Well, I'm inspired and I do not want this inspiration to go to waste. I CANT STOP WRITING.

Thank you! For every review and favorite and follow! So glad to see Merlin's fans are around!

Once again this was a VERY long chapter, so I divided in two. In this Chapter we see a little bit of Arthur's point of view. I guess I was so focused on Merlin I forgot to see the very one-sided vision Arthur had of Merlin before the reveal.

The time Arthur managed to save Merlin… from the truth.

'Your biggest enemy will be reflected in the mirror."

"I can't believe you did that Merlin!"

"Well, I think he deserved it."

"You attacked him!"

"It. Wasn't. An. Attack. Why does everybody keep saying that?" Merlin stated sheepishly and then his eyes flashed gold, five pairs of boots completely clean aligned themselves with the rest while another four lifted in the air to start getting clean by levitating brushes. Arthur, since finding out Merlin had magic, had not stopped giving Merlin impossible chores. Like cleaning and polishing two hundred boots a day.

Lancelot and Merlin were alone in the armory and while Lancelot kept a vigilant eye for possible intruders Merlin would go walking around murmuring conjures around the place. The brunette and good looking knight never ceased to be amazed at the ability and pure skill that Merlin displayed when he used Magic, he never once fell as he trotted around casting spell after spell. The knights were training with Arthur and they had a few hours to spare before the so called secret meeting that Merlin had told him about started, or for any of the knights to march inside the armory.

Lancelot sighed and leaned against the door, his eyes darting around the room in pure amusement. How? How could people hate something as amazing as this? Even if Merlin used for chores for god's sake. Lancelot chuckled, not for the first time wondering how much power did his friend indeed had.

"What?" Merlin asked, concentrated on getting a few axes that were lying around and put them on the stone wall.

"Nothing." Lancelot had just come back after a two week patrol along with Gwaine and Percival—and they were dispatched by Arthur to take a day off (Much to Merlin's indignation)—however, Lancelot had agreed to accompany Merlin on his chores around the castle. If there was one person Lancelot had missed the most was good hearted Merlin, he was the only who knew about his magic –well now Arthur knew too, even if he was still aware that this could back fire at any given moment—when Lancelot was not around he was always worried about what would happen if no one was here to cover up for him. Now that Arthur knew he was glad that at least he had the prince to share this burden with.

"I was thinking, now that Arthur will become king—eventually, of course, I assume sooner rather than later things will change?"

Merlin turned around to face him, and while the two men were still the whole room looked alive with an army of boots lifting in the air, the chainmail was being washed by a corner by invisible hands, the helmets were being dented and the swords were being accommodated by order of rank as the flew above their heads. "Well, he said so, once he becomes king. He swore on his Father's life. Which is funny because Uther has to die for him to become king. Who goes next? Percival or Sir Owen? I always forget. "

"Owen." Lancelot said at once. "Then Sir Percy and then Percival, watch your head…chainmail."

Merlin ducked at time when a mass of chainmail flew just an inch above his head. It went and hung on Leon's shelve. Merlin straightened like nothing had happened. "Thanks."

"I'm glad you managed without me all this time." Lancelot commented, more often than not Lancelot had to make ridiculous excuses to explain certain… events, around the castle and the knights. He had a feeling Gwaine was not being fooled but then again he had never said anything to any of them and Merlin and Lancelot had let it be.

"Well, I'm glad you came back in one piece," Merlin said as he started walking again, this time, the red robes of Arthur trailed behind to get washed, and after a moment, the red, muddy cape of Lancelot disengaged itself from his shoulders and went flying behind Merlin. For a moment, Merlin looked like a knight and Lancelot nodded in appreciation. Merlin was the braves of them all, then he peeked through the door to make sure the coast was clear. "Did you tell him about me?"

"Uh—no, I didn't. Somedays he's fine but others…I mean, it's a lot to digest, the fact that the hadn't killed me came something like a surprise. Once he comes to terms on his own, then I'll tell him about you. Don't want you executed for treason, my friend."

"Fair enough." Lancelot said raising a hand to his throat. "So, the meeting late this evening, what is it about?"

Merlin lost concentration for a fraction of second and the sword that was being sharpened almost clattered on the floor before he regained control over it. "Yeah… got it, its about Morgana. I have a funny feeling—"

"I hate your funny feelings."

"That's what Arthur said… and Gaius! Oh, well, anyway I have seen a messenger leaving the palace at night, repeatedly, according to Arthur it's an anomaly."

"And you think Morgana is behind it?"

"I think we need to be careful." Merlin said as finally all the swords were sharpened and he stopped using his magic in that aspect. "And we need to find out before we do go to Uther, for all we know it's a married man having an affair with someone in the lower town. Jesus Christ, Lancelot, just how many tugs did you face? Your sword is practically a boy's toy!"

Lancelot sighed, opened the door just an inch and saw that the knights were still not on sight; he closed it again and put lock, resting his weight against it.

