Arthur's Sons (Book 1)

The Moment of Truth (Part 2)

Merlyn ran after Will who had returned to his house, once inside she saw the mess the raiders had left while looking for the harvest the villagers had hidden. She watched Will grumble and pick up the items strewn all over the floor before sighing and waving her hand with a flash of gold in her eyes everything moved back to its proper place. Will turned to her and frowned while Merlyn approached with trepidation.

"He knows what he's doing. You've got to trust him. Look, when I first met Arthur, I was exactly like you. I hated him. I thought he was pompous and arrogant."

Will snorted and crossed his arms defiantly. "Well, nothing's changed there, then."

"But, in time, I came to respect him for what he stands for, what he does." Merlyn told him coldly.

"Yeah, I know what he stands for: princes, kings, all men like him."  Will sneered.

Merlyn sighed and fixed Will with a glare. "Will, don't bring what happened to your father into this."

"I'm not. Why are you defending him so much? You're just his servant. Or are you his bed warmer now? Does he even know about the twins?" Merlyn stiffened at the accusation in his voice and stepped toward him menacingly.

"Listen, Will, I don't care if you hate Arthur but I will not let you put me down for something I chose and agreed to. What happened four years ago has nothing to do with you, after the argument we had back then you are lucky I forgave you and let you be a part of their lives, my life. Arthur is a good man and my friend, he accepted the boys without questioned and has been a wonderful role model and father to them and I will not let you paint him in a bad light when it is you who is being a jealous pillock!" Merlyn barked at Will who looked stunned. Meanwhile outside the hut Arthur's heart swelled with pride at the fact that Merlyn thought him a good father and he smiled faintly.

"Ha, if you were really friends he wouldn't lord it over you." Will snarked and Merlyn shook her head in disbelief.

"He isn't like that."

"Really? Well, let's wait until the fighting begins and see who he sends in to die first. I guarantee you, it won't be him." Will huffed turning away.

"I trust Arthur with my life." Merlyn told him fiercely.

Will turned back with a cold smile on his face. "Is that so? So he knows your secret, then? Look, face it, Merlyn You're living a lie. Just like you were here. You're Arthur's servant, nothing more. Otherwise, you'd tell him the truth." Merlyn faltered at that and sighed running her fingers through her hair.

"Maybe you're right, maybe I should tell him." She said absently and Arthur's breath hitched.

"Are you crazy! He'll burn you at the stake! You and the twins, don't Merlyn you will regret it!" Will cried grabbing her shoulders and shaking her, Merlyn pushed him back slightly and fixed him with a chilling glare.

"No Will, Arthur is different. He does not share his father's views on magic, he helped me and the boys save a druid without us needing to ask. Besides the worst he would do is banish us if he isn't the man I thought he was, I don't think Arthur could kill his own flesh and blood." Merlyn's voice was quiet but firm and Arthur smiled wondering when she would tell him.

Will blanched and shook his head. "No Merlyn, you're putting all of your lives at risk I can't let you do that. Even if you do tell him and he accepts you he's a Prince, you could never be with him."

"I am happy to be his servant till the day I die, I don't want a crown or land or status. I'm happy just as I am and Arthur loves me for it, he loves that I challenge him and make him a better person and he does the same for me. We make each other better and we don't need crowns or royal blood to do it, for the first time in a long time I feel like I belong in Camelot with Arthur, Gaius, Gwen and Morgana. You and Mother will always be family to me but they are my new family and I wouldn't trade them for anything." Merlyn had tears in her eyes at the heartfelt confession, she had never said these things to the others but she felt she needed to say them now so that Will would understand.