A/N This story takes place in season 5. Why well because I managed to say in the last couple of chapters that Mordred is a Knight and well Mordred wasn't a knight before s5e1&2 so yeah this is season 5 between s5e2 & s5e3. The story starts right where it left of with Merlin going back to his chambers and Arthur going training and then fast forwards to about a week or so later… basically right after the whole ordeal with the late King Uther almost revealing Merlin's magic to Arthur before disappearing. Now that you're well informed and all caught up Enjoy :)
Chapter 3
Merlin sighed as he laid in bed he couldn't believe that actually happened. He was actually open and honest with Arthur! And Arthur listened and agreed to trust him. He released a deep breath and closed his eyes. Arthur said they could go at his pace, but Arthur wasn't a patient man. His diplomacy is limited and sooner or later he'll push for more. Maybe Merlin could look over the letters now and find the least revealing one to show Arthur next. Nah that didn't seem right and if the letter had something about his magic he could always leave it out, right? The real question was when would Merlin truly be ready to reveal his magic to Arthur. And would their relationship be strong enough to stand the whiplash?
...
Arthur took a sip of his water skin before throwing it aside and picking up his blade resuming his assault on the training dummy. Merlin… Emrys… Merlin. Emrys. Prophecy. Once and Future King. Destiny. Morgana. Mordred. Kill. Death. Pain. To Unite Albion. It's a lot to process and Arthur can't really figure out what to do. How does one go from seeing a man, a regular average man every day only to realize one day that he wasn't so average? He always knew there was something about Merlin, he was an enigma. An enigma he could never solve and now in a way it makes sense. Merlin wasn't the average peasant. He was literate, well spoken, sure he was also clumsy and an idiot, but he was so much more. Merlin was one of the bravest and most loyal man he ever knew. They've been together for almost a decade and he knew that without a doubt he'd risk his life for him, and Merlin most likely felt the same. Arthur slashed at the dummy a few more times before striking at the ground near his feet. He needed some real action… A moving target perhaps.
...
A couple days passed then a week and then he raised his father back from the dead and almost got his knights, Merlin, and Gwen killed.
"Merlin has" His father's last words. Merlin has what? A destiny? A prophecy? What secret did Uther discover and is it one he already knows or one yet to be revealed. Ever since that day with the letters Arthur had decided to stay true to his word and let Merlin come to him. Obviously the idiot needed a push. He had to uncover the real Merlin. It wasn't something he could just let go. It was as if deep down he had to know but he had no idea why.
Arthur grabbed his goblet and made his way onto the balcony. He could hear the buzzling in the courtyard the children laughing the distant clang of swords, his knights training. Camelot was so full of life and joy it seemed that despite all the danger and trouble the city had seen had made the citizens have a new view on life. One where they were pushed to live theirs despite the past or how bleak the circumstances were. He smiled when he caught sight of Gwen in the village handing out bread to the people. She used to do that with… He shook his head and made his way out of his chambers. Once he reached the court physician's chambers he knocked lightly before stepping inside. Gaius was nowhere to be seen, but there was some shuffling from the room up the stairs. "Merlin?"
After some shuffling a thud an ouch Merlin opened the door and stuck his head out. "Arthur I was just… wait aren't you supposed to be having lunch with Lord Marcus and his wife?"
Arthur scratched the back of his neck and sighed, "I was but… they're so terribly boring I told them something important came up…"
Merlin smiled amused before joking, "That isn't very Kingly of you is it?"
"Shut up, Merlin and besides something did come up."
"Oh really?" Merlin replied clearly not believing his king at all.
"Yes. We have a meeting. You and I discussing some letters."
groaned but nodded.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing I expected you would come ask me I just didn't think it be this soon."
"If you don't want to…"
"Yes?"
Arthur smiled quite evilly, "If you don't want to read me a letter I suppose you could just tell me the secret my father was going to say."
Merlin's eyes widened for a second before glaring at the King and excusing himself to his chambers. Once he returned he brought one of the letters back.
"Should we go to your chambers or?"
Arthur thought it over before standing and making his way towards the door, he quickly locked it and went back to sit on Gaius' bench.
"Here's fine I don't want to be bothered and this is probably one of the last places someone would look for me."
