Chapter 1 – Merlin and the Mildly Inconvenient Siege
Merlin was enjoying a rare day off.
You see, he'd been sick the day before—which meant Arthurcouldn'ttake him hunting. And since it was a three-day trip, the prince would be out all night, for two nights. That meant Merlin had the rest of today to himself. Well, not entirely. He still had to help Gaius, but most of the heavy work was already done. He'd picked herbs earlier in the week, and today's rounds were blessedly light thanks to the clear skies and summer warmth.
So, for now, Merlin was sitting cross-legged on his bed, idly flipping through his magic book.
That was when he heard it.
Screaming.
His head snapped up, eyes flicking to the tiny window. There it was again—shouts, panicked voices, crashing sounds. It was coming from the market.
Shoving the book under his bed, Merlin leapt up and bolted for the door.
The market was chaos.
People ran in all directions, stalls toppled, smoke filled the air. And at the centre of it all was a beautiful woman striding toward the castle. Behind her, cloaked men—sorcerers, obviously—unleashed magical destruction with terrifying ease.
She had striking blonde hair, pale skin like porcelain, and blood-red lips. Merlin couldn't quite see her eyes, but every flash of gold heralded another explosion—wood splintering, carts flipping, food stalls bursting into flame.
Camelot was under attack.
Knights and guards tried to intercept her, but they couldn't get within fifty yards. Some invisible force tossed them aside like dolls. Merlin wanted to help—but there were too many witnesses, and he wasn't sure hecoulddefeat so many at once.
So he turned and ran—back into the castle.
He burst into the throne room, breathless. Uther and his council were already discussing evacuation. Gaius was nowhere to be seen. In the rush that followed, Merlin found himself helping the knights pack weapons, preparing to escort the king out through the secret dungeons.
Usually, servants weren't allowed near weapons that weren't their master's. But Merlin was Arthur's manservant, and the knights trusted him. Soon they were all moving down shadowy corridors, Uther shielded by his remaining guard.
But the sorceress was already inside the castle.
They met resistance near the lower levels. One by one, the knights fought and fell to protect the king. At some point, Merlin realised Gaius wasn't with them.
'Gaius?!' he called, heart racing. No response.
He wanted to go back. Heneededto. But there was no time. No way.
When they finally reached the secret door in the dungeons, only Merlin, Uther, and Sir Leon remained. The knight turned, gripping Merlin's shoulders.
'Merlin!' he shouted. 'We need to slow them down—buy time! You must get the king out safely!'
'I—I—I can't!' Merlin squeaked.
'Youhaveto!' Sir Leon insisted, then charged back the way they came, sword raised, disappearing into the shadows.
Merlin tightened his grip on the sword Leon had given him. 'Your Majesty, we need to go—now!'
He grabbed Uther's arm, and together they fled through the hidden door, out into the trees.
They ran until they couldn't anymore. Uther wheezed, red in the face. Merlin wasn't much better.
'My lord?' Merlin asked. 'Are you all right?'
'I'll live,' Uther snapped, trying to catch his breath.
A twig snapped behind them.
Merlin spun, sword raised. They were in no shape to run again, especially not Uther.
A sorcerer in a green cloak emerged, hand already glowing. The spell was aimed at the king.
'Hey! You!' Merlin shouted, waving his sword like a maniac. 'Leave him alone!'
The man barely looked at him, laughing as he turned his attention back to Uther.
Merlin chucked a stick at his head.
That got his attention.
The sorcerer turned, raised his hand—and Merlin, in his usual clumsy glory, tripped over a root and fell into a bush, losing his sword. The sorcerer dismissed him and raised his hand toward the king again.
No choice.
Merlin got up and ran.
Time slowed.
Magic buzzed through his veins as he reached the king, knocking him aside just in time. They crashed to the ground together. Merlin turned and saw the spell forming again.
He didn't hesitate.
Gold flooded his eyes. He raised his hand. The words spilled from his lips before he could even think.
The sorcerer was flung into a tree and crumpled, unconscious.
Merlin blinked. Then panicked.
'Did you just use magic?' Uther asked behind him, voice laced with confusion—and something else.
Merlin winced.So muchfor subtlety.
'I—I—'
'Did you justsave my lifeusing magic?' Uther asked again, slowly.
'I… yes?' Merlin offered weakly.
'You do realise I sentence people to death for sorcery?' Uther said mildly.
Merlin felt faint.
'Yet you just saved my life—with the very thing I condemn.'
'There was no other way,' Merlin said, bracing himself.
Uther laughed. Loudly. Hysterically.
Merlin just stood there, swordless, breathless, and very confused.
'Arthur always says you're loyal,' Uther wheezed. 'All these years—risking your life for him, for Camelot—and you're a sorcerer!'
'I have no desire but to see Camelot safe, and her rulers well,' Merlin said firmly.
Uther clutched his sides, still laughing. 'I should have you executed. But…' He paused, catching his breath. 'My kingdom is invaded. My knights are gone. My son is absent. Andyoujust saved me. Again, apparently.'
Merlin said nothing, daring to hope.
'Very well,' Uther said. 'You'll live. But I want something from you.'
'Anything, my lord.'
'Save my kingdom.'
They did. Merlin and Uther returned the next day, and with Merlin's magic—used openly for the first time—Camelot was retaken. The sorceress was defeated, her followers scattered.
The people saw everything. So did Gaius, who nearly fainted on the spot.
Uther declared, in front of the entire court, that Merlin would be granted one wish for saving Camelot. Still a little dazed, Merlin asked that no one tell Arthur about his magic—that he would do it himself.
Uther agreed, decreeing that only Merlin could reveal his secret to the prince.
When Arthur returned—with Gwaine and Lancelot in tow—he found Camelot damaged, but victorious. No one told him how.
Lancelot, who already knew, kept the secret. Gwaine was brought into the loop with a mug of ale and a pinky swear.
Merlin waited in Arthur's chambers, nervously tidying things that were already clean.
Arthur was still in a meeting with his father. He'd be back any minute.
Merlin would tell him. Hehadto.
When Arthur finally walked in, he looked exhausted. He peeled off his jacket and tossed it aside, muttering about missed battles and poor timing.
Merlin decided to wait until Arthur had eaten. Then maybe a bath. Maybe a nap.
Eventually, Arthur sat on the bed, full and clean and content. Merlin took a deep breath.
'Arthur,' he began, turning away to compose himself, 'you know I've always been loyal. I've never wanted anything but to protect you. That's why I didn't tell you. But… now I have to.'
He turned dramatically.
'I'm a warlock.'
Silence.
Merlin blinked.
Arthur was asleep. Fully, peacefully asleep.
Merlin sighed, tugged a blanket over him, and collected the tray.
'Brilliant,' he muttered. 'Absolutely brilliant.'
End of Chapter 1