It was a peaceful day in Camelot. A light breeze ran through the air, tousling about the leaves that had fallen onto the ground and the blades of grass that were tall enough to reach a man's ankles. Just then, a young Merlin walked down a hillside on a path through the countryside of Camelot.

"You can't be serious. We're watching Merlin's memories?" Arthur asked incredulously.

Eleanor gave the king a look. "I told you that I would not reveal the identity of the person who obtains these memories, sire. But to answer your question, yes, these are Merlin's memories."

To change the subject, Leon decided to speak. "Merlin... where were you walking to?"

The secret warlock looked over at the senior knight. "To the castle."

Merlin entered through the lower town, smiling as people were coming and going past him. He saw houses lining the streets, and he couldn't help but look around himself in awe.

"You hadn't been to Camelot before," Gwen realized.

Merlin nodded at the Queen. "I had never left Ealdor before that day. It was a lot to take in with a city that big, let alone a bloody castle."

The younger Merlin had just entered the gates of Camelot, still in awe of everything he saw. He'd just gotten to the citadel when lo and behold he laid eyes upon Uther Pendragon for the first time in his life.

Arthur took in a sharp breath. "Father."

Gwen carefully rubbed his shoulder to help keep her husband calm. Though it had been years since the death of his father, it was still very painful for Arthur to think about.

A man — led by guards — was being taken to the gallows with an executioner leading them. Uther was standing on the balcony of the castle and began to speak to his citizens. In a nearby open window, Lady Morgana was watching with a disdainful look on her face.

Elyan, Gwaine, and Percival all jumped back in shock. They'd only known the Morgana that was hellbent on killing Arthur and taking over Camelot.

"I miss the old Morgana," Gwen stated sadly.

Arthur carefully squeezed his wife's hand. "So do I." He admitted.

Merlin stayed quiet, knowing that he was partially to blame for her transgressions against Camelot.

"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death."

The younger Merlin looked slightly pale at this announcement.

"Mate, what's got you looking like a ghost?" Gwaine asked.

Lancelot carefully wrapped an arm around Merlin's shoulders for comfort, and the warlock said nothing.

"You'll have to see, Sir Gwaine." Eleanor stated to the usually drunken knight before turning her attention back to the memory.

"I pride myself a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass." Uther finished, and raised his arm. He then lowered his arm as a signal for the executioner. The executioner raised his blade before lowering it, beheading Thomas James Collins.

Gwen turned to Merlin, a sad look held in her brown eyes. "The first thing you witnessed on your first day in Camelot was an execution."

Even Gwaine felt uncomfortable. "Merlin, that's one hell of a welcome you had there," he commented.

Merlin just gave a shrug. "I didn't really think much on it after it happened."

"Still... I can't believe that's the first thing you saw." Percival stated.

Merlin again shrugged and continued to watch his own memory unfold.

Uther looked to the crowd and began to speak. "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate 20 years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."

Gwaine's face turned to that of disgust. "Who in their right mind would hold a festival after an execution?"

Merlin sighed. "That was just Uther. He hated magic so much that he would celebrate killing suspected sorcerers, sorceresses and many more that had magic." The servant replied. It made him feel sick to his stomach to know that Camelot's late king had done such a vile thing.

"Magic killed my mother, Merlin. My father had a good reason to hate magic; please don't speak ill of him," Arthur stated.

Merlin sighed and let it go. If only Arthur knew the true circumstances behind his mother's death.

Just then, a loud wailing echoed throughout the square. An old woman dressed in brown rag-like clothes made her way to the front of the crowd, her eyes set on Uther. "There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic!" she yelled. "It is you! With your hatred and ignorance! You took my son!" she choked out in tears before her eyes turned cold.

"And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth... a son for a son." She promised.

"Why did no one ever tell me she'd said that?" Arthur wondered.

"Your father ordered us not to say anything to you, sire." Leon answered.

"An eye for an eye makes the world go blind," Eleanor commented wisely. Arthur nodded at the girl's statement.

"Seize her!" Uther commanded his guards. They went to grab the woman, but she hissed a spell into her necklace that made her disappear in a whirlwind of smoke.

"Well someone knows how to make an exit," Elyan remarked and Lancelot nodded in agreement with his fellow knight of Camelot.

When the smoke cleared, the woman had seemingly vanished into thin air. The king looked on in despair and the crowd began to disperse.

Seeing as there was nothing else to watch, Merlin made his way towards the palace. He approached a nearby guard to ask him something. "Where would I find Gaius, the court physician?" Merlin asked. The guard in question pointed towards the chambers of the physician and Merlin made his way there.

Merlin closed his eyes a little tightly, knowing what would happen in this next part of the memory. He knew that he could not escape the questions that would come his way, and honestly, the man was terrified about having his friends knowing about his secret.

'Would they still be my friends?' Merlin asked himself.

Lancelot and Gwaine would always remain Merlin's friends — whether he had magic or not. They were loyal, kind, and supportive of him; he knew he could always rely on them.

Mordred was another story. Though he was also a knight, he was a Druid first and forever; he would not be able to betray his own kin. It would go against everything Mordred was taught and everything he stood for.

Merlin knew he would have at least three friends at his side.

Percival was harder to read; he'd fallen victim to Morgause and her wrath, but he'd also visited distant kingdoms where magic was allowed to be used freely. Merlin was unsure where Percival would stand when it came to magic.

Elyan and Gwen would also be a bit more difficult to interpret than Percival about their views on magic.

Both the queen and her brother had lost their father because he unknowingly conspired with a sorcerer. Add that to both times Gwen was accused of practicing sorcery, as well as seeing Morgana become the woman she was today... they may not be quite as understanding as Merlin would hope.

That left Leon and Arthur.

Leon had been a knight during the Great Purge, and he saw what the events of that time period had done to magic users. He'd also witnessed how magic corrupted Morgana, and saw how hateful and cold she came to be.

Merlin knew deep down that if it came down to Merlin or Arthur, Leon would choose Arthur without a moment's hesitation.

Arthur... he was the one person Merlin was deathly terrified about discovering his secret.

There were so many instances over the years where Arthur had fallen victim to enchantments of wicked sorcerers, become the target of harmful magical creatures, and the very fact that magic had torn his family apart.

Merlin feared that his king would not be so forgiving to find out that his most trusted friend — let alone his manservant — had lied to him all these years.

Merlin pushed these thoughts away as he tried to continue to focus on the memory. But he still had that lingering feeling of nausea in his stomach.

Merlin climbed the stairs towards the physician's chambers, and knocked on the door that was halfway open and peeked inside the chambers.

"Since when do you know how to knock?" Arthur asked.

"Oh I know how to, but don't expect me to start doing it with you. Wouldn't want you to have a heart attack from going into shock, would we?" Merlin joked, though his stomach still felt very uneasy and unsettled.

Merlin walked into the chambers, finding tools and such lying about the tables. He looked up to see Gaius at a bookshelf, clearly searching for a book. "Hello?" Merlin called. Gaius seemed to not notice there was a presence in the room, so Merlin tried again. "Gaius?" Again, there was no response from the older man. In an attempt to get his attention, Merlin cleared his throat.

Gaius – startled from the sound – tripped backwards from the stairs of the bookshelf. Under his weight, the railing broke and he began to fall to the ground.

"Gaius!" everyone except for Merlin and Eleanor chorused together.

Merlin felt even sicker if that was humanly possible. This next part would unveil Merlin's lifelong secret.

As if on instinct, Merlin's eyes began to glow gold and the time slowed. He used his magic to move Gaius's cot under the physician so Gaius wouldn't hit the floor when he fell.

