Sorry for the crazy long delay. I know I started this story such a long time ago but if anyone is still interested I decided it needs to be revived and finished. Hope you enjoy as the drama continues to unfold!

Of Crystal and Rock

Betrayal

"Merlin."

The voice was loud and familiar. A deep rumbling that he had heard countless times before.

"Merlin!"

He knows that voice and what goes along with it. The friend and companion who always called out to him, trapped down in the dungeon. The one who knew when he was in need no matter the issue at hand. Someone he could always trust for good counseling.

"Merlin!"

The warlock jumped up in bed.

My head started to spin and I gently leaned back until I was prone. Kilgharrah needed me. That much I was certain of. I don't know why or how my location spell had gotten so messed up the other day but now the pieces were starting to come together. Someone was plotting against us and I would be damned if I'd go down without a fight. The fog, it blowing up in my face, it all made sense now. I knew a location spell shouldn't have been that difficult to achieve; especially for someone of my caliber. They were specifically attacking me by coming after the things closest to me. I need to rescue Kilgharrah, I must protect my king and his knights, I must keep an extra close watch on Excalibur, and I must strengthen my own abilities. Is it possible for one man to accomplish all these tasks on his own? If I truly need to go up against three magical creatures by myself, I must hone my skills to perfection. But maybe if I can free Kilgharrah I won't be alone in my fight anymore. My magic had never really failed me before, besides those few occasions it was useless or nullified, but this was different. This time everyone was depending on me and I had to be ready to defend them all. A huge weight pressed down on my shoulders. I don't know if I have the strength to stop it from crushing me and all the things I'm supposed to protect, but I know I must try.

I took my time preparing myself for the day and getting Arthur's breakfast. I needed to think of a plan to put in action to start protecting the list of things I made earlier. Then I have to figure out what I'm supposed to do for Kilgharrah. Obviously something wasn't right; he would have come to me by now if he could. The location spell had literarily blown up in my face so I was going to need to do something else to find him. The dragon and I had a special connection so whatever was blocking my magic must have a counter. All I had to do was figure out what the counter was and start reversing or fixing it. This was going to be hard, but not any harder than all the other things I had to do as well. Other magicians were strong, Morgana especially but so far I couldn't find one who was more powerful than I.

As I entered Arthur's room he slammed his hand down on his wooden desk and I nearly jumped out of my skin. The sausages on his plate almost rolled off and I had to shift my hands awkwardly to save them. These jerky movements seemed to have announced my arrival for Arthur looked up at me and his features were anything but friendly.

"Damn it Merlin."

"Yes Sire?" I ask cautiously as I put the plate of food next to the papers haphazardly placed everywhere. I looked at them curiously for a moment and saw most were maps. More trouble with the villages then. At least it seemed like he wasn't specifically angry with me, just angry in general. That was better, I supposed.

His features took on a less hostile look as he met my eyes, "I don't know what to do."

"With what?"

"All these attacks taking place around my borders. And the villagers have been saying they have seen Morgana lurking around those areas. If she has anything to do with all this I'm going to destroy her this time," he growled.

If only he knew how right he was at the moment. What was I supposed to do? The normal council I should and would give would be for him to go and settle all these matters on his own, to protect his people and ensure their peace. But I couldn't bring myself to say it, knowing what would happen when he did decide to go. What we would lose and I probably hadn't even seen the half of it. I can't even think about it without my throat closing and a light sweat appearing on my brow. Arthur is supposed to live much longer so Albion can be created and the world we know shall be forever changed. How can I protect this future without sacrificing certain things to achieve it?

"Perhaps you should give it more time?"

I don't know exactly if more time would help or hinder us but it was the only thing I could think of to say that wouldn't sound absolutely ridiculous. Yes Arthur, just ignore it and don't fight her? Don't let Excalibur out of your sight or any of your knights for that matter. Stay locked away safe in your castle so I have nothing to worry about? And while you stay safely locked away in Camelot, I'm going to go find a dragon. Yeah I know you thought you killed the dragon but you didn't and he's my friend and I need to find him. I doubt any of the above would go over well. I shake my head slightly then notice Arthur is still watching me.

He gives me a raised eyebrow and an odd look, "I think I have waited long enough. How can I possibly give it more time, the problem would not only grow larger but worse as well? I will take my knights and go fix the issue. When they get back from their respective areas we will mend all these problems in one fell swoop."

I didn't know what to say or what to do. Everything was playing out exactly as it should which scared me. Arthur and all his knights would be gathered, they would definitely meet with Morgana and I would not be among them. How could I change one of these factors without totally screwing with everything? I had already gotten Tristan to become a knight, what other factors would I have control over before it was too late? Obviously I had been shown this vision at the crystal cave so I could change it! What other conclusion could I possibly draw? The evidence was all pointing at me to do something about this. The issue was that I didn't know what I was supposed to do or what I should do!

