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.

A/N: A message to D Rose, since you don't have an account. Thank you for your support since the start! You have no idea of how much it means to me. Thank you for the motivation, thank you for the suggestions and pointing out my mistakes, thank you for just being there, and though your last piece of advice might have been a little cliche, I am taking it on board whole heartedly.

No-One Knew

~MERLIN~

"Merlin...don't do anything stupid."

"Me?"

Merlin ran back the way they had come with what would be surprising stealth if the knights could have watched him. He sidled along the tunnel wall when he saw the light from the Southrons' torches. There wasn't any time for putting up glamours right now: his priority was making sure that they never reached Arthur. He took a deep breath, composing himself, before ducking his head around the corner.

"Oh Hello!" He shouted in a completely un-subtle, over the top, and possibly suicidal way (if he wasn't the greatest warlock to have ever walked the land), before running off exactly the opposite direction of where he left Arthur, smiling to himself as he heard Agravaine and the others starting to chase him.

Ohhh...

Well it was his luck wasn't it? A dead end.

Trapped, he slowly turned to face Agravaine.

"Merlin. Merlin. Where's Arthur?"

The look upon his face, he had seen it before. Merlin knew the the only reason that he was on Morgana's side was because he wanted revenge for what was done to his sister. And he would only rest when Arthur was killed. He had been twisted like Morgana, and though he did not have so much evil in his heart to cause misery to thousands of innocents caught in the crossfire, he was just as deadly.

It hurt Merlin to see something as good and pure as love for one's family turn into something like this. Ygraine would have never wanted her brother to turn into this, the loving and kind person she was. She would never have wanted her husband to become what he did because of her.

In the end, he didn't feel any fury or hatred at them.

"Be careful."

"What are you talking about? Where's Arthur?" Agravaine said impatiently.

He felt pity and sadness at what they had become. He felt remorse because he could not undo it.

Merlin shifted his weight sadly. He didn't want to do it, not really. He felt the magic swirl inside him.

"Tell me. Now. Or I'll have to kill you."

He shook his head sadly. He had to, he knew it. There was no hope left for him. He was so blinded that he could not see his own madness.

"I don't think so."

He watched the beetle-like glint in Agravaine's eyes as he stepped forward, hand on the hilt of the sword, ready to strike.

He let his eyes glow gold for a second, letting the calm of his magic wash over him. It was never meant for this. His magic was meant to create and nurture, never destroy. But most of all, his magic was here to protect Arthur, and he was here to protect Arthur.

He looked down at the floor, unable to watch.

Agravaine was thrown back against the wall. He lay there slumped for a few moments, before stumbling up with a gasp and silently stared, question and disbelief on his face, at Merlin, who looked straight back at him nobly, acknowledging the fact that the evil had left his face for a while.

"You have magic." he said as if he was unable to comprehend the truth.

"I was born with it."

"So it's you. You're Emrys."

"That is what the druids call me."

"And you've been at court all this time, eh? At Arthur's side." a harsh chuckle escaped him.

"How you've managed to deceive him. I am impressed, Merlin. Perhaps we're more alike than you think."

The turmoil of emotions which burned inside Merlin hardened his resolve. This man would die tonight by his hand.

Agravaine extended his had to Merlin, but Merlin raised his hand in warning ready to strike.

Agravaine paused, his false smile fading, putting both his hands up in a gesture of submission.

Then suddenly, Agravaine whipped out a knife.

It that moment, after Agravaine pulled out the knife, and before he made to attack, Merlin mentally staggered. No! He was about to become just like Agravaine, and Uther and Morgana. Full of hatred and misery. This man would die tonight by his hand? He felt shame and disbelief at the fact that the thought even crossed his mind. He made a promise to himself to never ever let hostility rule over him again. How could he ever kill someone? In cold blood? In that split second of thought, Merlin gasped, changing his magic in the last instant to stun the offender rather than kill him.

Agravaine saw the gold in Merlin's eyes and in a hasty attempt at self defence, brought his arms to his chest and turned his back.

Then he lay dead, having fallen on his knife.

Merlin stood there in shock, hand moving to cover his mouth. And he did the only think he could. He ran.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Thank you as usual to all my reviewers, favouriters, followers, and readers. So I was thinking the other day that you probably know a bit about me from my A/N's, but I don't know anything about you! So I would love to know your favourite TV show(s)...apart from Merlin, of course! Mine, after Merlin is probably Doctor Who...or Sherlock...