"Eleanor, stop it." Merlin said, and Eleanor did as he asked.

There was nothing but silence for a few moments. Most of the knights, Gwen and Arthur had their eyes on Merlin, but the servant would not meet their gaze. He kept his eyes to the floor until Arthur spoke.

"You have magic." Merlin didn't meet his king's gaze; he felt so ashamed.

"You're a sorcerer," Arthur concluded.

"Technically, I'm a warlock." Merlin argued softly.

"What's the difference?" Arthur asked, still angry about this new revelation.

"Sorcerers learn magic; I was born with it." Merlin said emotionlessly.

"Is that possible?" Leon asked.

Merlin sighed. "Apparently. Mother said I was making things levitate when I was a few days old."

No one said anything. Arthur looked like he wanted to kill something. Save Mordred, Lancelot and Gwaine, the knights looked like they'd been beaten by bandits.

"So all those times that enemies have had their weapons burn their hands, branches falling, or even powerful winds blowing them back into trees... that was you?" Elyan asked.

Merlin nodded slowly.

"Well damn! You really are full of surprises aren't you, Merlin?" Gwaine said as he brought Merlin in for a hug. Merlin smiled slightly in relief.

Percival and Elyan both relaxed; knowing that their dear friend had been a helping hand for them was oddly comforting.

Gwen gave Merlin's shoulder a gentle squeeze. She knew that Merlin would never harm anyone intentionally with his abilities; she knew the kind of man that her best friend was.

Leon, however, was still tense. He'd been present during the Great Purge, and he couldn't help but instinctively reach for the handle on his sheathed sword. If Merlin truly was a threat to the king and to Camelot, he would be prepared to do whatever was necessary.

"... Arthur?" Merlin asked with a bit of hesitance in his voice. It was very clear that Merlin was still anxious as to what the king would do to him.

"What have you used your magic for?" Arthur asked.

"For Camelot and for you."

Arthur looked dazed while his wife looked intrigued.

"What do you mean, Merlin?" Gwen suddenly asked.

"Since Arthur and I were both born, it was written in the stars about the reasons behind my... gifts. The reason that I have stayed in Camelot at Arthur's side was to protect his pratty royal backside," Merlin answered his friend.

Arthur looked like he would have argued, but Merlin continued to talk.

"If you don't believe me, watch these memories before you pass your judgment on me. All I ask is that you all have an open mind about me. Please; that's all I ask." He asked softly.

Arthur thought for a minute before answering. "Merlin... I will keep an open mind," he said, and Merlin let out a breath of relief that he didn't even realize he'd been holding.

Merlin looked to Eleanor. "May we continue the memory?" he asked.

"Of course," she answered before resuming the memory.

Gaius had landed on his cot with a groan, and Merlin released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Gaius scrambled about to get off the cot and made his way over to a frozen Merlin.

"What did you just do?" he demanded.

"He should have at least said thank you. It's courteous to thank the person that saved your life." Commented the queen.

"Don't worry Gwen; he will," Merlin promised. "Just not yet."

"Erm..."

"Tell me!" Gaius said with unnecessary force.

"Gaius must've been angry with you, eh?" Percival asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I was a bit occupied at that moment with thoughts of my own. He was probably a little upset that I had used magic when someone could've walked in and seen me using it," Merlin answered.

"I-I-I have no idea what happened." Merlin lied terribly.

"You're a terrible liar." Gwaine pointed out.

Merlin just shrugged, deciding not to comment about how he'd gotten better at lying since he first arrived in Camelot.

"If anyone had seen that..." Gaius said.

"Eh, no! That – that was, that was nothing to do with me. That – that was..." Merlin panicked through his stuttering words.

"I know what it was! I just want to know where you learned how to do it!" Gaius continued.

"Nowhere."

"So how is it you know magic?"

"I don't."

"I honestly didn't really know magic then. I only knew the basics I had known since birth. What I'd done there was completely and utterly instinctive." Merlin told the others.

"Where did you study?"

As Merlin failed to give the man an answer, the physician got angry. "Answer me!"

"I-I've never studied magic or-or been taught."

"Are you lying to me, boy?"

"What do you want me to say?" Merlin asked in defeat, tired of the argument already.

"My mother never would've let me study magic. She knew it would be dangerous for me if I did." Merlin commented.

"But you lived in Cenred's kingdom. Surely magic was allowed, yes?" Gwen asked the warlock.

Merlin bit his lip. "Ealdor is too close to Camelot for Uther's liking. He would've sought me out and killed me if he knew I was practicing magic in Ealdor," Merlin stated sadly.

Gwen gently hugged Merlin, saddened by the fact that he'd had to hide who he truly was his entire life.

"The truth!"

"I was born like this!"

"That's impossible! Who are you?"

"Oh, erm..." Merlin began fishing around in his bag. He pulled out a small piece of paper and handed it to Gaius. "I have this letter."

"I-I don't have my glasses."

"I'm Merlin."

"Hunith's son?"

Merlin's face brightened at the mention of his mother. "Yes!"

"But you're not meant to be here ‪till Wednesday‬!"

Merlin looked at the court physician funnily. "It is Wednesday," he said, not wanting to upset him.

Just then, everyone burst out with laughter, even Merlin.

"Must come with getting old," Mordred said as he displayed a bright grin on his face.

Merlin's eyes shone brightly; perhaps they were as bright as they ever were since he first came to Camelot.

"Ah, right then. You better put your bag in there." Gaius motioned towards the smaller adjoining room in the back of his chambers.

Merlin walked towards it, but he stopped soon afterwards. "You – you won't say anything about, erm..." he began to gesture towards the cot and the broken railing.

"Had Gaius said anything about that, I would've been a dead man," Merlin stated.

"But he didn't; and you're still here Merlin." Elyan reminded.

Merlin nodded at his friend's words and continued to watch the memory.

"No. Although Merlin, I should say thank you."

"See Gwen? He did say thank you," Merlin told the queen.

Gwen just smiled in acknowledgement of the physician's words.

As Merlin entered the small room and placed his bag of belongings on the bed, he looked around the room with a sigh. He decided to walk up to the window, and gazed out at the beautiful view he had of Camelot under the night's sky.

"You have a better view of the kingdom than I do! And I'm the king!" Arthur stated.

"I think you being king makes up for the loss of a beautiful view." Merlin said with a smile. He felt more at ease now since the others had learned of his magic.

The scene then changed to Gaius, who was sitting on his bench with Hunith's letter in hand. He had his glasses on and began to read through the letter that Merlin's mother had written to him.

"My dear Gaius," Hunith's voice said. "I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust."

Merlin frowned hearing his mother's words. He'd had no idea that he'd made her feel this way. It certainly wasn't his intention.

"It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so. Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with people here that, if he were to remain, I fear what would become of him."

"Was it that bad growing up in Ealdor, Merlin?" Leon asked.

Merlin sighed heavily. "We lived in Cenred's kingdom, but even borders could not stop Uther and his hate for sorcery and magic. I felt lonely in Ealdor... I was afraid of what would happen to me if someone found out about my magic. You can't always trust people." Merlin said with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"My mother said the same thing to me. You can't always trust people, because not everyone is kind and giving," Eleanor stated, and the knights had almost forgotten she was there.

Merlin sent the girl a look and Eleanor returned a comforting smile.

"He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe, and may God save you both."

Gwaine walked over to Merlin and sat on the other side of him, opposite of Lancelot. "Your mother sounds like a very kind woman Merlin. Do you think, perhaps, I could meet her one day?" he asked.

Merlin smiled gently. "One day I will let you meet my mother, Gwaine," the warlock stated.

