Thank you once again for all of those lovely reviews, they mean the absolute world.
Another huge thank you MerlinStar for being an awesome beta!
Merlin groaned as he felt himself take back the control of his body. Sitting up blearily, the servant realised they were in the same cave as the previous night, the fragments of memory from the two occasions piecing together enough for him to know that Claton had once more used powerful magic. Glancing around the area, Merlin couldn't see anything out of place, no clue as to what the sorcerer had done, yet he couldn't help but get a strong feeling of foreboding. Whatever it was, it certainly wouldn't be pleasant for anyone involved.
"Time to go."
"Bye then," Merlin muttered, already climbing to his feet as he spoke. He knew full well that goading the man was foolish, but at this point in time the warlock honestly didn't care. He didn't feel like he had a lot left to lose. Besides, if Claton killed him, then he would no longer be in possession of his body, meaning he would be killing himself at the same time. Despite being half hopeful the sorcerer would snap, Merlin knew full well that there was no way Claton would be goaded into doing that. All of his plans and preparation to take over the warlock had been too great to ruin it all in fury.
Making his way out of the cave, Merlin blundered through the twisting passages; not at all sure of the route he was supposed to be taking. As the pair stumbled out into the well lit corridors beyond, the servant glanced down at himself and grimaced. He had no idea how long he had been in the cave for, but the amount of dirt covering his clothes made him wonder if it had been years. Running a hand distractedly through his hair, Merlin pulled a face when he felt the dirt settling in. What he would do for a good wash... yet somehow he didn't believe that was top of Claton's agenda.
"Return to the prince." Smirking softly, Merlin couldn't help but answer back. If he didn't stop answering back for Arthur, there was no way he was going to stop for Claton.
"Hope you're ready to die then, because he is going to kill me for what I said earlier. I thought you wanted him to think I was leaving."
"That was then," the silky reply sounded automatically, causing Merlin to falter in his step. The tone of Claton's voice made the warlock shudder; he obviously had something big planned. Cursing himself for not realising sooner there was no way the sorcerer would have really let Arthur escape unscathed considering their previous encounters, Merlin tried to resist Claton's prod to get him moving again.
"I know you warned him somehow, boy. You've been getting far too cocky. Time to eliminate one problem." Digging his heels in firmly, Merlin wondered whether Claton could feel his racing heart.
"I told you, I won't let you harm him. Rid mihi illae malum presentia." With a flash of his eyes, Merlin braced himself against his spell. He had hoped that directing it to rid him of Claton, it would have no effect on the warlock himself, only to be proven wrong when his feet suddenly left the ground and he was thrown backwards, sliding down the wall with a groan.
"Nice try. You can't rid yourself of me, Merlin. Not until I see fit."
"Occurro is malum presentia!" Merlin suddenly yelled, no longer caring who might possibly be around to hear him. Right, so he couldn't get rid of Claton completely, but surely there was something he could do to restrict the sorcerer's power? It was his body, after all. By the sudden cry of outrage as Claton tried to counteract the spell, Merlin let out a sigh of relief as the sorcerer's presence dwindled. He could still feel him there, trying to regain his strength, but for the moment at least, it was Merlin who was fully in command.
Setting off at a sprint, Merlin pelted towards the prince's chambers, knowing this may be his only chance to warn Arthur. If Claton regained control, the warlock was not sure the spell would work for a second time. Claton seemed to have an annoying habit of making loopholes work to his advantage. Skidding to a stop outside, Merlin threw himself through the wood, making Arthur jump and spin around, his sword drawn.
"Merlin!" the prince cried, not sure how he should feel at his servant's abrupt arrival. Part of him was glad to see the boy, knowing he was hopefully here to explain his strange messages from before, but the part of him that was still the servant's master wasn't sure how he was supposed to act considering Merlin's earlier behaviour.
"Arthur, listen to me, I don't have much time. What happened in the woods, everything that has happened since, it hasn't been me…"
"Merlin, you're talking nonsense again. Of course it has been you, I saw you. Who else could it be?"
"Listen to me!" Merlin yelled at his master, feeling Claton's strength beginning to return in a rush of power. The sorcerer was furious, and powerful. Squeezing his eyes shut, Merlin took a calming breath, trying to maintain the spell for as long as possible. Arthur, however, had other ideas.
