merthur oneshots

He Grew Up

1340 words; this one is kind of depressing and the end has hints of Dark!Merlin, but i really enjoyed writing it and i hope you enjoy reading the story!

Merlin walked into Camelot with a smile on his face, despite the nerves growing in his stomach. This was a new beginning, a chance for him to start over and make a life for himself! What better feeling than to be happy at this moment?

A skip in his step led him throughout the foreign kingdom while he observed those around him. A girl with pale skin and blonde hair laughed while she threw herself into a man's arms. A mother scowled as she was forced to reprimand her child for knocking over a stand of jewelry. An old man sat, face rather blank, as he told stories of his youth to little kids. Merlin smiled at the differences. Maybe he would feel welcomed here.

The skip in his step slowed to a stop, and the smile made it's way off of his face. A man was tied to a cross looking set-up while a man with too much power condemned him to death for crimes that were not worthy of that punishment. Merlin couldn't watch, he looked down and walked into the opposite direction.

He quite literally ran into a handsome but arrogant young man. Blonde hair and broad shoulders that were apart of him practically dropped royalty, and despite what Merlin had just witnessed, a smile came across his face once more while the two chatted for a moment. They separated when the blonde place a soft kiss upon Merlin's knuckles and bid him farewell.

Merlin's smile broadened when he overheard a beautiful girl, milk white skin and midnight black hair, argue with the king.

"A man with magic is not a monster, Uther, but a man who kills those with magic is!"She has cried out indignantly. "The longer you refuse to acknowledge this the longer your kingdom will continue to fall and become brittle. Accept your people or expect resistance. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when."

Merlin shivered at the power of her words. He continued walking up to the court physician's room and thought to himself Maybe this is where I belong...Maybe I'll be okay.

_____

Merlin woke up with a frown as he made his way to his lover's room. The king could never know that his only heir was not only dating a servant, but one with magic.

Arthur had found out of his powers three years ago to the date, only mere weeks after Merlin's arrival in Camelot. He knew Arthur cared not about the magic, but he knew that his prince was too passionate for his own good-one argument with his father about magic and Merlin was afraid Arthur would accidentally out him as a wizard, them as a couple, or both at the same time.

It had been two years since his friend died in front of him. It's been too long to remember since he first killed a man. It's been too long to understand how much he's changed.

His smile remained missing, so he plastered on a fake one when he passed his friend, a maid, Gwen.

"Good morning, Merlin." She said with a bright smile, and Merlin envied her. "I must be going, but we shall converse soon!"

Merlin simply nodded and continued his journey to Arthur's room. It felt like the walk took longer than normal, yet Merlin wished it was longer.
Pushing the doors to Arthur's chambers open, he was surprised to see that Arthur was already awake.

"Good morning, my love," Arthur said, but his smile faded when he glanced at Merlin. "What's wrong? Are you sick? Are you sad?"

"Just tired, Love, just tired." He answered quietly with a sad, half smile. At least it was genuine this time.
_____

"Merlin what's wrong? You seem unwell," Arthur asked one day, a few more years in the future.

"Why would you say that?" Merlin inquired absentmindedly. He was brewing a potion and Arthur sat on Merlin's bed, observing the brunette.

"You haven't smiled in over a fortnight, not a genuine smile. Are you unhappy with something? Is it me?" Merlin set down the leaves for his potion and rushed to the blondes side.

"Of course not, My Love," He reassured. "I supposed Ive been feeling less welcome here lately. Your father has been killing so many lately, and I fear I will be next."

"I would never let that happen!" The blonde stated fiercely, but Merlin smiled sadly.

"Of course not, Arthur. Of course not. Now I am going to finish this potion and I will meet you by the horses before sundown." He pulled Arthur in for a sweet kiss. Arthur simply smiled and turned on his heel, getting ready for their hunt.

"Don't dare be late, idiot." He called out, and Merlin let out a genuine smile.

It had not been ten minutes later when he was nearly done with his potion. He heard a gentle knock on the door and assumed it to be Gaius.

"Yes, Gaius?" Before he even finished the name the door burst open and came marching in, a pair of cuffs in one of their hands.

"Merlin, we are bringing you to the prison in account of using magic and helping magical folk escape the custody they were placed in under the law of Camelot." Merlin was so shocked he could not say anything. He let himself be pushed harshly against the brick wall and knew it wouldn't be long before a large, ugly bruise took place there.

The knights, none of whom he knew personally, cuffed him and dragged him down to the prison. They passed Arthur and Merlin used all his power to speak in Arthur's mind, If they ask, you had no idea. act angry, you must pretend I've deceived you this whole time. You did not know of my magic. And before Arthur could even react, they were out of sight.

Merlin was thrown in his cell with not even a second glance. He knew he could get out if he wanted, it would be hard, but he stayed put. There was no smile, even in his mind.

_____

"Merlin will be burned at the stake for numerous crimes, including magic use and treason against Camelot." Uther's loud voice rang throughout the city square. "But this here is not a man, this is Emrys!" He shouted and there were cheers at the prospect of such an evil creature being killed. "Merlin, you needn't answer to us, but share no doubt, we will see you when you must confront the gods for your sins. Knights; Light the fire!"

In an instant, split second thought, magic consumed Merlin's body entirely. If there was any ever question in if he was Emrys, this shot them away.

Merlin clenched his fists and the ropes holding him down burned, but the flames never reached him. He burned the pier, but the flames never reached him. He created a ring of fire around him, but the flames never reached him.

"You are wrong about many things, Uther." He shouted as loud as he could. "I am Emrys, I have technically committed treason, and I have used magic. But you are wrong, you will not see me when the gods confront me; Because the gods only confront humans, and I am no human!"

He turned to leave, to leave this kingdom and everyone in it without a second though, but he suddenly turned around.

With the snap of his fingers any and everything with Camelot's symbol burned, heating the wearer or holder, but not burning them. When the flames died down, what was left was the symbol of the Druids, and everyone was left speechless.

"You will not see the gods judge me, but I will see them judge you." As he left he heard an old voice call after him.

"Merlin, what happened to the innocent little boy that cane into my chambers all those years ago?" Cried out Gaius.

Without turning to look back, Merlin spoke, dangerously quiet and level.

"He grew up."