'Where the hell is Merlin?' Arthur growled to himself as he sat up in his bed. He had his whole schedule cleared so that he could have a relaxing hunt. He left Gwaine and Leon in charge of knight training, and made sure there were no court meetings today. The only thing that was ruining his perfect day was his idiot servant. Could he have chosen a worse day to be an hour late?

Just as Arthur was ready to get up and kill Merlin the said boy rushed in, his hair a mess and his clothes were sloppier than normal. Right now Arthur was too pissed off to ask about his servant's appearance.

'Where the hell have you been Merlin? You were suppose to wake me up an hour ago.' the blond said looking his servant in the eye. Merlin visibly shuddered at the 'don't-fucking-lie-to-me' face Arthur was sporting.

'I-I was…' the young warlock was stammering now.

'You were what Merlin?' his eyes never leaving Merlin's. He could feel Arthur's icy blue eyes piercing into him. For a minute he almost told Arthur the truth, God did he want Arthur to know.

'I-I was at the tavern last night…with Lancelot. We both over slept, I just woke up.'

Arthur didn't know why but when Merlin said he was with Lancelot it made his blood boil. Merlin had always been close friends with Lance, and he was always a bit upset around the said knight. He always thought it was because of Gwen loving him, but he was over her, and truly happy for her and Lance. So why did Merlin drinking with him aggravate the blond.

'Merlin if you set foot in the tavern after today I will have your head, got it?' the prince said and walked away.

'Yes Sire, no more tavern for Merlin.' the manservant said as he followed his master out of his chamber. He wished he just tell Arthur everything about him, his magic, their destiny together…and his feelings. Merlin was actually sick of Arthur thinking he was a worthless, tavern loving buffoon, he wanted to be seen as the warlock who risked his life everyday to protect Camelot and its King.

He and Arthur walked in an awkward silence. It had been about two years since Uther died, Merlin watched as Arthur slowly lost his hatred of magic. After Elyan was possessed by the young Druid boy, Arthur realized that all magic users were twice the victim as he was. Children had to watch as Uther hunted their parents like deer, guilty or not. Merlin was knocked out of his thoughts by a tap on the shoulder.

'Lancelot! God, you scared me. H-how long have you been behind me?' he rambled as he tried to slow his heart rate. Lance just chuckled at his friend, he looked past Merlin and saw a rather pissed off looking Arthur glaring at both him and Merlin.

'Hello, Arthur.' he said with a obviously forced smile. Lance knew an angry Arthur was almost as awful as Morgana on the throne, almost. He turned to the raven haired boy next to him, a smirk glued on his face.

'What's with him? Haven't seen him this upset since that a women called you cute.' he said as a dark chuckle followed his sentence. Merlin loved Lancelot as the brother he could never have, it still amazed him that Lancelot cheated death like three times.

'He's just angry that I was with you at the tavern with you last night.' Merlin said with a smirk on his own face. Lancelot gave him a completely confused face. He was definitely with Merlin last night, but they were not ok. His confused face remained until Merlin shot him a 'just-go-with-it' look. Then his look of confusion turned into one of realization.

'Right.' he looked back over to the now fuming on the insides Arthur glaring daggers at the pair. Lancelot knew that Arthur had some feelings for Merlin, but whenever he brought it up he would just get brushed off. He examined the look in his King's eyes, he saw so many emotions in those blue orbs. He could clearly see anger, but he saw much more. Sadness, confusion, some hate, hurt…and jealousy. Lance watched as Arthur's gaze switched from him to Merlin, who was ranting about how unappreciated he felt. Lance saw Arthur's eyes softened. Now his eyes read adornment, sadness, a little more hurt and…love.

Lancelot was the most noble of the knights, but he could see Arthur needed some help realizing his feelings. He glanced over to the still ranting Merlin, he always found Merlin slightly attractive. He would be lying if he said he hadn't had…un-honorable thoughts and dreams about Merlin, even while Gwen was with him. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Lancelot grinned an evil grin as he sat his plan to action. He 'casually' placed an arm around Merlin's shoulder. This didn't surprise Merlin at all, he had come to know that knights are extremely physical. Violent or not. Arthur on the other hand hated it when anyone touched Merlin, again he had no idea why. He just didn't like it…at all. He made his over to the affectionate friends.

