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Chapter Text

All he could think of was the pain. The pain and a slight nagging feeling that the clot pole in the next room was somehow to blame for his present situation.

Not directly of course. Merlin understood that the blame lay entirely in the hands that were presently gripping the dagger in his back. The prince wasn't even aware of this, or he was certain Arthur would do something. However if his damn armor hadn't needed polishing again, he wouldn't have been here to get stabbed in the first place.

Though come to think of it, this probably could have happened just about anywhere. This wasn't the average assassin in to finish off the prince, only to find a particularly dedicated manservant in their way. No, this was a familiar blonde, a sorceress who Merlin sort of wished would stop showing up. The young warlock watched her mouth move as she spouted off something or other about Morgana. He couldn't help but think that she looked so ridiculous, but honestly it was just because he was too distracted to hear anything she was saying. He wondered if it was always like this. If all last speeches were complete wastes if you didn't have a third party to witness it. Probably.

Merlin looked down at the blood, realizing with a shudder that the pain had subsided. Seeing the blood washing down his side, he felt that wasn't a good sign at all. He wanted the pain back if only it meant he might live. He contemplated the extra damage that would be done if his legs were to buckle before the knife was pulled out. Trying to move his mouth, he wished he could shout to Arthur, but he found his words failing him. Mordred could knock over his enemies with a single scream. Why couldn't he do something that useful?

Morgause stopped moving her mouth. He watched her as she pulled out the knife, and sort of wondered if it had been hard, standing so far to the side he could see her, while still keeping pressure on the knife. Not that he felt sympathy or anything.

When the clot pole to blame (for the armor at least) finally showed up, Merlin wasn't altogether too surprised to see him. His mind had become too heavy with blood loss to work properly. He sank to the floor, watching as Arthur now began to open and close his mouth. As the world finally went dark, he wondered if he would ever polish that armor again.

The crown prince found that the attacker's identity did not surprise him. It was the victim that made him blink. Merlin. The damn fool could get himself into trouble just about anywhere. He could stumble into it, or just throw himself into it to protect Arthur, as much as he hated that. This was different though. He had heard enough of this to know that Merlin had been the intended target.

Fearing the outcome that Morgause would simply kill Merlin if she heard someone approach, he had lingered, waiting for an opportune moment, which unfortunately did not come before she left. The conversation was entirely one sided, but incredibly revealing. With Morgause twisting around Merlin to keep her hand on the knife in his back, while making eye contact, she did not notice the prince listening in. Morgana was her half sister? More than that, Morgana was after the throne. He didn't want to speculate how or what that meant, but it wasn't good. It hurt, and if he hadn't more pressing things on his mind, he would be deeply dwelling on the idea Morgana wasn't as trustworthy as previously thought.

Right now he just had to get Merlin back to Gaius. He lifted his servant up, which was far too easy to do, and brought him out of that dark hallway. It was late, and the physician's chambers were dark. The old man likely thought Merlin was up doing chores, and he had no need to stay awake for his return. Arthur acknowledged he had been keeping Merlin up considerably late these past weeks, piling on the same chores while increasing the amount of time Merlin spent at his side during the day. He never stopped to wonder when his boots were shined if Merlin went on these hunting trips or out to the training field with him.

"Gaius!" He shouted, using his foot to kick at the door. He didn't want to put Merlin down only to have to pick him up again. He could feel the blood on his shirt and arms, and he didn't want to know how bad it was. He had tried to position the wound over his arm to minimize the bleeding, hoping his own minimal body weight upon it would be pressure enough. It just wasn't helping as much as it needed to. "Gaius!"

It was a pause before a lantern lit inside and Gaius finally groggily opened the door. It didn't take more than one look for him to spring into action. He motioned Arthur inside, running to get some herbs and bandages together. "Put him on the cot over there." He said, grabbing a few other items. "And fetch some water from near the fire place." It didn't matter it Arthur was a prince or slave, he would be given orders the same right now. The physician was not interested in his status difference, and Arthur didn't seem to mind as he did what he was told. "What happened?"

"Morgause." Arthur said darkly. "She had a dagger in his back." He didn't go into details of Morgana. He needed to think on that a bit more before approaching Gaius. He also wanted to speak when the man's mind wasn't on Merlin. He was acting so professional, but he could see the fear in his eyes. Merlin was like his son… just as he was Arthur's friend. No one in this room wanted to see him die.

"Please roll him over." Gaius instructed. He came over, frowning deeply as Arthur did so. The boy was pale, and the temperature of his skin made Arthur instinctively pull away. Too cold, far too cold. For a moment he feared Merlin to be dead already, but he was still breathing. Gaius shook his head, seeing the large pool of blood that had formed on the cot, just since Merlin had been laid down. "He's lost a lot of blood." The old physician began to work more quickly, cleaning the wound and bandaging it as tight as he could. "We have to wait and see if he's lost too much."

Arthur looked at Merlin only briefly before distracting himself building a fire. It seemed so fast. So little time between Morgause and now. So much blood. Merlin had battled armies, mystical beasts, dragons and plagues. Was it going to be one tiny little dagger that killed him? A small quiet dagger in a dark alley way almost alone.

Morgana. It was her fault. Somehow, she was to blame for this. He had heard the topic of the speech Morgause had given. Somehow, Morgana would answer for this.

In the mean time however, there was only waiting. Gaius sighed, pulling over a chair, and making the crown prince sit. "Please sire. Tell me everything." Arthur took a deep breath, and began.

Chapter Text

Gaius leaned back, eyeing the prince warily. He had mentioned that Merlin was indeed who Morgause was after, but had not said anything about why. No talk of magic or Emerys. Gaius was somewhat relieved, and settled on a misleading half-truth that likely echoed what Morgause herself thought. "Merlin likely just got in her way to you just one too many times."

Arthur nodded, but looked as if he was holding something back.

"What is it you aren't telling me?" Gaius asked, feeling a familiar sinking in his chest. Maybe Morgause had figured it out after all. Perhaps Arthur himself now struggled with the knowledge of Merlin's secret.

"Morgause mentioned something…" Arthur took a deep breath, deepening Gaius' anguished worry. "About Morgana."

Gaius let out a sigh of relief which he quickly masked with a cough. "Morgana?" He asked, reluctant to agree too readily. Of course he knew of the witch's role in recent events, but accusing the king's ward of treason could be seen as treachery itself. "What about her?"

"I don't know. It was confusing. It's just… she said she was… never mind." Arthur again felt a twinge of guilt, but he wasn't sure if it was because he couldn't admit it aloud, or that he was accusing her of it at all. After all, Morgana had always been a kind soul. She had pushed him to be better, to help friends. Without her both Gwen and Merlin would be dead already… How could she be evil?

Gaius considered commenting further, prompting the crown prince into saying more, but he bit his tongue. He turned his attention back to his ward. "Did you hear anything else in that conversation?"

"No. She ranted a while, and then said a bunch of stuff in some strange language before disappearing." Arthur assured him.

Gaius frowned. "Another language?" He got up and went to Merlin. "Do you remember what she said?"

Arthur frowned to match the physician's. "No. It sounded like magic. I just figured it was whatever spell she used to vanish. Why? What are you looking for?"

"Morgause is a powerful sorceress. She doesn't need a complicated spell to disappear." Gaius overturned Merlin's arms and checked his ankles in a search for something out of the ordinary. "It was a custom in the old religion to execute someone by means of magic."

"She stabbed him." Arthur replied plainly. "I don't see the magic."

Gaius sighed as he continued to check the boy over. "The victims were wounded by a blade, yes, but that wasn't the fatal part. The priestesses placed a hex on them, binding their fate to their home." He pulled back Merlin's shirt collar from the neck and frowned, shaking his head. "There." He said, pointing to the rune visible on his skin. "The mark of the spell."

Arthur stood, feeling too anxious to sit. "What do you mean binding their fate to their home?"

"I need to get him out of here. It was a way of banishing them in case they could be healed. If they ever returned to the place they were bound to, their wounds would reopen, and steadily worsen."

Arthur looked down at Merlin, pale and unmoving on the bed. "His wounds can't reopen, they're still open."

"They won't heal as long as he's here." Gaius began hastily throwing things into a satchel. "He doesn't have a chance."

"There has to be a way to break the enchantment." Arthur began. "You have to-" His words were cut off as the alarm bells rang. With one last remorseful glance at the Physician and his ward, he had no choice but to run into the halls and down towards his own room where the guards rushed.

There was the final seal of fate. The hallway was ablaze, tapestries burning in the aftermath of what the prince could only guess was a powerful spell. On the wall, burning black upon the stone was the same rune as on Merlin's neck. Arthur slowly backed up as the guards began work putting out the flames. He was not needed, Morgause was gone. He made his way back to Gaius as the old man was finishing packing.

"There has to be a way to stop this." Arthur repeated with a colder conviction.

"Maybe, but not in time."

"I will take him." Arthur decided. "Let me take him away. I can't break the enchantment, but you might be able to. Let me take him away to give you time."

"You can't just leave your kingdom like this. Your father would never let-"

"My father will not be informed. I saw Morgause flee the castle. I took chase with my manservant. If he sends out patrols to back me up, even better. Gaius…" He dropped his voice, looking into the physician's eyes. "I'll keep him safe. I couldn't stop this, at least let me help try to make it better."

Gaius hesitated, but he knew Arthur was right. Merlin needed to leave. Merlin couldn't come back until the spell was broken or wore off. Gaius needed to be there to figure out how. "He'll need his bandages changed soon, I packed some herbs for the pain there. Crush these roots with some water and add it to the wound to keep it clean. Don't expect a miracle. Even without this spell, it's a serious wound."

Arthur nodded. "We will head towards Ealdor. You can contact us there when you've found a way to fix this."

He swung the pack onto his back, and the second one with food onto his shoulder before leaning to pick up his servant once again.

"Gently." Gaius prompted, looking at Merlin, hoping not for the last time. "I will send word as soon as possible. Clear as much ground as you can tonight. And Arthur…" Gaius looked him straight in the eye. "Be careful."

Arthur nodded. He slipped through the mostly quiet castle unnoticed, the guards busy with the fire and ensuing search for a culprit. He took his best horse, and propping Merlin up infront of him, he rode into the night, only slowing when dawn had broken and the horse grew tired. It was then he made camp, and hoped.

Chapter Text

Arthur laid Merlin down on the cot beside the wood he had stacked. He tried to roll the bedroll up under his head, though he wasn't sure if Merlin could feel anything, let alone if it helped. He sighed, looking at the unmoving figure. Shaking his head, he tried to focus on mundane tasks. He turned his attention back to the wood, sparking at it until it lit. Merlin usually lit the fire. He found a flicker of annoyance that made him feel instantly guilty beyond belief. He couldn't believe he had just been mentally annoyed that he had to do Merlin's job. After all the boy just took a knife…

Arthur swore softly. He knew he needed to focus. He did everything in his power to keep busy. He pulled the two packs off the horse and let it free of it's bridal. He brushed it down allowing it to roam for grass to graze on. The horses of camelot were trained not to stray too far. He pulled the packs over by the fire and laid out his own bed roll. He freed himself of his heavy armor, choosing to rest in only chainmaille for the time being. When he had run out of other things to do he pulled everything out of the packs and reorganized them simply to have a task to keep his mind off Merlin.

When he heard a soft groan from the boy Arthur all but lept to his side. "Merlin?" He asked, hope creeping into his voice despite his effort not to let it. There was no further movement or sound however, and he found it hurt more than he wanted it to. He lifted the boy's cotton shirt enough to see the bandage, just barely soaking through, but still. He'd have to change it soon.

Arthur had never had delusions about what a small dagger could do. He had seen more than his fair share of injuries in his life and training. His father made it a point after battles to have him tail Gaius, letting the physician explain to him what caused each grievous wound. His father claimed it would help him.

However, those had been knights. Men sworn to protect the crown by laying down their very lives. Arthur had never stopped to count the number of times Merlin had decided to ignore the abuse he dealt him and stand beside him through danger. Merlin was a damn servant! He had this boy forced upon him to be his man servant, to change his clothes and get his breakfast. This was the boy hired to clean his room and polish his armor. It was a push Arthur dragged him on hunting trips when the boy could barely walk without tripping, what right had he to let Merlin into battle with him?

And yet Merlin insisted. He pushed himself to be by the prince's side, even when given a direct order to steer clear. Merlin had risked his life countless times, and apparently done a good enough job getting in the way of enemies of the crown that they felt a need to seek out vengeance on him specifically.

Arthur shook his head. He must've missed something. The way Morgause spoke to him, with such hatred. Merlin must've really messed up her plans at some point, probably helped Camelot with whatever he did. What did Arthur do? Almost certainly berated him from running away from a fight he shouldn't have been in. Called him a coward. And did Merlin argue? No! He takes it.

"Why on earth don't you ever defend yourself!?" Arthur asked out loud somewhat angrily as he sat back away from his servant. He was furious with himself for overlooking this. And because he never paid attention, for all he knew his servant was going to die before he knew it!

"It's kind of hard… with a knife in your side…" Came the unexpected murmur. "You try it next time you oaf."

Arthur bolted to his side a second time for that night, his knees hitting the ground so fast they bruised. "Merlin!"

"Unless something changed." Merlin tried to push himself up but he scrunched his eyes in pain and couldn't help crying out as the agony stabbed through him. A hand landed on his shoulder to discourage him from getting up, as if he needed any more to persuade him it was a bad idea to move again.

Arthur cringed as Merlin cried out. As much as he always joked Merlin was a girl, he has been in obvious pain before and rode it out. This had to be bad. He pulled his hand away and grabbed one of the water sacks, pulling it to Merlin's lips and not giving him much of a choice but to drink something. "You're so funny." He retorted gently, unable to muster as much sarcasm in his voice as usual.

"Where are we?" Merlin asked suddenly.

"Almost to Cenrid's kingdom. The very edge of Camelot." Arthur replied.

The young warlock furrowed his brows in confusion. "I get stabbed and we run away? Out of camelot?"

"We are not running away." Arthur replied quickly.

