Merlin woke up smiling the next morning. She got dressed smiling and grabbed Arthur's breakfast smiling.

Her cheeks really hurt, but every time she tried to stop smiling her mind would replay the events of the night before and she was smiling again.

She walked passed Gwen who gave her a look. Merlin only smiled brighter. "I'll tell you later."

When she walked into Arthur's chambers her heart was pounding.

She opened up the curtains shouting "Rise and Shine!" As she jumped onto the bed.

The bounce of the bed made Arthur open his eyes. "Good morning."

He pulled her close and kissed her. She smiled against his lips and kissed him back. "Morning."

"Come on. Up." She pulled him out of bed but he only pulled her back down.

"I'm much happier here." Her started to kiss her neck.

"No. Up. You have important stuff to do. You've been playing sick for the past week, you have to start catching up today." Merlin forced herself away and stands up.

Arthur frowned and followed her up. He walked over to his screen and dressed himself.

"Did you ever finish that book?" Merlin asked as she got sat down at his table, taking his apple.

"Yeah. I really enjoyed it. I never knew the Greek religion was so interesting." Arthur thought aloud as he came back out in his normal outfit.

"That's what I tried to tell you. But as always you didn't listen." Merlin joked.

Arthur rolled his eyes as he sat down and started to eat his food. "Don't you have something to do?"

"Not really. I already did your laundry yesterday. So I have nothing right now." Merlin explained and Arthur nodded.

A knock on the door made Merlin stand up. She opened to the door to see a guard.

"The king request the prince's presence in greeting the witch hunter." The guard said and Merlin felt all happy feelings of the morning leave her.

"Of course. He'll be down in a moment." She closed the door and turned back to him.

He finished his breakfast quickly and grabbed his jacket. "I'll see you later." He told her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as he left.

Once he was gone Merlin let out a shaky breath. Oh boy.

She ran to Morgana's chambers and opened the door.

Both Morgana and Gwen looked at her oddly. Merlin looked at Gwen.

"Hi." She said awkwardly, knowing she had to keep quite in front of Gwen.

Gwen, who was pretty sure Merlin had magic, looked at Morgana. "Did you hear the witch hunter is arriving today?"

Gwen shot a quick look at Merlin to see her pale even more.

"He is?" Morgana asked, paling herself, for she had been studying magic as well.

"Yes. His name is Aredian. My father says he was one of Uther's most trusted friends." Gwen told them and looked at Merlin.

"I would hope my friends, would feel that I would never tell anyone anything if I were to be questioned. And would not be scared of them." Gwen watched as Merlin realized the meaning of her words.

"You... you know?" Merlin whispered.

"I had my suspicions." Gwen admitted. "And Merlin. It's okay."

Merlin hugged Gwen. Merlin felt her eyes tear and her breath become shaky. Gwen only held tighter.

"Gwen. There more I need to tell you." Merlin said pulling away.

Gwen nodded and sat down.

——

Gwen seemed to be struggling to absorb all of the information. "You were born with Magic. You're the most powerful magic user ever. Destined to protect Arthur, and have been practicing magic with Morgana, who was also born with magic, alone with my boyfriend and Ewan who have been learning how to fight magic users."

Merlin and Morgana. "That just about sums it up."

"And this Aredian guy, is coming to look for this Emrys person, who also happens to be you?"

"Yep." Merlin nodded and tried to smile. "I'm gonna die."

"No your not. Merlin if you can live in Camelot for almost a year and not be found out, what makes you think that this Aredian guy is going to find you." Morgana reassured.

"Plus, Uther trust you. Like really trusts you. Almost as much as he first Gaius, maybe even equally. You'll be fine." Gwen cut in.

"Yeah. Hopefully." She mumbled and took a deep breath.

"Was this what you wanted to tell me earlier?" Gwen asked after a couple moments of silence.

"What?" Merlin looked confused.

