I don't know about anybody else. I've always thought that Merlin should have told Arthur the truth when they went to visit the Disir. So here's my take on that. This is only my second attempt at a story. Writing is not one of my greatest things; but the ending of the TV show bugged me a lot. So here goes the story picks up right after the Disir give Arthur his ultimatum on magic.

Chapter 1.

Arthur and Merlin are sitting around the fire outside the disir's cave.

"So... what do you think I should do Merlin?

"About what sire?"

"About the Disir's ultimatum of course you fool. What did you think I was talking about? My wardrobe the weather? Really, Merlin."

"I couldn't say, I'm just a servant sire."

Merlin says, with his eyes darting away fiddling with some pebbles by his boots refusing to meet Arthur's eyes.

"Ha, since when is being a servant ever stopped you from giving an opinion? "Asked Arthur,

"What's with, the sire this sire that all the sudden? I can barely get you to do that when we're in Camelot." says Arthur

While casually kicking rocks and sand in Merlin's direction. Also he secretly wonders, what in the world could be wrong with Merlin? He seems to be getting more and more agitated. Arthur wonders maybe if it's because Merlin is afraid to express his opinion.

"Look Merlin, I know that I'm the king and you're my servant. Maybe when we're in Camelot, or at least when my father was alive we couldn't exactly be friends. Publicly we have to protect a certain image. But, we're not in Camelot right now. We you and I… well... like I said you fool you've never had a problem giving me advice before. Even when I didn't want it. I can't believe I'm saying this and later on I will deny it; your advice has been good. Right now… I need your advice. Do you believe that there is such a thing as some good magic? That it's possible for me to allow magic back in Camelot and have it be a good thing?"

Merlin listen to Arthur talk his pulse speeding up... thinking to himself.

This can't be happening again not again. I've already given up a chance to convince Arthur to bring back magic Once. I had to do it then because if I let Arthur kill his father Arthur would never have been able to live with himself. I couldn't let that happen no matter what the cost.

Can I make that sacrifice again? Can I really tell Arthur that all magic is bad? I can't do this again. I can't keep lying he just told me that he considers me a friend, but if I tell him... what's he going to do? What if He decides to execute me?

How can I protect him? How can I help him be the once and future king? How can I keep standing and his side and still lie to him?

I mean, he just ask me if I thought all magic was bad even after what happened...

"Merlin! Are you listening to me? "

"What oh yes sire I uhh, uhhh, should go get some more firewood" Merlin said,

Hopping up and turning away towards the woods. Arthur stands and grabs Merlin forcing him to turn and face him.

"Why are you doing this Merlin? You know we don't need any more firewood. Why are you avoiding answering me? Is it because you are a servant? You know that really doesn't matter to me anymore except for what's necessary publicly. At least you should know that by now. Are you afraid, that if you give me your opinion there will be repercussions? Is that it? I know you've always had a fondness for the Druids remember? Thanks to you I ended up defying my father and saving Mordred. I just want an honest opinion... Up until now you've never been afraid to be honest with me. So what's the problem? What are your thoughts on this matter, why now do you think you cannot be honest with me?"

Merlin turns his face away and dropped to his knees head down abasing himself before his king.

"If you only knew my king."

Merlin chokes out with a harsh laugh that sounds as if he's fighting to hold back tears.

"Please your Majesty, I cannot speak on this matter to you. I cannot do this again. Especially after what you just said. Please do not ask me… All I've ever wanted to do is to serve and protect you and Camelot… please..."

Now Arthur is thoroughly disturbed. Obviously there's more going on here than just the Disir. Never in all the years Merlin has been his manservant had he ever abased himself in this manner, and though Arthur may have joked that Merlin could be a little more subservient. Now that he's seeing it for real strangely he's finding it very distasteful. Not at all as satisfying as he thought it would be. In fact quite the opposite.

"You protect me? Arthur says with sarcastic amusement in his tone which falters. As he watches Merlin hunch even further into himself as if to ward off a painful blow. Oh for the love of Camelot! Would you quit your blathering, and just tell me what is going on with you? So we can get back to the matters at hand." Arthur says. While pulling Merlin to his feet.

"You, really don't want to know this sire."

Merlin says walking a few paces away to put some distance between himself and Arthur.

"The hell I don't. Especially after the last few minutes, and Merlin stop addressing me as Sire we aren't in Camelot right now... it's disturbing. "Arthur says fighting a smile.

Merlin looks longingly at the woods. "Maybe I should go get some wood first. ...

"MERLIN!"

"ok,ok, Ok...Sorry S-Arthur "

Merlin squares his shoulders and looks directly at Arthur. Arthur notices tears glinting in the firelight on Merlin's face. Now he walked towards Merlin placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, you silly fool you're acting like I'm going to order your execution. What could possibly be as bad as all that?"

"You just might," Merlin says with resignation.

"Don't be daft" Arthur said, giving Merlin shoulder a hard shake. Merlin puts his hand on Arthur's opposite shoulder and squeezes.

"It has been an honor to serve you Arthur."

Arthur makes an exasperated noise. He is about to demand again that Merlin get on with it; when Merlin takes a final deep breath and says in a rush. As if he stops he'll never finish.

"I hope someday Arthur, that you will be able to see why I couldn't be honest with you about this before. Please know that I never wanted to lie to you. It was the only way to help you fulfill your destiny, which is my destiny. I care too much about you as a friend not just as a king. I have magic Arthur... I've had it since I was born. I've only ever use it to help people. In Ealdor I only used it to help with the planting or if it was an emergency of some sort. For the last few years that I've lived in Camelot I've only used it when I had to. To protect you or in the protection of the people of Camelot. This I swear, so you see I cannot give an opinion on whether you should bring back magic to Camelot. Honestly, because all I've ever wanted is for you to know of my magic and be okay with it. Still trust me, and for magic to come back to Camelot. That is my heart's desire. So I can't in good faith give an opinion on what you should do without you knowing the truth."

Merlin stared at Arthur waiting for a reaction the one he got was not what he expected. Arthur doubled over laughing. Merlin isn't quite sure what to do. He expected, a lot of things but not laughter.

"You have magic." Arthur gasps out between laughs. "Yeah right Merlin. If you wanted me to give magic a chance you didn't have to make up a story. I figured you might because I know you're close to Gaius, and I know he used to practice. You could have just said so."

Merlin shakes his head sadly and points Arthur's attention to the fire.

"Arthur, Arthur listen to me this is not a story. It has nothing to do with Gaius. I have magic, lumirie dragconae."

Arthur go's stock steel, as he watches a small dragon shape. Leap out of the flames of their fire. Circle the fire twice then disappear back into the flames. Merlin turned his attention back to Arthur's face noticing he's went deathly pale. Arthur jerks his arm out of Merlin's grasp. The next thing Merlin knows everything has gone black.

Reviews and suggestions welcome