A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, I had to properly plot out the end of the fic before I could finish off this chapter. My final chapters were giving me a bit of grief and they have turned out a little differently to what I was expecting, and so I had to rewrite this one.

For anyone who wants to know - the fic will be around 18 chapters long.

And thank you so much again to those who've reviewed – ruby890, Dee, sesshouluver, fairy goatmother (love the name), AnMarie10, HighEmpress, Starzinmieyez, ARTs Ninja Pal, smoothdream, Felicity P, Princess Alyra, TheSaga. And Leonarema – a special BIG THANK YOU for your reviews, they really made me smile.

Arthur said, incredulous and dumfounded, "Oh bloody hell, you're Emrys!"

Merlin decided he didn't want the apple after all. "Well, yes, I am. That's correct. But you know, I'm very tired now." He pushed back his chair abruptly and stood up, getting as far as the door before Arthur had recovered enough to speak again.

"Oh no you don't, Merlin!"

Merlin sighed, but he didn't let go of the door handle. He turned back around reluctantly. "We've established who you are, who I am, and the reason for our existence. Wraps it all up, don't you think? And I am very, very, tired. Please, Arthur."

"You're avoiding this conversation."

Silence for a moment. "Yes, I am." He pushed back, testing. "But I have gone for more than a week with very little sleep. Another day, huh?"

Arthur considered it. He was perfectly aware the dynamics in their friendship were slowly changing, and had been in fact, for many months now. A year ago he would not have given much consideration to riding roughshod over Merlin's wishes in order to pursue his own agenda. Even now, he knew if he insisted Merlin stay and discuss this further with him, then Merlin would. Arthur was a prince, after all, accustomed to giving orders and having them obeyed. But still, even when Merlin obeyed he'd always done it under his own terms, and Arthur honestly didn't mind, most of the time.

And now ... things had changed again. Merlin was changing too, or maybe it was just that Arthur was aware of other facets of his personality, he was more assertive than he'd once been, stronger with his opinions and wishes, and the knowledge that Arthur respected them.

"I'll let you get away with that tonight, Merlin. Another day it will be then."

A slight smile. "Then I'll be back to wake you up in the morning, alright?"

As it was, despite planning to rouse Arthur at his usual time and bring him breakfast, Merlin didn't wake up until the sun was well up, and that was only because he felt Gaius shaking his shoulder.

He groaned, "Oh no, what time is it? I was meant to wake Arthur early."

Gaius patted him. "Arthur called in this morning and told me to let you sleep in. But you need to get up now, we both have a round table meeting soon."

Merlin rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, yawning, and sat up in bed. "We do?"

Gaius turned in the doorway to Merlin's room. "Get dressed, I've some broth for your breakfast."

Merlin made a face. "Broth? For breakfast?"

"You need something to build you up again after all the time you spent running around last night."

"Uh." Merlin looked guilty, and thought better of protesting further. "Broth. Yum. Thanks."

He hurried to change into day clothes and swallow down some of Gaius's offering, then followed his mentor to their meeting.

They'd moved the Round Table into the castle a few days after the battle. It sat in the middle of a large room not far from the Throne Room, overlooking the eastern courtyard. The Pendragon banners took precedence either side of the fireplace, and a large ornamental sword that had once belonged to one of Arthur's ancestors hung between the banners.

Merlin and Gaius were the last to arrive. All the other places were taken, those in attendance were Arthur, Gwen, Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan and Leon.

Gaius murmured an apology for their lateness, and Merlin took his place beside Arthur. He felt a little awkward, guessing what was coming, and studied the pattern on the table, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes.

Arthur spoke. "I hardly need tell you, that what we speak of does not leave this room. It certainly can never be mentioned to my father." He waited for acknowledgement, looking at them all individually before continuing.

"I've called you here today, as I have reason to believe that Morgana may attack Camelot soon." Arthur paused, and looked around the table. "You may wonder why I'm bothering to mention it; her army is dead so you may think that means she is not much of a threat. However, there is something else you all should know. Morgana has magic, so the danger she poses to us is very real. She may specifically target each of you in revenge for her recent defeat. You must all be on your guard. To add to that, although injured, Morgause is still alive, and you all know what horrors she is capable of. Together they are a valid threat to us all."

