Hello everyone! I know I said that I was going to update a lot sooner than this, but I had some decision making to do in terms of how I wanted the plot to go and then school and marching band got in the way, but never fear, for I am back. I do warn that my updates are going to be even more spotty than usual, and depending on the amount of free time I have in my English class and Homeroom each day, I may update more or less. Make sure to read the author's note at the end as well, I have IMPORTANT INFORMATION for everyone!
Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own Merlin :(
"Merlin! Are you really that incapable of knocking?!" Arthur jumped up after trying to surreptitiously hide the diary.
"Sorry sire!" He mock bowed, dropping most of the armor in the process. He laughed until he saw Arthur's face. It had gone serious, and Merlin realized what was coming.
"We need to talk Merlin. Right now." Arthur spoke in a way that was strong, gentle, and not how Merlin wanted to hear Arthur speak at all. He panicked and futilely tried to distract Arthur.
"Look, I said I'm sorry about the armor, and about not knocking. You're not that much of a prat that you would fire me for that would you?" He tried to joke until he noticed Arthur glance down guiltily. 'I wonder how far he's read?' Merlin thought.
"No, that's not what this is about. Merlin, you and I have been friends for years, and I trust you with my life. We've done ridiculously stupid and dangerous things, although most of those were your own fault"
"Hang on!" Merlin protested, but Arthur merely waved a hand.
"and we've always managed to come out unscathed. Do you remember back before you were my servant, that time when we fought in the market place? I remember saying, 'There's something about you Merlin, I just can't quite put my finger on it.' Well I do believe that I know why now." Arthur could hear Merlin chuckle nervously.
"And what would your brilliant deduction be exactly?" He said, words far meaning to be far braver than they sounded. Merlin's self preservation instinct was kicking in. A lifetime of hiding and secrecy did that to a man. He subconsciously started forming an escape plan. Arthur on the other hand, became infuriated, no longer the understanding best friend, but the short tempered clot pole that Merlin knew.
"Damn it Merlin! Stop beating around the bush! You have magic! Not even just regular magic, because apparently you just have to be special, and be a- a-" Arthur forgot the word.
"Warlock?" Merlin supplied timidly from the corner that he was shying away in.
"Warlock! Why did you never tell me? Why didn't you trust me enough to do the right thing and protect you! Don't you know that I consider us closer than brothers?!" Arthur stopped realizing that he had let his emotions run amok again and had revealed to much, yet strangely he didn't really care.
"I did tell you." Merlin murmured. Arthur looked at him funny.
"What? You never told me!"
"The diary. I left out the other day knowing that you would take it. I only kept up the pretense of looking for it because I expected you to either kill me right away or take your time and actually read it." Merlin's voice had lost some of the fear it once held.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? In person?" Arthur asked, angry yet at the same time inwardly applauding Merlin's cunning.
"I was afraid. Afraid of you, of your reaction. You've grown up hating magic, and I've grown up thinking that I was a monster all because of your father's prejudices. Things like that, even if you don't necessarily believe them any more, still run deep in a person. I learned that a long time ago, though I doubt you've read about that yet. Out of curiosity how far along are you?" Merlin said, wisdom once again seeping through at the most opportune of moments. Arthur paused to think about what Merlin had said before simply answering,
"Valiant."
"Oh. So what now?" Merlin asked although he already knew the answer.
"I think it's about time we call a round table meeting, don't you?"
Yeah, now you see why I took so long updating. I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not, but the story was getting a bit repetitive, you know, Arthur reads an entry, reflects, and Merlin "almost" catches him. I felt like I needed to speed it up a bit. I still plan on having diary entries, but what happens next is up to you guys. I can either: A) Have someone read the diary to the knights and everyone, putting in commentary, similar to a watching the series fic OR B) Have Arthur, Merlin, and Gaius explain everything to them and then go back to Arthur reading the diary, and maybe share some of it with the others. It's up to you, review and let me know!