"So I get stabbed and we get teleported out of Camelot. With a horse. And supplies." Merlin asked, looking at Arthur with as much dry disbelief as his pained eyes allowed.

Arthur had to look away, seeing the edge in his eyes. He should have been able to prevent this. His only thought was if he had run in on impulse like he had almost done. It was listening to Merlin's advice time and time again 'Don't just rush into things. Wait for an opportunity'. That wasn't him. And being more like Merlin almost cost him his life. Arthur scanned over the pale thin boy's figure and noted with dread that it still might. He was talking, but that was far from better…

"What are you looking at?" Merlin asked, genuinely concerned with the way Arthur was studying him.

"Morgause put a spell on Camelot. Something about an ancient method of execution or banishment. Your wounds get worse when you get closer to there or something. I don't know. Gaius knows more than I. She stabbed you, and then set fire to some sort of rune or shrine or something." Arthur replied, ignoring the second inquiry.

"Where is Gaius?" Why was Arthur here? He can never return? There were too many questions for him to get his head straight.

"In Camelot. Looking for a way to reverse this. I opted to take you away so he could work."

"I can't go back." Merlin echoed emotionlessly. "Wait." He said shaking himself out of it. "You can't just leave Camelot like that. You need to go back."

"I'm not leaving you Merlin." Arthur shot back. Not again. "We are heading to Ealdor. Gaius will give us the all clear when he breaks this enchantment."

"Ealdor…" Merlin echoed softly.

"Yes. Now rest if you ever want that hole in your back to close again." The prince ordered, going back to his bed roll.

Merlin watched him through the flames. He still had too many questions, but he couldn't get them out as he felt the pull on unconsciousness prompting him to follow the future king's orders for once.

Arthur waited to hear the boy's breathing slow before finally relaxing and allowing himself some rest as well.

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Arthur woke to the mutterings of a sleeping servant. He blinked wearily, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the dying fire. He poked at it with a stick and managed to rekindle it for now, knowing it'd be out soon. He spared a glance to Merlin, frowning deeply. His hair was matted to his head with sweat, and for a moment he feared fever, but Merlin whimpered and Arthur recognized that his servant was merely dreaming.

"No. Please… I didn't-" Merlin turned. "I'm sorry Arthur, I never meant-" He went into another series of mutters that Arthur couldn't make out. The prince bit his lip, watching the boy. What could he be dreaming about that he mentioned Arthur's name?

Merlin awoke with a start, jerking upright, and then yelping, fell backwards. Arthur stood quickly and came to brace him, keeping him steady before reaching over to get a water pack. Merlin's eyes flashed quickly to the prince, widening for a moment in fear before relaxing again. He closed his eyes, willing his breathing to even out before looking back at the prince and muttering a weak "Thanks."

"What were you dreaming about?" Arthur prompted gently. "You said my name."

"Doing your chores." Merlin replied quickly, covering it up with a shaky grin. Arthur could see the lie, and he felt a stab of guilt for whatever Merlin had actually been dreaming about. What could be so bad he felt a need to lie to cover it up? He tried to convince himself it was probably nothing. Merlin had just been through a traumatic experience after all.

Merlin on the other hand felt relieved the future king had dropped it after his pathetic cover up. He really didn't want to explain why he dreamt of Arthur sentencing him to the pyre. It was a common enough dream now. He almost wished he had dreamt of Morgause, because then at least Arthur would feel he was only worried about the other day. Still.

Arthur settled back down. "Try to get some more rest. It's almost dawn."

Both of them laid back down and tried to keep absolutely quiet to avoid letting on that they couldn't sleep. Their thoughts kept them busy until morning, the light a welcome end to their false slumbers. Arthur got up and busied himself rebuilding a fire before preparing some tea with their dried meats for breakfast. He couldn't coax Merlin to eat much, but some was better than nothing.

"I need to redress that." Arthur said softly. "Clean up the blood. I don't want it to get infected."

Merlin sighed. "Alright." He tried to gently push himself onto his side, but only managed with Arthur's assistance.

Arthur cringed at how little Merlin was able to do. He had never seen his manservant so… helpless. He lifted Merlin's rough shirt, and looked at the soaked through bandage. He cursed himself inside that he hadn't watched Gaius bandage this up the first time. He had been too preoccupied. He was now intimidated by this simple task, noting that he had never done it before. He sighed, starting the easy part and peeling off the bandage. Merlin let out a small gasp of pain, but that was all. Arthur however had to contain one of his own.

Merlin's skin was not the clean slate he had been expecting. Covered in blood, the raised lines and jagged trenches were more visible against what he had expected to be his smooth back. The knife wound he had been expecting, but where had Merlin gotten these scars? Arthur swallowed, taking a damp cloth and rubbing at the blood caked to his body. He felt the ridges of Merlin's spine, imagined each scar and what could have caused them. Merlin always seemed so carefree, but this suggested otherwise. How much darkness had his simple manservant known? When?

"Whats going on back there? Never seen a stab wound before?" Merlin taunted, through clenched jaw and tight fisted hands. Arthur was taking a long time to get done.

"Just…" Arthur's brain struggled to come up with some sort of banter while he stared at these scars. He wanted to ask him, to shout at him, figure out where they came from, but now was not the time. Now was for Merlin to get well. "trying to figure out how you're being such a girl about such a petty cut." He tried, his tone lame.

Merlin frowned. "Thats never good. It's bad, isn't it?" He asked, noting the prince's inability to banter.

Arthur inspected the wound. "It's not good." He admitted, rubbing the salve Gaius gave him into it and muttering a small apology as Merlin yelped. "But I've seen people live through worse. I think it will heal." He finished. He wrapped the wound again and laid Merlin back down.

"Are you lying to me?"

Arthur flashed a grin. "Why would I ever lie to you?"

Merlin gave a weak smile back, but he wasn't convinced. Still. He was glad the roles weren't reversed.

"Rest now. We're going to ride out again soon. I'd like to reach Ealdor tomorrow evening."

Chapter Text

Arthur would have liked to leave that day. After several failed attempts to get Merlin up onto his horse, he had called it for the day. If he had been unconscious, Arthur may have been able to transport him the same way he got the boy here, but with the pain, there was no way. He sighed, settling Merlin back on the ground.

"Sorry." Merlin muttered.

"I know." Arthur said, mouth set in a line. "We're going to need to check that the bandages didn't come loose."

They hadn't, but they needed to be changed anyway. Arthur wasn't sure how bad a sign it was that it had bled through twice now. The spell had worsened him before they left, he reasoned, it would get better now that they were away.

Arthur settled back down beside his manservant when he had finished re-wrapping the wound. "You always do seem to find yourself in trouble." the prince jested.

"Wrong place, wrong time." Merlin said, wishing he could shrug without agony. "Not my fault everyone wants to kill you."

"She wasn't after me Merlin, she was out to kill you." Arthur said, his light smile turning into a serious frown.

Merlin frowned. He had heard? Oh god, what had she talked about? He wished he had been able to pay attention to her grand speech after all. Thank heavens she didn't know he had magic. "Thats silly." He said after an unnatural pause. "Why would she be after me?"

"You're lying to me Merlin. Don't you dare." Arthur warned. "You know full well why. She talked about you stopping her plans. What plans did you stop?"

"Which time?" Merlin said before he could stop himself.

The prince nearly choked. More than once? "Never mind." He said carefully, noticing Merlin getting uncomfortable. He didn't want to talk about it, then Arthur didn't need to hear about it. But his head was spinning with unanswered questions, and he couldn't keep them all silent. "Did you know Morgana was after the throne?" He asked, his voice low, like a warning.

The warlock shifted uncomfortably, wincing but fidgeting none the less. "Arthur, I-"

"Do not. Lie to me."

Merlin stopped, biting his tongue for a moment before sighing in defeat. "Yes."

"And you didn't tell me?" He sounded hurt.

"I couldn't. What is my word worth?"

"A friend's."

"A servant's. You know it would come down to that." Merlin finished.

Arthur had to bite down on a thousand angry retorts. He was right, and infuriatingly Arthur knew it. He did not want to admit that, but he had no choice. "How long?" He simply asked.

"I knew a while. I don't know when it started."

"Why?" Arthur asked. "Why would she turn against us?"

"Uther."

"What could she possibly have against the man who took her in!?" Arthur asked. "The man who raised and protected her!"

"She had visions!" Merlin blurted out before he could stop himself.

"What!?" Arthur got to his feet, unable to sit through this any longer.

Merlin took a shaky breath, feeling a guilty twinge of fear as Arthur so angrily stood up. "She had visions. Uther would have killed her if he found out."

Arthur shook his head, beginning to pace. "No, no. Thats impossible. I would have noticed. She couldn't have kept something like that a secret in Camelot." He clenched his fists, his breathing seeming to catch in his throat. "It's impossible." He choked out. He felt overwhelming anger wash over him and he tried to control it. He wasn't sure why he felt so light headed from this news.

"Arthur, she went to the Druids, they didn't kidnap her. She wanted help, from people like her."

Arthur rounded on him suddenly, on the ground next to Merlin so fast he winced. "Tell me it isn't true."

"Arthur-" Merlin fell silent.

The Prince's fist flew and Merlin cringed, heart stopping in his chest for a moment. The future monarch pulled his fist away from the tree he had punched past the young warlock's head and stood, facing away from him.

Merlin sighed. "I'm sorry Arthur. But Uther would have never condoned magic if he knew. Even in his ward. And that was too much for her I guess." He fell into a silence again. He had hoped Arthur's reaction to be less violent, but at least it was towards Morgana, and not himself. There would be a day his magic was revealed to Arthur, and he imagined it would end a fair sight worse than this conversation went.

Arthur paced a few steps away, briskly turning and coming back a step before stopping. "I'm going to get some water from the stream." He said simply before stalking off without pausing to grab a pail. He needed to walk, needed the air.

Merlin let Arthur grieve the loss of his sister's good name. He sighed, trying to pool his magic to do anything for the pain in vain. He was concentrating so hard, he didn't see the man sneak into their camp until he was almost upon them.

The flash of the bandit's blade was so close to his face, he only managed to shout Arthur's name once before instinct took over. He put his hand up, muttering a spell as he stood abruptly, focusing and pushing the bandit up and away from him. The bandit thrust into a tree and was knocked out neatly before falling to the ground. Merlin stood for a moment, his eyes fading back to their natural bright blue, as he became aware of his surroundings once more. He staggered, swaying as the pain registered, and crept through him, choking him, like fire from his side up his chest and into his throat.

Arthur ran back into the clearing to see his manservant crumple next to the unconscious bandit. "Merlin!" He ran to his friend's side for what seemed like the hundredth time in the last two days.

He cursed himself as he shook the warlock gently, trying for any response, any sign at all that he was going to be alright...

Chapter Text

When his eyes opened, he had to blink to push off what he figured was dark fog from passing out. It took a moment to register that it was simply dark. There was a sound, a fire crackling in the area. He shifted, trying to figure out what he was laying on. Soft? There were voices too. He strained to listen.

"He will wake. He just moved too suddenly." It was Arthur.

"Why was he attacked?" A female voice. He knew it, warm in familiar, but he couldn't place it yet.

"He got in the way. He knew… he knew things and stopped a plot to take over Camelot. A revenge attack."

"And Gaius is going to write when it is safe for him to return?" The voice was his mother's. He tried to make sense of the voice he heard, full of worry. He coughed as he tried to move again.

There was a shuffle of feet approaching and his mother's gaze came into view. "Merlin? Shh, don't move."

"Mother?"

A weak smile. "Yes dear. I'm right here."

"Arthur?" Merlin asked, looking over at the prince and back to his mother. "How?"

"You passed out. Managed to knock out a guard, I'd like to know how by the way. But I put you on the horse and ran for it. I figured the extra distance couldn't hurt."

"I-" Merlin struggled to say anything else, but he could feel the pull of unconsciousness again.

Hunith put her hand on his shoulder. "Shh. Rest. We will still be here when you wake."

Merlin tried to argue and resist, but it was not up to his choice. He found himself asleep once more, the pain forgotten for a while in the safety of his home.

When the young warlock awoke, it was day, but by the look of the sun, it was late. Merlin felt better than he had. He managed to struggle up into a sitting position on his own, swinging his feet over and onto the floor. It was then when he noticed the prince sitting in the corner, watching him curiously.

"I thought you'd never wake up. God If I'd known you'd sleep the day away I'd have gone and done something." Arthur tried, but he couldn't conceal the small twinge of concern.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Well I'm awake now."

"Feeling any better?"

Merlin tried lifting his arm. "Yeah actually. Not great, but better." He sighed. "I guess distance did it."

"And rest." Arthur said. "Now don't you go pulling at that wound and undoing all my hard work on those bandages."

"I'll try not to disturb your shabby masterpiece sire." Merlin retorted. He paused. "Where is my mother?"

"Outside. I have to check on the horses, I'll send her in." Arthur explained, rising and leaving the tiny cottage.

Merlin gave a weak smile when his mother came in to sit beside him. She looked tired, like she hadn't slept at all the night before. He felt bad that they dropped in like this with no warning.

She kissed his head, coming to sit beside him. "I'm glad you're awake."

"I'm going to be fine." Merlin tried to assure her.

Hunith sighed, tears pricking at the back of her eyes. "I know."

"It wasn't Arthur's fault." Merlin sighed. "I interrupted some plans-"

"Merlin, someone tried to kill you." She took Merlin's hands, looking into his eyes. "I could have gotten Arthur at my door telling me you were dead."

Merlin tried a shaky grin. "Hey, it could have been Arthur killing me, so-" he cut himself off when his mother let out a strangled noise as tears ran down her face. "I'm sorry. But really, it was alright. And Gaius is trying to figure out a way to make it safe for me to go back."

She cupped his face in her hand. "Must you return though? Its safe here again. You could stay…"

"I have to go with him. I have to protect him. I am the only chance Albion has."

Hunith sighed, calming herself. "I know. I just worry that in taking care of him, you'll forget to protect yourself."

"I won't." the warlock assured her.

"Like you didn't when you were stabbed?"

