Chapter Five

When Arthur strode back into Camelot, completely unharmed (save for a persisting headache), the guards didn't know what to make of it. Arthur suppressed a sigh, thinking through the story he would tell his father. He certainly couldn't tell him that the castle's own sorcerer-in-hiding had saved his life. No matter what Emrys had done for Arthur, Uther would not rest until he had hunted him down and executed him.

Arthur now felt shame and guilt swell in the pit of his stomach at that thought. He still didn't have all the details, but from what he'd witnessed tonight, this war against magic was anything but black and white. How many more had been like Emrys? How many innocent, good people had his father murdered for no reason?

How many allies had his father alienated? How many enemies created?

He pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. He had to have a clear head when he confronted his father. If he allowed himself to dwell on all that had happened, Arthur knew there was a strong possibility that he would snap at his father, and perhaps reveal more than he intended about what had happened. Arthur waited in the throne room until his father had been informed of his return and joined him.

"Arthur! Son! Thank heavens you're safe. What happened?"

"My apologies, father, my sudden absence was unfortunately unavoidable." Uther embraced his son, completely relieved at the prince's safety. "A sorcerer ambushed me in my chambers. I don't remember anything after than until I woke up in the forest."

"A sorcerer!" Uther hissed. "How did you escape? Is he dead?"

Arthur had contemplated this answer carefully. He had briefly considered telling his father about Emrys, though leaving out the parts about the man watching him, following him, and that whole living in Camelot thing, in hope that perhaps his father would see a glimpse of what Arthur was beginning to see. But he had discarded this idea rather quickly as foolish. Uther had made up his mind about magic long ago, and nothing anyone ever said or did would change that.

"Yes, he's dead," Arthur informed him. "I managed to get untied, then stole his sword and ran him through." Arthur felt only a twinge of guilt for fabricating such a lie to his father, but he brushed off the feeling.

Uther's relief was obvious. "What did he want?"

"You, Camelot, the usual," Arthur said with a shrug, grateful that his father didn't ask any more details about how he had escaped. Somehow, Arthur had found it slightly difficult to believe that his father would accept such a falsehood. How could he, Arthur, have defeated a sorcerer so easily?

"Then you have performed a great deed for Camelot tonight. Another great evil is dead. I am proud of you, my son.

Only a short while ago Arthur would have done nearly anything to hear those words, now all he felt was emptiness.

"Thank you, father."

-

"Ouch!"

"Merlin, hold still!"

"Well it's not my fault. I didn't ask to get hit by lightning."

"No, but you did jump in front of the blast. Why didn't you just take the extra time your spell gave you and move Arthur out of the way?"

Merlin looked at him sheepishly. "I didn't think about that," he admitted.

Gaius cleaned the wound gently. The dead, charred skin had already been removed, leaving behind a nice, rough patch of scarred tissue beneath, as Merlin had predicted. "You realize you're going to have to hide this scar, don't you?" Gaius asked him as he gingerly rubbed an ointment over the wound. Merlin relaxed slightly as the ointment sank into his skin and began its work. "If Arthur ever sees it, he will surely connect it with Emrys."

Merlin gave a heavy sigh. "Why did Candun have to go and kidnap him anyways? Everything was so nice and simple before."

Gaius nearly snorted. "Merlin, whatever things were before, simple was not one of them."

"Well, Arthur knows virtually everything now. The only thing he doesn't know is…well, me." Merlin heaved yet another sigh without realizing it.

"What is it, Merlin?" Gaius asked softly. "You saved him, and did so while keeping your secret in tact. Surely you must be happy about this."

"I am," Merlin assured his mentor. "But…" What could he say? That part of him wished Arthur had seen straight through his charade? That he'd almost rather have Arthur execute him than keep living in the dark? Somehow, after almost revealing the whole truth to Arthur, after having Arthur practically accept magic—sort of—the prospect of returning to hiding was not that appeasing.

"But what?"

"I don't know. I just—a part of me wishes he'd found out."

Gaius rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "One day he will," he assured him. Merlin smiled at the old physician.

-

The next morning, Arthur was up far earlier than usual. He stared out the window over towards the forest.

Who are you, Emrys? he asked himself for the thousandth time. Arthur had gone over and over the events that had transpired the previous night, desperately thinking of everything his helper had said and exactly how he had said it, grasping for some glimmer of a clue that would help him discover the truth.

You're wrong!

Those words rang in the prince's head—those two words shouted in the single moment of weakness Emrys had displayed, those two words that had very nearly identified the man. He had expected that with every passing moment, the vividness of those two words would fade, the way a dream faded the longer you were awake until it was all but forgotten. But the memory was just as sharp as though it were really happening again and again in front of him. Arthur would never forget.

He remained in that position for a long time, watching as the sun rose without realizing just how much time was passing, thinking about everything he had learned, so it startled him greatly when the door to his room burst open.

Reflexively Arthur spun to face the door, not willing to be taken by surprise for a second time, only to find Merlin.

Merlin tripped as he entered, almost dumping the prince's breakfast on the floor and only just managing to regain his balance.

"Merlin!" Arthur scolded his servant's clumsiness. "Are you just completely useless?"

"Sorry, Sire," Merlin answered automatically.

Arthur shook his head. At least he knew one person Emrys absolutely could not be.

The End

A/N: All, right, all right, before you go and shoot me for not having Arthur realize the truth, hear me out! I plan to write a sequel to this story sometime in the near future. I've got about six different ideas and I just have to pick one, develop it, and write it. Not sure exactly when it will be coming out so keep your eyes peeled! I hope you enjoyed this fic and I look forward to reading your reviews. Thanks so much for reading!