A Land of Myth and Magic

Stay

Merlin's head whipped up, shock painted across his face. "What?"

"I said "I know."" Arthur said gently.

"But how?! How long have you known?"

"About a week now. I've had my suspicions for a while though."

"You mean since Gwen died," Arthur nodded. "I don't understand," Merlin continued. "How did you know it was me pretending to be Dolma?"

"Really Merlin, who else would have such an alarming fashion sense?" Arthur laughed. "It wasn't just that. Your face when Gaius told us that the sorcerer was a woman. What reason would you have to look so disgruntled? And I'm not a total idiot, however much you might think otherwise. I overheard the conversation you had with Mordred on the way back."

Merlin stared at him. Arthur knew about his magic- the magic that he had kept secret for all these years just to stay alive.

"If you knew, then why didn't you have me executed?" He asked, his voice equal parts fear and curiosity.

"Merlin, my father and Guinevere are already dead. I don't want to lose anyone else I love because of magic."

Merlin sat in stunned silence. He didn't move as Arthur slipped his arm around the back of his neck and brought their faces together. He unconsciously shifted a little closer to Arthur, narrowing the last few inches between them. Arthur smiled at the action and pressed his lips to Merlin's for a brief second.

"Stay with me Merlin." He whispered.

"Of course," Merlin slipped under the sheets, intertwining his legs with Arthur's. "Arthur, are you sure about this?"

"Of course I'm sure. I love you. I always have and I always will."

Merlin smiled as Arthur settled into his arms. Maybe tonight the nightmares would stay away.