Gwaine just gave his friend a goofy smile before they continued to watch the memory unfolding before them.

After Gaius finished reading, he took off his glasses and gazed over to Merlin's door. He folded the letter again and stashed it in one of his many books he owned.

The scene changed to the Griffin Landing, where Morgana was looking out the window to the square below.

The knights hissed at her, with the exception of Leon, Lancelot, and Mordred. They had gotten to know the old Morgana, and were unhappy with the new Morgana that was cold and ruthless.

Arthur so wished for his sister to act like she did before — caring, kind, and never once thought of harming others.

Gwen also wished for her old friend to return. She'd missed the old Morgana for too long.

Merlin, however, felt the most guilty. He felt responsible for Morgana turning against her family, friends, and all of Camelot. He felt that he should've ignored the words of Kilgharrah and maybe she wouldn't have put herself in league with Morgause.

Uther walked up behind his ward, only stopping a few feet behind her. "Morgana."

"Yes?" she said as she turned to face him.

"What is this? Why are you not joining us at the feast?" Uther questioned.

"I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for a celebration. That poor mother." Morgana lamented.

"I still can't believe that this is the same Morgana that has been coming after Arthur; claiming that she is the rightful heir to the throne of Camelot." Percival stated in shock.

Arthur nodded in agreement. "At the time, we didn't even know we were related. We were under the pretenses that I was his only child, and that Morgana's father had died in battle when she was a girl," he spoke gently.

"It was simple justice for what he'd done," Uther commented.

"To whom? He practiced some magic; he didn't hurt anyone."

"You were not around twenty years ago; you have no idea what it was like."

Merlin scoffed at the late king's statement, earning some odd glances from his friends. Merlin waved them all off.

"You will see later."

"How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?"

"Until they realize there is no room for magic in my kingdom! You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen."

He began to leave but Morgana was far from finished. "I told you I want no part in these celebrations!"

Uther quickly turned his head around. "I am your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask. If you show me no respect, at least respect our finest singer."

"They were both so stubborn," observed Mordred.

Arthur nodded. "Morgana was the only person who would dare to openly defy him."

Once again, Uther began waking off, and Morgana spoke. "You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you will create!"

"She wasn't wrong; the king had many enemies — including those that practiced magic. It was because of how Uther held himself, and he wouldn't have had so many magical enemies had he not started the Great Purge. They would not have any reason to hate him, and magic would still have been allowed in Camelot. Do you know how many sorcerers and magical creatures wanted Uther dead? Because there's quite a long list." Merlin explained.

Arthur raised a blonde eyebrow. "And how could you possibly know that?"

"I was the one who stopped most of them," Merlin answered as his cheeks turned a bright pink.

Before an argument could arise, the scene of the memory began to shift.

Somewhere in the middle of a forest, a very large tent was set up.

"Hold on. I thought these were Merlin's memories that we're watching. He wasn't there, so how could we be watching this?" Gwaine asked Eleanor.

Eleanor smiled gently. "Merlin's magic is very powerful, and it connects with others who possess magical abilities. This is how we are able to see what is happening here."

Merlin looked at Eleanor with curiosity, but nodded at what she said. She looked very familiar, but he couldn't quite put a finger on her familiarity.

Lady Helen's cavalry was scattered about the tent, while Lady Helen herself was inside of the tent. She was brushing her hair and humming while doing so. When she heard a noise outside of her tent, she stopped humming and set her brush down.

"What happened to the real Lady Helen? Will we ever know?" Leon asked Eleanor.

"Who was she?" Lancelot inquired.

Arthur looked at his bravest and most noble knight. "She was a very famous and talented singer. Father must've asked her to sing at the festival."

Eleanor looked to the senior knight. "As for your question, yes, you will know of what happened to Lady Helen. But that is all I can say on the matter."

Lady Helen heard a scream and her head snapped up in the apparent direction of the scream. She gasped and turned opposite of the direction of the scream and saw a dark shadow lurking on the side of her tent.

"Hello? Gregory?" Lady Helen called out.

A knight opened the tent slightly so that his head could poke inside. "Lady Helen."

Lady Helen let out a breath of relief. "Is all well?" she asked him.

"Yes ma'am." Gregory replied with a kind smile. "With luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow."

"That's good," Lady Helen replied, feeling more relieved.

"I'll be outside if you need me." Gregory informed and then left her tent. Hearing a noise from the woods beyond the tent, he slowly began to draw his sword from his sheath and walked towards the noise. "Who's there? Who's there?" he called but received no answer.

Inside the tent, Lady Helen heard even more noises and watched as a different dark shadow walked around her tent. It was Mary Collins who had appeared at the entrance of the tent, a knife in one hand and a poppet in the other. Lady Helen looked afraid.

Gwen jumped back a bit in fright. "My goodness! That is downright terrifying."

"Akwele seo magdp," Mary chanted, as Lady Helen looked up and down at her. Lady Helen then gasped and began to hold onto her stomach while looking at the witch in pure horror and fright. "Akwele seo magdp," Mary chanted once more, stabbing the poppet with each chant. "Akwele seo magdp," Mary chanted a final time and Lady Helen's lifeless body fell onto the bed. Her eyes were staring straight ahead at the wall of her tent.

"Merlin, do you know what she said?" Elyan asked.

"To kill the maiden," Merlin answered. His voice held no emotion as he continued to look on.

Mary looked at Lady Helen and sat in the chair across from the woman's bed. She held her necklace and began to incant yet another spell. After incanting the spell, Mary Collins's form shifted into that of the now deceased Lady Helen. Mary felt her face to see if her enchantment had worked, and picked up a nearby mirror to show her original self as her reflection, instead of Lady Helen.

"Merlin, are you able to do that?" Percival asked.

Eleanor paused the memory, knowing that there would be a somewhat lengthy conversation approaching.

Merlin looked over at the knight. "Taking the appearance? Or killing?"

Percival looked a bit uneasy when he answered. "Both, I think."

"Yes, I can change my appearance. However, I won't get too much into that yet. As for the other... I've never tried using a poppet, and I most certainly never will. I'm not a fan of using poppets to kill." Merlin answered simply.

The others allowed nervous looks to wash over their faces, and Merlin found the ground to be much more interesting than the faces of his friends.

"Do you mind me asking... using your magic, how many people have you killed?" Lancelot asked carefully. It was a delicate subject matter, and he needed to tread lightly about it.

Merlin looked at Lancelot. "Are we talking people that have died at my hand, or people that have died because of me?" His question took everyone off guard.

Arthur looked over at Merlin. "There is a difference?"

Merlin sighed, and he spoke with a voice that held so much sorrow and despair inside. "Yes. And to answer your question, Lancelot, there have been far too many." His thoughts went to Will, Balinor, Freya, and so many others that had been lost over the years.

Arthur could see the vast range of emotions swimming through Merlin's blue eyes. Remembrance, exhaustion, sadness, and guilt. The king knew he should be angry at Merlin because of his lies, but he felt a surge of protectiveness over his friend.

Merlin composed himself after a few more seconds of silence. "Eleanor, would you please continue the memory?"

Eleanor nodded. "Of course, Merlin."

It was the start of the next day and the scene had now shifted to Merlin's chambers when a soft voice echoed through his tiny room.

"Merlin... Merlin..."

"What on earth was that?" Arthur asked.

Merlin let a small smile play on his lips. "It's not a what, it's a who. But you will see for yourself."

Merlin awoke to the bright sun shining through his window. He got up and walked through the door, leading to the main chambers of the physician. He saw Gaius standing over his table, ladling oatmeal into a bowl.