"Remember who you are addressing, Merlin." His tone was cold and furious, yet Arthur couldn't help but feel confused. Merlin was close to panicking – he could tell just by the posture of the servant – yet there was a look of utmost concentration on his face. For the first time in a while, Arthur had no idea as to what was going on.
Feeling his breath catch in his throat, Merlin could sense his eyes were beginning to turn gold. Whilst not back to his full capabilities, there was no denying that Claton had regained some of his previous control over both boy and magic.
"No," Merlin whispered, his voice hoarse. Slowly lifting his head, he caught the prince's gaze, knowing by the way Arthur stumbled back, horrified, that his suspicions had been right. Claton was back in control of his magic.
"Say goodbye," the sorcerer sneered, raising Merlin's arm. Fighting with every ounce of his being, Merlin shot Arthur a pleading look, hoping the prince was going to listen to him.
"Sire, please-," Before he could finish his sentence, the warlock felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing around his throat, cutting off his air supply and stopping his words. Falling to his knees, Merlin automatically clutched his hands to his throat, causing Arthur to hurry forward, concerned. Feeling Claton's satisfaction, Merlin lodged one thought in his head, not caring whether the sorcerer saw it or not. Time to protect his destiny. As his own arm levelled itself at the prince, the loyal servant sprung into action.
"Duck!" Yelling as loud as he could, Merlin only prayed Arthur wasn't going to question him this time. Luck seemed to be on the warlock's side as Arthur dropped without a second's delay. It was just in time. Erupting from Merlin's fingertips, the fire shot across the room, catching the curtains alight. Hastily grabbing the water jug, Arthur frantically quenched the flames before they could catch, his mind whirring. Was this seriously happening? Whipping his head around, the prince stared at the warlock, his stomach sinking when he took in the burning gold in Merlin's eyes.
"Merlin?"
"Move!" Once move, instinct took over and Arthur threw himself sideways as the table flipped towards him, only stopping when it smashed into the wall with a resounding crash.
"Stop it!" Merlin suddenly cried, perplexing Arthur even further.
"I'm not doing anything!" he yelled in response, unable to see the servant from where he was lying. "You're the one using magic!"
"Not you… roll!" Finding his body was beginning to respond to Merlin's demands without even thinking about it, Arthur did just that as the floorboards ripped themselves out from under where he had just been lying.
"Merlin! What are you doing?"
"I can't stop him!" More confused than he had ever been in his life, Arthur jumped to his feet and looked again at the warlock. His hands were gripping his hair tightly, almost as if an internal battle was raging. Lowering his hands, Arthur took one look at the burning gold before noticing the tears streaming down Merlin's otherwise pale face. Whatever was happening, Merlin didn't want this. Noticing the hand beginning to stretch out again, Arthur scrambled forwards as another jet of flames, purple this time, shot over the prince's head. Crouched by Merlin's feet, Arthur grabbed his friend by the knees, bringing him crashing down to the floor.
Pinning his hands to the floor, Arthur stared in disbelief at the boy he had begun to call his friend. Before he could say anything though, Merlin got there first.
"I… I can't stop him. Arthur? Arthur! Please, you have to help me…" Growing concerned at the fact Merlin didn't seem to notice the prince was right next to him, Arthur felt himself pale.
"Can't stop who? Merlin? Merlin, look at me. What is going on?" Suddenly, Merlin breathed in deeply, his whole body seeming to go slack as he did so. Looking him in the eye, Arthur wasn't sure whether he should feel relieved or not to see the normal blue looking back at him, especially as the warlock was definitely looking directly at the prince.
"Kill me."
"What?" Sitting back on his heels, Arthur felt his mind reeling. Now what was Merlin talking about?
"Arthur, listen to me. I don't have much time before he takes back over. It's Claton, he… argh, stop it!" Suddenly jerking away as if burnt, Merlin once more tensed up, blue and gold flickering in quick succession in his irises. For a moment, Arthur forgot to breathe as he watched the mesmerising colours, snapping back to reality as Merlin once more relaxed, the blue firmly dominate.
"The only way to stop him is to kill me. Please, Arthur, you must do this. You have to stop him, before he kills everyone. Please. Arthur!" The last sound tearing from Merlin's lips as a scream, Arthur sprung to his feet as Merlin's eyes once more turned gold. As a guard began to hammer on his door, Arthur did the only thing he could think of. Grabbing his sword from where it was strewn across the floor, the prince sharply bought the hilt down, effectively knocking his servant out cold. Just as Arthur straightened up again, the door burst open, making the prince raise his sword threateningly again.
