A/N: Yo, so this is my first Merlin fic so I'll start off with I hope I keep as close to the character's personality as I can. This story takes place some time after S2E3 but there will be minor spoilers as I'm going to focus on the future of the story not their past events, note: that doesnt mean there wont be spoilers, so for those who have seen passed S2E3 (I found it difficult to find the episodes as I'm in Aust and it hasnt aired here yet -.-) you'll be fine. To all, please review and tell me what you think, all reviews (good or bad) will greatly appreciated and if you have any suggestions at all for the story I will listen and see if I can fit it into the story to make this experience more enjoyable =D ty, remember to review XD

...DQ...

PS. I might change the rating of the story later to M but for now we'll see where it takes us.

Full Summary:- The royal house of Camelot visit the city of Mercia to form an official treaty to protect each other in the act of war. What the representatives of Camelot doesn't know is that Mercia allows magic into its walls. How will Uther react when he discovers this news? What events lay after that will effect Camelot's future as well as Mercia's? As if they hadn't experienced enough surprises, how far will Arthur go to protect Merlin from a powerful witch who craves his power? More importantly, how far will the witch go to get it?

****Merlin****

Revealing of thy magic, chapter 1

He heard his own tired pants as he ran aimlessly through dark, empty corridors after corridors lit only by the moon through the painted stained glass, iron-framed windows of a foreign castle. He knew only few things at present; this Castle was not Camelot being one of them. Most of all he was frightened! Frightened of what he could not say exactly; a voice? He knew that when a voice there's someone who owns it, but who owned the voice that frightened him? He could not say. He knew what the voice could say all too well. His name. Merlin!

"Merlin!!" The voice chimed in a haunting whisper. "Merrlliiinn." It called again, sounding closer.

Merlin turned a corner, using the wall to bound off so as not to collide face first into it. He found stairs and quickly he ran down them, missing steps and jumping the last few, almost losing his footing. He had no idea where he was going, he had no idea what he hoped to find. Perhaps he could find the way out of the castle. If he did, would the voice stop? Would it leave him alone? Perhaps it wouldn't. Perhaps it was chasing him for a reason. Merlin needed to keep running, that was his main concern. Whatever the voice wanted he'd prefer to find out when he was safe if he had to learn of its intentions at all. Right now though, Merlin couldn't stop. He just couldn't.

He turned another corner and crashed into something, or rather someone when he looked. It was Arthur, surprise and frustration dawned his handsome features as he looked up at the helpless wander on top of him.

"Merlin." He said in that scornful 'you-idiot' voice. "You idiot! What are you doing running around the castle like a child? Don't you realise its night? That's when every one is in bed asleep." Arthur pushed Merlin off him and stood, brushing his clothes off. Merlin stood sheepishly as he prepared his answer.

"Sorry, sire. But there was a … voice." Merlin paused when he realised the voice was no longer chasing him. Did he imagine it? No it was real! It was chasing him. So where'd it go? It stopped when he ran into Arthur… wait a minute! Why was Arthur not in his chambers?

"Why are you not in your chambers sleeping?" Merlin asked. Arthur looked flustered at the question. He honestly wasn't prepared to answer a question that questioned his doings.

"I…uhh…well. That needn't concern you Merlin." Arthur brushed off the subject almost desperately. Just before Arthur was going to scold Merlin for being out so late causing trouble he presumed, someone stood out from the shadows of the walls behind Arthur, something shiny glinting in the moonlight. Merlin saw it was a dagger and it was aimed directly for the princes back where his heart would be. His heart jumped, adrenaline coursed through his body. He had to be quick, and Arthur was looking directly at him so he couldn't use his magic or he'd chance Arthur seeing his eyes turn gold momentarily. He had to move.

"Merlin move." Arthur said urgently as he pulled out his sword and pushed Merlin out the way, bringing his sword up to knock back a dagger aimed at where Merlin was. Shocked, Merlin remembered the dagger for Arthur. His eyes caught the hilt of the weapon and heated it, turning it a bright red, steam rose and burnt the hand of the assassin. Merlin's eyes turned gold momentarily as he magically pushed the man back against the wall, the dagger falling from his hands.

Arthur looked at the man behind him then at Merlin, shock and confusion completely in his princely blue eyes. Merlin could only assume that Arthur saw him, and so he feared for his life but he stayed where he was. Arthur saved his life, he hadn't even sensed the man behind him.

"Y-you…you're…" Arthur stammered, unable to form a proper sentence. It wasn't a common occurrence that Arthur was lost for words; in fact Merlin doubted he had ever seen the prince this speechless. It was clear to him now that Arthur knew. He knew his secret. But it was for the greater good. He wasn't playing around or practising, he saved Arthur's life. If he was to be sentenced to death because he was caught using magic, at least he did so saving Arthur's life.

"Arthur…" Merlin tried to explain, standing as he did so to meet the prince's eyes. Arthur merely gave him a look as though Merlin had just said something shockingly insulting.