"I got you water," Gaius said as he pointed to a bucket. "You didn't wash last night."

"Sorry," Merlin mumbled out his apology.

"Help yourself to breakfast."

Merlin made his way to the table and sat down on the bench, picking at his porridge. He was a bit put off at the mere sight of the food.

Meanwhile, Gaius was inching his way towards the bucket of water on the corner of the table, attempting to not be noticed.

Merlin looked at the scene in realization. He smiled gently. "He did that on purpose."

Gaius reached it and, not so subtly, knocked it off the table. In an instant, Merlin's eyes flashed gold as he stood, freezing the bucket of water in midair. He met Gaius's shocked gaze and then let it go, allowing the bucket to hit the floor and the water to splash the floor.

"How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?" Gaius asked, still recovering from the shock of what he'd just seen.

"I don't know any spells." Merlin admitted.

"You do now." Lancelot input.

Merlin smiled sheepishly. "Only a few."

"So what did you do?" Gaius questioned. "There must be something."

"It just happens," Merlin shrugged. He left the table and went to fetch the mop. He then began to clean up the spilled water.

Gaius shook his head at Merlin before continuing to talk. "Well, we better keep you out of trouble. You can help me until I find some paid work for you."

"Here." Gaius said and placed a small sack and a bottle on the table in front of Merlin. "Hollyhock and feverfew for the Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once." Gaius warned.

"Okay," replied Merlin.

"And here." Gaius added before handing Merlin a plate with a sandwich on it. Merlin smiled, and Gaius returned the smile. Merlin then took the sandwich.

"Off you go," Gaius said, nodding towards the door. "And Merlin!" He called before Merlin made it to the door. "I need hardly tell you that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed."

"Was Gaius always so adamant about you remembering the consequences of practicing sorcery?" Arthur questioned.

Merlin nodded. "For my first few months in Camelot, yes. As I got older and got better at hiding my abilities, he no longer needed to remind me of that."

Merlin nodded in understanding and opened the door, ready to start his errands.

Merlin ate his sandwich as he departed from the physician's chambers and through the square to deliver medicine. He knocked on a door, where a squinting old man answered.

"Erm, I brought you your medicine." Merlin stated. He held out a small bottle to the man.

Sir Olwin blindly outstretched his hand for his medicine, which Merlin gladly placed it in. He then popped the cork open, and began to chug every last bit of medicine in the bottle.

Merlin had turned away, but he turned back around after he remembered something. "Oh, and Gaius said don't drink it all at..."

He was too late in his warning, because Sir Olwin had already downed the entire bottle. He shot Merlin a smile.

"I'm sure it's fine," the warlock whispered, smiling nervously as he did so. He then left without another word.

Arthur, Gwen, and the knights all let out laughs as they watched Merlin leave Sir Olwin.

"You look like you've fled the scene of a crime." Gwaine said as he patted his friend on the back.

Merlin gave Gwaine a sheepish smile.

As Merlin walked through the town, he heard a very loud voice speaking.

"Where's the target?"

Gwen smiled in remembrance. "This was your first meet," she told her husband and best friend.

Arthur and Merlin both had sheepish smiles on their faces.

He walked across the bridge to see Arthur Pendragon and a group of knights standing around. They were looking at a servant, who looked like he was carrying a very heavy target. "There, sire?" Asked the servant.

"Sire, was that Morris?" Leon asked.

Arthur nodded. "Yes, that was Morris. Bit dull, really."

"It's into the sun." Arthur observed.

"But, it's not that bright." Morris pointed out.

"A bit like you, then?" Arthur taunted maliciously. This brought about rambunctious laughter from the knights and Arthur.

Merlin stopped to watch what was occurring. "I'll put it on the other end, shall I, sir?" Morris questioned. With Arthur's nod, he picked up the target, carrying it over to the far end of the wall.

"Teach him a lesson. Go on, boy," encouraged one of the knights.

"This'll teach him." Laughed Arthur.

"Yeah."

"Haha. Teach him a lesson," another knight chorused.

Arthur reared back and threw a dagger at Morris, who was still moving.

Gwaine glared at the king. "I thought you were different from other noblemen! You dare to treat that boy with such indignity?"

Arthur gave his knight a scowl. "I've changed since then."

"You certainly have," Gwen noted.

Gwaine let down from his glare, still a bit put off at past Arthur's behavior.

"Hey! Hang on!" Morris argued.

"Don't stop!" Arthur yelled, still laughing. Merlin continued to watch, confusion etched into his features.

Morris took a few steps back, the target still in his hands. "Here?"

On the balcony window, Gwen came out shaking a curtain. She looked down at the commotion below with disappointment all over her face.

"I didn't know you had seen it." Arthur told his wife.

Gwen sighed. "I was, and it was extremely disappointing to see you behave like that."

Arthur held his queen to his side. "I've changed since then."

"I know. But still... you could have hurt him," Gwen scolded gently.

"I told you to keep moving!" Arthur shouted at the servant, throwing another dagger at him in the process. "Come on! Run!" He ordered when Morris stopped to look at him.

Morris shuffled his feet along, straining under the weight of the large target, carrying it across the training field while Arthur continued throwing daggers at him.

"Do you want some moving target practice?" Arthur taunted, and the knights behind him laughed the entire time.

Morris finally tripped and dropped the target, where it rolled over to Merlin's feet. Merlin stopped the target by putting his foot on top of it. This also prevented Morris from being able to pick it up.

"Enter Merlin to save the day," Lancelot stated with a smile.

Merlin and Arthur both looked at each other, smiles on their faces. They could both look back on their first meeting and laugh about it. Both the king and his manservant had changed quite a lot since they first met.

"Hey, come on, that's enough," Merlin said to Arthur. His tone was friendly.

Arthur looked incredibly shocked that a peasant was talking to him like that. "What?" He asked incredulously.

"You've had your fun, my friend." Merlin spoke with a shake of his head.

Arthur looked him up and down, then raised an eyebrow. "Do I know you?" He questioned.

"I'm Merlin." Merlin said with a slight smile, outstretching his hand.

"So I don't know you," Arthur replied as he ignored Merlin's hand.

"No," Merlin answered as his smile faltered a bit. He set it back to his side.

"Yet you called me 'friend,'" Arthur pointed out.

"That was my mistake." Merlin told him.

"You were very brave, Merlin. No one had as much courage as you did to stand up to Arthur like that," Leon told the younger man.

Merlin flushed a bright pink. "I was doing what I thought was right at the time. But I still got into a heap of trouble."

Arthur's face was pink out of sheer embarrassment.

"Yes, I think so," Arthur agreed. He thought he was going to win the argument, as he always had.

"Yeah. I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin then turned to walk away from Arthur.

Gwaine guffawed at Merlin's insult. "Damn, Merlin! You really got under his skin."

Eleanor nodded at the knight's statement. "Indeed. Quite impressive, F — Merlin."

Eleanor thanked the gods that no one had heard her little slip up. She couldn't tell Merlin and the others who she truly was... not yet, at least. The timing had to be just right.

Arthur scoffed and turned to face Merlin's retreating figure. "Or I one who could be so stupid." Merlin stopped walking, but he didn't turn around. "Tell me, Merlin," Arthur continued. He got Merlin to turn around. "Do you know how to walk on your knees?"

"No."

"Would you like me to help you?" Arthur asked, a fake smile spreading across his lips.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Merlin replied.

Arthur looked between both Merlins with a shocked face. "You were threatening me!"

Merlin shot Arthur a smirk. "I was not; I was merely warning you."

