I do not own Merlin
The screen showed Merlin holding a sack in his hand outside his house as Hunith stood there with Anna who was giggling as she looked at a butterfly.
"She's adorable," Gwen said immediately with a smile on her face.
"Well of course she is, if someone like you is her mother," Gwaine winked at Meilani and Merlin narrowed his eyes at him making him cough and say, "Sorry mate. Habit." The siblings both rolled their eyes in tandem and they saw the similarities between them despite not being related by blood.
"Do I have to go?" Merlin asked his mother a frown on his face.
"Go where?" Gwaine asked with furrowed brows.
"To Camelot, you idiot," Meilani said with a roll of her eyes. "Where else?"
"Oi! I am not an idiot," Gwaine said indignantly but there was a grin on his face.
"Could have fooled me," Meilani smirked at him.
"That smirk does not bode well for any man," Gwaine said with a roguish grin in place.
"Gwaine," Merlin said warningly and Gwaine just lifted his hands as a show of surrender but there was a smirk on his lips as he winked at Meilani who promptly rolled her eyes at him.
"It's for the best. You need to get away from here. Not only because of what you're thinking, but because it's killing you. You haven't smiled a real smile, not once, not since the f-funeral. She wouldn't want you withering away in memory of her and I can't lose you either," Hunith said.
The others frowned just realising as they thought about it. When was the last time Merlin had smiled a true real smile that reached his eyes? It hurt the lot of them to realise that they truly didn't know.
"I can't leave though. I promised to protect her, and you. I can't go back on that," Merlin said shaking his head.
"Oh my son. I promise you we will be safe. What I care about now, is you. You can visit when you want to but you need to make a life for yourself, away from here, away from the memories. You need to find yourself and you can't do that here," Hunith said as she affectionately cupped his cheek.
"But..." Merlin began.
"No buts," Hunith said with a smile and he sighed as he kissed her forehead and picked up Anna.
"So I guess this is goodbye then," Merlin said with sadness in his eyes as he looked at the giggling baby with affection in his eyes. He hugged her to him kissing her head as he said, "I'm going to miss you Anna."
He got a few words of gurgled gibberish in return but he smiled anyway and Hunith said, "I think that means I miss you too Uncle Merls, wasn't it darling?" She got a giggle in response.
"How old is she here?" Leon asked with a smile on his face.
"At this time, she was around 3 months," Merlin responded and they realised that his mother had just said that he hadn't smiled in all that time, and if he did, it wasn't truly real and they all frowned at that. It just didn't fit with the image of Merlin they all had in their head, but for how long had they lived with that image and completely looked past what seemed so obvious to them now?
"I'm going to miss you mother," Merlin said as he hugged her.
"I'll miss you too honey," Hunith said pressing a kiss to his forehead and then Merlin gave the two one last look before he turned and walked away as the scene shifted to show Merlin walking up a hill as a voice was heard speaking.
No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will, in time, father the legend. His name: Merlin.
It was silent, absolutely suffocatingly silent, before at once, the sounds of swords being drawn echoed around the cavern.
Merlin couldn't believe this was happening. He'd dreaded the part where his magic would be shown but he did not expect it to be revealed this soon, nor to see one of his worst fears come true as Arthur stood up sword drawn his face twisted in rage, betrayal, shock and disbelief. This couldn't be happening he thought, his fear practically wafting off of him, not of death, no, he's been at its door too many times to be afraid anymore, but of dying by the hand of someone he'd given his all to.
Meilani had stood up as well glaring daggers at the king as she stood in front of her little brother who tried to step in front of her but like hell was she going to budge and neither was Lancelot, who stood in front of his best friend protectively. It didn't even take a moment of thought after the revelation for Gwaine to do the same despite his slight hurt at not being told of his friend's secret after entrusting him with his own.
