I've been practicing my photomanipulation skills lately. I've been writing drabbles for them too.

You can see them by going to my deviantART gallery.

This drabble is a bit longer... lol.

You've had your warning

Merlin took a deep breath, allowing the magic to subside and his eyes to change colour. He slowly turned his head, then his body, until he was facing the prince. He would have laughed had the circumstances been different and not so, well, life threatening – at least for him. Arthur seemed to be at a complete loss for words as he stared ahead, still focused where the arrow had been. He didn't blink for a long while. Merlin was worried he might have to shake him from his stupor when his mind seemed to catch up with his eyes and he took a step backwards, opening his mouth and trying to speak. He turned his gaze to Merlin and then back to where the arrow had been moment before, ready to strike.

"Wow." Merlin said suddenly, breaking the tense silence, "That's got to be the first time you've ever been speechless." Either Arthur had not heard his words, or he had simply chosen to ignore them. Merlin guessed at the latter. For what seemed like an agonisingly long eternity, Arthur stood in silence, eyes wide and mouth agape. Finally, his gaze shifted to Merlin and his hand moved to his side, his hand searching for his sword, only to find that it was there – Merlin had been carrying it, and his crossbow. He had no defence against the man who stood before him.

"…You're a sorcerer…"

It wasn't really a question, but Merlin felt the need to confirm it anyway and gave his master a sharp nod of his head, yes. Arthur took another step back. Merlin took a step forwards, "Where are you-?"

"Stay away from me!" Arthur snapped, a glare set on his face, eyes dark and narrowed. Merlin took a step backwards, and then another, eyes filled with so many emotions Arthur wasn't even going to bother to try and identify them, "You're a sorcerer!"

Merlin swallowed the lump that had developed in his throat, "Yes." He swallowed again, "I am, but I-."

"You lied to me. You've been lying to me. For three years!" Arthur's tone was sharp, but his eyes… god his eyes, filled with hurt, anger, shock, confusion. Merlin couldn't bear to look into them any longer and turned his head away, looking at the ground to his right, "Why?" that made the servant jerk his head up so fast he thought he might strain something.

"Why?" Merlin repeated with raised eyebrows, "Why do you think?" he stepped forwards, "I live in a place where magic has been outlawed on pain of death. You really think I was going to tell the kings' son that I had magic? 'Oh hey Arthur, I forgot to mention that I practice magic. Don't tell your father.' Yeah right. Give me some credit. I'm not stupid. Saying such things would have me tied to a pyre or resting my neck across the chopping block within hours."

Arthur could only eye the sorcerer with a shocked expression on his face.

"Do you have any idea what it's like to hide who you really are? To not be appreciated by anyone for what you've done?" Merlin knew he sounded like a selfish stuck up prat but he didn't care. He had built up so much frustration and annoyance over the past three years; boy did it feel good to let it all out, "Do you have any idea, what it's like to go around, listening to you go on and on about how magic is evil? Do you know how much it hurt when you thanked me for reminding you of that? Do you know how it feels to have to watch as your father slowly kills off my kind one innocent person at a time?" he paused and took a breath, "Do you!" he bowed his head and chewed on his lip.

Arthur watched him with a steady gaze before he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, "Magic is evil." Merlin felt his stomach drop, "You are… you're…" the blonde trailed off.

"No, no Arthur. I'm nothing like Morgause or Mary Collins." Merlin protested weakly, "I'm not evil. Magic isn't evil." He looked up and felt his heartbeat speed up. Arthur had moved while he hadn't been looking. He now stood in front of Merlin, sword in hand, "Arthur, please. You have to believe me."

Arthur turned away slightly, "Go."

"What?" Merlin breathed.

Arthur glanced over his shoulder at his servant, "I won't kill you. I… I can't kill you…" he paused, "…but the others won't be so lenient. You're right that I don't know what it's like to stand by and watch as my kind are killed off… I could never understand that…" he paused again and seemed to be struggling with himself for a moment, "I won't kill you, Merlin, but nor can I allow you to return to Camelot."

"No." Merlin said suddenly, taking a step forwards, "Nobody has to know, I would never hurt you Arthur, you have to trust me!"

"How can I trust you!" Arthur snapped angrily, "You are not to return to Camelot. If I ever see you again, I will not be so merciful."

Merlin lowered his gaze again and stared at his feet, "What about your father? What will you tell him?"

"My father doesn't care for servants." Arthur said shortly, "A death of one is hardly going to upset him."

"Death?" Merlin's eyes snapped up and locked on Arthur's, "You going to-?"

"No." Arthur cut him off, "But I can hardly go back and say you got lost and I've come back without you, can I?"

"What will you tell Gaius?" Merlin muttered, "I can't just leave without saying goodbye."

"You will." Arthur said with a glare, raising his sword so that it was pointing at Merlin, "And if I ever see you again, I will not hesitate to kill you." He lowered the blade, "You've had your warning. Now get out of my sight."

Merlin was silent as he stepped back again and then turned away, walking away into the forest. Arthur turned away too and took a step forwards before he felt the pain. He was never going to see him again, he wouldn't be there late in the morning with breakfast, or forget to polish his armour or sharpen his sword; Arthur would never again throw open the door of Gaius' chambers and ask him where his stupid excuse for a servant was. Arthur gripped at the fabric over his chest and began to walk forwards.

Merlin has magic.

He stopped and turned back around, hoping to see Merlin there, goofy grin on his face, calling Arthur a prat. All he saw was a forest, no sign of Merlin anywhere.

Merlin has magic.

Guilt rose in his stomach and Arthur let himself fall to his knees. There are three things Arthur knows for sure about his idiot manservant. One, he's an idiot. Two, he has magic. Three, he is in no way even a little bit evil.

You idiot.