"Alright then, what can I do to help?"

Merlin shrugged. "Nothing really, for now at least, until we talk to Agravaine and decide what to do about it."

Lancelot hummed, if a patrol was organized to intercept this man maybe he could assign himself, that way Arthur and Merlin could have more accurate information, since he had met Merlin he had started to develop a kin eye for what was magic and what was not.

"Very well, being a strategist the most possible option is to assign a guard, I'll volunteer once is proposed, keep a secret eye on things." Lancelot grinned and Merlin smiled over his shoulder, folding magically the red robes of Sir Allor. Lancelot heard Gwaine's laugh past the hallway and he was never so glad that his friend laughed with so much heart. "They are coming Merlin. Give or take two minutes."

Merlin didn't need to be told twice; his eyes flashed gold and started to place everything down and where they belonged. Swords were being sheathed, boots were aligned, and the clothes on the corner were put to rest.

Merlin smiled childishly and raised his thumbs, Lancelot unlocked the door just in time for the rest of the knights to stroll down the hallway, a second too late Lancelot saw that his sword was still being polished in the middle of the air a few feet away from him at he dived to take the hilt before the first knight walked in.

"Why couldn't you be the prince of Camelot, Lancelot?" Merlin whispered with appreciation as Lancelot began to sharpen his sword manually with a half-hearted glare. See? This is why he worries when he's away.

"Oi! Merlin! There you are!" Gwaine said as he entered and then looked around, startled to see his fellow partner there. "Lance? The hell mate? Weren't ya' suppose' to be sleeping, or having a day off or something?"

"Had to sharpen my sword." Lancelot said meekly as he raised his sword to show him. "You had the day off too, Gwaine."

The rest of the knights walked in, all of them in different state of ware, some smiling, some grunting and other laughing as jokes were passed back and forth, some of the youngest muttering under their breath of the brutal training with the prince and Merlin smiled knowingly.

"Yeah… can't sit still for too long." Gwaine said as he passed and clasped Merlin arm. "Good to see you mate, what do ya' say we go to the tavern later, like good ol' times?"

"Good old times?" Elyan scoffed from across the room. "You were gone two weeks."

Gwaine moved his hand like he had heard nothing and a few knights snickered.

"Merlin, did you do all of this by yourself?" Percival asked a few feet away as he eyed his new sharpened sword.

Lancelot had to resist a smile when saw the grin on Merlin's face. Percival, for being the biggest and by far most intimidating of all the knights was, from Lancelot's point of view, the most amiably towards Merlin, he was the only one who complimented or noticed all the things he did. Lancelot did too, but with the knowledge he had he didn't count. Gwaine was super protective of Merlin, but he wouldn't notice if his sword was more sharpened than yesterday seeing that half the time he was drunk.

Around the armory other knights started to check their swords or equipment and soon a few were nodding on his direction, throwing him smiles of gratitude and the youngest ones raised their thumbs, at least they shouldn't worry about chores like this ones, a few other just shrugged and other scoffed. Lancelot had to accept that not all knights were that noble and he noticed that Gwaine was glaring in the direction of Sir Oliver.

"Yes! Uh—I had a bit of help, from Lancelot here, but uh—yeah."

"Good job, Merlin." Leon said as he unstrapped himself from his armor and the rest of the knights followed through. Merlin nodded, dived on the ocean of knights with lots of 'excuse me' 'sorry' 'Just a second…' took the still wet clothes from Arthur from the corner and left the room with Lancelot on his feet.

As they walked down the hall they saw Arthur walking towards them in his own way to the armory, he nodded to Lancelot and as he passed he kicked Merlin on the head, Merlin glared as Arthur walked away without a word.

"You have to be a prat to be prince?" Merlin said massaging his head when Arthur reached the Armory. "I have been wondering."

"I heard that!" Arthur screamed before he opened the door of the armory with a final glare and disappeared behind it. Lancelot laughed the whole way to his room as Merlin made his way grudgingly towards the stables.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Arthur was looking for Merlin, it was time for dinner and still his manservant had not deigned himself to show up with said dinner, he sighed as he strolled into the kitchens taking his own food for himself as the servants fluttered around, putting everything they could find in his plate.

He walked mindlessly to his chambers, he only wished he showed up in time for the meeting with Agravaine, and then he remembered that Gwaine had told something about a tavern…he closed his eyes in exasperation, finally resigned himself and leaving the food on a nearby table he went to look for Merlin.

He was no fool, he knew Merlin had used magic today in the armory, no one had seen and he had no idea as to how, but the fact that Merlin had still not returned could only mean he was doing magic somewhere and Arthur suspected that Merlin had began to do it just to worry Arthur and pit him on the edge. Is this how Gaius feels every hour of the day? God had mercy on his soul.