"You'll take me with you?"

Arthur laughed, "You may be absolutely useless during battles, but when have I ever left you behind in Camelot?"

"So even if I wasn't here, you would wait for me before you go?"

"Are you planning on going somewhere Merlin?" he questions me sharply, more sharply then a king asking his servant; a man asking someone closest to him that doesn't want to be abandoned.

"I'm not planning on going anywhere Arthur, I was just wondering."

"Well aren't you being a total clot-pole this morning, of course you're going to be coming with us."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe that would be enough. With Arthur's word he has promised he will be taking me so even if something does happen and I am not here, he will wait for me. All I hope is that it's enough. And that I can trust him to actually wait for me. Perhaps I shouldn't take the risk of going after Kilgharrah if it means the possibility of being left behind. I'm sure the old and wise dragon would understand that I need to be with Arthur for this to work, I have to be. But then again it might not go smoothly without my dragon friend's help. I'm strewn with indecision.

I change the topic smoothly and hope Arthur doesn't think I'm any crazier than he already does, "When are Leon, Elyan, and Gwaine expected back?"

"Hopefully soon enough," he mumbles as he glances at me thoughtfully.

I go about the rest of my day doing my chores, helping Gaius, and then finally a moment to myself. It's rather late, but not too late. I pull out my magical book trying to look for a counter to the guarded spell. My only suspect is Morgana; I don't know who else would be powerful enough to block anything from me besides her. Confusion takes hold for a moment because I didn't know that she knew about Kilgharrah or any dragons for the matter. I'm mystified by how anyone could know about him, let alone that I had a relationship with him. Suddenly Mordred's too bright eyes flash before my mind. Could it possibly be him? I hadn't thought of that prospect before but now it seems to fit with everything else. My eyes stare down at a page, a freedom spell. Well if anyone needed to be set free from another spell I couldn't think of a better time.

I quietly creep out of my room and pass Gaius' snoring body as he tosses to his other side. I'm not exactly sure how the spell will work but I think I'll probably have to be outside where I'll have a better view of everything. After I use this spell, I might be able to get the location spell working too. I'm glad I kept extra ingredients for a second potion if it didn't work out the first time.

As I'm creeping down one of the corridors toward the main gates to leave, someone grabs my scarf and twists my arm behind my back. I let out a startled squeal and try to wriggle free.

"Merlin!"

I stop struggling immediately because I know that voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was going out for a late night walk, Sire?"

Arthur twirls me around and pushes me to the wall, more aggressively than I think he meant to, and I slam back. His mouth is pressed to mine a moment later and all coherent thoughts are gone from my mind though I know they shouldn't be. I don't remember what I was supposed to be doing or anything else for that matter. Although I do wonder what he's doing out here, only for a split second. I'm literarily right outside his chambers and I think I can figure out the conclusion he's drawn in his head. His tongue licks my bottom lip and I open my mouth obligingly since I really have no other choice in the matter. Arthur's hand is in my hair and it slides down to the back of my neck, the other hand planted possessively on my hip in an iron grip. I feebly try to push his chest with my hands though admittedly I am still kissing him back. There is no way I can get out of this one. We continue on in this fashion for a few moments longer then he pulls away from me. My hands drop to my sides uselessly and his hand is still on my side.

"Come into my room Merlin."

The authority in his voice leaves little room for argument which is probably what he's aiming for. Though I know he would never ever force me, I think he has finally reached his limit with my wishy-washy answers and responses. It is almost impossible for me to disobey him in these kinds of matters and he is using that knowledge to his full advantage.

"What?" I squeak because I just don't know what else to say.

"I've waited long enough Merlin. I gave you space when I saw you needed it but now I want an answer. It should not be this difficult, you either want to be with me or you do not. I will not try to sway you in either direction so please tell me truthfully. Come to my bed tonight or I will see you in the morning and that will be the end of it."

I am speechless and afraid. There is nothing I want more than to be with Arthur but I cannot start this relationship without confessing about my magic. I just will not do it. So now I must make the hardest decision. Is Arthur ready to know about the magical properties I possess or do I lose him in this way forever? Albion must be my first priority always; I just didn't think I'd need to lose something I really wanted in the process. Months have gone by since his father passed, perhaps it is time. It might still be too soon but I no longer have enough time to work on magic becoming accepted slowly. Maybe this is the way to really get Arthur to accept magic for what it truly is. If the person he is infatuated with (I don't think love is what I can classify this as of yet) is a powerful warlock, he can't continue hating magic, can he? Perhaps this is one of the huge parts I play in shaping Albion. The idea hits me like the blunted edge of a sword and I know I must just take the gamble and tell him my secret.