Merlin nodded before opening the letter. He skimmed it over nodding in approval before starting,
"Dear Emrys,
I am very pleased to hear that the time of the Once and Future King is amongst us. I find it very unfortunate however that the sword wielded by our King may be flawed. Its name isn't worthy perhaps you could come up with a better name one worthy of the descendant of the first of Kings.
Forgive me it seems I trailed off a bit I suppose the reason I meant to talk to you about was less to do with swords and more to do with…"
"What? Go on?"
"Sorry I'm not that good of translating this."
"It's druidic? Isn't it?"
"Um no not this one its Old English."
"You can speak Old English too?"
"Gaius taught me and it isn't that different to druidic both have strong Germanic roots just that druidic has a mix of Latin and… never mind I'll continue." Merlin nodded back to the letter, the word he was looking at translated to fire breather or fire serpent.
"… less to do with swords and more to do with dragons. The White Dragon as you know has aligned itself with Morgana Pendragon. I fear that Morgana will use the dragon to forge a sword alike the one that you gave to the Once and Future King. You being…" Merlin cleared his throat before picking up the letter to cover his face and continuing. "the last High Lord of the Dragons should, with in your right and solemn duty command the beast to return to you. It has caused unfathomable damage alongside the sorceress and I can only imagine the depths of destruction that Morgana could cause if she wielded a blade of thy creatures' breath. It could definitely be a setback to all the progress that you have made in preparing the Once and Future King join the land… "
Merlin put the letter down and nodded at Arthur, "That's all, all that matters I said before I wouldn't reveal them."
Arthur nodded, "And that's all. There's nothing else?"
"Yes, that's all."
Arthur nodded again running everything he heard again in his head before turning to Merlin, "Should I even ask, or do you wish to explain yourself."
"I don't know how you want to do this. I thought I was supposed to read, and you ask questions and then…"
"Fine we could do that. So High Lord of Dragons? The Once and Future King, again, Morgana and her dragon, and swords? I think that's the gist so pick one and explain."
Merlin nodded before looking around the room after a while Arthur sighed and told him to talk about the swords the person mentioned.
"Umm alright well there's this sword that I made well I didn't make it a friend did well her dad their dad and I had it forged in a dragon's breath and well swords forged in dragon fire have the power to kill the undead and the magical I guess like when Morgause raised the knights of Medhir..."
"Hold on. Let me get this straight you forged an all powerful weapon that can slay the undead and you gave it away to him! Why we could have used it more. Did you make another?"
Merlin bit his tongue to keep himself from laughing as he saw Arthur's hand go to the hilt of the very sword they were discussing. "No, I didn't…"
"It can't be better than mine! Mine is legendary I mean I pulled it from stone. It has to be more powerful or something right?"
At that Merlin actually led out a small laugh before clearing his throat "Umm.. anyways Morgana can make one too with her dragon and those blades are very powerful and in the wrong hands well it be horrible."
"And this King do you trust him?"
Merlin smiled eyes glistening with love and mischief, "I do. I'd give my life for him, nearly have too."
Arthur looked away frowning before clearing his throat, "What name did he give his sword?"
"Oh that. I fixed it already. He was gonna name it this terrible name really and I suggested it be named Excalibur."
"What! But that's my swords name?"
"Yes, you're welcome it's a really good name and well like you he's a bit of a pretentious prat and needed a bit of help, so I suggested he use Excalibur."
"You couldn't have told him another name? One that wasn't taken by me."
"It's just a name get over it besides Excalibur is a fine name way better than the one you originally gave it and since I chose the name it's only fitting that I chose who can get it."
"Whatever…"
"Awe is someone upset?"
"I am not upset."
"Right."
Arthur glared of course he was upset, "So who is this King. I want to meet him."
"You will…" you already have I'm looking right at him. "… but not yet. You'll like him though I mean I didn't at first but then he turned out to be well don't tell him I told you, but he's pretty great. One of the best men I know, if a bit of a prat."
"He's one of the best?"
"Yeah. He is… Shall we continue?"
Arthur frowned grumbling something incoherently about how exactly he like to meet this so called king with his sword at his throat before clearing his throat, "What's the whole Morgana and her dragon story about? We faced the White Dragon before and obviously the dragon can make a sword like you…" Arthur's eyes widened as he recognized what he just said and the meaning behind them "…Wait a second how could you make a sword without a dragon?!"
Merlin gulped and rubbed the back of his head before fiddling with his neckerchief and covering his neck with his hands. "Well It's complicated…. But actually, that kinda ties up with the High Lord of Dragon which is basically just a Dragon Lord really but I guess…"
"Merlin."
