Tired of Pretending

Magic

This is not his bed. His bed is soft and so comfortable he wants to wring Merlin's neck for making him leave it every morning.

This thing is hard and cold, and sticks are poking his side.

Sticks...

Why the hell is he on the ground!

Arthur remembers nothing of going on a hunt or patrol. Besides, why wouldn't he be on his bedroll?

Arthur hears a fire crackle and someone sighs.

Arthur blinks up at the starry night sky.

He sits up with a groan, hand coming to his head.

Arthur hears a chuckle being quickly muffled. He turns his head to give his servant a glare.

"Merlin, why am I on the ground?..."

Merlin snorts, "After you came out of hiding you fainted, like a girl."

Arthur scoffs, "I did not! And what are you tal-" Arthur stops mid-word as it all came rushing back to him, "oh."

All amusement leaves Merlin's face and he nods solemnly. Without him realizing it, Merlin's heart rate soars.

Arthur had froze as his mind digests his new found memories.

Arthur feels his rage building, "Liar." Arthur hisses.

With that one word all Merlin's hope comes crashing down, "Arthur please, I can explain."

"Young Warlock," Arthur whispers with another realization. Arthur snarls, his voice filled with venom, "Sorcerer." Arthur slowly stands, picking up his sword.

The word hits Merlin like a blow, knocking him on his back. Merlin's face fills with angst and fear.

Arthur jolts.

Merlin. His Merlin is afraid, of him.

A little voice whispers

As he should be.

Arthur's face hardens, he takes a step forward.

Merlin can't move.

His mind screams Run.

His body says no.

His magic whispers Arthur.

Arthur reaches the shaking Merlin, towering over him.

Arthur raises his sword to strike, his anger and pain overwhelming him. His heart is being torn to shreds, his trust, his brother.

The betrayal.

He thought he could trust Merlin, above anyone else, even his late father. His Merlin.

Just as he's about to deliver the blow a voice rings through his head.

A great many more.

The Great Dragon had said in the conversation that started it all.

So have you.

Then comes Merlin's voice.

I just don't want him to think I'm one of them.

He doesn't know that.

An old memory from when he was a prince whispers to his mind.

I am happy to be your servant until the day I die.

One from when he was king.

And I swear I will protect you or die at your side.

Merlin's voice echo's in his minds ear. The memory from the night he chose his challenge to prove himself, he opened the doors to Merlin waiting for him.

I didn't want you to feel that you were alone.

I didn't want you to feel that you were alone.

feel that you were alone.

that you were alone.

Arthur drops his sword, following it onto his knees.

Arthur's face is etched with horror.

"Merlin." It comes out as a whisper.

Arthur grabs the terrified man, pulling him to him.

One arm wraps around his friend's back, the other holding the back of his head, spearing his fingers through raven hair.

Arthur presses his cheek to the top of his Merlin's head.

Merlin pulls back fighting a teary grin. Arthur doesn't let him go far. He almost lost him once, to himself. It won't happen again.

Arthur looks into Merlin's eyes and asks something his curiosity wont let go of, "will you show me?"

Merlin's eyebrows raise farther than even Gaius's.

Arthur looks sheepish.

Merlin rolls his eyes and mutters, "prat."

Then his eyes flash a brilliant gold.

Arthur is astounded, it looks so natural with Merlin. When Merlin's eyes fade back to blue Arthur looks closer, he can still see flecks of the blazing gold. How had he not seen it before?

Arthur jumps, he had been so astonished with the golden eyes he forgot the reason for their flashing.

Before his eyes hung a beautiful dragon in the air, the Pendragon dragon, made of flickering flames.

Magnificent.

Arthur cautiously raises his hand and brought it near, careful not to touch it.

No heat. Arthur grins.

The dragon fades from sight and Arthur remembers something.

His eyes grow sad. "A great many more." He mumbles.

Merlin's eyebrows crease, "what?"

"A great many more. The Great Dragon said that you've lost a great many more than me. How many? How many have you lost?" Arthur's voice fills with pain as he realizes he wasn't there for him when Merlin needed him most.

Merlin smiles sadly at his brother. That is what Arthur is, his brother

His Arthur.

"Where do you want me to start?"

Arthur already had it all planned out. When they got back to Camelot the Round Table were to be told. Merlin would be his Court Sorcerer-Warlock he corrects himself. Then they would all slowly repeal the ban. His family

"At the beginning."