A/N: Haha I bet you guys have been waiting for Arthur's reaction... Would of had this done sooner but school started up yesterday fun fun *sarcasm* oh and by the way there's a nickname for Gaius's eyebrow on here that isn't mine. I read it in another fic and thought it would be perfect for this chapter.

Disclaimer: I Do not own Merlin..that's the fan in fanfiction for 'ya

Arthur walked into the physician's quarters not expecting much, tailed by Gwen and Morgana, they were constantly saying things are going to get better and other reassurances. But that's not what he needed, what he wanted most. What he wanted was for his Merlin to return to him, he might have been cheeky, rude, lazy, and even had the audacity to call him Fat once or twice... but that was what the prince treasured about him, Merlin made him feel like he wasn't prince of Camelot, like he was just a friend...and hopefully more?

So as you can imagine when Gaius said he'd found a remedy Arthur's heart leaped with joy. Arthur quickly asked what it was but when Gaius's eyebrow of disapproval was his reply, well he knew it wasn't good.

"Sire, the cure for magic swap is to incant a spell to free his mind."

Arthur froze. Magic? Magic was the bloody cure! "Surely there must be another way!"

"No, I'm afraid not." Gaius replied solemly.

Arthur thought for awhile before he nodded. "I will not report you for curing Merlin... just this once though."

The others looked at each other wondering if they should continue, but Gaius knew it was best to explain things to the temperamental prince. "I'm afraid that's not possible. The only way Merlin will be cured is if you cast the spell."

Arthur's eyes opened wide in a way that would be rather comical if the situation wasn't life or death.

"ME! Why the hell do I have to do it? I can't use magic! It's evil for god sakes!"

"And yet you'd have an old man do it to save Merlin?" Morgana replied icily.

'Magic...I can't possibly. No, I won't father would put my head on a chopping block if he ever found out. Why can't Gaius do it? He used to be a sorcerer before the purge! Now what he did to clear himself of wrong doing I ll never know...But me cast magic? They're insane!'

But a little voice in the back of Arthur's mind kept saying 'What if you never saw Merlin again just because you wouldn't help him.' and 'If Gaius says he can't cast it he has a reason, he's never been wrong before.'

A guttural growl left Arthur's lips and he shouted "WHY CAN'T YOU DO IT!" in his frustration.

"Sire, I'm not his type."

All thoughts left the prince at that moment as he stared at the physician. "Your not- What?"

"The spell has to be cast by the person that Merlin's in love with. And that would be you."

"The person he's in love with...is me? Only I can save him...because he loves me?"

"Yes, now,are you going to stand around repeating everything I say while in a trance or are you going to save Merlin?"

"I-Alright. I'll do it...for Merlin. But No one is to say a word about this to father!"

The girls glared at him, if looks could kill he'd be in hell four times over by now. "Do you really think we'd do that?" Gwen squeaked.

"Yeah Arthur, especially after last night! What do you take us for?"

Arthur grinned sheepishly, having forgotten how easily offended women are. "What do I have to do?"

"You need to take Merlin to a shrine in the woods of Belfast and speak this spell," Gaius handed Arthur a slip of paper, "While your hand is resting on his forehead."

The prince whispered his thanks and practically ran out the door in his haste to find his father.

XoOxoxOxX

"Arthur? What is it son?" Uther glanced up from his mountain of paperwork looking pleased.

Arthur bowed respectfully and spoke his request. "I wish to go on a hunting trip, just me and my manservant, for the next week."

"Just you and...Marlin was it? No. If you wish to go you must bring sir Gwaine, and sir Leon along with you."

Arthur thought for a moment, Gwaine already knows his secret and he's loyal so he wouldn't say anything about his use of magic. And Leon, well Leon thought of Merlin like a brother so he'd probably keep his mouth shut... He'd have to test Leon on the trip there of course, just to be sure.

"It's Merlin father, I agree to your terms, thank you sire."

The king waved Arthur off not caring in the least that he got Marvin's name wrong.

The prince left to pack for the trip, making sure to bring Merlin's mended necklace.

