The Truth about Merlin

Shaking

(Author: I finally updated again! Thanks for the likes and comments so far I really appreciate it xx This story is now on 11K reads!!)

The men rushed to Gaius's chambers and lay the girl down. Gaius was still out so Merlin began preparing things in order to treat her whilst Arthur stood helplessly next to her. Merlin's hands were still shaking slightly and this became obvious to Arthur when he heard pots clanging together.

"Are you ok Merlin?" Arthur asked, startling Merlin and causing him to drop and smash one of the pots.

"I'm, I'm fine" Merlin stuttered and then he smiled but it was unconvincing. He knelt down and cleared the broken shards off the floor.

"You look a bit pale, are you sure you're ok?" Arthur said. He noticed that Merlin's hands were still shaking and he reached out and grabbed his friend's arms to steady them. "You know you can tell me anything Merlin." Merlin's eyes met Arthur's.

"I know but I'm fine, honestly. I think I'm coming down with a fever but it'll pass. It's the girl we need to worry about" Merlin said.

"You're right."

"Besides, you know all my secrets now" Merlin laughed and Arthur smiled slightly. Then they both walked over to the girl and stood either side of her.

"She'll be ok Arthur. There's no signs of any physical injury so I think she just fainted" Merlin lied but Arthur nodded thoughtfully, believing his friend.

"What could have caused it" he asked and Merlin shrugged.

"It could be due to anything sir". He put a blanket over the girl. "I don't think it's anything serious so you don't have to stay. She'll be fine and I'm sure you've got more important duties to do."

"Yes you're quite right. We have someone coming to the castle with news regarding Morgana." Merlin's eyes flicked towards Arthur at the mention of her name and thoughts of her from earlier on that day filled his mind.

"Morgana?" Merlin muttered, deep in thought.

"Yes some villagers claim to have seen her" Arthur continued. "And he thinks we can join forces to defeat her."

"You can't do that" Merlin blurted out without realizing. Arthur stared at him, confusion filling his face. Why did I say that, he thought. "I just mean that it could be dangerous for him. Besides, I've got magic" Merlin said. It was still weird to admit that to Arthur.

"Yes but he doesn't know that does he and neither does anyone else, except the Knights, and I want it to stay that way." Merlin nodded.

"It didn't stop me before" Merlin said. He desperately wanted to keep his magic a secret to everyone but if the choice was between exposure or endangering Camelot, he'd choose exposure. Arthur smiled as he put one hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Two armies are better than one, even if one of them has a powerful sorcerer on their side" Arthur said, smiling again and Merlin laughed slightly. Then Arthur's face changed to one of a more serious appearance. "I don't want you to get hurt again like last time. At least we'll stand a better chance with more soldiers on our side."

Merlin thought for a moment. In the previous battle he should have won. He's more experienced, more powerful and far more capable of wielding magic than Morgana yet, he barely escaped with his life. Morgana was more driven last time but that was when she had Mordred by her side. What would become of her if Mordred didn't make it. Arthur had told Merlin of how he was first to fall from a fatal blow with an arrow.

"I won't. Not this time" Merlin simply replied. He wouldn't let Morgana hurt him again.