A/N

This takes place right after Gwen runs out of Merlin and Arthur's room.

There is also a sort of time jump where I mention a bit of the events of s5 e4 Another's Sorrow. Then another jump to say maybe a couple of hours after the end of the episode where Merlin, Gwen, and Arthur talk about what happened. Basically its all canon summary the events happened the same way as the show, but just with Arthur knowing of Merlin's magic.

Chapter 6

Merlin turned to look at Arthur then proceeded to look at the door where Gwen exited.

"What just happened?"

"It's complicated," Arthur started then stopped at Merlin's look before turning towards the door. "Guinevere. She's upset with me, well I guess us. We weren't acting as inconspicuous as we thought. She cornered me after our meal with Lord Marcus and I may have told her about the letters and you. I mean I didn't out right tell her about you but I may have alluded to… I'll fix it. Let me talk to her."

Merlin nodded, "Alright just maybe ease into the magic talk. I know Gwen and I don't want her to think that I'm evil. When she found out about Morgana she didnt take it well."

"You're not Morgana. She''ll come around I mean I did and Gwen is more understanding than both of us put together."

"You're right there, but I think we should both tell her."

Gwen couldn't believe it. Merlin has magic and Arthur knew about it. That explains the cold shoulder towards Merlin recently. Which in the long run makes sense. Merlin and Arthur are practically inseparable sure they have they're moments but at the end of the day they are both loyal to one another. But magic. Gwen has learned the hard way that magic, while might not be entirely evil, certainly brings trouble. She can understand the cold shoulder Arthur had been giving Merlin and she's sure that Arthur must know much more than what she just overheard considering how much of a drama king her husband can be- Gwaine's words not hers- and she knows Arthur is not shy of banishing those he cares for. So Merlin using magic and Arthur accepting him is well rather unbelievable.

Looking at what she knows about Merlin she supposes that deep down she always knew there was something special about Merlin. Thinking back to the first time she met him back when she was still a maid and he was just Gaius' new apprentice. In the stocks Merlin had quite literally told her that he was in disguise. She thought he was just joking at first and later after getting to know him thought that in a way he was right Merlin was kind and strong and he cared for Camelot rather quickly making her unable to think of a Camelot before Merlin came along.

There was also a time now that she recalls that Merlin had stood up for her in front of the king declaring that he was a sorcerer! She thought he was just being good ol Merlin. But if what she heard was true then Merlin had been responsible not only for curing her father, but stopping Uther from burning her at the stake.

She suddenly felt a stronger admiration for her friend. Suddenly all those strange requests and confidence that he knew Arthur would be safe made more sense. Merlin has been using his powers to protect her and Arthur and most likely the entire kingdom.

Gwen's mind literally hurt trying to think of all the times Merlin had used his magic to help them and the she thought about it the more she found herself ashamed she hadn't realized it sooner. She didn't blame Merlin especially after realizing that he must have been the reason for helping them take back Camelot and stopping sorcerers from harming the city. She did though feel ashamed. Her friend, her best friend had been keeping a secret for who knows how long and he had been using his gifts, gifts that would have most likely gotten him killed if he was caught, to save all of their arses.

Gwen let out a laugh. Everyone thought that Merlin was nothing but a servant. Looking back she recalls calling Merlin 'ordinary'once. Merlin she realized long ago as their friendship grew was certainly not ordinary no one could ever take his place.

Some even think him a fool, but really if anyone's the fool its all of them. No one has ever thought to point the finger at Merlin… Witchfinder aside and now thinking about it even with the witch finder, Merlin had managed to turn things around and make them think the whole idea was preposterous. Merlin a sorcerer. If anyone had told her that yesterday she would have probably send them to the dungeons for bad mouthing her friend and then had a good laugh, but now.

Gwen knows she should go talk to him. Oh God the way she ran after she heard the news. Well she had to make things right. Magic or not Merlin was her friend they had both gone on so many adventures together had each had each others backs for so long that she wasn't going to let this ruin them. She trusted Merlin she knew that Merlin would give up his life for his friends and in turn she would give her life to save him. If she had to think of someone she should fear Merlin would never and will never be on it.

With that in mind Gwen started making her way towards the doors shocked to find that as she opened them Merlin and Arthur were standing on the other side.

"Gwen we-"

Merlin started only to be cut off by Guinevere pulling him into a hug. Merlin hesitated at first squirming a bit for finally letting his arms wrap around her.

Arthur watches amused but clears his throat. "Perhaps we should take this inside no need for the servants to see and start mouthing off."

Gwen pulls back and nods stepping aside for both men to enter. She makes her way to the table and sits indicating for Merlin and her husband to do the same.