'Merlin, if you two drinking buddies are done I would like to hunt…now.' he said glaring at Merlin. He chose to ignore Lance and his hand on his Merlin's shoulder. Wait, did he call MERLIN his? Well to be correct Merlin is his, his servant anyway. Nothing else…right?

'Are you two going hunting? Mind if I tag-a-long? I can help Merlin with the weapons and what not, and my horse is always ready.' Lance couldn't help but think about how much he would have with these two hunting buddies of his.

'Sure! I need all the help I can get, Arthur isn't the best company to be honest.' he said while grinning at the blond.

'Ha. Ha. Whatever, lets go.' the king huffed as he mounted his horse. Merlin and Lance chuckled and did the same. The ride into the wood was pretty much hell for Arthur. Lance and Merlin chatted like they hadn't seen each other in years. Their laughter was killing him.

Merlin never laughs that hard at anything I said. Am I boring to him? Or is Lancelot just funnier than I am? Maybe Merlin simply likes him more than me. Wait! Why should I care about any of this? He is just a terrible servant. AAAARG! I know I'm lying to myself. Merlin is by far the most loyal servant I have and will ever meet. He is so much more than a servant. He is my friend. My best friend at that. I love him. No! no no no, it's a platonic love, like a brother. Right?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of water flowing. He looked up and saw a river. They had been riding for about two hours and the horses need to rest .

'There's a river ahead lets set up a camp here. Merlin you collect the fire wood, me and Lance will catch us some thing. Meet back here in an hour.' Arthur's tone left no room to argue. The three tied their horses to the trees closest to the river so that they could drink the water. After they were done hunting and getting firewood, they sat down around the fire that Merlin set up. Merlin was skinning the three boars that Arthur and Lance had brought back.

Lance thought that he may be an evil mastermind as he saw another way to make Arthur jealous. He sat next to Merlin on his log, while Arthur was setting up the tents.

'Hey Merlin, do you mind teaching me how to make that famous pork stew of yours. I hate asking you when I know how busy you are. Gwen tried it once and it was…not great.' the knight joked, making Merlin laugh out loud. Lance really was the a dark clouds silver lining. He knew and accepted Merlin's magic and actually showed a sign that he wanted Merlin to feel accepted.

'Alright, I'll teach you, but this is my family's secret recipe. Tell no one, not Gwen or even you're kids.'

'Oooh, now I'm intrigued what makes this so special?' he peeped over his shoulder and saw Arthur trying to look like he wasn't listening or watching. He slid even closer to Merlin, and again placed his arm around the warlock's shoulder. 'Did use magic or something?' the Knight whispered in Merlin's ear. Lance knew that Merlin was always busy, saving Camelot, saving Arthur, saving Druids and being a servant. So there is very little chance that anyone ever whispered in his ear.

The warlock's face turned beet red as he shuddered at feel of Lancelot's hot breath. He was biting his lip to hold back a moan that nearly slipped.

'Ah…n-no just normal ingredients.' said quietly avoiding Arthur's shocked and angry face, and Lancelot's amused one. Arthur was boiling by now, it was taking all of his will power (and denial) not to murder Lancelot then and there.

Lance couldn't hold back anymore, he busted out laughing at both of them. Merlin went red with embarrassment, and Arthur with anger. He was clutching his stomach. He cant remember the last time he laughed this hard. Gwen made him laugh, but never like the way Merlin could. He kept laughing, to the point of tears.

'Shut up.' Arthur said from where he stood behind the laughing knight. He tried to stop, he really did, he was almost done until he looked over at the still blushing Merlin. He started up all over again. Arthur simply huffed and went into his tent. What the hell is so funny about Merlin blushing anyway? His blush was adorable. Stop Arthur!

Finally Lancelot's laughter died down, even though Merlin's blush never left him.

'Was it that funny?' Merlin mumbled. Lancelot looked at his face for the first time realizing that Merlin was really hurt by his laughing. He had never felt so bad, not even when he stole Gwen from Arthur. This feeling was far worse. He would never want to hurt Merlin. Then he saw a tear fall down Merlin's pale cheek.

He does not know what possessed him, he just did it.

