Wow, did not expect this chapter to get this big. It's longer than my previous 4 chapters combined! I hope you'll enjoy it. There are a few non-english sentences, translations are at the end so as not to spoil anything.

Chapter warning: Some minor, short torture scenes but nothing graphic. Mostly just mentioning what was done to Merlin and Merlin describgin some of his pain. Most of it requires your imagination.

Merlin awoke slowly as soft dripping noises lulled him back to consciousness. As awareness returned to him, so did the pain. His shoulders and wrists burst into pain and it was rapidly increasing the more aware he became of himself. He started to move but found his hands and arms reisting his every effort. It didn't take him long to figure out why. He was bound by his hands above him and his feet barely scraped the ground.

Merlin finally found the strength to open his eyes but it didn't improve much. He was still in the dark and a cold chill crept up his spine. While his eyes adjusted to the dark, Merlin tried to determine what this place was. Despite the pain it would inflict, he swung his body forwards to try and see how much open space there was around him. His feet touched nothing so he used his momentum to swing himself backwards instead. This hurt quite a bit more and he had to bite his lip to keep from crying out in pain. His efforts were rewarded as his feet touched upon solidness behind him, possibly some sort of wall from the feel of it.

His energy -what little of it he'd had- now spend, Merlin collapsed in his bonds appearing like a limp ragdoll. Though it hurt to lean so heavily upon his bound arms, he was becoming fast accustomed to the pain and he had little choice in the matter as he had not the strength to keep himself up.

"Giving up already?" Merlin started at the sudden voice after the long silence. Peering into the darkness ahead he could faintly make out a tall shape. "I had honestly expected more from the great Emrys of legend."

"Who are you?"

This person knew his true identity. Merlin worried what else this man knew about him. Light blinded Merlin as the torches along the wall burst to life in flame. Finally he could see where he was. In front of him, separating him from his captor, were bars like a prison or dungeon cell. Smooth stone could be seen beyond the bars, cut into precise blocks the likes you see in castle hallways.

The abandoned castle to the east!

The man stepped into the light then, a smile on his face that unnerved Merlin.

"I've been looking for a new subject for a while. Imagine my surprise when I found you."

Merlin swallowed past the lump in his throat as he tried to diffuse the tension, throw his captor for a loop with humor. "I'm not really that hard to find. I'm quite well known around Camelot. You can find me in the stables or the kitchen, I've even been known to visit the tavern on too often an occassion."

The unknown man seemed unaffected by his rambling, staring at him like a predator would its prey. He reached out with his hand as he inched closer, stretching it out towards his face as if he meant to smother him. A heavy, oppressing force of magic surged to life around him making Merlin feel ill.

Merlin shook in his chains as he tried to back away, but it was futile in his position. He couldn't touch any surface to gain grip and the more he moved, the worse the pain in his arms and wrists got. " Please don't." It was desperate, to plead for mercy, but it was all he had left.

The hand touched his face and Merlin knew only pain the likes he'd never known before and the sound of his own screams.

months ago

Gwaine stared at the dejected form of his best friend sitting on the ground nearby. All the cheer had gone out of him, and who could blame him. One mistake and suddenly all his friends turned away form him. Be it disgust, fear or betrayal.

Oh how Gwaine wished he could give them all a good beating! So what if Merlin had magic! He was still Merlin, still the same protective and stubborn iddiot, they'd always joked around with. They acted as if the mere mention of having magic turned you evil. There was not a single evil bone in Merlin's body.

It was then he noticed Lancelot returning and walked up to meet him. " How is Merlin doing?"

"The same. And over there?"

Lancelot shifted uneasily. "Quiet, tense. It's like the're not sure yet how to react so they don't. They just stand around or pace around the camp while Arthur sits there."

Gwaine watched Lancelot's worried gazes towards Merlin. It was easy to see how much he cared for Merlin. The two were close friends, having bonded easily much like Gwaine had as well. Merlin just had something that made him instantly likeable. He didn't share with anyone that his father had been a knight, but with Merlin he'd fairly quickly given up that secret. And Lancelot had kept Merlin's secret without hesitation when he could have used that information to potentially get himself a knighthood. Lancelot was a good guy in Gwaine's book.

"How long have you known?"

