Merlin Short Stories

Dying Loyalty

Summary: Arthur walked in on Merlin as he was trying to heat his tub, and ended up seeing him use magic. Merlins most guarded secret was now exposed. At a crossroads, Arthur makes a deal with Merlin. He wont send him away or harm him if he wears magic restraints, but what Arthur doesnt know, is that restraining his magic will kill him, but Merlin doesnt want to tell him, afraid of losing the little strand of friendship that sticks between them.
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Merlin was just trying to heat the bath, like he always did to please Arthur, but he didn't realize that Arthur had walked in, while Merlin's eyes glowed the bright gold. When Arthur caught it, he froze, something undescribable bubbling up inside of him.

Merlin was unaware he had entered, sticking his hand in the tub to make sure the temperature was luke warm, as if it took a long time to heat, when in fact it didnt. When Merlin finally felt Arthur's presence, Merlin looked up to see the King.

Merlin smiled. "I finished heating the bath, would you like assistance or do you think you can handle this on your own?" Merlin said, his tone was that of a joking matter, but his happy expression died when he realized Arthur's expression. It was mixed eith rage and betrayal, something Merlin has only seen on his face once, when he found out about his birth.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked, shakily, his voice changed tones in a blink of an eye.

That snapped Arthur out of his shock and he turned around and slammed the wooden door, making Merlin jump out of his skin. For the longest minute of their life, no one said anything, but Arthur's voice broke the tense atmosphere with a very stern voice.

"You have magic."

Merlin paled at those words, but tried to play it off. "I don't know what you are talking about, sire. You mu-" Merlin was cut off by Arthur, turning away from the door and rushing towards him in an angry stride.

He gripped the collar of Merlin's shirt and brought him close to his face. "Don't play that game with me, Merlin. I saw you doing it!" Arthur shouted.

Merlin instantly started to crumble in Arthur's hands, and Arthur could feel it. "I want to hear it from you." He spat, releasing Merlin and watched him slip to his knees.

"Arthur... please I only use it for Camelot. I use it only for you." Merlin breathed, surprised at how scared he sounded.

Arthur scoffed, turning away from him. He paced from his bed to his dresser, for a long while before turning to Merlin. "You lied to me. This whole time, you kept this a secret and deceived me. Deceived Camelot." Mainly trying to list it to himself.

Merlin on the other hand could only think of the worst outcomes. He knew Arthur would do something out of impulse, that is just how he is... he just hopes it won't be extreme.

"I never meant to lie. I kept it a secret to protect camelot." Merlin finally spoke up.

Arthur let out a bitter chuckle. "Protect Camelot." He whispered in amusement, turning to Merlin. "You just did it to protect yourself. All sorcerers are the same."

"Arthur, please its true! I was born with my magic. I only ever u-" Merlin was cut off by Arthur.

"Leave." He said.

"But Arthur-"

"Leave! While I decide what I'm going to do with you, traitor!" Arthur shouted, earning a small son to escape Merlin as he scrambled to his feet and ran out of the room.

Once the door closed, Arthur collapsed onto the chest at the end of his bed, his face burried into the balls of his palms, running through exactly what happened and what to do.