The rest of the knights were divided. It took Percival only a moment to stand by Lancelot, not only for him, but for Merlin, he'd become a friend to him, like a little brother to be honest, and he'd seen firsthand the kindness in magic, the peace, the beauty, so how could he not stand in front of the man he knew would give his all for all of them even for the king who had his sword raised, betrayal etched on his face. Percival didn't raise his sword though but it was held in his hand prepared to protect his friend even from his king.
Elyan wasn't fond of magic. His father had been killed because he was suspected of it and his sister had been nearly killed many times because of it so what should he do? He kept a hand on the hilt of his sword, he didn't withdraw it, not yet. It was then he actually looked at Merlin and his stance became a bit less defensive. The emotions so clear on his face didn't show a person capable of any such evil. In fact it had become a joke amongst the knights about Merlin and his inability to hurt even a fly. He had become a friend to him, a brother even, and after what they'd just watched and everything they'd all been through together, could Merlin really be evil? The man purposefully made noises to spook the animals away when they went on hunts because he didn't want them to die, he had warm food and a bath sent to their rooms after a particularly tiring training session, he played pranks on each of them like "accidentally" shrinking their clothes in the wash or turning them different colours just for the fun of it, he called him El for Gods' sake, was that really the actions of an evil person?
Leon stood to the side not knowing what to do. He had his sword withdrawn, it was held at his side only slightly lifted as he looked between his king and his...friend, because that's what Merlin had become hadn't it? No, it was more than that, Merlin was like the little brother he'd never had. But he had magic, Leon thought to himself not knowing what to feel. He'd known Merlin as long as Arthur had and he'd become fond of the boy. At first they'd just been polite to each other, but Merlin had gradually wormed his way into his heart.
It was with the small but meaningful gestures like sending warm food and a bath to his room after a patrol or training session, or spending the nights in his room when it stormed pretty violently, knowing that the noises had him on edge and prepared for a fight so he tried to distract him enough to get some sleep, or when he pranked the others but secretly gave him his clothes completely fine, not shrunk of ridiculously coloured, with a wink, before he ran off as the others chased after him. That wasn't evil. Merlin just couldn't be the other knights he had seen the friendship between Arthur and Merlin from the beginning and he watched as the closer they got, the more fitting for a king Arthur had become.
Just the fact thought that all this time, Merlin had been practicing the one thing he knew Arthur despised, the one thing that had taken so much from their king, from their kingdom, and he couldn't help but feel the twinge of betrayal so he could only imagine what Arthur was feeling and considering the look on his face, it wasn't good at all. He frowned unsure for a moment as he remembered how he had been saved with magic, how the only reason he was standing here right now was because of magic and his feelings of betrayal died down until all he could feel was wary, not in fear of Merlin, but for him and what this revelation could mean for the two best friends.
The knights then paused as they realised that the random falling branches, bandits dropping their swords out of the blue, or situations they'd gotten into that they never should have been able to escape unscathed, wasn't luck as they'd deemed it to be. It was Merlin.
Gwen didn't know what to think. Ever since her father's death, all the times she'd been accused of being a sorceress, the numerous magical attacks on their kingdom and losing Morgana to magic and her own hatred, magic had gradually become something that she truly feared. However now faced with such a predicament, she didn't know what to think.
Merlin was her best friend...and yet he practiced magic. He was the kindest soul she'd met...and yet he practiced magic. He didn't have an evil bone in his body she thought as her eyes caught his vulnerable, fearful and pained eyes only making him look that much more younger...even thoughhe practiced magic. It was that thought that made up her mind. She would not stand by and let Arthur hurt Merlin despite her hurt at not knowing his secret, because, like Leon, she'd seen the blossoming of their friendship from a bud to a blooming flower and she hoped to the Gods as she looked between the two friends that despite this revelation, this flower would not wilt and wither in the face of this unexpected storm.
