Secrets of Camelot

Synopsis: AU where Arthur discovers Merlin's magic when it is revealed to Uther, and he doesn't know how to react. Written from Arthur's POV.

Word count: 1,186

Author's Note: This is my very first fanfiction, so I'm aware that it's probably not very good. Also, I know the title is pretty bad, but I'm just bad at titles. Helpful criticism is appreciated, just please don't be mean. I may continue with future parts if there is any interest. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, it belongs to the BBC.

Part 1: Secret of the Servant

"Camelot must come before all else. Even you."

Then there was a sharp pain and, for a moment, all went black.

He heard his voice faintly, as if it were a faint whisper carried by a breeze. "Get away from him, Uther." Merlin. Arthur opened his eyes and tried to move, but lights danced across his vision and he had to stop to fight falling back into darkness. "You've done enough harm. You don't belong here. You must return to the other world."

Idiot, Arthur thought. What is he thinking?

"This is my kingdom." Arthur heard his father's voice, cold with hostility. Arthur tried opening his eyes again, slowly, allowing them to focus on his father's figure and Merlin, standing before him. "You think you can drive me from it, you are nothing but a serving boy."

"I am much more than that." Merlin replied, just as coldly.

Suddenly, one of the benches flew toward Merlin. "Meh…." Arthur tried to call, but the effort made the lights dance again before the sound could pass his lips.

Then the bench stopped in midair.

What? Arthur thought, dazed. I thought….his eyes.

"You have magic." Uther whispered.

What? Arthur thought again. He felt dizzy again, but this time from a flood of thought and emotions. Merlin?

"I was born with it!"

The anger in Merlin's voice brought Arthur out of his confusion for a moment. He had never heard Merlin speak like that, with fear, pain, and rage all at once. He looked back to them, trying to listen, but the words rolling over the thoughts already in his mind.

"I made you Arthur's servant." Uther's said, horrified. "You are a sorcerer."

How long? Always. Since he was born, he said.

"Even while you were king, there was magic at the heart of Camelot."

Why? Has he been trying to overthrow us all this time? Just another betrayal of someone I trusted. The thought pained Arthur.

"I will not allow you and your kind to poison my kingd-" Uther said, rushing towards Merlin.

"You're wrong!" Merlin interrupted. Arthur's attention returned to Merlin. He had never heard him sound so confident. "About so much. Arthur is a better and more worthy king than you ever were."

Then Uther made a horrible sound, a roar that reminded Arthur of the Darocha and sent chills up his spine. Merlin's eyes flashed into a golden color, this time unmistakably, just as Arthur had seen Morgana's eyes flash every time she used magic, and Uther was flung through the door.

Merlin walked to the door, and Arthur closed his eyes. There was no denying it, and he would not believe it if he had not seen it himself. Merlin has magic. But he was still defending me. He felt betrayed, but he could not shake the feeling that this was not a betrayal. This was not like Morgana and Agravaine.

Arthur's mind was racing. He flashed back to the first time he met Merlin. "I could drop you in one blow." "I could drop you with less than that." That's what Merlin said. All those years ago. His mind went to more recent conversations, whispered beside campfires or in dark caves. "Do you have any idea how many times I have save your life?" Arthur had scoffed every time Merlin made that assertion. He was telling the truth, Arthur thought, disbelievingly.

Then his blood ran cold. If Merlin has magic, father will kill him, without any hesitation. Arthur rolled over and pushed himself up with a groan. He still felt uneasy about Merlin keeping this secret from him, but he would have to deal with that later. For now, he just needed to make sure they both came away from this unharmed. It looks like it's my turn to save you, he thought.

He felt around his belt for the horn that was still tucked there safely and headed for the hallway. Which way would they have gone? He thought, glancing both ways. Then he remembered what the hall led to on the left. The armory! That's where I'd lead him to. Lots of weapons to fling about and that idiot will walk right into it. Arthur started running. He may have magic, but he won't be able to stop Uther without the horn, and he might not be able to stop that many weapons for long.

Arthur turned through the door just in time to see Uther raise his sword to Merlin's chest.

"Father!" Arthur cried out.

Uther turned. Arthur glanced from him to Merlin, whose eyes had become terrified only when Arthur had entered the room. Even now, he was more scared of Arthur discovering his secret. Think about that later. Arthur told himself as he raised the horn. Now I must do what must be done?

"Arthur, no. Please." Uther's voice said softly.

I don't want to. I really don't.

"Whatever I've done, I've done for Camelot."

I know. Arthur fought back the tears that threated to stop him. He doubted if he was even strong enough to say goodbye to his father again. To let go. But you're already gone. And I won't lose a dear friend as well. Arthur's resolve hardened.

"You've had your turn. Now it's mine."

He brought the horn to his lips.

"Merlin has…."

The sound of the horn cut him off, and his father's figure dispersed like mist in the sun.

Arthur looked at Merlin. His eyes so full of fear, even as he breathed a sigh of relief, that he seemed at the point of tears. At Merlin's terror, Arthur completely understood why he had kept his magic secret all this time. Merlin was scared of how he would react. Even now, Arthur himself was unsure of how he would react if confronted with the issue outright. He will tell me when he's ready….and hopefully by then I'll be ready too.

"You alright?" Arthur asked, moving forward to help free Merlin from the spears that had pinned him to the wall.

"Yeah." Gasped Merlin. "And you?"

"Not really." Arthur replied honestly.

"You should have Gaius check your head." Merlin said, concerned.

"It's not that. I'm fine." Arthur said, wondering if Gaius knew about Merlin's ability.

Merlin looked at him for a second longer, cautiously. "Well, then, what should we do with the horn?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "See that it's burned. We can't risk something like this happening again. What's dead should stay dead." Even if Merlin only uses his magic for good, this whole ordeal was a reminder of the suffering that can come from magical objects. He had almost lost Guinevere, and he could not disregard that.

"Yes, sire." Merlin said, taking the horn.

Arthur watched Merlin's back as he left the room. When he was sure he was gone, he let himself fall back against the wall, releasing a deep sigh. He clasped his hands over his head, as if trying to keep his thoughts contained. This changes everything. Merlin had been hiding a great secret, and now he must keep one as well.