"I missed one." Merlin sighed. "I slipped up. I won't again."

"I hope not."

Hunith nodded to him. "Rest now again. It seems to be doing you well."

The young manservant leaned back, nodding.

She pushed his hair back before exiting the house, going back to the laundry on the line. She found Arthur waiting there, arms crossed, and her heart skipped a beat as he looked like he was expecting something. It couldn't be good...

Chapter Text

Arthur stood there for a moment, trying to phrase the question in his head before finally giving up. "Never mind." Arthur said at last. "It's a question better for Merlin to answer." He wanted to ask if she knew how he came by the scars, but he wanted to hear it from Merlin. After his manservant had healed of course.

The crown prince made his way back towards the house, leaving Hunith to calm her fluttering nerves at the thoughts of what he might have asked. She feared for the day her son's secrets were discovered.

Distance it proved was indeed the key. The wound was not nearly as grievous as it had seemed within the walls of Camelot, and since crossing the border, it healed steadily, though not half as quickly as Merlin would have liked. It was a little under two weeks before he felt good enough to go about a day as normal. By then, Arthur was getting anxious to return. His lie would not last long with the king, and he knew there would already be hell to pay upon his return. More than that, he was just plain bored.

Merlin watched Arthur grow more agitated by the day. He wished they weren't there on his account, wished they could merely return. They had received but one letter from Gaius, and all it said was that he was still working on it.

It was a still evening when Merlin approached the prince outside, meaning to talk to him.

"We need the all clear from Gaius." Arthur said, snapping a branch he had found in half.

The warlock sighed. "Soon."

"Yeah well not soon enough with Morgana breathing down my father's neck for the throne." Arthur snapped.

Merlin's mouth set in a line.

"Sorry. I didn't mean- It isn't your fault. We'll wait on word. Then we'll leave immediately."

The unspoken truth was Arthur could have left by now. They knew Merlin was out of imminent danger about a week back, but Arthur couldn't stand to abandon his manservant again, and Merlin didn't want Arthur out of his sight and away from his protection. Neither voiced it but each was secretly glad for the other's silence and acceptance.

It was the hoof beats that alerted them to something wrong. Horses running into town. The two turned to see the advance horsemen of an army ride up and dismount, and they crept back towards the center, anonymous in the crowd. They came in on the soldier demanding water and supplies for their army.

"We have little to give."

"Whatever you have, in Cenred's name. We ride at dawn to Camelot, we'll be passing through."

Arthur and Merlin shared a glance, moving off, a little while away.

The prince was livid by the time they were out of immediate earshot. "For Camelot. Cenred's army is attacking." They spoke in hushed tones, doing their best not to be heard.

"You don't know their purpose." Merlin countered, hoping for a treaty or trade agreement.

Arthur silenced him with a glare. "You know full well the likelihood of that."

"Well what do you propose we do about it?"

"We stop them."

"Arthur, theres an entire army!" Merlin hissed. "We can't do anything right now, we should be keeping our heads down." He looked back towards the army. "Don't just rush into things, wait for an opportunity."

Arthur cringed at the sentence, but before he had a chance to argue with Merlin, their decision was made for them, and they could hear their fate knock.

"Sir! I found this!" One of the soldiers shouted, leading their mare up to the man in charge. "It's bridle bears the crest of Camelot. The crest of a knight!"

The captain's mouth formed a toothy grin. "Seems we have ourselves a hide-away. Why don't you show yourself." He tested the crowd.

Arthur tensed, and Merlin put a hand on his arm to stop him just walking up.

"Let me make myself clearer. For every few minutes I do not find out who is hiding here, a building burns." He took a torch and held it inches from the closest cottage. "Five."

Arthur twitched and Merlin tightened his grasp. "Arthur. You cannot expose yourself."

"People will die if we don't. Lose everything they have." He spit back.

"Four."

"Yeah, and we will die if we do. And possibly Camelot." Merlin countered. "We need to run, get away."

"I came to this town. I brought this on them."

"Three."

"Arthur, we cannot take responsibility for Ealdor!"

"It is my responsibility. I never said we." Arthur stated.

"Two."

"You can't do this."

"I'm tired of other people taking the fall for me." he finished pointedly.

"One-"

"It's me." Arthur said calmly as he exited the shadows towards the man. "I am the one you are looking for."

The toothy grin widened. "Well, I was not expecting Prince Arthur so far from home. I think this will please Morgause indeed." Irons were clasped on the crown prince's wrists, binding him as he was brought closer to the captain. "We'll just bring you to her tonight, set the mood well before we leave."

Merlin watched as they led Arthur away, mounted their horses, and left, his fists clenching as his mind raced through plans he could make. He had to rescue Arthur. There was no question, but how?

Chapter Text

Arthur pushed against the cool stones of his icy prison, wishing they would yield to his defeated shove, show him the way out. At least Merlin has stayed behind. Hopefully he would send word to Camelot, warn them of Morgana's impending attack. He hadn't seen his sister yet, and wasn't sure if she was making her way to this castle. Perhaps at least, that would delay the attack on his kingdom.

A commotion in the hallway jarred the young prince from his thoughts. Scuffling, a gruff guards voice and then the normal clack that indicated Arthur best move back or he'd be hit with the door and then a club. The blonde shuffled back against the wall and let out a curse as Merlin was thrown into the small cell.

Merlin pulled himself up giving a dirty look back at the closing door. He looked sheepishly up at Arthur, noting the pained and confused expression the prince wore.

"What the hell are you doing here!?"

The young warlock sighed. "Rescuing you. It's not going very well."

"You think?" Arthur sighed. "I thought you'd be warning Camelot!"

"I sent the fastest horseman in Ealdor with a message to the court. I figured I'd see what I could do about getting you out in the mean time." Merlin explained. He rose to his feet inspecting the walls. "Tight security around here."

"Merlin. I don't know a single thing that you won't mess up." Arthur was annoyed now to cover the fact he was concerned for Merlin's future well being here. "The two of us caught won't help anything."

"Sure it will!" Merlin declared. "Now she has to split focus and torture between two people!" He split into a wide grin.

Arthur grimaced, but he couldn't help but let it slip into a smile and a nervous scoffed laugh. "You are the strangest person in this land Merlin, do you know that?"

"I get that a lot."

The prince finally laughed but it was cut short by the familiar clack. He grabbed Merlin's shirt collar and yanked him back just in time. Perfectly silhouetted in the doorway stood a familiar and stark figure. Arthur didn't want to admit she was beautiful with what she was, but the slightly wild look of the sorceress did not go without it's breathless quality. He didn't realize he was still holding onto Merlin's collar until the warlock was ripped from his hands and thrust into the wall. Arthur and Merlin cried out at the same time, Arthur in surprise, Merlin in pain. Morgana cackled.

Both of them found themselves pulled out into the hallway. Arthur tripped over himself, trying desperately to avoid obeying the unbreakable force dragging him on. No words were spoken until they were in this decaying castle's main hall. They were both released to fall to their knees on the ground, catching their breath as Morgana walked around them, circling like a cat before walking up onto her place and taking a seat in a cold dark throne. Morgause sat beside her, seeming less than amused by the present situation, not at all like Morgana's grinning figure.

"Long time no see, brother. I heard you left Camelot." Morgana purred.

Arthur set his brow into a scowl. "A temporary absence."

"Why not return sooner with your man servant. Oh right… a nice curse, was it not?"

Merlin switched his stare between Morgana and Morgause. The blonde didn't seem to want to waste time on this, and he found himself wishing for once she was getting her way. He felt his magic bubble under the surface, his normal fight or flight response ready and awaiting him taking control.

"I don't see why you target my servant, but alright." Arthur tried.

Morgana clicked her tongue in mocked disappointment. "Oh dear Arthur. That won't work on me. I know how much you care for him. I was there when you risked your life for your 'servant', so you can save the speech." She flicked her wrist out and Merlin cried out as a small line of crimson formed across his shoulder and started dripping down his blue shirt.

"If you're going to torture someone, torture me!" Arthur barked, keeping his composure as best he could.

Morgana's set smirk was unbearable. "I am."

Arthur knew he had a weakness for Merlin. The young man had become his friend early on, and he found that he couldn't bear the thought of going without the good counsel of his closest acquaintance. The next hours displayed to him just how damaging that friendship could be.

The prince sustained his share of wounds, burns and cuts, a simple boot to the ribs, but it was listening to Merlin scream that was the worst. The witch would press her hands to his skin and make her magic snake through him like venom, causing him the worst agony possible and leaving only small ripples of damage where her fingers grazed his flesh.

Merlin could feel his magic boil, recoiling instinctively at the blatant attack. He had to fight not only each pressing wave of torturous pain, but also each burst of his own defenses, lest he give away what he really was to both Arthur and the witch. He curled upon himself, fists clenched, and eyes closed, trying to subdue each golden flash creeping across his pupils. Cries were simple held back grimaces that slowly got pulled out into loud unrestrained screaming that paused only with the breaths his body forced him to take. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he felt he wasn't going to manage stopping his magic from exploding out of him.

When finally he felt the pricks of unconsciousness creep in across his vision from the sheer effort of restraint, Morgause took Morgana aside to suggest they focus on preparation and plans. Morgana agreed only to ensure they had enough strength to endure torture the next day.

The two young men were thrown back in the small cell, and left for the night. Arthur went to Merlin's side but Merlin tried to push him aside, pulling himself to a sitting position, his magic calming down finally to a controllable level. "I'm fine."

"Let me look at that shoulder." Arthur said, leaving no room for argument. The wound, though inflicted hours ago was still the deepest of them all. Merlin shrugged off his shirt. It had mostly stopped bleeding, and didn't require attention Arthur could give there. The prince scanned the boy's torso, noting the strange markings left from Morgana's magic. He shook his head.

"Now can I address your wounds sire?" Merlin said, letting the title hang in the air as a mocking taunt. Arthur rolled his eyes and let Merlin look over the few wounds he had sustained. "The head wound isn't bad, its the bruises to the ribs I'm concerned about. Any trouble breathing?"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm fine Merlin. We got off easy."

"Yeah sure. Walk in the sunshine." Merlin stated dryly.

"Compared to some of the things you must've seen, yes." Arthur snapped before he realized himself.

Merlin looked up, trying to form a response, but not expecting the statement that had just been produced. "I don't…"

"Merlin, you didn't come by those scars without pain." Arthur started, slowly.

"No." Merlin said softly. "I didn't."

Arthur had hoped that Merlin would say more, continue, but instead the silence hung in the air until it would have been awkward to speak again. He sighed and looked back. He leaned against the wall, letting himself instead sink into his thoughts as he drifted towards what little rest he'd get before morning.

Chapter Text

When dawn broke, Arthur was the first to rise. Merlin slept fitfully beside him, brows scrunched in fear or pain. Merlin started awake, his wide eyes quickly relaxing into one of indifference. Arthur frowned as he watched the transition, concerned by how quickly Merlin could hide his pain. What could this boy have been hiding all this time?

Merlin looked at Arthur, wincing. The prince had that look on his face. He shifted himself stiffly to sit up against the wall.

"Merlin-" Arthur began.

"I don't want to talk about it." The warlock replied.

"This isn't up for discussion Merlin. What have you been hiding from me?"

Merlin leaned his head back against the wall, sighing. "Arthur," he began, his tone defeated. "We are locked in a cell being tortured by your evil half sister while an army marches towards Camelot. Can this happen some other time?"

Arthur bristled, knowing Merlin was right. He just wanted to know. He wasn't sure if it was an effort to help, an effort to understand, or just stubborn curiosity, but it was eating at him regardless. He found his eyes scanning the scars on the boy's exposed arm, wondering how many excuses of 'I burnt myself making dinner' and 'I slipped cleaning your sword' were lies.

Merlin felt the prince's gaze and shifted uncomfortably, wishing there was a better way to get Arthur's attention off him and his past. The door swinging open was good enough for that. The two boys were dragged from the cell in the same way as before, roughly and straight towards the throne room. This time they were thrust inside and the doors closed to lock them in there alone.

Merlin took note that unlike before, this time there were no guards on the way. So far they had only seen Morgana, though he began to hear Morgana talking to Morgause on the other side of the wood. He crawled closer to hear better.

"Are you sure you want to stay behind for these two?" Morgause accused.

"Yes sister. The army has marched. Join them. They'll need a leader." Morgana replied.

"That is you Morgana, not I. Please, don't waste your time on them. Just kill them and come with me."

Morgana paused, perhaps to assure her sister with a smile or something. "I will join you tonight sister. At the border of Camelot. They will be a problem no longer."

They said a few other words, too quiet for Merlin to hear. As he leaned forward to hear, he noticed the footsteps and barely got out of the way in time for the door to open. He was thrown backwards a few feet, dragged across the floor by an invisible force.

Morgana did not break stride as magic closed the door behind her. She kept on and grabbed Arthur, pushing him to the ground and flattening her palms against his chest. The magic flowed from her pale fingers and twisted through the prince's body, in the same way she tortured Merlin the day before.

Merlin rose, walking towards Morgana, hoping to get her off of him somehow. As he was considering his options, his world split.

Merlin didn't remember crying out, but he did. His vision flashed to white and he fell over backwards as the searing agony registered. He could feel his face get wet, then his hands, soaked with a warm slick coating of his own blood. The only sound he could hear as he lay on the cold stones was his own heart beat, but slowly into focus came Arthur's voice.

"Merlin!"

The young warlock turned, eyes blinking as his vision focused back in on Morgana cackling in the background as Arthur, bound by magic just feet away kept calling his name, concerned to hear any sort of response. Then the world tilted, and blurred. Merlin blinked, then rolled his head back and neatly passed out.

Arthur glared up at his sister. Merlin lay still, bleeding out of the half burnt wound on his face. Morgana's magic had come out of nowhere like a whip down on his servant. He didn't know how badly Merlin was hurt, but he had no way to get to him.

"Now then brother, let us talk alone." Morgana purred. "You did not seem surprised when I showed up. When did you catch on?"

"Morgause isn't as stealthy as she thinks." Arthur spat.

