Considering all the dangers that Merlin had faced without fear, Arthur didn't understand why his friend was so nervous now. "Don't be such a coward, Merlin. It'll be fine."

Merlin shot Arthur a look. "You're nervous too, don't deny it!"

The king shrugged. "I've made announcements to the council before – including ones they really didn't like. This isn't much different."

Merlin turned to fully face him. "It's very different. This is magic, Arthur, most of these men hate magic just as much as your father did. Learning that you are planning on lifting the ban on magic and that your manservant is a sorcerer is not going to go over well."

"I thought you said you were a warlock." Arthur teased, getting the desired reaction – a snort with an eye roll. Serious again, Arthur gazed searchingly at his friend. "Merlin, why are you afraid? You have faced much worse than this before."

Merlin became serious again as well, sighing and looking away from Arthur. "It really is different, Arthur. I can't just….I don't know…..blast them against a wall if they try to hurt me. In the past, I could be fairly sure that most of what we faced couldn't overpower me. I knew that in the end I could probably keep us both safe. These men….I can't defend myself from them."

Arthur softened, releasing a sigh of his own as he threw an arm over Merlin's shoulders. "Merlin, that's what your friends are for. This is a battle that we can fight for you." The king wasn't stupid. He had come prepared for this meeting. His most trusted knights were waiting for them inside the council chambers, mingled among the nobles and other knights that sat on his council. He had also made sure that each of the knights came armed. He himself had his sword strapped to his side.

He hoped he wouldn't need to use it.

The warlock smiled up at Arthur, looking a little more at ease.

"Ready?"

A nod and Arthur had the guards throw the doors open.

…..

Well this could be going better.

Merlin watched, standing a way back from the table, as the nobles and knights gathered there shot to their feet, shouting and yelling. They shouted at each other, one or two brave ones at Arthur, but many turned on Merlin.

The not-so-secret warlock found himself backing up a few steps, eyes wide with alarm. He tried to remind himself that he had faced worse than this, but he wasn't used to being in the limelight. He just didn't know what to do, how to react, or how to even deal with the fierce hate that for the first time was directed right to his face. He had always fought from the shadows. This was Arthur's realm, not his.

The king was fighting now to get order, the anger at their reaction clear in his face, especially since he could see that it was clearly frightening Merlin, who had already been terrified at the whole thing. The round table knights were also trying to get order, but having no more success than the king was.

As Arthur glanced over at his friend, regret and frustration and worry flaring in his chest, he was struck by the difference in Merlin. Apparently, put the all-powerful warlock in front of people and he seemed far more like the frightened child that Arthur sometimes viewed him as before he knew the truth. Merlin had been hiding for so long, had been so happy about his upcoming freedom, and so frightened of what this particular day would bring…. Arthur found a deep sorrow penetrating his heart that it had turned out like this. He forcibly turned his attention back to his shouting council, once more trying to get them to sit down and shut up.

In all the chaos, only Merlin noticed as one of the older knights rounded on him and started walking towards him, threatening and growling at him. The warlock backed up rapidly, only to find his back hitting a pillar. Indecision reigned in his mind. Use his magic, defend himself? Create more enemies by doing so? Or let the man hurt him, let himself seem weak?

His hesitation cost him any chance to act, the knight now looming over him.

Merlin was distantly aware of Arthur turning and seeing the problem, starting to head in their direction, trying to shout for the knight to stop, but the knight couldn't hear him over the others. Merlin braced himself as the knight raced a fist, only to stare in shock as the large man was shoved back with fierce strength.

A familiar head of hair suddenly blocked his vision and Merlin found himself sagging a little with relief as he realized that Gwaine had moved in between the two.

The knight was glaring in fury at the older one and when the older knight shifted to move around Gwaine to get to Merlin, the secretly noble knight placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. The older knight, as experienced as he was, paused at this action.

Gwaine's reputation as one of the best swordsmen in Albion, enough to rival Arthur even, had spread far and wide in Camelot – and it was well earned. It was also well known that Gwaine was extremely protective of Merlin and wouldn't hesitate to kill for him.

