AN: I'm back, thank you to all those who sent well wishes, and yes I am fine, the only injuries anyone in the wreck sustained was bumps and bruises, somehow. Anyway thank you all for your patience and support. I will officalialy be going to Bi-weekly for at least a little while as school is swamping me. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

HERE IT IS, THE CHAPTER YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...

*Arthur POV*

"King Merlin," Arthur said coldly, nodding at him, he had no choice but to be at least polite to Merlin, he was a king after all and Arthur was his prisoner, not that that stopped him from looking throughout the room for an escape route. On the far wall was a small door, likely used for servants and hopefully unguarded, if he somehow got a sword maybe he could get out. He found himself eying the sword at Merlin's waist, it was finely made, fit for someone of Merlin's apparent station. "I see you lied about many things." He said, looking pointedly at the weapon. Merlin shuffled slightly and Arthur looked back to his face.

"I had to, Arthur," Merlin said, a pained expression on his face. Arthur said nothing. "If I had told you the truth you would have either laughed in my face or killed me." He continued and Arthur felt a surge of pain in his chest at the thought that Merlin never trusted him, despite all that Arthur had trusted him with. He was tempted to tell Merlin that he never would have done that, but he realized that would be a lie.

"Something tells me you would have been able to handle yourself if I tried to end you," Arthur said instead, making it clear that he had figured out the other truth about Merlin. Merlin's shoulders seemed to sag when he said that and he ran a tired hand over his face.

"I would never hurt you, Arthur." He said, looking at him sadly "I only ever used my magic for good, for you, and for Camelot."

"Lies, you are nothing but a sorcerer and a liar!" he spat, forcing himself to stand still. He couldn't let his rage take over or those guards would be called and then he probably would be put in the dungeons. If that happened then he would have no chance of escape. He prayed that his men were safe and had somehow escaped capture.

He looked to Merlin and felt a twinge of guilt at the hurt of his face from Arthur's words.

"Tell me, Merlin, when did you learn magic? When did you betray me?" he asked. Truthfully, he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer, but something in him demanded he asked. "Were you ever truly my friend? Or did you come to Camelot to trick me?"

"I was always your friend Arthur, I never betrayed you. I never learned magic either, I was born with it." He answered, his voice pleading, needing Arthur to understand, to accept him. Arthur stared at him, too shocked to be angry.

"You're lying, no one is born with magic, you have to learn it."

"Some people learn it, yes, they are sorcerers and sorceresses, they study for years to obtain the power that some people are born with. Those who are born with it must learn to control it, they are Warlocks and Witches, frequently more powerful than those who learn it, I am a Warlock."

Arthur shook his head, if what Merlin was saying was true then his father had killed people who didn't have a choice in who they were, and Arthur refused to believe that.

"You're lying," he said, backing away.

"I'm not, tell me Arthur, those children that were killed for having magic, children no older than 8, when would they have learned magic? Some of them couldn't even read yet, and they somehow learned what takes grown men and women years to learn and master? Think about it Arthur and tell me I'm lying." Merlin took a step towards him, beseeching him to understand. Arthur stepped back again, he couldn't believe it, he couldn't, but those children he had seen playing, playing with magic, were they born with magic?

"It still corrupts" he tried.

"All power corrupts some people, Arthur, though not all people become corrupt. A king may rise to the throne and become a tyrant, or he might be a kind king that helps his kingdom prosper"

"Morgana, did she learn magic or-?" Arthur asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"Morgana was born with magic, it didn't manifest until later but that's normal. She was not corrupted by magic, but by fear. She feared Uther and his hatred for magic, she let that fear turn to hatred. I blame myself for what happened to Morgana. I should have told her about my magic, I should have helped her, instead I let my own fear control me." Merlin said sadly and Arthur saw his friends face fill with true regret.

His friend, Arthur had thought the man before him was a friend, someone who knew everything about him and he knew everything about, oh how wrong he had been. He knew nothing of Merlin, how much of what Merlin had said had been lies? What else wasn't Merlin telling him? Was Merlin evil? He found himself asking, part of him said of course he was, another part who knew Merlin, a part that remembered the dreams he'd been having, and remembered all the times Merlin had been there for him said he wasn't. But magic had to be evil, if it wasn't then what did that mean about his father, about him?

