Merlin and Arthur-Two Sorcerers

The Impossible Secret

Merlin POV

I am scared for Arthur. Something has him shaken. It's really unlike him to keep things from me. To seclude himself from other people. He doesn't want to go to the feast. Why? It's not because he's bored, I know that much.
Maybe this celebration will be good for him. Give him a chance to relax for once. Maybe he's just scared of his duties toward Camelot. I mean, he's got a lot resting on him. He could be king soon and that could scare him. He doesn't know if he's ready to take on something so big.
Maybe his birthday reminded him that being crowned king of Camelot was not too far away now. Yeah. That's it. He's just scared. Everyone gets scared once in a while. Satisfied by my conclusion, I head to the dining hall, where the celebration is held.
A sudden powerful blast engulfs me from the inside. I feel myself lean hard against the wall. I hurt all over. The pain is excruciating. A man screams in the distance. Please, please stop! I plead. And then it's gone. As if it were never there, but it took all of my energy with it. I slide down into a sitting position. I clutch my head between my hands. What was that? Nothing could have done that. No one was even near me. Nothing-nothing except magic. I am suddenly terrified.
What kind of magic can cause that? I am so deep in my thoughts that when someone shakes my shoulders it takes me a moment to realize who it is. Arthur. He looks worried about me. I suppose he should. I am sitting alone in an empty hallway, no where near where the celebration is and I must look like I've just seen a ghost.

"Merlin, are you alright?" Arthur looks concerned for me. His eyebrows have knitted together in a straight line. I know it's a little unfair to him, but he has gotten on my nerves what with not talking to me and all.

"Oh, so your speaking to me now." As soon as I say it I wish I could take it back. I not being supportive of him like I should.

"Merlin-I-I'm sorry I've been ignoring you lately. I know you're just trying to help. I just feel a bit pressured right now. Like everyone is against me." Wait. This is not the Arthur I know. Humbleness. Unselfishness. Vulnerability. Those are not his strong suits. Pride. Strength. Barriers. He excels at those. No. There is something seriously wrong here.

"No, I'm sorry. I guess we all have our low points." Arthur manages a weak smile.

Let's go..dollop head."

"Oi! that's my word."

He helps me up and we walk together to the dining hall. We separate once we reach the entrance, Arthur to go through this door, a sure sign he will get noticed(much to his dismay) and I to go through the side door and meet up with Gwen. He looks back at me once last time before entering and joining Uther at the high table. I walk around and enter immediately locating Gwen and heading toward her.

"It's a nice party. Arthur doesn't seem to enjoy it much though." I stiffen, prepared to use magic if necessary, but it's only Gwen.

"Yeah, you'd think he'd enjoy it. It is all for him." Gwen laughs and then I do too. Perhaps I am just being too cautious.

I decide to let myself enjoy the celebration. Gwen and I talk for what seems like hours, enjoying each other's company. It's not every day that a servant ends up being happy.
A loud shout disrupts our good moods. Arthur has stood up and he looks angry. He steps back into the middle of the room. Uther is staring daggers at him. The other members of the high table stare at him.

"You-you monster! You would kill innocent people just because you feared they had become too powerful?"

"Son." Uther growls. "Now is not the-"

"Oh, yes it is. You just plainly admitted you would go to such lengths for what-power? And what about my mother huh, did you kill her too? I heard she was very influential in the royal court." Arthur snarls. He is screaming now.

One of the leaders pipes up. "Do you allow him to speak to you so?"

"No, no I don't. Arthur you have interrupted one of the most-" he is stopped short not because Arthur starts to speak but because of what Arthur is doing.
He has a glowing ball of flame dancing across his palm. Arthur Pendragon is doing magic.