Lancelot turned towards Gwaine understanding what he was asking as the man looked at his despairing friend. "Since my first time in Camelot. He saved me from a Griffin, tried to fake a knighthood for me and in the end we fought and killed the Griffin together."

"Yeah that sounds like Merlin. I helped him save Arthur from assassins disguised as melee fighters. Then Uther banned me a second time and I really had to leave."

"He's injured." Lancelot noticed. Gwaine showed him the bandages he'd been preparing. "I've got it. Will you keep an eye on things while I tend to him?"

"Of course." Lancelot didn't immediately leave to check on things at the main camp, his body language revealing a sudden wariness that had Gwaine huffing at him in annoyance.

"I'm not going to hurt Merlin."

"I know that. It's just, you are taking this really well. The magic thing, I mean."

Gwaine sighed, knowing he would have to explain a little more than a simple I trust Merlin or he's my friend, enough said. " I've crossed paths with magic a few times. Not all of those times turned out to be bad. I don't believe magic is evil. It all depends on the person who wields it, much like a sword or any other weapon. Besides, I always knew there was something different about Merlin, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Now I know and it sure does explain a lot."

Lancelot chuckled softly at that. " You're a good friend, Gwaine."

"So are you."

Lancelot left to check on Arthur and the others, allowing Gwaine to settle before Merlin, gently dabbing at his wounds with what little medical supplies his friend had brought along.

"Why are you doing this?" Gwaine pulled back abruptly, started by Merlin's voice when he'd been so dejected before. For that matter, he didn't sound any better out loud than silent. Miserable came to mind.

Trying to stay as cheerful as the situation allowed, he continued his gentle care as he answered his friend. "Because if I don't your cuts will get infected and Gaius will get very cross with me. He already thinks I'm a bad influence on you." Gwaine chuckled at his own joke, trying to bring back his cheerful, teasing friend despite knowing it was futile.

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

"You shouldn't be here."

"Why is that?"

"I have magic."

"Is that code for something bad?"

"I could hurt you."

Gwaine stopped his ministrations on Merlin's cuts and ducked his own head to make eye contact with his friend. " Are you going to?"

"Of course not!"

"Have you ever tried to harm me?"

"No!"

With a smile on his face he sat straight and continued his healer duty. "Then I've got nothing to worry about."

Merlin wouldn't let it go so easily apparently and Gwaine was glad to see some fight back in him. "You're a knight of Camelot. You should be with Arthur, both of you in fact. Instead you basically mutineed and for what?!"

Gwaine gently grabebd Merlin's chin to make him look at him. "For you. You are our friend. Arthur turned his back on you after years of service and friendship, and I'm fairly certain you've also protected him from attempts on his life numerous times. If turning my back on someone that kind and good is what it takes to be a knight of Camelot, then I'm done with that. I don't abandon my friends."

"But...I have magic."

"So you've said."

"Why are you not bothered by that?"

" Why should I? It doesn't change who you are. Lancelot doesn't think so and he's known for years."

Merlin looked away then, the fight completely out of him once more. It broke Gwaine's heart to see him like that.

"I betrayed him, Gwaine."

"Betrayal is a strong word. So you kept a secret from him, who doesn't sometimes. If Arthur is even half the man you believe him to be, he'll come round and so should the rest of them."

Merlin stood up suddenly and Gwaine let him, even though it felt like Merlin was creating a distance between them. As if he were pulling away. "Thank you, but...I'm not worth the effort. I'm not as good a person as you think I am. I've done things, terrible things."

Merlin sounded on the verge of tearing up. Whatever he'd supposedly done, wieght heavily on his conscience. Gwaine wondered how long he'd been carrying whatever it was he was carrying.

"I don't believe you're a bad person. We're human and sometimes we get into situations where we don't have a lot of options and that means doing things we normally wouldn't do. That doesn't mean we're all bad. Did you enjoy doing those terrible things?"

"I hated it. I hate myself for it."

Gwaine walked over to Merlin, needing to close this distance that irrationally felt as if Merlin was disappearing. He gently took hold of his shoulders, looking him straight in the eyes again. "Then you're a good person who had no other way out, thus you did the only thing you could. I saw you, Merlin. I saw how desperately you were trying to save Arthur and how you held no regard for your own safety at all. You protected him at all cost. If I hadn't been keeping an eye on you during the fight, you wouldn't be here now."