"Where are my men?" Arthur asked coldly, deciding to leave those thoughts for later. Merlin sighed.

"They're fine, they know the truth and have accepted it, they are free to leave anytime."

"And me?" Arthur asked, he didn't inquire after the men who had accompanied him into the castle, it appeared Merlin didn't know about them, though he would have to deal with his knights, he was especially surprised at Leon and Elyan.

"I would never force you to do anything against your will Arthur, you are free to go, though I ask you go softly on the knights, they were only being good friends."

"And my sword and armor?"

"Both have been polished and cared for, they will be returned to you when you leave, you are welcome to stay as well." Arthur opened his mouth to say he wanted to leave immediately when there was a knock at the door. Merlin looked at it in annoyance.

"Enter." He called and Thomas came in, the man studied him warily before bowing to Merlin. It was weird, seeing someone bow to Merlin, recognizing him as their superior.

"My lord there is something important I must to tell you."

"What is it?" Merlin asked, sighing.

"I don't believe I should say it in the present company sire." He said, looking at Arthur cautiously.

"Whatever you have to say, Arthur can hear." The knight looked doubtful but continued anyway.

"Last night we found four Knights of Camelot in the castle," the knight hesitated slightly before continuing "Sir Gwaine appeared to have been aiding them, all five were taken to the dungeons."

Arthur swore silently to himself, so his men were captured, on the bright side, it seemed Gwaine had tried to help them. Merlin simply seemed confused and hurt.

"Are you sure? Gwaine was helping them?"

"He claimed he wasn't my lord, but the way it looked…" The knight shook his head. "It didn't look good My Lord but he did surrender easily enough, the men with him as well."

Both kings frowned.

"What exactly happened Thomas?" Merlin asked and the knight told them how he had come across the confrontation and of the result. "I'll speak with Gwaine, hear his side of the story, Merlin decided, beginning to make his way to the door, he turned and motioned to Arthur. "It would be best if you came too Arthur, that way you can see your men, I know you're worried about them."

Arthur couldn't deny it, Merlin knew him too well. Despite wanting to get as far from this kingdom and its magic users as possible, away from Merin, he followed, too concerned for his men. Two guards fell into step behind Merlin as he left the throne room, the two guards who had apparently been assigned to him followed as well. It was silent as they walked to the dungeons, he saw Merlin glance back at him occasionally but Arthur just stared ahead, his face hard and unyielding.

*Leon POV*

The first thing that struck Leon as strange that morning was the guard outside of the guest room he was in, as well as the other's rooms, though he noted there was none in front of the room Gwaine was staying in. When the guard followed him, Leon questioned him but the man refused to give him answers, he went to the small dining room that they often took meals in. Soon after Percival and Elyan joined him, guards in tow. Percival was glaring at his guard, who looked rather nervous, Elyan's guard was pale and Leon assumes the man had either threatened him or cussed him out.

"Where's Gwaine." Elyan asked, looking around the room "and why is this lot following us around?" he motioned towards where the guards had taken up posts.

"I have no idea, but hopefully we can ask one of the knights or Merlin when we see them, we can look after we eat." Leon answered and the others accepted this and they sat down to eat.

It was midday before Leon found anyone, the other two had split up to cover more ground. Leon finally spotted Richard in a hallway near the council chambers, the knight looked frustrated and normally Leon wouldn't bother a man with such an expression but he was worried about Gwaine.

"Sir Richard!" Leon called and the knight looked up, the two met in the hallway.

"What can I help you with Sir Leon?" he asked, his voice wary.

"I was wondering where Sir Gwaine is and why we have guards following us everywhere?" Leon asked and Richard frowned.

"You mean they didn't tell you?" he asked and Leon shook his head, Richard sent a warning look to the guard behind him who stepped back slightly, knowing he was in trouble. "Last night several intruders broke into the castle, it appeared that Sir Gwaine was helping them and he was arrested, as a precaution guards were posted outside of your rooms." He answered and Leon could tell the man wasn't telling him everything.

"What intruders and why would Gwaine help them?" Leon pryed.

"They were Knights of Camelot." Leon froze at these words.

"Where are they?" he asked and soon he was heading to the East wing of the castle. After threatening the dungeon guard with a pissed off Merlin, Leon managed to be admitted into the dungeon. He skidded to a stop at the sight that greeted him when he got to the cell, there standing before a cell was his king.