"You're a sorcerer?" Merlin couldn't say anything, he merely looked uncomfortable and sheepish. He wanted so desperately to explain the situation but his throat tightened, he couldn't say anything. "I saw you. You used magic and you saved my life." Suddenly the voice returned, whispering his name over and over again in different tones. It seemed more than one voice though, as the voices over lapped each other. Merlin raised his hands to his head and closed his eyes, the voices began to ring in his head, making it hurt. They drowned out even the confused, concerned voice of Arthur's calling his name out, wandering what was going on.

"Hello Merlin." A female's voice sounded over the many taunting whispers. This voice was amused, expected and calm. It was antagonising and sounded as though it came from the female standing in front of him, wearing a dark, royal purple dress with silver embroidery. Her dark hair and eyes contrasted with her fair skin as she stared at him, a smirk playing the corners of her rosy red lips, a look of malevolence and eagerness in her eyes. The look of her made his skin tighten, the hairs on his body stand on end and his blood run swift and cold in his hot veins. He tensed and his breath caught. He knew this woman. Who was she? He couldn't believe it was her taunting him. He couldn't believe she wasn't trying to be supportive like for some reason she should be. Why should she be? He didn't know but he thought she was supposed to. Why did a part of him scream that she was the enemy? Who was she? Tears welled up in his eyes. Why was he crying? Was he in pain? Yes he was, but was it a different pain that speaks not of physical pain?

"You look as if you're suffering. Don't worry, I'm here for you. I'll end your suffering." The girl hugged him close, forcing his head under her neck and rubbing his back soothingly like a baby and his mother. He listened to her heartbeat. This was what she was supposed to be doing. Comforting him. Loving him. He loved this woman, so why was he scared?

"Merlin!" he heard faintly. Was it Arthur? Maybe, but he didn't care. He was in the arms of his protector. The protector causing him to hurt. The protector comforting him from what she was causing. He was so confused.

"I'll end your suffering Merlin. You won't need to feel this pain, and the pain you've felt before this ever again. You won't feel the need to be acknowledged for who you are; you won't feel the pain of being disregarded. You won't feel the pain I'm putting you through. I'm going to end it for you; I'm going to end everything for you." She said, her voice calm and soothing, but death rode on the words she spoke. She was going to kill him and there was nothing he could do. Her heartbeat and the person calling his name was the last thing he heard before everything went dark, all sensation lost and everything ended.

Merlin woke with a scream as he sat up right, pushing what blanket he had on him off in a panic before he realised where he was. He breathed hard and looked around his small room. It was still night time, the moon shone through his window onto his bed. The next minute Gaius came into his room, a candle in his hand and a worried expression on his face.

"Merlin? Are you alright?" he asked as he sat the candle on Merlin's bedside table. He wore his white night gown and sat on the edge of Merlin's bed. For a reason unknown to Merlin he began to cry. Gaius responded to his nephew's distress by hugging him, soothing him with fatherly love and careful, comforting words, telling him he was ok and it was just a nightmare. Merlin had been sweating during the dream which now explained why his hair was wet and messier than usual as it clung to his face and stood on angles it would not be able to do, dry. He continued to cry into his uncles' chest, the hot, salty tears ran down his face and his chest heaved as he tried to breathe through his sobs. Why was he crying? He was not sure.

In Morgana's chambers she slept in her royal sized and decorated bed, tossing and turning in her sleep. "Merlin!" she spoke urgently, her voice scared and worried. In her dream she stood helplessly and unseen by Merlin or Arthur whom she stood behind. She had just witnessed horrifying things, such as Merlin and Arthur almost being killed and Merlin performing magic, his eyes glowed gold briefly before they turned back to their normal blue. Right now though, Arthur called on helplessly to Merlin as Merlin was embraced by a strange woman in a dark purple dress. She called to him but he seemed unable to hear her, he seemed unable to hear anyone but the woman. Even Arthur seemed unable to get through to him.

She spoke words to Merlin only he seemed to hear. His eyes began to water, he was crying. Her eyes began to glow gold as she stared down at him. A light blue aura surrounded Merlin and then began to make its way inside of the woman, through her mouth, nose and ears, any opening it could find. Whatever she was doing it was killing Merlin and there was nothing she or Arthur could do about it.

"Merlin!" she and Arthur called at the same time. The light left Merlin's eyes and she knew it was too late.

"Merlin!" she screamed as she sat up in her bed, waking suddenly from her dream. Seconds later, Gwen ran into Morgana's room, setting a candle on the bedside table and hugging Morgana tightly. Morgana's eyes were wide and her breaths wavered in fear. She had to see Gaius. She had to tell Merlin, warn him of this girl.

Later that morning Merlin found himself alone in the forest picking herbs, flowers and mushrooms of sorts for Gaius. As they'd be leaving in around 3 hours to Mercia1 Gaius wanted to restock on ingredients needed in some treatments he'd be preparing for any illnesses contracted on the journey. This was the first time since Merlin had arrived at Camelot that the Pendragons were leaving to make official of a treaty between them and Mercia. It was exciting for Merlin, he just hoped it all goes well.

