Well, this is it, guys. The final chapter to Web of Lies. I know not everyone has enjoyed this, but I would like to thank those of you who have been so supportive throughout this, it has meant the world to me, especially as there were a few parts that I was worried about. I can't quite believe that this is the end, it seems to have just come out of nowhere.

The biggest thank you in the world to MerlinStar for once again being a fantastic beta, I really couldn't have done it without her. Thank you, honey!

Hope that you enjoy this final part!

As Merlin began to chant, Arthur felt his heart begin to beat uncomfortably hard as swirling bands of gold materialised out of thin air, circling the pair of them. The bands continued to dance, weaving their way around the two of them, and Arthur felt an amazing sense of peace watching them. It was as if all of his troubles were simply floating away. No, it was more than that. It was as if he himself was floating away, his soul working its way out of his body.

With a sudden feeling of being grounded, Arthur felt himself return to his body with a thud. Glancing up, he caught sight of Merlin's body slowly toppling over before another presence suddenly joined him, bringing a brief sense of suffocation that soon resided.

"Arthur?"

"Merlin?" Arthur asked out loud, the surprise echoing within his voice. Merlin's voice had come from within him. Struggling to his feet, Arthur paused for a moment. It was the strangest sensation ever, having someone else share your body with you.

"I've got used to it," Merlin commented, somewhat bitterly from within him.

"Can you-, I mean, did you-,"

"Yes I know what you are thinking. Something Claton put to good use."

Making to step forward, Arthur frowned in bewilderment as both of his feet tried to move at the same time, resulting in the prince doing a strange sort of jump forward before landing on his back. Climbing to his feet again, Arthur realised what had happened.

"Just because you know what my actions are going to be, leave the controlling of my body to me, please, Merlin."

"Sorry," Merlin apologised. He had always wondered how easy it had been to move when Claton possessed him. Now he knew, the sorcerer simply let him do it all. Resisting with all his might, Merlin tensed the best he could as Arthur gingerly took a single step, then another. It was the oddest of experiences, and judging by the thoughts flickering through the prince's head, Arthur was thinking the same.

"Claton obviously did a better job than you if you were able to hide it for that long," the prince muttered as the pair of them carefully navigated their way down the stairs.

"If you want me to act as he did, then all you have to do is ask. Then I can give you immense headaches, force you to move whenever I want and have complete and utter control over your body, as well as magic."

"I'm sorry, Merlin, I didn't mean it like that." Merlin didn't bother to respond, but made sure Arthur knew the warlock wasn't really angry at him. Instead, he was thinking furiously about the fight ahead, wondering how, and if, they were going to carry it off.

"Can I try something?" Merlin asked tentatively as they emerged from Gaius' chambers out into the corridor beyond. They weren't going to find Claton any time soon, not at the speed they were going at. At Arthur's affirmation, the warlock cautiously raised Arthur's arm, ignoring the surprised yelp that accompanied the action, and directed it at a nearby tapestry. Casting a spell, Merlin was hard pushed not to laugh as the words came out of Arthur's mouth, and the tapestry erupted into flames. Quenching them, Merlin resided, feeling satisfied. Allowing Arthur to once more take control and continue down the corridor, the warlock was feeling slightly more confident. His magic was as easy to use in Arthur's body as his own, despite how strange it sounded hearing the words come out from the prince's mouth.

"Do you have a plan?" Arthur muttered as the pair of them neared the throne room. By dodging as many of the guards as they could, the two of them soon reached the doors without anyone knowing of their escape.

"Don't let him know I'm here. Did you say he locked you in the dungeons? Pretend you've just escaped or something, we'll give him a surprise when he tries to use magic. Although… dodge as many of the spells as you can, I don't want him to know I'm here until the last minute. I don't know how powerful he is."

"Gotcha," Arthur muttered, surprising himself by how readily he was agreeing to the plan. He never would have thought that this day would have come.

"What do we do about those guards there though? Do you want me to deal with them or-," Breaking off in surprise, Arthur watched bemused as his arm raised and the two guards toppled forward, motionless, without a single sound being made.

"You were saying, Sire?" Merlin asked cheekily, making Arthur smile. He was obviously feeling better. Squaring his shoulders, Arthur marched up to the door.

"Good luck," Merlin whispered, his voice spiralling deep within him.

"You too," Arthur muttered back, swallowing hard. It was now or never. Bursting through the doors, Arthur raised his sword threateningly as he tore in, making the hated sorcerer perched in the throne turn to him in amusement.

"Arthur, my dear prince, you seemed to have escaped. Dear me. Guards?"