The knight backed off, hands raised.

Seeing that his friend was no longer in immediate danger, Arthur turned his attention back to stopping the shouting, frustrated that he was still having no luck.

Large hands suddenly slammed down on the table, a strong voice bellowing, "ENOUGH!"

Complete silence fell as even his friends turned to stare at Percival in shock. For his part, the huge knight merely inclined his head in Arthur's direction and said softly, "Sire."

Fighting to keep the grin off his face, Arthur thanked him. However, before he could order everyone to sit down, one brave and foolish noble spoke up. "Sire, even if magic is allowed once more, the ban lifted – which I'm not convinced is wise – having Merlin as your adviser on magic is foolish. We all know the boy to be incompetent and, frankly Sire, rather stupid."

Arthur's eyes flashed with rage, Merlin feeling that fierce desire to just run build in him once more. Just as he couldn't fight it anymore, a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder. Gwaine now stood by his side instead of in front of him, protective and reassuring. He bent down and whispered in his ear, "Merlin, you need to show off. Like right now." The warlock glanced up at Gwaine, a little confused.

The noble continued, not noticing the reactions his words were sparking. "He could not possibly be powerful enough, be enough, to properly protect you, guide you, and to defend Camelot."

Merlin finally snapped. He had spent the last decade giving up everything to protect these ungrateful, prejudiced people and for someone to assume that he simply wasn't enough….it was too much for even him to take.

Arthur opened his mouth to retaliate, but was interrupted by his manservant, words sharp with his own fury. "Excuse me?"

All turned to look at the warlock and saw a very different side of Merlin than had been obvious just a moment before. He stood tall and strong, authority and power clear in his form. He moved forward, eyes flashing gold. "I've been playing with the weather since before I could walk."

Eyes were drawn up towards the ceiling in shock as actual storm clouds began to gather in the room. Even Gaius hadn't seen Merlin display his power so openly before and throughout the room jaws dropped open in shock.

Merlin quickly commanded their attention again. "I have defended Arthur, and Camelot, in secret for years. In the process, I have beaten trained and very powerful sorcerers and sorceresses – including the likes of Nimeuh, Sigan, and even Morgana."

Wind began to whip around in the room. "I have wielded the power of life and death."

The floor began to shake beneath them. "I manipulate time with more ease than I speak."

The torches around the room flared up, gathering above their heads, twisting and writhing until the shape it took was clear – the Pendragon symbol. "I am Emrys, the most powerful warlock to ever walk the earth."

Finally, everything went dead silent. Merlin stood there, just as unassuming and humble as before, all signs of magic around the room gone. "And all of that power has been dedicated to your king. I am his to command as he will, his loyal and humble servant till the day I die."

Stillness and silence reigned.

The king stared at him, emotions whirling in his gut. He was stunned, touched, and so proud of his manservant turned best friend and brother. Finally getting passed his shock, he moved forward, clasping Merlin's shoulder firmly. He offered him a soft smile of pride and reassurance, before turning around so the nobles and knights could see him as well.

"I trust Merlin above all else. He has made great sacrifices for Camelot, often without any support or reward. We owe him so much more than we could ever repay, but we can give him his freedom and a measure of peace. I intend to do so."

….

"Merlin, I think you've been holding out on us." Gwaine drawled, as he sauntered up to his friend after the council meeting.

The warlock looked at Gwaine, amused and rather confused. "What do you mean?"

"That display earlier was impressive. But surely you can do more than that."

Merlin's jaw dropped. "What?" Feeling a little miffed, the warlock crossed his arms over his chest. "I could set you on fire, if it makes you feel better."

Gwaine just grinned. "What I mean is - if you can do all that, then surely you can help me prank the princess tomorrow."

Merlin snorted suddenly, a laugh breaking through his shock. "Gwaine, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"No, it's a brilliant idea. Come on, you can't just use your magic to scare the living daylights out of those dusty old relics. Have some fun every once in a while!"

Merlin slowly let a smirk grow on his face. "What's the plan?"