Scars and Secrets

I'M BACK! I know I know, I'm horrible at updating. Honestly I have no excuse this time. But all that aside I've returned with another chapter for Merlin and his friends.

FreyaMyth10- Well of course he is! But we all know that he truly is a good guy when he's not being a total arse, which we will see in this chapter.

celticwitch77- Your wish is my command

parimalik- He's a man who thinks with his sword rather than his head. That's why Merlin is so good for him.

mersan123- Don't worry you'll definitely get to see Arthur change his ways before the end of the story.

Madiline Magnolia- I'm doing much better thank you! I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

As usual I don't own Merlin or any of its characters.

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Arthur paced angrily outside of Gaius's chambers, he was the king for Christ's sake, and they shouldn't be allowed to keep him from checking on his own Manservant. Suddenly Arthur stopped and sank to his knees. He laid his head against the stone wall behind him and pressed his palms against his eyes. It all became clear in that moment; he was treating Merlin like a servant again. But why, jealousy, anger, his own need to distant the two so the younger one stayed safe? Even as he sat and thought about it, he knew he couldn't give himself an answer, because he knew in some way or another everything he thought was true.

Arthur let his hand fall to his sides as he stared at the door in front of him. He could hear their hushed voices from the other side as they discussed the health of his friend and if Arthur himself had done any permanent damage. He slowly clambered to his feet and walked toward the door, but before he could even knock the door was opened.

Gaius stood before him, looking very much like an angered father. "Merlin has requested your presence." He said firmly, leaving no room for questions or possible arguments. Arthur followed the elderly physician into the room, his eyes scanning for only a moment before they landed on the man he was both excited and dreaded to see.

Merlin was sitting on the cot leaning up against the wall, his shoulder wrapped in bandages that were already stained red with blood. He turned his head at the sound of the new footsteps and smiled. It honestly was a smile only Merlin himself could answer when he was sitting before you wounded by your own hand. Lancelot stood by his side glancing nervously between the king and his young servant.

For a long moment everyone just glanced around at each other, no one quite knowing what to say. Then Gaius cleared his throat and motioned to the knight. "Lancelot, I could use your assistance finding some books in the library." It was obviously a ploy, and no one knew that better than Merlin himself. And even though Merlin knew it wasn't necessary, he was thankful that the man who had become his father understood his need for a moment alone with the king.

Once the others had left the room Merlin turned his gaze to the king. He stared at him for only a second before he chuckled. "I always wanted to tell you," He whispered offering a lopsided grin. "about my magic. I can't even count the number of times I thought of walking into your room and letting it all spill from my lips. Something always happened though, something that kept me from saying anything at all." He sighed and closed his eyes leaning his head back against the wall. "At first it was the fact that I couldn't do anything when your father was around, you didn't need to be holding that kind of secret from him… But then you were the king, and you were always so busy. I never wanted to bother you." He opened his eyes slowly and stared blankly across the room. "By then I was so used to fear, so used to hiding, I just did it for myself." He let his eyes drift over and land on Arthur. "You are the greatest king Camelot has ever known, and I will gladly be your servant until the day I die."

Arthur was staring wordlessly at the young man in front of him. If anyone ever asked him he would deny the tears that sparkled in his eyes. For once in his life Arthur was absolutely speechless; because honestly what was there for him to say? Part of him had been so angry that Merlin kept all of these secrets, jealous of the fact that he seemed to trust Lancelot more. But right now all he could do was sigh. He reached behind him and grabbed a chair pulling it over so he could sit facing Merlin. "Then let's talk, put all the secrets out on the table. Then, I want you to show me your magic." He stopped for a second and bit his lip. "I mean if you feel like you can."

Merlin smiled at him happily as he felt his body relax. All the tension he didn't know he was harboring faded away and he gave a small nod. "Yeah, I would really like that Arthur." And all at once every secret he had been keeping started spilling from his lips until her froze for a moment. "Since I've been your servant… I met my father." He looked away holding up a hand as Arthur went to speak. "He was Balinor, which means, that I am the last Dragon Lord." He whispered glancing slowly back up at Arthur. "I may also be the reason the dragon got free… And it may not be dead."

Arthur could feel the rage burning inside him; he had so many questions so many things he wanted answered. Why hadn't Merlin told him of his father at least? Half of his anger was simply stemming from the guilt. But he knew that if he started now, he would ruin everything he was trying to do. So he simply clenched his jaw and asked "Why?"

Merlin adverted his gaze and used his good arm to run his hand through his hair. "To save you, everything I did everything I've done since stepping foot in Camelot, has been for you." He said honestly, every ounce of him hoping Arthur believed him. "I've been poisoned, beaten, almost killed repeatedly all for you. I told you once I'd happily be your servant until the day I die… And I mean it." Merlin said with earnest.

Arthur no longer knew what to say, but Merlin kept spilling secret after secret. From what happened with Will and how he had been enchanted to try to kill Arthur, he even told about Dragoon. For some reason once he started he couldn't find it within himself to stop. There was laughter and tears shared between the two as they went through this new journey together. Then after everything was said and done Merlin drifted off to sleep, the emotional toll finally kicking in. Arthur smiled softly and chuckled. He stood up and looked down at his friend, "I have a secret too." He whispered glancing toward the door for only a moment. "You're my best friend, and I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for you. Thank you."

And then as Arthur turned and left the room, he missed the small smile that graced the young man's face. Because at that moment Merlin knew, maybe everything would work out just fine.

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Ta-Da! There is a new chapter for you! As promised there is a little soft Arthur in here for you. Next chapter will definitely be a Merlin and the round table fluff story. Hope you enjoyed!