"So how long have you both known. Or well how long has Arthur known. And well maybe why? I mean I was a bit disappointed I didn't know but I understand but still I can't wrap my head around why you would even start practicing magic not that I'm not grateful or anything I mean you most likely saved us probably a thousand times but-"

"Love, breath." Arthur spoke cutting his wife off noticing her rambling wasn't exactly making Merlin feel comfortable about the situation, "Also stick to one question at a time. I only discovered that Merlin has magic a few months ago he kind of told me, but really I actually caught him and made him tell me what was going on. As for when Merlin started practicing I can't say for sure but Merlin was born with magic so I'm going with probably his entire life."

Gwen looked surprised at that but somehow felt better knowing that Merlin was born with magic rather than him learning it.

Turning to Merlin,"So you've been basically hiding your true self your entire life."

Merlin nodded, "Yes."

"I'm sorry."

Merlin's eyes widened a bit at that like he could quite believe that someone would ever feel sorry or sympathize with his situation which if Gwen thought about it living in secrecy for so long he probably did feel shocked.

"Regardless of Merlin's magic he is still our friend. Like you said Merlin has saved us several time I still don't know how many times or how exactly. But we're all going to figure out the truth at Merlin's pace. I know this might be a bit difficult to understand and you might be a bit mad, I certainly was but there's no reason for that Merlin is not Morgana I trust him not to to betray us."

Gwen looked to her husband feeling offended if she was being honest she had already come to her own conclusions but Merlin betraying them was never one of them.

"Believe it or not I don't care if Merlin has magic." she said addressing Arthur before turning to Merlin her tone lighter, " I have questions of course and will not push until your ready, but you are my friend magic or no magic. I know I ran and it might have looked bad, but I just needed time to think."

Merlin smiled he was glad but was still finding the situation unbelievable not only had Arthur just spoken up for him and accepted him, but now Gwen had as well. Both making sure to let him know that they still trusted him and considered him a friend.

More than that he felt relieved. Having his secret be known by two of the people he trusted the most in the world felt like he was releasing a huge breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Sure, he has dreamed of telling Arthur and Gwen and the knights but never in any of his dreams has he imagined them taking it this well. Sure Lancelot and Gaius had but they didn't count. Gaius himself use to practice magic, secretly still does from time to time if the situation demands and Lance was much more open minded being a foreigner; but Arthur and Gwen had lived their entire lives in Camelot have both lived in the days of the Purge, have heard tales of nightmare all involving magic. Not to mention all the nightmares and close calls they have all faced because of sorceres misusing it for revenge.

"Thank you."

A few days later Princess Mithian of Nemeth came to Camelot to ask for assistance from King Arthur to help find her father and stop Odin. Arthur chose to help the princess but questions about the King's intentions started to stir. Was King Arthur helping the princess of Nemeth out of friendship or was he seeking revenge on the man who had killed his father.

Gwen had to make sure that Arthur knew of the consequences of going against Odin and wanted to make sure that if Arthur planned to do anything he would be doing it for the right reasons.

Merlin and Arthur were in the woods with a small group of knights, Gaius, the princess, and the princess servant Hilda. Merlin had made sure to approach Arthur and like Gwen tried to figure out where Arthur's thoughts were. Arthur had told Merlin that Odin was a plague and he could not allow for him to get away with murdering King Rodor. He also asked Merlin what he would do in the situation. Merlin had told him that he probably would go with revenge but he was just a servant and if he ever was put in a position where he would have to kill a man who had murdered his father the entirety of the kingdom would not be thrown to war.

Throughout their journey Merlin had been to focused on Arthur to notice how suspicious Hilda seemed. He did wonder if Princess Mithian was telling the truth even going as far as realizing that her story just didn't add up. However after a talk with Gaius where the physician said that Mithian must still be in shock he put his concerns aside.

That is up until the Princess had gone up to him and asked if he could go fill up her waterskin. Merlin could not have refused the princess and went to the stream not thinking anything of the situation till he saw it. Morgana. The name was scratched onto a rock and as he saw it it took seconds for his brain to realize that Morgana was in their midst and most likely plotting to lead Arthur into a trap to kill him and possibly start a war by using Princess Mithian. Merlin's body ran as fast as he could he had to warn the king. Unfortunately, Morgana had suspected that the princess was planning something and intercepted him using her magic to throw him against a tree his head receiving as bashing and then using her magic to make Merlin's neck close up causing Merlin to choke than collapse into an unconsciousness and eventually death.

After bringing Merlin back to the camp Arthur was worried about Merlin, but it wasn't like he could do anything about it. He had bigger issues to worry about like stopping the man who killed his father and helping reunite King Rodor and Mithian.

Merlin finally came to thanks to Gaius saving him with magic and quickly took of filling Gwaine in on the way to catch up with Arthur's party who was already at least an hour a head of them.

Merlin had eventually reached Arthur and saved the day by causing an earthquake providing enough of a distraction for Arthur, Percival and royals of Nemeth to run.