He pressed his lips against Merlin's lips. He was running on his instincts, not thoughts. Merlin's lips tasted so sweet, spicy and sour all at the same time. God this is so wrong, Arthur is only ten feet away in a tent. How can something sooo wrong…feel so right? He pried Merlin's mouth open and his pleasure tripled, he explored every part of the warlock's mouth. This was the best kiss of his life. Could he love Merlin?

Merlin was frozen through the kiss, he was numb, he was paralyzed. He had no idea what to do, or think about. Then suddenly Arthur's face popped into his mind, then he realized what he should do.

He shoved Lancelot away from him and stood up covering his mouth with his hands. He shouldn't let this happen. What about Arthur. What about him?

'Merlin I'm so sorry, I didn't think I would do that.' Lancelot said.

'Sorry! Lance that was my first kiss. I have been waiting my whole life to do that with someone I loved, or at least liked.' the warlock cried out as tears threatened to fall.

'I know and I'm sorry, but I cant change that this happened. If it helps any I can honestly say that was the best kiss I've ever had.'

'What?' the all but familiar voice of King Arthur came from behind the two. They turned around and saw a shocked and confused king staring at them.

'Arthur …what did hear.' Merlin said in a serious and direct tone, that neither Lancelot nor Arthur had ever heard from him.

'I was sleeping in my tent and heard Lance apologizing to you. Then I heard him say something about the 'best kiss'. Now Merlin tell me what's going on, now.' Arthur's voice was nearly murderous.

'I kissed him, he did nothing wrong, it was all me. I accept any given punishment.' Lancelot confessed, and waited for fireworks.

'Merlin, is it true, you kissed him?'

'He kissed me, I didn't kiss him back.'

'But you took your time stopping him then?'

'Arthur! Stop this!' by now Merlin's tears were falling freely as he yelled.

'Why! Why didn't you stop him the second it happened?' Arthur was yelling too.

'I was shocked! Why are you getting so upset? You don't want your knights to lose face?'

'I'm asking the questions Merlin, and dammit I want answers!'

'Answers! You've never cared about what I did before, how I did it or how felt about it! You're a prat! I risk my life every day just by being a servant! I've saved your life and Camelot at least twenty times EACH! And I get less than nothing in return for it! Lancelot is the one person still alive that I can talk to about anything!'

'I don't know what you're talking about!'

'That's the point Arthur you know nothing about anything I do for you!'

'Then tell me what a servant can do for a king!'

'Stop calling me that! I'm a sorcerer! And I've only used my powers to save you and Camelot! I'm the last Dragon Lord left in all of Albion!'

'Lies!'

This brought a dark chuckle out of Merlin.

'Do you honestly think you killed the Great Dragon? That those random fires were random? That huge branches fall from a healthy tree daily? I've saved your ass too many time to count! And I have no choice what-so-ever because it is my destiny to keep you alive long enough to unite all of Albion!'

'Merlin I refuse to believe this, prove it to me.' Arthur said in an 'I-dare-you' voice.

'I wouldn't recommend that. From what I heard from the dragon Merlin is the most powerful warlock that will ever exist!' Lancelot spoke for the first time since the duo started yelling.

'You knew…'

'Yes.'

'When did he tell you?'

'He didn't, I saw him enchanting my sword right before I killed the griffin.'

'And the dragon?'

'I followed Merlin last night by the Lake of Camelot he spoke the dragon's tongue and the great dragon appeared. At first I was ready to kill, but Merlin explained the situation to me. Arthur I know it is not my place to say this, but this time I think you should let Merlin talk while you listen.'

'You're right…it is not your place. When we return to Camelot Merlin, you will be burned at the stake and Lancelot you are to be beheaded for treason and hiding a sorcerer.' Arthur said in a voice as ferocious as his late farther.

Merlin wasn't not gonna let this fly. Risking his own life to save Arthur's daily, and finally telling him only to be rewarded with death.

His eyes changed from brown to gold and Arthur was pulled by an invisible force into a tree. Then Arthur could feel the ground rumbling beneath his feet. He looked up to see Merlin's eyes glowing with the purest gold he has ever seen in his life. He didn't have time to admire the color, soon the tree's roots shot up from ground wrapped around the young King's feet and continued the act till he was in a cocoon of roots. Only his head was exposed. Then the sky turned black and there was a flash of lightning.

