A/N: Hello all. Struggled for a start writing this chapter, but started to enjoy it finally. Thank you all again for your support. Lovely bit of bromance to follow. Enjoy..

Chapter 8

Merlin's eyes remained tightly closed. He could hear Gaius's words in the room but did not register what the physician had to say. His thoughts could only remember one thing, the last angry look on the face of the King before he left his room. The look of betrayal he had shot the warlock. Tears escaped his closed lids and he could feel himself being gently jostled by his guardian but he still refused to respond.

"Merlin" Gaius's voice was full of worry for his ward, "Merlin, please talk to me my boy, I know your awake, please open your eyes?"

The warlock did not respond, he retreated into himself, shutting off the world and the old man's words with it. If Arthur was not to accept who he was then he was nothing. He had said it before, he was magic and without it he may as well be dead.

Gaius tried for several minutes to rouse the boy but to no avail. He watched as the warlock's brows furrowed and he squeezed his eyelids tightly allowing a couple more tears to break free from under them. And finally it seemed like the servant had drifted off to sleep, though he wasn't sure if he was still awake and aware of the sounds around him. No matter how much talking and gentle shaking Merlin refused to open his eyes.

...

Gwen heard a clatter and crash as she opened the door of the royal chambers and she rushed inside. The room was a mess, items strewn across the floor and she saw the small table was upturned and chair had clattered to the ground. The King was perched on his bed, head in his hands.

"Arthur?" the Queen rushed to her loves side in worry, "Arthur what happened?"

For a moment there was no response from the regent but Gwen placed her hands gently on her husbands wrists prizing his hands away from his face. Arthurs face was flushed with red, his eyes were puffy and tearful and his hands then clasp into fists again.

"Arthur?" Guinevere struggled to read her husbands face, "What is it?"

Another pause before finally the King exhaled slowly.

"He betrayed me" Arthur growled low, "After all this time Gwen, he's been a sorcerer and right under my nose."

"What are you talking about?"

"Merlin" Arthur shot, "Merlin. He's a traitor. He fooled us all."

"Arthur do you really think Merlin would hurt a soul?" the Queen pulled him from the bed and made him stand. "What did he say?"

"I ... didn't" Arthur stammered, "I don't know."

"Let me guess" she tutted then, "You didn't even let the poor boy explain did you?"

"He's a sorcerer!" The king shot again, "No sorcerer can be trusted, you really expect me to let him explain himself, theres nothing to explain" Arthur pushed her away and strolled to the opposite end on the room, rubbing his brow.

"Arthur?" Gwen didn't follow but stood with her hands held on her hips. He slowly turned to face her. "remember what you said to me once?" she tilted her head for a response but got none. The King stood and waited for her answer.

"You said you didn't believe that everyone who practiced magic was evil."

Arthurs eyes met hers and his anger dissolved in an instant.

"Then tell me now Arthur Pendragon, do you truly believe Merlin is evil?" She left him to answer and yet again he didn't. "How many times had he rode into battle with you, to almost certain death and how often has he saved your life, or nearly died?" She hummed, tapping her foot for a reaction. Nothing. "Then tell me now Arthur, look into my eyes and tell me Merlin is evil, because i know you don't believe it."

The King averted his gaze to the floor.

"I suggest you let the poor boy explain before you start jumping to conclusion because you certainly owe him that much."

Arthurs head bent even further to the floor and it seemed like he almost bowed to his Queen, he did not speak but simply turned and left with every intent to do as Gwen had suggested.

The King took a long route back to the physician's chambers and after finally reaching the door he pause, taking a long breath before entering without so much as a knock. As he entered he noted Gaius in the far corner sat at the bench, he didn't seem to be working but simply sat thoughtfully. Arthur would talk to him later, but right now he wanted to talk to his servant.

"Sire?" Gaius said wearily, "Is there something I can do for you?"

"I need to speak with Merlin" he replied simply and started up the steps. "Alone" he added as he saw the physician begin to rise from his seat.

"Do you think that is wise my Lord?" Gaius shuffled out from the bench and over the room.

"I need to" Arthur did not turn back but pulled the door open and then upon closing it clicked the lock across. Gaius stood perplexed in the centre of the room, in two minds to follow the King and demand to be present for what was obviously to be a difficult conversation. But he shook the thought off, Merlin could look after himself, perhaps it was what they both needed.

"Come to finish me off?" Arthur had barely turned from clicking the lock when the warlock spoke. Merlin's eyes still remained closed as the King took a seat by the bed.

"I'm not going to kill you Merlin" he rubbed his eyes in frustration but refused to look at the warlock. A long pregnant and awkward pause followed.

"Well you clearly hate me, so what are you going to do?" Merlin was barely audible.

"Why?" the king suddenly shot, his hand grasping tightly onto the servants tunic. "Just tell me this, why did you chose to practice magic when you were working for me?"

It was the that Merlin opened his eyes and looked over to his master, the threatening gesture didn't bother him, he could see Arthur's hand turning white with fury and his face flushing with red again.

"Tell me?" his voice rose another volume level and his arm began to pull the warlock up from the bed towards his face. Merlin winced as his neck was jostled unnaturally.

"Please Arthur?" He croaked, managing to latch his only working limb onto his masters weakly. Arthur's jaw clenched tightly and the vessels on his face became more prominent. He pulled his friend up a few more inches so that there faces where almost touching now, blue eyes met blue for a moment and the King swore he could see into the depths of Merlin's, a swirl of gold under the surface. Then with a low growl he let the warlock go. Merlin's slight frame hit the bed with a thud. He couldn't prevent the whimper which left his lips as his neck jolted painfully to a halt.

Arthur's face softened in an instant at the sound, watching as his friends face contorted in pain. "I didn't chose magic," the warlock breathed out against the throbbing feeling in his head, "I was born with it," two tracks of tears then made there way down his face.

"Don't be stupid" Arthur shook his head, "No one is born with magic."

"Well I was" the warlock returned his gaze to the ceiling, "I could move items long before I could even walk."

"Then why an earth did you come to Camelot you idiot" the King's face twisted in confusion "you come to the one place where magic is banished under pain of death."

"It's my destiny"

"Destiny" Arthur scoffed. "There's no such thing Merlin."

"Is so" the warlock looked back to him "You are destined to be the Once and future King, who will unite the lands of Albion. And i am here to protect you"

"You? Haha" Arthur pushed back on his chair as he laughed, "Merlin, your nothing more than a servant."

The words seemed to hit the warlock and he silenced for a moment, but not without notice from the King.

"I'm sorry" Arthur quickly backtracked. "I didn't mean you..."

Merlin pulled his arm up to stop him. "It's ok"

"No, its not" Arthur cut in, "You've been nothing but loyal to me Merlin" he looked to his shoes then. "you are the bravest man i've ever met, truly" he looked up then and smiled and there eyes met once again. "and we're going to get you better."