Merlin shut up and bit his lip waiting for Arthur to say what he clearly discovered but before he could Merlin blurted it out not being able to take the silence and the King's glare. "I had a dragon 'had' being relative he wasn't mine I didn't own him and I'm a Dragon Lord."
So along with having a prophesy of him which says he will help unite the land of Albion and kill Morgana Pendragon a high priestess, seer, and probably the most powerful sorceress (at least according to what Arthur knows so far) he is also a Dragon Lord! Did fate have no bounds.
"You're a Dragon Lord?" The question was half rhetorical and half for confirmation that he heard correctly.
"Yes."
Arthur let out a sigh before fixing his glare back on Merlin, "Explain everything! And so help me Merlin if you are the reason for The Great Dragon attacking Camelot and Morgana's dragon, which now that I think about it better not have been the same dragon that was in the egg at the tomb of Ashkanar…" Arthur let his sentence hang there as he studied Merlin's body language shifty clearly uncomfortable…"Bloody hell Merlin! Why! Why did you… Do you have any idea…" Arthur closed his eyes for a second ant out a deep breath to calm down before opening his eyes and seeing Merlin trembling where he sat. "Explain everything and leave nothing out."
Arthur saw Merlin nod before looking down at his hands. Arthur glared before grabbing Merlin's face forcing him to look Arthur in the eyes. "If you had the nerve to be a traitor to Camelot and her peoples the least you could do is look me in the eye when you tell me the truth."
Merlin gasped and his hand instinctively went to his stomach, "I would never betray Camelot… I … Arthur you have to believe me."
Arthur dropped his hand and turned away to look at the door. He did trust Merlin, at least he did… he still does, but he shouldn't if anyone else had told him what Merlin had… It wasn't right or fair! He was the King he can't very well condone Merlin's actions, at least not without knowing the whole truth.
"I told you, before that I would listen. So, tell me everything. Everything you say during our sessions will be between you and me, but I swear Merlin that if you have gone against the law… (Arthur turns to look at Merlin to make sure he know how serious this is) This will be your trial if I discover that you have stepped a toe out of line for the wrong reasons…" He let his threat hang there partly because he didn't know what he would do.
Merlin gulped again and nodded, "I would never hurt you. Or anyone who didn't deserve it. I may break the law everyday with every single breath I take, but I always have cause for what I do and if I had the chance to redo everything all over again I would. I've made mistakes I won't say I haven't, but I never thought that the consequences would be that dire."
Arthur didn't know how to reply to that so he just pushed the letter to him signifying that he should continue with his explanation.
"I once told you that I have never met my father. Well at the time I hadn't. My entire life I was a bastard and then I discovered that there was a reason for why I was raised the way I was. A reason for my father abandoning my mother and I. My father was a great man, but he had a gift that was passed down his family from generation to generation. A gift that during the great purge had caused every single one of his kin except for himself to die. Die is probably too passive a word. The truth is they were slaughtered. Murdered. He was the only one left him and his Dragon, but then a king told him that if he surrendered himself and his dragon they would both be free.
The King was a liar! He led them to a trap where he managed to capture and chain The Great Dragon, his kin, beneath the castle to make a statement. My father fled but not without having Camelot's whole army at his heels. He left its borders and still they pursued him. Eventually he made his way to Ealdor where my mother helped him and they soon fell in love, but that didn't matter he was a wanted man and Uther knew no bounds! So, he ran. Ran as far away as he could to protect mum. Ran without knowing about me!
My mother in a way of protecting me and indirectly him I suppose was by never telling me anything about him not even his name. That is till I came to Camelot and the Great Dragon escaped… but before I continue I guess I should tell you another story.
When I first came to Camelot it was to find myself. It was also a dangerous place to be especially with my past and secrets. Of course, most of that stuff I didn't know at the time. On one of my first days here I felt a presence calling to me. At first I put it off, but then I decided to follow it- I don't know what caused me to do it if it was my gut or what but whatever it was I couldn't refuse it- so I went down to the depths of the castle till I came to a giant cavern. I knew that whatever I heard came from somewhere in the darkness of the cavern. So, I did what anyone else would do I demanded it show itself to me. And suddenly a gust of wind hit me across the face, and I was face to face with a giant beast. It was the Great Dragon. Kilgharra, is his name and he was the one who told me of my destiny and the prophecy's I've told you of. At first I didn't know what to believe or even if I should trust him, but I kept going back to him for advice and soon a bond formed between us. I didn't trust him completely, but he was all I had.
