AN: Sorry it's not a very long update, today really just wasn't a very good day for writing.
Oh and to the reviewer who asked about the "Even when Uther had remembered Arthur was his son..." line from the last chapter: I'm sorry for confusing you, that was an awkwardly phrased sentence, and I've rewritten it to 'Even before Uther had forgotten Arthur was his son', so it's referring to before the spell was cast. Again, sorry about that.
Chapter Twenty-two
Walking inside, Arthur nodded a greeting to Gaius. "Is Merlin here?" he asked.
"No, but he should be back soon."
"Thank you. I'll wait for him in his room." Arthur hurried up the stairs and entered Merlin's bedroom. He took a seat on the bed and buried his face in his hands. He supposed he should be glad Merlin wasn't there at the moment as it gave him time to think; for he realized he hadn't actually decided what he would say to him when he saw him.
Merlin was a wizard. Merlin had magic.
The thought seemed ludicrous. How could Merlin be a sorcerer? Really?
"Maybe," said Arthur to the room in general, "I really have gone mad…"
All that time Merlin had been his servant, what had his true agenda been?
As he asked the question to himself, Arthur couldn't help but burst out laughing. Agenda and Merlin didn't really seem to go together.
Then Arthur grew serious as another thought occurred to him. He had wondered if a sorcerer would show up in Camelot, but what if the sorcerer who had cast the spell on him had been here all along? What if it was Merlin?
But what could Merlin hope to gain from it? In the position of manservant to the Prince, he had been in a much stronger position to cause trouble then just as assistant to Gaius.
So why had Merlin worked for him? What had he hoped to achieve? Could Arthur really trust him?
But as far as he knew Merlin had never tried to do him, his father or Camelot any harm. In fact Merlin had helped and supported him on several occasions…in fact…
And then a memory swam to the forefront of Arthur's mind. Him, holding his sword at his father's throat, his mother's words still ringing in his ears…and Merlin. Merlin talking him down, telling him Morgause was lying…and Arthur remembered what he had told Merlin afterwards, how he was once again convinced of the evil of magic…
The full selflessness of Merlin's action shocked Arthur as he stared unseeingly across the room.
And there was his answer. That's how he knew he could trust Merlin. Merlin might never remember what he had done for him, but Arthur would never forget.
A minute late he heard Merlin running up the steps, the door opened and he came in.
"Arthur," Merlin greeted him with a nervous smile.
Arthur rose to his feet. "Merlin, we need to talk about last night."
Merlin nodded. "Look if you'd just hear me out. I'm not evil, I'm not bad. Magic isn't like that. I didn't even choose it, it chose me. I've had it since the day I was born, I can't help it. I-"
Arthur raised his hand to silence him and interrupted, "You don't have to explain Merlin. You never have to explain yourself to me."
"I…don't?" Merlin looked at him quizzically, "Because it seemed last night like you were…"
"No, I mean maybe you have to explain some of your taste in clothes and general behavior, but about what I saw last night? No. I was a little shocked. But I know you're not evil and that…I can trust you."
"So…you're not going to report me?"
"Why would I do that?" asked Arthur. "I'm not the prince of Camelot. I'm not a knight. I'm just a blacksmith. Why would I report you? And Merlin…thank you for saving my life last night."
Merlin grinned. "You do realize I'm not going to let you forget that anytime soon?"
"I had a feeling as much."
When Arthur descended the stairs a few minutes later, Gaius gave him one look and immediately insisted Arthur take his bed and sleep. After a quick contemplation of the walk through the city to reach his own bed, Arthur agreed and collapsed onto the cot, not even bothering with the blankets. He was asleep immediately.