Merlin released a deep breath, allowing some tension out of his body. "What am I supposed to do?"

"We'll figure it out together."

They were interrupted then by Lancelot running towards them, clearly alarmed.

"They need help! The bandits found us again and brought friends!"

Merlin was away before Lancelot had completely finished speaking. Arthur needed him.

The sorcerer slammed into the bars as Merlin's magic pushed him away. He looked stunned but it only lasted for a moment. Eagerly he hurried forward, grabbing Merlin by the chin and staring at him with awe.

"You are very strong, aren't you." He turned his head this way and that as if inspecting lifestock. Merlin shook his head free and spit in his face. The returning fist to the face was expected, but it didn't lessen the pain. "Stubborn too. You can resist all you want, but I will have your magic, even if I have to rip it out of you."

"I hope you didn't plan on too much time. I've got people out looking for me and they're not afraid of a sorcerer like you!"

His captor started laughing, turning to face Merlin holding a knife. The knife should have been what he feared, but it was the laughing that got to Merlin. It didn't sound right, like the man had no control, no rationality. He was mad!

"Find you?! You honestly think I would take you and leave witnesses behind?!" Merlin's blood ran cold. No! No it wasn't true. It couldn't be true! "No one is coming for you, Emrys."

While laughing away still, he brought the knife down on Merlin's body.

months ago

"Finally, there you are!"

Gaius enveloped MErlin in a hug before holding him at arms length to look him over. His old but wise eyes implored Merlin to explain. "You arrived hours ago! You and sir Leon were bleeding on my doorstep, form the exact same wound I may add! And then before I know it, Arthur whisks you all away for an emergency council, against my medical advisement!"

Merlin tried to get a word in but Gaius suddenly paled and pushed him to sit down on the cot, checking his eyes, ears, heart beat... "How are you feeling, my boy? You and Leon were far from fully healed. I should call him back too."

Merlin took hold of Gaius' hands to halt him. "Sir Leon went to lay down in his room. He's resting. And I am fine too. You know I heal fast once I'm out of danger."

Gaius set down opposite Merlin, sensing something important coming. Merlin stared at his hands in his lap, as if trying to find the words. It worried Gaius only more.

"They know."

Hesistantly, Gaius copied his words, trying to make sense of them, to find the hidden meaning behind them. "They know?"

Merlin looked up, straight into Gaius' eyes holding him in place. "They know." His eyes flashed golden for a moment, but Gaius understood. He got the message and he paled considerably as he got up and paced around the small room.

"They know. Arthur knows. The knights?" Merlin nodded. "How did this happen? Where do we stand? Is this why Arthur called the meeting?"

"Yes, he wanted to discuss...well everything."

"Discuss? He's not...?"

"No! No, he's not going to do that. Nor is he sending me away."

"Arthur is allowing your magic?"

Merlin stood up himself, still reeling from everything that had happened that day. He could see the sun slowly dipping lower through the window. Had it really only been a day?

"I can't...I don't fully understand. Things went wrong, so very wrong for a moment. Arthur...I think he hated me for a while. But then Leon got hurt and I saved him, because they knew already. Not much more I could do to make it worse."

Gaius stopped his frantic pacing, sitting his ward down. "You didn't heal Leon, did you?"

Guiltily Merlin looked away, but Gaius wouldn't let him. Instead he hugged him, tight. "I'm sorry, Gaius. I couldn't let him die. I had to try something."

"You risked your life so many times. I can't begin to describe how proud you always make me, Merlin. I just wish you would take a little more care about yourself too, please."

"I'm sorry, I will. I promise."

Gaius grabbed the wine on the table he'd left earlier and poured some for both of them. "So tell me, Arthur took it badly..?"

" At first yes. But then it changed and he listened! I don't know if he'll forgive me for lying all this time, but he listened to everyone. There was a discussion and then a vote."

"A vote?"

Merlin's smile was bright and big when he finally revealed the big news.

"We're free, Gaius. Magic, it's finally free."

"Why is this not working!?"

