"So no one told you?" Merlin grinned, sitting Arthur's biggest chair, wrapped up in a blanket. He looked sick and he was lost weight, what wasn't good, because it made Merlin look sharp at every angle. He was paler than ever and his hands were trembling. But he looked happy, and alive. Arthur shook his head. "I just can't believe. So because of your magic you're alive. I really though you were dead."

"It makes me stronger than normal people. My magic … like I said, I really can't understand it fully. But that flower's poison made me just sleep like I was dead. My heartbeat slowed down. Even Gaius though that I was dead before he studied the flower. He found it from some book after two days."

"And whole that time they though you were dead?"

"I was placed in the crypt. They wanted to know if you survive before my funeral." Arthur noticed how Merlin shivered. "Same time when Gaius noticed his mistake, I started to wake up. If they had buried me, I'd be dead."

"Lucy that they waited." Arthur sighed, not wanting to though what if… "You saved me again, didn't you? You healed my wound. And I see that it took some toll from you."

Merlin just smiled and then his face darkened.

"Arthur…"

"Merlin, what I said in the woods I meant it." Arthur hurried to say, guessing what Merlin had in mind. "You are my br…"

"No. Arthur, wait." Merlin stopped him to say anything more. "Before you say that again, although I'm glad, I… I want that you hear whole truth."

"Is this right time to…?"

"Now before you it's too late. You may not like all of it what you should know about me and my actions." Merlin's gaze was steady and hard. "I have done some things what I regret deeply. Will you listen my story?"

No, Arthur didn't want to listen, but he know that there weren't any choices. He had to know, so he nodded.

Later that day Gwen hurried to see Gaius with tear-stained eyes.

"Gaius…"

"What's it?" Gaius was stood up, alarmed and Gwen rushed to embrace him. "Merlin… Arthur… he… he arrested Merlin."

"What?" Gaius went speechless and watched his queen eyes wide open.

"I don't understand! They have talked all them. In the morning, they were pretty quiet, but just moment ago ... Arthur came roaring out of the room that Merlin would be arrested and taken to down the dungeon. I tried, but Arthur was furious. I have ever seen him like that, not even when I…"

"Stay here, I go and see what is going on." Gaius said, his voice hard. Oh, he guessed what was happened. Merlin was told that Arthur knew, so he must been explained everything to king. And he guessed right.

"You knew all of this? You helped him?" Arthur really was furious.

"Of course I know, he's my nephew." Gaius sighed. Arthur stared the old physician. "Your nephew? Is he actually your relative or are you just saying…"

"He is my youngest sister's son, yes. I never said anything because of Uther. Your father knew that I was magic-user, actually I still am, if he had know that Merlin was my nephew you would be sure that the first time when Merlin was accused by the sorcery, he would be dead. Of course I protected him. His father was my best friend and Merlin's magic… He's so much more Arthur than just a druid or sorcerer or warlock. He's born with magic, like you are born from magic."

That stopped the king. "What you said?"

"Arthur, listen, there is lot what I have to tell you. Merlin, although he knows whole truth, I just know that he didn't told everything to you. Will you listen me that you can do the right decision?"

Arthur looked stunned and sat. "I though him like my brother." He said weakly. "And every time when I though that I would trust someone, something comes up."

Gaius eyes became more gently. "In many ways, I think he's your brother and you still can trust him, and me. Please. You have to rest and I tell you rest of his story. And you, and your parents."

It took rest of the day and finally Gaius stepped out of the King's chambers and walked right away to dungeons. He found Gwen sitting other side of the bars, talking quietly with Merlin.

"Gaius…" They stood up.

"Your trial is tomorrow Merlin." Gaius said.

Merlin nodded.

"I told the rest."

Merlin nodded again. He looked so calm that it made Gaius nervous.

"Merlin…"

"I trust him Gaius. You two should trust too."

"What is going on?" Gwen asked, watching nervously them both.

"You see tomorrow. Now, please, go. Arthur needs you." Merlin touched her through the bars and Gwen kissed him lightly. "Do I should worry?"

"Maybe." Merlin admitted, his smile sad that it almost broke Gwen's heart. "Merlin…?"

"Go. Please." Merlin begged and Gwen nodded and left.

"Gaius?"

"Are you alright? Maybe I do something that you can stand tomorrow. You are still too weak…"

"No, everything is alright. It's time Gaius. Please, I want to be alone tonight."

Gaius watched his nephew and saw something what he had never saw before. Merlin was relaxed for the first time in ages. He was not at all nervous; he had accepted that Arthur would do the right decision. What ever it would be, it was Merlin's destiny.

"Good night then. I see your first in the morning."

"Thank you, for everything." Merlin sat down on the corner of his cell.

That night was long for many, but Merlin slept, his heart light and free again.