OMG, guys. I never thought that anyone would actually read this, much less review or favorite it. Thank you so much to all who reviewed, I know that everyone says this, but I came home from an exam, looked and my computer, and screamed so loud. (I may or may not have spent ten minutes yelling: "People liked it! They actually liked it! Oh my gosh, this is awesome!"). Thanks to Sassylou, AMJJ, Lya200, NightsAnger and Signal27 for reviewing. Here's the next chapter, as promised.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin


Arthur turned at the noise, raised his hand and watched as a blue shield of energy appeared in front of him and knocked the arrow away.

Arthur ran to the bushes where the archer was hidden and quickly took him out. He heard footsteps behind him, and turned around to face his opponent. The sword was lowered when he realised it was just Merlin coming out of his hiding place.

"Um, so…" Arthur didn't know what to say. His biggest secret had just been revealed. The one he kept secret from his father and the whole of Camelot. His magic was the reason he won all his battles, tournaments and melees, the reason he was so good on a horse. He didn't know what to do. He could say that someone else had cast the shield, but not even Merlin would be stupid enough to believe that. What sorcerer would help the Prince of Camelot? He couldn't tell the truth though, it would destroy the, quite frankly, treasured friendship he and his manservant shared. But he had to tell him. But he couldn't. But he had to. But…

"You have magic." Merlin didn't know what to think. Arthur has magic? It sort of made sense, that the thing he was born of was flowing through his veins. But it's Arthur Pendragon! Has he really been hiding the same secret as Merlin all this time? Was he seeing things? He knew he hadn't conjured that shield, so then who did? What other sorcerer could be helping the Prince of Camelot, other than Emrys? He was so confused.

Arthur wanted to deny it. He wanted to scoff and say that Hunith had dropped Merlin on the head as a baby, that he'd had one drink too many at the tavern, and be able to go back to their simple friendship of friendly banter and saving each others lives. But he needed to tell the truth, for once. So he did.

"Yes. I do." Well, at least his voice didn't shake.

"What? You're the Prince of Camelot. You are aware that your father would kill you if he knew?"

"I didn't choose magic. It chose me. I've had it since I was eight. Of course I know that my father would kill me for it. I had to hide it, my whole life, and you'll never know how that feels. When I lead the attacks on druid camps, I always put my men on the druids I knew could fight the knights off, and lead the knights away from those who couldn't. That's why I tried so hard to help that druid boy, all those years ago. Whenever there was an execution, behind closed doors, I would try and reason with my father, though try would be the operative word. Don't be scared, because I'd never use it to hurt people, only ever in self-defence. Merlin, can you forgive me for lying to you all this time? Please?"

The please is what stopped Merlin short, and made him realise what this meant to Arthur. Never, not once, the whole time Merlin had known him, had Arthur ever, once, said please, without being either taunted or pushed into it. So this meant lots to Arthur, most likely as much as it meant to merlin that Arthur accept him. He'd have to tell Arthur, and soon, considering that today seemed like as good a day as any to tell all their secrets.

"Aww. Never knew you cared."

"You're not mad at me for keeping it secret?" Arthur was shocked. Hadn't he just said that he was basically as big a threat to Camelot as all the beasts they'd ever faced were? Or was Merlin just a complete and total idiot?

"No. You didn't choose it. Besides, you haven't done anything bad with you magic. You've only used it to help others. It's not your fault you're a warlock."

"Well, thanks. But wait." Arthur was confused. "How do you know what a warlock is?"

"Well…"


AN: *Ducks flying pillow* Sorry! I just couldn't resist leaving it on a cliffhanger. It won't happen again. Probably. Anyway, I'm going to be on camp this weekend, but don't worry, I have a game plan. Next chapter will hopefully be up on the 6th of June, and Merlin will definitely reveal his magic next chapter, I can assure you of that much. Hope you enjoyed, and please review, it gives me motivation that someone out there, is actually reading and paying attention. So thanks again.
See you in another life, ScruffydaDruid