First off, I would like to thank Boxerbee and Knighted-Geek for reviewing the last chapter. I was a little bummed-out that I just got 2 reviews but I appreciate them all the same guys. So thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter 9 - Secrets

Fear instantly gripped Merlin when Arthur marched into the clearing, anger clearly written on his face. There was no doubt about it - the young prince heard everything.

Lancelot, seeing the prince, was also caught off guard. Still, he did his best not to show it. As Arthur got closer, the knight protectively stepped in front of his friend.

"Arthur" Lancelot greeted hesitantly.

When he was a few feet in front of Lancelot, the prince stopped and stared at Merlin. Unbeknownst to Merlin, Arthur was contemplating what he was actually going to do. Was his friend evil and deserved to be killed or was there something he didn't know? Only when the knight shifted uncomfortably that Arthur's attention turned to Lancelot.

"You knew?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, but Arthur, that's not the point. He..."

"Leave us", he said coldly. "I need to talk to Merlin...alone".

"No. Arthur, you have to listen..."

"I said leave! Now!", Arthur yelled.

"But..."

"Lancelot, it's fine." Merlin interrupted, smiling sadly.

Lancelot looked at his friend, pity in his eyes. This is going to be hard for him. Merlin has faced many foes, but revealing to Arthur his deepest secret is the one thing he fears the most, he thought. "Good luck" he muttered to his friend who, in turn, gave him a sad smile.

Looking at the prince, Lancelot spoke up. "I'll be by the horses - no doubt that you found mine - if any of you need me." Arthur nodded his head. "And Arthur, please just listen to him" 'Cause if anything happens to him you'll have to deal with me, was the unspoken message. The young prince just glared at the knight as he left the clearing.

...And then there were two.

Both warlock and prince stayed silent in the clearing. Merlin was too afraid to speak up and quite frankly, he was still exhausted from wandering in the forest all morning (not to mention that his magic was still weak). After a couple of minutes, which felt like eternity, Merlin gathered the courage to speak up.

"Arthur, I don't know where to start. What did you hear exactly?", Merlin asked cautiously.

The young prince scoffed and shook his head. "Oh, I heard enough to know that you have...". Arthur paused and let the information sink in again. "Merlin...all this time you..."

"Arthur, I..."

"You lied to me! To me, your best friend! How...how could you?", Arthur snapped, letting out all his anger on Merlin. "I've shared with you many of my deepest secrets, things I've never told anyone, not even my own father. And you, you couldn't trust me enough to tell me this!" At this point the prince was pacing which Merlin knew from experience that that was not a good sign. Seeing this, the young warlock decided to stand up and truly face his friend.

"Arthur, I wanted to tell you for so long but..."

"Oh, and to top it all off, you have magic. Stupid, bloody magic Merlin! Something that could - will - get you killed!"

Merlin gulped at the statement. "Arthur, I was..."

"What were you thinking practicing magic?"

"Arthur, I..."

"In Camelot of all places!"

"Arthur, I was born with magic!" Merlin yelled impatiently.

At this point, the prince's anger had reached its climax. In the blink of an eye, Arthur tackled Merlin and pinned him against the tree he just got up from. The young warlock, who was struggling to breathe, looked up at his assailant. For a moment, their eyes met. Arthur's was full of anger and confusion while Merlin's was full of fear and resignation.

"That's a lie. No-one is born with magic. That's impossible".

"Arthur...I'm not...let me...explain." Merlin said between breaths.

The prince pushed his friend harder against the tree. "Promise me then. Promise me on your life that you aren't lying. And if you are..."

"I promise", the young warlock chocked out, black dots hovering in his vision.

Seeing no hint of deception in his eyes, Arthur released Merlin who took in a deep breath and massaged his tender throat. "Then explain". And Merlin did - he explained how he could move things as little child, how he didn't need to incant spells for his magic to work, and how before coming to Camelot his magic was purely instinctual, coming to his aid when he needed it most.

After a short period of contemplative silence, the prince asked the question that was on his mind the moment he found out. "When have you used magic?"

Merlin knew this was coming. Shaking his head, he looked up at the sun sinking over the horizon and smiled sadly.

"It's a long story. A very long story."

"Name a few then", Arthur, whose temper had drastically quelled, said before sitting on the grass.