Merlin's eyes dropped their color and his normally happy and excited eyes were replaced by dead and emotionless ones. The sky slowly cleared out. He calmly walked towards Arthur, only to be stopped by Lancelot midway. Lance was not the brightest, but he could tell Merlin wasn't about to invite Arthur to have a friendly drink at the tavern.

'Merlin, I know you're upset I am too, Arthur is being a prat. But we need to leave while we can, I'm sorry that this went the way it did, I know you didn't want him to find out like this.'

'Lance there is so much you don't know about this, I'm not scared to die…I never was. Protecting Arthur was why I was born. Before I'm killed I want him to know everything, and to know that the only reason he lived this long is because of magic.'

Arthur was feeling a bit left out while his two former best friends talked. They act as if they hadn't been lying to him for years.

'Merlin do you dare use magic on the King of Camelot?' Arthur yelled.

'Arthur you were born of magic. Uther used magic to conceive you, the law is a life for a life. When you were bit by the Questing Beast I was going give my life, so was Gaius…and my mother. In the end the witch who was responsible for your mother's death and your birth took the fall.'

'Why? Why are you telling me now?'

'If I die I want you to live knowing my every secret. So the guilt can eat you alive.' Merlin's voice was dripping venom.

' Arthur you are destined to bring magic back to Camelot and to unite all of Albion. I'm destined to make sure you live long enough.'

'Magic is evil, it killed both of my parents and corrupted Morgana. Or did you do that?'

'Magic did nothing wrong. Uther used magic to conceive you, he was warned that someone would have to die sadly it was your mother. But magic is good. It honestly hurt me that you still think that after I told that I used magic only to keep you alive. I always hoped you would thank me for saving you. It took bravery I didn't know I had to risk my life to save you, Arthur.' The anger in his voice was gone, now it is just so sorrowful.

What the hell am I doing? This is Merlin, my servant, my friend…the reason I didn't die years ago. The guy who has saved my life countless times, that I know of. Does him having magic have to change that? He has saved my life even if it was risking his own, and just told him to polish my armor. I really am a prat. I owe him everything and more. He is still Merlin…but why did him and Lancelot kissing piss me off.

'Merlin, untie me.'

'Give me a good reason why I should.' Merlin's eyes were screaming fear. He had lost his first kiss, his secret, his simple friendship all in less than fifteen minutes. He couldn't deal with losing Arthur too.

'Untie me…so I can apologize to you properly.' Arthur was smiling that million dollar smile of his. Merlin let out a breath he didn't even remember holding. For the first time since Lancelot had started his Damned laughing.

Merlin lifted his hand and without saying a word the branches broke and Arthur was free. He looked Merlin in the eyes and went to his knees.

'Merlin, I Arthur Pendragon apologize to you, for my ignorance and years of rudeness. I also wish to thank you for years of aiding me at the risk of your own life. Please accept my apologies.' he said in his most serious voice.

'I accept.' Merlin could only manage to say this much. Everything that had just happened replayed in his head. It was so much to process he couldn't take it.

He fainted.

Finally it was Arthur's turn to laugh. He sat back and thought about everything…and he found it hilarious that he never questioned it before. He picked up Merlin and put him in his tent, now it was just him and Lancelot.

'Arthur I-' he started but Arthur raised his hand signaling him to shut up.

'I know, you were helping a friend and I thank you for helping him. I will lift the ban of magic as soon as I can.'

'Arthur that means a lot to me, and Merlin both, but that's not what I wanted to say. I love Gwen and I always will, but not how I thought I did.'

'Lance I know where you're going.'

'Really?'

'You know Lance, I never really liked you. I always thought it was because of you and Gwen. When I found out you kissed Merlin, I realized I was wrong.'

'I'm sorry.'

'No. Let me say it, I never liked you because you were so close to Merlin. I love him, and I always have. I was scared to say it.'

'I know, I have a confession. I wanted to make you jealous today so you would tell Merlin you loved him. I did not plan on realizing my own feelings for him.'

Arthur suddenly laughed.

'Years of lying to ourselves later and we find ourselves fighting for love all over again. Typical.' Arthur said as he laughed more.

'Game on?' Lancelot said.

'Game on.'