High guys! This is my first Merlin story! So any tips or pointers would be really nice! Anyway, sadly I do not own Merlin or any of its characters, but I hope you enjoy anyway.

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Merlin walked into his room groaning and rubbing his back. "Royal Prat." He muttered to himself as he dropped onto his bed. Since Gaius, was out helping a town on the outskirts of Camelot, Merlin's duties had more than doubled.

He pulled his shirt and boots off still muttering to himself about useless kings and how he wished he could simply turn Arthur into a toad. But no sooner did his head hit the pillow, was he out cold for the night.

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The next morning Arthur paced his room angrily, Merlin was late with his breakfast, again. And after his less than worthwhile performance yesterday, Arthur was not in a good mood.

After waiting more than an hour he stormed off towards Gaius's chambers to give his useless servant a piece of his mind.

Having seen the kings face as he passed, a small group of knights followed him, they were best known as 'The Knights of the Round Table'. Gwaine easily falling into step with the king asked "What? Didn't get enough beauty sleep princess?" He inquired wearing his trade mark smirk.

"No Gwaine, I actually over slept because my useless servant didn't wake me. Now I am going get him." Arthur said firmly not leaving any room for questioning from the other knights.

Gwaine fell back beside Lancelot and Leon "well, this oughta be good." He said nudging Lance "I bet you five gold pieces it's the princess who leaves with his tail between his legs."

Lancelot rolled his eyes but smiled slightly "I'm not condoning your gambling habits Gwaine." He said, though having no doubt Merlin would not be the one feeling guilty come the end of this.

They reached Gaius's chambers soon enough and walked through the door without a second thought. Arthur marched up the stairs to Merlin's room the Knights following close behind him. Inside the room Merlin was sound asleep half on the bed half off, snoring softly. But it wasn't how they found Merlin that stopped them in their tracks.

As Merlin had peeled off his shirt the night before, his chest and arms that were littered with scars was bared off to the king and his loyal knights. "Merlin!?" The king shouted rousing Merlin rather rudely.

Merlin jumped and shuffled from the bed "Arthur?" He asked confused before a form of realization struck him "did I sleep late?" He asked.

No one answered him for a second as they all just stared. Finally Gwaine spoke in a soft voice very uncommon for him "Merlin, mate, what happened?" He asked.

Merlin tilted his head in slight confusion then looked down wondering what everyone was staring at. After a second of staring wide eyed at his chest Merlin let out a manly (read girly) squeak and grabbed his shirt from the floor.

Before he could put it on Arthur grabbed his wrist firmly. "Explain. Now." He said glaring daggers at the boy.

Merlin sighed and looked down knowing there was no getting out of this one. "Can I at least dress first?" He asked stubbornly "besides, shouldn't we get the whole table in order for this one?"

Arthur nodded curtly "you have one hour." He said before turning and marching from the room ordering the knights to follow.

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An hour later as promised Merlin sat nervously in his seat at the round table. While Gwaine, Lancelot, and Leon looked at him concerned, Percival and Elyan though, they looked confused about why they were meeting. Once everyone had settled in Arthur stood, "it has come to my attention this morning that Merlin here has been keeping secrets from us." He said looking around at the Knights and his wife Gwen. "How he has kept this hidden I don't know since we all know he is a terrible liar." Arthur further explain not knowing the flash of hurt and anger in his servants eyes. "I gathered you all here so we can find out just what Merlin is hiding from us." He explained before he turned a firm gaze to Merlin. "Shirt off, now."

Merlin sighed but complied wincing at the gasps from those who hadn't already seen. "What would you like to know sire." He said sarcastically shooting Arthur a sideways glance.

"Everything." Arthur answered "Starting from the beginning."

Merlin sighed and shifted slightly "Well, I guess we start with something non scar related." He looked down and mumbled something quickly under his breath.

"Merlin..." Gwen said softly "we can't hear you when you talk like that."

Merlin shot her a sad look and nodded before repeating louder, and clearer this time, "I... I have magic." He told them softly, just loud enough for them to hear. He expected a lot what he didn't expect though. Was to hear swords being drawn and to be pushed protectively behind Lancelot.