Arthur chuckled at the thought. A mere peasant thought that he could harm a prince. "Why? What are you going to do to me?"

"You have no idea." Merlin answered mysteriously.

"I was still warning you when I said that. I didn't have as much control over my powers as I do now, and there was no telling what I would've done had I felt threatened or stressed," Merlin told the king.

Arthur nodded in acknowledgment. It was so much clearer to see that Merlin was only trying to protect himself from any perceived threat or harm.

"Be my guest!" Arthur offered, holding his arms out wide open as an invitation. Merlin just looked around at the crowd. "Come on! Come on! Come on," Arthur taunted.

Looking at the crowd once more, Merlin took a quick swing at Arthur, but Arthur instead twisted Merlin's arm behind his back.

"Merlin, we really have to work on your fighting skills," Elyan stated.

Merlin shrugged. "I'm a lot better than I used to be. Watching you lot train for so long, I've picked up on some things."

"Still... we should train you in combat. That way, you can be even more prepared for any threat — magical or non-magical." Percival said.

"Whoa," said one of the knights.

Up in the balcony window, Gwen cringed in surprise.

"I'll have you thrown in jail for that," Arthur hissed in Merlin's ear.

"What, who do you think you are? The king?" Merlin taunted.

"No. I'm his son, Arthur." Arthur informed before taking him out at the knees.

Guards escorted Merlin, not so gently, down the stairs leading to the dungeon and threw him into one of the cells. Merlin ran his hand through his hair, panicking slightly.

Mordred winced. "Second day in Camelot, and you were already thrown into the dungeons."

Merlin nodded. "Gaius was furious with me when he found out."

In the castle courtyard, 'Lady Helen' and her entourage finally entered Camelot. One of the knights helped Lady Helen off of her horse. As she walked towards the castle entrance, she glanced in a puddle. The reflection of her wizened old self stared back.

Leon looked puzzled. "I thought she had taken Lady Helen's appearance. Why is it that her old reflection is shown?" He asked Merlin.

"She used a glamour spell. It changed her physical appearance, but any reflective surfaces had no effect on the spell. That's why most sorcerers tend to use pools of water when scrying — the water cannot lie," Merlin explained.

Leon nodded as he mulled it over in his mind.

Meanwhile, the double doors of the great hall swung open, and the Lady Helen entered, dressed in a purple gown. She thundered down the long room where King Uther, Lady Morgana, and her maid Guinevere, were waiting. Her heels clicked against the floor. Uther was sitting on the throne.

As soon as she was close enough, Uther got off his throne and ascended the steps to greet her. "Lady Helen. Thank you so much for coming to sing at our celebrations," he said enthusiastically.

Mary Collins, as Lady Helen, curtsied low. "The pleasure's all mine." She gave him a big smile.

"How was your journey?" Uther asked politely.

Helen sighed dramatically. "Oh, the time it took, sire," she said, bringing a hand to her forehead in a dramatic show of exhaustion.

Uther grabbed both of her hands and kissed them. "Well, it's always worth the wait," he replied with a smile.

Lady Helen toyed with the chain around her neck. "It will be," she replied, her tone going cold towards the end.

"How could no one see that she was obviously evil?" Gwaine asked.

"This is from the perspective of Merlin. There are a lot of things you will discover that didn't actually happen," Eleanor explained. "But you will see for yourself what actually did happen through these memories."

The next morning, Merlin awoke in the dungeons to someone calling his name.

"Merlin."

Hearing the voice coming from below him, Merlin got up and backed away. When his name sounded again, Merlin bent toward the ground and nervously placed his ear to the floor.

"Merlin!" Gaius' voice called from outside of the cell.

The door to the cell opened, and Gaius stepped in while Merlin got up off the floor sheepishly.

Gaius wore a frustrated look on his face as he sighed. "You never cease to amaze me! The one thing that someone like you should do is keep your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot and get into a fight with the king's son."

"I'm sorry." Merlin lowered his head as he apologized.

"You're lucky. I managed to pull a few strings to get you released." Gaius said.

Merlin's head shot up at the news. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! I won't forget this." He exclaimed as Gaius shot him a disapproving look.

"Well, there is a small price to pay," Gaius told him.

The scene changed to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with fruit by children.

"Oh, no," Merlin smiled before lowering his head to the flying fruit.

"You smiled about being in the stocks?" Arthur asked in confusion.

Merlin chuckled. "I had never experienced it before. Besides... it was better to laugh about it than to be angry about it."

Gaius laughed as he passed, and Merlin smiled at him. "Thank you!"

The moment was short lived as a group of young children stepped forward with a basket of rotten fruit. "Oh no," Merlin mumbled as they tossed things in his direction. They ran off to find more things to throw.

Gwen walked up to Merlin, who looked over at her as she approached.

"I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen." She said with a smile. "I'm the Lady Morgana's maid."

"Right. I'm Merlin." Merlin introduced. He stuck his hand out at an awkward angle for Gwen to shake. She shook it with a laugh.

"Although most people just call me idiot." Merlin finished.

"So that's how you being an idiot came about," Percival realized.

Merlin chuckled. "This was also when I had thought Arthur was a prat. Which he still is to this day."

Arthur shook his head. "I am not a prat!"

"No, you're a dollop-headed clotpole," Merlin teased.

Arthur rolled his eyes, but a smile formed on his face at the nicknames.

"No, no. I saw what you did. You were so brave. We all thought you were brave." Gwen cooed.

"Or stupid," Merlin mumbled.

"I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him." Gwen told him.

Merlin snorted. "Oh I... I could beat him."

Gwen cocked her head to the side. "You think? Because you don't look like one of these big muscly kind of fellows."

Merlin gave her a smile. "Thanks." He said sarcastically.

Gwen carefully backtracked. "I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just Arthur's one of these real rough, tough, save-the-world kind of men. And... well..."

"What?" Merlin encouraged her to keep going.

"You don't look like that." Gwen told him.

Merlin made a motion with his hand, beckoning her closer. Gwen leaned in to hear what he had to say.

"I'm in disguise."

"You truly were in disguise," Gwen realized.

Both Gwen and Merlin laugh.

"It's great you stood up to him." Gwen said to Merlin.

Merlin perked up. "You think so?"

Gwen nodded. "Arthur's a bully and everyone thought you were a real hero."

"But I'm glad you've changed a lot since then. You have become the man and kings that I've always seen inside of you." Gwen told her husband.

She just didn't tell him that the reason he had changed so much was the addition of Merlin in his life. She wanted Arthur to figure it out for himself.

"Really?" Merlin asked in surprise.

"Mm-hm." Gwen hummed.

Merlin saw that the children were back with more things to throw at him. "Oh, excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting."

Gwen quickly walked away as Merlin was pelted with rotten vegetables.

The scene changed to Merlin and Gaius in their chambers.

"Want some vegetables with that?" Gaius teased as he and Merlin sat down to eat lunch.

Merlin laughed gently. "I know you're still angry with me."

"Your mother asked me to look after you." Gaius reminded hi. 

"Yes." Merlin agreed.

"What did your mother say to you about your gifts?"

"That I was special."

"You are special, the likes of which I have never seen before."

"What did he mean?" Arthur questioned.

Merlin glanced up at his friend. "You'll see."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, magic requires incantations, spells - it takes years to study. What I saw you do was... elemental, instinctive."

"What's the point if it can't be used?"

"That I do not know. You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin."

Merlin looked at his lap before looking at Gaius once more. "Did you ever study magic?"

"Uther banned all such work 20 years ago."

"He was quick to change the subject," Leon observed.

"Why?"

"People used magic for the wrong end. It threw the natural order into chaos. Uther's mission is to destroy everything from back then. Even the dragons."