Loud noises woke Merlin from his blissful unconsciousness. The sorcerer was facing away from him, breathing heavily and muttering angrily. The table he'd brought in with his tools lay broken at the far left wall, his instruments scattered across the cell floor.

Merlin tried to move as little as possible, both so as not to attract his attention and because he hurt! There wasn't a part of him that wasn't hurting. He'd been beaten, cut, stabbed, burned, even had a few bones broken with magic. That was all on the side of the main course. Trying to steal his magic. Trying to suck it out of him as if it wasn't intricately a part of him.

"I've weakened you, beaten you. I control you. Why won't it work?! Why won't you give me your magic." The deranged man flung a knife across the cell as he shouted at nothing. "WHY WON'T YOU GIVE ME YOUR MAGIC!"

It was dangerous, but Merlin had to try and talk to him. He seemed to calm down during conversations. If was more afraid of the man muttering and raging to himself. Besides, there was something Merlin wanted to know. If he was a captive anyway, might as well make it worth his time. He internally chuckled at his own expense, ignoring the voice of Gaius in his head warning him of shock and delirium from torture.

"The wyvern..." Merlin struggled to speak, his mouth too dry and raw from screaming.

"Ah, look who's awake. What was that now?"

"The wyvv..ern...what did you..do?"

"What an odd thing to ask me. Surely you're more interested in who I am, why I'm doing this, where you are?" Merlin didn't repeat himself, waiting the man out. He barely had any energy left to speak. "Very odd."

"It wasn..n...wasn't normal. It d.. 't listen."

Curious, his captor stepped closer. Gone was the madness now that he had a target to focus on again. "What do you mean? You think it didn't obey me? You think I didn't intend to attack you?" A smile as he tugged on Merlin's body, causing his restraints to pull painfully on his wrists and arms. "True, I didn't order it to find you or your friends. It happened upon you, but it was ordered to get anyone with magic. Although it went a little overboard with you. Guess you did something to offend it."

Chuckling, he pushed Merlin causing him to swing painfully from his bound hands and paced the cell thoughtfully. Merlin tried not to cry out, not wanting to give the bastard the satisfaction. He turned around still smiling and just stared at Merlin. It was like watching the pins fall into place on a map and too late now, Merlin realised his mistake.

"That is not what you meant. No...you meant yourself." Intrigued he walked back up to Merlin holding him steady and staring into his pinched eyes. "Now why would you ever think a creature like that would obey you? Who are you, beside Emrys?"

"No...one."

"Wyvern, wyvern, wild, ferocious..." He stopped talking and turned almost gleeful eyes on Merlin. "Distantly related to, DRAGONS!" With a shout of joy, he pushed away form Merlin, ignorant of the pain the movement inflicted or possibly intending it, and almost skipped across his cell before turning around and half forward, hands clapped together stared at Merlin.

"You are a dragonlord! Hahaha, you are an actual DRAGONLORD! I've got not only Emrys of legend but the very last Dragonlord as well. You are just full of surprises!"

A quick spell later and the table and its instruments were back to order. "This changes everything. If I cannot steal your magic, well then I'll just have to settle for your soul."

Merlin squirmed to the apparent glee of his captor. He'd heard rumors of such dark magic, but he'd never seen it. But the stories were horrifying enough. Not only did it do irreparable damage to the mind, but without a soul you were nothing, no one. Just a husk, an empty vessel without will, without a mind of its own...like a wyvern who couldn't obey a dragonlords' command!

"Figured it out have you. Yes, I destroyed the beast by ripping out its soul. It was bound to me and me alone. Without a will of its own, you cannot bend it to your own use. Of course a simple wyvern wouldn't be much of a threat, so I dabbled a little and experimented until it could breathe fire. Now that sounds like something much more useful, don't you think?"

Gaius, I'm so sorry. Arthur, everyone...I don't think I can get out of this one.

months ago

Merlin stood rooted to the forest floor a second time that day. He watched Gwaine try to help Arthur up, but he pulled away. "Don't touch me, traitor."

"Traitor? Oh you really a prissy princess aren't you?"

"You sided with him!"

"I protected Merlin! You know your longtime servant and friend!"

"Friends don't lie to each other for years!"

"They do if it keeps them alive!"

"My father hasn't been king in a long time. He can't be a threat from the grave and not once has Merlin come forth about his magic. Not once has he trusted in me!"