"Leon," he acknowledged, too confused by everything to bother with the formalities of titles. Taking Arthur's lead, Sir Leon frowned questioningly at his prince.
"What has been going on? What happened to Merlin?" His eyes taking in the state of the room and the unconscious servant, Leon didn't notice the tiniest smile flicker onto Arthur's face. Not many of his knights would know Merlin by name.
"There was a sorcerer attack. He has gone out of the window. I suggest you round up the knights and pursue him." Unnerving himself by how easily he could lie to one of the men he trusted most, the prince glanced away, ashamed at not being able to tell him the truth.
"Of course, Sire." As Leon strode from the room, his cloak billowing impressively behind him, Arthur knew immediately the knight had not believed him, only respected him too much to question it. Feeling an overwhelming rush of respect for Leon's loyalty, Arthur turned back to the problem in hand. What to do with Merlin? They both had a lot of explaining to do.
Grabbing the limp form, Arthur dragged him over to the bed, propping the servant up against the wooden posts. A quick glance around the ransacked room revealed what the prince was looking for. Hating himself for doing this to his friend, Arthur seized the end of the rope and tugged, making it slither across the upturned table towards him. Not knowing what else to do, Arthur firmly tied Merlin's hands either side of the bed post, knowing that if it was the sorcerer who was present when the boy awoke, the rope would do nothing.
"Sorry," he muttered to the still form, needing to break the silence to save his own sanity if nothing else. "It's for your own good, you know. You should have told me."
Now having nothing to do but wait until Merlin returned to consciousness, Arthur set about tidying the room, determined to at least set some things right again. Heaving the table upright again, the prince had a sudden idea. Shutting the doors firmly, it took all of his strength to drag the heavy wood the length of the room and plant it against the door, knowing he would at least have some privacy now. Brushing his hair out of his eyes, Arthur stood back panting, stretching his back gratefully.
"Arthur?" The voice was no more than a whisper, yet the prince spun sharply around as if bitten, grabbing his sword the moment his eyes fell on Merlin.
"Is it you?" Arthur barked out sharply. Part of him was reeling at the conversation he was having, asking his servant if it was really him. Only a matter of moments ago this whole idea would have been surreal to the previously oblivious prince.
"It's me, Arthur, it's me. He…" Shifting his position, Merlin seemed to realise what Arthur had done, and to the prince's bemusement, he smiled gratefully. "He has gone for now."
"What? Is he… in your head or something?"
"Don't really know," Merlin sighed, leaning back against the bed. "I guess so; he is getting stronger the whole time. I can't hold him off."
"Why didn't you tell me, Merlin?"
"He said he would kill you if I warned you in any way," Merlin responded softly, locking eyes with Arthur.
"Is that what you were talking about earlier, with the caves? You were trying to warn me?" As Merlin nodded, Arthur sighed deeply. He should have known. Even with being possessed, Merlin was still trying to protect him. But considering what had just happened, Arthur couldn't help but wonder precisely what his servant was attempting to protect him from. As if sensing Arthur's mood, Merlin glanced away, biting his lip with indecision. He knew full well that he could easily explain away his sudden use of magic by blaming it on Claton, but a strong part of him didn't want too. If Arthur knew he had magic, he might trust his servant enough to use it to help them defeat the madman again. Turning his gaze back to the prince, Merlin suddenly came to a decision.
"That's not the only thing I haven't told you, Arthur. It wasn't just Claton that made the table flip and everything else."
"I know," Arthur responded, suddenly feeling weary, running a hand wearily across the back of his neck, glancing away from Merlin as he spoke. He couldn't say why, but he didn't particularly have to want to face the boy. After all, this was not how he had imagined this conversation going at all.
"You… know?" Merlin asked, blinking in surprise as his voice wavered slightly. After deliberating for months whether to tell Arthur or not, it had never once cross his mind that the prince may not be as oblivious as Merlin thought. But more pressing than that were the questions now bouncing around his mind. How could Arthur possibly know? For how long had he known? Was he going to turn Merlin in? The thoughts making his head pound, Merlin squirmed uncomfortably. He was glad about what Arthur had done, it meant he had believed him about Claton, but having this conversation with Uther's son whilst being tied to a bed was not the way Merlin had imagined it. He had been more hoping for an option which involved giving him a place to run to. Even so, the very fact that he was still alive to have the conversation was giving him a small amount of hope. Out of all the times he had pictured the scenario; more than once Arthur had just run him through there and then, not giving the warlock a chance to explain.