"Warlock? You're a sorcerer?" Arthur spat betrayal coating his words as he looked at the man that was supposed to be his best friend. Lies he thought. Everything was a lie. His best friend was the one thing he so despised, he harnessed the one thing that had taken so much from him and he'd been right under his nose this entire time. He's trusted him, more than anyone, more than his knights, more than his entire council, more than every subject in his kingdom, and now to be repaid by betrayal. It hurt. It actually hurt, but every pang in his chest only fueled his rage as he glared at Mer...no, thesorcererhe thought in disgust.
"Arthur I can explain..." Merlin said flinching at the disgust that practically dripped from Arthur's tongue as the word sorcerer left his mouth. He stood facing him, his sister in front of him protectively despite his protests, Lancelot and surprisingly Gwaine also in front of him their swords drawn and leveled with their king. His mother and Gaius had moved from their seats to stand with him as well, all of them surrounding him to protect him and he'd never felt so touched but that wasn't the point right now, it was the look in his best friend's eyes, the look he had tried his best never to put there but was there all the same.
"What is there to explain? You're asorcerer.You havemagic.All this time, you were using it right under my nose. You were probably plotting my death all this time for all I know. Why else would you stay In Camelot?I didn't expect you of all people to betray me but it seems to be becoming a recurring event in my life," Arthur said angrily, bitterness coating his voice, rage dropping from his tongue, betrayal in his eyes as he gazed at the one person he thought he could trust to the end.
"I've never betrayed you Arthur, I would never..." Merlin began but he was again cut off as he tried to hide his hurt at his words yet again. Just moments ago, he'd been fighting the hurt from what Arthur had said before they'd come here and now it seems it was only going to get worse.
"I don't want to hear a word from yousorcerer.You must have thought me so stupid to have been fooled for so long. You've probably been working for Morgana this entire time,"Arthur spat in anger, in hurt and in betrayal.
"I wouldneverwork for Morgana. I wouldnevertry to hurt you in any way and I wasn't trying to fool you. I was trying to protect you," Merlin said beseechingly.
"You think I'd trust a single word you say?" Arthur scoffed.
"Youcantrust me. I'm your friend," Merlin said pleadingly.
"No. You're nothing but atraitor.I should strike you where you stand," Arthur said as he stepped forwards his sword at the ready but immediately Lancelot, Gwaine and Percival raised their weapons higher in tandem.
"You're going to have to go through me Princess," Gwaine said glaring at him. He'd always known that when it came down to it, his loyalty was first and foremost to Merlin before Arthur and it would always be that way.
"So be it," Arthur said beyond reason at this point. he didn't care about why they were even protecting the sorcerer, he didn't care about anything, he was too consumed by rage.
"Arthur," Gwen said holding his arm immediately before he could do something stupid. Was he really going to try to fight through his friends to kill his best friend after everything?
"What?" Arthur snapped rounding on her.
"Don't snap at me Arthur Pendragon. Merlin's your best friend and I understand that you might have some reservations about that right now but acting impulsively is not the answer. After everything you all have been through, after all these years of friendship, the least you can do is hear him out. Even back at Camelot, he would be granted a fair trial so before you let your emotions control your actions and make you do something you'll regret, just calm down and let him explain," Gwen defended her friend and Merlin felt a warmth bloom inside of him that despite everything, she still would defend him.
"Explain? What is there to explain? He has betrayed me, betrayed Camelot, betrayed our friendship. He's nothing but a traitor and as king, it is my job to uphold the laws of Camelot and sentence him to death," Arthur said his face cold and emotionless as he stated the words he'd become accustomed to saying so many times over the years, and it had Merlin nearly flinching from the absolute hatred he could still easily distinguish in the eyes of the man that he'd thought to be his best friend but who was now speaking of his death so easily as if all these years of friendship had meant nothing, as if everything he'd done for him meant nothing, as if all his sleepless nights, people he'd lost, wounds he'd suffered, pain he'd endured and fear he'd lived with hoping it would one day give way to freedom, meant nothing, and Gods did that hurt.
