Gwaine walked Merlin back to the castle and made sure the young warlock made it into his bed. He was sympathetic to the stress Merlin was under, but he didn't quite understand why Merlin wouldn't let his friends help him. The entire way back to the castle Merlin kept mumbling about being a coward. For a good five minutes he talked about turning himself in and saving everyone the trouble. Gwaine made sure to get that idea out of Merlin's head before he left Merlin in Gaius's care.

Gaius woke Merlin up at dawn the next morning. If Merlin's body had its way, he'd sleep all day. Gwaine had filled Gaius in on everything he knew about Merlin's problems before he left. Gaius figured Merlin wouldn't be able to wake up on his own. It took a couple tries, but Merlin finally got his body out of bed. He threw up in the bucket beside his bed before going out and seeing Gaius.

"How are you feeling Merlin?" Gaius asked as he set breakfast on the table.

"Like death." Merlin rubbed his head. He was dreading the day he had ahead of him.

"I'm sorry Merlin." Gaius frowned slightly, he hated seeing Merlin struggle.

"Never mind Gaius. Do you have anything you need done before I get Arthur's breakfast?" Merlin really just wanted to get his day over with. He didn't want to prolong anything. The sooner everything was over, the sooner he could put his mind at ease at the tavern.

"Yes. I need you to eat something." Gaius sat down and placed a plate of food at Merlin's usual seat.

Merlin just stared at the plate on the table. He was starving. He couldn't recall eating anything the day before.

"Come now Merlin, you must eat. I'll give you a tonic to calm your stomach as well." Gaius waited for Merlin to sit down before he got up and retrieved the tonic to help Merlin's hangover.

The food itself did calm Merlin's stomach but it had no flavor. His senses had been dulled for weeks. It was really just another reason he didn't feel like eating anymore. Nothing had any taste. He actually enjoyed the strong bitter and sour liquid Gaius gave him simply because it gave him something to taste.

They ate in silence and Gaius let Merlin leave for the kitchens. Merlin was right on time to wake up the prince.

He walked in and set the food on the table before opening the curtains.

"Sire, it's time to wake up." Merlin had gotten used to being more formal with the prince again. He was certain the secrets he had kept from the prince had ruined the friendship they had once almost had.

"What? Am I no longer a prat?" Arthur asked, rolling over. He wasn't quite used to Merlin being so proper.

"I'm sure you are, Arthur, but that doesn't affect the time you need to rise." Merlin went about his usual tasks as Arthur took his time getting out of bed. He too was dreading having the conversation that needed to be had.

After Arthur had eaten and dressed for the day, he sat down at the table expectantly.

"Sit Merlin." Arthur commanded.

Merlin obeyed the prince and took a seat at the opposite end of the table.

"Now that you've sobered, tell me everything… from the beginning. There will be no more secrets, do you understand?" Arthur stared at Merlin, gaging his reaction. The prince was actually glad he had waited to have this conversation until they were both sober and less upset. Arthur found he wasn't as angry at Merlin for helping Freya as he had been the night before.

"Yes. Well… Firstly, I do apologize for everything sire." Merlin cleared his throat, debating where the beginning of his story really was. Arthur gave him a moment to think and Merlin started his story.

He spoke of first discovering his magic when he was a child. He talked of his father and learning he was the last dragon lord. He explained how he had always felt so alone in everything he had to accomplish and how he was so tired of not being able to talk to anyone about his magic.

Then he finally told the story of Freya and how he had been so captivated by her. He couldn't let her be a prisoner when she had done nothing wrong. He fell in love with her before he learned of her curse. But once he found out, it only made her story sadder, it didn't make her a worse person. She didn't deserve to be turned in a killed simply because of this curse. She needed help, not punishment.

Arthur sat quietly, taking in every word Merlin said. He hated that there had been so many things he hadn't known about his servant and friend. Mostly, he hated that Merlin was in so much pain.

"Since her death… I haven't known what to do. I only started going to the tavern because it was easier to fall asleep at night if I was drunk… but then the nightmares started seeping through even the strongest of drinks, and it was no use anymore." Merlin confessed, ending his long story.

"Merlin…" Arthur finally spoke. "I'm sorry." He couldn't think of what to say. The life that Merlin had lived and described was heartbreaking.

"There's nothing to apologize for Arthur." Merlin didn't dare look up at the prince. For some reason, he wanted to cry. Arthur's tone showed how much he really cared and it was difficult to take that in.

"But there is Merlin." Arthur sighed. "You've always been treated and seen as a simple servant, and you are far more than that. From the sound of our destiny, you may be worth more than me."

Merlin laughed. He could not imagine a world where that was true.

"I think we're worth more together. Our destinies are intertwined… You just weren't supposed to know your half."

Arthur scoffed. "What, because a dragon told you not to tell me?" He laughed at the thought.

"Partially, yes. The dragons are wiser creatures than most will ever understand. But also, I hadn't wanted to put you in a position where you had to choose between the law and your father, or me."

"Merlin, I will always choose you. If there are to be no secrets between us, then let me say right now, we are friends… brothers even… and you are my equal, no matter what others may decide, we are in this together."

Merlin smiled. He knew he would finally be okay. He would still miss Freya and his destiny would still be big, but he now had a true friend amongst the chaos.

End

So thank you everyone for reading and following the story. It is one of my most followed stories. I'm sorry I can't continue it. I've run out of a clear path to continue the story and I don't have the time I used to have. I hope the ending is okay and I didn't leave you feeling like it should have ended differently. Once again thank you to PyroEnthusiast aka No Wonderland for the prompt.

Rachel