Merlin knew the true reasons behind Uther's hate for magic. He was dreading when Arthur discovered the reasons, as well.

"All of them?"

"There was one dragon he chose not to kill. Kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle where no one can free it. Now eat up. When you finish, you'll take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice." Gaius said.

Merlin took the vial from Gaius and exited the room. He walked up some steps and along a corridor before he entered Lady Helen's chambers. He set the bottle down and looked around the room, seeing a straw doll on a table. He also saw a book that was halfway hidden by a cloth. He was going to pick it up, but someone entered the room, which caused him to stop.

"You were snooping." Lancelot pointed out.

Merlin smiled. "Only because I had seen the poppet and the book. Besides... my snooping around has saved Arthur's life before."

"What are you doing in here?" Lady Helen demanded.

Merlin looked sheepish. "Um... I was... I was asked to deliver this." He handed her the bottle and walked out of the room.

Behind Merlin, Lady Helen's true reflection was revealed. Merlin stopped for a second outside of her room, and then continued on his way.

"Did you see her reflection?" Gwen asked.

Merlin shook his head. "No. I knew that something didn't feel right, but I didn't know what it was."

The scene changes to Merlin walking through the lower town.

Arthur smirked from behind Merlin. "How's your knee-walking coming along?" He said loudly. Merlin tried to continue walking away, but Arthur continued to taunt him. "Oh, don't run away!"

Gwen shook her head at both of them. What was she going to do with them?

Merlin stopped, but he wouldn't turn around. "From you?"

"Ah, thank God. Thought you were deaf as well as dumb."

"Look, I've told you you're an ass. I just didn't realize you're a royal one." Merlin said as he turned around. He noticed the knights behind Arthur, and he chuckled. "Oh. What are you going to do? You got your daddy's men to protect you?"

Arthur began laughing. "I could take you apart with one blow."

"I could take you apart with less than that," Merlin challenged.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Was that a warning or a threat?"

"That was both. I was preparing to defend myself if necessary, and I was telling you that I could be dangerous if you messed with me," Merlin answered.

Arthur just nodded and continued to watch the memory.

"You sure?" Arthur asked in retaliation.

"Come on," encouraged one of the knights.

And so they began their fight.

"Come on, then. I warn you. I've been trained to kill since birth." Arthur warned.

Merlin feigned impressiveness. "Wow. And how long have you been training to be a prat?"

"So that's how that came about," Elyan realized.

"You can't address me like that." Arthur told him with the shake of his head.

"Sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat... My Lord?" Merlin corrected with a mocking bow.

The knights laughed softly at the comeback.

"This is how your playful banter started." Leon realized with a smile.

Arthur swung his mace towards Merlin, who ducked out of the way.

"Come on, then, Merlin! Come on!" Arthur taunted.

Merlin ducked into the marketplace, landing on a pile of sand. Just as Arthur was gaining on him, Merlin slowly got up.

"Ha-ha. You're in trouble now."

"Oh, God." Merlin mumbled. His eyes flashed gold, and Arthur's mace was caught in a hook. After untangling his mace, Arthur advanced towards Merlin. Once again, Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and moved a box in Arthur's way. When Arthur stepped towards the box, he banged his shin and was starting to stumble.

Arthur's eyes widened. "You were cheating!"

Merlin smirked. "I was not. You're talented with a mace; I'm talented with magic."

"You could've risked being exposed, Merlin." Lancelot said worriedly.

"But I wasn't exposed. I'm still here," Merlin said with a cheeky smile.

"Owww! Arggh!" Arthur cried.

Arthur got up once more, and Merlin's eyes flashed gold a third time. A rope that was lying on the floor tightened as Arthur fell over it.

"Do you want to give up?" Merlin asked.

Arthur looked up at him. "To you?"

"Do you want to give up?" Merlin asked once more.

Merlin began making his way over to Arthur, but he noticed that Gaius was in the crowd of people, which left him unfocused. Arthur used this to his advantage, attacking Merlin with a broom. He sent Merlin to the ground.

As the guards came to arrest Merlin, Arthur held his hand up. "Wait. Let him go." He instructed. "He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one."

The guards let Merlin go, and Arthur eyed him for a second. "There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Was it his courage and bravery?" Gwaine questioned.

Mordred had a sudden thought. "He was probably impressed that Merlin had the nerve to speak to him in such a manner, despite their differences in social status."

Arthur nodded, quite impressed with Mordred's thought. "Actually, yes. I was impressed. He was the first townsperson to speak to me like that. But he certainly wasn't the last," he said and glanced at Gwen quickly.

Merlin stormed into Gaius' chambers with Gaius not far behind him.

"How could you be so foolish?!" Gaius yelled.

"He needed a lesson." Merlin argued.

"Magic must be studied, mastered and used for good. Not for pranks!" Gaius reminded him.

"What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk!" Merlin informed him.

"Then by now you should know how to control yourself." Gaius reprimanded.

"I don't want to! If I can't use magic, what have I got? I'm just a nobody. And I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die." Merlin lamented.

Gwen took Merlin's hand in hers as a sign of comfort. "You are most certainly not a nobody, Merlin. We love you. You are our friend, and you are a part of our family."

Merlin smiled at the queen with teary eyes. "Thank you, Gwen. For the longest time, I've felt so alone. Now I realize that I'm not alone; I have you. All of you."

Eleanor tried not to get choked up, but Mordred had seen her get a big emotional. He handed her a handkerchief that he carried in his satchel.

Eleanor said a quiet 'thank you,' and dabbed at her blue eyes. She considered herself lucky to have such a caring family... even if she was visiting them in the past.

Merlin stormed up to his room, and Gaius followed behind him with his medicine bag.

"Merlin, sit up. Take your shirt off." Gaius told the boy.

Merlin did as he was told without saying a word. His shirt came off to reveal numerous cuts and some bruises.

Arthur held such regret in his eyes. "I didn't know I had hurt you. Merlin... I am so very sorry for that; I should've been more careful."

"You've already been forgiven, Arthur. I know you didn't mean to hurt me," Merlin told him softly.

"You don't know why I was born like this, do you?" Merlin asked.

Gaius shook his head. "No."

"I'm not a monster, am I?" Merlin asked softly.

Everyone went deadly silent. Merlin looked down at the ground, instead of everyone's faces.

Gwen let a single tear roll down her cheek. "How could you possibly think so little of yourself?"

Merlin rubbed his hands together and sighed. "I grew up hearing that magic was evil, and that people who practiced magic were nothing but monsters and demons. After a while of hearing that, I started to believe it." His eyes were sad and full of loneliness.

Lancelot gently patted his friend on the shoulder. "Merlin... you are no monster, nor will you ever be a monster. You are one of the kindest people I've ever known. Even with your magic, you still manage to be the most caring man in all of Camelot. I am truly honored to be your friend."

Merlin looked up to meet the saddened gazes of his friends. It warmed his heart to know that they truly cared for him. Instead of a small frown on his face, a smile replaced it.

"Thank you all. I do know that I'm not a monster now, but I cannot thank everyone enough for your friendship. It truly means a lot to me. I promise to never think of myself like that again," the warlock said.

Arthur put his hand on Merlin's other shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Merlin knew what the gesture meant, and he greatly appreciated it.

"Don't ever think that." Gaius said as he gently gripped Merlin's shoulders.

"Then why am I like this? Please. I need to know why."

"Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me."

Merlin smiled to himself. "Oh, there definitely was."

"If you can't tell me, no one can." Merlin stated, sounding so broken and pained.