"This morning. I passed you in then hallway and you told me you'll tell me something later. Was that it?" Gwen pushed and Merlin started to smile.

"No. No it's um that yesterday. Me and Arthur almost kissed." She stayed to tell them but they interrupted.

"Oh my stars! No way!" Morgana cried and Gwen laughed.

"Shut up I'm not done there's more. So later last night I was thinking about it and apparently he was too because he shows up at my door in the middle of the night and just snogs me. Like full blown make out." They squeal. "And then he tells me he loves me."

"I KNEW IT!!" Morgana screamed.

"I mean I obviously said it back and... it was bliss." She finished smiling.

"I knew it! I knew it! I've known it for months now!" Morgana changed as she gave Merlin a hug. "I'm so happy for you two."

"What'll Uther do?" Gwen asked and Morgana froze.

"Yeah, what about Uther?"

"Well, I don't know. But Arthur told me that he didn't care about his father's feelings. He told me that it's true love and nothing can stop true love." Merlin said and felt herself swooning.

"Awwwwwwwww!" Both girls said and giggled.

Suddenly Morgana froze. "Does that mean your going to tell Arthur about your magic?"

Merlin frowned. "I don't know. I mean, we'll have to speak to the Kilgharrah."

"Who?" Gwen questioned.

"The dragon." Morgana explained.

"Can I come?" Gwen looked at the two pleading.

"Fine." Merlin said and frowned again.

What was she going to do?

——

When Arthur walked into the throne room he was smiling.

"Mornin' dad." He said and sat down in his throne next to his father.

"Good Morning. Arthur." Uther was giving Arthur an odd look. "You seem happy this morning."

Arthur's eyes widened for a second before he relaxed. "Just happy to be better. You know?"

"Of course. I'm happy as well. It was terribly boring doing things like this without you." Uther whispered and Arthur chuckled.

"So, this Aredian fellow. You worked with him before?" Arthur changed the subject.

"Yes. He was very helpful to me in the purge." Uther explained.

Just then Morgana walked in, her face cold. "Good morning Morgana."

Morgana looked at Uther and Arthur. "Good Morning."

She walked up to her seat on the opposite side of Uther and sat down.

"How did you sleep?" Uther asked and Morgana genuinely smiled.

"Amazingly." She replied honestly.

"I'm happy to see that your nightmares are truly gone. It was painful seeing you so tired." Uther told her grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Yes, Merlin's technics have been working wonders." She smiled at Arthur who smiled giddily again at the mention of Merlin.

"Merlin?" Uther asked.

"Yes, she showed me this thing called meditation, I do it before I go to sleep and after I wake up, not for long only five minutes. But I swear it causes the dreams to stop." She explained. Though that's not entirely true.

The meditation is to get the visions to come to her while she's not sleeping, and doing this keeps them out of her dreams.

Uther and Arthur nodded. "Well, whatever keeps the nightmares away."

Morgana nodded in agreement. "My thoughts exactly."

Uther opened his mouth to ask another question when a guard opened the doors. The three of them stood.

Aredian walked in, wearing this large hat on his head and all black clothes.

"King Uther." He said with a smile.

"Aredian." Uther greeted back and hugged the man.

Aredian looked over Uthers shoulder at the two young adults.

"My look at these two! I remember when Arthur was no taller than my knee!" He walked up to Arthur and held out his hand. "Good to see you my boy."

"I apologize, I don't remember much of my childhood. But it's good to see you as well." Arthur admitted as they shook hands.

"And Morgana Le Frey, you look so much like your mother." He held out his hand and Morgana shook it.

"I've been told." Morgana smiled at the man, though her heart was pounding.

He turned back to Uther. "Tell me old friend, what is it you need me for?"

"I've been told of a woman, the queen of all magic, Emrys. Learning of her existence has, and I'll admit it, got me paranoid. The queen of magic, must be planning something. I've called because I want your help finding her." Uther told him.