Merlin picked the last ripe mushroom and placed it in the basket of other mushrooms he had picked, estimating at the amount that there'd be plenty of everything he had picked he tied the lid shut and then the basket onto the grazing brown horse behind him. He untied the horse from the tree and mounted the steed after a failed try of which his foot missed the stirrup. Finally he was off, trotting his way out of the forest towards Camelot. 3 hours and they'd be gone.

****Merlin****

Merlin trotted through the gates of Camelot casually, not even glancing at the guards who did him. Two guards came over to him when he stopped in the courtyard in front of the Palace and helped him dismount, taking the horse away after he had gathered his things made his way inside the palace, heading towards the court Physician's chambers. He'd spent half an hour returning to Camelot, he'd spend another half an hour helping Gaius get ready before going to see Arthur to help him get ready. With any luck he'd have about half an hour to get himself ready if Arthur was nice to him.

Struggling up the stairs with two baskets and 3 bags over his shoulders he finally reached the floor he needed and continued to walk carefully through a necessary corridor. Arthur came around the next corner and paused when he spotted Merlin, looking him up and down and assessing his task. He seemed to approve and Merlin kept his stride steady in the direction he was headed. Arthur waited for him to catch up before stepping aside and walking with him. Merlin understood that he was Prince Arthur's servant but as a friend couldn't Arthur help him out? He decided not to voice his opinion.

"I would like you in my chambers when you're done Merlin. I have a few chores for you to do before we leave." Arthur said. Something was off. He wasn't his usual smug, arrogant self today.

"Yes, sire." Merlin managed. He'd ask him about it later, when he didn't have such a load on his scrawny figure. Arthur continued to walk with him, as though he was expecting more to be said, but neither he or Merlin said anything until they reached Gaius' chambers. At least Arthur got the door for Merlin which he thanked him for and followed him inside the room.

Merlin was surprised to see Morgana in the room, sitting in the chair with Gaius facing her. She had been crying and she looked scared. She had another nightmare last night, that could have been the only reason for this situation. Poor girl.

Merlin put the baskets down on the barren bench Gaius had cleared and sat down himself, thankful the load was off him. His shoulders, hands and back ached as they shrunk back to a comfortable state. He felt as though he had been stretched.

"Thank you Merlin." Gaius said quietly.

"No problem." Merlin said, his voice breathless. He looked up to Arthur standing just inside the door, his arms crossed and his eyes downcast, as though in deep thought. "I suppose you would like help now, sire?" Merlin asked, jotting him out of his trance. He seemed to consider his question rather than plainly and instantaneously say yes and rant on about what he wanted Merlin to do. Something was wrong. Perhaps he was worried about Morgana? Maybe, its possible.

"Take a little break for now Merlin." This shocked him and almost instantly he grew curious. This wasn't right.

"Ok what's going on?" he asked everyone in the room, wanting absolutely anyone to reply.

"Morgana had a nightmare last night." Arthur started.

"You died, Merlin!" Morgana finished, frightened as she grabbed his hands and looked deeply into his confused blue eyes.

"I'm pretty sure I'm still living…" Merlin began.

"I'm sure it's just a dream Morgana…" Gaius also tried to speak.

"No! Merlin please, when I spoke with the Druids they told me I should take heed of my dreams. In my dream, Merlin, you died. You must promise me you'll be careful." She said, her lip quivering in fear. She was not frightened for her life though, she was scared for Merlin, for his life. Tears had dried on her cheeks and had begun to drip from her bloodshot eyes again, her cheeks and nose were rosy pink and she tried her best not to cry heavily. Her eyes held his in place. She needed his answer. She needed to hear him promise her he'd be careful.

"I- I promise, Morgana." She nodded, before she smiled. She was relieved and she looked away from him, wiping the tears from her eyes and sniffling.

"So, one thing I'm still confused about. Arthur? What's wrong with you?" Merlin asked. He figured he might as well try get a confession out of him while they were talking seriously. Arthur merely stared at him, not in disbelief, not in anger, not in anything, just stared. He seemed to be thinking.

"Nothing." He said eventually, averting his gaze from him and to Gaius before the floor. "If you're done relaxing Merlin, you can come help me pack. I have armour that needs scrubbing, clothes that need washing, horses that need to be re-shoed and brushed down. Not to mention food that needs preparing and weapons that need sharpening." Arthur said as he left the room, Merlin following close at hand.

"Merlin!" Gaius called and seconds later he poked his head back in the door. "Make sure your here to ready yourself half an hour or in your case, at least an hour before we go, would you?" Merlin rolled his eyes and sighed before leaving. So much to do in such little time.

Three hours later, everything was packed and everyone was ready. Morgana, Uther and Arthur were seated in a carriage, the guards and servants on horses two abreast in front and behind the carriage. In a few minutes they were off, passing through the gates of Camelot and following the path that lead to open fields, forests in the distance and trees lining the path when eventually it would lead them to the city of Mercia.

Hope you enjoyed =D I know it was shorter than even I would have liked it but honestly I just wanted it up and I couldnt think on how to continue without starting a new chapter... remember to review =D

...DQ...