"You will do no such thing. You lay one hand on my brother and I will make everything Morgana put you through look like child's play. All these years, ever since I died, I have watched from above as my brother gave his all to you, time and time again, putting himself in danger to save your damned life, living in fear that one day his luck would run out and you'd give the orders to have him sent to the chopping block or be burnt at the pyre, the countless times he'd been at death's doorstep countering attacks on Camelot, on you, and yet never once appreciated for all his effort, for everything he's done, for everything and everyone he's sacrificed for and because of you and I still can't see why he believes in you so much because all I see is Uther Pendragon's spawn spouting the same nonsense and prejudiced fucking bullshit as his father," Meilani said angrily and at this point, she was only a meter or so away from him glaring at him in rage.
"How dare you!" Arthur shouted, his anger beyond his own control as he swung his sword impulsively.
"No!" Merlin shouted out stepping forwards, but Meilani was ready and with a flash of gold, she had a sword in her own hand deflecting his blow. Their swords were criss-crossed between them as they looked into each other's eyes allowing Arthur to see the gold fading to green.
"You're a sorceress," Arthur spat.
"Did living with the druids not clue you into that?" Meilani said tauntingly and he growled as he swung his sword again and again and again, but she parried his blows expertly. He swung, she dodged, she swung, he ducked, he swung, she parried, and it went on like this for quite a while as the others watched in shock.
"Arthur please. Lani, please stop. You're going to hurt each other," Merlin said worriedly as he watched two of the most important people in his life fight each other.
Lani heard the world and barely concealed panic in his voice but she didn't stop because the stupid king wouldn't and despite the Voice having told them that their swords will not be able to harm each other, she wasn't going to stand there idle as he swung it at her.
Mordred was watching with worry in his eyes. He knew then that he had made the right decision. Arthur would never accept magic and this was proof of that. He nearly stepped forwards in worry when Arthur's sword narrowly missed grazing Alanna's side before stopping himself as the two carried on fighting.
"Arthur!" Gwen exclaimed scandalised. He had just watched Merlin losing his sister and now he was engaging in a sword fight with her?
Arthur did not stop at her call but as Merlin called out worriedly again, Meilani's eyes flashed gold once more and instead of swords in their hands there were flowers. Arthur looked stumped at his sword, well what was supposed to be his sword, and then back at her with a glare in his eyes. She smirked at him waving the flower at him mockingly before she threw it in his face and walked back to Merlin who promptly pulled her in an embrace as Hunith, who had been beside herself in worry, hugged her as well.
"What the hell did you do to my sword?" Arthur demanded angrily.
"Turned it into a flower," Meilani said slowly as if speaking to a child.
"Turn it back," Arthur said angrily.
"Are you asking me to use magic?" Meilani asked with a smirk.
"No!" Arthur said clenching his jaw as he glared at her.
"Well then I'm sure that flower will suffice," Meilani said mockingly.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Merlin asked angrily after a moment, all the emotions of watching his sister die all over again, the revelation, and what he'd just seen bursting out of him, as he glared at Arthur who looked taken aback at the ferocity in his once friend's eyes. "Your problem is with me. Don't you dare ever take it out on my sister again or I will forget about this damn prophecy and our friendship and leave you to your own devices. I'll give you a month or so before another magical disturbance occurs and manages tokill you without my protection because you are the worst danger magnet in history. It's like you have a bloody sign written on your forehead for all the world to see calling all those who harbor any ill will to the Pendragon name from all the corners of the five kingdoms and then as per usual, it falls to me to be rid of them, getting hurt, nearly killed, and sometimes actually dying in the process."
Everyone was wide-eyed at this point as they stared at him but he couldn't care less. Finally, he could get it all out and he was not going to stop now that he'd started.
What did he mean by actually dying the others thought. That wasn't possible since he was standing right in front of them obviously so did he mean the brink of death? The thought had many of them ashen-faced as they pictured Merlin of all people in such a state and it took them all back to the Doroccha incident and they shuddered at the memory.