"Of course. I've heard of this Emrys myself and have been searching for her. Combining our knowledge of her could give us some answers." Aredian told Uther and Uther smirked.

"Well, then let us get to work." Uther said and looked his two children. "You may leave us."

Both young adults bowed their heads a little and left the room.

"So Morgana how's-" Arthur tried to speak to his friend but she only sighed.

"I have to go. Sorry." She hurried off.

Arthur huffed. He turned and started for the knights chambers. Maybe he could hang out with them.

——

Morgana walked into Merlin's chambers too see her and Gwen waiting for her.

Gwen was bouncing on her feet. "A dragon! This is so exciting!"

"Come on." Was all Merlin said as she lead them down to the dungeons.

They walked into the cavern slowly and Gwen looked around. "Woah."

"Woah indeed." Kilgharrah smirked as he landed in front of them.

"Holy shit!" Gwen exclaimed and both ladies looked at her in shock. "Oh my god did I say that out loud. That was so improper. My apologies."

The other three laughed. "Guinevere, it is an honor to meet you."

"Likewise." She breathed out in awe.

"What can I do for you three?" Kilgharrah asked.

"Well, I need to know if it's safe to tell Arthur of my magic." Merlin told him. "Because last time he knew, the world almost ended."

"Why would you tell him if your powers?" He questioned.

"Because.... I want too." She told him.

"I do believe that if you tell him of your magic, your destinies would still be intact. You have no worries." Kilgharrah explained and the three girls let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you." Merlin told him and they went to leave.

"Oh and Merlin?" Kilgharrah called out smirking. Merlin turned. "I want an invitation to the wedding."

Merlin's jaw dropped. "How did you-" She started but Morgana was pulling her away.

——

"So what do you know of Emrys?" Uther asked Aredian.

Aredian thought for a moment. "She's powerful. More powerful than anyone's ever been."

Uther nodded, causing Aredian to continue. "I've heard she is a protector, a protector of the Once and Future king. The one who is going to unite all of Albion."

Uther nodded again. "I've heard she is an advocate for peace. But she's a sorceress, how could she be."

Aredian shook his head. "I've heard that she isn't a sorceress. But she's a witch."

"What's the difference?" Uther asked.

"A sorceress learns magic. Witches are born with it." Aredian whispered. "There incredibly rare. There hasn't been one for decades. But I have a theory as to how she came to be."

Uther felt his stomach drop.

"Magic is all about balance, right? So I'm thinking that you disrupted the balance. Once we killed all those sorcerers the magic had no where to go, so it all went to Emrys." Aredian suggested.

Uther nodded. Could it be possible, that people were born with magic?

How many people had he killed who had no choice?

Uther looked back at Aredian. "What else have you learned?"

"Well, what we know is that it is a woman a little younger than Arthur. One who is dead sent on protecting the Once and Future King, who is rumored among the magic community to be your son. So she's probably already in Camelot, without anyone noticing." Aredian recapped.

Merlin.

It had to be Merlin.

But, it was Merlin. There was no way she would harm anyone. She was the nicest person in Camelot.

Aredian spoke once more. "Do you have any ideas on who it could be?"

Uther looked at his friend again. He thought for a moment, before deciding. "No. Not a clue."

——

As Arthur made it to the knights rooms he froze, Merlin was inside.

"LEON! Are you kidding?! That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard!" He heard Merlin say.

Leon let out a small laugh. "You can't tell anyone. If anyone found out about her..."

"I completely understand Leon. I won't tell a soul." She told him.

"What am I going to do?" Leon sounded desperate. "I love my life here. You know? I have amazing job. Even better friends, and family here. I have my brother Keenan, I have Gwen, who I grew up with she's practically a sister. I have you and Ewan and Lance and Arthur."

"How could I leave this for some druid girl I fell in love with." What?

Arthur's jaw dropped. Leon was in love with a Druid, and was debating on running away with her.

