The sat quietly around the unlit fire wait for either something to happen or dusk to settle in. Uninteresting enough, dusk settled in. They were about to go and fetch the flint and steel when the fire lit all on it's own. This had every eye turn towards the irregular formation at the bottom of a tree. Yet there was not a stir nor sound to be heard from it. So begrudgingly they all sat down around the fire. Then a beautiful horse made from fire starting galloping across the top of the flames. Every few minutes the fire display would change.

Soon enough dinner was cooked, a watch list was set, and everyone laid there bedrolls down for the night before turning in to sleep. The first on watch was Arthur but Gwaine wouldn't let him be awake with Merlin alone even if Merlin was protected by thick tree bark. This arrangement gave way to one of them facing the opposite direction of the other allowing them to be able to see more directions at once. Gwaine was facing towards Merlin's tree and Arthur the opposite. Just maybe an hour before midnight Gwaine saw the tree start to slide open at the irregular bit containing Merlin. The opening of it was quiet and slow. Had he not been facing this way he never would have noticed. After a few minutes, Gwaine could now see Merlin with his knees to his chest and his head resting on his knees. Gwaine got up from his position a few yards away from Merlin and got closer to his friend. Gwaine's motion made a small amount of noise but was enough for Arthur to turn around and spot the opening in the tree. Arthur hurriedly and quietly went over to Gwaine. But when he was only a yard behind Gwaine he heard the other man say," Arthur you better leave him alone. He probably hasn't slept this well in ages and even from the looks of it he might be having motionless nightmares." Gwaine saying this caused Arthur to stray a yard or two behind Merlin and Gwaine.

Gwaine's eyes studied the small raven haired boy for a long time before actually reaching out towards him. The second his hands were about an inch away from the tree, the air and even the tree itself tensed. It was as if the Earth had taken in a deep breath and was waiting. The usually boisterous personality spoke softly to nothing in particular,"I'm a friend and mean no harm to him." The earth let out it's breath and Gwaine waited a moment before actually brushing his hand against his friend's hands. Merlin unconsciously flinched but didn't wake.

Gwaine had reassured himself that Merlin was fine at the moment but felt like the tree would soon close up again so he fetched a skin of water to put with the boy in case he didn't want to come out once he awakened. After Gwaine retracted his hand the tree silently slid shut once more and not a trace of the opening could be found.

He returned back to his former watch position and Arthur came and sat next to him. They sat their in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Gwaine broke it. "Whatever you want to say just say it." Arthur opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again and said,"I don't want to hurt him..." And Gwaine said in a serious tone," You already have. Even before we knew he had magic we were hurting him. We hurt him every time we hurt magic. And he had to pretend to agree with us. Not being able to save magical creatures from us probably hurt him the most. And our reactions today hurt him even further." Arthur couldn't find any reply to that so instead he asked a question," What do i do now?" This question had Gwaine think and he studied the tree where Merlin slept and then studied Arthur's expression before answering," You don't have to do anything. But you should ask him what he thinks you should do. Ask him if now is the time to repeal the magic ban. Ask him about what he's been through. Try and understand what he must be feeling and if you can't do that then just trust him. Let him advise you. " Arthur nodded and they both went back to staring at the tree. Their expressions were unreadable.

The shifts switched and Arthur and Gwaine went to bed. In the morning they woke up to laughter and things flying through the air above them. Gwaine was the first to awaken. He got up and saw the tree slid open and Merlin still inside. But he was smiling. Distracted by this sight he almost got hit in the head with a branch that flew through the air towards Merlin. He turned around and saw the other knights all standing about 15 yards away with a bundle of sticks and rocks and what not bundled in their arms. He was extremely confused and not being one to wait around for an epiphany he asked what was going on. He got a chorus of replies from which he made out that the tree opened when Merlin woke up but there was a force field keeping him from leaving. So the predicament resorted in a game of tossing random objects at the barrier to try and break it but there was no avail. Soon the game ended and they all sat around Merlin chatting about different things and sometimes magic and sometimes just memories they have together. During their conversation a butterfly zooms right past the barrier as if it isn't even there and lands on Merlin's shoulder. They all stare in awe at the butterfly. One of the knights tries to pass the barrier again and so does Merlin but alas it still seems impenetrable. Startled by the attempts of breaking the barrier the butterfly goes off again. Leon speaks up," Oh I understand now. Wildlife and earthy things can pass through if they mean no harm and i guess humans cant either way?" They all agree that Leon's theory makes sense. Then Elyan asked,"Have you tried magic yet?" Merlin replied with a lie," I tried all the spells that would make sense here but none of them worked. The Earth is more powerful than me I guess." Merlin was lying because he hadn't tried anything until the knights woke up. Because honestly he didn't want the tree to stop protecting him. He didn't know if Arthur had cooled down yet or not and he wanted the safe haven if he hadn't.

They chattered on for a while more. Then Arthur began to stir. When he finally sat up and his eyes landed on the group around the tree, he got up and went over to them. Immediately fear sprang into Merlin. And this time it was noticeable. All of the knights turned around and instantly saw the cause. They could even feel Merlin's fear as the tree and air around them all tensed up just as it had done to Gwaine the night before. Arthur sensed it too because he backed up a step and held his hands up in surrender. He then spoke," Merlin, it's okay. I'm not going to try and hurt you but why the hell are you still in that tree?"

Percival responded for Merlin," The tree won't let him get out to easily. It seems." Arthur nodded and sat with the group which was again situated in a semicircle. Despite the fact that Merlin was protected by a tree shield and a magical shield he still pressed himself against the inside of the tree away from the circle. Upon Arthur's arrival the group of knights and Merlin became tense and uncomfortable. It also became silent except from the natural sounds of the wood. It was Lancelot who broke the silence,"Alright. I don't know about everyone else but this whole awkward rivalry is getting old. Can you guys just figure something out. Agree. And move on?seriously Arthur all of us have accepted he has and is magic. So just get on with it."

Arthur looked from Lancelot to Merlin and found that Merlin was avoiding his gaze. So instead he just started conversing casually hoping to bring about something," Did you have any of those dream things again,Merlin?" Merlin looked up at Arthur, opened his mouth to say something but then just looked down again before shaking his head 'no'. Arthur tried again,"Did anyone in Camelot know before today?" Merlin nodded. Arthur asked," Who?" But Merlin shook his head again saying 'no'. Despite Merlin's silent protest, Lancelot told them that he had known since the day he had met Merlin. The King nodded at this. He knew that if any of the knights had known that they wouldn't have told him out of protection for Merlin. Arthur attempted another question that could not have a yes or no answer,"Why did you stay in Camelot." In response Merlin mumbled something like," Destiny can't be escaped." Arthur had had enough." Merlin. Will you please talk to me. I'm trying to understand and help somehow. And I'm doing the best I can. But this can't be a one-sided conversation." Merlin looks up and locks eyes with Arthur for the first time that day. Arthur can see the fear practically dripping from his manservant. He could almost see the cogs turning inside Merlin's brain as he tried to figure out their dilemma. Merlin then spoke," Before anything is decided about the f-fate of me or Camelot you should know more. Then you have all information to base the d-decision off of. There is someone you should meet. B-but don't be alarmed." All of knights were now intrigued. Then Merlin's eyes flashed gold and stayed brightly lit but nothing seemed to happen. Yet Merlin's eyes glassed over and he looked as if he was listening to someone they couldn't hear speak. Then Merlin let out a breath, his eyes returned to their normal colour. The tree then slowly retreated to it's normal shape and the barrier seemed to be gone. Merlin stood up. He clapped his hands together nervously before walking away from the group and saying," Well, follow me, I g-guess." All of the knights and Authur cautiously followed Merlin to the edge of a clearing. Merlin told them to stay hidden here until he called to them. Merlin then walked to the center of the clearing and began to roar with a deep guttural voice no one knew he even had. Soon they heard the sound of large wings flapping against the sky and the great dragon landed next to Merlin.

Merlin spoke to the dragon," Arthur has found out about my magic and I'm not sure what the outcome will be just yet. " The dragon replied," Ahh the fate of Albion is under way. You must make many important choices in the coming days. "

Merlin nodded before calling to the knights and Arthur. As they approached the Great Dragon said," I was wondering when you would allow them to come forward."

Arthur was the first of the present to speak,' I though you had died by my blade..."

Merlin responded," I may have knocked you and the others out and commanded him to leave Camelot alone. But i also may have been the one to set him free. Sooo..."

