"Be patient, Arthur Pendragon," Sarrum said leaning back in his chair looking entirely at ease. "Your gift is about to arrive at any moment."

A high-pitched screech was heard outside the walls followed by the low boom of several explosions. People screamed and chairs fell back. Sarrum's warriors pulled out hidden weapons and attacked the unarmed knights.

"To the King!" shouted Sir Leon, and he and Gwaine were beside Arthur in an instant.

Merlin rushed to Arthur and Gwens' side, throwing his pitcher in an attacker's face. Across the room he saw Gaius being hit by one of Sarrum's men and Bri protecting him with a candlestick. Percival was wrestling to get to them, but too many blocked his way. Mordred had taken up one of the tall iron candleholders and was using it like a lance to drive back the crowd that surrounded him. Elyan fought at Mordred's back.

As much as Merlin wanted to split himself in half and rush to their aid, his first duty was to Arthur. Gwaine, Sir Leon and Arthur fought and were slowly driven back towards the far door in the great hall.

The main doors were kicked back with a deafening bang and through them spilled more of Sarrum's men, and at their head, Morgana. At the sight of her, Arthur surged forward in anger, but Merlin pulled him back.

"We have to get out of here," he urged.

"I won't run!"

"We're outnumbered and we have no weapons, Sire," Sir Leon shouted. "We can't hold them back much longer."

They rushed out through the narrow back door and propped it with a torch handle.

"It won't hold for long," Merlin said trying to get Arthur away.

They ran along the hallways and found all of the ways out blocked, except those that led further into the castle. At every turn, more and more of Sarrum's men poured in, and they kept running. They descended towards the catacombs below Camelot, driven further and further down.

"They've covered all the secret passages," Sir Leon shouted. "They've blocked every way out."

"Morgana would have known them all," Merlin said bitterly. His dilemma was at hand. If he wanted to save Arthur and Camelot, would he have to reveal himself? Had the time come?

Another turn brought them to a low staircase. Merlin recognized it at once. It was the way to Kilgharrah's cave, the vast caverns that Camelot was built upon.

A thought came to him. He'd never explored the caves. There may not have been exits large enough for a dragon, but perhaps there were some for people. And if not, at least it would give them a place to hide and plan their attack.

"Down this way," Merlin told them.

Arthur stopped and shook his head. "The dragon's dungeon. I know no way out of there."

"We must, or be captured, Sire. At least we can hide."

Arthur looked at Sir Leon unconvinced. "I don't like it."

Shouts were heard at the end of the corridor and suddenly Morgana followed by Sarrum was in the corridor behind them, blocking their path back.

"Trapped like a rat in a trap," Morgana said, her voice soft and deadly. "I've waited long for this, dear brother." She spat the last word out like poison. "I am going to enjoy crushing you," she chuckled. Her hands rose above her head and she spoke the incantations loud and clear. The rock around them vibrated.

"Arthur come," Merlin called and they all backed up down the dark staircase behind them.

Morgana's voice rose and the vibration turned to a tremor and to an earthquake.

"She means to bury us alive!" Gwaine shouted. They were too far up the stair to make it out into the open space below. And even then, there was no shelter from the falling rocks. A cave-in would seal their fate either quickly or slowly. Morgana cared not which it was in the end.

Rocks fell before and behind them and Arthur pulled Gwen to his chest and bent over her to protect her. They huddled close together. Sir Leon was knocked down by a boulder that hit him between his shoulder blades. Gwaine bent over him to protect him. This was the end. There was no escape, no way out. Morgana had her revenge at last. They could no longer see her through the wall of falling rock.

Standing amongst the rubble with a sense of impending destiny, Merlin raised his hands, and at the top of his voice, spoke a shielding spell. Arthur's head snapped up at the words and he saw Merlin's eyes blaze with gold, and a cupola of light form above them.

Rock and dirt fell around them while they stood shielded under Merlin's protection. The knights rose to their feet. Gwen untangled herself out of Arthur's embrace. Four pairs of eyes watched riveted to Merlin's fingertips, the bright light of the shield, and to the memory of the gold flash in his eyes.

"We must keep going," Merlin said, not quite meeting anyone's eyes. The path downward was just barely accessible. While holding the shielding spell, he spoke another incantation and the rocks blocking the way down were blown away.

"We must keep going!" he shouted at them. They broke out of their trance and followed him.

At the base, they stepped out into the dragon's cave, and Merlin kept the shield until the last of the tremors stopped. He took an unlit torch from the wall and lighted it with a spell. Then, with his heart beating a mile a minute, he turned to the others and Arthur and forced himself to look him in the eye.

"I meant to tell you, Arthur."

"You're a sorcerer," Arthur spoke and his words were a bitter accusation.

Merlin's heart lurched. It was the second time he'd faced Arthur's rejection. It hurt just as much as the first. Tears filled his eyes and spilled over his cheeks. His chest ached. He kept his gaze locked with Arthur, although he could see him flinching away.

"I am," Merlin admitted. "I have magic."

In a flash, Arthur drew his sword and pointed it at Merlin's throat. Shock and revulsion shone in Arthur's eyes. Merlin gritted his teeth.

"You lied to me. All this time."

"I've had to. I have magic, Arthur. I've used it all these years to serve you."

Merlin flinched under Arthur's icy gaze. The sword tip touched his skin. Gwen reached out to pull Arthur's arm back.

"Arthur," Merlin pleaded. He knew Arthur needed time. He had to be patient. He had to wait this out despite how it hurt him.

"All these years, Merlin. I thought you were my friend."

"I am your friend, Arthur," Merlin pleaded. "And I always will be."

Arthur shook his head. "No, if we live through this, I never want to see you again."

Merlin stared at him. The coldness in Arthur's face sent shivers down his spine.

"Arthur," Gwen entreated, but he lowered his sword and turned away.

"Come, we're leaving," he commanded and Gwen and the others followed him reluctantly.

Merlin stood rooted to the ground, feeling more powerless than he'd ever felt before, and watched his friends walk away.