Disclaimer:I own Nothing of Merlin

It was a nightmare. It had to be some kind illusion. There was no alternative.

The Queen of Camelot stood a few feet from him ready to let the next arrow fly, the previous one having missed his head by inches while his servant had pushed them both to the ground. The weapon unleashed, from the powerful, lethal crossbow one Leon had been particularly fond of, a serious expression on her face as her eyes connected with young king. He was vaguingly aware of his servant turning from him to his wife, concerned for his king from beside him cornered on the floor, and throwing a powerful glare towards the assassin. Then his friend had jerked the arrow out of the wall with a strength he did not know the man possessed. Irrational fear gripped him as a head of short raven hair flashed forward, the feather of the weapon in his hand whistling softly as he shot ahead, tackling a shocked and suddenly frightened Guinevere.

Kneeling above her was a man she did not know. He wore an angry and determined expression as he plunged the arrow towards her forehead. Unfamiliar words brought the atmosphere in the room to life, terror rose in her throat as the tip of the arrow began to glow. She was vaguely aware of the king stumbling to his feet when the tip of the arrow shot out a blinding light.

The scene that unfolded before him was one he had yet to imagine. His best friend had pinned down his wife on the floor of his chambers moving for his hands to hang at his sides, his shoulders slumped in relief.

The king took measured steps towards his servant.

"Merlin, what did you just say?"

Obviously the servant misheard his master, as well as the situation and answered with a teasing air, "What do you mean, sire? Did you hit your head too hard when I saved your arrogant royal ass?"

Merlin's words had barley left his mouth when he felt a cold metal at nape of his neck. He tensed, realizing the situation at last. He had allowed himself a few seconds to relax when his king was out of danger but now…

Quickly as he dared, he slid aside, facing the king at last.

Camelot's finest knight looked past his servant, desperate to know his wife's condition. Her eyes remained shut however, and she did not stir.

"What did you do to her?" he whispered, sorrow filling his voice.

His young friend eyes widened and tears sprung from nowhere as he caught on to the king's meaning. Does he think… I killed her?

"Answer me!" he yelled, with all the authority he could muster as fury gripped him.

Merlin took a deep breath to steady his shock and raging emotions. "I have saved her from Morgana's darkness she sustained in the tower we saved her from."

"Y-you used magic!"

"It was the only way I could bring her back. Arthur, I have only ever used magic to protect you and Camelot." He said unyieldingly, hoping his determined gaze would penetrate his friend's mind.

"I trusted you! And you have been practicing magic? How could you?" the last three words broke off into a hiss of disgust.

Merlin could felt his tears suddenly dry. When he spoke, it with a voice filled with an almost other worldly authority. "Arthur Pendragon. I am Emrys, the warlock destined to defend the Once and Future King!" He closed his eyes a moment, steeling himself. Opening them he looked tired and worn. "I made you a promise." He said as he had calmed enough for the tears to start to prickle again while Arthur sat stunned on the floor, "That I would be here to protect and serve you."

Hearing a disturbance in the king's chambers, guards and knights on duty barged into the room. Stunned at the scene before them, their queen unmoving on the floor and the king sitting on the ground unable to remove his shocked gaze from his servant, they ran to their king's aid, surrounding the man between their rulers, two of the knights attempting to tend to woman who lie still on the ground.

Vaguely, Merlin was aware of the swords pointed accusingly at him as he backed up away from the king and queen the men tentatively yielding towards where he was headed. Before they could so much as thrust their weapons, he had turned out the door and ran.

Thanks to Beta-SummerQuill