*Merlin POV*

When he and Arthur made it to the dungeons the guards quickly unlocked the door and let them down, Merlin instructed the guards who were following Arthur to stay behind and one of the dungeon guards led them to the cell that held Gwaine and Sir Bedivere.

"Sire," Bedivere said, standing at the sight of Arthur.

"Hello, Princess." Gwaine drawled, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he remained seated. Arthur scowled at him as Bedivere glared.

"Stand in the presence of the King, Sir Gwaine," Bedivere growled.

"Oh, so now you're using my title," Gwaine replied, but still jumped to his feet, mock bowing to Arthur as he did. Arthur glared at him, but the knight nodded respectfully and he knew the man was only joking, he wasn't too surprised to see Gwaine also nod at Merlin. Bedivere finally seemed to notice Merlin standing there and at first dismissed him but quickly did a double take, taking in his clothes. Today Merlin was wearing a form-fitting light green shirt, that was paired with fine brown trousers, his sword hung at his belt. They were of a fine make, made for someone of nobility, definitely not belonging on a servant.

"Why are you dressed like that, servant?" Bedivere demanded, hatred and disgust obvious. The two guards behind Merlin scowled, both going for their weapons. Merlin held up a hand to stop them, they obeyed the silent order, though this only seemed to anger Bedivere further, his scowl deepening. "you will answer your better's boy." He said, starting forward but before the guards could do anything or even Merlin Gwaine grabbed him by the shoulder, swung him around to face him and punched him in the face. There was a sickening crack as the force of the punch sent to the knight careening to the floor.

"He has always been a better man than you," Gwaine said, spitting at the knight, and Merlin knew that the knight didn't just mean in social class. Bedivere cradled his broken nose, blood seeping between his fingers.

"You bastard." The knight hissed, his voice nasally, Gwaine simply shrugged.

"You deserved it." He said, glaring down at him and Merlin could tell something else had happened too.

"I'm going to kill you," Bedivere said, scrambling to his feet.

"Separate them," Merlin ordered and the dungeon guard hastily opened the cell, allowing his guards to go in a separate the two, pulling Gwaine out of the cell. The guard went to put him in another cell but Merlin spoke up.

"That won't be necessary." He said and the guard nodded, releasing the knight.

"Thanks mate," Gwaine said, grinning at him, Merlin rolled his eyes.

"What happened Gwaine?" he asked, pointedly ignoring the bug-eyed Bedivere, the knight was likely extremely confused as to why the guards were answering to him.

"Well Your Highness," Gwaine drawled, shooting a look to Bedivere "I was going back to my room for the night when I found him and his men sneaking around the castle. I was worried about what they were doing and I drew my weapon to fight them, I didn't want anyone getting hurt. Unfortunately, some of your knights came along and misinterpreted the situation.

"You're a sorcerer." Came a gasp and all eyes turned to Sir Bedivere, still in his cell. The man looked half terrified and half furious. Gwaine rolled his eyes.

"Yes, please try and keep track Bedi, Merlin here is the King of Aria and yes, is a sorcerer, anyway- "

"Warlock" Merlin interrupted and Gwaine shrugged. Bedivere sputtered slightly at the nickname Gwaine had just given him but quickly went back to anger, glaring at Merlin.

"Y-you are royalty?" Bedivere asked, growing astonishment on his face "Impossible, you are nothing but a servant." He said, and Merlin's guard, who was still in the cell, cuffed him across the head, sending the knight to the ground again. The guard pulled back his foot to kick the man but Merlin stopped him.

"Don't touch him." He quickly ordered and the guard stopped, boot inches from contact. "You are not to hurt him any further." He said, he crouched down beside the knight and carefully turning the wounded knight over, looking for signs of a head wound.

"But sire, he called you a servant." The guard protested.

"That's because I was in Camelot as a servant," Merlin replied, not looking up, and before the aghast guard could reply Bedivere recovered from the blow and took advantage of Merlin being crouched over him, he lunged for Merlin, locking his hands around the warlock's neck and squeezing. Merlin struggled against him, frantically clawing at the hands around his neck. He felt himself getting lightheaded and knew he needed to escape soon. The guard behind him tried to help, tried to pull Bedivere off him but it was useless, the man's grip was too strong, his anger fueling him. Merlin's vision began going black.