"Arthur there is one thing I must tell you before I come to your room."

Arthur totally ignores the first part of my statement and hones onto the 'come to your room' part, "So you do want to be with me!"

"Of course I want to be with you Arthur. That was never the issue."

"So then why were you so hesitant before?"

I sigh, "That's what I'm trying to say there's just this one thing I must tell you first."

He waves his hand dismissively, "Whatever it is I won't mind Merlin. You're like an open book I can't imagine something so important you'd need to tell me that would change anything."

Arthur was hell bent on making this extremely difficult on me, wasn't he? Something important to tell him that wouldn't change anything? More like it would change everything. I sigh deeply and open my mouth to spill my guts out to him when Percival rushes into the hallway.

When he spots us he looks at me oddly as if I shouldn't be here which I guess I shouldn't and waves fretfully, "You must hurry Arthur; someone has stolen Excalibur from the armory! He's somewhere in the castle we're trying to cut off all escape routes."

"Damn!" Arthur curses and runs after his knight.

I follow closely on their heels as they twist and turn in the corridors to get up to the watchtower in the castle to oversee the progress of the gates closing. Why is this happening now of all times? I thought I was going to have more time to prepare for someone trying to steal the sword and then the battle that was sure to ensue. And right when I was about to tell Arthur about my magic too, which could have possibly changed the whole fate of the vision. I curse under my breath lightly at the terribly unlucky timing. Arthur and Percival run up the stairs taking three or four at a time and I easily fall behind. I make a quick right and left then take the corridors that lead to the courtyard. Perhaps if the gates are closed and the intruder is trapped the best place for me to catch him would be on the ground level. I come out in the crisp dark air and look around expectantly. It is silent and eerily quiet, with the torches burning brightly in their respective areas. No movement touches my eyes but I start to hear yells as the guards start to search the grounds looking for anyone suspicious. I'm starting to think I didn't pick the right spot to have my stakeout when I hear rustling. A cloaked person rushes from one of the stable doors and towards the wooded area away from the castle. I'm surprised that they decided to move at that moment but I quickly follow after in the shadows. The person doesn't go very far but stays shallowly in this forest area. Arthur and his men are starting to come down from the watchtower so I need to act quickly.

"Stop immediately!" I yell.

The cloaked individual stops instantly and turns to face me. It is a face I recognize though I wish I didn't.

"Mordred."

"Emrys, It's a pleasure to see you again. Although I hoped to have a longer reunion with you someday, I fear that might never come to pass."

"Give me Excalibur," I demand ignoring everything else he's said.

The grin he flashes turns my stomach in knots and makes me feel terribly sick. Does he really think he has the power to get away from me with Excalibur in his possession?

"Come and take the sword from me if you dare."

I feel the magic welling up inside my right hand and as I bring it up, Excalibur in its sheath is yanked bodily from Mordred's grasp and lands safely into mine. This time I let a satisfied grin cross my features because I have won. The sword is safely back in my custody. Now the sword can continue to protect Arthur as it should.

I meet Mordred's eyes expecting to see fury or indignation on his features but surprisingly all I see is triumph. Then he looks past me.

Slowly I turn although I know it is too late and everything has been shattered. My blue eyes meet Arthur's orbs and all I can see is shock, anger, disappointment, and hurt too. I didn't even hear them arrive. I have been so careful all these years in hiding my magic that I cannot believe I have made such a blunder now. Suddenly I know that the winner in this battle was not me and Excalibur was never the true target. In fact I have played precisely into Mordred's hands. Now Arthur knows my secret, through a way not of my choosing and he will never want to use an item I have given him, let alone used magic on.

I have utterly lost.

Percival can see the struggle within his king so he barks orders, "After the intruder immediately!"

About ten soldiers dart past me and I don't even bother to turn around and watch as Mordred disappears into the woods where I know he will not be found. The only strength I have left is slowly easing out of me because Arthur hasn't moved nor said a word.

I don't know who is crushed more; him or me.

"Arthur," Percival whispers the name and glances at me obviously unsure of what to do. Then more loudly, "Arthur!"

The once and future king finally snaps out of it and looks away from me, "Take him."

"The sword," Percival requests of me unsurely and I hand it to him.

Two guards grab me each by the arm and escort me into the castle. I don't struggle and I don't try to defend myself because what can I say? There is only one word that keeps floating around in my mind and I'm sure its taking over someone else's brain at the moment too. It's the one word I wish wasn't attached to me right now, but the only one that is: betrayal.