AN: i'm alive sorry for the gap this probably isn't one of my best but please R+R Enjoy :)
What the Hell Just Happened?
The next day after biding the villagers' goodbye the group set off back to Camelot. The knight had all noticed the dark circles under Merlin and Arthur's eyes and the lack of banter only solidified their decision to give the men some space.
The two friends rode separately, Arthur at the front and Merlin bringing up the rear. As they traveled Arthur considered everything he had been told from dragon hatchlings, to falling tree branches to his clumsy not so stupid friend's apparent magical ability, to how wrong it felt not having Merlin riding next to him chatting his ear off and then it hit him friend, despite everything he still thought of Merlin as a friend.
"Arthur?"
It was only when Merlin quietly said his name did he even realise that he had stopped his horse. He took a moment to study Merlin. Same blue eyes, same overly large ears and jet black hair, same Merlin.
Allowing a smile to adorn his features he simple answered "Merlin." As if that one word explained everything and it did, to Merlin at least.
His signature goofy grin spreading across his otherwise tired face he rode up next to Arthur and the pair once again set off towards Camelot arguing in their usual manner leaving the knights to follow all wondering, what the hell just happened.
The closer they got to home the happier Merlin felt. Although it meant nothing to the others the simple manner in which Arthur had said his name had told him everything. He had been forgiven, he had his friend, his brother back and that just made Merlin all the more determined to make sure Morgana failed and that Camelot was safe.
As they entered Camelot Merlin was suddenly very nervous, he hoped Arthur wouldn't notice but it seemed since his discovery he had been hyper aware of Merlin.
"What's wrong?" this got the attention of the knights who looked worriedly at Merlin and immediately started scanning their surroundings for signs of danger.
"Calm down." Merlin said barley containing his laughter at his friends "I'm just worried about the lecture Gaius is going to give me when he finds out you found out."
At this they all started laughing "and don't forget the eyebrow mate." Gwaine called out making them all, including Merlin laugh harder. Gaius' lectures and his eyebrow were infamous in Camelot.
Merlin wondered what they must look like to the people a group of commoner knights, the prince regent and a servant all laughing and treated as equals and he was once more reminded of one of the reasons he fought for Arthur and the future he would build, one where everyone would be treated like this.
When the group arrived back at around noon they decided it would be better to tell Gwen and Gaius together so they summoned both of them to Arthur's cambers and Lancelot, who had returned from patrols, along with the order that no one was to disturb them.
When the three of them arrived they all wore confused expressions and Gaius glanced and Merlin suspiciously in an effort to try and understand what was going on.
It was Merlin who spoke first. "Arthur, if I may … ensure that no one overhears?" he asked Arthur hesitantly who took a moment to realise he was asking to do magic and nodded his assent watching with rabid attention.
Merlin decided that since everyone bar Gwen already knew there was no point in being subtle.
So he walked the door put his hand over it and not even quietly said a spell that would prevent anyone from eavesdropping, his eyes glowing gold as he did.
"MERLIN!" Came the simultaneous shouts of Gaius and Lancelot the only other noise was a surprised gasp from Gwen.
Lancelot immediately reached for his sword looking wearily between Arthur and the other knights. Gaius on the others hand was simply to shocked to do anything, but most surprising of all was Gwen's reaction.
"Err Gwen why are you smiling at me like that?"
Instead of answering him she merely walked up to Merlin and hugged him.
"Thank you Merlin, you really were in disguise all those years ago." Laughter filled her voice as all the men in the room became very confused as if they'd missed some kind of joke.
Lancelot lowered his sword as he realised there was no animosity aimed at Merlin, he was however still very confused firstly as to how the other knew of his magic and of Gwen's immediate gratefulness to him.
It was Elyan who voiced the shared confusion "Gwen, how are you taking this so well and why do I feel I should also be thanking Merlin now?"
"Because Elyan, it was Merlin who saved our father when the city was plagued by that afanc creature. Weren't you Merlin?"
Despite being shocked at how quickly Gwen had realised this he couldn't resist saying "well you always were the brains in your and Arthur's relationship weren't you."
"Merlin"
"Shut up?"
"Well done."
At this the whole room burst into laughter save for one perturbed court physician "While I'm glad my ward is not being burnt at the stake, would someone kindly explain to me how it seems everyone is aware of his magical ability?"
This silenced the knights who despite being the bravest and strongest in the land would never dare to face a possibly angry Gaius.
It was Merlin who chose to speak first and even then he sounded like he's just been caught sneaking food from the kitchens "Dragons, oh and Arthur's not quite as oblivious as we thought." This comment earned him a cuff around the ear but eased the tension in the room drastically.
The next few hours were spent filling Gwen, Lancelot and Gaius in the dragons message, Morgana and everything else that had occurred during the trip before they all began plans for the upcoming attack.
Contrary to the bleakness of the situation faced by Camelot Merlin never felt happier all his friends knew his secret and they were still his friends. Merlin was now sure that even though they only had about 12 days to prepare, Morgana didn't stand a chance.
AN: thanks for reading and sticking with me :)