The witch smiled. "So you got the little show. Such damage daggers can do! It accomplished so much more than I had hoped. Here you are, safely away from Camelot and right in my lap."

Morgana muttered a few words and flicked her hand and Arthur's arm twisted, wrist bent at an unnatural angle, just short of breaking. The prince grunted, holding his composure as best he could.

The door opened and the king's ward strided through it without another word to Arthur. As the door closed and then locked, Arthur's hand was released and he fell to the ground. Keeping his arm tucked at his side, he slid across the floor towards Merlin, grasping his shoulders and giving the young warlock a gentle shake. "Merlin…"

Merlin moved slightly, eyes blearily opening, blinking a few times before focusing on Arthur. He looked past Arthur to the surroundings. "Where..?"

"The throne room." Arthur said gently.

"No. Wheres Morgana?"

Arthur looked at the door. "I don't know. She just left."

Merlin leaned his head back down. "Great. That makes me nervous."

"Let's just count our blessings for now, catch our breath. How are you feeling?"

The young warlock rolled to lean onto his side. "Terrible." He felt his magic bubble under his skin once more. The head injury made it harder to concentrate, and he had to take a moment to get it under control. His focus was elsewhere when he missed Morgana striding back into the room.

Merlin's head snapped up when he hear Arthur yelp, a fresh cut across his side. Morgana had a sword, and she looked gleeful about it. It was a moment before Arthur doubled over, hand on the wound as the flesh cracked and froze, splitting around the site of injury. Merlin could only gawk.

"I enchanted it myself." Morgana sighed. "Imagine what could be done with a blade like this." She couldn't bite back a laugh. "I'm going to test it on your heart dear brother."

"Morgana, please! This isn't you!" Arthur pleaded through gritted teeth, trying to appeal to the part of her that still had to be the Morgana he knew. The Morgana who loved every person she'd ever met.

"The time for talk has passed Arthur." The witch replied coldly. "My troops require my presence and your death. Merlin, feel free to watch, so you know what to expect." She drew the blade up, ready to plunge it through the prince's heart.

Neither of them knew how to react when the sword was wrenched from her hands and clattered across the floor. Morgana cursed and both their eyes turned to find Merlin standing, hand outstretched, eyes fading back from gold. "You." Morgana spat.

Merlin stood his ground. "You will not hurt him."

"You have magic." Morgana accused, as if he hadn't spoke. "All this time." She was angry now. She thrust a burst of energy ar Merlin but he waved it away harmlessly. "Who are you to challenge me!?"

"I am Emerys."

"No." Morgana slowly put down her hand. "Emerys is not playing servant to the brats of Camelot." She put her hand up and thrust another wave of energy at Merlin. This one he barely deflected.

The young warlock took the opportunity to throw Morgana back into the wall. She cried out, but clawed towards the sword. Merlin noticed and sent it back. She slashed at him with her magic, catching him in the arm and drawing blood, but he came back at her, muttering a spell and throwing her back yet again. He advanced on her, hand outstretched, an intimidating figure against the icy throne room. Morgana scrambled backwards on the ground and muttering a spell, disappeared.

Merlin watched her go. He staggered a moment, but steadied himself against the vertigo from his wounds. He had all but forgotten about Arthur until the fist collided with his face.

Merlin stumbled backwards, falling to the ground then scrambling up to stay sitting. Dazed, he had but a second to react properly before he was being hauled up by his shirt and thrown. He cried out as he landed on his injured shoulder. He scrambled sideways, raising his hands in some sort of meager defense. He could blow Arthur into the next room with his power, but he never would.

"You lied to me!" The words were half crazed, and breathless with the shock. "You treacherous fool. You practiced magic, you… you betrayed me!" Arthur felt dizzy and sick, like he wasn't getting enough air. He was so scared, but he couldn't quite figure out of what. He moved, just to walk and felt a twinge of guilt as Merlin flinched, expecting more pain. But he deserved pain. He deserved to be treated as a traitor and sorcerer.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry Arthur, I never meant-" Merlin's dreaming mutters echoed in Arthur's head, and it finally clicked what he had been afraid of. Discovery. This.

Arthur paced, the panic and anger creeping up on him. He wanted to punch Merlin again, kick him, throw him, strangle him for this. He wanted to fight something. He ripped a tapestry down off the wall, throwing it to the ground. Unsatisfying. In a fit of anger he threw a pedestal over that had nothing on it. He kicked the worn wooden throne at the head of the room, so hard he broke a piece off. And again. And again.

Fed up with the destruction and unable to look Merlin in the eye, he stopped, breathing hard, his back to the warlock, the silence crushing in contrast to the noise of just moments before.

Moments were hours, stretching into what felt like days. Neither of them moved, neither spoke, it felt like neither breathed.

Finally Merlin's broken whisper interrupted. "It's an ordinary sword."

"What?" Arthur snapped, voice clear and cold. He turned to glare down at his servant on the ground, doing his best to suppress the automatic twinge he felt as he saw the tears streaming down Merlin's face.

Merlin swallowed. "When I threw it, I broke the enchantment on the sword. Its magic free. You can use it."

'On me.' The unspoken words hung in the air between them. Arthur walked past the sword, past Merlin, and out of the room, not noticing that Merlin had quietly used an enchantment to open the door.

Left alone, Merlin let himself collapse onto the ground, laying flat on his back. He felt like he was breathing in fire instead of air. His heart was so loud it may deafen him, and if it didn't, it would surely simply stop soon. He wasn't dead, not yet, but watching Arthur, Merlin wished he was. He couldn't stop the tears, and the pain in his chest wasn't from his injuries. It was from the knowledge of everything that just broke.

The prince leaned against the wall in the next room over, placing his head in his hands and slid to the floor. He felt drained. He felt numb. Arthur had no idea what to do. He had left Camelot, carried Merlin to safety. How many times had he risked his life for this servant, all the while Merlin was practicing treachery behind his back.

Right now it didn't matter what had mattered before. That Merlin had risked his life as well, or saved Arthur. It didn't matter. Arthur was done.

What did matter more was their friendship. Treason or not, Merlin wasn't capable of faking all the banter or advice Arthur had come to depend on. The crown prince of Camelot felt a weight grow in his chest as he played through the image that Merlin must've imagined at least a thousand times. He felt sickened thoroughly at the thought of killing Merlin, and angered by that feeling. He couldn't execute the man he had once called his friend. He wasn't strong enough to do that. He wished for a moment he was more like his father. Arthur's head swam for a moment as thoughts overwhelmed him, and he feared for a moment he himself may pass out.

Arthur was drawn from his thoughts as there was a slow movement in the doorway. Arthur's confused expression hardened and he looked up to coldly make note of Merlin's appearance. The boy was as pale as he had been the night he was stabbed. His entire body was shaking slightly, though he was trying his best to hide it. Arthur had to admit he was surprised Merlin would walk in front of him. He would have figured his servant to have run or magicked his way out of this. Merlin had to know that execution was still a real possibility.

The prince stood. He expressionlessly began to walk. Merlin followed, careful to keep a distance between them. Arthur spoke, his voice flat. "I'm on my way to Camelot. At Ealdor, we part ways." For good.

Stopping in the throne room for that sword, they left, hearts heavy, and eyes down.

Chapter Text

It had been dark for hours. Arthur's body was numb, and he couldn't tell if it was from the cold, exhaustion, or his anger. He had hoped it would fade. No. He had hoped he would wake up from this nightmare. He could hear his once servant scrambling through the woods behind him. They would never make up the lost ground, not on foot.

Arthur walked, tilting his head sideways just enough to get a glimpse of Merlin, though the stealth wasn't needed. The young warlock had his head down, eyes on the ground, out of shame or concentration. He couldn't believe this man had matched with and scared off Morgana just this morning. The boy looked smaller than he ever had. He was staggering, and it was only then that the prince acknowledged the memory of Merlin's fresh head wound. When Merlin stumbled and fell Arthur felt concern and anger flash equally.

"We stop for two hours, then we keep moving." Arthur stated.

Merlin didn't move for a second, but he drew himself to his knees. He began clearing away the brush, making makeshift beds surrounded by leaves. Arthur didn't comment, nor did he lay down. He knelt, catching his breath from the journey.

Minutes later Merlin returned with kindling and larger sticks, and Arthur acknowledged he hadn't notice the boy leave. He was curious. As to why Merlin would keep on like this. Keep moving. He needed to stop more than Arthur did. His face still had the gash across it, barely clotted, and his clothes were torn over a dozen other injuries. Besides, it wasn't as if Merlin was his servant anymore.

Arthur did his best to appear as if he wasn't watching Merlin as he stacked the wood for a fire. Merlin finished and shifted uncomfortably before whispering what Arthur could only imagine was a spell. The wood caught, and there was a fire and warmth, but Arthur's stomach soured with the use of magic. He would not warm himself by a magical fire.

Merlin settled back against the leaves finally taking the moment to address his arm, injured during the fight with Morgana. It was clotted, but caked with leaves and dirt from their journey through the woods. Merlin cleaned it out as best he could without water, and wordlessly wrapped it in a strip torn from his own shirt.

The young boy leaned back, letting his eyes flutter shut, and tried to ignore the throbbing pain through his face and into his skull. They weren't making good time. Morgana and Morgause could just teleport. Merlin needed charms and spells to pull off something like that. An entire Army was at Camelot's border, and the two boys had yet to reach Ealdor. He wished he could call Kilgharrah, but he knew that it would seal his death.

It had been but ten minutes before Arthur stood. "We've rested long enough. We keep moving." Merlin's eyes opened, and he looked as if he were about to complain, as in the old days, but he shut his mouth. Wordlessly and without complaint, he stood, kicked the dirt onto the fire, and made to follow, hiding his unsteadiness to the best of his ability.

Arthur shuddered at this new Merlin. It wasn't right. He should be arguing. He should be… Nothing. Arthur tried to cool his composure. Merlin should be nothing.

Merlin felt the bile in the back of his throat threaten to choke him. He hoped this journey killed him. Then Arthur wouldn't have to live with the blood on his hands, and Merlin could stop watching the prince hate him. Then again, in Ealdor they would part ways, and Merlin would stop watching him anyway. What would happen to his destiny? Did he fail his part?

That was a whole new layer that made Merlin's head spin so fast he fell yet again, his knees sinking into the mud. He had failed his destiny! He had been concerned until now that Arthur was going to merely chop his head off, but this was so much bigger! Emerys was useless. Morgana marched towards Camelot to destroy it, and even if not, Arthur was poisoned forever against magic by his betrayal.

The world seemed to close in on him as panic set in. Breathe, breathe, how had he forgotten how to breathe? Magic swelled in his eyes and he had to take his focus off his need for air in order to keep it locked inside, he couldn't risk letting it burst free. Hands grabbed his shoulder and he struggled, fighting them off, but they grabbed him again, hauling him up onto his feet and he turned, wide eyed to come face to face with Arthur.

Right. The prince. They were still in the forest. It was just the prince. Just the crown prince of Camelot who hated him for betrayal. Right. Not helping. He tried to breathe, tried to read Arthur's expressionless face for some clue. Was he helping him up out of concern? Out of anger that he had stopped their journey yet again?

But the answer wasn't clear. Arthur stepped away and began walking again, and scarcely breathing, Merlin followed. It was in the early dawn light that they came along the familiar sight of Ealdor. Merlin's heavy and split heart felt the barest bit of warmth flutter when he saw his once, and he supposed future home.

The warlock's mother was just coming out of her home, holding a basket of clothing to be washed when she looked up to see the prince and her battered boy. She dropped the fabric and ran, arms outstretched, pulling Merlin into her embrace, beginning to cry as she felt the relief of holding her son yet again. The prince walked past, stopping about ten paces, his back to the display of affection.

Arthur felt a small twinge of anger reignite at the show. This traitor got more warmth than he would ever be shown.

Hunith pulled back, looking Merlin up and down, a hand over her mouth as she reached a shaking hand up and gently caressed the area around the large gash across his face. "What happened. The two of you, are you alright?"

"Arthur got a pretty bad cut to his side. He hasn't tended to it." Merlin said quietly. He hadn't brought it up to Arthur, fearing the retribution he'd get, but it should be looked at.

"I'll get bandages, and water." She started moving towards the house. "Come come inside. Warm up, you are freezing."

Merlin followed, noting Arthur's stiff posture as he wordlessly followed into the house. Inside, he sat, saying nothing. His uncomfortable silence did not go unnoticed by Hunith, but she handed the prince a wet rag and a pile of bandages none the less.

Arthur tended to his own wound, the flesh frost bitten from the sword's magic, and while Merlin itched to help, he kept his distance.

"You boys look like you could use something to eat. I'll just-"

"Are you a witch?" Came the sharp question from the prince. He didn't look up from his work, but he listened for her answer.

Hunith stuttered. "I… Sire. I don't know what you…"

"Do you practice Magic?" Arthur pressed. "Did Merlin learn it from you? Or did he decide to practice this abomination on his own?"

Hunith paled, staring at the prince. She noted Merlin staring down at the table. "She doesn't practice, Arthur." He sounded defeated. As if he had nothing left to live for. A tone out of place for such a young man.

"I need a horse." Arthur simply finished. "I ride for Camelot in an hour."

"Arthur-" Hunith begged. The prince stood up and began to leave the house. "Please! He was born with it, he didn't choose to practice, it chose him, he can't-" She reached for Arthur's arm, trying to stop him but he grabbed her wrists and held them tight. She gasped.

"I spared his life. Expect nothing more." Arthur said, releasing her wrists and leaving the room.

Hunith looked back at Merlin, who was staring at the table, a few tears silently working their way down his gaunt face. She felt her heart twist, watching him. He had feared this so long, as had she. And while he wasn't on the pyre, he had been damaged none the less.

Merlin's expression instantly changed as he heard the scream outside.

The boy instinctively jumped up and dove out of the house past his mother. A few villagers were around a scorched bit of earth where stood Morgause with Arthur at knife point. Another flash and they were gone, though Merlin was almost certain she had made eye contact with him before vanishing.