"Well, what if she came here?" Merlin offered.

Leon snorted. "Oh yeah let me just harbor a Druid in my house."

Arthur could hear Leon flop onto his bed. "Why not?"

"Because! I'm a knight I have to follow the rules." Leon defended.

"And if the rules are wrong?" Merlin pushed.

"Then..." Leon trailed off.

"Do you love this girl?" Merlin asked.

Arthur assumed he nodded.

"Do you want to be with this girl?"

Again assuming a nod.

"Then be with her. Love is something special Leon, don't waste it." Merlin told him and Leon laughed once more.

"I've better get back to Arthur. He probably needs by now. Think over what I told you. And remember, whatever you decide. I'll help you." With that Merlin left the room.

Arthur hid in Lancelot's chambers as she passed. "Hey Arthur."

Arthur turned to see both Ewan and Lance looking at him.

"Whatcha doing?" Lance asked standing.

"Just dropping in to say hi."

"Oh, because it looks like your hiding from someone." Ewan said standing in front of Arthur.

"Yeah, it's almost like your hiding from either Merlin or Leon, because I know they having a serious conversation over there." Lance joined his cousin.

They both gave him a look. "Alright, I may have been ease dropping on them."

"Merlin's gonna kill you if she finds out." Ewan laughed.

"Which is why she won't. Or else someone might end up in the stocks. And since I won't know which one of you it was I'll just have you both in the stocks." Arthur warned and the two nodded.

"Understood Sire." Ewan said and left the rooms to go speak to Leon.

Arthur went to leave. "So is it true?"

He turned back to Lance. "What?"

"What you told Merlin?" Lance asked and suddenly he was holding a sword he did not have moments ago.

"How do you know about that?"

"Gwen."

"How does Gwen know?"

"Merlin."

"Who else knows?"

"Morgana, Ewan and now probably Leon. Don't worry we don't have anyone else we trust enough to tell." Lance said with a smile. But it turned cold. "Now, is it true? Do you love her?"

Arthur nodded. "More than words can say."

Lance nodded. "Good." He held his sword up to his neck. "I trust nothing would happen her, now I know Merlin's a strong girl, and can take care of herself. But a broken heart, even she can't protect herself from that. But I can. Because Merlin is my little sister and I promise you. The moment i see her with a broken heart, I'm going to find you. And torture you for so long, you'll wish I'd have killed you. The fact that your a prince be damned. Understand?"

"Yes sir." Arthur squeaked and Lance smiled.

"Alright, see you later Arthur." Lance said as if nothing had happened. Lance walked back over to his bed and laid down pulling out a book.

Arthur nodded and ran out of the room.

"Oh boy." He mumbled to himself.

——

Aredian was on the hunt. He knew Emrys was somewhere in this castle, just not where.

The obvious place to start were the young servants. Servants always had new gossip on this and that.

"You wanted to see me?" He turned to see a young woman.

"Yes. Your name?"

The young woman looked up at him as he lead her to a seat. "Guinevere."

"Alright Ms. Guinevere. I'm going to ask you a couple of questions. And you, are going to answer them." Aredian sat across from her.

"You work for the Lady Morgana. Do you not?" He started.

"Yes. I also help the royal seamstress when she's overloaded with work." Gwen answered honestly.

"Good. Have you noticed anything unusual happen around here recently?"

"It's Camelot, unusual things happen all the time." She joked with him.

Aredian only continued to look at her. "No, I haven't really noticed anything happen recently. Things have been quiet since the Melle, and there was an assassination attempt on the prince."

Aredian sighed. This girl was a waste of time. "You may go. Remember if you see something, tell me."

"Of course."

Aredian followed her to the door of his chambers and looked at the guard outside. "Call for the Princes personal servant."

Minutes later another young woman was walking in. "With my luck he'll say I am a sorceress. Thanks John."

The girl closed the door and looked at him.

Oh. It's a girl.

"Hello. I want to ask you a couple of questions." Aredian said and pointed to the chair opposite him. "Please, sit."

The girl sat and waited for him to ask a question. "What is your name?"

"Merlin, sir."

"You work for Prince Arthur, correct?"

"Yes, I'm also the Physicians apprentice." She told him and he nodded.

"You work under Gaius?" The girl nodded.

Gaius was a magic user, he would harbor a sorceress.

"Have you noticed anything unusual recently?" He asked.

Merlin thought. Before shaking her head. "No, it's oddly been relaxed in Camelot the past two weeks, maybe three."

"You spend a lot of time with the prince. Correct?"

"I wouldn't be a good servant if I wasn't." She told him.

"Who would you say spends the most time with the prince?"

"Me, I suppose. He does spend a lot of time with his father. And his closest friends."

"Who would that be?"

"Sirs Leon, Lancelot, and Ewan." She named.

Aredian smirked. "What do you know of Emrys?"

Merlin gave him a look of thought. "The one that the King was asking about? Well, what I told him. She's a powerful magic user. Who is said to be an advocate for peace among the druids. I've already told all of this to the King."

Aredian raised an eyebrow. "Are you from Camelot?"

"No. I'm from Ealdor. A small village-"

"Just across the border in Essetir, Yes I'm aware of the village. I was sent to find a demon child there years ago, probably when you were younger."  Aredian smirked when she paled.

"My friend Will. He studied magic. He found it fascinating. You were probably looking for him." Merlin told him, her heart feeling heavy at the lie.

"I'm sure. That'll be all Merlin. Enjoy your day." He watched as Merlin left the room. "It'll be your last."

——

After questioning a couple more people, most of them being in Merlin's main group of friends, even going as far as to question Morgana and Arthur, Aredian requested a court.

Both Merlin and Gwen stood next to the platform with the three thrones on it.

Uther gave Merlin a quick glance before shaking his head. "Aredian, Have you found Emrys?"

Lance and Ewan made their way over the Merlin.

Ewan hugged her from behind. His arms around her and his head on her shoulder. Lancelot stood on her right holding her hand, Gwen on her left holding her other.

She smiled at her friends.

"I believe I have. And I am sorry to tell you it is someone you all trust, someone you all have become friends with. Her charade of kindness and empathy has fooled you all. In fact she is so trusted by you all she is in this very room."

Morgana looked towards Merlin and smiled reassuringly.

Merlin tightened her grip on both Lance and Gwen's hands.

"I myself was almost fooled by her lies. But let me tell you that I have never been wrong once before."

Uther shot a glance at Merlin, who looked ready to cry she was so scared.

Oh my god.

She is Emrys.

Merlin.

He never would have thought she would be corrupted by magic.

"I remember years ago. I was sent to a small village. To catch a demon child and bring it back to you. And now, almost ten years later I am finally able to do that."

Everyone held their breath.

"Emrys is the girl. Merlin." He turned and pointed to her.

Morgana stood up. "It's not true!"

Arthur looked ready to kill the man. "Father you can't believe him."

Uther looked at Merlin. She was pale and lost in thought. He watched as Ewan pulled her back and pushed her into Gwen's arms. He then stood in front of her next to Lance, the two blocking Aredian from her.

"Your wrong. Merlin isn't a sorceress." Ewan shouted.

The room was in chaos. People trying to defend Merlin and people saying to burn her.

Uther watched as Merlin shook her head and tore herself from Gwen's grip. "Stop. Guys I can't let you get in trouble for me."

Merlin started to walk towards Aredian. Both Lance and Ewan tried to stop her.

"Dad." Uther turned to Arthur. "It's Merlin. Please."

Uther finally stood. The room becoming silent as he stood.

"I apologize to tell you this Aredian, but she did fool you." Both Aredian and Merlin looked at him confused. "You've been fooled by her bad luck."