"Yes, Merlin, I know. I have done for a while, although no one else knows I know. I'm assuming at least Gaius and your mother also know?" At Merlin's small nod, as if ashamed, Arthur continued, thankful he could now get everything off from his chest. Although in honesty he had been hoping Merlin would have told him himself, under very different circumstances to the present ones. He had been getting to the stage of wondering if they were ever going to get around to talking about the secret that his servant had been hiding ever since they had met. Despite everything that was happening, a small part of Arthur couldn't help but feel relieved. At least now he didn't have to pretend.
"How did you find out?" Merlin whispered, wondering if his voice sounded as shaky to the prince as it did to him. Gaius had never said anything about Arthur knowing, and there was no time Merlin could remember that he had let anything slip whilst being in the prince's presence. His mentor had driven home more than once how important it was to keep his secret just that... a secret.
"It wasn't long after we returned from the cave. Gaius had to pop out and your mother was going with him, they were after some special herb or something to help your fever. Anyway, I said I would stay with you, and in the middle of being in a fever induced state of unconsciousness, you rearranged the room."
"I did what?" Merlin whispered; horror-stricken. He had wanted to tell Arthur himself, not have the prince find out that way. One glance at the prince's face made him remember why. If he had been the one to tell Arthur, the prince couldn't accuse him of not trusting him, despite how long it would have taken for his servant to come clean. With it happening like this, Merlin knew full well what Arthur would be thinking. When precisely was his servant going to tell him that he had magic? And if Arthur really had known since Merlin had been unconscious, any hope that the man might have had that Merlin would come clean would have been destroyed by now.
"Gaius never told me that."
"He didn't know. It took me all the time until they got returned to put things back the way they were; I didn't want them to know what you had done." Finally glancing back at the restrained boy, Arthur found he was not able to meet Merlin's gaze. He couldn't look into those eyes, knowing that with barely a flicker of thought, Merlin could turn them golden, showing the power he had within his skinny form.
"What are you going to do?" His voice cracking, Merlin stared up at his master, fear radiating out of his, thankfully blue, eyes. He only hoped that if Arthur had known for this long and not done anything so far, then maybe there was hope. It wasn't only himself that he was worried for though. If Arthur reacted badly, Merlin had already admitted that Gaius knew. He was sure his mother would be safe, she wasn't in the kingdom after all, and Merlin knew his master well enough to know that however angry he was, Arthur wouldn't go that far. The physician, however, was a different matter entirely. If it had just been his life on the line, Merlin would have been more forceful, demanding a clear response from the prince. But he couldn't push it, not with Gaius being in question as well.
"Isn't it obvious?" the prince asked quietly, still finding he was unable to meet Merlin's eyes. With a shaky laugh, Merlin attempted to motion to his hands, tightly bound behind him.
"Not really."
"Sire, the king wants to see you." The sudden hammering on the door made both prince and servant jump violently. Striding over to the door, Arthur attempted to shift the table again.
"Allow me," Merlin said quietly. Without a word, his eyes flashed gold and the table floated upright, softly landing in its normal position as if it weighed no more than a feather. Nodding his thanks, Arthur made to open the door, not trusting his voice in the face of obvious magic.
"What about me?" Merlin asked, once more shifting his position. He was already beginning to feel the hardness of the floor.
"I'm sorry, Merlin," Arthur whispered, yanking the door open and striding out, shutting it behind him again.
"Arthur?" Merlin called, unable to stop the shaking in his voice. The door did not open again, but Merlin shrunk into himself as he heard the key turn in the door, locking him in. Arthur now knew as well as the warlock himself, if Merlin wanted to leave, none of the prince's precautions would stop him. It was the act itself that caused a few tears to leak out of the corners of Merlin's eyes. Arthur didn't trust him. Knowing that he would be able to escape with a simple flash of his eyes, Merlin leant back against the bed. He was not going anywhere. He wasn't going to give Arthur any more reason to mistrust him. He was simply going to sit here, tied to a bed, and wait for the prince to return, even if it was with the guards in tow.