Requested by @Shannon1300

Summary: Arthur finds out about Merlin's magic, and to make matters worse, he's dying. Merlin needs you now more than ever.

QOTP: What would happen in series six if you wrote it?

Word Count: 1980

He tried not to use magic - he really did. You told him not to when he left.

"Merlin, are you sure you have to go?" you'd asked him, on the verge of tears.

He nodded sadly and pulled you to him, hoping this wouldn't be the last time he saw you. "I have to protect Arthur."

You sighed. "I know... Just promise me one thing."

"Of course."

"Don't use magic. Not unless you have no other choice. Because once this is all over, if anyone knows you have magic... If Arthur knows you have magic..."

"I know," he said. "I'll do my best."

He pulled back just far enough to kiss you, then reluctantly let you go. Tears were streaming down your face. "Come back alive, okay? I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I will," he'd said, though he wasn't sure he believed it.

He's thinking back on that conversation now as he and a dying Arthur ride on a horse to Camelot. He can only hope they'll get back in time, but it doesn't seem likely.

Arthur is angry, but Merlin can't really blame him. He's been lying to him since the moment they met. But it was only a matter of time before he found out.

Merlin had tried to stay out of Arthur's line of sight as he fought Mordred's army with magic. There was no other way to defeat them; they were strong and powerful. They would've killed him.

Arthur was fighting Mordred himself, an intense battle that Merlin glanced at often, just to make sure Arthur was alright. He could hear their swords clashing every few seconds.

Someone ran at him as he glanced over, and he just barely managed to use magic to push the guy back and onto the ground. At that moment, Arthur turned avoid a blow from Mordred's sword.

And he saw it.

"Merlin?!" was all he could say in that moment, confusion setting in. He didn't have time to process it before Mordred took the opportunity to drive his sword into Arthur's stomach, a panicked and hurried blow, hoping to end this once and for all.

Arthur had enough time to land a killing blow of his own before he collapsed to the ground.

Merlin sprinted to Arthur, unable to imagine what he'd do if he found him dead.

To his relief, he was still breathing. He looked up at Merlin, clutching his stomach. Merlin couldn't read his expression. "Was that... ? Di-Did you... ?"

Merlin ripped a strip of cloth from his shirt and tied it tightly around Arthur's middle, then picked him up. He started carrying him to the horse across the field. It wasn't theirs, but it would have to do. "Yes, I have magic."

"Th-This whole time? You've been lying to me - t-to everyone - this whole time?" Arthur said. He couldn't believe it. There was no way Merlin had magic - he had to be mistaken.

"Gauis and Y/N know," Merlin said simply.

"And n-neither of them told me? Or my f-father? You never told me?" His anger was rising, and he wished he could've fought his way out of Merlin's arms, but he was too weak.

"They wanted to protect me, and I wasn't interested in dying, so no, no one ever told you."

They were getting closer to the horse, and Arthur suddenly realized that was where Merlin was headed. "Put me down."

"Why?"

"I'd rather die here. Just go home and continue lying to everyone, keeping your secrets-"

"I've only ever used magic to protect you and the kingdom," Merlin said.

They'd reached the horse, and Arthur went silent. He didn't say a word as Merlin managed to lift him onto the horse, then got on himself. Finally, Arthur asked, "Where are we going?"

"To Y/N. She can heal you."

Arthur knew this was true (you've been living in the castle with Gauis since you were little, and he taught you everything he knows), but he was still upset. Even you didn't tell him about Merlin's magic, and you were like a sister to him. "I don't need to be healed."

"You're dying."

"I know."

They haven't talked since. Arthur's been trying to remember any instance he can recall that Merlin could've used magic. Merlin's been worrying about Arthur and what you'll say when he gets back.

////

It's been three days, and Merlin's still not back yet. No one is - the knights, Arthur, Gauis. You've made yourself sick with worry.

You would've gone with them if they all hadn't insisted that you stay here. Gauis went with them to help heal any wounded knights, and you wanted to help, too. However, Gwen stayed, and they insisted that you stay with her. Just in case.

You've been together since they left, comforting each other in your worry.

You really wish you would've gone.

"I hope he's alright," Gwen says for the hundredth time in the past three days.

You bite your lip, looking out the window. "Me, too." Not two minutes after you say that, you see a horse galloping toward the courtyard. "Gwen..."

She sits up from her place on the bed. "What? What is it?"

"I think it's Merlin..."

She jumps up and runs to the window. "Is he alright? Is Arthur with him?"

You see the king slumped against Merlin's back. Even from this distance, you can tell something's wrong. Without a word, you and Gwen run down to the courtyard.

"Merlin!" you shout once you've made it outside.

