Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, this is an alternate universe fan fiction, in which I have used the characters, places, quotes, and story from the BBC TV show which I do not own.

No-One Knew

~ARTHUR~

When Arthur woke, it was well into the day. He inspected his wound to see that it had almost vanished, much to his surprise. Emrys hadn't used magic to heal it, did he? He would have to ask him later.

Emrys' cave looked much more comfortable in daylight, being lit up by the sun's rays. The fire was gone, and in it's place, lay breakfast, just as he used to get by Merlin at Camelot: late, half missing, and just generally not the most pleasant looking. So why did he smile down at it with fondness?

He looked to the mouth of the cave to see Emrys standing outside, conversing with someone he couldn't see, in a language he couldn't understand. Soon enough, his curiosity won over his integrity, and he slowly made his way outside on stiff, unused legs. What he saw couldn't have stunned him further. There Emrys was, standing talking to a huge dragon.

A dragon.

But there aren't any dragons left...father had...the Great Purge...how...

He stared agape at the two who were chucking away at something or the other. Arthur sincerely hoped that it wasn't himself they were laughing at, somewhere in the back of his mind. He was still staring wide-eyed and speechless as the dragon flew away many moments later.

When Emrys turned, he gave a start at Arthur's appearance, who was now looking rather sheepish after his shocked episode. Emrys was in dark blue cloaked apparel today, Arthur noted. He must have changed when Arthur was sleeping.

Why will he not show me his face? Surely he does not believe that I will banish, or God forbid, execute him.

A shudder passed through him at the thought.

"You should be resting." Emrys finally accused, after staring at the cave then him in turn.

"Oh well. Since you have woken, let's get you something to eat." he shrugged, not letting Arthur respond and leading him back inside.

Arthur followed Emrys and sat opposite him, accepting the bread with thanks and fiddling with his fingers, wondering how to begin.

"Emrys isn't your true name, is it." he had thought over it a lot and was positive that he had seen him flinch at the form of address.

He stared at Arthur with a look of surprise on his face, before it dissolved into a sigh. "No. It is not the name my mother gave me."

"Then why...why do the people not call you with your preferred.." Arthur trailed off with confusion.

"Some were born great, some achieved greatness, and some had greatness thrust upon them. My liege."

Comprehension dawned in Arthur.

They were both lost in their thoughts, until Arthur could hold back no longer.

"Why do you hide your name and face from me?"

He heard a sharp intake of breath, and waited nervously in anticipation of what Emrys would say. He could almost hear the internal battle playing out in the sorcerers mind.

"You knew me once, but you never knew who I really was." he started slowly. "No-one knew who I really was. Magic is as much part of me as my blood. Even more so than the breaths which enter and leave my body. I hid because I had to. A whole childhood of hiding does make it your second nature." Was that some dry humour? He continued quietly "There were many times to reveal who I was, but how could I, how could I risk the friendships that I cherish so much. What would I do when I saw the looks of betrayal coming towards me? To see the people of my birthplace and the few friends I have, turn against me, claiming that magic had taken their friend away, or that I never was their friend. To this day, I hide because I am scarred of pain and loss which would have come, had I told them."

Arthur hefted a shaky breath at Emrys' impassioned words. He could empathise with him: as a child of a cold king, he never had many friends. He constantly tried to impress his father to no avail, and if he did something wrong, he had no doubt of the consequences to the frail relationship he had with Uther. But, he had luxuries of being the future crown prince. He didn't have to hide. People treated him differently because he was royalty and he longed for a bond of true friendship, but he was never scared of being killed.

"All of that just because you are a sorcerer..."

"Warlock actually." Talk about breaking the tension.

"What?"

"Sorcerer are those who spend years learning magic. Warlocks, though very rare, are born with it. For true warlocks, there is no distinction between them and magic. They are magic."

"And I guess you are one of them."

"That would be correct."

Suddenly, the warlock was on his feet. "I think that its high time we got you back to Camelot."

"Camelot!" Arthur stood with a gasp.

"Don't worry, you won't be gone for long. Though they have probably sent numerous search parties out. And the people are probably very worried, not to mention the knights, and Gwen."

"Gwen!"

"Ok sorry, not helping."

"I must get back at once!" he was all but into the woods when an amused Emrys called out to him.

"I think that you are forgetting something, my lord." he said displaying Arthur's sword which he had left behind. "And maybe it would be best if I accompany you? You were going in the opposite direction..."

Arthur could sense the smirk again, and could practically feel the amusement rolling off him. He grabbed the sword.

"When you become court sorcerer, you will speak not one word of this to anyone."

Emrys grinned in further amusement at Arthur's way of showing gratitude.

"You are most welcome, sire."

A/N: Many thanks for reading, please leave a comment on your thoughts. I hope you all enjoyed, and happy reading!