THE KNIGHTS CORRIDOR
Mordred opened the door and allowed Tanya to step out.
She turned and smiled at him.
"Thank you." She whispered, "For understanding, for keeping it a secret."
Mordred smiled slightly, "I won't tell anyone… I give you my word."
Tanya smiled and touched his shoulder for a moment, before she stepped away.
"Good night Mordred."
He inclined his head, "Good night Tanya."
He closed the door and disappeared inside.
She turned and walked back towards the stairs at the end of the corridor.
"That looked friendly."
The voice made her spin in shock.
She straightened and narrowed her eyes when she saw Merlin lent against a pillar as though he had been there the whole time.
Feeling vulnerable under the magical power in his eyes, and all that she kept from him, Tanya's internal strength turned to anger.
"Were you spying on me?" She demanded.
He scoffed, straightening away from the pillar and walking towards her, "I was not spying Iwasmakingsure that you were safe…"
"And why wouldn't I be safe?" She demanded, seeing first hand now the mistrust in Merlin's eyes that Mordred had spoken of.
"Mordred is a good man…"
"First name terms?" Merlin arched one eyebrow.
"Jealous?" She lifted her own brows.
"Of him?" Merlin scoffed, "No…"
"He is my friend." She almost snapped, "I can talk to him, and actually it had nothing to do with you… why are you being like this?"
"I am looking out for you, as a 'friend,'" Merlin stated, "You don't know him…"
"I do, and I understand him…"
"What does that mean?"
"As he does me." She snapped without thinking.
"More than I ever could?" He demanded, "He understands you more than I possibly could if you talked to me?"
"Right now, yes!" She cried, "And I do talk to you… but no! What is your problem, I just talked to him?"
He would not ignore what the dragon had said.
"I care for you!" Merlin shouted.
His voice filled the hall and Tanya straightened.
She swallowed.
"Then maybe that is the problem."
He straightened, "Tanya…"
"There is something in your eyes Merlin, something that is so much more than the bumbling servant, the shadow, that you claim to be…" She hissed.
"And when you have no secrets from those that matter, you can stand here and lecture me on who I chose to trust."
She shook her head at him and turned to storm to the stairs.
Merlin watched her go, "Tanya…"
She didn't turn.
Merlin gritted his teeth in anger and frustration at his hidden magic and slammed his hand against the stone pillar he had leant against.
Tanya wiped furious tears away from her eyes.
She would not love him, wouldn't tell him the truth…
For he would pity her and she would stand in his way.
And Mordred could understand her in a way Merlin never could, because he had his magic to use.
He would one day be free in a way that Mordred and Tanya could never be, forced into lives that they had chosen.
A little way up the corridor Tanya slipped into an alcove and pressed her back hard against the stone.
She lifted the wrist which was wrapped in the thick leather bracelet to hold it to her chest.
She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, straining her neck back against the wall as tears slipped down her cheeks.
A storm was coming.
THE ROYAL CHAMBERS
Merlin closed the door slowly behind him.
The room was filled with candle light.
He straightened at what he saw, "You wished to see me, your majesties?
Gwen was sat at the long table, in her usual place.
She was wrapped in her robe, around her night dress.
She looked pale and tired, but she was smiling brightly.
Also, she was sat straight upright, to avoid straining her wound.
Her hands were resting on her rounded belly.
"Ah Merlin." She smiled.
He walked towards the table.
"I am pleased that you are well, my lady."
The young warlock's voice was caught and rough.
Arthur appeared from the corner of the room, holding two goblets of water.
"Merlin." He grinned and his eyes narrowed slightly, sarcastically, "Nice to see you, how was the tavern?"
Merlin shifted, "I haven't been to the tavern."
Arthur narrowed his eyes and set a goblet of water in front of Gwen.
He set one hand on her shoulder and drunk from her goblet, rubbing it softly.
Gwen turned her head slightly to kiss the back of his palm where it rested there, her hands cradling her belly.
Tears started to fill Merlin's eyes as he reached for the goblet of water, "I haven't been to the tavern."
Gwen narrowed her eyes at him as his hands started to shake and they rattled the jug he held.
"Merlin are you alright?" She breathed.
Arthur narrowed his eyes at his servant, "Merlin?"
The manservant swallowed thickly and looked down.
"I am fine…"
"Good." Arthur watched him carefully, "For Guinevere and I have something we want to ask you."
Merlin lifted his eyes to stare at them, his eyes burning through the tears there, as Arthur set his goblet down and stepped behind Gwen's chair, resting his hands on her shoulders.
She lifted hers to cover his.
Arthur gave them a gentle squeeze.
"In light of your somewhat loyal service and all round shabbiness when it comes to being a servant, I would not normally ask this," Arthur said.
Gwen tightened her hands around his.
Arthur sighed, "but you are a true friend Merlin, and that is not something I will forget, despite your addiction to the tavern, your lateness, and your considerable talent for taking liberties…"
Merlin stared at the king, his heart aching in the chest.
He needed to tell him.
Arthur glanced down at his wife.
She smiled carefully at Merlin.
Arthur looked to his friend.
"Will you be our child's god father?"
Silence hung in the air.
Merlin did not even smile.
His heart and stomach froze.
"What?" He croaked, tears filling his eyes.
Gwen smiled at him, "We want you to be god father Merlin."
The goblet Merlin's was holding tumbled from his hands, they were shaking so much.
It clattered to the floor.
The pale colour of Merlin's face and the tears in his eyes made the smile fall from Gwen and Arthurs face.
Arthur narrowed his eyes, "What is the matter Merlin?"
Merlin stammered and shifted, stumbling back slightly, "I… I can't… I…"
"Why not?" Gwen whispered, "Please, merlin what is the matter…"
"I…" Merlin screwed his face up against the pain in his chest, "I can't… I can't without…"
His voice broke.
Gwen and Arthur narrowed their eyes.
"I…" merlin swallowed and drew in a long breath.
"There is something I need to tell you… something that… I never wanted to keep from you…"
Gwen's mouth opened slightly.
Merlin opened his eyes to stare at the king and queen.
He drew himself up to his full height and swallowed.
"I am a sorcerer. I have magic."
**END OF EPISODE**
AUTHORS NOTE: DUH DUH DUUUUUUUUUUUH! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW