Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 12: Nimueh

Merlin stared. Uther was dead? Suddenly everything made sense. When Gaius said the king wanted to see him, he hadn't been talking about Uther, he had been talking about Arthur. "How did it happen?" Merlin asked.

"Nimueh," Arthur muttered. He said her name like it was a curse.

"Of course," Merlin muttered. "Because one evil sorceress just wasn't enough. I suppose it makes sense. Nimueh was Morgause's teacher. She would ask Nimueh for help."

Arthur let out a soft chuckle before his face darkened. "It was the day I woke. She knew. She knew that I was weak and that you couldn't defend us. I don't know how, but she knew. There was nothing I could do. I was still hurt and everything happened so quickly." Arthur had a far off look in his eyes. Merlin knew that right now he was in the middle of whatever had happened. "She didn't come alone. My uncle, Agravaine was with her. He distracted me while Nimueh poisoned my father. I couldn't overpower him. Even when I am at my full strength, he is a formidable opponent. I was at his mercy when Morgana showed up. Morgana knocked out my uncle then went to my father. We got there too late. Nimueh had used henbane. Gaius could not cure him and Morgana had to duel Nimueh to get to my father. Nimueh hurt her and by the time Morgana woke, he was gone." Tears glistened freshly in Arthur's eyes. Merlin's jaw dropped. This was one of those moments where everything that had happened was so outrageous that is was difficult to believe, but the situation was so serious it was impossible to deny the truth of it. Merlin had only met Agravaine a handful of times. Agravaine hadn't seemed overly fond of Uther during those visits, but Merlin had thought him a kind-hearted man. Merlin never thought he would be capable of trying to kill Uther.

"I'm sorry. If I had woken up sooner…" Merlin started to say. He knew he could have changed what had happened. He knew the exact spell that could counteract henbane. If he had been stronger Uther might still be alive.

"Then my father would have had you killed. There were guards with him until he died. You would never have been able to enter unseen," Arthur cut him off. "Neither you nor Morgana is to blame. You helped keep Morgana alive which is more than any of us expected from you. Particularly after what Morgause did to you. Even after Morgana brought you back, your wounds were so serious we nearly lost you again."

"I helped keep Morgana alive?" Merlin asked confused.

"Did you know you can do magic in your sleep?" Arthur asked him. Arthur got a strange look in his eyes. "You created this strange mist that prevented Nimueh from using her powers. She had already thrown Morgana around a bit before the mist got there, but she couldn't kill her because of it. It gave Morgana the opportunity to kill her. She passed out after that though. She was out for hours."

"What makes you think I summoned the mist?" Merlin asked. He had never heard of someone being able to perform magic in their sleep before. He had never thought it possible. And he was almost certain no spell existed that could just take away someone's powers. There were creatures, and potions that could be brewed, and objects that could be enchanted.

"Gwen was with you. Nothing could tear her from your side. She said you were whispering something about how I was in danger then the mist came out of your hand," Arthur explained.

"Strange," Merlin muttered. He shifted and winced.

"It's a miracle you're still alive you know," Arthur told him. "I was here while Gwen and Gaius were examining you. I've never seen the likes of it. Did you know Gaius can do magic? Not like you or Morgana can, but he was able to heal some of your wounds." When Merlin didn't look surprised, Arthur let out an annoyed sigh. "Of course you knew. Everyone always knows before me."

"It wasn't my secret to share," Merlin explained with a shrug. He groaned. He needed to remember to not move.

"Anyway," Arthur said. He still sounded annoyed. "You had bruises everywhere and you had so many broken bones. What exactly did Morgause do to you?"

"She got angry," Merlin said quietly. "I don't even know what she was after. Once she found out I had magic, she seemed more preoccupied with asking me what I knew about magic than she did with questioning me about you. She drugged me so I couldn't escape using magic. I could still speak and think normally, but I couldn't touch my magic."

There was a long pause before them as they considered what had happened over the past few days. Merlin watched Arthur. He knew Arthur would try to look strong, but no matter what Uther's sins had been, this had to be killing Arthur.

To Merlin's surprise, Arthur made himself completely vulnerable when he broke their long silence. "I can't believe he's gone," Arthur said. He had a vacant look in his eyes.

Merlin glanced at Arthur, not entirely surprised that he saw guilt written all over Arthur's expression. Merlin should have known Arthur would blame himself. "It's not your fault," Merlin told him. "You know that, right?"

"I allowed my heart to rule my head. I saw my uncle and I simply shut down," Arthur said quietly. "If I had been stronger, maybe I would have gotten there in time. Maybe I could have overpowered him. Maybe I could have prevented my father's death."

"Nothing could have prepared you for that. If you hadn't felt betrayed and shocked by what he did, I would be worried. It's feelings like that that will help you be the king this land deserves. What happened to Agravaine?" Merlin asked Arthur.

"He's dead. Agravaine was sentenced to death after being found guilty of treason," Arthur explained sadly. "It was my first act as king. What kind of king am I if I cannot even trust my family?"

"Agravaine was your mother's brother. If he was with Nimueh, he knows the circumstances of your birth. My guess would be he sought revenge, much like you did when you first found out," Merlin pointed out. "Agravaine's betrayal doesn't make you a poor king, nor does it make you responsible for your father's death. You reacted as anyone would. If you harden your heart so you don't react as you did, you will lose part of who you are: you'll lose your compassion." Merlin studied at Arthur. He didn't know how to get through to him. "Arthur look at me!" Merlin waited until Arthur looked up at him before he continued. "You have the skills to be a great king, but you cannot allow your rule to be clouded by guilt and regret. Your people believe in you. But that means nothing if you do not believe in yourself."

Arthur looked down at the floor. He knew Merlin meant his words, but Arthur had difficulty believing them himself. How could he? He was so young to have such a large responsibility.

For several hours, Arthur sat in the little chair by Merlin's bed and just talked to him. He remembered the good times he had with his father. He remembered the bad times. He just talked and talked and talked. And Merlin listened.

Arthur wasn't okay. He was far from it. He found himself without a father and he was in charge of an entire kingdom. His people would be looking up to him expecting wisdom and justice. Arthur had to hope that one day he would be better. He didn't think he was ready to be king, but one day he hoped to be the king his people deserved. He knew with Merlin by his side, that day would come soon.