With Arthur asleep in his arms, he turns to you and Gwen, meets you halfway, and starts rambling. "He's dying; Mordred stabbed him in the stomach and I've been doing everything I can but he needs help and-"

"Come on," you say, already heading back towards the castle. Gwen follows, speechless but sobbing.

"He knows," Merlin adds. "He's upset - with both of us."

You're silent for a second, then you sigh. "Well, he'll just have to get over it."

If Gwen's confused as to what you're talking about, she doesn't say anything. She just holds Arthur's hand and follows you into the castle.

Once you make it inside, you head to your room and Merlin lays Arthur on the sick bed. Immediately, you start looking through the books on the shelves, and Merlin gets his book of spells. You tell Gwen to start cleaning the wound.

After about a minute, Merlin runs over to you. "I think I've found something that might work."

You look at the book. It's no simple spell - it requires a mixture of certain ingredients to work, along with a great deal of magical power.

You get to work on the mixture, thankful that Gauis has what you need for it. Merlin studies the spell until you're finished.

You bring the mixture to him, and he casts the spell on it.

But nothing happens.

"I-It's not working," Merlin says, starting to cry.

You shake your head. "Just keep trying. Focus, okay? You can do this."

He tries again. And again. And again.

But still nothing.

"Arthur's going to die and it's going to be my fault! I couldn't even stop him from getting stabbed in the first place, and now I can't even heal him!" he shouts.

You set the bowl on the table next to you and place your hands on Merlin's shoulders. "Listen to me. Now is not the time to stop believing in yourself. You did everything you could on that battlefield - I know you did because you always do. And you've kept him alive long enough to bring him back here, and it is not going to be for nothing. You're powerful, Merlin, and you can do this. Now focus, and save him."

You pick the bowl up again and hand it to him. He takes it and closes his eyes, whispering the spell over it.

And it works.

You practically rip the bowl out of his hands and start applying it to Arthur's wound. Gwen, still holding Arthur's hand, looks at Merlin. "You're a sorcerer."

Merlin is too tired to lie to her this time, and Arthur already knows anyway. "I am."

She's not angry in the slightest. "Thank you."

Merlin gives her a small smile. "You're welcome."

Suddenly, there's a gasp.

"Gwen?" Arthur asks, looking over at her. She smiles in relief and kisses him, and despite his confusion, he kisses her back. Once she pulls away, his hand still in hers, he looks around the room and realizes where he is. His eyes land on you. "Y/N?"

You smile and hug him gently. "Hi." It's all you can think to say. You pull away and his eyes find Merlin. Neither of them say anything for a while.

"Hello, sire," Merlin finally says. It would've been funny if the room wasn't so tense.

"Merlin," Arthur says curtly.

Immediately, you realize that Arthur is still mad. "Okay, we're not doing this."

"What?" the boys ask you in unison.

You sigh, looking at Arthur. "This. You being all mad at Merlin for saving your life countless times. How do you think he became your servant in the first place? He saved your life with magic. And now we've come full circle because he just did it again. He's saved Camelot a dozen times over with magic, so don't you dare get your chainmail in a twist over it."

Arthur goes quiet for a moment. "Be that as it may, he lied to me. And so did you."

"Your father would've executed him if we didn't," you say, "and based on your reaction right now, it probably wouldn't've been wise to tell you when you were in perfect health. Merlin uses his magic for good - your good - so I suggest you get over yourself and thank him."

Arthur looks at Merlin, who looks as if he doesn't want to be here. "Thank you."

Merlin shrugs. "You do what you have to..."

You sigh and stand. "Well, now that that's settled, I think it's almost time for dinner."

////

A little over a day later, Gwaine, Leon, Percival, and Gauis arrive at the castle, exhausted and starving, but very much alive. You heal their injuries, and everyone eats dinner together, though Arthur is still a little weak and probably shouldn't be out of bed.

After dinner, on the way to your room, Merlin pulls you aside into an alcove in the corridor. You give him a confused look. "What are you doing? I'm tired. I want to go to bed."

He chuckles, reaching over and grabbing your hands. "I'm tired, too, but this will only take a second."

"Alright, fine."

"Thank you," he says.

Your brows furrow. "For what?"

"For everything. You've always been there for me, and yesterday... You helped me save Arthur. And then you convinced him to forgive me in less than five minutes of ranting at him."

You shrug. "What can I say? It's a gift."

He chuckles again, looking at you in pure awe. "I love you."

You involuntarily blush and look down. "I love you, too."

Then, he says the last thing you'd ever expect to come out of his mouth. "Marry me."

You look up abruptly, blanching. "What?"

"Marry me," he repeats. "We both know I'd be totally lost without you, and I've waited way too long to ask."

You look at him for a few seconds, a thousand things going through your head at once. Then, you smile. "Okay."

He smiles back. "Okay."

Grinning, you pull him into a kiss, unable to fathom how lucky you are to have him in your life.