thank you to all who waited for this chapter, I know it was a bit late! :/ Let me know in the reviews if you want me to continue this story with more Merlin adventures (now with Arthur knowing about his magic) or if you think this is a good stopping point! Thanks for all your words of encouragement so far and I look forward to writing more stories about this show in the future!