Anyone who knew Merlin, could tell you so many good things about the warlock. They would tell you how brave he was. They would speak of his never wavering loyalty. They would smile as they talked about how happy he always was. And how he could make anyone's day brighter just with that stupid grin of his.

All that changed shortly after he became Camelot's Court Sorcerer a year ago. He was more tense. He became obsessed with reading any spell book he could get his hands on. He never slept. He only spoke to you if he wanted to speak to you. He was often rude. His face was expressionless.

Many blamed it on his sword. A sword that had forged under the most powerful spell ever known. A sword that had been rumoured to be get inside one's mind and take their burdens. Which wasn't as pleasant as it sounded.

Merlin sat at the table in his personal chambers, flipping through his most recent spell book. A book that should have been burned with its owner during the Great Purge.

The warlock was pulled away from his reading, when there was knock on the chamber doors. "Enter."

Daegal cautiously walked into his master's chambers, worried that he might be in a bad mood.

A few weeks after Merlin became Court Sorcerer, Daegal had been offered the chance to become his servant. Daegal jumped on the opportunity, but Merlin was wary on the matter. The warlock had outwardly told the king that he didn't want a servant, but Arthur had insisted.

After several months, Merlin began to get used to the idea and lengthened the younger man's list of chores. He also became harsher when things weren't done right away. The only thing that stayed the same was the bowing. Merlin hated it. He told anyone that would listen to not bow to him.

"What is it, Daegal?" Merlin asked. "I'm busy."

"King Arthur and Sir Mordred wish to speak with you in the throne room," Daegal answered.

"I'm busy," Merlin repeated.

"They said it was urgent. You're needed," Daegal insisted.

Merlin sighed as he closed his book and stood up. As he walked out the door he grabbed a black cloak and wrapped it around his body.

Arthur and Mordred stood in front the king's throne, talking while they waited for their pain in the arse of a friend.

"I'm telling you, Arthur. He won't believe us. He knows when we're lying." Mordred stated.

"He doesn't have to believe us. We just have to keep him out of his chambers long enough for Daegal to switch the sword," Arthur said.

"You do realize that I'm right here," Merlin said, making his presence known.

Both Arthur and Mordred jumped, when the warlock appeared right in front of them. Well his floating head anyways.

Merlin muttered a quick spell and removed the now visible black cloak that wrapped around him, revealing the rest of his body. "Oh and good luck with your little plan. Because my sword is not in my chambers. It's hidden."

"Merlin, that sword has done you no good. We have to get rid of it," Mordred pleaded.

Merlin laughed humourlessly. "Good luck with that. You have to have my permission. Which is something you will never have."

"The sword is corrupting you," Arthur stated. "You are not you anymore. What ever happened to clumsy idiot that used to be my servant? Whatever happened to the man who was so eager to risk his life for mine? Where did he go?"

"He's in here somewhere," Merlin replied. "You just have to find what will make him come out. But don't try to, because he still has secrets that he'd never spill to single soul."

With that said, Merlin walked away from the king and the knight and out of the throne room.

A/N: *Insert theme music*

I know. I know. I wrote Merlin in a dark way, but this story isn't giving me much choice. The plot bunnies are forcing me to write him this way.

Merlin's invisibility cloak was a nod to Harry Potter. You'll find that I'll be making recognizable references to other shows, movies and possibly books throughout this series.