Hunith had witnessed from behind him and her heart skipped a few beats as Merlin rushed back into the house, grabbing things from the kitchen, dumping them out on the table. He muttered a few words and his eyes flashed gold and small lights danced above a map she didn't remember him putting there.

Merlin leaned back for a second, staring at the image. "Camelot. They took him right back into the citidel. They're still with him."

His mother walked over. "You can't do anything."

"I can rescue him. I have to." Merlin stood putting a bowl on the counter, and grabbing yet more herbs. He ground them into the bowl, grabbing one of his bags and pulling a crystal and a bundle of sage and dropping them in. Another pouch he tied around his neck. "I have to get Arthur away from there."

Hunith grabbed him by the shoulder and he snapped up to make eye contact with her, startled to see her eyes filled with tears. "Merlin. You can't go back to Camelot. You'll die."

He looked down at her, his expression one of great love and sympathy. "I have to rescue Arthur. It's my destiny."

He stepped back, free of Hunith's hand, and lifted his own. A flash of gold in his eyes and the contents of the bowl burst into flames and in that instant Merlin was gone from Ealdor.

Chapter Text

Gaius hadn't intended to drift off. The old physician woke with a start when he heard something crash to the ground. Standing and turning to face the intruder, he went pale when he saw Melin, leaning heavily against the table, trying to find something on the shelves. The boy had already been searching through the castle for Arthur for some time, and he had just then decided to make the stop there.

"I have not lifted the curse!" Gaius exclaimed.

Merlin winced, having hoped that even that loud crash hadn't awoken his mentor. "I know." He continued his search.

Gaius started one of his own, pulling various medical supplies together. "Merlin, you have to leave, you must get out of Camelot!"

"I can't!"

"You'll die!"

Merlin stopped what he was doing, straightening up and looking at Gaius. "Maybe. But Morgana has Arthur somewhere in the castle. I have to rescue him. Morgause's men will be upon Camelot in just a few short days-" Merlin put a hand down on the counter to steady himself as it seemed for a moment he would fall. "I don't have time for better plans. This is the one I chose."

Gaius blinked, trying to catch up with all he had said. "And you just expect to walk in there and take him back? How are you going to do that without exposing your magic to him and all of Camelot?"

"He knows!"

"What?"

Merlin looked at the ground, then turned and went back to his search. "Arthur knows."

"And?"

"And not being dead already is as much mercy as I seem likely to get. But it doesn't change the fact that my destiny is to go find and save his royal butt." His tone was determined, but his eyes were defeated.

Gaius took this moment to look at Merlin for the first time, really look at him. The young warlock looked tired, emotionally and physically drained, and not just from blood loss. He was bruised and cut, looked to be burned too. He had a half burnt cut across his face. The physician's stomach turned, he knew the magics that caused these wounds. Morgana had tortured him, probably the prince too.

Merlin found the vial he was looking for, pocketing it for future use. He turned to find Gaius stepping forward with a pack of medical supplies and food. "Thank you." He slung the pack over his shoulder.

"What can I do to help?"

Merlin sighed. "Find Uther. I don't know what Morgana's plans are, but they can't be good. Protect him. I'll find Arthur and get him out of here."

"Merlin, you can barely stand. You need to hurry."

"I know." Merlin started for the door, pausing to lean against it and throw a spare glance back at the physician. "Thank you Gaius. For everything." He slipped out.

Gaius could only stare at the door, feeling a weight settle in the pit of his stomach as he feared that was a mortal goodbye.

Arthur pulled uselessly against the shackles that bound him to the bed. He had never felt less eager to be in his room. His wrists were raw from repeated attempts to slip free, but he knew that was not going to happen. Even if he could find something to smash them with, and somehow manage leverage to do so, the shackles were enchanted. This much he knew.

The prince found himself with too much time to simply sit and think. He had heard Morgana and Morgause speaking to each other, in the hallway. At first he thought it terribly foolish of the sisters to put him in his room, too easy to get help, but he realized his mistake soon after. Arthur's room was far from the normal traffic of the castle, on purpose. Without thinking the prince to be home, there were no guards to hear him.

Against his better will, he found himself glad that Merlin wasn't with him, merely because it meant the boy was free and with a future. He reprimanded himself for thinking these thoughts of a sorcerer, but then, he felt guilty for feeling guilty. Arthur also felt himself feeling something strange and foreign thinking about Merlin. Fear.

It wasn't conscious, and it wasn't something he wanted. However, when the sisters spoke of Emerys, they spoke of great power, and they spoke with fear. Something that could make Morgause tremble… now that was alarming. Granted, the sisters had decided that this Emerys could not be Merlin, so he hoped. Still. Merlin had managed to use magic undetected in Camelot for who knows how long. For all Arthur knew, he could have come to Camelot already using magic! He also managed to foil enough of the sister's plan to be a target for a most painful assassination.

Arthur tried to shake himself from his thoughts. Maybe Merlin was a powerful sorcerer, who knew, but right now, that wasn't his problem. His concern should be with escape. Or at least contemplating his fate amongst what was surely soon to be a war torn Camelot.

He flinched when the door opened, expecting to be greeted with the painful wave of magic Morgana seemed to like to throw whenever she walked into the room. Instead, he was greeted with a sight that made him flinch just the same with his previous thoughts, though it went unseen.

"Merlin?"

Merlin walked into the room, very unsteady at this point, eyes unfocused through the pain. It was a miracle the boy was upright, let alone sneaking around a palace. "Arthur." He said, seeming unsure, but then forcing himself to focus.

A word from his lips and the shackles split, allowing the prince to slip off the bed and towards the young warlock. He was speechless, the magic of the shackles broken instantly by his word. Arthur reached out towards Merlin to steady him when he staggered, but Merlin's hand shot forward, gripping the prince tight. He ripped a pouch off his neck, and with a few more words, threw it at the ground.

The world around them bent, then pulled away, rushing back so suddenly it disoriented the prince and he ripped his arm from Merlin's grip. Arthur looked around at the cave, head spinning with the sudden location change. Merlin however, sank to his knees, utterly exhausted, pressing a hand to his side and falling sideways. Arthur came to his side, taking his hand over the boy's freshly opened wound, and allowing himself to once more take on a role as he once might have.

The prince ripped a bandage out of the pack Merlin wore, and slipped the boy's shirt up to wrap the wound. He then gently set the boy down and sat back, trying to make sense of everything.

Merlin didn't dare speak, afraid to break the silence. Instead he watched Arthur, trying to remain conscious so that he could be vigilant if something were to happen.

"Are you Emerys?" Came the question. Arthur sounded somewhat desperate for answers, seeming on the edge of something, something Merlin hoped wasn't insanity.

"Yes." the young warlock managed, voice barely able to raise to the whisper it did.

"How long have you been practicing magic!?"

"Always."

"But when did you start!"

"I was-" Merlin coughed. "I was born with Magic Arthur. I've always had it."

"Born with-" It was too much for Arthur. "You can't be born with magic. Magic is a choice, a weapon."

"A tool. And I've had it since before I could walk. I don't know a life without it."

Arthur lapsed into a silence for a few moments. "You could have killed me by now."

"Never."

"You could have been killed. Magic is banned in Camelot, every day is a risk. Why risk staying?"

"To protect you."

"But why!?" Arthur was yelling again, and Merlin cringed.

"You're going to be a great king." Merlin breathed.

"You can't know that."

"I believe it."

Arthur stared at him. "And thats worth it? Thats bigger than all the risk of being caught of being burnt at the stake? Why?" Only silence met his plea, and as he turned to face Merlin, he found the boy had already passed out. Cursing, Arthur moved forward, checking the boy over, and finding that this was in fact his only wound. He moved away, trying to calm his racing heart. He couldn't deny he was presented with the evidence yet again.

Merlin had gotten his free pass to live his life in peace. Instead, the boy entered Camelot to save him, and nearly died in the process. There was no sense to be made from this.

The prince looked down at his former servant, acknowledging the truth. He was looking down at his friend. And while Arthur was not comfortable with what Merlin did, he was sure the boy had good intentions doing so. Arthur vowed to let the boy speak in the morning, and give him at least the benefit of hearing him out.

Chapter Text

Arthur started awake, the feeling foreign to him as he bolted to a sitting position. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he struggled to keep his breathing slower, to be quiet. Foul dreams were a new sensation. Arthur pulled himself to his feet, pacing for a moment before allowing himself pause beside the cave wall, putting his hands on it's cool stone to steady his shaken nerves.

He felt what Merlin must have felt a thousand times. A dream of being burnt at the stake. But this one was his sister lighting the pyre. A dream of execution, and Arthur felt sick. For two reasons. One, Merlin had no place ever fearing this fate, and it was a gross injustice that he was still in danger of meeting it if Uther ever caught word of his magic. Two, in his dream, Merlin was right there beside him, up to the end. As Merlin always was.

Arthur closed his eyes. He hated this. He hated the feeling swimming through his head. There was still something there. Some primal fear driven into him by his father, by dozens of sorcerers through his life. The prince was scared. Scared of what Merlin was, what he could do.

But the prince knew Merlin was a friend. That this boy, this sorcerer was not evil. Not going to hurt him, not on purpose anyway. Arthur sighed. Was that how it worked? He knew so little, no one had ever thought it necessary to teach him beyond the knowledge that magic corrupts the soul to be evil.

What if that was true? What if magic did corrupt, and Merlin just hadn't been corrupted yet? What it one day, the boy's heart clouded and he lost who he was to the power? It didn't sound so crazy with what he had been taught. Magic was powerful, and it always came with a price. That price could be his servant's soul, slowly, over time.

Arthur slipped down into a sitting position once more. He wouldn't lie to himself, Merlin already had great power. Morgana was strong, amazingly so, and Merlin broke her enchantments like it was nothing, while passing out from blood loss. Emerys was no weak or clumsy servant. As Arthur let his mind think back, he realized just how much of Merlin had to be a cover.

Merlin had been lying about who he was the whole time. Merlin wasn't clumsy. Merlin wasn't useless. Merlin may not even be the kind goofball he thought. The lies, the personality he constructed was the perfect camouflage. No one would ever suspect the bumbling servant of sorcery. Merlin had gotten away with it so perfectly… Who was Arthur to know who the real Merlin really was?

The prince's ears became aware of a strange sound, a sort of gasping, then a soft whimper. His mind snapped back to the present and he got up, walking to the source. Merlin was laying on his cot, forehead soaked, eyes flitting back and forth behind closed eyes. He was trapped in the pit of a nightmare too. As Arthur lifted a hand up Merlin bolted upright, eyes flashing with fear. "Arthur, I'm sor-!" Merlin managed to shout as he clenched his jaw and eyes shut with the sudden shot of pain as his back ripped.

Arthur took his shoulders and steadied him, gently lowering him back down. "It's okay, Merlin, it's okay." He muttered softly, acting in the moment. Merlin looked at him warily, coming to and remembering everything that had taken place up to this point. He flinched, feeling the pain continue to stab through his body, and he let out the breath caught in his throat.

Arthur looked at the boy who once was his servant. Merlin was terrified. The prince's racing thoughts came to their senses once more. This was a boy, stricken with fear, fighting it back to try and stay by his side out of some misplaced sense of loyalty to a pratt who barely accepted what he was. Merlin lied to protect himself, he never lied to hurt anyone. Maybe magic was dangerous, maybe it did corrupt, Arthur didn't know, but he did know one thing. Right here, right now, Merlin wasn't evil. Merlin was a friend. And Merlin was in need.

"Your wound. You probably tore it. I'll need to bandage it again." Arthur said softly.

Merlin didn't speak. He pushed himself up as best he could and let Arthur pull away his shirt to remove the bandage.

This time Arthur inspected the raised ridges and deep trenches with a new understanding. Merlin had suffered incredible pain, and in silence to keep it from him. Merlin had to have fought many battles with many consequences, likely just in the name of protecting Camelot. He put it in his mind to ask the boy when he felt Merlin was well enough to talk. Ask him about them honestly.

With the wound redressed, Arthur sat back, acknowledging the look of timid fear in Merlin's eyes. He was trying to find the words to speak, some sort of words to reach out to the boy, assure him that everything was going to be okay, made more difficult by the instinctive mistrust Arthur couldn't seem to entirely displace.

"I'm sorry I broke your order." Merlin said softly.

"What?"

"I was to stay in Ealdor, and you to never see me again. I'm sorry I broke that."

The once and future king stared at him blankly for a full minute before he couldn't help it. Arthur broke into laughter, a laughter that continued to be fueled by some primal need to feel humor after such a serious series of events. Merlin simply gawked at the prince's lively display, feeling discomfort and confusion at the unexpected response.

Arthur finally calmed, tears prickling the corners of his eyes. "You teleport-" he struggled to catch his breath. "You teleport into a castle that you're cursed not to go into and break the enchanted cuffs. You break the cuffs, save me from my evil sister, and almost die in the process, and you're sorry that, that you what, broke my order?" He leaned back against the wall. "Good god Merlin. I thought you were bad at following my orders before, and this is a whole new level of insubordination, but I never expected you to apologize. "

The warlock hesitated, before managing the barest of smiles.

Arthur shook his head, voice softening and becoming serious. "Look. I'm the one who ought to be sorry. I'm not… I'm not comfortable with magic, I can't be after everything I've ever been taught, but I shouldn't have doubted you. I should have given you the chance to explain, to show me I'm wrong about it all. I owe you the chance at least."

Merlin simply stared, trying to come up with the appropriate response. "Its okay." He managed, finally.

"It's not yet. But it will be." Arthur declared. "We have an army to defeat, a kingdom to save, my sister and my sisters sister to bring down, and somewhere in there you've got to teach me something about magic, but it will be okay."

"Oh, is that all?" Merlin said, testing the waters with a small touch of his sarcastic defiance.

Arthur grinned. "Feeling up to it?"

Merlin finally let himself slip into a grin as well, putting out his hand and clasping it in Arthur's for a shake. "You bet."