"Leave it, Claton," Arthur snarled, feeling Merlin's pride bubble within him and give him a sense of confidence.

"You've destroyed my father, my friends. Who knows what you have really done to Merlin. You may as well destroy me too."

Claton smoothly raised an eyebrow, before standing fluently, his arm outstretched in the prince's direction.

"Maybe not the best thing to say." Ignoring his servant, Arthur narrowed his eyes at the sorcerer, watching carefully.

"I can show you Merlin if you like?" Claton asked quietly, motioning to the goblet beside him. Both Arthur and Merlin knew instantly what he was about to do.

"Don't let him!" Merlin cried suddenly, knowing the game would be up if Claton tried to see him.

"I gathered that!" Arthur muttered under his breath, sprinting forward. Snapping his attention back to the rushing prince, Claton raised his arm and barked a short command. Throwing himself sideways as the flames shot over him, Arthur leapt to his feet and continued in his frenzied rush at his enemy.

"Still not learnt to control your temper yet, Arthur?" Claton jeered, uttering another short command and causing the prince to skid to a stop. Feeling his mind begin to become unfocused as he was drawn into Claton's spiral, Arthur sent a plea for help, which Merlin instantly answered. Whilst the spell may have captured Arthur's mind, it didn't anticipate there being two in one body, and it was Merlin who threw them to the side, releasing the prince from the grip. Frowning in annoyance as the prince once more faced the sorcerer; sword held with deadly accuracy, Claton strode forward.

"You obviously have a strong mind, young prince. Imagine what you could do if you joined me. We could rule Camelot together."

"Don't listen to him!" Merlin cried again, making the prince hard pushed not to roll his eyes. Did his servant trust him that little?

"Or I could kill you, wait until I'm king and rule it by myself," Arthur responded mockingly, causing Merlin to smirk. "Why would I want to share power?"

Claton's face clouded over with anger at the prince's flippant reply as he drew to a stop directly in front of the pair.

"So be it," he snarled, one finger pointed in the prince's direction. "Luguolo procer."

Not seeing anything coming towards him, Arthur was not prepared for an invisible force to wrap itself suddenly around his neck, lifting the prince clean off his feet as he gasped for breath. Knowing Arthur couldn't respond to this by himself, Merlin knew the time had come for him to reveal himself to his enemy.

"Eximo!" Falling to his knees, Arthur shakily drew a long breath, trying to stop himself from panting. Glancing up, he saw a moment of confusion flicker over Claton's face, before it merged into pure loathing.

"Merlin," he snarled, fury pulsing in his eyes. "I should have known. You escaped then?"

"Let me talk?" Merlin quietly asked the prince, not wanting to do anything against the prince's will. He had experienced first hand how much that hurt, and was not prepared to put Arthur through it. Arthur quickly nodded, letting the warlock take over momentarily.

"I told you not to underestimate Arthur," Merlin called, rising Arthur up from the floor to face his opponent. Strangely, he felt amazingly strong and confident, the complete opposite compared to every other time he had faced Claton. Maybe it was because he had Arthur on his side, and he knew he didn't have to try and hide his magic, but could just attack.

"It will be your downfall, Claton. You cannot compete with both of us."

"Yeah," Arthur suddenly joined in, not used to not having the last word. "I even know about Merlin, meaning he can use magic to stop you." Sensing Merlin's desire to roll his eyes, Arthur paused.

"He was there for that, you clotpole."

"Oh."

"You underestimate me, Merlin. What makes you think I won't just kill every single person in this room if you don't surrender yourself?"

Sensing Merlin's hesitation, Arthur felt the knight in him spring into life.

"I won't let him." Pausing, Claton glanced at the prince. The set of his jaw meant he was more than aware Arthur would stay true to his word. To protect Camelot, the prince would do anything, even if it meant losing those he loved. He wouldn't see his beloved kingdom fall into Claton's hands; he would die first.

His lips forming quick words under his breath, Claton leered at the pair in front of him as they watched in confusion. Neither of them knew what he was doing, meaning neither of them knew how to respond. As Claton's body all of a sudden fell down in front of them, Arthur felt Merlin gasp in horror, the second before a third consciousness overwhelmed his own.

Falling to his knees, Arthur struggled to keep his eyes open as he felt the two sorcerers battling intensely within his mind. Claton was definitely more experienced in the attacking realm; Merlin only seemed to be able to deflect the spells rather than attacking. Feeling himself begin to shake as the fight intensified, Arthur screwed his eyes shut, trying to escape from the onslaught. It was almost as if they were both using Arthur's mind against the other, a bargaining tool in the middle of a war. As Merlin's consciousness took a direct hit, Arthur gasped in pain as his shoulder erupted in a fiery pain, causing Claton to laugh in a callous delight. It seemed whatever hit Merlin physically manifested on the prince, hurting them both at the same time.

