"Enough." The authority and command in his voice silenced the startled royalty. Shocked the group turned to face Merlin, three faces blank while the fourth started to realise what was about to happen. Uther grew angry but before he could draw breath to shout at the peasant before him, Merlin stood straighter and glared at the King. "I said enough, Neither of you will be leaving this circle; Is that understood?"
"I'll see you in irons when we get out of here boy!" Uther threatened.
"You go too far Merlin!" Arthur hissed at his manservant. "Besides, if neither Father nor I go to face the sorcerer, who would? Morgana? Gaius? Or maybe one of those children over there?"
"No. Me." The prince laughed at this and Gaius seemed to wilt, having to sit down in order to better absorb the events that were coming to pass right before his eyes. The King's gaze grew intent and Arthur stopped laughing as Merlin stood calm and immovable in front of them. "You're serious. Don't be an idiot Merlin, You can barely lift a sword let alone defeat a wizard with one." The prince scoffed.
"I need no sword, your highness. No blade can kill those things."
"Then what do you propose, boy. How will you beat them?" Uther commanded. Looking into Gaius' face Merlin spoke the words that would seal his fate with a sad smile on his lips.
"You fight fire with fire, Milord. And it just so happens that you have in you service one of those you fear the most." The king's eyes started to take on a dangerous light, as the meaning of Merlin's words became clear to him. Arthur's however searched his friend's face, not yet understanding. Sighing, Merlin condemned himself. "I am a warlock, a creature of magic."
Arthur stared. Disbelief, betrayal and shock all warred within him. No words came out. The King too was silent but anger steamed off of him in waves, barely held in check. "That is a dangerous think to tell, boy. Forget the irons, it means the noose for you. So one has to wonder, why?" Merlin shrugged. The truth falling from his lips. His voice ringing with conviction. "Arthur must be protected at all costs. It is my destiny to see him on the throne. I hid my magic only so I could be close enough to help him. All those near misses with death? I enchanted the lance that struck the griffin. I recaptured the soul of Cornealius Sigan and crumbled his monsters of stone. I killed the questing beast and brought Arthur back from the brink of death. I defeated Edwin and saved your life, your majesty. I killed Nimueh for her attempts on my friends' life. I have saved you all, countless times. But more than that, more than destiny: This is my home, these people are my friends and it is the right thing to do."
Uther studied the foolish looking young man in front of him. "We need no help from a sorcerer." Merlin laughed, a rolling sound that contrasted with the situation. "Oh, Uther. Help? I offer no help but service. I will serve Arthur until the day I die, loyal until my final breathe. Besides you do need my help, Caddug will kill any champion you send before they get anywhere near him." Thinking, he smiled at the King. "And if I should fail, which I won't, What have you lost? A warlock of no importance. At the least I should be able to work something to allow you all to escape. Then if I win? I will submit to your will, I will not fight you Uther Pendragon. If the cost for Arthur's life is my own then that is a price I'm willing to pay." Uther considered Merlin's words. "Quickly milord, time grows short. What is your decision?"
"Go." Came the short reply. Merlin nodded his agreement and gave a bow to the king. As he turned to go, Gaius caught his eye. Seeing the dejection in his friend's face Merlin took a step towards him. "Gaius-"
"Go." Gaius said, tears starting to fall down his cheek. "I'll be here to patch you up after you've finished." A small smile passed between the two, then Merlin was gone; turning towards the darkness. He halted at the barrier and turned to the people. "Understand! To step past this line is death!" He raised a hand and gold light rippled over the protection then faded.
At this show; this proof of magic, Arthur shed his paralysis and moved up besides Merlin. "All this time… You were lying?" Merlin winced at the hurt in Arthur's voice. He stepped close to his friend and did some thing he never thought he'd do; he hugged him. "I kept only one secret from you and that ate at me everyday, my friend." He whispered into Arthur's ear. Drawing back he watched Arthur's face. What he saw staggered him: expectance. The prince lightly punched his servant in the arm, he cockily asked "Does this mean that you can do spells and other kinds of hocus-pocus?"
Merlin shook his head, "Incantations. They're called incantation."
"So you're a creature?" Arthur joked. "Always knew you couldn't be totally human- not if you were that thick!"
Merlin grinned, "Now don't be a prat, understand? I won't be there to get you out of trouble." Arthur chuckled until the implied meaning of the words hit him. Then a cold settled over his soul. "You don't think you can beat him, you think you'll die."
Resolved Merlin steadied himself. "I am destined to be the most powerful Warlock the world has ever seen and you are fated to be the greatest King of Camelot. But I'm not yet, Cadddug is very powerful and old. What I said to your father is true, whatever happens I will see you safe. I may still have some way to go but you? You are already going to be a great King… And Gods, I am so proud to have known you…. Bye, Prat." Still grinning, Merlin stepped back over the line and stood alone against darkness.