One day something horrible happened and the only way for me to undo what had been done was to make a deal with him. It was a mistake, but the situation was dire so I made him a promise that I would release him on my mother's life. I tried to convince him to not destroy all of Camelot, but he was furious! His blood was seething with rage and his energy was endless from his forced rest. He wanted- maybe even needed- revenge. He wanted to make Uther suffer, he wanted payback for all the pain and loss he had endured when Uther had slaughtered his entire race. Now I can go back to the first story of my father. The Dragon was released Uther was at a loss of what to do and well you where there you know what occurred.
Gaius brought up that only one man could be capable of defeating the dragon. That man was a dragon lord. His name was Balinor and he was my father, I just didn't know it yet. After the meeting Gaius pulled me aside and finally revealed to me that the man we were going to search for was my father. My dad. I never had a dad. Gaius was the closest to a parental figure in my entire life and then I discovered that out there was the man who bore me, whose blood and power ran through my vines and knew we had to find him. I was terrified, but excited. And I wish I could have told you but despite what the king said I knew I couldn't trust him. The son of a Dragon Lord would be treated with suspicion and distrust. I couldn't have that. I couldn't have you looking at me like that. Like you are now… but I guess it all comes out in the end.
So, we were on a quest to find my father the man who could save Camelot and whichever way we turned and every person we spoke to made me more nervous of meeting. But then we were so close. And everything went to hell. We were ambushed you were wounded, and I couldn't lose you. I tried to use what I learned from Gaius to heal you, but nothing was working. Then this man comes, he had a long beard, graying hair, his gaze was sad and suspicious and knowledgeable all at once. He said he could help. He saved your life knowing exactly who you were, the son of the man who had exiled and persecuted like an animal. The son of the man who ruined his life by leaving behind the woman he loved. So many reasons to feel angry to refuse to help, but he did it anyway. He was a good man. Better than your father. Uther would have let me die if the situation were reversed, and if by some way I survived he would have had me burnt or hanged or drowned…
Despite him saving your life I still didn't know if I could trust him. He refused to come back to Camelot and I thought for a second that he was not the man I had expected for a father. I told him as much, told him of Gaius and the people in Camelot that would die if he didn't help. That seemed to change his mind. Eventually I told him the truth that the woman he loved was my mother and that I in turn was his son. He gave me a gift the next day that morning before we were attacked. We were happy discussing his freedom after our quest. Me taking him to see mam. Being a family, for once. But then we were attacked. He died trying to protect me and I held him in my arms as, with his last breath he told me that he was proud of me and that I had the strength to save Camelot.
That evening after he past he gave me another gift. His title. I, like you, once your father died inherited his power, his enemies, his allies. I was devastated. I didn't know if I could do it. I was not my father. One day was not enough, there was so much he still hadn't taught me. So, we returned to Camelot and prepared ourselves for battle. I wasn't going to let you go out there powers or not I'd rather die than have another person I care for die in my arms. There's been so many… So off we went.
Kilgharra clearly had the upper hand managing to take out you and every single one of your men. I tried talking to him. He laughed in my face. Then I heard him. My father was speaking to me from beyond the grave telling me exactly what I needed to do. He told that Kilgharra and I were kin and if I spoke to him with our shared tongue he would not be able to refuse me. So, with my power I commanded him to stop his crusade against Camelot. I picked up your spear and held it readily. I was going to kill him, but I couldn't. He was my family. The only piece of my father that I had left. Him and I were the last of our kind, killing him went against my duty as dragon lord it went against my father. You more than anyone should understand how that feels… So, I banished him on pain of death and made him promise to never attack Camelot again. And that was that."
Merlin finished, he could see the range of emotions crossing Arthur's face none of them screamed disgust or seemed to show him wanting to throw him to the dungeons to await judgement.
Arthur nodded at him, "Could… you get some water?"
"What?"
"Water. Could you get some?"
Merlin raised an eyebrow glancing at the empty bucket and then back to Arthur. "We're out."
"Go to the well." Arthur said condescendingly as if it was the most obvious thing, which in retrospect it was, but not when they were talking about something of this magnitude.
"But… Arthur I just told you about… Fine! I'll go get your stupid water."