"Honestly, do you have any idea as to how many damned times I've had to save your life? You wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the one thing you so despise. Gods ever since I was made your servant, I have lost count of the number of times I've put my life on the line for you, for Camelot. Inever once sought any credit for anything, never once, just standing in the shadows as I've always done and you dare call me a traitor? You dare think I'd ever betray you?"
The anger and hurt in his voice brought them all up short. How could they have even contemplated the man to be anything less than loyal they thought to themselves guiltily. They looked back at everything they remembered of the boy, no, the man, and found that the last thing Merlin would ever do was betray Arthur. They may not know everything but from what they did know, Merlin was as close to loyal as one could get, for who would jump in front of the doroccha knowing what that would mean. Who would so willingly give their life without hesitation? Their answer was easy. Merlin.
Arthur didn't know what to think at this point. His anger had deflated as he listened to his...he didn't know what to call him now. Was he a friend? Was it all really a lie or was there some truth in his actions towards him? Was their friendship real? Did he really save his life so many times? But why? Why would he do so if it were true? He may be more lenient than his father but he'd made his stance on magic clear, many times straight to Merlin's face and yet the man never left his side. Why on earth did the idiot have to learn magic of all things and go on and ruin everything he thought bitterly. Is he really a traitor though?Yesa voice at the back of his mind whispered sounding eerily like his father,the man has fooled you all these years, he has lied to you, deceived you.Then why would he go to such lengths for him? He remembered what Merlin had said before they'd been brought here when he'd called him a coward and everything he was saying now...he just...he didn't know what to think.
"Even without knowing all of this, I've proven my loyalty to you for the past 8 years that you've seemingly forgotten in light of the one thing that is out of my control, because I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for this life, I didn't ask for the fear I've had to live with for as long as I can remember, I didn't ask for this damned destiny and I sure as hell didn't ask for my magic. I wasbornwith it. I was moving objects around before I could talk."
This had all their eyes widening. He was born with it? He didn't learn it? They didn't want to believe it, but they could see the truth in his eyes and they were beyond shocked.
Arthur's eyes were wide. Was he actually born with it he thought in disbelief. Was that even possible?
"Just imagine finding your child's eyes glowing gold one day and knowing what that would mean if someone were to find them. Uther wouldn't care how old I was, magic is magic, whether it came from an adult or a babe. Do you want to know what the first words I learnt after 'mama' and 'Lani'? 'Keep it secret. Wrap it tight. Lock it up. Out of sight. No one can know. No one but us or the Butcher king will come for us.' The Butcher King. That's how magical children view your father Arthur. Gods I was only a child and like so many others, I had to learn what death meant younger than anyone should ever have to learn because if I didn't I wouldn't have understood what was at stake if my secret actually one day got out."
They all winced at that thinking what it would be like to learn that at a young age. Is that how magical children were brought up? It was sad, It was inhumane and it was just downright cruel.
Morgana and Mordred looked away at that. Neither of them had grown up with that fear from such a young age. Morgana had developed her fear in her teenage years and Mordred could use his magic freely in the druid camps but he was taught caution outside of it, but unlike Merlin, they had never been brought up from a babe to an adult in fear. A small part of Morgana could understand, only just, why Merlin had not told her of his own magic. She had been Uther's ward, one wrong move and it would have been his head on the chopping block or the pyre. Growing up, he would have learnt how trusting the wrong person would have gotten him killed and it had been that fear that had controlled him because now she could see when she looked back that Merlin had looked like he had been restraining himself when she'd told him it was magic all that long ago, but in the end his fear gave way and he'd withheld his secret but immediately bitterness clouded her thoughts. If he'd have just told her...