And then it was over, Bedivere's hands fell from his neck and Merlin collapsed backward, gasping for breath. He looked up and saw Arthur standing behind Bedivere, a sword in hand, Arthur had used the pommel of the weapon to knock the knight out. The dungeon guard and the one in the cell drew their weapons, eyeing Arthur warily, the third guard struggled to his feet, apparently Arthur had knocked him down and taken his sword. Arthur slowly lowered himself and put the sword on the ground, keeping eye contact with the guard in the cell. Gwaine was already at Merlin's side, helping him up.

"You all right mate?" He asked, looking at the young warlock in concern. Merlin nodded, his hand going up to massage his throat.

"You saved my life." Merlin croaked, looking to Arthur.

"Why didn't you use magic?" Arthur asked, his voice still chilly towards Merlin but for a split-second Merlin thought he saw a flash of concern cross his eyes.

"If I used magic against Bedivere you never would have forgiven me." He replied, his voice still rough.

"And so, you would let yourself be killed?" he asked, and Merlin shrugged.

"I knew someone would stop him." His tone suggesting that he certainly wasn't expecting it to be Arthur.

"What do you want us to do with him Sire?" asked the guard, his sword now leveled at the unconscious man's throat.

"I apologize for his actions; his punishment is up to you King Merlin." Arthur said diplomatically. Merlin bit his lip, the man had tried to kill him, that was a death sentence, but if he killed a knight of Camelot then many would think of that as the breaking point and there would doubtlessly be war.

"He is your knight Arthur, it is up to you to punish him, though he will remain here in the dungeons until you leave." He said and Arthur nodded, this way the man would not be left unpunished but war was averted, hopefully. "For now, we should leave, discuss this somewhere else," Merlin said and the other two nodded. They stepped out of the cell and they saw, rushing towards them, Leon. The blond knight skidded to a stop and stared at Arthur is shock.

"Sire." He said, his jaw practically dropping open. "H-how, I don't understand." He said, looking between Merlin and Arthur. Leon's eyes landed on Merlin's, no doubt already bruised, neck.

"Merlin…" Leon said softly, hesitantly, his eyes darting between Arthur, the bruises around Merlin's neck, and the guards. It was easy to tell what Leon might think. Arthur was unarmored and unarmed, a rare thing for the blond, Merlin had fresh bruises around his neck, three guards were watching the blond carefully and on top of it all they were in, of all places, the dungeons. The knight's hand drifted to his sword, hand resting on the hilt.

"Sir Bedivere did not take too kindly to the idea of me being royalty and having magic," Merlin explained.

"Bedivere is here?" Leon questioned.

"Yes, they were found sneaking around the castle last night, though I'm still not entirely sure why," he said, turning to the blond.

"We thought you were in trouble, once I found out that Aria had magic I thought they had lured you all here for a ransom," Arthur said, frowning. "I believe we must have a discussion, Sir Leon." Arthur finished, glaring daggers at the man, who gulped slightly.

"Of course, Sire." He said, bowing his head, before turning to Merlin. "Why is Gwaine down here exactly? I woke up and there were guards at all of our doors and Gwaine was missing, the others are looking for him as well."

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Merlin replied, "we can discuss this more upstairs." Merlin said, motioning towards the exit and the group soon found themselves in the council room again. Merlin instructed one of the guards to track down the knights and tell them there was a meeting. He turned to Andrew who had begun following them again somewhere on the way back to the council chambers, Merlin wasn't entirely sure when, the servant was a quiet man.

Andrew stayed slightly behind and to the left of Merlin, keeping as far from Arthur as possible.

"Andrew could you please go to the kitchens and have some food sent up?" he asked and Andrew quickly bowed and disappeared. Merlin saw a flash of guilt on Arthur's face when the man left but it was quickly replaced with a cold indifference.

