Author's note:

The blue ball of light that Merlin conjures up is the same one as in the episode The Poisoned Chalice in Season 1. I got the spell from a Merlin Wiki, so thanks for that.

Anyway, they need Merlin's magic to get out of that dark hole…

Here it goes.

Chapter 7: Up

The incredulous look on Ellyan, Percival and Gwaine's faces was priceless.

"No way!" said Ellyan. "I thought Gaius was the sorcerer."

"We all did," replied Percival.

Gwaine sounded more enthusiastic. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he said, glancing fondly at the young warlock.

Merlin was only waiting to hear Arthur's reaction, but the prince was speechless and his expression was unreadable.

"I'm afraid I knew," said Lancelot softly and all of the knights looked at him in shock. "I took the credit for destroying the Cup of Life but that was only because there was a debt of honor to be paid. Merlin saved my life. You all owe him more than you know."

Merlin tried hard to swallow but his throat was blocked and his mouth was dry. He had pictured this moment hundreds of times in his mind, but never like this, not with Arthur looking at him with such cold eyes.

"Now is not the time, Lancelot," said Gaius. "We're all going to die of cold if we don't get out of this water."

Lancelot pressed a comforting hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Can you make it float higher?"

Merlin turned his hand upwards and allowed the ball of blue light to rise above their heads. They could see the roots sticking out of the mud more clearly but the prospect wasn't very good; the walls looked slippery and wet and the roots were all too small. All of the knights were staring upwards, but Merlin was only concentrating on avoiding Arthur's glare.

"You did the right thing," whispered Gaius.

"Well, it's no use," said Ellyan, his eyes still turned upwards. "There is no way that we can climb that."

Only Gwaine seemed amused by the situation. He kept smiling in Merlni's direction. "Never mind climbing; we have a sorcerer and a Brittanicus with us," he mused. "I'm guessing a Dragonlord as well?"

Merlin was as much in shock as the others this time. "How did you…?"

But Arthur cut him off with a surprised yell. "Dragonlord?"

Merlin's heart sank. There was so much anger in Arthur's voice. He was waiting for the prince to pass judgment. The young sorcerer tried to remain hopeful, but in his head he kept hearing the same words over and over: Magic is altogether evil. Was this really Arthur's opinion of him now?

At last, Prince Arthur spoke. His voice was harsh and his glare even more so. "I'm going to… kill you."

"Sire!" burst out Gaius, outraged.

"I trusted you!" yelled the prince.

Merlin felt anger boiling inside of him as well. "Does having magic make me untrustworthy? Is that what you think? You think makes me a murderer and a villain. Do you think I'm a monster too?"

"Merlin, this isn't helping…" murmured Gaius pleadingly.

"It makes you a traitor!" screamed Arthur.

"I've done nothing but protect you ever since I've been here. I would give my life for you without a moment's thought. How do you think it makes me feel to know that you would have put my head on a block on my first day here if you had known I had magic?"

Arthur was fuming. "Of course I would have, but only because you were an idiot!"

Merlin snorted loudly. "An idiot who saved your life more often than I'd care to say."

"You think I need your help?" bellowed the prince again. "Who are you to decide to become one of my knights behind my back?"

"I only tried to be your friend. You wouldn't last two days without me."

"That's enough!" cut in Gaius.

Arthur glared at the old physician. "And you! What were you thinking showing him spells? You told my father that those days were over and we believed you. What are you trying to prove?"

"Gaius has been a friend and ally to Uther and to Camelot all of his life," bellowed Merlin. "But you would have killed him – and killed me too – if you had known, just to prove yourself to your father. You would have killed an innocent man and sealed your fate then, but now you have a chance to be better than your father, better than any other king before you. Do you not see why we kept this a secret?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Arthur said, "You shouldn't have made this decision for me."

The words were like daggers in Merlin's heart. He swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that were now blurring his vision. All those years of hoping, caring and protecting, seemed wasted now. He had always thought that Arthur would understand. But the crown prince of Camelot did not need anything or anyone; such was his opinion of himself, and nothing it seemed was going to change that.

"This bickering is pointless," said Gwaine, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen between the prince and the manservant. "Can we try to focus on getting out of here? Merlin, do you know any spells?"