Not wishing for the royals to be injured Arthur told them to split up as he and Merlin ran one way leading Odin's men to a dead end. Odin had demanded to battle Arthur one to one. Odin put up a good enough fight but in the end was no match for the king of camelot.

Arthur had Odin dead to right sword at his neck. His mind was racing he could finally get justice for his father, but he knew deep down that he shouldn't kill him. Merlin intervened speaking Arthur's own doubts out about how war would not only destroyy the kingdom but would not lead to the united land Arthur wanted to create. Arthur agreed and with a bit of persuasion so did Odin and both rulers made a truce to let bygones be forgotten and to no longer attack against their territories.

After the weeks events and Arthur having a quick talk with Gwen and Merlin having one with Gaius. Merlin Gwen and Arthur decided to get together and talk about Morgana's attack as well as to question him on his recovery and his help in the fight.

"Are you an idiot, Merlin. An earthquake culd you be more bloody obvious!"

"Please if you didn't know it was me you probably wouldn't have connected the dots."

"But I did! Next time be more careful the last thing I need is for people to find out that my servant is a sorcerer."

Gwen sighed annoyed at her husband, "He was only trying to help. Lets not forget he saved your life and managed to stop you from causing an endless war."

Merlin smiled smuggly at Arthur puffing out his chest. Arthur glared and shoved him.

Gwen watching her boys smiled before turning back to Merlin, "Don't think your not in trouble either. Arthur is right next time you use magic maybe try and be more subtle about it."

Merlin nodded mumbling that he would try.

"So Merlin, how did you manage to get yourself knocked out. Obviously Morgana had something to do with it, but aren't you supposed to be this all powerful prophesied warlock how could you let her get the upper hand."

"I did not let her get the upper hand! She caught me by surprise. Also Morgana is just as powerful as I am probably more. I was actually quite impressed that she managed to keep that aging spell going all that time despite her feeling weak."

"You don't really think she is more powerful than you? I mean Arthur had said that you were…"

"Yes, those are the prophecies Gwen. However, for the past few years since retaking Camelot I have been here hiding only using spells and honing my so called talents when the situation demands it. While Morgana has probably been spending all her time practicing and getting stronger."

"If that's a jibe at me for not freeing magic, Merlin I already told you I can't. I can't change the kingdom over night just for you. Especially not with Morgana at large and a huge majority of the council still holding on to their beliefs that magic is evil."

"I'm not asking you to. I understand and I quite like still being able to have the upper hand in a future battle with Morgana. The only trump card I have is that she has no idea about me."

"Still," Gwen started, "it must be difficult keeping it a secret. I know you've done it your entire life but we are both here for you and I actually think that perhaps we should let the knights know."

Merlin started coughing and shook his head.

" Just the Knights of the Round Table since those are the ones we are closest too. It doesn't even have to be all of them maybe you can tell them one at a time?"

"I don't know."

"She's right though having one of the knights know would help when were out in the forest. Think about it you said that Gaius had to wait to use magic to save you till Gwaine was out of the way. It will be much more convenient if they knew."

"I am not going to tell everyone my secret just to make your life more convenient!"

Merlin glared rising and making his way out of the King and Queen's shared chambers and heading back to his own.

It wasn't like Merlin actually liked keeping his magic a secret. He just didn't want to see the looks of hate or betrayal coming from his closest friends. Merlin turned to go up the steps into his bedroom and lay on his cot.

But maybe Gwen was right. Maybe the knights would accept him maybe there would be some tension in the beginning but it would all go away once they realized he was still him. Right?

Merlin sighed his fingers messing up his hair. If I were to tell one of the knights first well there was no doubt who he would go to. He just needed a little bit of time first.

A/N

Hi so I know I haven't update since March and I'm sorry to keep you waiting but I finally have an idea of where I want this story to go.

I will have Merlin read letters to Arthur but they will no longer be a huge focus to this story. (Which kinda annoys me since I might have to update the summary but I'll leave that for future me to figure that out.) With that said I am open to ideas on what the next letter should be so if any of you have suggestions for the letter for ch 7 (the next chapter) im open to see/ what you all would want.

I mentioned in the last chapter how I wasn't sure if the letters should stay strictly between Arthur and Merlin. Gwen obviously know the truth but I don't know if I actually want her there for the process at least not for all of them. I want to have more Merthur friendship bonding moments.

Also for the next chapter and the ones after I will be going with the events that happened in the show with just some changes the story wont shift from canon (too much) till after I address the next episode s5 e5 The Disir.

Merlin will also reveal his secret to the knights eventually obviously starting of with Gwaine because I love their friendship and it just make most sense for Gwaine to know first from the rest of the knights.

So yeah...

I think thats all I had to say. Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter and are interested despite me taking so long to update. I also want to say a thank you for all of you who have favorite/ followed this story. I really don't want to let you guys down so I really hope you guys/gals keep reading and let me know of any concerns you may have.

Please stay safe.

-Agent C.