Merlin: The Idiot's Secret

Authors note: So I just had a craving to write about Merlins secret. so here it is. It is entirely in Arhturs pov,  so not much about Merlin's thoughts sadly. But I hope you'll like it anyway. I'd really appreciate a vote or comment (good comments as well as bad ones) Enjoy!

PS: I am really surprised that I got this finished, although it is a one shot. I have all kinds of Merlin based stories in my head, but I never get more on paper that a first chapter. :( Then I just stop for some reason. If you'd me to upload those unfinished stories, leave a comment/send me a message. Or if you're a good writer and want inspiration, maybe I will give you one of my stories. 

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Arthurs pov

Merlin has been my servant for a very long time and even though I didn't admit it to him, I always considered him to be my friend, the best and bravest I know. There has however, always been something about Merlin that I couldn't lay my finger on. Normally, I ignore it, because he is a clumsy idiot, but sometimes, I think there is more to him than meets the eye. The way he sometimes moves and speaks, almost as if he is wise. That is another thing I'd normally shrug off, but lately I've noticed this more and more often: something is troubling him and I think it's about me. It is like he knows more, knowledge that weighs heavy on him and makes him sad and absent on moments when he is normally joyful. I have asked him what was on his mind, but he always just shrugged it off and said he was okay, while I knew he wasn't.

I think about this in bed, unable to sleep because it troubles me. It has been like this for a couple of nights and I haven't slept well. I decide to take a walk, maybe then I can empty my mind. I get out of bed and make a stroll through the citadel. Just as I'm about to return to my chambers, I see Merlin sneaking around a corner. What the hell is he doing? I want to yell and ask the idiot what he is doing this late, but at the last moment I decide to keep quiet and follow him. Maybe I can find out what is troubling him. I follow him outside the city into the woods.  He is running fast and I hear him yelling something that I don't understand. When I finally reach the open area where Merlin had stopped, I see something unbelievable. Something I thought I'd never see again and it horrifies me. In front of Merlin stands a dragon, and not just any dragon, it is the Great Dragon I thought I'd killed. Apperently not. But the thing that surprises me even more is the fact that he does nothing to Merlin, he just stands there and... talks? And Merlin seems at ease with this. Realisation strikes me: He lied to me when he said I killed the dragon. I try to listen to what they are saying. Merlin seems upset about something. So he doesn't admit it to me, but he does tell his problems to a giant vicious dragon? That's just great.

"So this battle will come to pass?"I heard Merlin say, there is fear in his voice. What on earth is he talking about?

"I do not know, young warlock," the Dragon answers, "but one thing is certain,  this was no chance meeting."

I am confused, did he just call Merlin a warlock? He doesn't have magic, unless... no that is impossible. I flinch as realisation strikes me. Merlin has magic. It all makes sense now. But the thing I don't understand is why he would betray me like that. First Morgana, then Agravaine, not Merlin too. I am shaking from top to bottom, Merlin is my best friend, why has evil taken him too? I slowly sink to the ground, I don't know what to do, so I just sit there and slowly let the emotions get the better of me. The first thing I feel after the confusion is sadness, then slowly anger starts to fill my mind. Anger, not only against Merlin, but also against myself, because I'd been so ignorant to trust him. Somewhere between all the anger and sadness I also feel pity, pity that magic had to take Merlin.

They are still talking, but I don't really listen. I never want to see or hear him again, but then the Dragon says something that grabs my attention, something about me; "...it is you and you alone that can keep Arthur safe." Why would he say that? Why would Merlin want to keep me safe? He betrayed me, he is evil. 

In all my emotion, I only realise they'd spotted me when Merlin puts his hand on my shoulder and says desparately: "I'm sorry Arthur, I should have told you about my secret, but you need to know, I only use my powers for you, only for you, please believe me." A tear runs down his cheek. Why is he crying?

"I don't know what I should believe anymore, just... Just go," I answer, my voice is shaky. I push his hand from my shoulder. I don't want to see him anymore, not after all this. I want to run, but I cannot get the strenght to stand up. Merlin opens his mouth to say something, but stops. There are no words that will change how I now see him and he knows it, but somehow there is still a part of me that says he really still is my friend. I need to decide his faith now, both for me and for him. The law says he should be executed, but I don't think I can manage that. I finally stand up and say to him: "When I turn around I don't want to see you face again. You are exiled from Camelot. You have till dawn to pack your stuff amd leave," my voice trembles. Merlins face is full of tears. "There is no evil in magic, Arthur, only in people" he says, there is agony in his voice and I realise he is right, but I cannot turn back on my decision now. He still lied to me all this time. I walk away.

"Arthur Pendragon," the Great Dragon spoke and I stop, still with my back towards Merlin, "you are destined to do great things. The once and future king, destined to unite Albion. There are many that wish to defy you in your quest to do so, there are people that want your kingdom or merely want your life." I turn around, "I've heard someone say that before," and I know that someone is Merlin.

"You cannot defend everything yourself," Merlin finishes the Great Dragons words, his voice is more confident now. "Since the first moment I came to Camelot, I've been there at your side to protect you Arthur. I have saved your life so many times that I have lost count. And I would never ever purposely do you harm. I would give my life for you and deep down you know that, you just have to realise that. Magic can be used for good." Merlins words strike me hard, I'd never seen this side of him, the determitation to convince me, but then again, do I even know any part of him?

"Why did you never tell me," I need to know, because I am confused and don't know what to do anymore.

"Because you would have chopped my head off," he says matter-of-factly. "and I didn't want to put you in that position." That last thing really strikes me, he hadn't only thought of himself, but also of me, and what harm it would cause me. Suddenly another thought comes to my mind, not only a thought, but a craving.

"I want to see it." I say quickly.

"What?" Merlin is surprised.

"Your magic, I want to see it. Do something, it doesn't matter what." When Merlin realises what I've asked him to do he starts to smile, he slowly steps towards me and brings his hands to his mouth "Gewyrc an lif" he whispers. I can see his eyes flash golden, he truely is a sorcerer. I only really believe it now and I realize I am not anry or sad anymore, seeing Merlin smile again for the first time since a very long time makes me happy too and I realize that he was right when he said that there is no evil in magic and only people can decide that. I have to think about all the times he stood by my side, all the things he's done for me. I only now understand all he has done for me. And I bet he's done even more.

He opens his hands and a butterfly flies away.

"I take back what I said," I say, now finally calm, "you can stay in Camelot as long as you want," I pat him on the shoulder, "and I'll make sure you will never have to hide again." his smile got even bigger, "Does that mean I can get the day off?" he joked. Now thats the old joyful Merlin back. "Yeah sure, after you polished my armor, sharpened my sword, washed my clothes and cleaned the floor." I say.

"You know, you may have accepted my magic, but are still a prat," he says, there is once again a smile on his face. 

"And you are still and idiot." I reply, while punching him softly on his arm. Together we walk back to the castle, the rest of the night I have the best sleep I've had in days.

A/N: Thanks for reading!
So I hoped you liked it. Please leave a vote if you did. Maybe you'll also like to read my other Merlin one-shot;

Merlin: True Identity

It's pretty similar and yet totally different. :).