Merlin and Mordred were squared off, and neither moved. Mordred's eyes widened, bewildered. Then he frowned. "When I was little...you were so kind, you heard my pleas for help and you saved me from the Camelot guards at great risk to yourself but then abruptly you changed. You became cold. You didn't...And later, you tried to...I was...That's why! Merlin! You must believe me! I would not...! I would never harm Arthur, I wouldn't kill The Once And Future King! Who told you of this prophecy?!"

"Kilgarrah. The Great Dragon. Among other sources."

Mordred stumbled back. "The dragon. A prophecy from such a source is a potent thing."

"Yes."

"If Arthur dies, Albion will fall..."

Merlin was silent.

"What is it that drives me to kill the king?" Mordred queried.

"That, I do not know. But it is foretold that you will be allied with Morgana against Camelot."

"Morgana is no longer the woman she was, the love that filled her heart has been crushed by hate. Her fear and her lust for power and glory has corrupted her. I would never join her." Mordred murmured.

"And yet, the dragon sees that you will." Merlin muttered.

"Destinies can be changed!"

"Do you really have the strength to change yours?"

"I hope so."

"So do I."

"I'm surprised Merlin. It would be so simple to leave me here in the desert. Yet you let me accompany you. Why? Why do you do this when it is foretold that I will destroy everything you have built?"

Merlin stared at him. "Every time I have attempted to thwart the prophecies, what was foretold has come to pass through my actions. Perhaps, by not continuing as enemies and ignoring the prophecy it will not come to pass."

Mordred huffed. "That seems counterintuitive."

"I will not leave you to die Mordred. When the time comes and your loyalty is tested, remember this moment."

...

Arthur stared at Geoffrey. "What?"

"Only those with magic can use the doorways, sire."

"But Merlin did! Perhaps Mordred drew him through somehow."

"That is not possible without magic, sire." The normally composed Geoffrey glanced from Gaius back to Arthur, uneasy. The physician was silent, his hands clasped in front of him.

"Gaius?" Arthur was frowning, his eyes narrowed, a slightly mocking veneer on his features. "Does Merlin have magic?"

Gaius closed his eyes briefly, then seemed to draw himself up, as if making a decision. His voice was calm; "Merlin was born with magic, he was condemned to death from his first breath for something he could not help."

...

Arthur stood alone in his chambers. After Gaius' startling information, the king had retreated to think, but not before the old man had assured Arthur of Merlin's loyalty. Apparently, Merlin had been quietly assisting him from behind the scenes since he had come to Camelot. But the knowledge that his best friend - one of the people he trusted the most - had lied to him from the beginning about his very nature, had shook him to his core. He had thought there were no secrets between the two of them.

I could take you apart with one blow.

I could take you apart with less than that.

The goblet Arthur had been drinking from hit the wall with a crack, splattering red wine everywhere. How? How had he never noticed? Why had Merlin never told him he had magic? Arthur clenched his fists angrily.

He was startled from his brooding by the creak of the door. He turned to see Gwen enter the room. She approached and hugged him. "Gaius told me what happened, and what he said."

"You don't seem surprised." Arthur replied, his voice muffled by her hair.

"Arthur, I know you feel betrayed, especially because you are so close, but you need to realize that Merlin is still your best friend, and he is still the same person."

Arthur drew back, hands still on her arms. "Guinivere, how can I ever trust him again? He lied to me, he is a sorcerer, and according to the law he should be executed!"

Gwen slapped him. Arthur's jaw dropped and he looked at her in shock. "What was that for?!"

"I'm trying to knock some sense into your thick skull. Do you not remember all the times that Merlin accompanied you on quests and into battles, into danger? He has risked his life for you and Camelot!" Gwen caught her breath. "I am not surprised by Gaius' revelation because I already suspected he had magic."

Arthur drew back, looking at her angrily. "Why did you never tell me this?"

"I decided that Merlin would tell us when the time was right. I knew where his loyalties lay, and I know he doesn't have an evil bone in his body!"

"When did you realize...?!"

"When Morgana allied with Helios. Morgana turned me into a doe. You were hunting in the area with Princess Mithian and Merlin found me. He just stood there, staring at me like he was in some sort of trance and could see right through me, and then I saw his eyes burn gold. Then I ran, and was wounded by an arrow. I don't remember anything after that until I woke up healed and human, to a warm fire and Merlin sitting close by. He saved me, Arthur."

The king looked horrified at the thought of hunting Gwen and killing her in her transformed shape.

Gwen touched Arthur's cheek, a small smile lighting her features. "I think we owe much to Merlin. And I don't think we even know half of what he has done for us. Go to Gaius Arthur, ask him to tell you everything Merlin has done before you pass judgement on your friend in his absence. We owe Merlin that much at least."

Arthur took his wife's hand and nodded, squeezing it for a moment. "When did you become so wise, Guinivere?" He kissed her and stalked out of the room, heading for the Physician's chambers.

I'm hoping no one is glaringly out of character. I tend to let my INTPness creep into all the characters I write. Starsailor Iphigenia read the chapter with the OC healer and said he's definitely a grouchy old INTP. This is kind of a filler "chapter" and I plan on writing more often now. Thank you mersan123, bowties-scarves-and-magic, lilyblaney, signal27, coolestbee, and guest for reviewing. Thanks to all who followed and favorited, and thanks for reading. :)