A/N: This part probably isn't as good as the first. I wanted a bridge between the first chapter and the next, when the events of "The Disir" take place. This is just a look at everyday life since Arthur found out about Merlin's magic, some very unclever banter, and just a little bit of Arwen advice.

Part Two: Secret of the King

At first, keeping his knowledge of Merlin's magic a secret was easier than Arthur could have hoped for. In their day to day life, magic was never brought up, and their interactions consisted of the normal banter and surly retorts.

There were a few instances where Arthur suspected Merlin of using his….gifts…to help him. Once, on a patrol when they were met with some bandits, Arthur saw a sword fly out of one of the attacker's hands, a happenstance he would normally have put down to the clumsiness of the man, but could not help but notice Merlin watching him from behind a tree no more than 5 yards away.

"Do you ever plan on actually helping us fight one day rather than cowering like a girl?" Arthur jested when the fighting had ended.

"Well," Merlin gave him an exasperated look, "maybe if you ever gave me armor or a weapon I would consider it!"

"C'mon, Merlin. I doubt you need a weapon to fight."

Merlin narrowed his eyes. "What d'you mean by that?"

"Nothing." Arthur caught himself. "Just that your face could probably scare them away all by itself."

Merlin gave his goofy, slanted smile. "Not your best comeback, Arthur."

"It's more clever than calling someone a dollophead." Arthur retorted.

Then there had also been the incident with Princess Mithian. At first he had taken the sudden earthquake as a stroke of good luck, he hadn't had time to thoroughly analyze the situation. He saw his chance, and he took it. However, when Merlin showed up moments later, Arthur knew what had really happened.

It gradually became harder to keep his silence. It was irritating not being able to talk to anyone about it, and the thought that some of the others might already know was always lodged in the back of his mind, like an itch he couldn't scratch.

Every day he wished more and more that Merlin would confide in him. He understood, of course, why he wouldn't, but he wished it all the same. Occasionally, Arthur would slip a subtle hint, or a knowing look whenever he suspected the use of magic, but Merlin would always act oblivious and shrug it off with some explanation.

The loneliness that came with knowing and not being able to talk about it became crushing. If I feel this lonely after keeping a secret for a matter of weeks, how must he feel after 10 years?

"Arthur, what's wrong?" Arthur was startled by Gwen's voice. He had been looking out the window deep in thought, hoping that maybe he could find some answers hidden in the night sky. He turned around to see Gwen sitting up in bed, a concerned frown spreading across her face as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Nothing." Arthur looked down at his feet. He hated lying to her. "Everything is fine. Go back to sleep."

"Arthur," Gwen gave him a stern look. "Something has been bothering you for days now. I know you think no one can notice, but I know you. Something's wrong….so please, tell me." She patted the bed next to her, gesturing him to sit.

Arthur gave a small, sad smile and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his own. It's true, he thought. I couldn't hide anything from her no matter how hard I tried…but…

"I can't talk about it." The regret in his voice was audible. "I want to tell you…..God knows, I wish I could tell you…but it's not my place."

Gwen studied his face. "What do you mean?"

"I mean…" Arthur paused, choosing his words with care. "I mean that I know something that I shouldn't…that I wish I didn't know, but I do…about someone I care about very much…and I trust that if he didn't want me or anyone else to know, he has good reasons."

"It's alright. I understand." Gwen touched Arthur's face and lifted it so that his eyes met her own, stroking his cheek lightly. "You are a good friend, Arthur, to keep your friend's secret." She paused. "But be careful, secrets are like infected wounds. Even if you think the wound is too painful to treat and is best left alone, the longer they are left unattended and allowed to fester, the more damage they cause and the harder it becomes to remedy."

She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it softly. "I know you will do what you know is right, when the time comes." She smiles and lied down on the bed. Arthur crawled under the covers beside her and wrapped his arm around her.

Her words bothered him. She's right. I have to let him know that I know. But…how do I tell him? I can't just waltz up and say, "Hey, here's your list of chores today and oh, by the way, I know that you're a sorcerer." He took a deep breath. Soon, he told himself. I just have to wait for the right moment. This felt more like a cop-out than a solution, but it would do for now.

With this thought, his mind was finally able to find some peace in resolution. Soon, he could hear the steady sound of Gwen's breathing, and not long after, he slid into the soft, inviting twilit realm of sleep.

The next day, after a council meeting in the throne room, Arthur returned to his chambers to see Merlin replacing the sheets on his bed. Merlin looked up and gave him his broad, toothy smile. "Almost done," he said cheerily.

Merlin gathered up the old sheets and made his way to the door to leave, but Arthur stepped in front of him, blocking the way. Merlin gave Arthur a quizzical look, "Did I forget something?"

Arthur hesitated awkwardly. "No," he said finally, shaking his head and stepping back out of Merlin's way. Merlin nodded and walked past him. He had just reached the door when Arthur called after him, "Wait, Merlin."

Merlin turned around to face him and Arthur was looking back, his face troubled. Merlin noted that his eyes almost looked sad. "Thank you."

"Umm…no problem?" Merlin answered, confused.

Arthur slipped a small smile at Merlin's befuddlement, his eyes remaining serious. "No, not just for the sheets….just….for everything. Sometimes I feel that I don't tell you don't hear that often enough, and I don't say it enough….so….thanks."

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Merlin considered brushing it off with a jest, perhaps ask if Arthur was feeling alright, but the sincerity in Arthur's voice and the somber look in his eyes stopped him. Finally, all he could say was, "You're welcome."

With that he gave a small nod and left.

Arthur remained in the room, staring at the door. Dammit, he scolded himself. That was probably as good a time as any? Why didn't you SAY something? But he knew the answer. He was scared. This was not simply a matter between him and Merlin. He was Camelot's king, and his decision on how to handle this would set a precedent, affect laws, and have far-reaching consequences. This secret would not only alter his relationship with Merlin, but would inevitably affect Camelot in ways he wasn't sure he could even conceive.

Arthur was not sure he was ready to accept those consequences. In one ear he could hear his father's horror stories of the days before the Great Purge, but in the other he heard Merlin's shaking voice declaring 'I was born with it'. As king, how could he turn his back on Merlin, and who knows how many others, who were born with a gift they couldn't control and be forced to treat it as a curse. Ringing in the back of his mind over it all was Gwen's warning. Secrets can't be kept forever.