"You what!?" Arthur seethed moving closer to the pair "stand aside Lancelot, I want to see the traitor."

"I'm not a traitor!" Merlin said quickly his eyes wide with fear and unshed tears "I was born with magic!" He said looking around at those he called his friends.

"That's impossible! Magic must be learned by someone willing to corrupt themselves for the sake of their desires!" Arthur spat glaring daggers at Lancelot who refused to move.

"Sire..." Percival said slowly lowering his sword, "there is legend... a Druid legend, that a powerful man would be born with magic... he would protect the once and future king, and unite the kingdoms of Albion."

"Do you... do you believe this myth true?" Arthur asked lowering his sword slowly. In return he just got a firm nod from the gentle giant, "and the rest of you?" He asked

"Since I was healed by the Druids, my feelings of magic have changed." Leon said firmly "and Merlin is well... Merlin." He lowered his sword and sat down.

Gwaine smirked "I have some plans for you Merlin." He said sitting down "I'd never harm my best friend anyway."

Elyan didn't speak as he sat keeping firm eyes on Merlin. He wouldn't say he didn't trust him, as he didn't know what to think. He would decide later.

Gwen for one stood up. "I trust Merlin with my life." She said as she moved closer to Merlin, though she ended up just stepping back as Merlin flinched.

"Fine Merlin." Arthur said sitting beside his wife "once you're done explaining, we'll decide what to do about this." He said leaving no room for debate.

Lancelot glanced at Merlin only sitting back down when the raven haired boy nodded. Merlin however didn't sit. "Now that you know that, I suppose I should start from the beginning." He whispered not meeting the eyes of anyone at the table. "As I said before I was born with magic. I could move objects before I could speak. Yet knowing what fate had decided for me, my mother loved me anyway." He whispered a small smile gracing his lips.

"Though it was not there when I was born, Uther's hatred of magic soon spread to my village, and since I was already the village bastard, my mother tired endlessly to keep my secret hidden. The first scars came when I was about eleven, my friend Will and I went off into the woods, and as you know, my luck isn't great. We were captured by bandits, since we weren't in Uther's kingdom, they instantly strapped magic blocking cuffs on us. Seeing as I was born with magic, it had a worse effect on me than it would on most.

I was weakening quickly as we waited for help to come, and every bit of magic I could reach was used protecting Will. By the end, my magic build up had gotten so bad I was scratching layers off my skin, by the time help arrived, I almost bled out. From then on everyone in the village believed me some kind of monster, and for a long while. I did too." Merlin whispered looking away from the table as he finished his tale.

Gwen with tears in her eyes rushed into Merlin's arms holding him tightly "a monster would have never protected his friend at the risk of their own life Merlin." She whispered.

A soft smile graced his lips as he hugged her back gently "thank you Gwen." He whispered. He went on to explain why he came to Camelot and how he got most of the scars protecting Arthur, and how others were just from him being a general klutz.

When his story ended Arthur stood, "What about this one Merlin?" He asked pointing to a scar on Merlin's chest just above his stomach. It was a long thin pink scar that stretched almost around his side.

Merlin stiffened at the mention "it was nothing, really." He said trying to grab his shirt quickly, only to be stopped once again by Arthur.

"Now Merlin, no more secrets." He said firmly.

Gwen chewed her lip for a second before saying, "I think I know how he got that one." She whispered. All eyes turned to her expectantly, except Merlin's, who's begged her not to say.

"Continue please Gwen." Arthur said still not letting Merlin go.

"When... when we were traveling with Lamia. The knights were rough on Merlin as we all know. But they hurt Merlin rather bad, well Leon did. He drew his sword as Gwaine shoved Merlin, and when he cut him. He laughed." Gwen said looking down not willing to face the guilt ridden faces of the knights.

"It was... it was a long time ago. I've long since forgiven." Merlin said softly gently pulling away from Arthur and putting his shirt on. "Now if you'll excuse me I have chores to do." He said slipping from the room before anyone could say anything.

Arthur watched him go before whispering "what else are hiding from me Merlin?"

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So yeah! Let me know if I should continue this story! Thanks for reading!