"Arthur…" Hearing Merlin call to him as he struggled to repel another attack, Arthur snapped his eyes open again as he focused his thoughts on his friend.

"Arthur… destroy his… argh, repello suus tentatio… destroy his body." And with that, Merlin was gone, drawn back into the battle within the prince's mind as the two struggled to overcome the other, yet seeming to have reached a stalemate.

Crawling forward on his hands and knees, Arthur found he was having trouble seeing as the battle raged on, instead witnessing the fight as reality became rather hazy. With a sudden, overwhelming, gasp, Arthur felt the pressure build up suddenly: Merlin's consciousness was slowly being sucked under.

"No!" Raising himself upwards, Arthur bought his sword plunging down, straight into Claton's still body. Instantly, there was an explosion of magic within the prince's mind and he felt himself thrown backwards, hitting the steps hard before he knew no more.

"Arthur? Sire? Please, Arthur, give me a sign here. You have to wake up, it's been three days!" Hearing a constant pleading, Arthur slowly cracked his eyes open to find himself looking into Gaius' concerned face. Judging by the comfortable position he was in, the prince was lying on his own bed. Letting his eyes roam around the room, he caught sight of his father standing at the edge of the bed, looking relieved now his son was awake.

"Arthur. What happened?"

Arthur merely gazed at his father nonplussed for a moment, before the memories of the battle came flooding back to him. A quick scan told him he was the only one in his body this time, but had he been quick enough? Merlin had been losing, Claton had overwhelmed them both. Sitting upright in one sudden movement, the prince ignored Gaius' hand.

"Merlin? Where's Merlin? Gaius! Where is he? And Claton, what happened?"

Cutting in quickly before the physician had time to answer, Uther spoke. He was not happy the first thing to come out of his son's mouth was an enquiry about his servant, but nevertheless, he at least seemed to remember the sorcerer.

"Claton's dead, Arthur. I don't know what happened, only I came round to find you lying unconscious on the steps, with his body next to you. You did it, son, you killed Claton." With that, Uther strode from the room. He had other people to question, especially as to why his ward had been found in the dungeons and why Sir Leon was found locked in a broom cupboard, of all places.

"No I didn't," Arthur whispered, frantically searching Gaius' face. "Merlin did it, he stopped him. Gaius, please, where is he?" Feeling his heart clench at the look on the physician's face, Arthur felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Where is he, Gaius?"

"He is also still unconscious. Sire, what happened? His injuries are almost identical to yours, aside from a few extra wounds. And the burn has become infected again..."

"Is he going to be all right?"

"I honestly don't know. I don't even know why he hasn't woken up, as you were the only one with the head injury."

"I was?" Arthur asked in surprise, frowning slightly. He didn't remember getting a head injury.

"You must have cracked your head on the steps." Gaius paused in thought as a strange light came into Arthur's eyes. He was never going away again. The second he had arrived back, he had been summoned to the throne room to see nearly everyone come out of trances, Arthur lying motionless on the steps with Claton's dead body next to him. After moving the prince, Gaius had then returned to his own chambers to find Merlin also unconscious on his bedroom floor, with injuries almost identical to those of the prince. The physician had never seen anything like it.

"I have to see him," Arthur whispered, swinging his legs out of bed. Taking a moment to stop the room spinning, Arthur frowned at the disapproving look on Gaius' face. As the physician moved forward, clearly with some intention of forcing Arthur back into bed – it was something he had done many times in the past, after all – Arthur sighed wearily, holding up his hand to stop him.

"Don't try to stop me, Gaius, we've been through too much to take it." The prince's voice was quiet, yet determined at the same time, causing Gaius to pause. Frowning, he let his eyes gaze with some intensity at the prince, trying to work out what it was Arthur was not saying. He knew there was something; he had looked after the young prince enough to know when Arthur wasn't being honest. But at the same time, Gaius also knew when no amount of probing could get the man to open up. Eventually nodding, Gaius moved forward, allowing Arthur to grasp onto his forearm and pull himself to his feet. He had noticed the "we" in Arthur's words, and couldn't help but wonder precisely what had been going on.

As Arthur stumbled forward slightly, Gaius immediately resumed his grip, steadying the prince by elbow and receiving a grateful nod for his support. Unfortunately, there was someone else in the room, someone that was not quite as prepared for their son to go walkabouts just to go and see a mere servant.