"Morgana has magic, Arthur?" Leon was clearly surprised.

Merlin looked up and caught Percival watching him, he looked away.

"She does. To defeat her, we must fight magic, with magic."

There was silence around the table as the impact of those words sank in. Leon and Elyan were regarding Arthur with bewilderment, everyone else except Gaius was looking at him. Merlin fidgeted and concentrated on the carvings on the table again, tracing around the one nearest him with the tips of his fingers.

Arthur pressed on. "We need to discuss what we should do. Do we wait for her return, or do we seek to locate her? Merlin has been to Cenred's kingdom, but is sure neither Morgana nor Morgause have taken refuge there. Merlin-" Arthur turned to him, "-has suggested we make contact with the druids to find her."

Merlin nodded but didn't offer any comments. Leon and Elyan were puzzled and he knew why, not only had Arthur mentioned magic, they were now wondering how and when Merlin had managed to make the journey to Cenred's kingdom when he'd been seen daily at Camelot since the battle. Percival was looking thoughtful.

Leon asked the question, his gaze shifting from Arthur to Merlin and back again. He addressed the query to Arthur. "How then, do we fight magic with magic?"

There was silence. Merlin leant back in his chair and looked at Arthur, not sure if he was really annoyed at him for pulling rank. He was at least a bit annoyed though, as clearly this meeting was going to be Merlin's great revelation, whether he wanted it to be or not. After all, he'd told Arthur he wanted the magic kept secret, but there weren't many of their group who didn't know by now. Still ... he decided now might be the time to try out mind speech on Arthur. "You realise I'm going to get you, for this, you know!"

Arthur jumped visibly and shot Merlin a startled look, his eyes wide. Merlin blinked innocently.

Leon looked from Arthur to Merlin, confused by this display. "And when on earth did Merlin go to Cenred's kingdom? I've seen him here every day."

Merlin had no intention of explaining, throwing the question back to Arthur. "Sire?"

Just one word, but Arthur registered the formality in his tone and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you didn't want me to do this, but they have to know. I'm sorry, but it's necessary." He waited, trying to read Merlin's expression but unsuccessful in his endeavours. He kept his hand on Merlin's shoulder, and said bluntly, "We fight their magic, with our own." He focused on Elyan and Leon, the ones who did not yet know. "Merlin is our secret weapon. He has magic."

Leon visibly started, looking around the table from one face to another, but the obvious lack of surprise only deepened his confusion. "Merlin, has magic?"Clearly doubtful, he frowned at Arthur and blurted, "Are you sure, sire?"

Arthur looked at Merlin. "Do you want to show him?"

Merlin folded his arms and shrugged. "No, not really."

Before Arthur could say anything, Gwaine chipped in. "Come on, Merlin. Do something magical!"

Merlin winced, Arthur clapped his shoulder, and Merlin sighed, resigned, and went for the predictable option. "Very well. Shall I turn Arthur into a toad?"

Arthur's mouth twitched in amusement and Gwaine's face lit up, but Gaius cut in, shocked. "Merlin!"

"Oh, I wasn't going to." He added in mind speech for Arthur's benefit, "Not right now, anyway." He looked around the room for inspiration and spied the fireplace. The wood was laid but the fire was not yet lit. He pushed back his chair and walked over. He knew they were watching him but he kept his back turned; it felt very strange to be performing magic in front of so many people. He didn't need to speak the word but it was more commonly assumed to be necessary, so he whispered, "Forbearne," and as the flames took hold he turned around, registering the differing expressions.

He leant with his back against the fireplace. Would he? Might as well. His eyes deepened to gold again, and the flames danced out from the fireplace, changing into fiery golden animals: birds, horses, fish, deer, a dragon, and more. This was something he'd done often with Will when it was just the two of them back in Ealdor, long ago. There was silence around the table as they watched the display flying around the room, wheeling and soaring, beauty and grace, then just as suddenly, they disappeared and Merlin's eyes faded to blue.

