The Warlock in the Forest

Uncovered Secrets

Words: 1,456

Merlin hates knighting ceremonies. They're boring and standing still for so long makes him feel stiff and cold. There's nothing about them that's enjoyable. If he hadn't been so worried, he would've enjoyed Morgause's dramatic entrance. Really, she and Arthur should compare notes.

But it is very funny to watch the prince get bested by a girl. Quite funny indeed. Not that Arthur would agree. Merlin was a fool to think that was the end of it. And if he purposely chose not to use magic in aiding Arthur to sneak out of his chambers, then no one has to know. Especially not the prince.

When they're attacked in the woods, it's nothing but instinct to protect himself using magic. Once all the men have fallen, Arthur gives Merlin that look of his. Like he's second-guessing his decision to leave Merlin alive, like he's afraid. Merlin hates it when Arthur looks at him like that.

As they sit around a small fire, Merlin somehow gets Arthur to open up about his mother. He suddenly understands why he's so insistent on keeping his word. Arthur might be an honorable man but he's still a boy who misses a mother her never met. Merlin feels a heavy weight sitting on his chest. He nearly speaks of his own parents but he can't bring the words past his throat.

At first, Merlin doesn't know if the image of Arthur's mother is real. Morgause clearly has powerful magic, he can feel it in the air around him. But somehow, he knows it's true. Everything that Igraine says is the truth. Uther used magic to help him have a son, sacrificing his wife's life in the process. Arthur was born of magic. And ever since, he's been condemning those who have and use magic to death. Even though he did the same. It makes an anger Merlin hasn't felt in a long time rise inside of him. But for Arthur's sake, he pushes it down.

Betrayal isn't a feeling Merlin is familiar with. But knowing that Gaius knew and never told him about Arthur's birth hurts.

Chest heaving for air, Merlin rushes through the castle after Arthur. The doors to the counsel room are closed and guarded, Leon refuses to let him in even though he hears the sound of sword clashing against sword. It doesn't take long to convince the knight to let him pass. It's much harder to convince Arthur to let his father live.

Merlin feels his hatred for Uther return tenfold but he knows that if Arthur kills his own father, he'll never be the same. He'll never forgive himself for that, even if he hates the man. So Merlin does what he does best and lies. He convinces Arthur that Morgause was lying until he drops his sword and steps away from Uther. It's the first time he's lied to the prince.

Every word out of the sorcerer's mouth feels like a punch to the gut but he pushes on. He clenches his jaw shut and blinks while Arthur falls to his knees and apologizes to his father.

***

"She was really lying?" Merlin looks up at the sound of Arthur's voice. The young prince stares solemnly out the window, a crease forming between his eyebrows. He must hesitate to answer for too long because Arthur turns his gaze onto him. "Merlin?"

"I promised I would never lie to you, Arthur," He hates himself for breaking that promise already, but there hadn't been another choice. But maybe he can make it right now.

"And I appreciate that," Arthur says slowly as he pushes himself to his feet. He's now facing Merlin completely, the lines on his forehead more prominent than before.

"If you had killed your father, you never would have forgiven yourself."

"That's not what I asked, Merlin," Arthur's voice hardens with every word and Merlin finds himself taking a step back.

"Arthur," The young warlock nearly pleads. The prince blows out a sharp breath and turns towards the door but stops when he hears the locks engage. He glances back just in time to see the hold fading from Merlin's eyes.

"Open the door," Arthur demands but Merlin ignores him.

"She might not have been lying but not because she wanted to help you. She knew what learning the truth would do, she knew you would go after your father and the kingdom would fall apart." Merlin urges Arthur to listen to his words. He steps towards the prince, his eyes imploring and earnest. "Your father didn't realize the price he was making at the time. And that may not excuse what he's done since, but it doesn't change it. He made his choice, Arthur, yours doesn't have to be the same."

"He has condemned innocent people for doing the same thing he did!" Arthur raises his voice causing Merlin to glance nervously at the door. "How can you, above anyone else, not see the fault in that?"

"I do see the fault in it," Merlin fires back. He'd kept his emotions in check before but now that control starts to slip away. "He has murdered people like me for no more than being born for years for a mistake he made. He's massacred towns, torn family's apart, killed parents killed children." The fact that he's saying these words to the Prince, the son of the king, never crosses Merlin's mind. He doesn't think of the possible consequences as anger runs through his veins like a blazing fire. "He killed my parents, burnt them, and our village to the ground!" As soon as the words leave his mouth, Merlin's shoulder slump. He feels his entire body ready to collapse as the fire leaves him.

He starts to wonder then why he didn't let Arthur kill Uther. But then he remembers. Arthur is young. He's not ready to be king yet, he has lots to learn. If Uther died now, the kingdom would fall, Albion would never be born. And though Arthur may be angry now, he would never recover from killing his own father. It doesn't matter what Merlin feels towards the king, he cannot act on it, he must deal with it until one day, Arthur will take his rightful place on the thrown. A day when he's ready to take on that role and responsibility. That day is not today.

And this is exactly what he tells Arthur. The prince's own shoulders have dropped from their normally high-held position. He stays oddly silent with a tense yet blank expression. His eyes shine red and Merlin has no doubt his match in their appearance.

"I'm sorry, for breaking my promise to you," Merlin speaks quietly in the large room. He bows his head, his gaze glued to the cold stone below his feet. "I was only trying to protect you."

Merlin hears Arthur approaching him but he doesn't lift his head. Not until he feels a warm hand land on his shoulder. Arthur squeezes once before he drops his arm, looking a little uncomfortable by the emotions displayed. "I'm sorry, too," The words are soft but pained. Merlin has no words in response and simply nods. They stand in only a slightly uncomfortable silence for a moment until Arthur starts towards his desk.

Merlin turns but doesn't move anywhere else in the room. He watches Arthur sit with his elbows on the desk, his clasped hands resting against his chin. "I'm sorry for what I said."

"Why?" Arthur lifts his eyes to meet Merlin's gaze. "It's true." He sounds defeated, tired. Merlin feels bad that he caused his friend to feel this way. "Everything you said, is true."

"Still, I'm sorry," Arthur sighs. He neither accepts nor denies Merlin's apology. There's another beat before Arthur gives a lazy wave.

"You may go."

"What are you going to do?"

"Nothing," The response earns him a raised brow. Arthur rolls his eyes. "I won't do anything rash, Merlin."

"That's hard to believe," This time, Arthur raises both of his eyebrows. "I just feel most of your decisions are rash."

"You do know who you're talking to, right?"

"Yes. A royal prat," The air around them seems to lose some of its tension. Arthur scoffs but his lips lift into a small smile. Merlin fills himself grin. "I'll be back later." He feels the need to remind Arthur of this. A warning that he'll be nearby, keeping an eye on things. Just in case.

"Very well," Merlin nods once before turning to exit the room. He stops, his hand on the door handle when Arthur calls his name. The prince's face has gone serious once again. "Do not lie to me again."

"Wouldn't dream of it, sire."

Well, that was heavy. I sort of just wrote the second half in about fifteen minutes or less so I'm not sure it makes sense.

But thanks for reading!

'-'