"Arthur? What are you doing, get back into bed. Let Gaius do his job."

"I'm fine, Sire," Arthur rasped through gritted teeth, inwardly cursing at the fact that he had actually forgotten his father was in the room. Gaius may know it was not a good idea to stop Arthur when he had something fixed in his mind, but Uther did not seem to appreciate it in the same way. It was what had led to so many clashes between the pair of them. And it wasn't as if Arthur could tell the King that he was concerned about his sorcerer of a servant after he was the one that had truly defeated Claton.

"Gaius?"

"He's right, Sire. He will be fine. Besides, I can give him a better examination back at my chambers, especially now he is conscious." With a deep of his head towards the king, Gaius began to lead Arthur out once more. As soon as they were outside the door, Arthur leant a little heavier on the physician, receiving one of the old man's sideways looks as he did so. He knew that Gaius was more than aware that he was far from alright, but considering he had just lied to the king in order to allow Arthur to see Merlin, it wasn't as if he could do anything about it now.

Even with Arthur being disorientated, it didn't take the pair of them long to reach the physician's chambers. Admittedly, the stairs leading up to it took far longer than they should have, but a strange light was soon once again burning in Arthur's eyes. Entering the main chamber, Gaius immediately pulled up a stool, gesturing for the prince to sit down, but Arthur stubbornly shook his head. His eyes were fixed on Merlin's door, and taking a deep breath – almost as if he was trying to will his body to co-operate with him – he pushed away Gaius' hand. Practically sprinting across the room, Arthur ignored the way his head spun ever so slightly as he forced his weary legs up the stairs leading to the servant's room. He could hear Gaius coming after him, but found that he only had eyes for the figure on the floor. As Gaius entered the room behind him, Arthur heard the physician gasp in surprise as Merlin suddenly began to come around himself.

Waiting for a few moments until a slither of blue was present in his eyes, Arthur lowered himself to the floor, slipping one arm around Merlin and nudging his friend into a sitting position. He didn't quite know how to respond to the part of him that felt a rush of relief in seeing the blue in the boy's eyes, rather than the unearthly grey that had appeared whenever Claton tried to take control, or even the gold that was signalling his friend using magic. All of those times he had thought there was something wrong with Merlin, adamant that it must have just been a trick of the light, even when he could tell that Merlin was lying to him. And now he knew. Knew precisely what it was that his servant could do for him, what he could do for the kingdom. If there was anyone that could give magic a good name, it was the lanky servant leaning somewhat shakily against the bed next to him. Running his eyes over the dishevelled appearance of the boy, Arthur could tell that there were indeed carrying exactly the same injuries. In a way, the prince had suspected Merlin would be regaining consciousness. After all, the prince had.

"Arthur?" Merlin croaked; his eyes just about open. Every part of him ached, he felt like he could sleep for about a month. As memories of the battle came flooding back, he involuntarily shuddered at how powerful Claton had been. He had been losing, he was sure of it. Yet he was now back in his own body, in his own room, with not a sorcerer in sight.

"You did it, you idiot. You stopped him. Although remind me never to let you take control of my body again. I've got more bruises now than I ever managed from training!"

"Not my fault," Merlin mumbled, leaning back against the bed further than Arthur thought was actually possible, trying to force his eyes to stay open. He felt as if a great weight had been lifted from him, and knew it was not just the threat of Claton being removed that made him feel like this.

"Control of your body?" Gaius repeated faintly, looking alarmed. Cracking his eyes open, Merlin glanced towards his mentor in concern when he saw how pale he had gone. As Gaius' legs gave way beneath him, Merlin quickly summoned up a stool and shoved it behind the physician's knees just in time. Glancing sideways, Merlin smiled at Arthur doing his utmost to look unimpressed, studying his nails in the process. It was obvious he was in awe though, yet Merlin was glad he was not showing it; the servant wasn't sure he would know how to react to that.

"My clothes need cleaning, Merlin," Arthur said suddenly with a yawn, climbing to his feet. It was about time things returned to normal.

"And don't you dare use magic to do it."

"Would I?" Merlin asked, pretending to sound offended, watching Gaius' expression out of the corner of his eye.

"Yep." Striding from the room, Arthur smirked at his servant, who poked his tongue out in response.

"Don't worry, Gaius," Arthur called over his shoulder, having finally realised why Gaius was so concerned. "He's safe."

Watching the colour flood back into the physician's face, Merlin decided he couldn't let Arthur have the last word.

"Prat!" he called out of the open doorway. Without missing a beat, Arthur strode from the chambers, sending his reply bouncing back through the room.

"Idiot."

The end!

One last review? Just for me?