All the signs were there. How had he missed it all this time? It wasn't even that well hidden. For gods' sake! Merlin was rubbish when it came to lying, so how did take this long to figure this out?

Overall, Arthur was angry. Angry at Merlin for not telling him, at Lancelot for helping Merlin hide it, but mostly at himself for missing something so obvious.

Right now, the very sight of Merlin make Arthur physically ill. So many emotions were running through his mind, all fighting for dominance.

He knew that if Gwaine had been there at that moment that he would be talking about how this was Merlin and that Arthur needed to get over himself and admit that the man was more than just a servant to the royal, he was his friend. But none of this was much use right now.

Sighing, Arthur turned to Lancelot. "Why did you tell me? This is something I had a right to know!"

Lancelot just shook his head. "I promised Merlin I would not tell anyone. He knew you would react badly, so he didn't say anything. Anyway, he had no control over this."

Arthur could not think of a proper response to that statement, so he settled on just glaring at the knight.

It had just been a simple hunt, Arthur thought. Just Lancelot, Merlin, and himself. They had only been out there a few hours when Merlin's secret came to light. At this thought Arthur's anger increased. What had Merlin expected? He had been lying all this time. Why? Why hadn't he trusted Arthur with the truth?

The only answer Arthur could come up with was "Because he is Merlin." With this thought Arthur turned to look at the man in question.

Merlin was wrapped in two cloaks and was still shivering from his fever. Merlin had been sick all week and had LIED ABOUT IT! Damn it! Arthur knew that Merlin was an idiot, but this was a whole new level!