"With good reason seeing as how you're acting right now."

"I don't know who that is anymore."

"I'm willing to jog your memory with the butt of my sword."

Lancelot stepped in between the two furious men, pushing them far apart. "Enough. We don't have time for this. Leon's been hurt."

The knight in question leaned against a tree trying to wave off a worrying Elyan at his side. "I'm fine."

"You are not fine, Leon. you're still bleeding. A lot."

Leon would have slit down the tree if it weren't for Percival. He gently lowered him to the ground as Lancelot and Arthur rushed to their side.

"This looks bad."

"Will he make it back to Camelot?"

"Not at the rate he's bleeding at, sire."

Merlin watched them fussing over Leon and it was like air rushed back into his whole body. He found he could move again and rather than agonise over Arthur's word, he felt determined. Determined to save his friend, even if he decided he no longer was Merlin's friend.

He ran over, pushed between Arthur and Elyan, ignoring their outcries to get back, and dropped beside Leon. The wound was indeed bad and it so happened that healing magic was not his strong point. But magic was capable of more.

"Stop!"

Arthur grabbed Merlin's outstretched wrist hovering over the wound. His eyes bore into Merlins' but there was uncertainty there. There was no such hesitance in Merlin, not anymore.

"I can save him."

He stared Arthur down, refusing to show weakness, refusing to back down. Whatever Arthur would do after all this was done, he was fine with it. But he would not let his friend die just because Arthur didn't trust him anymore.

Reluctantly Arthur released Merlin ,but his hand moved to the hilt of his sword. A warning, if nothing else. It broke something within Merlin, but he pushed it away as he focussed on saving Leon. He felt a familar warmth rise through his body as he summoned his magic. He focussed on the familar words, twisting them just right to achieve what he needed. The warmth settled behind his eyes which would glow golden as proof for all to witness. Merlin ignored everything around him except for Leon and his bleeding wound.

"Asettan bufan ic, forlætan ic dæl se byrþen þon wit ba cunnan leofian."

The magic surged through him and into Leon, connecting them, doing as it was asked. Merlin felt the pain increase in his side but he wouldn't stop until he took enough. He would not let Leon die. He would not let anyone else die. Whatever pain he suffered, he deserved, he argued internally.

Please don't die!

Merlin's body was on fire, not literally but it sure felt like it. His head was under immense pressure as if his brain was trying to squeaze out of his skull and all the while his magic buzzed around him and inside him. He seized badly, his body trying to shake itself away from the source of his pain, but he was like a useless sack hung up from the ceiling. There was no getting away and it was only getting worse.

"There it is, hold still now."

The fire left his limbs and gathered in his chest. Merlin couldn't stop himself crying out in pain when the pressur ein his head became unbearable. Tears slipped out of his eyes as his vision grew blurred and the walls around him began to move in strange motions, as if they were made of water. And his magic, if it could have an emotion, it was surely furious. It struck out at random, hitting the table, the wall, the bars...trying to hit him but always missing.

"Yes, I've got it now!"

Everything he was feeling suddenly multiplied by ten and a feeling of such violation ripped through him, Merlin actually wished he could die, right there and now, anything to make it stop!

don't stop let me go stop stop stop nooooo!

Merlin's magic exploded out of him with such force it made Merlin himself scream in agony. The sorcerer was blown away from him and the castle shook around them. In mere seconds the walls began to crumble and fold. The castle was coming down on them, but Merlin didn't care. At least the pain had stopped.

What did scare him was his inability to feel his own body or his magic, but only for a moment because the darkness beckoned and Merlin didn't fight it anymore. He closed his eyes embracing it as the castle came down on them both full force.

months ago

Everyone was gathered around the round table, staring awkwardly at each other, not sure what was going to happen, what Arthur had planned. Merlin stood awkwardly off to the side, not daring to sit down in his chair by Arthur's side. He wasn't sure it belonged to him anymore. Arthur hadn't said anything about Merlin standing at the back. That was proof enough for Merlin.

"I've called you all here because you are my most trusted knights and I want, need your opinions. I value your views on the matter."

Gwaine was clearly still feeling defensive if his glances toward him were anything to go by. "And what matter would that be, princess?" His voice was sharp, accusing and although Merlin appreciated the gesture, he felt it wasn't a good way to start this discussion, if that's what it was.