Gaius sadly held out a cup towards him. "Take this. It will help with the pain."

The scene changed to Uther and Lady Helen dining in the great hall together.

"Will you sing for me tonight?" Uther asked.

Lady Helen smiled. "You'll have to wait, sire."

"You will not deny me," Uther replied. He sounded a bit more hostile.

Arthur pulled a face of disgust. "My father was flirting with her."

Merlin smirked. "He flirted with a troll."

Arthur glared. "Merlin."

"I'm shutting up," Merlin said with a cheeky smile.

"I'm saving myself for my performance tomorrow." Lady Helen explained. "Will everyone be there?"

"Who would dare to miss it?" Uther questioned.

Lady Helen nodded. "How about your son? It seems a shame not to have met him."

Uther shrugged. "That's Arthur."

"Poor child." Lady Helen commented.

"Hmm?" Uther hummed.

"Poor child. It can't have been easy to grow up without a mother." Lady Helen spoke.

Uther shook his head. "No."

"Hmm. That bond between mother and son... it's so hard to replace." Lady Helen said rather coldly.

"Uther was blind to her true nature. She was being so very obvious." Elyan commented.

"Hasn't been easy." Uther stated.

"I'm sure. Perhaps if you found someone. If you remarried. I'm sure you'd have the pick of any maiden in the kingdom." Lady Helen suggested.

Uther let a small smile grace his lips. "Well, perhaps I'll find love again. But I'm afraid it's too late to replace Arthur's mother."

Lady Helen nodded. "Yes. It's certainly too late for Arthur." She said darkly.

Arthur shuddered. "She sounded so cold and ruthless."

The scene changed to Merlin in his chambers. "Merlin." Called out the voice.

"Merlin. Merlin." The same voice called to him.

Merlin got out of bed and quietly exited the physician's chambers. He made his way through the castle and the courtyard.

"Merlin..."

Merlin headed down the steps towards the dungeons, as if he was following the voice. He paused when he saw a pair of guards playing with some dice. Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and the dice rolled down the halls. As the guards chased after the dice, Merlin couldn't help but grin to himself as he grabbed a torch.

Merlin smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Leon. Your guards are a bit too easy to slip past."

Leon sighed softly. "No, it's quite alright. I can see why people keep breaking out of the dungeons."

"Merlin." The voice called.

Merlin came to a ledge, overlooking a vast cave.

"Merlin." Said the voice once more.

"Where are you?" Merlin asked quite nervously.

Suddenly, a great dragon flew out of the shadows, and landed on the rock before Merlin. "I am here." The dragon said.

Arthur jumped back in shock, nearly going for his sword. "That's the dragon who attacked Camelot. He... he can talk!"

Merlin smiled to himself. "How observant of you, my Lord."

"How small you are for such a great destiny."

"What destiny?" Arthur questioned after he recovered from his shock.

"Why? What do you mean? What destiny?" Merlin asked in confusion.

"Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason."

Merlin perked up. "So there is a reason."

"Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion."

"Right..."

"But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike."

Merlin held a sad look. "Unfortunately, he was right."

"I don't see what this has to do with me?" Merlin said.

"Everything! Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion." Spoke Kilgharrah.

"No. No, you've got this wrong." Merlin denied.

"There is no right or wrong. Only what is and what isn't." Kilgharrah told him.

"That dragon could never give me a straight answer. Always spoke in bloody riddles," Merlin groaned.

"I'm serious. If anyone wants to kill him, They can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand." Merlin said matter-of-factly.

Arthur looked bewildered. "What?!"

Merlin put his hands up in surrender. "I hadn't really known you that well when this happened!"

Kilgharrah laughed. "None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And none of us can escape it."

Merlin shook his head. "No. No way, no. No. There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot."

"He still is." Merlin teased.

"Perhaps it's your destiny to change that." Kilgharrah said as he began to fly away.

"Wa... Wait. Wait. Stop. I need to know more!"

The next morning, Gaius walked into Merlin's messy chambers.

"Oi! Have you seen the state of this room?" Gaius said.

"I... It just happens." Merlin replied.

Gaius raised his eyebrow. "By magic?"

Merlin nodded. "Yeah."

Gaius nodded. "Yes. Well, you can clear it up without magic. Then I want you to get me some herbs. Henbane, wormwood and sorrel. And deliver this to Morgana. Poor girl's suffering from nightmares." He told Merlin.

Arthur donned realization on his face. "Her nightmares... they were visions, weren't they?"

Merlin nodded sadly. "Her powers were starting to mature. She was having visions, but she was unaware that they were visions. She only thought they were nightmares."

"I know the feeling."

The scene changed to Merlin searching for Morgana's chambers. He entered just as she disappeared behind a changing screen.

Gwen laughed silently to herself. "I think I know what happened here."

Morgana, who wasn't aware that Merlin was in the room, began talking to him as if he was Gwen. "You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole. Pass me that dress, will you, Gwen?"

It took Merlin a great deal to not blush from embarrassment of his past self's situation.

Merlin carefully handed Morgana the dress silently.

"I mean, the man's a total jouster," Morgana continued. "Just because I'm the King's ward, that doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it? Well, does it?"

"Mm-mm." Merlin said in a high-pitched voice.

"If he wants me to go, then he should invite me. He hasn't. Know what that means?" Morgana questioned.

"Mm-mm." Merlin shook his head.

Morgana grew a bit confused. "Where are you?" She asked as she peeked a bit over her changing screen.

"Here." Merlin answered in a high-pitched voice, hiding behind one of Morgana's cloaks.

Arthur smirked. "You do make a good girl, Merlin. That's why you stole one of Morgana's dresses."

Merlin looked down, sadness overtaking his voice and his face. "That dress wasn't for me," he muttered softly.

Morgana went back to changing. "It means I'm going by myself."

Merlin put the cloak down and began to leave.

"I need some help with this fastening." Morgana said.

Merlin stopped in his tracks. He turned around, not sure of what to do. Luckily, Gwen appeared.

Morgana did not hear an answer. "Gwen?"

"I'm here." Gwen said.

Merlin whirled around to see her behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Gwen mouthed.

Merlin motioned with his hands that Morgana needed Gwen's help getting dressed.

"Oh," Gwen mouthed in realization.

Gwen chuckled. "Thank goodness I got there in time to save Merlin from a lifetime of embarrassment."

Merlin mouthed something to Gwen before he left the room. Morgana came out from behind the screen in a new dress, carrying another gown in her hands.

"So, it's whether I wear this little tease... or give them a night they'll really remember." Morgana told her maid.

In Lady Helen's chambers, there was a knock on the door. Lady Helen answered it to see a serving girl with a bowl of fruit presented.

"Lady Helen, the compliments of the king." Said the serving girl as she curtsied.

"Come in." Lady Helen waved. She plucked an apple from the basket, and sat down at her vanity. "So sweet. How will I ever repay him?"

The serving girl smiled. "When he hears you sing, that will be more than enough, won't it? I'm really looking forward to the performance."

"So am I." Lady Helen agreed.

Elyan shook his head at this. "She really wasn't hiding her intentions."

"I love singing. I sing all the time. My betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel." The serving girl said as she tidied up around the room.

When she picked up the cloth that was covering the mirror, the true reflection of Lady Helen was revealed. The serving girl gasped and looked at Lady Helen, hoping it was just her imagination. When she soon found out that it wasn't, she tried to leave. Mary Collins, however, grabbed her arm and sucked the life out of her. She left the girl's body in the room, pale and lifeless.

Gwen grew solemn. "That poor girl. To have her life taken from her and to have been so young..."

Merlin and Gaius were in the great hall.