Merlin's jaw dropped. "Merlin has terrible luck. Merlin is always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or the perfect place at the perfect time, but she's Merlin. She's only been here a little then a year and she had become one of Camelot's most trusted servants. I trust Merlin that I do some of my own advisors. Because she would never do anything Camelot."

Uther looked at Merlin and grinned. "I'm sorry but I think this is the first time you've been wrong my friend."

Aredian lost it. He started to yell and scream and almost charged at the girl. "Guards please take him to his chambers. And don't let him leave until he's calmed."

With him gone the room was silent.

That is until the sobs. Everyone turns to Merlin, who's started crying. "Sorry, that was just terrifying."

Immediately Arthur and Morgana leave his sides and run to Merlin's.

"No I'm fine. I'm fine."

"Everyone's dismissed." Uther boomed and people started to scatter. Some people just left, as others walked up to Merlin and patted her back. Some hugging her. Sir Leon seemed to make her laugh before leaving.

Soon it was just Merlin with Arthur and Morgana.

"Go, I see you two later. I want to go thank Uther, alone." Morgana looked at her suspiciously but left. Arthur gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Arthur." She scolded.

Arthur laughed. "I love you."

He had whispered it, thinking it was quite enough for Uther not to hear but their was no other noise in the room. The smallest of sounds could echo.

Uther watched the two as Merlin hugged Arthur tightly.

"Now go." She pushed him away and he nodded.

Soon it was just Uther and Merlin alone.

"I don't understand." Merlin started and turned to face Uther. "Why did you do that?"

"Because. Your Merlin. Some people may call you Emrys, but your Merlin." Uther shrugged.

"But-" Merlin started.

"I know. I hated magic. If yesterday someone told me that I would do that I wouldn't believe them. But it's today. A new day. A new age. A time where I think that I'm not what Camelot needs." Uther explained.

"What could cause you to just change your mind like that?" Merlin felt tears in her eyes.

"Young love. Old age and a softened heart. You." Uther listed. "Take your pick."

"Me?" Merlin pointed to herself.

"Yes you. Merlin, your a good person. It's a simple as that. Your smart and kind and empathetic and powerful, but modest." Uther explained. He stood and started walking towards her. "You've helped change the way I see the world. I understand now. That yes, magic can do terrible, terrible things. But I can do amazing things. Wonder amazing things. Like give me my son. Or save him over and over again."

Merlin looked up at Uther and shook her head. "I still don't understand."

"Neither do I." He told her and Merlin laughed. "Now go. Be with your friends. Your safe, I promise you."

Merlin nodded and started towards the door. Once there she turned. "Thank you."

"It's the least I could do." Uther told her and she left.

——

She walked into her chambers to see all of her friend. All but Morgana.

"Where's Morgana?" Everyone pointed to the back room. Where as of on cue Morgana and Gaius walked out.

"Gaius!" She ran over and hugged him. "You're back early."

"Yes, Lady Braylon has her son a little early, but he is a strong baby and will be just fine." He patted her head and cupped her face. "You however have apparently gone through a lot in the past couple of days."

Merlin nodded and hugged him tight again. "I missed you."

"And I you." Gaius kissed the side of her head and then pulled away.

"I'll let all of you talk amongst yourselves. I should go talk to Sir Jackson anyway. And tell him about his new nephew."

With Gaius gone Arthur spoke. "Why must it always be Merlin to be accused of something outrageous?"

Only Leon laughed while the others gave each other looks. Merlin nodded and stood.

"That's the thing. Arthur, Leon. I am Emrys."

————

Cliff hanger! And two in one day! Damn I must be sick or something.

I'm just really in a writing mood. Don't worry I have a lot of plans I know exactly where I want this story to go.

This book will be ending soon-ish. A couple of more chapters then the end. And I'm debating on doing a third, because I just don't know.

I could end this book with a happy ending with an epilogue and everything or I could have it end with the like when Camelot's taken over and stuff and I have ideas but... opinion?