Merthur One-shots

The Fear In The Truth

Summary: Merlin panicking about revealing his magic, ranting to a goddess about all the things he's scared of and Arthur being a good friend.

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Merlin had no idea how he got himself into these situations. It was a gift - or a curse - really. How he managed to always end up in places he really ought not to be with people he ought not to be with and with things that ought not to be said on the verge of being spoken, he’ll never know. 

The day had started off rather well. He was on a mission with the knights and Arthur, off to collect some object or other and everything had been so normal. And he had thought, stupidly, that maybe this once he wouldn’t have to use magic or get them out of a sticky situation or nearly be exposed for his crimes. Stupid. Idiotic. And as Arthur liked to say, he really was a fool. Because just after lunch, as they were walking through the forest, they came across a bridge. And that was when everything went to hell. 

Arthur stepped onto the bridge first. No sooner had his foot touched the wood, a beautiful woman appeared in the middle of the bridge. The knights drew their swords at once, but the woman just smiled. 

“Be still, young knights. I am the goddess of this realm and in order to cross my bridge, you have to fulfil a simple task. Do so, and you may cross unharmed. Fail, and you will die. If you do not wish to continue, you may leave now unharmed. But you will not find another way to cross my river and so your quest will fail.” 

Merlin eyed the goddess. She had light brown skin and dark, curly hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She wore a white dress with a golden belt and her feet were bare. He shifted uneasily. Something felt off. 

“What is the task, goddess?” Arthur asked lowering his sword and sheathing it. 

The knights followed suit. 

The goddess smiled coldly. “Simple. To cross the bridge, each of you must take your turn stating your greatest fear. If what you say is true, you may cross unharmed and continue on your quest.” 

Arthur turned to face the knights. “I am willing to complete the task, are you?” Arthur asked. 

Merlin had no idea what the knights said, he was too busy panicking. His greatest fear… how could he stand before Arthur and Leon and Gwaine and Percival and Elyan and state his biggest secret? How could he reveal his magic to Arthur? He felt himself grow pale. 

“Merlin?”

Merlin looked up as Arthur said his name and swallowed. “Okay, sire.” 

Arthur rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry, Merlin. None of us will laugh when you reveal your fear of spiders.” 

Gwaine snorted and Merlin forced out a weak laugh. “And I promise not to laugh when you admit to being scared of rats, sire.”

Arthur flushed. “That was one time,” he muttered under his breath, before straightening up and turning back to the goddess. “We will accept your task, my Lady. And as the King of Camelot, I will go first.” Arthur stepped further onto the bridge.

“State your greatest fear, Arthur Pendragon, and you shall pass unharmed,” the goddess says. 

Merlin watched as Arthur took a deep breath. “My greatest fear is failing in my duties as king. I fear that I will not be good enough, that I won’t live up to my fathers expectations and that I will ruin Camelot and let down her people.”