Arthur felt a great weight pull out of the pit of his stomach. The faint flutter of discomfort he knew would not be easily forgotten, but this was the first step to quelling it for good. Maybe Merlin could bring him around on some points, wash away old stigma surrounding sorcery and it's uses. He didn't know. But for now, it sure felt good to have his friend back at his side.

Chapter Text

Arthur was just putting a log on the fire when he heard a snap and an angry yelp. He leaped up and rounded the bend to find his manservant standing, leaning on a tree, staring off at something Arthur could only guess at. Merlin had been making progress, but not fast enough for either of them to feel at ease. Merlin turned around and the anger faded into a sheepish glance.

Arthur sighed. He wasn't sure how to help. They had to get moving, but he knew it'd be impossible for another day yet. Merlin returned with him wordlessly back to the fire. The prince looked up at Merlin. "Could you get a message to Gaius? With magic?"

"No." Merlin said softly, staring into the flames.

"No? Is your magic weaker while you're healing too?" Arthur asked. Was that how it worked?

"No." Merlin sighed. "I just don't know how."

The future king stared at him blankly. "You don't know… how?"

"I would need my book. I have a book of spells I'm trying to learn, but it's back in my room in Camelot." The young warlock tilted his head back. "I didn't think to grab it, I was focused on you, and you know, bleeding to death."

"I just thought you knew all the magic."

"If I knew everything there was to know about magic, nothing bad would ever have happened to Camelot. I wouldn't be cursed, Morgana would be locked in some magical prison, and no armies could rise against us." Merlin shook his head. "But magic is a limited tool."

Arthur gave a half smile. "You're doing that thing where you sound wise again."

"I do that sometimes." Merlin said, trying to bring more humor into his voice than he managed.

"So you've used magic a lot in Camelot?" Arthur prompted.

"Yeah. I guess." He snapped the stick he had picked up in half. "A lot of times it's small stuff. Knocking a bandit off his horse, hitting a soldier with a log or making him drop his weapon."

Arthur looked at his friend, his eyes serious. "Sometimes it's teleporting and breaking enchanted chains."

"And sometimes it's slowing time to throw you out of the way of a knife or revealing the snakes off a shield."

The prince's eyes widened. So many coincidences, they were making more and more sense. He wasn't lucky, he had Merlin. "And the scars?" It was time to ask.

"Various things. A lot of people want to see me hurt because I help you. And a lot of times I'm just not fast enough. It all adds up."

"People with magic, other people, they hurt you?"

Merlin sighed, not sure how to explain everything. "The druids call me Emerys. They say I'm going to be the one to save my kind. To save magic or whatever, but really my destiny is to protect you. Make sure you become the king you're supposed to be. There are many people who see my devotion to a Pendragon to be a declaration of war against those of magic."

Arthur fell silent, unsure of what he wanted to ask about. His destiny? How could he know? It wasn't a surprise to him that people of magic hated the Pendragons after the great purge. But to attack their supposed savior because he sided with the prince?

"I don't care anymore. It's not about my destiny. It's about the fact that I know you'll become a great king. And I believe in wherever you lead us."

"There are so many times you used magic I would have never known."

"No." Merlin said softly. "It hasn't been easy. Lying so often."

The prince's head raced through a million questions, and then stopped. He frowned, old memories pushing forward, and making his heart begin to sink. "You said magic was evil and couldn't be trusted. When Morgause showed me the visions of my mother… you told me… she… was she even lying? Why would you tell me that?"

"Arthur…"

"Answer me. Was she lying?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything about the spell. Yes. Uther got Nimueh to do the spell. To conceive a son. And yes it took your mother. Was that your mother, completely as she was? I don't know."

"But you told me she was wrong! That magic-"

"You were going to kill your father. You would never have been the same if you had."

Arthur took a deep breath. "I know you're right. I just."

"I know."

"It would have been so much easier for you if my father were dead."

"But not for you."

Arthur looked at Merlin directly. He cared so much. Arthur didn't know why, but for some reason Merlin had decided he was absolutely worth protecting and following. "Do something."

"What?" he asked, unsure what the prince meant.

"Show me something with magic. I want to learn."

Merlin hesitated, and then put out his hand, palm down over the ground. He muttered a small word, foreign to Arthur's ears, and his eyes flashed gold. Arthur watched, mesmerized as a small flower pushed it's way up through the dirt and into the small clearing. Perhaps this was all going to be alright after all.

Chapter Text

Silence had settled through the forest in the early morning, save for the far off chirps of birds and faint rustling of trees in the gentle wind. The sun crept slowly into the clearing where the two had made camp, finally reaching up and over the crown Prince's face. Arthur opened his eyes but for a second before squeezing them shut and rolling over, desperate to spare himself from this rude awakening. "Merlin." He grunted, gruffly.

"What?" The young warlock replied, annoyance at being awoken with this summons evident in his tone.

"Can't you do something about-" he waved his hand half-heartedly behind him now, up at the sky "that?"

Merlin opened one eye and scowled. "The sun?"

"Make it go away. Use your magic."

Merlin closed his eyes and burrowed deeper beneath his blanket. "I probably could…" he yawned. "But then we'd probably all die of the cold or something."

"Well aren't you useless." Arthur sighed, breaking into a laugh as a blanket projectile landed on him in a rolled-up lump from Merlin. The prince pulled himself up to sit, grinning at his manservant who promptly stuck his tongue out. Throwing the blanket back, Arthur stood, mentally preparing himself for the day. Merlin seemed chipper, and he just hoped that held. Maybe today was the day they got real work done. "Well. What does the plan today look like?"

Merlin could read the real meaning of that question. Was he well enough to travel?

The warlock sighed. "It's time."

"Time for?"

"Getting help."

"I see." Arthur said carefully. He couldn't help himself as he looked around. "And which tree do you suppose will answer our plea for help best?"

"Druids you clotpole." Merlin retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Ah." Arthur said softly, his tone more serious. "And they'll help?"

"Dodrich is the name of a powerful druid in these woods. He's offered his help, and I think I'm strong enough to meet with him."

"We are going together." Arthur stated firmly.

Merlin looked up and down the prince with hesitation. Was he really ready to meet a druid? He sighed, knowing he had to trust Arthur at some point.

"How do you mean he's offered his help?" Arthur asked. "When?"

"Last night. He reached out to me with his thoughts."

The young pendragon seemed skeptical. "I see. And can… all magic people talk to each other by thinking?"

"No." Merlin said simply, not feeling like explaining further.

The prince narrowed his eyes at the abrupt statement, but let it slide. He instead stood and helped Merlin break down camp, preparing for their journey. When they crested the large hill surrounded by boulders with runic symbols, he felt a chill down his spine and Merlin signaled for him to wait.

The young boy addressed the air. "It's alright Dodrich. He is a friend."

"I know who he is." came a voice. A tall greying man, one eye clouded white, and a robe looking to be made from the pelt of a white deer. "Everyone has been keeping a wary eye on the Pendragon from the moment you appeared. Do you think it wise to bring him here Emerys? To let him walk on sacred ground?"

Arthur opened his mouth to protest but Merlin held up a hand to stop him. "Yes." He said simply. "I do."

"Very well."

The prince marveled at the exchange. Merlin had been his servant on the way here. And while Arthur knew he was powerful, this wasn't power per say. Merlin was in charge. He was a leader, and the druid before them was showing great respect. Merlin's words, however short were sure, and held weight. Arthur couldn't help but think Merlin sounded more like a king right now than he ever would.

"You know why I've come?"

"The curse on Camelot created quite a stir. I didn't know the significance until I felt the same magic in you when you came to this forest. The priestesses used to be the only ones to cast this spell. I thought I'd never see it done again in my lifetime."

Merlin nodded. "Can it be broken?"

"Not from here." Dodrich replied. "I'm sorry Emerys." He sighed. "I have been working on it for days, and I have a way you can return, but it carries great consequences."

"I will do whatever it takes."

An outstretched hand with a crystal reached towards Merlin. "This crystal locks away your life essence, conceals it, and changes it enough to fool the curse. Your very being will be as if someone else, at least in spirit." Merlin took the crystal. "When you wear it, you may enter camelot and the curse will not touch you but be warned." Merlin slipped it into his pocket. "Your magic is linked to you. There is no telling what this crystal will do to affect your powers Emerys."

"A risk I must take."

"Be well my friend. And good luck."

Arthur looked at Merlin, and in the second he wasn't watching Dodrich, the druid disappeared. "What did he mean?"

"I imagine we'll find out." Merlin said simply. "Now, we go to camelot."

"Without horses the journey will take days." Arthur said gently, unsure if Merlin was up to the trek.

"I imagine, even with all that has happened these past few days, I can still manage to shock you." the young warlock murmured. Arthur was about to pry into the meaning of that statement when Merlin threw back his head, and called for the dragon. The voice didn't change much, but the power from that magick resounded through the woods, through Arthur, and he staggered back, unsure what strange spell Merlin had shouted. "Arthur," Merlin began. "Please try not to be angry."

Arthur wasn't sure he could have been angry when the dragon arrived if he tried. As it drew nearer, Arthur found himself fighting every instinct to run, or fight, or do basically anything but stand there. He stared in awe as Merlin stood strongly, watching the dragon land as if this were an everyday occurrence.

The dragon paused, seeming to study the prince for a moment. "Hello Arthur Pendragon. It is nice to meet your acquaintance over better terms."

Chapter Text

"It isn't that easy."

Arthur was vaguely aware of two voices arguing back and forth, but he hadn't been paying enough attention to have any idea what about, or why, or even for how long. His thoughts were racing, but each time he came up with a new question or concern, it was immediately drowned out by a dozen new ones. The upside, as far as he could tell, he didn't think this dragon was about to kill him. Maybe. Hopefully.

"It's the only plan we have, dangerous or not."

Arthur sat down where he was, not bothering to find a nice rock or something to sit on. He just knew he had to sit down and let his head clear a bit, lest he fall over from shock. Magic was one thing, it was new and strange and uncomfortable. This? This was something else. This was a dragon. How can you talk to dragons? When he didn't receive an answer, he realized he hadn't asked the question out loud.

"How long has it been?"

Arthur shuddered. Where did it come from? How does it talk? Why do you trust it? Didn't I kill it? You didn't kill it. Why? How?

"I'm not willing to risk it."

"I suppose you are right."

Arthur tried to count in his head the number of questions he had about Merlin's magic up until this point and make sense of some sort of order in which he wanted to, no, needed to ask them. He had a lot to catch up on, and he had to prioritize.

"Arthur?"

It wasn't like this was the first thing he had to address. That being said, perhaps a dragon was the largest thing to take stock of. It wasn't any everyday thing that was easy to ignore. Not half as mundane as sorcery.

"Arthur?"

He shuddered again. What a thought. Sorcery. Mundane. Far from still, but next to this dragon it seemed almost unimpressive. He had to-

Arthur startled as Merlin came closer into his view.

"Arthur, you look like you're going to pass out."

Arthur shoved Merlin off of him. "I- Shut up." He snapped. The crown prince dragged himself to his feet, eyeing the large beast warily.

"He will take us to Camelot faster than even horses can." Merlin offered.

"Why?"

"I do this for your future, young Pendragon." Kilgharrah answered for him. "And because Emerys asks it of me."

"Only…" Arthur shook his head. "I mean, I thought only Dragon Lords could control… I mean, uh, talk with… you know-" He tripped over his words, hesitating to imply this dangerous creature was being commanded. "Balanor was the last-"

"My father." Merlin said simply.

"Your…." Arthur trailed off, staring at Merlin.

"So now me." Merlin reached up as the great Dragon knelt for him to mount, and climbed up on the beast's back, sitting just above the shoulders at the base of the neck.

"Climb aboard young Prince. I promise you no harm will come of you." Kilgharrah encouraged, waiting for Arthur to give in, despite his better judgement. He had to start trusting Merlin. Completely.

In the air, Arthur had little to do but reflect even more, the air rushing past them making conversation difficult. He felt like he did as a child, dreaming of being a knight one day, following behind his father and looking up to him, but this wasn't his father, it was Merlin, and he was a knight. He was the leader, how was it he found himself being led? He didn't know the plan. They were up against an army, and he wasn't even sure what he was meant to do about it. He leaned up, trying to be heard over the sound of the wind. "How are you going back to Camelot?"

"This pendant disguises me." Merlin replied.

"I see." Arthur said, settling back into his position. He didn't see.

Merlin sighed. He wasn't sure what the plan was either, and he was beginning to wish he had stopped long enough to make one. This was weird for him. Being out in the open in front of Arthur. He didn't like the idea the Prince wasn't in front of him, leading the way. Sure, Merlin always went against his plans and saved the day anyway. But how was he supposed to figure out what to do without a plan to disobey in the first place?

To be honest, the young warlock wasn't feeling particularly confident about his plan. So far it was to go back to Camelot and react to whatever he found there. He wished he had more insight to be able to formulate more of a plan. He knew that Camelot's army probably had marched in advance to head off Morgana's men. This was good. He also knew it was likely they were about to be driven back to the citadel. This was a questionable victory.

He also knew he would have to face Morgana with Arthur by his side. This wasn't ideal.

Not to mention, he could feel the unease of his magic. To be contained in such a way… He wasn't sure what the consequences of such a deception would be, but he already knew he didn't have the same level of control over his powers as he did previously. Still. He could stand, he could walk, and he could return to Camelot. These were the important things to focus on.

Kilgharrah let them down a small ways from the Citadel, lest they be sighted. Arthur began instinctively towards the main gates but Merlin stopped him.

"What? I'm heading back." Arthur said.

"Morgana thinks we're long gone." Merlin replied. "It may be to our advantage she continues to think that. If we surprise her, we stand more of a chance." He began towards the tunnels he had used to escape so many times before.

Arthur felt a small renewed confidence following Merlin's plan. The boy seemed to have a handle on things. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. The Crystal is working."

They crept along in silence, moving along the outer wall before slipping in, unseen. Merlin led them back to Gaius' quarters, confident that was where they would best make their plans. The lights were off, night time making the corridor seem longer than it was. Merlin arched his hand slightly and attempted to draw back the bolt to enter with his magic.

Nothing.

