... previously ...

Confessions

"Morgana was the only one not affected and I realised ... I knew that she was the vessel for the spell."

"How did you know?"

"She was the only one awake and ... I knew she was in the thrall of Morgause and ... time was running out and the ..." His voice choked. "The vessel had to be destroyed."

"Destroyed? Morgana?"

"I-I poisoned her, Gwen. I didn't want to but ... there was no time."

"And Morgause took her away and cured her?" Merlin nodded. "And now she's saying she'll tell Uther about that if you reveal that she has magic?"

"I hated having to do it ... especially then, especially when I wasn't sure if she even knew she was to blame."

"Oh, Merlin, how horrible for you." She frowned. "How did you know though? You always know how to solve these magical problems." The fear returned to his eyes briefly and she was suddenly certain that he was about to lie, or avoid the question. He gestured to the books filling the physician's chambers.

"Gaius knows things. Uther ... I think he turns a blind eye, knowing that most times the only solution to a magical problem is a magical answer."

"Merlin?" Other memories returned. His fever induced ranting in a strange language, his constant proclamations that he was going to solve the problem, only for everything to be find a few hours later. He and Arthur off on numerous dangerous missions and always returning. Sorcerers and various magical creatures exposed or destroyed in his presence.

"Merlin? How did you discover that Morgana had magic?" His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Because I recognised the signs. Because I have magic too."

So, this is a sequel to 'Confessions' and to 'The Whole Truth,' and also develops the back story from 'The Arrow.'

Drabbles are all the rage at the moment but many find them too short to be enjoyable so ... here are five in a row for you – hence the title.

15. Five Hundred

1. Gwen and Merlin

(Following on from 'Confessions')

"You have magic?" Gwen asked shocked.

"Yes. Sorry ..."

"But ..." It was all so hard to understand. So difficult to equate evil magic with dear, sweet, Merlin. "Are you sure?" Merlin gave her an incredulous look.

"Ah ... yes. I don't think it's something I could be mistaken about, do you?"

"No ... sorry, of course. I just meant ... Magic?"

Merlin looked at a nearby candle and quietly whispered - his eyes turning gold and, shortly afterwards, the flame rose up from the wick. Gwen put a hand over her mouth in shock.

"Oh ..." There was a long pause. "Oh! Whatever will Arthur say?"

2. Merlin and Arthur

(following on from 'The Whole Truth')

"Did you muck my stables out ... boy?" Arthur asked coldly.

"Yes, my lord," Merlin replied, torn between annoyance and hurt. He couldn't believe how much he was missing Arthur calling him 'idiot'. Perhaps he'd imagined it, but he was sure he saw

Arthur flinch as he addressed him quite so formally. Good – see how you like it.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Help me on with my armour."

"Yes ... my lord." He worked in silence, Arthur pointedly ignoring him and Merlin had never felt so miserable. Although, he supposed he should be grateful that he still had his head.

3. Merlin and Gwen

(referencing 'The Arrow')

"What's going on with you and Arthur?" Gwen asked as she passed Merlin in the market place. Her friend looked around nervously.

"He knows?"

"Knows what?" Merlin just raised his eyebrows. "Oh ..." Gwen said sudenly understanding.

"I suppose I should be grateful that I'm still alive," he said with a brave attempt at his usual goofy grin.

"Oh, Merlin, don't say that. Arthur never would."

"Apparently so, although ..." He ducked his head to hide some tears. "I think this is worse, Gwen. He calls me 'boy' all the time and ... the way he looks at me? It hurts so much."

Guinevere and Arthur

(referencing The Arrow)

"Oh, Arthur, have you still not spoken to him yet?" said Gwen as she entered the prince's chambers.

"What am I supposed to say to him, Guinevere? He kept this secret from me for so long and ... " He shrugged.

"Yes, but not talking is hurting both of you. I'm sorry, but you're an idiot, Arthur Pendragon."

"Guinevere!"

"You both are," she continued. "Have you any idea how scared he is? He's still half expecting you to turn him over to Uther."

"I'm not going to do that," he said shocked.

"Well, tell him that. Talk to him. Please? For me?"

Arthur and Merlin

(Paraphrasing the end of The Arrow)

"Merlin?" He jumped, surprised that I'd actually called him by name.

"Yes ... sire?" he asked hopefully. Well, that was definitely better than 'my lord'.

"I'm sorry but ... I've been a bit confused."

"Of course you have." He smiled and relief washed over me at the sight. Oh, how I'd missed that mad grin. "I'm sorry too. I wanted to tell you ... but ..."

" ... my father?"

"Yes."

"Why are you here at all?"

"You know the answer to that?" I looked away from his intense gaze.

"Destiny?" I guessed.

"Yes and ... friendship?" There was a pause.

"Yes, Merlin. Friendship."

"Thank you ... Arthur."

A/N. I forgot to thank you all for your amazing number of lovely reviews for chapter 13. I've now only got two 'gaps' left and will try to write at least one of them as bamf!Merlin as he is obviously so popular with you.

I have such a treat for you for the two 'Gwaine' sequels. A P. G. Woodhouse inspired farce - it's been a blast to write. The only problem is that it's one long fic, divided into two chapters and I think the gap between chapter 16 and 20 might be too long for you. As I've also only just finished it and there's a lot of editing to do, I was thinking about 'cheating' and moving it back a bit - swapping the orginal chapter order around?

What would you prefer? (a) A Gwaine/Merlin farce starting tomorrow with a four day gap - following the original chapter pattern? or (b) or wait a day or two for the start and have less of a wait for the end? (which will be chapter 20 - it has to be!)