Arthur frowned as he saw Merlin grab the bucket and leave making sure to slam the door shut.
It wasn't Arthur's fault! It wasn't. It was just a lot to process. He sighed and let his head bang on the table. Perhaps Merlin was right. It was too soon. He'd wait longer next time. He'd be ready. 'I mean how many more secrets could that ba….. how many more secrets could he have?' What was he going to do now. Merlin had lied about the Dragon, but apparently it was all taken care of and wasn't terrorizing other villages. In fact he hadn't heard any reports of any dragon's sept Morgan's of course so perhaps Merlin really did have the creature- Kilgharra, he amended, all under control. And he supposed Merlin did have a point Balinor had magic and he doubt his father would have kept his word. He never knew the whole story of what happened to the Dragon lords. He didn't know much of anything regarding magic. His father made sure of that. And in doing so he made Arthur and Camelot vulnerable to it. Made him be warry and caused him to kill first and ask questions never, which might not have been necessary. How many more people like Merlin's father were out there, how many non-evil sorcerers where in hiding out for fear of their lives. How many people's death are on his hands. Far too many to count apparently.
"Here." Merlin apparently had returned and filed up a goblet with water before handing it to him. Arthur took it gently and raised to his lips taking a long sip. He placed it on the table and closed his eyes. Merlin broke the law. But it wasn't his fault. The law was obviously wrong wasn't it? It should be. A man shouldn't be judged and found guilty based on their father's actions. As for Merlin releasing the dragon obviously he was tricked. Arthur stood and grabbed Merlin by the arm. The quick movements causing Merlin to flinch and try to pull his arm out of Arthur's grasp in fear.
"Arthur?" And Arthur frowned slightly but didn't let go. He never ever wanted to hear Merlin say his name with that much fear in his voice.
"I, Arthur Pendragon, Son of Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot, pardon you for your crimes against the law. You deserve better no man should be hanged for matter of which he can't control. I swear on my blood, on my crown, that I, Arthur Pendragon will never hurt you, unless you truly deserve it of course, and will protect you so help me God. You once said you are happy to be my servant till the day I die. I don't plan on dying anytime soon so if you'll still have me, despite all the grievances that my family has caused yours, and my being an idiot for not allowing you to trust me in the past, know that I am proud to have you by my side."
Merlin's eyes glistened his mouth stuck together. He felt his heart pounding his head hurt for a second he thought the room was spinning. He let out a small smile and nodded grasping Arthur's arm in return and squeezing gently. "Thank you."
Arthur quickly guided him to sit down and passed him a goblet which Merlin drank alarmingly quickly. "Pinch me."
"What?" "I need to know this is real. Pinch me."
Arthur laughed and punched him in the arm, "Is this real enough?" he said as Merlin let out an ouch and smiled.
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes."
"You're proud of me?"
"Don't push it."
End of Part One of Two
A/N: Hey guys so I was gonna write both parts together, but it's been a long time since I posted so I decided to just split this into parts so you don't have to wait too long. Also because I quite liked how the story ended here. Next chapter will most likely be a lot shorter than this and will mention the Aithusa and Morgana portion of this story that was left out.
I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed this story. Thanks so much for your support and I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. As I mentioned in the last chapter I don't really know in which direction I will be taking this after the next chapter so if you guys have any suggestions PLEASE let me know. I already have a reveal story (10 Things Merlin Tells Arthur) and read several of them and don't want this one to be the same thing, because reveals while being nice to read/write get kinda old. So if you guys have any ideas I am at your mercy.
Also to answer Snipern0sniping: I guess I wanted Merlin to tell Arthur directly so that Merlin could slowly stop feeling afraid of Arthur and trust him more. And the reason for Arthur not going to Gaius or Geoffrey for answers is because 1 I don't really see Gaius revealing Merlin's secrets (not counting the events of the Secret Sharer) and 2 I think that Geoffrey would probably give him some info but probably say that most of the scriptures were burnt/ lost during the purge/locked in the vaults etc. As most scriptures written in Old English were. As for the third part of your question you are absolutely correct in saying that noble lordship is recorded and Geoffrey would most likely have a record, but I sincerely doubt that the show's Uther and his allies would have recognized sorcerers/ dragon lords as nobility. I could potentially have Arthur search for answers later so who knows...
Anyways thanks again I really hoped you liked this story.
Till next time
~Agent C.