Merlin made his way from the vaults of the Castle, the treasure he sort tucked safety within the pocket of his tunic. It had been weeks since his battle with the wraith, weeks since Excalibur sank to the bottom of the lake of Avalon. Merlin knocked at the wooden doors of his brother's room, at the command he entered and found Arthur at the table breaking his fast.
"Ahh Merlin, what a pleasant surprise, come join me". Before doing as instructed Merlin locked the doors to his brother's chambers and then sat beside him. "Not a social visit then"?
Merlin smiled in reply "You were doing so well with your training I thought it was best to give you an accolade of achievement". Arthur was curious now, this was very odd of his twin. Merlin sat back, pulled something wrapped in cloth from his tunic and put it on his table in front of them. He gently unwrapped it and there on the cloth lay a medal in the shape of the Pendragon crest, a small clear crystal inlaid into the eye of the dragon surrounded by a frame and attached to a thin gold chain.
"You're giving me jewelry"?
"Do you remember our conversation about increasing magical endurance"? A light blush colored Arthur's cheeks as he nodded his head to affirmation.
Merlin picked up the chain, "This is a shard of crystal sourced from the Crystal Cave; the birthplace of magic itself. It's a tiny fragment but it still holds immense power. Wearing it will give you the additional energy you need to maintain your spells for greater periods of time. In fact, it should also help increase your own natural endurance a lot sooner". Arthur reached towards the Crystal and brushed his fingers over it.
He could feel a thrum of power emanating from the jewel as it connected with his own internal magic. He reached to take the chain from Merlin who released it to his brother's grasp. Arthur took it in both hands and slipped it on to his neck, He immediately felt its energy coursing under his skin, ready for the taking, if he so chose. "Do you remember the concealment spell I taught you"?
"Yes".
"Use it".
Arthur took a deep breath in concentration before letting the words reach his lips "Galwaf arnoch i guddio a diogelu". Arthur's eyes glowed the signature gold before all traces of the chain and attached amulet, were gone from his neck. He could still feel the weight of both though, resting against his skin.
"How does it feel"? "It feels… It's indescribable" Arthur looked at his hands he had never felt able to call the magic to him this easily before, but he could feel it now, waiting, ready for his use.
Merlin made a gesture of approval "that crystal helps you borrow energy directly from the magical web of the earth".
"Is this how it feels for you"?
"I am a creature of magic, and as such, am connected directly to the web, like Kilgharrah it-".
ARTHUR! Both men jumped out of their seats. "That was Morgana's voice"! Arthur was the one that said it causing Merlin to look at him for a few moments before his eyes widened as he realized what had just occurred.
"How long? How long have you been able to read thoughts Arthur"? His brother asked, displeasure dripping from his voice.
"Merlin this isn't the time, Morgana needs us".
"Morgana is fine. She just had a nightmare, so it can wait. This conversation, however, is happening now". Merlin's fists were clenched at his sides, steel command reflected in his blue eyes.
His brother was angry, what was worse, was that anger was directed right at him, a situation that rarely occurred. Arthur knew better than to lie to Merlin. "It started happening a few weeks after we started training".
Merlin's fist hit the table "And it didn't occur to you to mention to me that you had this ability"! He demanded in a raised voice.
"I don't see why this is such a big deal, I mean you said it yourself magic users do it all the time". Merlin grabbed the bridge of his nose with his right hand and groaned. "Arthur, did it occur to you that if you could read unrestricted thoughts, other sorcerers could read yours? Imagine what a stray enemy of Camelot could do if they found easy access to the Crown Prince's mind!
Arthur finally understood Merlin's concern "I'm sorry, I should have told you".
"It's alright, but now we need to work on you learning to control it. One thing is for certain though".
"What's that"?
"Your power may be more complicated in nature then I originally thought". Merlin looked at Arthur "Anyway, we will explore this more at a later time. Right now I need to get to Morgana". Merlin turned around to leave but was stopped by Arthur's voice "She has magic". He stated, "why did both of you hide it from me"?
Merlin sighed and turned back to his brother "Morgana's magic is innate like mine and still emerging, she doesn't even know that she has it and it was not my place to tell you". Arthur's eyes widened at this. Like you? She's born with magic! Arthur looked at his brother, who had heard his mind and just nodded in affirmation.
"I'm coming with you".
"Arthur.."
"Whatever just happened, it involved her using magic, didn't it? I have magic too Merlin. I think she needs to know she's not alone". Merlin gave his brother a small grateful smile "Thank you". A while later both brothers were found outside Morgana's door. Merlin knocked and the door was opened by Morgana herself, eyes red-rimmed and scared. To their surprise, instead of seeking comfort from Merlin, Morgana jumped into Arthur's arms. Merlin met Arthur's questioning eyes with a surge of his shoulders before he ushered them both inside the room. Arthur gently led her to sit on her bed and knelt beside her, his brother coming to sit by her side.
Merlin gripped her chin and turned her face to his gaze "What did you see love"? Morgana's eyes met his and widened at his question "You know about the dreams. It's magic, isn't it? Why didn't you tell me"?
"You had to experience it emerge for yourself, Morgana. But you must understand, you will not go through this alone". Arthur took her left hand in his, turning both their attention towards him, "We are here for you". He said, letting his eyes glow gold, Merlin repeated the action in solidarity and Morgana looked between the both of them eyes widening in surprise. She knew about Merlin's magic but Arthur...
"You"? He smiled at her from his place at the floor
"Merlin's been teaching me a few tricks". He winked.
"Morgana? What did you dream off"? Merlin brought her attention back to him but then she turned to look at Arthur "I saw you die". She said with tearful eyes "There was this girl and I saw her standing over your body as you sank to the bottom of a lake and drowned".
"Merlin? Arthur's life is in danger isn't it"? Morgana's concerned voice reached him and his eyes softened "What you saw need not come to pass Morgana, you're dreams are prophetic, it's true, you are a very powerful seer". He said stroking her cheek with his thumb "but they can also act as warnings, we will understand what this dream of yours means in time. Until then you needn't worry, you know I'd never let anything happen to the royal prat".
"Hey"!
The joke had it's desired effect, Morgana let out a short laugh; she looked back at Arthur with concern, "promise me you'll be careful".
Arthur smirked back at her, with sly eyes and in the most arrogant tone continued "Morgana, I didn't know cared so much and here I thought you only had eyes for Merlin". He said this all the while slowly rubbing the girl's wrist with his thumb. Morgana's eyes widened, mouth dropped open in shock as she turned to Merlin to try and explain herself, only to catch him with his fist to his mouth trying desperately to hold back his laughter. Morgana's face grew hot, she grabbed the nearest object she could find, a pillow thank goodness, before she began hitting both the men with it. "The two of you are the worst"! She huffed in exertion as both brothers recovered from their respective laughing fits.
Merlin sat back breathing and watched as Morgana and Arthur laughed before addressing them calmly "I need the both of you to be cautious from here on". Both turned to look at Merlin. "Your magic is still emerging Morgana and is subservient to your emotions and Arthur is still not fully in control, you need to be careful and make sure that you are not discovered. Arthur we are going to start working on your new mental abilities immediately". Morgana looked between the two brothers "Mental Abilities"?