Arthur walked across to him and put a hand on his shoulder, guiding him back to his seat. "Thank you."

Leon looked like he wanted to ask more questions, he was eyeing Merlin curiously, but Arthur wasn't allowing an interrogation from anyone. He pressed on. "I believe we need to pursue Morgana, rather than wait for her to come to us. Merlin and I will seek out the druids. I need two volunteers to travel with us. Leon, I want you to stay here, you and Gaius will be the authority in Camelot during my absence."

Before anyone could volunteer, Merlin said, "Uh, Arthur, that's not necessary."

Arthur frowned, and a note of command entered his voice. "You're not going by yourself. You may run into her. I forbid it! It's too dangerous!"

Merlin was irritated, what was the point of Arthur seeing that little display of fighting skill with Kilgharrah, he had no idea who the defenceless one really was. "Arthur I am perfectly capable of looking after myself! But that was not what I meant. You don't need to go out to seek the druids."

"If you try and go again alone –"

"No! Will you just let me finish! None of us need to leave Camelot to seek the druids. I'll contact them from here."

"You're not –" Arthur's mind caught up. "Oh. How is that possible?"

Merlin sighed, a demonstration was the easiest thing to do, it might limit the questions. He said nothing aloud but they heard him anyway, all except Gaius exhibiting the same shocked surprise of Arthur's first experience.

"Mind speech. I will contact Iseldir from Camelot." He added for the benefit of everyone, excluding Arthur, "Iseldir is the Druid Chieftain who saved Leon with water from the Cup of Life."

Gaius voiced his concern. "Merlin, are you sure you can do that? Telepathy does not usually work over long distances and I thought the druids were far away when you met them. And others who should not hear, may hear you, if you try."

Merlin reverted back to verbal speech. "I know it will work, Gaius. And no one else will hear me. I am sure of it."

They all looked at him. He shrugged, slightly uncomfortable with all the attention. "What?"

Gaius pressed, "And what of Iseldir? He may have saved Leon, but are you sure he can be trusted on this? The druids are a peaceful race, he is just as likely to shelter Morgana and Morgause from harm, as he is to help you."

Merlin didn't want to have a conversation about their previous involvement with Iseldir, or the scent and spirit of magic, and why he felt Iseldir was trustworthy to a limited extent, in front of everyone. "Uh, could we discuss this later, Gaius?"

Arthur frowned. "No, why?"

Merlin ran a hand through his hair and said softly, looking down, "I have nothing more to say." He sounded more abrupt than he'd meant to, he knew Arthur was about to argue but Merlin cut him off with mind speech.

"Please, Arthur. I'm sorry. I have done as you've asked, I've shown my magic to them all. But I am not comfortable about it, you know I have been conditioned since birth not to reveal myself. I trust you, but I won't speak of it further here. Don't push me too far, too fast. I am leaving this room now. I'll find you later, if you wish. Arthur, no more now, please."

"Alright, Merlin." Arthur knew the others would realise something had passed between them but he didn't care. "That's enough, for us all, for now. The meeting is over."

Merlin sat alone, in his spot high in the battlements, eyes shut, head leaning back against the stone wall. He tried to tell himself he wasn't waiting, but he was, and he didn't have to wait long. He didn't open his eyes, he'd know Arthur's footsteps anywhere, the hurried tread across the cobblestones then the slight pause as he finally spotted what he'd been searching for.

Arthur sat down, leaning against the wall beside Merlin, their shoulders touching. The sun was bright, high in the sky, and the rough leather of Arthur's jacket was warm against Merlin's arm. The prince was patient, something he'd learnt to be lately, sitting in silence, waiting for Merlin to take the lead to speak when he was ready.

Finally Merlin sighed and opened his eyes. "I forgot to tell you earlier, Cenred is dead."

"Dead? How? Was he one of the immortal warriors too?"

"I don't think so. I don't know how it happened, but he is definitely dead. Everyone was talking about it."

They were quiet again. Merlin watched the clouds float by, and let Arthur's non-demanding presence and the silence calm his soul. He could feel Arthur looking at him musingly.

"Merlin, will you tell me who Freya is?"