Arthur swallowed as he tried to quench the shred of guilt that festered inside his heart at his words. How many others felt like that for something they couldn't control? How many thought of his father as the Butcher king? He desperately wanted to think that Merlin was lying and that he wasn't born with it but his voice, his eyes and his entire countenance gave away that he was truly speaking the truth. But did he really know that? He'd been lied to for all these years so could he really read Merlin as well as he'd thought he could?
He didn't know what to feel right now after hearing all that but he did know that he wasn't as angry as he'd been before, in fact he felt embarrassed and guilty for his outburst. God, he'd swung his sword at what could have been a defenseless woman, and who was Merlin's sister, who they'd just watched die. He winced just slightly. If she hadn't had magic...he thought to himself guiltily. He then scowled though as he looked down at what was supposed to be his sword, now a flower of all things.
"And still, despite my fear, I protected you. At first, it was because of destiny but then, it was no longer a duty, but something I truly wanted to do, because I thought you a friend. I know we've had our ups and downs over the years, but never once have I given you a reason to question my loyalty. Me having magic doesn't change that. I use it for you Arthur, only for you. I know it will take you a while to forgive me, maybe that won't even be possible, but, if our friendship meant something to you then the least you can do is cast judgement after you've watched the memories," Merlin finished hoping beyond hope that he would agree.
After a moment of contemplation as he looked at his earnest gaze, he gave a short abrupt nod as he moved away from him and leant against a wall on the far side away from the others and everyone sighed in relief and surprise as they sheathed their swords.
"And if this judgement of yours harms my brother in any shape or form, I will rewrite destiny and be the one to impale you with your own sword, so do tread carefully," Meilani warned before her eyes flashed gold and his hand immediately went to his sword before he stopped realising that he could actually feel the hilt of it. He looked down surprised at the sword sheathed inside his scabbard before looking at her confused. "The voice said you can't use it to harm so..." she shrugged. "But if you lift it against anyone I care about, not being able to harm or not, I will turn it back to a flower and this time I won't change it back. Though I might be nice and ask which flower you'd like it to be. A daffodil perhaps, to match your hair."
Gwaine laughed at that as did a few others before they coughed to hide their amusement. Arthur glared at them and then at her before he just nodded.
"I won't be as nice. You lift that precious sword of yours against my sister again, and you won't even have a flower to remember it by," Merlin said and it wasn't a joke. If he lifted that sword again against Lani, it would be going back to Avalon without a moment's hesitation on his part.
Arthur had never heard him sound like that with him before. He sounded almost cold and for some inexplicable reason, it bothered him more than it should have as he gave the man a short nod of his head to show he understood. He had magic after all and he knew he could easily vanish his sword as easily as his sister had turned it into a flower.
"Why did you all defend him without a second thought?" Arthur asked after a moment.
"It's Merlin. My loyalty has always been to him," Gwaine said with a shrug trying to hide his hurt still but Merlin read it easily.
"I'm sorry Gwaine. I wanted to tell you, I swear, I just..." Merlin began but he was cut off.
"Just what? You didn't actually think I'd turn you in did you?" Gwaine asked his hurt now clear to see on his face.
"No I didn't and that's why I couldn't tell you. I didn't want to put you in a position where you have to choose between me and your king. I didn't want to make you lie for me and most of all, I didn't want, on the off-chance the prat got off his oblivious backside and realised what I was, for you to be on the receiving end of any punishment for keeping me a secret. I already have to worry about Gaius and I had to worry about Lancelot as well. I...I'm sorry Gwaine. Truly. I don't want to make you think I don't trust you or anything because I do. I trust you with my life," Merlin said so earnestly that it brought a bright smile to Gwaine's face as he pulled the man into a hug before he realised what he said along with the others.
"Wait. Lancelot knew?" Gwaine asked hurt that Merlin had told someone else anyway. Arthur stiffened as he sent a glare at Lancelot as did the others. Why did Merlin tell him first and not them they thought? They then realised that Merlin and Lancelot had always been close before his death and that was why. It must have hurt to lose the one person who actually knew his secret besides his mother and Gaius. Arthur still couldn't help but feel almost jealous that Merlin had told Lancelot before him, he'd thought he was Merlin's best friend before he realised how irrational and childish that sounded and internally scolded himself.