Arthur didn't look at Gwaine specifically, sweeping his eyes all across the table. "The matter of Merlin's magic and what to do about it." Merlin tensed despite himself, fear creeping at the back of his mind. Arthur had allowed him to heal Leon, had seen magic wasn't all bad. Surely he wouldn't?

Before Merlin could worry more, Gwaine exploded at the table, standing up and pointing an accusing finger at Arthur. "You brought us here to vote on executing Merlin!" His other hand grabbed the hilt of his sword bringing everyone to alertness. "You're mad if you think I'll let that happen!"

Merlin stepped closer to the table ready to stop Gwaine if he had to. No matter what had happened or would still happen, no one would hurt Arthur. If Arthur wanted him dead after all, Merlin was ready to accept that.

"Sit your ass down, sir Gwaine! No one is killing Merlin."

Merlin started at that, his eyes seeking Arthurs' but he was staring down Gwaine. Gwaine for his part looked completely taken aback, hand still on his hilt but barely holding it. "What? Then what are we here to discuss?"

"Sit down and I will tell you. And that goes for you too, Merlin." Finally Arthur looked at him, his eyes no longer accusing or angry. He put his hand on the back of Merlin's chair as if inviting him. "Come, sit. This matter involves you greatly. You should have a say in it as well."

Confused and somewhat wary, Merlin took his place once more. Gwaine too sat down questioning eyes on Arthur.

"Alright then. I'll just throw it out there." Arthur took a deep breath which did nothing to quell Merlin's nerves. "I want your opionions on legalising magic."

Merlin's mouth fell open without his consent as he gaped at Arthur. Surely he had heard wrong. Or he was dreaming. This wasn't reality, surely not!

"Are you serious, Arthur?" Leon questioned, awe in his voice. None of them seemed to be comprehending what Arthur had just announced.

"I'm very serious about this and I want honest opionions, be they for or against it. This is now a safe place to discuss this with no accussations or threats or otherwise. I expect you are all capable of this?"

All heads nodded their agreement until all eyes were on Merlin who had yet to say anything. Merlin was almost afraid to meet Arthur's eyes, but he wasn't the most powerful sorcerer for nothing. "You've gone mad."

It wasn't exactly what he'd meant to say but it was too late now. The tension almost visibly reduced in the room as smiles and chuckles went around the table. Arthur too smiled, at him. "I assure you Merlin, I've not gone mad and unless you did something I'm fairly certain I'm under no enchantments. I've had time to think about this on the way back to Camelot and I used that time well."

"You are actually serious about this? Arthur, do you know what you are doing?!"

"I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago, had I not been turned against magic so vehemently. We are discussing this, now or do you not desire to be free?"

"That's not fair. You know I want to, but I'm not sure if I should be. I don't know if this is the time."

"That's why we're here, to decide that, together."

Turning to his knights, Arthur adressed the entire council. "Share your opinions, don't hide anything even if it might hurt someone. We need to see all sides to this."

Everyone shifted nervously, but Lancelot cleared his throat first. He looked at Merlin before he adressed the entire table. "I've seen Merlin do magic many times and never was it to hurt Camelot or its king. He's only ever tried to protect everyone around him.
He saved my life back when we first met. I do not believe magic is evil."

Leon went next. "I used to think magic was all evil. It sure has attacked Camelot enough times during the time I've been here and that's quite a while. But now...you saved my life, Merlin." Leon looked right at Merlin as he continued. "You used magic to save me. I would be dead had you not done so or had you not had magic in the first place. I'm not saying I suddenly trust in it or believe in it, but I can no longer say all magic is evil. Because I've been witness to good magic too."

Merlin almost teared up. He'd never had a very strong bond with Leon, but they were on good terms. Now here he was, saying that Merlin had changed his views on magic when he'd been a strong supporter against magic for so many years. Surely it couldn't be this easy? Where was the anger, the disgust, the fear? Why were they all so calm sitting so near to him?!

"I agree that magic has attacked Camelot often and it scares me still." Elyan crossed his arms as he sat back thinking it over. "I honestly don't know what would be best. If you were to free magic, would it not make it easier to attack us?"