The question came out of the blue, Merlin was unprepared for it, and his sense of calm vanished abruptly. "Did you overhear everything I discussed with Kilgharrah, Arthur?"

He felt Arthur shift beside him. "Will you tell me?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"I think it does."

Merlin's face was impassive. "I'll tell you. She was a druid girl. It's not important, I knew her for less than a week. She died. It was long ago."

"She was important to you. You spoke of her with your dragon like you'd seen her recently."

"Look, Arthur ..." Merlin shook his head. "No. Leave it. Please."

Arthur took a stab in the dark. "You loved her?"

For a moment he thought Merlin wasn't going to answer, but then said almost inaudibly, "Yes. Perhaps too much. And sometimes I wonder if that's why she died." He looked down at his hands. "You see, I was going to leave Camelot, and you, to be with her. Then what would have happened to this destiny we share?" He swallowed. "It was long ago, I was less focused on the path I must follow, back then. And you weren't really my friend. I allowed my own needs to take precedence over all of Albion. I wouldn't do that now, Arthur."

"I'm sorry." The words seemed inadequate, but they were all Arthur had.

Merlin wanted a change of subject, he couldn't talk about her, not now, he wasn't ready. "How's Leon handling this discovery of magic?"

A quick glance at Merlin and Arthur followed his cue. "He's loyal, Merlin. I'm confident we have his silence."

"You might be, but that's because he's loyal to you. I don't know him so well. But I guess, prat, I have to trust you, don't I?"

Arthur grabbed him in a headlock and ruffled his hair. "Watch the insults, Merlin."

"Ow!" Arthur let him go, Merlin was smiling again.

Arthur nudged him with an elbow. "Have you contacted Iseldir yet?"

"Not yet."

"Merlin? You must promise me you will not go after Morgana and Morgause by yourself."

"I'm not sure I could defeat them alone. Anyway, I can't leave you all here unprotected."

"So you wouldn't?"

"If you don't want me to, then I will do as you ask. She might have more than magical strength, it would not surprise me if she allied herself with another king. But you do not understand Arthur, when I went to look for her in Cenred's kingdom, she could not have found me. If I go in my own time no one can follow me, it's not possible." He hesitated, and then offered with careful indifference, "I can show you, if you like."

"What do you mean? Take me into your time, with you?"

"Yes." He didn't look at Arthur as he answered. Would Arthur trust him enough for this? Did he really accept his magic enough to be willing to experience it too? Merlin tried to prepare himself for the rejection he'd feel when Arthur said no to his offer.

"Alright. Now?"

"That's it? No questions? You mean, you will?"

Arthur wacked him playfully over the back of the head. "You're a bit slow, today, Merlin. Get on with it. What do I have to do?"

"Well. Um, I haven't tried this with anyone before. But I'm sure it will work." He eyed Arthur. "Are you certain you want to try it? It is a little experimental."

"I trust you, Merlin," he said simply.

Merlin stared at him, a lump in his throat. He broke the eye contact hurriedly. "Alright. Now you must hold on to me all the time. Whatever you do, don't let go." He stood up, and Arthur followed suit. "Now hold onto me around the arm." Arthur held on but Merlin hesitated. "No, I'd better hold on to you. You might accidentally let go."

"I won't."

"You might. Remember, I'm the expert on this." He tucked one arm under Arthur's, and took a firm grip near his shoulder. "Ready?"

"When you are."

Merlin's eyes glowed. Arthur felt like he was rushing through a tunnel in the sky with the wind pounding at his face, it was both utterly exhilarating and completely terrifying. His skin felt too tight for his body, he was everywhere and nowhere all at once, he could feel everyone and everything, yet he was so alone, the only link to sanity holding tightly around the arm. He was falling through space and time, and he almost fell there and then, he could barely stop himself falling over. He shut his eyes automatically, in increments his senses stabilised, and when he opened his eyes again he found Merlin smiling at him.

"You alright, prat?"

He concentrated on his anchor, Merlin. There was a faint gold sheen surrounding him. "I think so. Is it always like this?"

