Title: It's Like Magic

Author: Kiki1770

Rating: T for Language

Setting: 4x13

Summary: In which Merlin comes dangerously close to telling the truth.

Angst 5: Dangerously Close

Camelot was finally free; she was no longer under the tyranny of Morgana Pendragon. The knights in her captive were released and being cared for by Merlin himself, along with a few volunteers with medical knowledge. The squires returned to the training grounds, the servants to the castle, and the peasants were steadily rebuilding Camelot. The only thing -person- missing was the Prince of Camelot himself.

Merlin found Arthur sitting thoughtfully on the stairs by the entrance of the courtyard. He sat himself beside Arthur and waited for the Prince to say something. But Arthur only continued staring pensively into the open.

"What are you thinking?" Merlin finally broke the silence.

"That I've been a fool," Arthur snorted.

"Well I might have supported you on that theory any other day but-"

"But?"

"But just this once, I think a compliment is in order. You did the right thing Arthur." Merlin grinned facetiously. Arthur managed a sliver of a smile, but it faded as quickly as it came. "What is it Arthur?" Merlin can't help but ask.

"I've been lied to again and again, Merlin. I'm constantly being deceived because of my foolish naïveté." Arthur cursed bitterly.

"Arthur, wanting to see the good in o-"

"No Merlin! I've already heard that speech." Arthur snapped. Merlin jumped in shock; a tiny flicker of fear nearly visible in the manservant's eyes. Arthur groaned and mentally berated himself for taking his rage out on Merlin.

"Just tell me something...I can't trust my father, I couldn't trust my uncle, my sister is out there planning my demise, and my own fiancé betrayed me once...who am I to trust Merlin?" Arthur's eyes flickered to Merlin almost desperately. "You? Can I trust you?"

And Merlin's heart sank. Could Arthur trust him? He was no better than Agravaine or Morgana when it came to deceiving the prince. Wasn't his very existence a lie? For six years he and Arthur had been friends, and every single day, he lied to his friend's face. It would be hypocritical of Merlin to wish for Arthur to trust him if Merlin didn't trust Arthur with his secret either.

"No." He replied. Arthur's body slouched quite noticeably, his eyes tightened and bloodshot red.

"I suppose you're hiding some big secret from me as well, aren't you?" Arthur tried to be sarcastic, tried to banter with Merlin, but his voice was on the edge of hysteria and Merlin knew it.

"Everyone has secrets sire," Merlin gulped at the dangerous turn this conversation had taken. His knees started trembling, and his fingers quivered. Arthur suddenly snapped out of his reverie and stared at Merlin with sharp unblinking eyes as though Arthur was trying to break past Merlin's façade of the dimwitted idiot he pretended to be. And Merlin let him. Who deserved to see the real Merlin more than Arthur?

"If I were to know your secret...would it change things?" Arthur asked nervously, finally breaking contact with Merlin.

"It would change everything sire." Merlin replied calmly and as monotonously as he could manage, but on the inside, his nerves were a jumbled mess. He waited for the Prince's response, half in anticipation and half in fear.

"Then keep it to yourself."

"Arthur!"

"I'm not saying I don't want to know idiot!" Arthur quickly snapped back. Merlin clamped his mouth shut. "Just...not today. Maybe someday in the future when we're both ready...but not today." Arthur said tiredly.

"Agreed sire." Arthur and Merlin nodded simultaneously, and then Arthur rose to his feet and made his way back to the castle. It was Merlin's turn to stare into the courtyard; he'd come dangerously close to spilling his secret. His mind was still racing too fast and his heart beating too hard for comfort. He settled for listening to Arthur's footsteps, only to realize the Prince hadn't moved more than three paces.

"Merlin," Arthur called back. Merlin twisted around to face his Prince. "Are you in any way, shape, or form a threat to Camelot?" His voice was no longer thoughtful but deadly like the edge of blade.

"No Sire,"

"Good."

I quite like the idea of Arthur knowing Merlin has a secret, but not quite knowing what it is. I kinda a wish a scenario, like the one I just wrote, had happened for real in the show. Build up to the big reveal a bit more you know? I don't know about you but as much as I respect how the show Merlin ended, I really wish there was a HUGE Bamf! magical fight and a build up to the big reveal.

Up Next! More Freylin, some angst, and a new brotherhood drabble! Expect a double update tomorrow!

Review, review, review.

Kiki1770