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: I am sorry for the delay - I have so many ideas going through my head but I am very bad at translating my thoughts to words...
No-One Knew
~MERLIN~
Merlin watched the knights set up a campfire while re-dressing Isolde's wound. Arthur and Tristan moved out slightly to collect some more wood to last them the night. Merlin frowned, as both of them disappeared into the woods.
"All done." He smile at Isolde. "You'll be as good as new in no time." He was feeling much better now that he had found the right herbs and plenty of water from the stream, now that they were in the open of the forest. It wore away some of the guilt.
"Thank you Merlin." she smiled back. Merlin quickly got up and went into the forest after the two, sharing a knowing look with Isolde. She seemed quite worried too.
He wandered, following the faint voices he could hear.
"-Look at you. First you go back to rescue your servant, now you're getting your hands dirty. But then again, why shouldn't you? You're just like everyone else. There's nothing special about you, is there?"
Merlin winced at the words, speeding up, and hoping that Arthur would not take the words to the heart.
"Well, maybe you're right. Maybe I don't deserve to be king."
No, Arthur, you do deserve to be the king. He reached them, who were staring at each other, piles of wood in their hand.
"Well, that's all right, 'cause you're not. Not anymore."
Tristan walked off, passing Merlin on the way. Merlin stared anxiously at Arthur, who was struggling with the fact.
"Arthur?"
He started walking away, and Merlin made to follow behind.
"Arthur..."
The man stopped and spun around to him.
"Don't." and he staked away.
Merlin just stood there on his own, looking vacantly at the spot where Arthur was standing a moment ago, letting Arthur's instability add to his own. He had his own demons to deal with, but Arthur came first.
Later Merlin, when everyone was asleep, Arthur was lounging against a tree, no doubt brooding. Merlin went over to join him.
"Come on, I'll take watch." Merlin said.
When he got no reply, it confirmed what was bothering him. "Arthur, what's the matter? Don't listen to Tristan, he doesn't know you."
"I trusted the wrong people."
No, Arthur not this again, you must believe in yourself! Merlin thought.
"They betrayed you. Please, Arthur, you must know that it wasn't your fault."
"No. I was a fool. I misjudged everyone...my uncle...Morgana. Every decision I've made has been wrong."
"You are being too hard on yourself, Arthur. Everyone makes mistakes, and they fooled the entire city."
"But you knew didn't you?"
Merlin couldn't deny it - he had known all along, and he had tried to warn Arthur, but as usual he didn't listen.
"I should be more discerning, wise...a statesman, a king. Tristan's right, there's nothing special about me. I'm just like everyone else."
"You're not. Arthur, please, listen to me. You're a worthy king."
"I'm good with a sword. That's all."
"Your people love you. They really do. Each one of them would give their lives for you."
"And now most of them are dead. Thanks to me." Arthur replied bitterly.
"No, most of them escaped. They'll be here in the forest, I'm sure of that."
"Well, if they are, they'll have to find themselves a new king."
Arthur got up and walked away, and Merlin followed, of course.
"Arthur...no Arthur!"
He was waking furiously away, and Merlin at his heels, ever loyal.
"Arthur!"
Arthur was furiously walking away, deeper into the woods, and then kicked a tree with all his might. Merlin would have laughed it not for the sadness and frustration and resignation in his eyes.
"You all right?"
"Yes."
"We will all stand behind you - we will make it into Camelot and we'll be able to free the rest." Merlin tried to comfort him again.
"That's not what I am worried about."
"What then?"
"Once we get into Camelot, what then? What can we do?"
He made to kick the tree again, but Merlin stepped in front and asked: "Do you think there are too many of them?"
"Southrons are men like you and me. Men we can fight, even though we are greatly outnumbered. But Morgana..."
Arthur shook his head.
"Her power is so great and we've got nothing to answer it with. If only she didn't have magic. Then none of this would have ever happened."
Merlin's eyes widened. "That's it!"
Arthur stared incredulously at the delighted Merlin who was jumping like an excited puppy.
"If only she didn't have magic!"
Merlin ran as fast as he could- ignoring the shouts of Arthur as he followed him. He gave out a joyous laugh.
"Merlin! Wait!"
Merlin laughed again, giving Arthur a one word explanation and rushed away before Arthur had a chance to follow.
"Emrys."
A/N: The poll is still open - I can hardly make a decision with seven votes now can I? Though it is leaning on Emrys revealing himself as Merlin as opposed to the other...