Merlin frowned, concerned at the lack of results, but covered it up before Arthur could see. Instead he simply knocked.

It was a few moments before the lamp lit and a familiar face showed up at the door. Gaius looked shocked, then relieved with almost no time between and he pulled the warlock into a tight hug. He ushered the two inside, bolting the door behind them and lighting a few more lanterns and the fireplace.

"What are you two doing here?" The physician demanded as they took seats by the fire, comforted by its warmth.

"We couldn't stand by while Morgana launched an army at Camelot." Arthur replied simply.

"We're here to stop them." Merlin added softly.

Gaius warily eyed the crystal around Merlin's neck. "And that thing?"

"Is letting me be here again."

Gaius set his mouth in a line and Arthur couldn't help but feel like the Physician had more to say on that matter, but was holding back. Gaius however moved on before Arthur could insist. "Morgana's army hasn't even reached here yet. Scouts are out watching the borders but they haven't crossed."

Merlin frowned. "That doesn't make sense. They left ages ago. They should have been here by now."

"Precisely my concern." Gaius replied.

Arthur looked between them. "What do you think she is up to?"

"I have a feeling we're going to find out." Gaius sighed. "Uther knows nothing of Morgana's involvement. She's been particularly cross recently."

"Probably since I disappeared." Arthur volunteered.

"I think so." the physician crossed his arms. "What is the plan?"

Arthur and Merlin looked at eachother for a second. They both looked at Gaius. After a moment's silence, Arthur kicked Merlin and the warlock hissed. With one last glare at the prince he spoke. "Plan?"

Gaius scowled at them. "You don't have a plan?"

"My plan was to react to whatever Morgana's army was attacking with. Since they're not here, I don't have anything solid to react to."

"Your only plan was to react?" Arthur asked, a little less sure of their purpose now. "I thought you had a whole thing mapped out!"

"To be fair, most of my plans involve following you and happening upon a solution later."

"Well I don't know what I'm doing!"

"Exactly my problem." Merlin sighed. "Look, step one was getting here, and that seems to have worked out well."

"How did you two get here so fast?" Gaius inquired.

"Kilgharrah."

"And he was okay with this crystal you have strapped to your neck?"

Arthur furrowed his brow. "You knew about the dragon?"

Gaius sighed. "Yes."

Merlin answered Gaius, "No. But it's not like I have a choice."

"You don't even know the cons-"

"I don't need to. Whats done is done, and I'm here." Merlin stated.

Arthur was tired of being talked over. "What the hell are you two on about. Is this crystal dangerous? What is going on?"

Merlin was silent for a moment, trying to think of the best way to put it. "The crystal works by masking my essence."

"Ok… what does that mean?"

Gaius took a seat. "That spell tied Merlin's life force to this place, in a sort of banishing spell. That wound only stays healed as he is away."

"Yet we're here."

"This crystal uses magic to disguise his life force, make it appear, magically at least, that Merlin isn't well, Merlin. He might as well be you or I, or some townsperson no one knows."

"Whats the problem with that?" Arthur asked.

"Nothing." Merlin tried.

Gaius sighed again. "Merlin is Emerys. He has great magic, as you've seen. But that power is tied directly to his life force. Without recognizing it there is no telling how his magic will act. If he'll be able to use it at all, and if he does if it does what he wants it to."

"He called the dragon with no trouble."

"I didn't have it on." Merlin said softly.

"But your magic is powerful." Arthur added, hopeful.

"Which is why it won't be a problem." Merlin stated firmly, with a confidence Gaius knew was forced. "We need to focus less on me and more on what Morgana is up to."

Gaius sighed. He knew Merlin was right, but it did not mean he wasn't worried. He hoped that this was not the beginning of something worse.

Arthur on the other hand was calmed by Merlin's confidence. He was building a new trust for his manservant. He felt confident that they would beat this, whatever it threw at them.

Chapter Text

Merlin paced Gaius' chambers impatiently, knocking a basket of herbs off a table out of frustration.

"What are you, a cat now?"

Merlin shot a glare at the Prince, but it softened as he saw that his friend was only trying to calm him down.

It had been days since they arrived back at Camelot, expecting to come upon a war. Days in which nothing happened. Days in which the Kingdom merely continued to exist in relative peace. No visible armies descended on the Citadel. No dark storms darkened the skies. Nothing at all seemed out of place in the slightest.

Merlin could feel his blood boil and prickle against the crystal masking his essence. His magic was almost unresponsive to his will with this spell disguising him. And all this discomfort was being endured for nothing.

The young warlock was aware he wasn't the only one who was agitated at this turn of events. Arthur was not only in the same boat, but he was now confined to just Gaius' quarters in his own castle to stay hidden. Not only that, but he could only imagine what was coming, not knowing his sister like Merlin did.

"Gaius said he'd be back as soon as he checked on what was happening in court." Merlin complained. "See if they'd heard anything."

"That was only half an hour ago."

Merlin groaned. He knew Arthur was right, but he didn't want to admit it.

He wasn't expecting the news that came when the door opened once more.

Chapter Text

Merlin tensed, his fingers spreading instinctively, readying for magic as the door swung open. Gaius rushed through, locking it behind him quickly before a loud thud could be heard. The commotion on the other side of the door was as if a wild animal was desperately clawing to get through.

"Gaius, what is going on?" Arthur demanded, pulling his sword out to be at the ready.

"Everyone's going mad."

"What?"

Gaius stepped away from the rattling door towards the two boys. "One by one. The court was in session one minute, and the next a knight was lunging like a rabid dog at his neighbor. Then two, then three. Ladies of status, servants, it doesn't matter. One at a time a war is breaking out, and it's all our own people."

Merlin stared at the door wide eyed. "And that is-?"

"Sir Leon." Gaius confirmed gravely.

Merlin swallowed, trying to process this new information.

"Is this Morgana's doing?" Arthur asked.

"It would seem unlikely to be a coincidence." Gaius confirmed.

"But she was marching with an army… plans to lay siege. This is to what… weaken the field?"

"Magic like this… it takes conduits, it takes great power. I imagine the fact we haven't seen the army is likely the fact they are being used as pawns in this spell."

"Pawns… what do you mean?"

Gaius sighed. "Spells like this can be achieved on this scale, but you have to use a living human to channel the energy. You sort of burn through one mind to affect another… this many people, I imagine her army is the conduit."

"Why change tactics like this? She had enough men to overwhelm our army with ease…"

"Me." Merlin said softly.

"You?" Arthur asked, acknowledging his skeptic disbelief was likely wildly misplaced.

"She's afraid of Emerys." Merlin said firmly. "I can fight an army, but I can't fight this enemy... "

Arthur paled. "Gaius, you said the court went nuts, did you see my father?"

"When I fled he was still unaffected. He fought off an attacker and slipped out of the throne room on his own."

Arthur tightened his grip on his blade. "I have to go find him."

Merlin nodded slowly, but he felt the panic mounting inside him. His head felt flushed and his heart beat fast. This was something he felt wholly unprepared for. "Gaius, you need to get into my room and lock it behind you." He said, feeling detached from the words, as if someone else were giving the advice.

"Be careful." Gaius pleaded, not bothering to argue with Merlin on this fact. "You'll have to lock it from your side too."

The prince's brow creased. "Why?"

"Just in case he's next." Merlin finished softly. He followed Gaius to the room in the back of the study.

"Merlin, I mean it. Please be careful."

"I always am." Merlin said flatly, closing the door behind Gaius. The spell to lock the door in place was simple enough that the crystal's effect didn't slow him in casting it. He took a deep breath, turning and looking past Arthur towards the door, still banging with the sounds of Sir Leon desperately trying to get to Gaius.

"Merlin…" Arthur said softly. "How do we break this spell?"

"I don't know." He admitted softly.

"We have to find my father. And we can't kill anyone."

Merlin wanted to believe that was possible, but he had a sinking feeling they were gravely out of their depth here. He walked up to the door and looked back at Arthur, waiting for a ready nod before unlocking it and letting in the force behind it.

Leon looked almost unrecognizable as he lunged in. He screamed so loud the veins on his forehead looked as if they might burst. He charged forward, gunning for Arthur faster than the prince could react to, and he was knocked prone. "Leon, listen to me! You're under a spell!" But Leon did not seem to even hear him.

Merlin ran over, hauling Leon backwards, struggling against his strength, falling back and getting an elbow to the jaw. This interruption allowed Arthur to his feet and he managed to slam the hilt of his sword over Leon's head, and he cringed as he heard the crack of his skull and Leon crumpled to the ground as dead weight. He closed his eyes, just breathing as Merlin looked over him. "Is he-?"

"He'll live." Merlin confirmed, trying to pull the knight into some semblance of a comfortable position. "We have to go."

Arthur nodded, steeling himself for whatever they might find beyond the safety of Gaius' quarters. With one last look back at the knight laid out on the ground, Merlin closed and used the locking spell on the door to the castle, effectively containing one danger.

The hallways felt eerily silent after the struggle with Leon, and it did little to calm either boy's nerves. Arthur found himself instinctively taking the lead, beckoning quietly for his servant to follow. Merlin gladly walked behind him, taking care to keep his footfalls light. It was ages before they could hear the scuffle. Rounding a corner, they came upon two servants, rage in their eyes clawing at each other with their bare hands. Both were already fairly bloodied, and neither seemed to acknowledge the two approaching figures.

Arthur jogged forward, pulling the smaller of the two off the elder servant, struggling as she kicked and writhed to escape his grasp. "Merlin!"

Merlin ran forward and tried to put his hand up to restrain them, his eyes flashing, but nothing happening. He frowned and shook his hand putting his hand up and reciting an incantation. Again, he could feel the magic pull under the surface of his skin, as if fleeing their unfamiliar master.

"Merlin." Arthur grunted through clenched teeth again.

Merlin swore under his breath and bridged the gap, reciting a far simpler incantation and placing his hand on the unrestrained woman's head. She fell from his grasp into a deep sleep, and he turned to do the same to the younger.

Arthur eased her down gently before moving back to lean against the wall and catch his breath. "What just happened?" He asked. "The crystal is stopping your magic, isn't it."

"Yeah." Merlin said softly. "Stronger spells anyway."

They heard the clattering down the hallway and the scream and Arthur was alert and heading towards it again, no hesitation.

Merlin jogged after Arthur, suddenly feeling regretful he did not have a weapon as Arthur did. He felt somewhat defenseless.

In the room at the end of the hallway, the shrieks were coming from a closed wardrobe as a knight beat on the unrelenting wood with his shield. Merlin pushed past Arthur roughly and placed his hand on the back of the knight's head, letting him fall away. He staggered back, feeling suddenly weak.

Arthur came forward and pulled the wardrobe open. He was greeted with the sight of Gwen, fresh blood on her head and tears in her eyes. "Gwen!"

"Arthur!" Gwen fell forward into open arms, feeling her breath catch in her throat at the relief.

"What happened?"

"Everyone's lost their minds." She took a deep breath. "I couldn't stop them… I just ran…"

"That was the right move." The prince insisted firmly, trying to lessen the guilt he could see written on her face.

"Theres something else-"

"Everything is going to be okay."

"Arthur-" Gwen stopped him. "I think Morgana has something to do with it." She blurted out, feeling herself flush hot as the words left her mouth. She gripped Arthur's arms, looking into his face and preparing herself to explain or defend her accusation.

"I know. We know." Arthur said gently, pulling her back into a hug. "You're okay now."

Gwen let tears run more readily as she was comforted yet again. "She said… I didn't know what she was talking about… but she said I shouldn't worry, my mind was mine for… for my years of service… I didn't know what she meant, but then everyone started attacking each other and…"

Arthur pulled away from her, keeping his hands on her shoulders in a form of comfort and protection. "Do you know where Morgana is now?"

Gwen shook her head. "I was in the kitchen when things started. I hadn't seen her in hours."

"Okay. We'll find her." He pulled her back in for one more hug, and turned his head to take in Merlin who was leaning dramatically against the post of the bed in the room. "Merlin?" He released Gwen, and she turned to look at the servant for the first time. Arthur frowned. "Merlin, are you alright?"

"Yeah." Merlin said, sounding oddly out of breath. "That just took a lot more out of me than I was expecting." Fighting the crystal for the most basic of magic was exhausting, which was a problem he hadn't anticipated. "Doesn't change the plan."

Arthur seemed to snap to his senses, and cool to the urgency of the situation. "Gwen, we have to find my father."

"I'll come with you."

"No Gwen." He touched the cut on her head, the source of the blood on her face and she winced. "You're injured. Stay here. Barricade the door behind us. I'll come back for you when this is done."

"Arthur!" She grabbed his sleeve, stopping him for a second. She bridged the gap, kissing him, not caring that Merlin could see, though she suspected he already knew. As they parted she looked him directly in the eyes. "Be careful."

"You too." He turned before he could lose the will to, and headed from the room, Merlin steeling himself and following behind. The door shut as they left, protecting Gwen from the fray.

The closer to the throne room, the more grim the scene became. No more struggles nearby, though fighting could be heard further away from multiple directions. Around them however lay the bodies of those who did not survive the first wave of the fighting.

Arthur looked carefully at every face both searching with dread for his father and taking count of who this fight had cost him. He looked back to check on Merlin, the sight stirring many thoughts at once. Merlin had a complex expression, but with his newfound knowledge, Arthur could actually accurately interpret it for once. Merlin had seen so much death before, and yet every time he had so much respect and sympathy for those who had fallen. The prince used to think it was softness, him being too unused to death to handle it. But Merlin had likely seen at least as much death as Arthur. This look was regret. The weight of the world was on his shoulders, and every person in the kingdom who fell was his responsibility. Arthur recognized the look as one he had been trained to lock away inside where no one could see. But despite his stoic demeanor, that regret was something he felt all too often.

Merlin did not stop to look at him, and when the prince had paused to make his observations, the young warlock simply moved passed him through the throne room.

Following the most likely path towards the King's quarters, Arthur was partially relieved to not find his Father's corpse amongst the rest. Reaching the closed door, they found six bodies cut aside, surrounding the entrance. Merlin and Arthur exchanged glances before Arthur's hand touched the door handle before throwing his shoulder's weight into busting it open.

