AN: Sorry, I initially forgot to write my author's note! The title refers mostly to magic, and lying about it, and using it in tricky ways to get what you want. This story is mainly about Merlin and Princess Mithian from season 4. There is a tiny bit of Gwen and a bit more Arthur. Definitely some spoilers for season 4—and the Merlin in this story is the more confident Merlin we've seen this season. This story is almost completely done (I just have to write chapter 12) so I will upload the chapters as I get them edited. Please read and review. I love reviews more than anything. Feel free to tell me if I got something wrong about Nemeth or Camelot—I was guessing for a lot of things and made up a lot of names because I don't think any of Mithian's relatives were ever named. Please review or let me know if you enjoy it

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. This fanfic is making me no money!

Merlin had imagined all the ways that Arthur could find out about his magic. He imagined coming between Morgana and her brother, throwing a desperate spell to save Arthur's life and astounding them both in the process. He imagined healing Arthur from a mortal wound, realizing too late that Arthur was not unconscious. He even imagined simply telling Arthur one day, when he had proven his worth beyond all measure. But none of these happy scenarios were to be.

When Arthur found out, there was no swelling music, there was no burning sense that finally destiny was fulfilled, and Arthur was not pleased.

Arthur, Merlin and the knights had been hunting bandits. They found the camp shortly before midday. The bandits fought well for a group of half-starved outcasts, and Merlin found himself backed up against a cliff. So he did what he always did. He magicked a tree branch to fall on the hulking individual. It did, and when the bandit fell Merlin found himself staring directly into Arthur's eyes. From the look on Arthur's face, Merlin knew that Arthur had seen the fire of magic in his eyes.

Arthur did not clap him in irons and drag him to the castle, but he did look exactly as betrayed as he had when he realized Agravaine was Morgana's ally, not his. Merlin's heart broke for his friend, but he refused to feel as guilty as Agravaine should have felt. He had never joined with Arthur's enemies. He had never betrayed Camelot. He had never craved Arthur's power as his own.

They rode back to the castle in silence. The knights sensed that something had happened they were unaware of, but Arthur did not fill them in. Merlin suspected he was going to be confronted in private.

He was wrong.

Arthur convened a session of council, and then gathered the court to the throne room. Merlin watched nervously. This wasn't all about him dropping a tree branch on a bandit, was it? What would Arthur do if he knew what Merlin had really been about all these years?

"I have brought you all here to see that the laws in force at the time of my father's rule still apply," Arthur began solemnly.

Merlin was increasingly convinced that this was all about him. He grasped at a response to the accusations he was sure would be leveled at him, but could not think of a way to respond. His mind was blank. And he had no idea how Morgana and Morgause did that thing where they disappeared into a whirlwind. Merlin wished he'd spent more time on useful spells like that and less on things like bringing statutes to life.

"Magic is a danger to this kingdom," Arthur was saying. Merlin nearly rolled his eyes. Had Uther made Arthur memorize this speech? It was so tedious. "Even those who mean well and have good intentions eventually become corrupt. For that reason, even people who have done no evil with magic will soon be tempted beyond human endurance. Those who practice magic are already lost. Death is a kindness."

"What has happened, my King?" asked Geoffrey of Monmouth.

"My own servant, Merlin, has betrayed me by preforming magic," Arthur said. "It is now my duty, though I do not like it, to show the people of this kingdom that no one is above the law."

Merlin felt the accusing eyes of the entire court looking at him. He had imagined this so solemnly and sadly, and yet it was almost funny, now it was happening. What did they think that they could do to him?

"But Merlin has done more than anyone to help you, to make you the king you were meant to be. Arthur, he believed in you when no one else did. He saved your life. He even saved your father's life. Surely these are not the actions of someone who is trying to harm the kingdom," Queen Guinevere said.

"I am sure Merlin has done nothing to harm the kingdom. But he has betrayed us nonetheless by his refusal to follow our laws. Learning magic is a choice, and he should not have done it."

"Arthur, I was born magic, like a dragon or a unicorn. I had no choice in the matter," Merlin said.

"Like Morgana," Arthur said.

"Yes," Merlin grated out, not pleased with the comparison he had known Arthur would make. "But unlike her, I have no wish to cause you or anyone in this kingdom harm. In fact, I never want to hurt anyone. I was born magic, and have been doing it since before I could walk or talk. I think it unlikely that I will suddenly become corrupt now. I have no wish for your power. I have no wish to steal away your will, and make you change your mind about magic, although I could, easily enough."

"And why don't you?" Arthur asked.

"Because I think you will change your mind on your own, one day. Years ago you asked me if I thought it was possible that there could be good magic as well as evil magic. I do believe that. I always have. Magic is a tool, like your sword. You can use it to dominate and destroy, or you can use it to protect."

"These are the arguments men have used to convince themselves that they can withstand the dangers of preforming magic for centuries. You are fooling yourself," Arthur said. "However, the point is moot. You will be executed at dawn."

Merlin looked at his friend incredulously. After everything he'd done for that "princess"? Arthur's face was slightly sad, but his will was iron. Arthur must have been steeling himself for this moment during that silent ride back from the woods.

Merlin cleared his throat nervously. "No," he said.

"Pardon me?" Arthur said.

"Erm, no, I will not be executed at dawn," Merlin said.

"I'm sorry, Merlin, but you will. There are no exceptions to the law," Arthur said.

"Honestly, Arthur, I'd like to see you try. I'd like to see you and your knights and your entire army try. You have no idea what I am. What I am capable of. You have no idea. I will not be executed at dawn. I'll leave under my own power and return when you become more reasonable about magic," Merlin said. His voice now contained its own steel.

"Seize him," Arthur said.

Percival, Gwaine and Elyan were among the group that approached him. Merlin backed away slightly and raised his hand. "I have no wish to hurt you, but I will. Stand back and let me pass."

Gwaine lowered his sword backed away, and turned to Arthur, saying, "Sorry, but he's my friend."

"I said seize him!" Arthur shouted.

Merlin had no wish to cause problems between Arthur and the knights, so before anyone else could come down on his side, he raised his hand and said "Sleep" in the old tongue. All the guards and knights fell to the floor, some snoring soundly.

"I will return when the kingdom has need of me. Although judging by the amount of trouble the kingdom has had the last couple of years, that might mean I'm back tomorrow."

"You are exiled, then, Merlin," Arthur said, the option of execution having been taken off the table. "You must never return to Camelot."

"No, I'll come back whenever I want," Merlin said, smiling, "Unless you beg me to come back first," Merlin shot over his shoulder.

Merlin's last look at Arthur took away all the fun of having the last word. Although Arthur held Guinevere's hand, Merlin had never seen him look so alone.