Thanks to a request by someone who left a review this chapter is born. Enjoy :)

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When Merlin and Arthur made it back they were greeted by a concerned Sir Percival and a curious Sir Gwaine. "Hello, princess."

"Hello, Gwaine..." Arthur looked at Gwaine and Percival with a confused expression. They were staring at him and Merlin and crossing their arms at him. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing really..." Gwaine answered. "...except for the fact that we were supposed to train yesterday and we didn't. We were also supposed to have a round table meeting but we didn't do that either."

"Right..." Arthur said with sudden realization. "I uh..."

"I was late yesterday and he came to Gaius' chambers to look for me and he had a lot on his mind when he found me, so he decided we'd go for a hunt. Isn't that right, Arthur?"

'That's actually pretty close to the truth.' "Yes. I also had things to discuss with Merlin after I found him but it took a while to get to the point...eventually I just figured it out on my own."

Sir Percival looked between the two men who were still on their horses and gave an irritated sigh. "I can tell both of you are telling the truth, what I don't understand is what the both of you are trying to NOT tell us. Arthur, we're your knights...and I know Merlin is your best friend, but the only other person out there with you...WAS Merlin."

'Yeah, and apparently he can hold his own by being a warlock and a dragonlord.' "We were fine. See? Not a mark on us." 'Don't ask about Merlin's shirt...'"What about Merlin's shirt?" 'Dammit Gwaine!' "Some embers came out of the camp fire last night and burnt through my shirt. I carry a needle and thread with me just in case my clothes rip." Merlin answered and Arthur stared at him almost wide eyed.

"Oh really?" Gwaine asked, unconvinced. "Let's see this needle and thread then."

To Arthur's surprise, Merlin started rummaging through one of his smaller bags and pulled out a needle with thread matching the stitching in his shirt. "Here you go." Merlin smiled. "Do you need me to help you sew the back of your trousers that you ripped in the tavern when you tried to do a cartwheel across three tables?"

'Such a smart ass.' Arthur tried to hold in a laugh and patiently waited for his knight to give Merlin back his thread and was quite pleased to see a blushing Gwaine.

"N-No, that's fine old friend. Sorry, we were just worried about you and Arthur."

"Why?" Merlin asked as he put his materials away.

"We heard that some of Cenred's men were in the forest last night." Sir Percival answered. "Did you not see anyone?"

'You mean other than a giant, not dead, dragon?' "No."

"Well, we're supposed to go scout the area soon. Should we leave now?"

Arthur looked at Merlin who just gave him a short nod. "Sounds like a plan. It's still morning, so lets hope their lazy in waking up."

Once they set out once more, this time with Gwaine and Percival, Merlin rode his horse closer up to Arthur's. "Arthur?" He whispered as quietly as he could.

"Yes, Merlin?" Arthir whispered back without looking at him.

"Are you not going to tell them about me having magic?"

"No...mainly because I don't know how well they'll take it. You're magic, Merlin. You are extremely powerful and although I accepted you under the strange circumstances that I did find out...I don't know how they'll react if I tell them."

Merlin sighed in agreement. "I understand."

"However..." Arthur grinned at him mischievously. "...I said nothing of what might happen if you were to...accidentally show them."

"Arthur, how come you never look at me like that?" Gwaine teased as Merlin laughed and shook his head.

"Perhaps one day Gwaine." Merlin calls back. "Perhaps one day he'll tell you that he's going to throw you in the stocks if you make another comment about his b..." Merlin felt a slap at the back of his head which was followed by more laughter by Merlin.

'He sounds so...free now. Had it really been that much of a burden on him before?' "Sir Gwaine, if you do ask about what Merlin was talking about, you will be target practice..."

"What's so bad about that?"

"...for Merlin. With a crossbow."

"Duly noted, your majesty." Gwiane laughed.

"Hey, I've gotten better." Merlin said looking behind and next to him.

"No offense, Merlin..." Percival started. "...We've seen your aim with a cross bow."

Merlin just shook his head with a smile and looked forward as he quietly whispered, "Maybe, but I have one hundred percent accuracy with magic." And he knew that Arthur heard him because he glimpsed a look at the king now facing forward with eyes now wide with a new sense of pride and astonishment.

