Okay, so I don't like this as much as I wish I did. I don't think it's awful – at least I hope not – but it's not my favorite of the three chapters so far. However, I feel like it needed to happen and I'm really excited about the next few chapters. There are going to be more jumps from here on out in time. The first three chapters have pretty much been one right after the other (for the most part), but there will be slightly more jumping after this.

Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you enjoy!

Telling his story had taken time. Every night for several weeks, Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, and the knights of the round table gathered. Merlin talked himself nearly hoarse as he shared story after story, telling them about everything he had done. Gaius helped fill in details that Merlin missed, but for the most part, it was all Merlin.

He had never been the focus of attention like this before and it was unnerving. It was hard, heart-breaking almost, to share some of these stories. His mistakes, his sacrifices... Some would always be fresh. And the retelling tore open some wounds in his king that he would rather had been left alone, but ultimately Merlin understood it was for the best.

There was so much guilt to go around and he knew they could wallow in it forever if they let themselves.

When Merlin told the truth about the Lady, the powerful and beautiful woman who had saved him, Arthur had stood from his seat and faced the fire, staring into it in silence. Merlin could see the slight trembling in his shoulders, the tell that his friend was upset. He stood and moved to his friend's side, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, I'm not angry. You had no choice. Freya is free now and that's thanks to you."

The dragon had been another difficult point. Merlin's own guilt over the deaths that he felt were his fault for releasing the dragon nearly suffocated him, but this time Arthur reassured him. Cedric and Arthur's dismissal of him. Morgana and the fomorrah that could have twisted their destiny in such a cruel, ironic way. Mordred being saved as a child, despite Kilgarrah's warnings that he shouldn't be – that was one that even Arthur said Merlin had made the right choice on. Mordred had been innocent at that age, just a child – to let him die would have been wrong. Lancelot's supposed betrayal that wasn't really and Merlin's suspicions that Gwen wasn't any more responsible than the enchanted Lancelot had been.

In the end, each of them decided it was better to let this be a fresh start for all of them. No more guilt, no more regret – they had learned from their mistakes and would start anew.

Arthur was stunned by the time Merlin finished his story. His humble manservant had done so much for him – without credit, without reward, without thanks, and often at great personal cost. The king didn't even know where to begin to repay him. So he started small.

Standing, Arthur pulled Merlin to his feet, laying his hands on his shoulders and looking him in the eyes, hoping that his friend who knew him so well could see all the emotion there. "Merlin...thank you."

The young warlock offered a bright, genuine smile, but before he could speak he was pulled into a fierce hug. He returned it immediately, wrapping his arms around his king. He still couldn't believe that Arthur knew and that it was okay. His secret was out and the horrible suspense of not knowing how his dearest friends would react was over.

Arthur finally pulled away and the two of them sat down again. Conversation started up, but it was Leon who softly said what several of them had been thinking, "It's amazing to me, Merlin, that you went through all of that and came away mostly unscathed."

Merlin opened his mouth to respond, but Gaius beat him to it. "Oh, I wouldn't say he came away unscathed."

Arthur frowned at Gaius, concern niggling at the back of his mind. "What do you mean?"

Gaius glanced at Merlin, who did understand what Gaius met and was silently trying to discourage him. He had a guess as to how Arthur would react and he didn't think they needed to go through this. It wasn't a secret – he just didn't want to be a spectacle. Gaius spoke anyway. "Merlin has just as many battle scars as the most hardened knight." It wasn't meant literally, at least not only literally, but judging from the look on Arthur's face that's the way he was taking it.

In an instant, Arthur was standing again, pulling Merlin to his feet. "Show me, Merlin."

Merlin hesitated, "Arthur – "

"Merlin." His tone left no room for argument.

The servant sighed and nodded. He pulled off his neckerchief, then reluctantly removed his shirt. The silence in the room spoke volumes.

The sight really was awful, Merlin knew. His once unmarked skin bore many scars now, remnants of battle after battle – of a war waged in secret and shadow. Some scars spoke of deep pain, some mere flesh wounds, but each told a story.

"Oh, Merlin." It was Gwen who spoke, her eyes wide, tears threatening to fall.

That was when Merlin decided it was time to move on. He pulled his shirt back on, replacing his neckerchief. A moment of silence, then he flashed the group a bright smile. "It's in the past, remember? This is behind us and now we have a chance for a new start. It's not meant to be forgotten or forsaken, just stored neatly and safely."

"Sometimes, Merlin, you almost sound wise." Arthur teased and wasn't surprised when Merlin immediately shot back, "Well, I told you before, I have many talents you have simply failed to notice."

Arthur's teasing smile softened at that. "Not anymore."