Season 1 Episode 12.
Story 12: Hidden
Chapter 9: Lies
"You have come a long way sire," Gwen commented. She was proud of him. That was temporarily overshadowing her anger towards Merlin for keeping so many secrets from her.
Arthur nodded. "All thanks to Merlin," he said honestly. He hadn't realized how much Merlin had changed him until recently. "I bandaged Merlin as best as I could and when he woke, he properly bandaged himself. He begged me not to tell anyone about what had happened. He feared that if we came up with a false story someone would eventually see through it, would realize there were holes. I agreed with him. He stayed in my chambers that night. He spent the entire time convincing me that it was indeed a bad idea to kill my father for killing my mother. He even put himself in between me and my father when I tried to. If I recall my father told him he was a 'valuable ally in the fight against magic'." Arthur snorted. "But Merlin was right. I never would have forgiven myself if I had killed my father. Even if he was responsible for my mother's death."
"What do you mean?" Morgana asked confused. "How was Uther responsible for Ygraine's death?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur saw Gaius drop his head and look at the floor uncomfortably. Arthur felt his anger rise. More secrets. More lies.
"I can't talk about it," Arthur said honestly. If Merlin hadn't been there he doubted he would have talked about it with him. He turned to Gaius. "You knew."
Gaius flinched at the anger in Arthur's voice. "I swore to your father I wouldn't disclose the circumstances of your birth to anyone," Gaius admitted.
Arthur closed his eyes. Secrets and lies. That's what everyone was full of. Secrets and lies. "Do you know where Merlin is?" He asked Gaius.
"Three nights ago, he went to meet Morgause as that very fortress you met her at," Gaius told Arthur quietly. "Merlin found out from a druid man that was visiting Camelot that Morgause was planning to kill the king. He went to spy on her to gather more information. I think he planned to confront her."
"Should he have been back by now?" Gwen asked.
Gaius nodded. "I didn't tell you because I knew you would pursue him if you knew. The last thing he would want would be any of you getting yourselves killed for him," Gaius explained.
Gwen's face hardened. "Well he's in luck. He won't live to see us die, because when I find him I'm going to kill him," Gwen muttered.
"Don't be too hard on him," Gaius told her. "He talks of you often. He always feels guilty when he keeps secrets from you, but he doesn't want to burden you with them. He says he has done enough harm by putting you in a position where you are not welcome in Camelot. He just wants you to be happy."
Gwen's face softened. "He's not going to do that by lying to me," Gwen said quietly. "But we must go. Arthur, do you remember how to get there?"
Arthur nodded. He would never be able to forget it.
Within the hour, they were ready to go. All three of them were on horses. "So how long have you had magic Morgana?" Arthur asked her as they rode.
"I beg your pardon?" Morgana asked surprised.
"You said you and Merlin shared a certain set of skills. I can only assume that since Merlin has no other skills you meant magic," Arthur explained jokingly.
"You're wrong you know," Gwen said quietly. "Merlin has other skills. You just fail to recognize them."
"I was joking Guinevere," Arthur told her.
"Does Merlin know that?" Gwen questioned harshly. "Does he realize when you call him stupid or clumsy or simple-minded that you are joking? Does he realize it's a joke when you call him an oaf or a fool?"
"I- I don't know," Arthur admitted quietly.
"Then maybe you should take the time out to tell him that. Merlin believes that you think him a fool and you have no idea how much that pains him," Gwen told him. She knew her words were harsh, but Arthur needed to hear them.
"I didn't think he would think I meant my words," Arthur told her.
"When you say anything often enough, it will eventually be believed," Gwen said quietly. She looked away from Arthur.
Arthur's mind was abuzz with what Gwen had told him. He had never stopped to consider the effect his words could have on Merlin. It made him feel slightly sick to know how much he had hurt his friend.
They traveled in silence until they arrived at the enchanted castle. Arthur stared at it with dread. He had hoped to never see that place again. It was bad enough he kept revisiting his mother in his nightmares. Now he was going to face the living nightmare.
When they entered the castle, a horrifying scene waited for them. Merlin was chained to a wall. His face was pale and bloody and the bruises that covered his bare skin indicated the abuse his body had been put through. From where they were standing, they couldn't tell if Merlin was even still alive. There was no sign of life in his beat up body.
"No," Gwen moaned softly. "No." Gwen rushed to Merlin and held his hand. It was cold. Very, very cold. She fell to her knees looking as if her world had just fallen apart. She couldn't lose Merlin. Not like this.
Morgana tentatively approached them. Merlin had been working with her on checking for another magical presence before he had left. She hadn't mastered it and had only faintly been able to sense him when she had tried it. She didn't sense anyone now, but she knew that didn't mean anything. Generally with practice Morgana was able to master very difficult spells. She just hadn't had time to practice this one.
They had to get Merlin out of there and quickly. Morgana put her hand on Merlin's head, praying for the life she had long learned how to sense. Unlike sensing magic, sensing life was simple. Usually a person's life burnt like a fire. It was full of warmth and light.
She was confused when she felt Merlin's. It was like a candle that was flickering. It was almost ready to go out. She had never felt life so weak. She wasn't sure if it was within her powers to help him. If the old religion decided he was close enough to death, they would require someone else's life to save him.
Morgana took a deep breath and began chanting. This was his only chance. "Ic be burhaele bin licsare mid bam sundorcraeftas baere ealdap ae!" Morgana yelled.
"That won't work sister," a cruel voice came from the shadows.