The further they got into the forest the more Merlin realized something was off. "Arthur."

"What is it now, Merlin?"

"listen." Merlin answered in a whisper. Once Arthur caught on to what Merlin was saying...that there were no sounds, not even from nearby animals...he looked around to see who was watching them. Arthur asked as he leaned towards Merlin. "Arthur...There's a sorcerer here."

"Then who is it?"

"I've never met him..."

"I didn't realize you were in the habit of..."

"Mind including us on the conversation!?" Gwaine asked in frustration.

Before Arthur could say anything a man stepped forward no older than Himself and he smiled at them. "Hello, I have taken care of a few of Cenred's men."

"Um...thank you?" Arthur asked as he glanced over at Merlin who held a strangely serious expression.

"You're welcome, but I'm afraid now it's your turn." They all jumped off their horses and ran for cover as the strange sorcerer started throwing fireballs at them. "Oh how proud you must be, Arthur Pendragon, to be part of a GREAT legacy!"

"Princess, I'm getting really tired of your father's loose ends." Gwaine breathed out.

"You're not the only one." Merlin stated calmly as he glanced at Arthur.

"I can hear you talking, but why is it that I can't find where your voices are coming from?"

Merlin quickly flashed Arthur a grin causing Arthur to give a knowing laugh. 'He already used magic.'

"I have heard tails of the great Emrys at your side during your reign, yet I've yet to see him. He's said to be strong, glorious, feared, and all powerful. Perhaps even he knew how poisonous you are to Camelot." It took everything Arthur had to keep from laughing when the sorcerer was describing Merlin and he noticed the 'What in the hell is wrong with you' stares coming from his two knights and tried to compose himself, but before he could fully compose himself he was yanked away by the sorcerer. "Not so powerful now, are you, little king?" The sorcerer took out a small blade and began cutting along Arthur's neck.

"Let. Him. Go." Merlin demanded as he stepped out from hiding and ignored Gwiane and Percival's protests.

"Wow, and here I thought the kingdom couldn't sink any lower. A serving boy come to rescue his master."

"I'm warning you for the last time. Let. Him. Go." Merlin spoke with such surety and authority that it took Arthur a moment to register that this was Merlin. He had heard the authoritative way he spoke when calling the dragon, but this wasn't just authority...this was similar to a king commanding a rogue knight to step down and resign or else. He even held his stance as such.

"Who are you, little servant, to command me to do anything?"

"I'm KING ARTHUR'S servant and you threatened my king. You are no friend of magic or the old religion."

"And what would the KING'S servant boy know of the old religion?"

"My name is Merlin, but the druids call me Emrys. Now, let him go." Merlin conjured a ball of electricity in his hand. "It's not a request."

The sorcerer quickly dropped Arthur and the blade and tried to run away but was stopped by a wave of Merlin's hand that once held electricity. Merlin used his other hand to give Arthur his neckerchief to hold pressure on the wound and smiled when Arthur took it and stood beside him.

"Lord Emrys..." A woman's voice came softly through the trees before she actually showed up, wearing a lavender colored hood and a sky blue dress. "...Please, forgive my son." She placed her hands on the boy's sboulders. "We lost his father and sister to Uther's tyranny when he attacked our druid camp. Please, do not harm him." The woman pleaded and the son looked down in shame.

"Your son held a blade to my friend's throat and cut him. He attacked us with his magic. I want there to be peace in these lands WITH magic, but do you honestly think that's going to happen if Arthur continues to be attacked by the very thing that we all want brought back!?" Merlin raised his voice pleadingly, but didn't shout.

"I know, and I apologize once more. He is twenty years old but he still holds so much anger...I feel responsible."

"It isn't you I'm mad at. It's your son. He is the one responsible for this, he is old enough to know better. He needs to learn to use his magic for good and to respect King Arthur. Otherwise, there is no hope for magic with those who continue to abuse it, and once the ban is removed, those who use it unjustifiably will face the charges as any normal man, and attacking your king is treason. I don't want to harm him, but he needs to understand this." Merlin looked down at the sorcerer who was shaking, and he knelt down next to him. "Look at me." The boy looked up with tear stained cheeks and red eyes. "I forgive you this time, but he is my beat friend and your king, and I refuse to allow anyone else to hurt him. I will not forgive this a second time, now c'mon and stand up."