Merlin was amused but sympathetic. "I don't know what your experience is like, Arthur. I've been doing this for so long it feels normal to me now. And I have magic, that neutralises some of the effects for me. I'm sorry, I didn't think about that, it will make it more difficult for you. But we are through now, do you want to continue or is it too much?"

Arthur straightened and looked around. The castle was still there, but there was a sheen surrounding it too. He stretched out a hand to the wall and the sheen moved. No, the sheen wasn't around the castle, it was around him, the same gold sheen that Merlin had encircling him. Arthur touched the wall, it felt just like it always did, cool and firm. His hands shimmered where they touched the stone. He lifted his hand back up to his face, turning it over and examining it.

"Prat?"

"I'm glowing." He looked up in time to see Merlin fight back a grin.

"You are," Merlin agreed solemnly. "Now what do you want to do?"

Arthur didn't have to think. "Um? How about go see what Gwen's up to?"

"Arthur! We are not spying on Gwen! That's off!"

"I didn't meant it like that! I just wanted to see where she is, what she's doing."

"Hmmm. Very well, but I'll dump you back into the earth's time in front of her without warning if you cop an eyeful of something you're not meant to see!"

"You wouldn't!"

"No, you're right, I wouldn't. But I'd like you to think I would, it might make you behave. Come on, are you ready? Let's go."

Arthur followed the tug on his arm and they walked around the battlements and towards the staircase.

Merlin stopped at the top of the stairs. "Now be careful. We'll take it slowly."

They made it to the bottom without incident, and Arthur stopped for a moment at the sight of two guards at the end of the passageway. "Will they see us? Should we be quiet?"

"Don't worry about them." Merlin tugged his arm again to get him to keep walking. "I told you before, no one can see us, no one can hear us. We're here, but we're not here, I don't know how to explain it. Now let's go down to the kitchens first, I want to get something to eat."

"I thought we were going to find Gwen."

"We have time for that." Merlin grinned at his own wit. "This always makes me hungry, we'll get something to eat on the way. Now," he tightened his grip on Arthur's arm as they continued down the passageway. "I want to speed up things a bit here, there aren't any stairs and we won't meet many people for a while, you should be right. Ready?"

"I have no idea what you mean, Merlin."

"Then you'll find out, let's go."

For a moment Arthur felt like he'd left his stomach behind, the castle walls pulsed and throbbed, moving in time to the sound of his own breathing. A roar of sound filled his ears, rushing around his head. His vision blurred and he blinked, but no, it wasn't his vision it was everything outside their gold sheen that was behaving strangely.

"Uh, I take it back about the bramble patch, Merlin. Why are the walls moving?"

The blurring stopped and everything came into focus again. "Sorry, I should have known that was too much. How's this?"

"Better." Arthur found he could walk again without feeling that his feet were about to sink through the stone floor.

It was almost lunchtime, the kitchens were the usual hive of activity that time of day. Merlin propped Arthur up against a wall and waved a hand in the direction of the trays of food. "Do you want something to eat now? Or will I take a tray and bring it to your room for later?"

"Uh, Merlin, if you think you can manage this time thing and carry a tray, be my guest. But how are you going to dodge between everyone?"

"They won't come near us, something repels contact between the two times. But if we do make contact accidentally it won't matter, they won't feel it and they won't notice."

Merlin picked up a tray and murmured, "Dierne, áféh, befylge mec!"

His eyes flashed, and the tray floated in mid-air beside him. Arthur gave him a look and Merlin shrugged. "How did you think I was going to carry it while I'm holding onto you? Now what do you want to eat? Cheese? Meat? What about the soup, it looks like chicken and vegetable today." He placed a little of everything on the tray.

Arthur reached for a bread roll on a platter, but when he touched it his fingers went right through it like it wasn't even there. Or maybe it was because he wasn't there. Merlin watched curiously. "That's interesting." He picked up the roll and held it out to Arthur. "Can you take it now, from me?"

He could. He held it up to Merlin then took a bite. Merlin was fascinated. "Can you put it down on the tray?" Arthur tried, it worked. "Odd." They headed out of the kitchen, the tray following obediently behind them, the soup sloshing against the edges of the bowl. Merlin was chewing on his own bread roll now. "Where do you think Gwen might be?"