Chapter Text

Of all the things the crown prince had prepared himself for, he somehow didn't feel ready to find his father affected by the spell. He had braced himself for finding his father dead on the ground. He had hoped to find his father safe from harm. Yet the feral rage that ignited through the king as he flung himself at the crown prince caught him completely off guard.

Arthur found himself knocked back, hitting the wall hard and forced to basically punch his father in a defense as the regent tried to bite his throat. Uther scrambled off of him, grabbing instinctively at his sword and swinging it at his only son without hesitation. Arthur managed to just barely dodge the deadly blow, and he fell backwards as his father lunged again.

The young warlock stepped forward, trying to stop the monarch from finishing off his competition, but he was unprepared for the calculated sword hilt to the mouth that sent him reeling backwards. Arthur pulled his own steel, deflecting Uther move for move. He shoved his father backwards over a chair and used the moment of confusion to disarm his opponent. He threw down his own sword and lunged at his father, trapping his arms to his side.

Merlin's hand shot up and like those who came before, the King of Camelot fell to the ground, unconsciousness soothing the fevered state. Merlin braced himself against the bedpost, letting the furniture take some of his weight off his exhausted frame. "We can't keep running around breaking fights up one at a time." He wiped at the blood coming steadily from his split open mouth.

"And who knows how far this spreads. The castle sure. The entire citadel? The outer villages?"

The young warlock frowned, trying to push his brain into critical thinking, finding it somehow harder when he was trying to include Arthur rather than hide from him. "Magic of this strength will need a focus."

"Maybe Morgana is the focus?"

"No, it'd burn right through her." Merlin frowned. "The castle is fairly central to Camelot, so it stands within reason that the focus would be here."

"Gwen said she hadn't seen Morgana in hours." Arthur mused.

"Magic like this, both Morgana and Morgause have to be here somewhere."

Arthur straightened up and clapped Merlin on the shoulder. "Well, no use just sitting here, lets find this thing. Then what?"

"Most spells break if the focus is severed. Whatever they're using we have to destroy it." Merlin shakily rose to his feet. He had never felt so uncomfortably weak and powerless before. He gave a half laugh in his head that he didn't allow to show on his face. 'Figures the one time I can show Arthur how powerful I am, I'm basically as weak as he used to think I was.'

They walked through the hallways in relative silence, save for a few echoes of far off struggles. Arthur tried hard to make a battle plan while being entirely and completely out of his depth. "This…"

"Focus." Merlin supplied.

"Yeah, this focus. What sort of things can be a focus?"

Emerys sighed, hand moving unconsciously to the crystal around his neck. "It's different for every spell. Traditionally a focus must be high of both value and strength."

"Value and strength?"

"The crystal around my neck is a focus. A silver dagger could be a focus. A gold ring. And the value doesn't have to be money. It can be of sentimental value or importance instead."

"But strong."

"Magic is like lightning. It is raw and devastating if unfocused, but not useful. The focus has to withstand that raw power while allowing you to direct it where you want it to go."

Arthur let those words sink in. He hadn't expected such a patient and thorough response to his question. He supposed Merlin was going to be a wonderful person to teach him why magic is good. Of course, provided they manage to survive this encounter. And that there is even a Camelot left to do or not do magic in.

"For a spell this widespread, I would imagine the focus has to be large. And likely stronger than silver. Iron perhaps, or stone."

"Important and iron." Arthur replied, slowing to a halt. "Like the warning bells of Camelot?"

Merlin gave it a quick thought and nodded. "Large, central. They're of great importance to the safety of this city. They're strong…"

"And a little ironic." Arthur grunted. "Just the dramatics I'd expect from Morgana."

Merlin pulled a face that Arthur couldn't quite read. He wasn't sure if it was regret or sympathy. It was over before the prince could fully figure it out. They were on the move again.

As they began to approach the stairs heading up towards the bells, their theory was looking more and more likely. The sounds up ahead seemed anything but friendly. And while conflict seemed to be fairly spread out in the rest of the castle, where they were heading sounded quite populated.

Arthur gave Merlin a look, trying to read what the warlock was planning, but he found instead Merlin sending back the same exact expression. He kicked himself mentally as he tried and failed to come up with proper reasoning. Merlin could knock out one person at a time, and if he did it too fast he was pretty sure his manservant would faint. As for himself, he couldn't do much but knock people out in an attempt not to have to kill them in self defense.

He set his jaw and gave a half shrug to Merlin. Upon not receiving a clear disagreement he gave a short nod and crept forward.

When he rounded the corner he was fully prepared to face the dozen or so threats that lay between him and his sister's plot. Therefore the two dozen or so raving knights and guards were a little surprising. Still, having been seen it wasn't as if they had much of a choice.

The two surged forward into battle much as they used to do. Arthur threw himself forward, grateful at least some of the guards wore helmets which made him feel better about the hilt of his sword crashing down upon their skulls. He spared a glance behind him and saw Merlin palm two knights at once, his eyes flashing gold and a spark flying from his finger tips before their limp bodies swayed and crashed towards the floor. Three more down at his hands, another three from the weakening warlock behind him. He could almost see the path through when he felt the blade slice across his shoulder.

Arthur heard his name and ignored it as he managed to disarm and disable the immediate attacker. He turned and watched Merlin as they found themselves surrounded again, and he took a deep breath feeling the sinking knowledge that they failed. He turned on heel and began to push back towards his friend, desperate to protect him.

The world seemed to slow down around them. Arthur could recount every second as if they lasted minutes. Merlin had staggered back and swayed, looking like he was about to lose his fight with gravity and very possibly with consciousness all together. His dull blue eyes hardened and he set himself, bracing himself rigidly against the fall. "Arthur!" He shouted, snapping his eyes to the Prince.

Arthur felt his heart sink further as he began to realize whatever was about to happen next, he didn't like. He pushed his weight onto his foot, trying to run faster and reach Merlin, ask what was happening, stop it if he didn't like the answer.

"Finish it." Merlin said simply, the words too quiet for the surrounding chaos yet somehow Arthur heard them.

Before he could reach the warlock, Merlin ripped the crystal off his neck, snapping the leather cord and throwing it as hard as he could across the room.

The power that had been crawling under his skin, desperately itching to break free rushed back, and Merlin swayed again, this time with the feeling that lightning was arcing through his body. He could feel the wound in his side begin to tear, slowly ripping the sealed flesh open, and the white hot agony began to crawl up his rib cage. He clenched his teeth and raised his hands, reciting an incantation and letting his eyes flash gold as his power burst out of him.

The surrounding army crumpled to their knees, all of them falling to Emerys' power at once. Merlin pushed forward, meeting Arthur as the prince put a hand on his shoulder. Merlin grasped Arthur's sword blade in his hand, the steel slicing into his palms. He hissed in pain, but let his magic flow into the metal, the sword glowing hot with his power even as he let it go. He used the last of his strength to throw him off, looking up to meet his eyes with urgency. "Use this. Go."

The world came rushing back to its normal speed. Arthur only let himself hesitate by his friend for a second before his training as a knight allowed him to follow a direct order without sentiment getting in his way. He turned and began to run as fast as he could towards the stairs, taking them two at a time to the top.

Morgana and Morgause were both there beside the warning bell, and neither hesitated in flinging their magic right for the prince. But Arthur had already thrown himself towards his goal. He couldn't restrain the scream that tore through him as magic ripped at his flesh, burning him like some cross between fire and a viper's venom. Yet still forward he fell, and with one last push he thrust his sword forward, the enchantment allowing the sword to cut through the steel like butter.

Cracks formed in the bell, widening, and light began to seep through the fissures. Arthur had to close his eyes against the intense blinding brightness released by the failing spell. When the spell finally faded he found his surroundings suddenly too quiet and dark. He looked up but saw no hint of either Morgause or Morgana. His sword dulled back to it's normal luster, and he let it drop for the final time that night.

Clutching at his ribs where the spells had twisted his flesh under his chain mail, the prince struggled to stand, leaning against the wall as he tried to make his way back to Merlin. He had just caught sight of the unconscious warlock when the world in front of him began to close in, and he found himself swaying and losing his own battle with consciousness.

The last thing he was aware of was a voice that sounded suspiciously like his own call out to Merlin.

Chapter Text

Merlin's awareness returned in stages. It was sounds at first. Muffled voices, a soft female voice and a gruff male. He couldn't focus long enough to make out what they were saying, but they sounded concerned. The sounds faded for a while, but when they returned the voices were gone. He had to try and take stock of his surroundings without them. A crackling sound, maybe a fire? Some sort of rustling, perhaps papers being sorted.

The second stage involved light. He couldn't command his eyes to open but he became aware of light splashing across his face. Every so often the rustling would get closer, and a shadow would pass over his closed eyelids.

The third stage brought pain back into the equation. Feeling flooded his senses, and Merlin found himself immediately wishing for the ignorant bliss of the darkness from before. His side was on fire, creeping up and through him, icy hot stabs of pain sparked upwards and out from the wound he remembered being in that location. The pain sparked memory. He could remember the injury tearing open, the warm slick of the blood down his side, the searing agony as he moved past it to cast the spells he needed to get Arthur to save Camelot. With those thoughts came confusion.

He had ripped off the crystal. He felt his life force begin to leave him. He knew what exposing himself and his powers in Camelot meant. That spell went to work on killing him, and he sure hadn't gotten himself out of harms way.

As the intolerable pain faded just the slightest amount, he was able to take a moment to look past it and get a sense of his surroundings. He could feel the surface below him, warm and surprisingly soft. He could feel a tight binding around his torso, a bandage of some sort. He could feel that the crystal was not around his neck.

And beyond that he could smell… didn't it smell like home?

His eyes finally obeyed his command. He couldn't do anything to prevent the groan of pain as he shifted slightly, blinking to clear the haze settled across his eyes. He looked around, and as he adjusted to the sudden influx of light he could finally place himself in Gaius' quarters. Gwen had heard him stir and rushed to his side, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder and preventing what would have been his next move to sit up.

"Stay still. Gaius went to grab some herbs from the kitchens, he'll be back in just a moment."

Merlin tried to say something but just let the air hiss out of his lungs as he collapsed bonelessly back against the cot. He tilted his head in the other direction and caught sight of a second cot, on which lay the Prince of Camelot. He tried to form a question, but didn't manage to even begin it before he gave into the darkness' siren song.

It was dark outside before he managed to pull himself from unconsciousness once more. This time he was facing Arthur, and was surprised to see the Prince sitting up and eating something. Merlin began to cough when he tried to question him, and he was startled by a hand on his shoulder from behind his field of vision. Snapping his head up, he calmed at the sight of Gaius. Relieved by the water he was being offered, Merlin let himself relax slightly. He gave himself a second before he tried again.

"What happened?"

"You mean before or after your little suicidal stunt?" Arthur jabbed.

Merlin wrinkled his nose. "You mean when I saved your royal ass?"

"Oh, shut up." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"After. I was sort of busy dying to notice what was going on."

"Yes you were." Gaius scolded gently, though it was clear that while he had been scared by his ward's brush with death, he didn't blame Merlin. "Gwen came and found me." Merlin looked around, trying to find her with his eyes. "I sent her off to rest." Gaius explained. "She's been here almost non stop for the past two days."

Merlin closed his eyes. "Two days?"

"Someone else had been trying to get to Gwen, so she knew when the spell lifted. She ran out and found you two first. Then she came and got Sir Leon and myself. We pulled you two here."

"When I tore off that crystal… why didn't I-"

"Die?" Arthur grunted. "You tore off that crystal expecting to die." He sounded a bit more angry with Merlin than Gaius. Merlin tried to ignore that.

Gaius continued, "From what I can tell the spells you cast were so powerful they drained you of your magic temporarily."

"What?"

"You've had days where you use so much of your magic that you exhaust yourself of your powers."

Merlin nodded, starting to follow the physician's logic.

"Your magic is your life force. With it as dim as it was, the spell couldn't keep hold of you. You were almost as masked as you had been with the crystal concealing you. It gave enough of a reprieve that we could go to work stabilizing your wound. The plan had been for Sir Leon to ride with you outside of the kingdom, but it didn't remain necessary. That crystal the druids gave you. With enough time I was able to use it to break the binding on the citadel."

"You mean…"

"Your fate is severed from Camelot. You can finally heal, and not fear the wounds reopening by magical means."

Arthur threw the wooden spoon he had been eating with and it bounced off the warlock's head. "Which doesn't mean you can't rip them open by just being stupid."

Merlin winced, throwing a glare at the prince. "I wasn't being stupid then." He objected.

Arthur sighed. "I know." He paused, considering his words before speaking aloud. "Thank you."

Merlin stopped completely, breath hitched in his throat. This was the first time he had defended Camelot with magic and been thanked by the Prince. And it meant twice as much because he had done it both in front of Arthur, but more importantly with Arthur. He didn't notice he was smiling until he was being hit with a wooden fork.

"Wipe that stupid grin off your face, it wasn't like you did all the work." But Arthur was smiling too.

"And what happened to you?"

"Morgana and Morgause didn't love me stabbing at their precious spell. I don't know what they threw at me, but..." Arthur rubbed subconsciously at his shoulder, and Merlin could see the edges of several bandages just peeking over the collar of his tunic.

"You okay?"

"I'll live." Arthur said, a bit of a put-upon warning to his words.

"You both will." Gaius assured firmly.

Merlin couldn't help the grin that was spreading across his face as he relaxed back against the pillow. "Yeah." And Camelot would too. Thanks to both of them.

"Don't forget, you still owe me a world of explanations, a couple dozen lessons in magic, and at least one solid plan for how we track down whatever dark hole Morgana and Morgause are hiding in now." Arthur warned.

Merlin's eyes began slipping closed, the relief of finding everyone out of danger allowing him to lower his guard and begin to drift off. He listened to the Prince's list of tasks for his future and he tried to come up with a witty response, but his thoughts were letting him down. Instead he settled on a tried and tested nickname. "Prat."

"Oi!"