XoOxOxOXOxXO

Three hours later three horses were saddled up, Leon was already on his, Gwaine was flirting with Gwen, and Arthur was helping Merlin onto the horse, taking his seat behind the man to make sure he didn't try anything funny.

"So where we goin' ?" Gwaine asked, finally mounting his horse.

"To the wood near Belfast, It's about two days journey from here."

The group set off wanting to get the trip over and done with. A few hours later Leon looked like something was seriously bugging him. Though Arthur couldn't figure out what for the life of him.

"What is it Leon?"

"What do you mean sire?" He asked nervously.

"You keep glancing over here with this look like you have something you want to say."

"Well- umm it's just. I was wondering why Merlin had a choker and leash sire?"

Gwaine looked at him and winked cheekily and gave a wolf whistle, Arthur blushed as he realized how bad it looks to have his servant on the same horse as him with a collar and leash..

"He's enchanted. Haven't you noticed he isn't prattling on like usual? The collar prevents him from using magic."

The normally drunk and carefree Gwaine suddenly was dead serious like he was about to go into a battle. "I take it we're not going hunting, and that we're really going to cure Merlin?"

'Quick to the point, typical of him.' thought Arthur. "Correct."

The horses hit a particularly nasty bump and jostled Merlin. "Can you keep this damn thing from bumping so much! This is my first time on this thing and I already don't like it." Merlin shouted.

"Whoa, enchanted or no, language Merlin." Scolded Leon.

"Oh? Who do you think you are my mother?"

"Merlin, try and get along will you?" Chided Arthur.

"Why? He started it."

"Now your just being childish, even for you."

"Prat."

"Idiot."

The knights stared at them for a few minutes.

"Are you sure he's enchanted? Aside from the language he acts like the old him. Even got your nickname right." Gwaine muttered.

"Shut up."

The group arrived in Belfast, restocked provisions, and immediately headed into the woods.

"Leon."

"Yes, sire?"

"What exactly is your view on magic?"

It became eerily quiet at the mere mention of sorcery. The woods seemed ominous and Merlin kept fidgeting like something was wrong with him.

"I believe that it can be used for good, but it's against the law."

"So if for example, I were to use magic... Would you tell my father or remain silent?"

The rugged knight looked at Arthur scrutinizing him for a moment before replying, "I have fought alongside you in many battles sire, If you were to use magic for good then I would gladly remain silent in return for you saving my life on many an occasion."

Arthur was pleased with the answer. "And you Gwaine?"

"Do 'ya even have to ask princess? I believe that magic is a tool. It can be used for good, or bad, depending on the person. Seein' as your a good man I think you'll use it for good magic...White magic as me and Merlin call it."

"You and Merlin talked about sorcery?"

"Yeah, he actually asked me the same question you asked Leon awhile back.. still haven't figured out why. I think he has a soft spot for them kids that get executed on accusation alone."

"Oh."

Arthur checked the map and was getting frustrated, they were supposed to get there ages ago!

"Take a left." Merlin stated.

Arthur gave him a pointed look.

"What? I'm not allowed to release your Merlin.. Never said I couldn't give you directions."

They reached a clearing that had a alter made of marble... of all things to find. 'Guess this is the place then.' thought Arthur. The trees surrounding the area looked dead and the only birds around were crows. Red roses grew around the alter there was blood dripping off of a few of them...

Arthur hopped off his horse and helped Merlin down. "Keep watch."

The knights nodded and watched for incoming enemies.

Arthur and Merlin made there way to the alter and the fake Merlin willingly laid on the alter.

Arthur placed his hand on his temple and whispered. "Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment." He frowned when nothing happened. He tried again a little louder. "Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment." Nothing again. Was he even saying it right?
In his frustration he forgot about the knights behind him, only worrying about Merlin and his safety. "Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment!"

The knights turned when they heard the incantation and saw Arthur's eyes flash a brilliant shade of gold.

Merlin was sitting in his little room brooding. Morgana had come and told him this was all a spell and if that's the case then Arthur and Gaius would find the cure soon enough... He heard the now usual taunts and lies coming from random people he knew and found that they didn't bother him now that he knew they weren't real.

"Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment."

'What? What in the? Am I hearing things or is that Arthur's voice?'

"Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment."

'Definitely Arthur's voice... But it can't be. That's a spell. He'd never use magic.'

"Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment!"

There was a light 'click' and Merlin found that the door was open...wait it was open? Holy hell he's free! The taunting people had disappeared into thin air as he crept through the prince's chambers. He exited the door and walked out into the void that freaked him out so bad.

"Merlin? You o.k?" The prince caressed the side of the sleeping man's face, a low moan escaped from his lips and the prince shuddered imagining other activities that would cause that sound. "Merlin?"

"SIRE! Were under attack! It's a trap!" Leon shouted, drawing his sword and running into the crowd of armor clad men. Gwaine looked around "20 to 3, damn near impossible, I like them odds." and he sent a grin towords Arthur before grabbing his sword and joining Leon.

Merlin started twitching and sounded like he was in pain, when Arthur went to touch him a woman's voice shouted "Don't touch me!"

"Merlin?" Arthur asked worriedly.

"Arthur...Sorry...She's still...in here...Agh!" Merlin rolled and shook as he fought an internal battle for his body.

A six knights ran his way swords drawn and ready for attack.

"Merlin! What the hell are you doing! Fight her back dammit." Arthur quickly dodged a blow directed at his throat and thrust his sword into his enemies shoulder, causing him to fall.

"MERLIN! I can't fight them all!" the servant lay on the ground body twitching as though he was fighting something.

"arthur...ARthur! It's a...trap. Run. Leave me...RUN!" the unconscious male pleaded.
Another male stepped up and tried to swing for Arthur's unguarded arm, Arthur blocked and punched the male in the nose making him shout out in agony.

"you.." the prince panted. "you idiot I'm not leaving you."

A foreign voice spoke "If you wish to leave young Pendragon you must do it without the boy.

"No, NO!" Arthur shouted, a crazed look in his eyes.

"Why do you care about him so much? After all he's just a manservant. A clumsy. Pathetic. Traitor!"

"You watch your tongue! If they're is one thing I know about Merlin it's that he is NOT a traitor." the prince quickly ran over to the boys side. "Come on Merlin fight her! You have to break her spell over you!"

"Oh I see...he never told you." the voice replied amused.

"Told me what?"

"Shut up! Get..outta my head!" a loud roar sounded from Merlin..it sounded like more than one person was screaming...it had a power behind it that made the prince shiver in fear.

"Damnnit, I will be the one to tell that...not you!"

The men in armor vanished mysteriously leaving Leon and Gwaine confused, they glanced around and sheathed their swords heading over to their friends.

"What's going on?" Gwaine asked worriedly, having heard the yell of the young sorcerer.

"Merlin's fighting the witch..I think he's winning."

Merlin's twitching started to get worse until it looked like he was having a seizure.

"If- if I can't have your body, I'm going to ruin...your life. Your precious little Merlin is a Sorcerer. The druids say he's Emrys. The man of legend...the most powerful...of them all."

The trio gasped Merlin? A sorcerer? It couldn't be. He wouldn't hide that from them.

The voice of the woman screamed loudly and the convulsing stopped. Merlin had won.

"Arthur." Merlin whispered weakly before passing out.

Merlin woke up on the forest floor, he had a blanket covering him and he was close to the fire. He squirmed slightly and found that there was a pressure on his stomach glancing down he found that it was an arm! He looked for the owner and found that it was prince Arthur himself contentedly snuggling into his back. Arthur's eyes flew open and blue met blue for an intense stare before Arthur whispered "Merlin? Is that- please be you."

"It's me. Thank you."

Arthur removed his arm and sat up, Merlin following when he noticed a slight difficulty breathing, he moved his hand up and gently felt along his neck to find a collar and a leash.. what had the prat done to him when he was locked up!

"Arthur what?"

He went to find the clasp only there was none it wouldn't come off no matter how much he struggled with it, Merlin started to panic.