"What?" said Merlin mechanically as thought his brain could not quite believe the request it was hearing.

"Do you know any spells that could get us out of here?" repeated Gwaine.

"We're not going to use magic to get out of here," snarled Arthur.

"That's nice," retorted Merlin irritably. "We'll just die to keep you happy. And you wonder why I keep calling you a p…"

But then, a powerful wave of magic hit him. It was a presence that he knew very well and it was blocking out everything else around him.

Merlin… said the voice in his head. You are fading. Tell me what I can do to help.

"What is it?" said Lancelot who had not left his side.

"He's here," gasped Merlin with a glance at Gaius.

Opening his mind to the dragon's presence was using up all of the energy that he had left. He shook his head and pressed his eyelids with his hand, but the sudden movement with his left arm sent a jolt of pain throughout his body. For a short moment, he thought that he was going to pass out.

Merlin! It was Kilgharra yelling. Or was it Gaius? He couldn't be sure between the echo of the muddy ground and the voice in his head.

He took a moment to gather his strength before he spoke to the dragon.

We are down in a hole and they are waiting for us to come out. Can you create a diversion?

The reply rang in his ears like a bell. The witch Morgana must be stopped. I will be waiting for you to give the word.

He forced his eyes to open and found that all six faces were looking at him anxiously. Lancelot was holding him by the shoulder so that he wouldn't sink into the dark water. The blue ball of light had faded a little and he willed it to become bright again.

"You scared the Hell out of me," said Gwaine, letting out a long sigh. "Is it always going to be like this?"

Merlin decided to ignore him.

"I can make the water rise," he announced. The idea had come to him rather suddenly.

Six pair of eyes turned upwards.

"What happens when we reach that rock?" said Percival.

The young warlock was staring at the light. He had never stretched his magic that far. He was tired, cold and in pain, but somehow, he had to find the strength to manage it; otherwise, they were all going to die.

Merlin gulped. "If Morgana can put a rock there, then I can lift it."

"What are you saying?" said Ellyan in wonder. "Are you more powerful than Morgause or Morgana?"

"I can't be sure," replied the young sorcerer. "It's not the same thing…"

"Magic is all the same," snapped back Arthur, his tone full of bitterness.

Merlin's insides twisted in pain, but he knew that he had no more strength for an argument.

"Right. You go ahead and believe that if it gives you a clear conscience," said Merlin rather gloomily.

"Yes; it does clear up my conscience."

Merlin immediately wished that the prince had taken a while longer to reply. The answer had been too quick, too definite. His world was spinning now, changing entirely. Arthur thought that his magic was evil, that he was evil. What else was there to discuss? He would be going back to Camelot in shackles. Brutal, pitiless doubt was settling in. Was everything that he had worked so hard to protect just an illusion?

The ball of light became dim again.

"Come on, Merlin," said Gwaine. "We're not all as shallow as Prince Arthur."

He couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Grab on to what you can. We're going up. Waeter, hiersumie me!"

His eyes became gold for a short moment and then he felt the water swirling at his feet. He said "Now, Kilgharra!" in his mind as they began to move upwards. Small streams began to flow from the muddy walls. Merlin had to grab Gaius who was finding it difficult to keep his head out of the water; Gwaine and Lancelot immediately moved closer to help. The water was rising increasingly and the effort of keeping it steady was tremendous. Merlin knew that his light was fading, but he needed his strength to move the rock that was coming closer above their heads.

Their hands could almost touch the rock over their heads when the ball of light was forced under water. Darkness was threatening to swallow them again.

"Merlin!" spluttered Gaius.

"Merlin! Move that rock!" cried out Arthur.

The next scream that he heard was a long "No!" in his head as Morgause let out a cry of anger. Closing his eyes to block out the pain, the young sorcerer stretched his hand and felt magic flow out of him in a powerful wave. He heard a loud crack and then he felt himself being pulled by the arm. The water was spilling out freely unto the open ground now.

A moment later, he was lying down on his belly, spluttering and coughing, hands and knees deep in mud, and hearing nothing but screaming in his ears.

As he opened his eyes, the scene before him was one of absolute nightmare.