"A fair point, Elyan." Arthur turned to look at Percival then. "What of you, sir Percival? Any thoughts?"

Percival was a man of few words and even now he remained silent as he turned to look at Merlin, then Lancelot. "I think Merlin should be free. Whatever comes for Camelot we fight it together."

"You are all mad!" Merlin stood up unable to take this anymore. He couldn't even explain why he himself was so opposed to it. Perhaps he had gone mad himself, or you are afraid a voice whispered in the back of his mind. "So you see me heal Leon and suddenly you all change your minds?! You've raged and hated magic but that suddenly goes away!? Why is no one afraid of me?! Why are you all just sitting there accepting me!"

Merlin wasn't even aware of moving away until Arthur's hand grabbed hold of him. "Let me go!"

"No, you need to breathe Merlin."

Breathe? What was he talking about?

"Breathe Merlin!"

His body folded in on himself, but Arthur caught him before he could get hurt worse than he still was. Gaius would not be happy to see him come back worse. He pushed at Arthur, trying to make him let go, but he didn't. He just held on stronger.

"You're alright, Merlin. It's alright. You're just scared, overwhelmed. Just breathe."

The other knights gathered around them, all sitting down as if to make themselves smaller. Merlin just shook as tears refused to stay back. "Why?" It was the only thing he could bring out, but Arthur seemed to understand.

"Because as someone reminded me not so long ago. you are my friend and you've always protected me. I was hurt and angry but I never hated you, Merlin. And now that I've thought about it, I don't believe magic should be punished. There's been enough death in Camelot. I cannot bear to watch my best friend die."

"Best friend?"

"Yes, you clotpole. My best friend."

"That's my word."

And just like that the tension evaporated and they all chuckled. Merlin dried his face, suddenly very aware of how he must look. Arthur clapped him on the shoulder like he always used to do.

"What do you say, then? Let's build the Camelot we both want."

Merlin looked at all the knights still sitting on the ground beside them, all smiling, encouraging this plan. "Are you all sure?"

"Of course."

"Definitely."

"Yes."

"I agree."

"Yes."

Merlin looked at Arthur as he took a deep breath. "Then I guess we're really doing this?"

"We are. All of us, together."

"FOR CAMELOT! FOR THE KING! FOR MERLIN!"

Kilgarrah saw the debris in the distance. The castle that once stood there completely crumbled to the ground. Rain pelted down as he landed in the middle of the ruin. He'd sensed Merlin's magic as it expanded across the land. Such a powerful outburst rarely happened and it greatly worried him.

Magic fizzled around the area, disturbed, wild, unfocussed. Something terrible had happened. "Merlin! Speak, warlock!"

He heard something nearby and as he pushed a big piece of debris aside, he saw him. Hands still in chains, shivering on the ground all curled up. He seemed to be muttering senseless words and drenched form the rain, causing blood to seep like rivers across his body.

Kilgarrah couldn't stop a soft roar from escaping as he stood witness to the injustice done to his kin. Merlin cowered at the noise, scrambling back in a hurry ignorant of his wounds.

"Merlin, I am here."

"No, no, don't...leave me...let me go..!"

"I will not hurt you, friend."

Merlin was unresponsive to his words, almost as if he didn't recognise him. Kilgarrah took a step closer, but it was the wrong thing to do. Merlin's eyes glowed golden faster than he'd ever seen and he yelled at him in a most familiar voice.

"Ασε με! Φύγε μακριά μου! Πηγαίνω!"

Forced to obey the command of a dragonlord, Kilgarrah flew away while roaring on the inside. It was useless to try and fight the command though. As it always had been, dragon had to obey and there was no getting around it.

months ago

"Arthur!"

The cry of alarm drew Gwaine's attention to Merlin. His friend was trying to get to Arthur but bandits were all over the place. Gwaine rushed after him before he got himself killed. Reckless idiot always rushing in after Arthur.

He lost sight of Merlin for a moment when a rather large man blocked his path. He used his speed to rush him, knocking him out from behind. Turning around, Gwaine tried to find Merlin. "No!"

"Merlin!"

Gwaine ran towards his friend dodging around another bandit, eyes set only on Arthur. Blind to his own surrondings or possibly not caring about himself, Merlin never saw a different bandit come up behind him. He threw his arms around Merlin, holding him in a choke hold.

