How Long Is Forever? - Merthur

you have magic, and what now?

He didn't know how to act around Arthur. He wanted to be himself but he didn't know how. He knows about his magic but he hasn't asked once about it yet.

But he didn't care. Arthur was back, and that's all that matters.

Merlin taught Arthur the basic modern day uses. The kitchen, sink, his small tv. Arthur couldn't quiet wrap his head around that one.

With the tv playing in the background, Arthur spoke,

"How exactly long have I been gone for?"

Merlin hesitated. Not really wanting to tell him. He told himself countless times, but he still doesn't want to acknowledge it.

"Well, - about 2,000 years."

Arthur blinked at merlin. Still, and processing.

"2,000 ye - 2,000 years?" He stumbled over the thought. He stayed silent for a second more. "But, how are you still here then?"

Merlin definitely didn't want to answer that question. Hes lived through so much and the only time he liked was with Arthur. He didn't want to think about the lonely days, the restless nights, the thoughts he had, the people he lost.

"Um, well. I don't know how much you actually remember but, when morgana caught up with us, she said no mortal blade can kill her. Not age either. She was immortal,

And so am I."

Merlin thought Arthur would already guess that he was. When he told him, he didn't look surprised. Just needed some confirmation.

"So...you really are, 'the greatest warlock to ever live'." Arthur seemed to exaggerate and merlin winced.

By the time Arthur found out, they only had one night together of him knowing, and they were more preoccupied with the fact of him dying.

"It's really not that cool." Merlin tried to joke, but Arthur gave him a stare.

"This whole time, in Camelot, you had magic?"

Merlin felt his guilt wash over, and his heart leap in his throat.

"Yes." He has so many things to say, but he didn't know how to say them.

"I wanted to tell you, I should of told you sooner. When I first arrived to Camelot, I had no idea that this would unravel." Merlin paused, looking at Arthur, and continued.

"I was told that it was my destiny. My destiny to protect you, for you to be the once and future king. But of course, right off the bat, I thought you were a prat."

Arthur did a slight smile, "were?"

"Still."

"I want you to tell me everything."

So merlin did. He told him about the first night, he heard his name. And found kilgharrah. And he told him of his destiny. Also told him about morgana, and reasons on why she turned evil.

Arthur mostly stayed quiet, smiled at some parts, sad at others.

"My father-" Arthur had to ask.

"I tried to heal him. I truly did. It was supposed to work, but morgana sabotaged it and twisted the spell."

"The old man knew about it, you. You are friends with him?"

Merlin stayed silent, he seriously thought about how many braincells Arthur has.

"Well, uh." He scratched his head. "I might...BE him."

"Be him?"

"I needed a disguise! You couldn't know I had magic! So I used an aging spell."

"You...are...'dragoon the great'?" He paused. Thinking. "And...dolma?"

Merlin fiercely blushed and looked down embarrassed. "I had to! Dolma was gaius's idea!"

Merlin looked at Arthur, almost afraid. Till Arthur bursted out laughing. "You! Dolma! I knew something was off!"

"You are the one with the mind of a toad that couldn't figure it out!"

"Hey," he pointed at him and became serious. "You are the one that kept it from me." His tone more firm as the tv gently played.

"I regret every second of it, Arthur." He felt his voice break. "I tried so hard to protect you and trying to keep it a secret from you was the hardest of it all. And there will always be things you don't know."

"What else is there."

Merlin thought, and took this as a opportunity. "WELL, for ONE. Everytime you thought I was out in the tavern, or hanging with some 'girl' I was out saving your arse!"

Arthur stumbled at his words, "well, you. What?" He thought, "every time? Cause there was alot of times."

"Every time."

"Tell me more."

He continued to rattle on. Telling him things left and right. His surprise about kilgharrah and how he is...

"A dragonlord. You, are a dragonlord." Arthur asked. "How?"

He continued to tell him about his father, who was balinor, how it was passed down after his death.

He also told him about everyone. About gwaine, How gwen ruled, court sorcerer, and everything he could think of.

Arthur seemed speechless at first. But then spoke up. "Merlin...I had no idea. I'm sorry, for everything. For being so harsh, making it seem like you can't tell me about your magic, being convinced that magic is evil," he paused. "you have been alone all this time."

Merlin almost shrugged, being so used to it all. "Hey, what about you saying that no man is worth your tears." Merlin tried to lighten the mood after seeing the glistening in Arthur's eyes. "Hey, hold on."

Merlin left the couch and pulled out a box from the closet. He put it in front of Arthur, and let him open it.

"I might of kept your cape." Merlin said as Arthur gently held it in is hands. Arthur pulled out merlins old tunic and scarfs.

Merlin looked at himself then back at Arthur with his chainmail.

"We may need to get you a new pair of clothes."