"I did, but not by Merlin's choice or anything. I saw him using magic," Lancelot explained and that had the others feeling better as Gwaine nodded and clapped Merlin on the shoulder.
"I want to say sorry to all of you as well, for not telling you, but like I told Gwaine, that would have put you into a pretty awkward position," Merlin said apologetically and they all waved it away as they surprisingly stepped forwards and clapped him on the shoulder or the arm to show they mean no harm and he was admittedly surprised, as were Mordred and Morgana. "You're alright with it?" he asked looking at all of them, especially Leon, in surprise. He'd worked under Uther, he thought he'd be the last person to be okay with magic.
"You're Merlin," they all chorused with a shrug before giving each other surprised looks and Merlin laughed at that."You can't hurt a fly," they teased but they watched in concern as Merlin's face shuttered at that.
"You don't know what I've done. The things I've had to do," Merlin shook his head and they all were taken aback at the haunted look in his eyes.
"Have you killed people before?" Arthur asked sharply and Merlin flinched at the question as the others shot Arthur reprimanding looks.
"Are you asking about the people that have died because of me or the lives I've taken myself?" Merlin asked and they all stiffened at that. They couldn't imagine Merlin of all people taking lives but one look in his eyes told them all they needed to know and some of their hands instinctually reached for their swords again.
"Both," Arthur replied.
"Too many," Merlin said shaking his head, the look in his eyes far beyond his years.
"Leave him be. He's told you he has protected Camelot multiple times and nearly died in the process. Did you really think he didn't make enemies in that time? People who'd want him dead? He's had to kill in self-defense before, and for you and your kingdom but you have no place to of you have taken lives yourselves in the name of Camelot, your life and your king. Just because he's not a knight, doesn't make what he did for all of you any less noble," Meilani said glaring at them when he saw some of their hands on their swords, hands they immediately retracted looking sheepish and guilty as they realised she was right.
"Now that that's all settled..."the voice said after there was a moment of silence in the cave."I'm afraid thatthere is one other person that I am supposed to bring but I knew the trouble this would cause so I refused to but apparently I don't have a choice. My apologies in advance."
"Who?" Merlin asked warily wondering who it could be. There was no answer, only the familiar sound of when Morgana, Mordred and the others had come and they turned and nearly all of them stiffened in shock.
"Father," Arthur said in a broken voice shocked.
"Arthur?" Uther asked surprised as he looked around confused. The last thing he remembered was...his eyes immediately found the serving boy's and his face twisted in malice as he unsheathed his sword and stalked forwards angrily but he was immediately blocked."Move out my way."
"Not a chance," Gwaine said protectively.
"Father?" Arthur said as he stepped forwards.
"The boy has magic," Uther spat and Arthur looked at him surprised.
"How do you know that?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur his last memories aren't that of human Uther, he remembers what happened when his spirit was haunting us. He kind of found out about my magic then," Merlin explained leaving those that didn't know about it confused.
"Oh," Arthur said as he stepped in front of Guinevere remembering what his father's spirit had tried to do. Was the one in front of him the spirit or the human?
"Don't worry. He's not the spirit anymore so he's not entirely unhinged but I'm afraid we don't have time for his temper tantrum so he will be sitting there mute for a while until I choose to give him back his voice. And there's no point using magic on him or anyone else Morgana because it's not going to work,"The voice warned just as Uther was magically pulled into one of the round table seats and forced to sit there. He couldn't move from the seat and neither could he speak as he glared at everyone before his eyes fell on Morgana who glared at him with hatred and disgust and he nearly flinched as he deflated in his seat. What had she become he thought horrified."Now that that's all over, let's start."