Merlin instantly spotted Arthur and his knights from across the room. They were all laughing at Arthur, who was pretending to be Merlin from their fight the day before.

Arthur and the other men in the room had to do a double take when Morgana entered the room.

"God have mercy." Arthur whispered.

Gwaine smirked. "You fancied her."

Arthur glared. "I didn't even know we were related at the time!"

"At least I now know why Uther never wanted you two to marry," Leon input.

Merlin stared at Morgana as she walked past him.

Gaius, seeing the object of Merlin's staring, nudged him. "Merlin! Remember you're here to work."

Merlin nodded, and he continued to stare at the king's ward as Arthur approached her. Gwen took up the spot next to Merlin, seeing as Gaius had left only a moment or so ago.

"She looks great, doesn't she?" Gwen asked, referring to Morgana.

"Yeah," Merlin agreed instantly.

Gwen sighed. "Some people are born to be queen."

Merlin sighed gently. "Though Morgana is Uther's daughter, her claim to the throne is invalid. Morgana wouldn't be able to take the throne of Camelot because she is Uther's child with another woman. Her illegitimacy is the only thing that prevents her from gaining the throne."

"No!" Merlin said as he tore his gaze over to Gwen. 

"I hope so, one day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?" Gwen said, rolling her eyes as she mentioned the prince.

"You did," Elyan and Arthur recited simultaneously.

Gwen blushed heavily. "I hadn't really gotten to know Arthur back then."

Merlin smiled at her. "Come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save-the-world kind of men."

"No, I like ordinary men like you." Gwen stated.

Merlin laughed mainly to himself. "Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary."

"I've never heard a truer statement," Lancelot interjected.

"No, I didn't mean you! Obviously. Not you. But just... you know, I like much more ordinary men... like you." Gwen backtracked.

"Thanks." Merlin said, unable to decide if she was complimenting or insulting him.

Merlin looked at the queen. "Did you compliment or insult me?"

"It was a compliment, Merlin." Gwen told her best friend.

The two went their separate ways after noticing the awkward tension that was now between them.

Somewhere else in the castle, Lady Helen placed her amber necklace inside of her dress, where it was out of sight of everyone. She walked out of her chambers, humming as she passed the body of the dead serving girl.

Everyone felt a chill go down their spines as they watched the Lady Helen walk past the dead serving girl.

As the guests began to seat themselves, Uther walked up to where Arthur and Lady Morgana were sitting. He then turned around and addressed the audience. "We have enjoyed 20 years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures. But few can compare with the honor of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."

The guests applauded as the music began to play. Lady Helen took her place on the platform that had been laid out for her. As she began to sing, the guests began nodding off to sleep. Merlin noticed what was happening, and clamped his hands over his ears.

"How come you didn't fall under her spell too, Merlin?" Percival asked.

"It was my magic. It protected me, and I was able to shield myself from her enchantment. I don't think she noticed me, though. I was out of her eyeshot." Merlin answered.

Unaware that Merlin was the only one still awake, the Lady Helen stalked forward towards Uther, Arthur, and Morgana. Cobwebs had begun to form over the guests, and the lights flickered off. Lady Helen's attention was solely on Arthur as she pulled a dagger out from her sleeve.

Merlin looked around for something to stop her, and spotted the chandelier right above her. Using his magic, Merlin made the chandelier topple down on top of Lady Helen.

Mordred patted Merlin on the back. "Well done, Emrys."

Merlin nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Mordred."

When the song stopped, the members of the court woke up to see that it was Mary Collins under the chandelier, instead of Lady Helen. With the last of her strength, Mary hurled her dagger towards Arthur.

Merlin slowed time down, and managed to push the prince out of the way of the dagger. The dagger embedded itself into the wooden chair, where Arthur's heart would've been had he still been standing there.

Arthur looked over at Merlin with a grateful look. "Merlin... thank you. Had it not been for you, I would've been dead long ago. You truly did save my life."

Merlin smiled widely, happy to know that Arthur appreciated what he had done. "You're welcome."

With one last groan, Mary died. Uther and Arthur both stared at Merlin in amazement.

"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid." Uther announced.

"Oh, well..."

Uther shook his head. "Don't be modest. You'll be rewarded."

"You don't have to." Merlin told the king.

"No, absolutely." Uther argued. "This merits something quite special."

Merlin did perk up a little. "Well..."

Uther brightened up as he formed an idea. "You should be rewarded with a position with the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant."

"I don't see how becoming the manservant to the prince was considered a reward," Percival remarked.

Arthur sighed. "Father was never one to hand out typical rewards. In his mind, Merlin becoming my manservant was a great honor."

"And it surely was. I've been at your pratty side ever since!" Merlin chirped happily.

Both Merlin and Arthur were flabbergasted. Uther clapped Arthur on the back before walking away. The court began to applaud Merlin for his bravery.

"Father!" Arthur complained.

"You didn't look too happy, Princess." Gwaine commented.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I didn't particularly like Merlin at the time. But I have grown to... tolerate him."

"Oi!" Merlin said, feigning hurt. Arthur chuckled at his friend's antics.

Later that night in Merlin's chambers, Gaius entered with a package covered in red fabric. Merlin was sitting at a table, staring at a single candle.

"Seems you're a hero."

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Merlin said with a laugh.

"Not that hard to believe, actually." Lancelot said.

Gaius shook his head. "No. I knew from the moment I met you. You saved my life, remember?"

"But... that was magic." Merlin said with confusion.

"And now it seems we've finally found a use for it." Gaius told him.

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.

"I saw how you saved Arthur's life."

"Oh, no," Merlin groaned.

"Perhaps that is its purpose." Gaius suggested.

"My destiny." Merlin muttered.

"Indeed." Gaius agreed. He handed Merlin the package. "This book was given to me when I was your age. But I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me." Gaius told him.

Merlin unwrapped the package. He saw that it was a leather-bound book. He began flipping through the pages. "But this is a book of magic."

"That was the best gift I'd ever been given." Merlin stated happily.

"Is it still in your room?" Leon asked.

Merlin nodded. "I've hidden it quite well. I can't risk others discovering my... secret."

"Which is why you must keep it hidden." Gaius told him seriously.

"I will study every word." Merlin said with a giant grin plastered on his face.

There was a knocking on the door that interrupted the conversation.

"Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you right away."

Gaius looked over at the prince's new manservant. "Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants."

Merlin closed his eyes and put the book down. With one last glance at Gaius, he walked out of the room. He looked around Gaius' lab before exiting the chambers altogether.

Once the memory finished, Eleanor stood before the others.

"This memory is only the beginning of the many adventures that have happened and  the ones that have yet to happen. Does anyone have any questions?"

Percival raised his hand. "Do these memories have names? It would be a lot easier to name them, seeing as we have five days' worth of memories to go through."

"These memories are indeed named, Sir Percival. This first memory that we've viewed is titled The Dragon's Call." Eleanor stated.

"It seems quite fitting; seeing as the dragon was the one who kept calling Merlin's name so many times," Elyan stated.

"I believe that now would be a good time to take a small break before we start the next memory. Please, take a few minutes to gather your thoughts if need be." Eleanor announced to the group.

As everyone dispersed, Arthur carefully tapped Merlin on his shoulder. "Merlin... do you mind if I speak to you outside?"

"No, I don't mind," Merlin replied as he and the king stepped outside to talk.

Whatever Arthur wanted to speak to him about, it was imperative that Merlin told Arthur the truth.

~ ~ ~

12446 words

Published:  1/28/2021

Next Update:  Accepting

*I actually updated! I can't wait to write the rest of the series!*