"Merlin! Calm down. It's a magic restricting collar, we had to keep it on you while you were under the spell. I left it on to make sure it was you first." The prince gingerly reached for the collar and took it off releasing Merlin's pent up magic from the last two weeks.

Merlin's eyes glowed gold as it returned into his body where it belonged.

"She spoke the truth, you have magic."

"Arthur..I meant to tell you, it's just I didn't want you to have to pick between me or your father. So I decided I was going to wait until you were king to reveal it."

Arthur gave one of his 'you're an idiot' looks. "You shouldn't have kept that from me..It hurts to know the person you trust most won't even trust you in return." A brief flash of sadness crossed the prince's features before returning to his usual mask.

"I do trust you...More than anyone." Merlin pleaded.

"Swear to me that you won't hide something that big from me again..and you realize we will have to talk about this right?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way. I swear to you, Arthur Pendragon, that I will never hide anything from you again."

The boys exchanged brief smiles before Arthur decided to ruin the moment. "So I'm your love eh?"

Merlin blushed, it ran through his whole face, his ears, his neck, and heading down into his tunic.
"Wha-who-when?" Merlin stuttered, suddenly nervous to be so close to the prince.

"Gaius said that the spell to free you could only be cast by the person you loved.."

" The person I-? Wait. You cast a spell! Oh that's just not right.. The words Pendragon and magic don't belong in the same sentence unless hate is in the middle." Merlin replied dumbfounded.

"Oi! Give me a break! A broke the law for you..and besides I'm not my father Merlin."

Merlin looked shocked for a minute realizing what he had said in his shock. "No no that's not what I meant.. It's just..Thank you."

Merlin glanced around noticing that Gwaine and Leon where there too which means they heard about him having magic as well. Gwaine probably doesn't care, but Leon might be uncomfortable to talk with for awhile, he can be pretty stubborn.

Arthur reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace clasping it around his neck glad to see his mark on the man. He leaned into Merlin and whispered "You never answered my question." seductively into his ear.

A small shiver ran through Merlin and he turned to see a smug Arthur, but something had changed in his eyes. There was something there he hadn't noticed before. He decided to take a chance and leaned in, his lips almost touching Arthur's whispering Yes. before he gave him a slow and sweet kiss that Arthur responded to immiediatly. The kiss soon turned hot and needy, Arthur's tongue entering Merlin's mouth in a fight for dominance, Merlin snaked his hand into Arthur's hair stroking it before grasping it bringing them that much closer to one another.

The sound of a throat being cleared brought them back to reality and they both blushed taking in each others bruised lips and ruffled appearances.

It was Gwaine that had brought them back from make-out land. "So now that all that's cleared up. I wanna just say, I don't care about your magic Merlin. And princess don't worry, your secrets safe with me... both of them."

"Same here sire!" Leon replied grogily, having obviously just woken up.

"So what do you want to do Merlin? We have a day of free time. We can stay around here or go to Belfast."

Merlin thought for a moment and said, "Belfast. They have beds there. I feel like I've slept on the floor for the past few weeks." Merlin glanced back at Arthur and noticed his guilty look and sheepish smile. "What?"

"You feel like that because you have...you were in the dungeons. I came and visited every day?" The prince posed the last sentence hoping that would make up for it.

"Hmm, get me to a real bed and your forgiven." He said, his trademark grin falling into place.

His stomach growled lightly. "And some food please."

"Demanding for someone who just woke up." Arthur teased.

Merlin walked up to Arthur and gave him a small peck. "Please?" He whispered, looking up from under his eyelashes.

Arthur gulped, feeling blood rush to the wrong place at the wrong time. "Alright." he squeeked.

Merlin smiled triaumphantly and sauntered over to help the group pack the horses for the trip.

And with that the group headed into the town of Belfast.

A/N: Holy smokes! I finally wrote a chapter of decent length! *fanfare* the story isn't over yet people..there's still things that the couple need to do. ;) Thanks for the reviews folks.. hope this isn't to bad in the grammer department.

Translations:

"Is breá liom Mheirlinne, ar é a scaoileadh as a enchantment."

"I Merlin's love, release him from his enchantment."