Hey there, Merlin fans (Do we have a special name? Merlinians? Merlinites? The Merlin-Maddened Minds?). I actually wrote this slightly-longer-than-a-drabble piece about a week ago, but I didn't have time to post it before leaving on a trip to a place that doesn't have internet (GASP!). Yes, I know, it was a wonder I survived! But I did, and in good-enough health to post this straightaway! That being said, I hope you enjoy it and maybe even identify with it a bit!

Description: Arthur finds out about Merlin's magic, and the warlock must convince him of its potential for good.

Disclaimer: If I owned Merlin, I'd be writing scripts, not fics.

The Pin Is Mightier than the Sword

"Magic is like… Like a…" Merlin paused, his mind racing frantically to think of something to compare magic to, something that would convince Arthur of its potential for good. "Like a sewing needle!" he finally blurted out.

"A sewing needle," the prince repeated skeptically, his eyebrows raised so high even Gaius would be impressed.

"Yes," Merlin replied, warming up to the analogy. "Because… You know… In the wrong hands, a sewing needle could… Prick people and stuff… But in the hands of someone with a good heart, it could be used to close wounds or… Mend clothing!"

Arthur scowled at Merlin, completely nonplussed. "What on earth does mending clothes have to do with magic?"

"Nothing!" the warlock answered quickly. "I was just using that as an example to show you that the needle, or, in this case, magic is neither good nor evil. It is the person who has the magic who decides how it will be used."

"Oh," Arthur said. "You mean… Kind of like a sword?"

Merlin sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yes, now that I think about it, that probably would have been a better example…"

A/N I don't know about you, but I am tired to DEATH of people using the magic-like-a-sword analogy to explain to Arthur about magic's potential for good! Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea. In fact, it's what I first thought of when planning how Merlin would reveal his magic to Arthur. But I've read a lot of reveal-fics, and after reading the same analogy for about the twentieth time in one day, I was ready to put an ax through my computer! Fortunately, some good did come out of it- I thought up this fic! So, I hope it made you laugh (Merlin's second line still makes me smile!), and please, please, please review! Thanks! :)