Just then, like just by mere thought Arthur had conjured him-which as a funny use of words-he saw Lancelot and Merlin walking down the hall opposite from him, both of them chatting amiably as Lancelot shook his head at something Merlin had said, and soon a running Gwaine came up from behind them and threw his arms around them, steering them to the kitchen away from Arthur, for some unknown reason Arthur didn't call on them when they turned oblivious to his presence and were out of sight.

Arthur stood there for a few moments, his hands limp by his sides watching the empty arc where the knights and the sorcerer had disappeared. He knew that Gwaine and Lancelot loved Merlin just like the three of them were born brothers from different mothers, however, he suddenly realized that as friendly as he could be towards him he could never be seen in a tavern getting drunk with the rest of them. He couldn't pass his arm over his shoulder and enjoy a day doing nothing like Gwaine and Lancelot somedays did. He was a future king, he had chores to do, things to do and people to take care of besides Merlin. As much as Arthur considered him his own brother he just couldn't show it.

Arthur realized that he could never be part of that circle and it was the price to pay for being born with a crown over his head.

In the past week he had spent more time with Merlin than any other human being, sure, he had spent a lot of time with him for years, but now, it was like the final wall had lifted. Arthur turned for Merlin for honest advice and they would sit in his chambers sometimes for hours talking about the kingdom. Merlin was the only one who questioned Uther's decisions and Arthur would debate his ideas with him. Just yesterday Arthur had vowed to Merlin that when he became king he would do something to abolish the stupid law against sorcery.

Merlin had left the room babbling about chores and before he left, Arthur was sure he had seen tears trailing on his face.

This was Merlin. Merlin, the loyal, the warlock, the intelligent, the cunning planner. Merlin his stupid friend. Sometimes, he would light the candles of the room at once just to scare Arthur, or accommodate the books on Arthur's chambers when Arthur was in meeting so it would be easy to work on them later.

Arthur had always seen just one side of Merlin. The clumsy, babbling, kind of good for nothing but loyal Merlin and he appreciated him as his closet friend, however he now realized there was a whole other side of Merlin that had been hidden for years, and he sometimes felt threatened by it. Angered. Sometimes late at night Arthur would lay awake thinking how he had been deceived, furthermore, when Merlin had been lying around or disappeared or when he had caught him in his room late at night and he had crossed him with the title of idiot Merlin had been actually saving his life.

Somedays Arthur couldn't sleep, thinking that such a powerful person was indeed his best friend and sometimes he had doubts, of course he did, and Merlin was trying to give him space to get used to him. Merlin knew Arthur better than the prince wanted to admit, however he thought back to all the times Merlin had witnessed people with magic die by his father's hand and other by his hands.

And still Merlin had protected him. Sometimes he felt like going to Merlin's chambers in the middle of the night and shake him awake and yell at him from the top of his lungs.

"'Why are you doing this?! Why?!"

Why, heavens answer did Merlin with so much magic, so much power that he could over rule him in a second…why everyday he chose to be just his servant, then he would remember the look in Merlin's eyes that time when he had tested him with his word and everything with settle.

He didn't deserve the loyalty Merlin showed every day. It was… it was unprecedented, but when he had looked inside the soul of Merlin Arthur, in a vague context, understood that it was just… it was just like that. There was no explanation. Merlin was designed to be kind, a protector, and just put his life and the rest of the knights lives before his. Merlin was literally kindness in a person.

That was Merlin.

And Arthur laid awake at night trying to understand the pure concept that such a soul existed.

Arthur still had mixed feelings when he remembered the rest of his knights just joking around with Merlin and he wondered if they saw Merlin the way he did. He began thinking that probably they had come to this conclusion years ago.

Gwaine didn't trust anybody, he had been a no one, he was a drunk and enjoyed spending his nights on taverns… and still he was the first to ask if Merlin was alright after a fight while on patrol. He protected Merlin like he was his own sibling, Leon one time had joked that Gwaine would quit the day Merlin died. Arthur was pretty sure that would be the case.

Lancelot had come not looking for revenge, but to help the realm. Merlin had helped him to become a knight, and even when Lancelot had sworn to protect Arthur he was sure if given the option Lancelot would turn on Arthur for Merlin's sake in a second. And Arthur was fine with that.

Gaius, Gwen, Leon, Elyan… and the list could go on and on…

Arthur was a prince, he was respected and loved by his knights, they were brothers in arms, they would die for him, however, they all would give their lives for Merlin just as easily… because they knew Merlin and what he represented.

Arthur took two steps back shaking his head in shame. It had taken him four years to understand the nature of Merlin. Apparently something that the rest of his knights and Gwen had come to understand the second they met him.

The Prince of Camelot returned to his chambers alone, not bothering to retrieve the plate with his dinner as he passed.

A huge thanks to: mersan123, Aarona, CarolinaEirasSa, NerdGirlAlert, Maeriepc, rmatri540, . . and every Guest. Thank you for your words, for putting a review when I expected none.

Part ll would be posted soon I hope. Cookies for all of you.

Next chapter the action begins- from my point of view at least.

-Juliet'lovestory-