"Thank you, Lord Emrys." The druid sorcerer said as he wiped his face.

"And don't call me that. I'm not a lord. I'm just Merlin, or to you I suppose...Just Emrys."

"You have such a kind heart Emrys." The woman said with joyful tears falling from her eyes. "Come now, son. Let's leave Emrys and King Arthur to their more than bewildered friends." She laughed slightly as they walked off and soon disappeared.

Arthur and Merlin both quickly turned around to a very shocked Gwaine and Percival. "Ah...I'll let you explain this one, Merlin. I'm going to go find the medical satchel and bring it to you so you can heal my neck. It hurts like hell."

Merlin let out a frustrated sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. "So..."

"So when exactly were you going to tell us you were a Lord and from what it looked like, a KING!?" Gwaine shouted.

"I'm not a king and I don't want to be. I've never wanted the throne or a throne period. I just want to stay by Arthur's side"

"But you have magic...like Morgana..." Percival started to say but was quickly interrupted by Merlin.

"NO I DO NOT!" Merlin shouted, and realized he didn't help matters. "Sorry, no...I do not have magic like hers. I use my magic for Arthur and for Camelot but mostly for Arthur."

"Youvr never once used magic for yourself?"

"Well, I did once...it was the second time Arthur and I met..."

"YOU CHEATED!?" Arthur shouted as he came back with a dark blue satchel.

"No, you had your weapon and I had mine." Merlin grinned.

"What are we missing here?" Gwaine asked.

"Nothing, you're missing nothing!" Arthur said as he glared at Merlin who now started to laugh.

"Okay, fine..." Gwaine said with a grin. "So, you're a powerful sorcerer Merlin?" Merlin nodded at him. "And you decided to practice...in Camelot?"

"Well, I was actually born with it. I could move objects before I could talk. I'm also the last dragonlord."

"There is so much we are going to discuss." Percival said with a hesitant but relived smile.

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three days later

"Knights of the round table, and my most trusted council. I have brought you all here today to discuss a matter of importance. It is a matter that I strongly believe my father was wrong about. He has slaughtered countless innocents in the past and has killed many in the courtyard...for magic. I know our greatest threat is a powerful sorceress and a traitor, but it has been brought to my attention that I have been guided and protected by magic and I can't honestly say if I would be here without it. Merlin?"

Merlin walked into the room wearing a dark blue hood with intricate golden designs all along the edges and on the hood itself, the red Pendragon crest placed proudly on the back of the hood, a formal shirt colored red, formal black pants with matching boots, and his signature neckerchief.

Many members of the round table started whispering but Gwaine and Percival sat proudly looking up at Merlin who seemingly looked more regal than he did in the forest a few days ago when talking with the druid man. "Yes, Arthur?" Merlin smiled.

"He, from here on out, is my most trusted advisor and he is a warlock. One who is born with magic."

"Sire, is it possible you're enchanted?" One of the knights asked.

"No, he's telling the truth." Gwaine answered. "Percival and i saw with our own eyes. Young Merlin here is quite literally treated like a king amongst the druids and other magic users. He is also the last dragonlord and has defended Arthur and Camelot as far as risking and bargaining his own life...which I'm still mad at by the way."

"Anyway..." Arthur said, trying not to laugh. "Sir Gwaine is right...and the uniform you see on Merlin is that of a new position in the castle that for now, will only be held by Merlin. He is the Court Sorcerer. Not only that but I am planning on removing the ban on magic. Merlin here has shown me that magic is no different than our swords...it just matters about the heart on the other end. Raise your hand if you are against this movement and if you are, I promise no harm will come to you."

The knights looked around at each other and then at Merlin who was smiling nervously. When no one raised there hands Percival spoke, "It looks like you have our full support."

"You here that, Merlin? Magic is welcome back in Camelot. We'll have to place new laws, but your kind will be treated equally."

Merlin had started crying and hugged Arthur. "Thank you!"

"Anytime old friend. I don't think I could ever make up for all you've done for me."

"This is a start." He smiled.

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Author's not about reviewers:

Okay, so I read all of my reviews in every fanfic I write and I check them and it makes me smile everytime I see them so this is just a THANK YOU EVERYONE.