Arthur let go of Merlin's arm as soon as they crossed the threshold of the adjoining room. He stalked deeper into the room, not bothering to look back and see if Merlin was following. When he reached the centre of the room, he stopped but didn't turn around, staring at the far wall in concentration.

Merlin watched him from the closed door after whispering a quick spell under his breath to make sure that they wouldn't be overheard. Since the first day he and the prince had met, there was a spark of... something, it certainly wasn't friendship. But sometime during that first month of his stay in Camelot, that's exactly what it turned out to be, and he didn't want to lose it. He had been dreaming about the day when Arthur and everyone he cared about would finally know the real Merling, no more lies, no more hiding. But now that it was here, he regretted ever wanting things to change. It had taken so long to get to where they are now, it'd be a shame for it to go to waste.

The two men stood in silence for a couple of minutes, each trying to read what the other was thinking. When the silence stretched on to the point where it was excruciatingly unbearable, Merlin ran his hands through his hair.

"I know this is a lot to take in, but you have to believe that everything I did up to now," he pleaded, "I did for you, for Camelot." When Arthur still didn't say anything, Merlin sighed. "Please, Arthur, just says something."

"Why did you never tell me?" Arthur whispered so softly that, if Merlin didn't have heightened hearing, he might not have picked it up. "All this time, you had magic. I mean, I can understand why you didn't want to tell me when we first met since we hardly even knew each other, but what about after? What about when I was king? When my father..." His voice caught and he paused before continuing.

"All this time, you've been lying to me," Arthur said, finally turning back around to face him. "I thought I knew you."

"You do, Arthur," Merlin said desperately. "I'm the same person that I was before we came to this cabin, you just now know that I have magic." he sighed. "You're right, I have lied to you about things in the past, but you have to believe me when I say that everything that I did was to protect you."

"Really?" Arthur said angrily. "Maybe you did all that just so you kill me later on, take the throne or be on your way. To know one sorcerer is to know all."

"Is that really what you think of me?" Merlin asked him disappointed in, not only Arthur but in himself as well for leading him to even consider that possibility.

"Of course not," Arthur admitted. "I'm just... trying to understand why you didn't trust me enough to tell me."

"I wanted to tell you. There were a lot of times when I almost did, but then something magic-related would happen and it would just strengthen your hatred of it. But I do trust you, don't ever think that I don't," Merlin stated. As Arthur started to shake his head, he hurried to dissuade him. "No, I really do. All my life, it's been drilled into me to never give away to anyone that I have magic. You're the first person I really wanted to break that rule for. But I didn't want to put you in a position where you had to decide between Camelot and myself."

Arthur, again, was taken aback by his words. Whatever answer he was expecting, it definitely was not that. Merlin was not just thinking about what would happen to him if Arthur found out about his magic but also how that would affect Arthur and his relationship with him and his people. Merlin has magic. Magic is evil. Merlin is definitely not evil. Could magic be good? He paused before answering, choosing his next words very carefully.

Arthur looked over at his tense friend and gave him a little smile which he returned. "Ok, clearly this will still need some getting used to, but I promise I won't jump to conclusions without getting all the facts." He turned to go back to his wife when a thought struck him. "Just, no more secrets, ok?"

Merlin nodded, "of course. Although you may want to hold on to that until after you've seen all the memories."

"Stop being such a girl, Merlin, and let's get back to the others." He went to go over to the door but paused as his hand hovered over the doorknob. "Oh, and Merlin?" He turned his back again to look at the younger man. "Thank you for saving m life."

Merlin perked up. "What was that?" he asked, putting his hand to his ear.

Arthur chuckled. "You heard me, idiot. Now come on. I'm sure there are a lot more memories that we need to see.

While Merlin and Arthur were talking in the room, a similar conversation was going on in the other.

"What do you think about all this?" asked Percival.

Gwen looked up at the ceiling. "Why he didn't tell us before?" she said desolately.

"Maybe he didn't trust us enough with this secret?" Leon suggested.

"No!" Gwaine suddenly said. "If he didn't tell us, there must have been a good reason why. I know Merlin, probably more than I know myself. You all do too. He has always trusted us in the past and I am 200% certain that he'll continue to do so."

He paused to think before he continued. "Think about it. He has been keeping this secret since he was born. I don't think it would be that easy to let it go."

The others stared at Gwaine, surprise clearly etched on their faces. "Did Gwaine just say something... not stupid?" Percival asked incredulously. Gwaine scoffed at that.

"He is my best mate. I will protect him with my life." The even from you was left unsaid.

"Don't worry, Gwaine," Gwen spoke up. "I doubt any of us wants to cause Merlin any harm."

"But he does speak the truth," Elyan commented. "We have to consider this from Merlin's perspective."

Everyone was quiet for a bit, thinking it over. "If it helps," Lily put in, "you can always see for yourself. These are the memories from until the time when Merlin arrived in Camelot. You'll learn some stuff."

"Thank you, Lily, for showing us this. Even if Arthur won't say it, I think this will finally clear up a lot of things that we missed," Guinevere said thoughtfully.

"Thank you, your highness," Lily said with a small curtsy. When she first thought of the idea of showing them the memories, she was a little reluctant to do so. You never knew what their actions would be, especially when magic is involved, but the future of Albion was in danger.

Merlin and Arthur entered the room shortly after, both of them with grins on their faces.

"I take all is well?" Gwen asked.