Chapter Text
Maybe one day his magic would be revealed, he just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Arthur, the Knights of the round table and Merlin were out on a hunt that was going smoothly, well as smoothly as it usually does for them when it began to rain down buckets of water. They found a cave and took refuge in Merlin felt a tingling on his neck, the familiar sensation of dark magic clinging to the air around them. Before he had any chance to voice his thoughts they were suddenly surrounded by Serkets. Merlin knew all too well what their poison felt like, almost instinctively his magic began to tingle under his skin ready for use as a means to defend himself. As they got closer his magic began to bring even closer to the surface he knew he couldn’t control it for much longer, his panic and fear of the creatures taking over. Eventually, his magic lashed out burning the creatures to dust, Merlin’s eyes went wide as the others turned to look at him. He could see the betrayal and Arthur’s eyes, to before any of them could say anything or react, he left.
Arthur was bewildered he thought he knew everything about his manservant, his friend. He couldn’t be more wrong, Merlin had magic and he’s been hiding it from him. He’s not angry as he was with Morgana’s betrayal, instead, he was angry and upset that even after his father died he never told him. It made sense all the luck that they’ve had so far, throughout the years. But before he could even confront Merlin about why he never told him, he just left in a puff of smoke he was gone, he ran away from him. Though Arthur was upset at the betrayal of trust between them, he was even more upset that Merlin ran away before he had a chance to talk to him. It hurt him more than he would care to admit, his anger doubled and frustration with his friend with himself grew. How could he not notice? Merlin was a terrible lair, what’s more why run? Why not talk it out with everyone? With him? Were they not the friends he thought they were? Were they not brothers in everything but blood?
“Did he just" Arthur looked over to Gawine, as he came out of his own shock. "He left, using smoke. Since when could he do that?”
Arthur stormed out of the mouth of the cave, in spite of the rain went looking for his horse. There was no way he was going to let Merlin get away with this disappearing and not letting him get a single word in. Arthur knew there was a huge possibility that Merlin could be anywhere, but that didn’t stop him from searching the area.
They had been searching for about a month now with no sign of Merlin anywhere. Gawine had almost up and left, in fact, he did, he had gone to Ealdor hoping that he had gone to see his mother. Arthur sent Leon after him when they returned the news was less than pleasant. Huntith had not seen her son in some time and was unsure as to where he was, all she said was that he had somewhere where he could do his work without being discovered; Gaius had said something similar as well.
“He might be at the networks main information location Sire.”
“The what!”
“He built a spy network and allegiance, once he knew there was no longer a way to reach her. They have been gathering information on her forces and ensuring it makes it back to you and the Kingdoms you’ve built relationships with.” Arthur had been stunned into silence, Merlin built a spy network that was feeding them all their information.
“where is it, Gaius?”
“I do not know sire, Merlin would never tell me. He also set up a series of wards that only those who have truly decided to follow him and you, as well they mustn’t mean no harm to you or Camelot may enter.”
“Then we should be able to find it.”
“Not exactly Sire. Only a select few can find the way and without meeting ever condition even if you stumbled upon it sire, you will feel the need to leave. Without magic or the proper guide, there is no entry.” Arthur didn’t like the feeling he had of never seeing his friend again, then it dawned on him.
“I was born because of magic, could that possibly work?”
“It is possible, Merlin has also used protection spells in the past, only whenever he had to leave to attend to some magical threat while you remained in Camelot. It mainly was to prevent any of you from eating poisoned food.”
“How often?”
“Since the day he arrived.” The shock of how loyal Merlin has been astounded him. Never once did Merlin ask for praise or thanks, he just simply did it. Merlin never ceased to amaze him but something dawned on him the answer to the same nagging question, why didn’t Merlin tell him about his magic after his father died?
“He was scared of my response, wasn’t he?” Gaius simple looked at Arthur, it was enough to confirm his thoughts. This hurt him more then Merlin running, it meant that at some point in their friendship he had caused Merlin to feel like his response would be bad. The door to Gaius’s chamber suddenly opened.
“Princess he was spotted near the bridge.” Hope at least, he schooled his face quickly,
“What bridge Gawine?”
“The one leading to the Fisher Kings Place.” I set of fear ran through him, wyverns remained at that castle and he wasn’t going to let Merlin die.
“Get the other’s we’re leaving know. Gaius tell Gwen, we checking a lead and that the idiot is coming home even if I have drag him back.”
Gaius chuckled as he watches the King and his knight leave. He knew Merlin would never truly leave Camelot, his ward most likely stayed nearby and only went to the fisher king’s place when needed. He remembered Merlin once saying he turned it into a sanctuary for the dragons and other creatures alike. It wouldn’t surprise him if Merlin did use it for the spies as well. When Gaius had heard Merlin had left he would admit he was shocked, but after hearing why Gaius understood. Merlin’s fear of the creatures was a result of him nearly dying by their hand, he was already panicking and he’s used his magic as a means to protect himself, which meant the fear his friends would reject him was at the forefront of his mind. Running and Hiding was the result of all the years of battle, he just hoped that Merlin had enough time to calm down and was ready to talk to his brothers.