Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, nor am I making money off this story.
Set before Uther's death.
The sun was making its way up the sky bringing with it the first real sunshine the citizens of Camelot had had in over two weeks now. The continuously grey sky and bleak mornings had dampened even the liveliest of spirits; wet wood meant breakfast was cold more often than not, and the biting wind had the farmers pulling their threadbare clothes closer around them, staring with envy at those whose livelihood kept them inside.
Still, with these rays of sunshine also came optimism, as the warmth from the sun hit faces, young and old alike, making children laugh as the fresh layer of snow made the ground sparkle as if gemstones had rained from the skies.
From prince Arthur's window the courtyard could be seen where people were slipping and sliding, going to and fro and even laughing when the odd man lost his footing and fell on the treacherous stones. Maybe the change in weather was destiny itself encouraging the young sorcerer to do what he'd wanted to for so many years, a promise that everything would be fine in the end...
Arthur looked down at his platter. His breakfast was cold again, but he didn't bother saying anything. Both master and servant knew that something was not quite right today as their usually playful banter had been strained and one-sided, eventually fading away. Now Merlin was working quietly in one corner of the room, biting his lips and glancing anxiously at Arthur whenever he wasn't looking.
Arthur didn't say anything as Merlin tripped over nothing for the second time that morning, but instead of brushing it off and going back to work like last time, Merlin just took a deep breath and gathered himself off the floor. He squared his shoulders and made his way over to Arthur, where he stood silently waiting for the prince to give him his full attention.
Arthur on the other hand had finally had enough. His nerves were already on edge and he looked up at Merlin about to scold him, but seeing the look on his manservant's face he held his tongue.
The silence stretched, getting more and more awkward and still Merlin just stood there, apparently having lost whatever courage he'd picked up moments before. Being the best hunter in all of Camelot Arthur knew he would win the waiting game, but this was Merlin and he really didn't have all day, even if Merlin was looking at him weirdly-
"What's wrong? You've been quiet ever since I saw you, and well, if there is something bothering you, you can tell me. You can trust me."
"...I want to trust you. That is, I do trust you, but this is my burden to bear and it wouldn't be right of me to put you in such a position," he said in a tired voice that suggested these words were often repeated in solitude and were meant more for himself than to reassure the other.
The silence settled again and this time it wasn't an awkward silence, but the silence a friend gave another friend to let them gather their thoughts. To let them decide if they wanted to take the plunge and confide in them. To strengthen the bond of friendship by telling them their secret, even if it would put them in a bad light, because they were friends and they would understand. And if they couldn't understand they could never hate, because that was what friends did, and Arthur be damned if he and Merlin weren't friends. He took a deep breath. He was ready for whatever would happen next. He would trust Merlin.
"I have magic."
This time the silence was deafening.
Merlin's expression was wary and guarded, not at all like how he usually was with every thought, every emotion written so clearly on his face and still… Arthur had known Merlin long enough to see that something was struggling to break free from the forced mask of calmness.
When nothing was said at all he cleared his throat nervously and repeated himself.
"I have magic, Merlin."