The first one to get there was Richard, he nodded politely, if a bit stiffly, to Arthur and bowed to Merlin before going to his chair, which Arthur had been hovering in front of. The next ones were the twins, both looked at Arthur in shock and exchanged glances before making there was to two seats to the left of Richard, though they left the chair next to the head knight empty. Arthur sat to the left of Merlin and Leon sat next to him, Gwaine took the chair opposite Merlin and sat back, putting his boots on the table and hands resting behind his head. The next to arrive was Nathan who gave Gwaine a dubious look and Arthur a wary one before sitting next to Richard, everyone knew that Nathan was Richard's unspoken heir, the next Head Knight or Aria. Next was Percival and Elyan, the two entered and saw Gwaine, relief crossed both faces and then they looked over and saw Arthur.

"Sire, when did you get here?" Elyan questioned.

"Last night." He answered, "and if you two would sit down I believe everyone wants an explanation." The two quickly took seats between. Finally, Owen walked in, looked around the room, saw Arthur and immediately went on guard, he shot a worried glance at Merlin but he just motioned him to sit. Owen took a seat between James and Gwaine.

Once everyone was at the table and the servants appeared placing large platters of assorted foods in front of them they ate. Once they had all eaten the servants cleared away the plates.

"Now Arthur would you please explain why you're here and how you got in." Merlin requested, turning to the blond. The King was silent for a second before beginning to tell them of how he had gone to look into Aria and what he discovered and the events that followed. When Arthur was finished he turned to Merlin.

"Now I've told my side, what happened after you left Camelot?" Arthur asked and Merlin told him everything, almost everything anyway, only omitting the conversation about his scars and his being Emrys, Arthur wasn't ready for that.

*Arthur POV*

Once Merlin was done telling him about everything that had happened after they had left Camelot, the only thing he could really say, despite everything he had learned and his anger towards Merlin at the moment was "I knew you were the one attracting all the trouble."

Merlin stared at him.

"Really? After everything I just told you that's what you take away from it, that you were right, how typical." Merlin said, exasperated, though Arthur spotted a slight upturn of his lips, a bare hint of smile.

"Well Merlin, you can't say I'm wrong, can you?" he snapped back and Merlin laughed, Arthur had heard that laugh many times before but this time there was something more to it, something fuller, and Arthur could see that everyone had heard the difference.

"Of course, I can." He replied stubbornly "just because I had some bad luck on the way here does not mean everything that we've faced has been my fault."

"No not everything." Arthur agreed before smirking "just most of it." Arthur wasn't sure why he was acting like it was old times with Merlin, teasing him like he was a friend, like nothing had changed. But things had changed, Merlin was a sorcerer, not to mention a King and had lied to Merlin for 6 years, 6 years in which Arthur had trusted the man with everything, with his very life and Merlin had betrayed him, so why was he being so friendly to him?

"Me and my men will be leaving in the morning, King Merlin." He said, once again slipping on the mask of King. Everyone stared at him at the abrupt change in mood.

"Excuse me Arthur but I swore an oath, an oath to help Aria and to help Merlin, I'm not leaving until that is fulfilled," Gwaine said, finally putting his feet down and sitting up angrily.

"You also swore an oath to me Sir Gwaine, an oath of fealty, and you will have to choose which oath you will break. Which King you will follow." Arthur said, glaring at the rouge knight as he stood.

"Sire please-" Leon began, standing so he could stop any impending fight.

"You will have to choose as well, Sir Leon." Arthur said, turning on the knight and cutting him off "all of you will, come morning anyone who does not return to Camelot with me will be branded a traitor and no longer be welcome in my kingdom, you will have to choose, me, or a sorcerer, choose wisely." Arthur finished before storming from the room, leaving everyone is a stunned silence.

The two guards fell behind Arthur as he stalked through the halls, he was grateful he remembered where his chambers were, it would be rather embarrassing to have to ask after what had just happened. He reached the room and slammed the doors behind him, the wood rattling from the force.

Once alone he tried to quell the rising frustration and restrained himself from punching the wall. Why? Why wasn't he angrier at Merlin? Why couldn't he bring himself to kill the sorcerer? Why couldn't he bring himself to kill Merlin? Was he afraid? Afraid of failure, afraid of what would happen if he didn't get the blade in time, or maybe afraid of what would happen after? He considered these things but after a minute of thinking he decided it was none of these, it was something else, something he refused to admit, even to himself. After exhausting his anger and he collapsed into the bed, not even bothering changing into the sleep clothes he had seen laid out for him.

AN: Please review and have a wonderful day! Wear your seatbelt!