Merlin felt himself blanch. "I—what?" He summoned up a laugh. "No, of course not. What gave you that idea?"
"Merlin." She wasn't buying it. "Do you remember shaking hands when you were in the stocks? Coming to me for help figuring out Arthur's armor? The time I was so relieved that you had survived being poisoned that I kissed you?" She smiled at him, though he could see the steel beneath. "We were friends from the first day we met—longer than you've been friends with Arthur. For the sake of that friendship, tell me the truth."
He swallowed hard. "Yes," he said at last, meeting her eye as steadily as he could. "I have magic." Despite her calm demeanor, Merlin thought she blanched at his answer. "How did you guess?"
"I saw you," she answered. "When Elyan was fighting the enchanted sword in the Dark Tower, Morgana let me watch through a hidden window. I saw you run in—and I thought I saw your eyes glow. That was when the sword struck Elyan's arm. He told me later it was heading directly toward his heart and only moved aside at the very last moment. So I began to think: of all the times something inexplicable had happened when you were near. Of all the strange things I had heard you say or do… Like when I was fighting Morgana after she took over Camelot. She disarmed me, was about to kill me—and then she flew backward through the air. The same way I have seen her fling people back with her magic. And I turned, and you were there. I thought it was coincidence… now I wonder why I never figured it out before." She took a deep breath. "Who taught you magic?"
"No one," he said. "I was born with it."
That gave her pause. "And you have used it," she said at last—stating, not asking. "You have used it, repeatedly, in the domains of Camelot and within the city and even the castle itself."
His throat was dry. "Yes."
She took a deep breath, and her face looked strained. "Tell me, Merlin. Did you have anything to do with… to do with my father's death?"
"No," he said quickly. "No, I didn't. I'm so sorry, Gwen—Your Majesty. I did use magic on him once—when he was sick from the plague that struck the town's water supply. I cured him—and you were blamed. I'm so sorry," he repeated.
"That's why you tried to take the blame yourself," she realized.
"It was my fault," Merlin repeated, his eyes filling with tears.
"But the plague was not. And you saved my father. And my brother. And myself." He looked up at her in confusion. "You do understand, Merlin," she said slowly, "that I am the Queen, and responsible for upholding the laws of Camelot. The use of magic is illegal, no matter what it is used for." Merlin nodded, unable to meet her eyes. He could feel his stomach clenching in fear. "But you are a dear friend," she continued gently, "and I believe you have always had the good of your friends, your king, and Camelot at heart. So I will give you a week." He looked up. "A week in which to tell Arthur the truth. If you have not told him of your magic by a week from today, I will tell him myself." She looked down and ran her finger absently over the braid on her sleeve. "However, if you disappeared within that time… no one would be sent to bring you back."
He swallowed hard. "I wouldn't leave," he answered.
Gwen smiled. "I had hoped you would say that." She stood. "I will arrange a chance for you and Arthur to be alone for awhile—you can tell him then."
He stood as well on shaky knees. "Thank you, my lady," he managed. She gave him a small smile and left the room. Merlin sank back into the chair and dropped his head on his arms.
000
Anna looked up from the herbs she was grinding when the door swung open. "Oh, there you are," she said, looking back down at the mortar. "Arthur was here half an hour ago looking for you."
"Oh."
Gaius looked up curiously at his monosyllabic apprentice. "Gwen didn't actually do it, did she?" he asked incredulously.
Merlin jumped. "What? Do what?" he asked, almost wildly.
Anna and Gaius were both staring at him now. "Offer you a raise," Gaius answered.
"Oh. No."
"Are you alright?" Anna asked, beating Gaius to the punch. "You're perfectly white."
"I just have a bit of a headache," he said, moving over to the shelves and turning his back toward them.
"Really?" Gaius looked worried. "I've never known you to be sick a day in your life."
"It's fine. I'm just tired."
"So where were you?" Gaius asked, turning back to his own work. "Arthur said you didn't even make his bed."
He only grunted in reply.
"MERLIN!"
"Better come up with a better answer quick," Anna hissed as Arthur burst into the room.
"Merlin, where have you been?" Arthur demanded. "Taking a walk?"
"Yeah."
"That wasn't a better answer," Anna muttered.
Arthur heaved a sigh and grabbed Merlin's ear. "Let's go."
"Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-owwww!" Merlin complained as Arthur dragged him out of the room.
"Don't be such a baby," Arthur's voice floated up from the stairs.
Anna and Gaius looked at one another and shrugged.
000
"A hunting trip."
"Yes." It was clear Arthur's good mood of the past week or two was gone. "A hunting trip."
"Why?" Leon asked. Merlin, pouring the wine, tried to look like he wasn't eavesdropping.
"She says I don't get out enough. And since Morgana will still be recovering from her most recent defeat, it's a safer time to do it."
"Don't get out enough?" Leon grinned. "Maybe she's implying something…"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he said dangerously.
"Yes. Something about the holes in your belt." He grinned mischievously. "Eh, Merlin?"
"What?" Merlin jumped when Leon nudged him, spilling Leon's wine on the tablecloth.
"Merlin!" Arthur complained.
"Sorry." He mopped at it.
"There's the real punishment," Arthur grumbled: "I have to take this bungling fool with me."
"Oh, come on. He's not that bad," Leon said. "I just jostled his arm, that's all."
"He scares off all the game within a three mile radius!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Oh, we'll keep him quiet." Leon smiled up at Merlin in thanks as Merlin refilled his cup.
"No, you won't. That's the worst part," Arthur grouched. "Gwen says I should just take Merlin. Nobody else. Something about getting back to nature and knowing my land better."
"You're just in a bad mood because you're going to be away from Gwen for a couple of days," Leon said astutely. Arthur muttered incoherently into his cup. "I'm sure once you're out there you'll have a great time together. Isn't that right?" he asked, looking up at Merlin for confirmation.
"Absolutely," Merlin said, but his grin was forced.
TBC
