Its all going to be alright

Arthur was in a nightmare. He had walked straight in on one of the worst sights he could imagine - Merlin using magic. But also one of the best - Merlin was alive and well. His head spun and his mind was so conflicted that he didn't know what to do or say. A voice in his mind that sounded suspiciously like Uther, was telling him to run the sorcerer through. But then another part of him was telling him that this was Merlin - kind, loyal, brave, dopey Merlin. He wasn't using magic for anything evil - he was healing himself. But he was using magic.

The king came back to himself, he was shaking and Merlin had now shot back up to face him, with a terrified look upon his face. Arthur's heart nearly broke. Merlin had not looked scared in any battle and had only looked concerned for Arthur when Cenred had held him at sword point. And now Merlin looked afraid of him. Arthur sat down hard and fast on the nearest chair, he scrubbed his hands over his face, they were shaking.

"Arthur, I'm so sorry." Merlin whispered, his pale face covered in sweat and tears dribbling down from his two whole eyes.

"I wanted to tell you so many times before. . .but I didn't want to make it difficult for you. . .to choose between me and your father . . .I only ever used my magic to help you."

Arthur gazed at Merlin, his friend was crying and scared because of him - he didn't want that. But he needed to have some questions answered. "Why? Why practice magic in Camelot? Why learn it? Didn't you know how dangerous it was?" Merlin swallowed convulsively, his Adams apple bobbed visibly. "I was born with it . .I could move objects with my mind before I could walk - it wasn't a choice, Arthur. I never really wanted it but if I tried to push it away . . . Bad things happened, I lost control of it." Merlin ducked his head again, his voice thick with tears. "But once I was in Camelot, I only used it to protect you and Gwen and Gaius too. Magic isn't necessarily evil - it depends on whoever is using it, I tried to be good and I try to help people."

Arthur stared at the warlock for a moment before hugging him tightly, Merlin winced at first and Arthur quickly released him. "Sorry, are you ok?" the prince asked, concerned. Merlin nodded and replied. "Yeah, I'm just a tired, magic like that takes a lot out of you." Gaius moved forward and helped Merlin lay gently back on the patients bed. Arthur couldn't help but ask. "You're quite powerful aren't you - I mean to be able to save your own life, reattach an eye and heal all of your own wounds?"

Merlin smiled, a bit embarrassed at this. "I'm the most powerful warlock in the world - to my knowledge anyway." Arthur gaped. His manservant? His Merlin? The most powerful sorcerer alive? This was just too much to take in. then he remembered Gaius's angry words from earlier. "How many times have you saved my life Merlin?" he asked rhetorically.

Merlin shrugged and answered tiredly. "At last count - 142, wasn't it?" He looked up at his mentor, who smiled and replied. "Actually I think it was 143 - remember the Mercian assassin, last winter?" Merlin laughed and nodded reminiscently. "Oh yeah, he tried to take my head off didn't he? I was out for a whole banquet." Arthur frowned - he remembered that feast, Merlin had mysteriously disappeared halfway through and Gaius had said he'd been in the tavern.

Arthur let out a whistle and stared from Merlin to Gaius and back again - searching for a hint that either was joking - they weren't. This day was just too much for him.

Nearly at the end of this one I`m afraid! But don`t fear! I have published the first chapter of my new fic, so please check it out! Once again thank you for the reviews! And if you wanted a reveal fic warning, sorry!