"If it's lunchtime, she's probably at her home. Can we go there?"

Merlin didn't answer that, he was sure he didn't have a choice. He tugged Arthur down one of the side passageways, a servant's shortcut, but then his face fell. "Oh no."

"What is it?"

"Uh. Something I forgot about."

Arthur couldn't keep the concern out of his voice. "Are we stuck here?"

"Don't be ridiculous! But no, nothing like that. But we'd better return now."

"Merlin?"

Merlin was uneasy. "It's just ... uh ... when I leave my own time and return back to the earth, I have to do it away from people as it gives everyone nearby a bit of a headache when my time is released. Like you've drunk too much mead, Gaius says. I forgot bringing you ... um, you might get one. It may be, uh, unpleasant for you, I don't actually know. You see, you're in it with me so you're protected, but you'll be there when I let the magic go."

He risked a glance at Arthur and waited for the explosion, or at the very least, a whack across the head. Trying to lighten the mood he offered, "I suppose I should have tried it out with Gwaine first, but then again, he'd never know the difference."

Arthur sighed. "Only you, Merlin, can have that irritating mixture of complete incompetence mixed with unbelievable ability. Let's get it over with, then."

Merlin tugged on his arm, anxious to get moving. "We'll go to your chambers. You might need to sleep it off straight away."

"Merlin." Arthur sounded resigned to his fate and Merlin met his gaze guiltily. "Cheer up, I did at least mention unbelievable ability." Merlin didn't look any happier and Arthur rolled his eyes. "Look, don't worry about it. Whether it works the way you planned, or it doesn't, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're trusting me with your magic."

"Maybe you're wrong to trust me, Arthur, if I can't even get this right."

"Well, it won't be the first time you've given me a headache."

Merlin grimaced. "Is that supposed to cheer me up?"

"Stop being such a girl about it! I can handle a bit of pain."

They reached Arthur's chambers and Merlin shut the door behind him, clicking the latch into place. He walked the prince across the room. The tray of food settled itself neatly on the table. "This may make you feel lightheaded when we return, so sit down on the edge of the bed in case you lose your balance."

"I'll be alright."

"Arthur! I have magic and I still can get a bit woozy if I've been in it for a while, just do as I say for once!"

Arthur kept his silence and they both sat down on the edge of the bed. Merlin took a deep breath. "Look, I'm sorry for not thinking this through properly. I shouldn't have taken you. I wanted you to experience something that is normal for me, to understand some of what I can do. But it wasn't necessary, I used magic for my own vanity, and it was wrong, and I'm sorry that you'll be paying for my mistake."

"I'm not angry with you, Merlin. I want you to share your magic with me. We're in this together, remember? I'm not angry."

"Just wait." He looked directly into Arthur's eyes, his own darkening until they were a deep, rich gold. The room begin to spin around them, faster and faster, tightening and squeezing, the walls throbbed, the colours pulsed, then Arthur was lying on his back, dazed, looking up at the rich maroon canopy above his bed.

Arthur pushed himself up on one elbow. Merlin was leaning against the table across the room, half-sitting on the edge, one arm crossed against his chest cupping his elbow, the other propped up beneath his chin. He was watching Arthur, and he looked miserable.

Arthur sat up carefully, shaking his head slightly. "So far, so good." Merlin's expression didn't change.

Still nothing, no headache. Arthur stood up and walked unsteadily across to Merlin. "See, I'm alright."

Merlin was silent and Arthur reached past him to pick up a slice of cheese. "Why don't you sit down with me and have something to eat?" Still no response. "Merlin, I'm fine."

Merlin rubbed his fingers across his forehead. "I'd better go and contact Iseldir."

"I'm fine, Merlin."

"I hope so." He wouldn't meet Arthur's eyes. "Look, I have to go."

Translations again (although I'm sure everyone knows the first one):

Forbearne: BURN

Dierne, áféh, befylge mec!: CONCEAL, HOLD, FOLLOW ME

Again, reviews are REALLY appreciated. This is my first Merlin fic, and first piece of writing in about 8 years so I hope it's okay.