Sighing, Merlin followed suit and began recalling different moments when he used magic to save the prince's life. He spoke of the many times where a branch would just happen to fall on an enemy and how many unsuspecting bandits would seem to trip over air on their way to sneak up on the prince. He told him of Morgana's Skeleton Army and how, three months ago, he and Lancelot fought their way to the Cup of Life and emptied it of the blood which, in turn, destroyed the Immortal Army. Although Merlin didn't mention the dragon yet (he was hoping to tell Arthur at a better time when he was calm), the warlock retold other occasions where the prince's life was in danger and magic was the solution. Granted, it wasn't all of his adventures since he came to Camelot, but it was enough, he hoped, to convince his friend that he had only used magic for good.

All of this information left Arthur stunned. Merlin had no choice in magic and much as he had in being a prince. As he listened to the warlock, he heard the same old wisdom that had given him the courage to face Morgana when she overthrew the king. It was at this moment that Arthur realized that Merlin was truly wise - but it came with a price, a burden too heavy for one to carry alone.

When it seemed that Merlin was done for now (Arthur suspected that there was more to be said), both men remained silent. His friend (for that was what he truly was) bowed his head in submission and guilt.

The prince stood up. "Merlin".

No answer. The prince winced in guilt.

"I'm sorry." At this, the warlock's head shot up, tears threatening to spill out. "I'm sorry you had to go through it alone. And though I'm still hurt that you didn't tell me, I think I understand why. In your position, I probably would've done the same. The only thing left to say is...well, I guess...thank you."

It took a moment for the message to settle in, but when it did Merlin slowly gave his signature grin. It was always foretold that he and Arthur would bring magic and peace back to the land, but with the prince hating magic more and more with each passing day, the young warlock found his faith wavering at times. So, at his friend's words, his hope in the world they would build together was renewed. Arthur, seeing the 'stupid grin' on his friend's face, went back into obnoxious-prince mode.

"Oh, wipe that stupid grin off your face Merlin. You're going to the stocks for lying to me and worrying...er, everybody else at home."

Merlin, taking note of the bantering tone of his friend, grinned mischievously. "Sorry Sire. Didn't know you cared".

"Like I said, everybody else back home"

"Sure...Prat"

"Idiot"

Arthur offered Merlin his hand to help him get up. Still exhausted, the warlock leaned heavily against the prince as they began walking from the clearing. Before they reached the forest edge, Arthur asked one last question.

"So Merlin, where were you all this time?"

The young warlock immediately stopped walking. With Arthur finding out about his magic and all, Merlin had completely forgotten about the curse. He turned his head and looked at the setting sun. Oh no! It's almost done setting! I have to get away! Seeing this, he pushed himself away from Arthur and distanced himself from his friend as far as he could.

Arthur was confused at his friends strange behavior. With every step he made towards the warlock, Merlin would take one step back. "Merlin, what's going on?"

"Arthur, you have to leave"

"But why?" The prince gave a hurt look. "If you're worried that I'm going to turn you in..." Does he still not trust me, he thought painfully.

"No, it's not that."

"Then what is it?" Arthur yelled. He was getting agitated. What was Merlin not telling him?

"I...I've been..." Merlin said. He looked at the sun - it had just set. Forcing the magic that was fighting off the curse to rise, his eyes flashed gold and Arthur was sent flying into the forest. The warlock then took off in the opposite direction.

Fangs. He was running - away from his friend and away from the darkness. He didn't get very far when the pain shot through his body. Starting from his injured shoulder, it spread until it completely consumed him.

Claws. He needed to do something and fast. Arthur was close by. If he couldn't get far away from him, there was a chance that his friend might die. Gathering what little strength he had, he lifted his head to the sky and roared. "Kilgharrah! Come to my aid!"

Darkness. With the last of his strength gone, the warlock fell on the ground and let the darkness consume him. A blood-curdling roar was the last thing he heard.

And he knew no more.

What will happen to Arthur? Find out next time and leave a review to tell me what you think.

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT THE STORY! (whew, I got your attention). My family and I are going on vacation this week and I won't be home nor will I have access to my laptop for a whole week. But fret not my loyal readers, I will definitely post one chapter (or two - if I'm feeling generous) before I leave Friday. So stay tuned.

Until later,

-STL13