The Great Dragon took the lapse in conversation to speak," The fate of Albion is changing. It is up to you Arthur Pendragon to make sure it is in peace. Do not hurt my young warlock for without him all of Camelot will fall."

At that the dragon flew away leaving the knights and Arthur in awe.Whilst they stared after the dragon Merlin said," S-so how about that talk?"

They all returned to the camp and sat around the unlit fireplace. The moment they sat down Arthur looked up at Merlin and asked," What do you think I should do?"

Merlin took a deep breath and said," To be honest the kingdom isn't ready for the law to be repealed. But maybe we do the opposite of a bandage and just pull it back slowly and carefully. And until then I'll remain in the secret like I have been."

All of the knights and Arthur agreed with that course of action but that didn't help mend the moat between Merlin and the others. So Arthur asked another question which had all of the knights looking towards Merlin for answer," Merlin. Please answer this honestly..." Merlin nodded and Arthur continued," Are you still afraid of us.' Arthur could see Merlin's hesitation before Merlin took a breath and replied," To be completely honest. Yes. I'm still absolutely terrified. I'm afraid that this a dream or that it is all some joke before you drag me into Camelot where a pyre is already built. Y-yes. I'm scared. I wish I wasn't but I am." Merlin ended speaking as he looked intently at the ground. The others were silent for a while after Merlin had finished speaking.

Merlin looked up from the ground and asked with a slight shake to his voice " Do you want to see uhm magic? " at this point Merlin started to talk fast and stutter"I mean like you don't have to agree but it'd be kind of cool if i could finally do magic in front of you but if it makes you uncomfortable then really i won't if you don't want me to but it's just a suggestion and I know it is still illegal but i was just thinking that since we just kind of cleared things up but maybe we didn't? I'm not really sure at this point b-but ya." After Merlin's rapid question he locked eyes with Arthur once and then returned his gaze to the ground. Arthur was appalled at how stupid he had been to not notice his own manservant was afraid of him and still is. He quickly responded before Merlin felt the need to start talking again and he agreed," Sure. I mean we already know about your magic so it can't hurt us now." Merlin looked up at Arthur and around at the knights. Each one of them nodded encouragingly. Merlin spoke once more," What do you want to see?" None of the people in the circle around the unlit fire responded so Merlin decided for them," Why don't we just do something simple and then more complex."

The people around him waited for what he would be doing. They all then witnessed Merlin's eyes flash gold and about 24 rocks of different sizes ranging from pebble to a large stone levitated on top of Merlin's head. Then Merlin's eyes flashed gold once more and the rocks returned to their before positions.

Arthur was staring intently at Merlin through this whole process. He was looking for even the most minuscule sign of evil intentions yet the only concerning emotion he could find was fear. While he was studying every inch of Merlin's face for clues he saw Merlin's eyes flash gold again and Merlin stretched out his palm and strawberries instantly appeared.

Gwaine commented on the ability," Merlin! You have been able to make us actual food this whole time. That would have been way better than any stew. Although your stew is great." Gwaine then addressed Arthur," If there is any reason for Camelot to raise the magic ban than that right there is it." Gwaine's perspective on magic may have been not as serious as the others yet it never failed to make Merlin and the knights laugh and agree. Arthur nodded before responding," A fine reason indeed." Then they all looked at Merlin once more who looked like he was debating with himself in his mind. Leon spoke up," What's the most complex piece of magic you now?" Merlin hesitated before asking a question back," That depends on if you mean instinctive magic which I just can do. Or if you mean spells and potions and what not." Before Leon could answer Merlin's question, Merlin responded ahead of him," Instinctively, I have no idea how far my powers stretch. And spell wise, I am also not sure. But I can..." Merlin stopped speaking and his eyes flashed gold. In front of him a small patch of ground became muddy as if water had been poured on it. It then started to swirl around. After two swirls around it completely froze over. Solid. Merlin's eyes turned back to their normal color. He then said," Magic has an unfathomable amount of possibilities that most likely never end. So really I have no idea how far my powers stretch." Arthur and the knights stared at the small patch of ground that looked like a muddy whirlpool frozen in time. While they were all looking towards the patch of ground they didn't see Merlin's eyes flash gold once more. But they did see the patch of ground convert right back to as it was before with no differentiation to set it apart from the rest of the ground.

The group of people spoke a while longer about the plan for returning to Camelot and then an hour or two before noon they set off for a three hour ride to Camelot.