In the distance Arthur struggled in his fight, but Gwaine would never get there in time. The others were closer. Neither him nor Merlin would make it in time. Merlin did not seem to care about that detail as he struggle din the choke hold. He clawed at the bandit's arms and tried to kick him with his thin legs.

Just as Gwaine came up behind them, something burst forward from Merlin. A wave of energy that sped towards Arthur. It knocked into his opponent throwing him through the air as if he weight nothing.

Gwaine knocked out the bandit holding Merlin and his friend collapsed on the ground taking gasping breaths. Gwaine just stood there not sure what just happened, but Arthur seemed to know. He stared at Merlin with wide eyes, so did the others now that all the bandits were gone. The few who had been left standing had turned tail when Merlin used magic.

Magic!

Merlin had used magic!

Gwaine was stunned but also impressed. Only Merlin would get away with hiding magic right under Uther's nose. His amusement was shattered when Arthur made a move towards Merlin, sword raised. Gwaine didn't think, he just stepped in front of Merlin his own sword lowered but at the ready if need be.

"Easy there, princess."

"He's a sorcerer!"

"He's Merlin!"

Arthur was shaking, whether with anger, fear or a little bit of everything, Gwain couldn't tell. But in his state, there was no way Gwaine would let him near Merlin.

Merlin who still sat on the ground, unmoving. Not pleading for his life, runnign away or even trying to explain. Like he'd accepted his fate. Like he'd given up.

Movement to his left, had Gwaine raising his sword in defence of his friend. "Easy, I would never hurt Merlin. But we should get him out of here."

Lancelot seemed unsurprised by all of this and that's when it hit Gwaine. Lancelot had known! That's why they always seemed to have this secret communication between them. The others crowded around Arthur and Gwaine saw it for what it was. A clear chosing of sides. Fine then, Lancelot and himself would keep Merlin safe.

"Let's get some distance."

Merlin felt his body move sluggishly without his consent. Afraid, he tried to pull himself the other way, but his body wouldn't listen. He could make out a voice though, far away. "Easy, girl. Just calm down. It's only Merlin."

The voice was familiar, that much Merlin could remember. He tried to open his eyes to see who belonged to the voice. He only partly succeeded, but it was enough to see Lancelot and Gwaine trying to calm down a horse, a horse he was sitting on. That's what he'd felt. The horse was moving on the spot, it was nervous Merlin sensed.

"Come now, A'maia. Everything is alright."

A'maia. His own horse. He recognised her now by her energy and the strand of white hair near her shoulder standing out ever so much against her black coat.

Merlin whispered to A'maia as he gently stroked her nose. She settled down, allowing Merlin to fix her mane that had gotten into disarray. She had two strands of white hair, one right behind her ear, the other near her shoulder. Signs of her true heritage since the rest of her was pitch black.

Gedref had given her to him, said he'd found her in the forest. The offspring of a wild horse and a unicorn, most unusal. He'd said she was meant for Emrys. He'd humbly accpted her after she accepted him.

"Is that magic too?"

Merlin looked up to see Arthur coming closer, hesitantly almost. As if unsure if he were intruding on something. "Not exactly. It's not an enchantment, I'm talking to her."

"Didn't sound like talking to me."

"Just because you don't understand the words, doesn't mean it's not a language."

Merlin gently grabbed the white strand of hair at A'maia's shoulder as he shushed her. "Sshh...sefte."

A'maia calmed down when she heard his voice, allowing Lancelot to get up behind Merlin, Gwaine flanking them.

"Let's go home."

- Rough translation of spell: "Transfer unto me, let me share the burden so we both may live."
- Rough translation of Dragonlord Command: "Leave me! Get away from me! Go!"
- Sefte = Easy.

- Gwaine got an unintentional spotlight during this chapter. At some points he may be slightly ooc, but he's capable of deep kindness and wisdom. It's just often overshadowed by his teasing, sometimes reckless and carefree behaviour. And we all know how loyal Gwaine is to Merlin.

- Apologies if the scene with Gaius was bad. Gaius is a great character but I do not do his character justice, at least it didn't feel like it. He was a bit hard to write.