Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or this wing sketch that  LethalCris Drawings made!

Author's Rant: So I've seen and read many Wings AU's before, and I've had this one in my head for a while. Basically, everybody is born with wings, and it has come to the point where they aren't viewed as some sort of magic, even when specific wings are different than others.  That being said, everybody has solid color wings, except for people born of powerful blood. Their wings are a solid color until the very bottom layer of feathers, where they display a completely different color. If a person didn't have powerful blood but then gained (or stole) it, their wings' bottom layer will shed into their newly gained color.   Royals are always born with these wings, and sometimes very powerful lords/lady's, but even then it's not as bold as royalty. People do fly, but in and around the castle is banned, so people in the castle and in the towns will act the same. This was really the only picture that was close to what I had in mind, so just imagine these as Merlin's wings except the upper feathers that are grey/black are much darker while the bottom white feathers are a more bright white. Enjoy!

Merlin loved his wings. He did, truly, it's just that sometimes, they can be a bit of a handful. Not only were they an unusually dark black, but the very bottom layer of his feathers were pure white. Why is that troublesome? Well, only royalty and sometimes powerful nobles/people ever had these wings. Merlin certainly wasn't a king, nor was he a landowner. He sometimes felt bad for his mother. Not only did she have to deal with a baby born with magic, but also a baby born with wings that symbolize high power. His mother would have to dye his wings and make him promise to never tell anyone (along with his magic), so he would be safe. When he was older, he tried using magic to cover the white up, but he never succeeded. He never really understood why he had to hind them until after coming to Camelot. Every week, he would use black paint to cover the white. That way, he would be safe from the thousands of questions his royal pratniss and the others would surely have.

And he always got away with it..........until recently.

(1 Week Ago)

"RISE AND SHINE!"

Arthur was having a very pleasant dream about signing a very important peace treaty and throwing a large celebration until it was very rudely disrupted by Merlin's morning screeching. He sat up in his bed, quickly ridding himself of his groggy I-just-woke-up-and-I-can't-process-anything-right-now to glare at Merlin, who was now yanking off his bedsheets.

"Merlin, must you wake me up every day with that awful three-word speech and proceed to rip my blinds apart? " Arthur said. Merlin just continued to smile while he started to pick up Arthur's clothes that were littered all over the floor. 

"Well, sire, perhaps you would rather me to gently pat your arm while you slumber until you wake up an hour later and say 'Your Majesty, it is a new dawn, filled with new possibilities, and, if you allow me, I would like to feed you the finest foods from the kitchens so you'll have enough energy to face any foes of today.' Then, I would proceed to spoon feed you like a baby." Arthur grumbled an insult at his manservant while started to eat his breakfast. While he was eating, he observed Merlin walk around the room to do random chores. Merlin was currently turned, going through his wardrobe to find clothes for Arthur when something caught the king's eye. On one of Merlin's wings, he thought he saw a feather that had a rather massive white blotch of...something, but before he could truly look at it, Merlin turned to walk towards the monarch again. Arthur brushed away his curiosity as Merlin spoke.

"Well, it seems like you don't have any council meetings or training sessions. Gwen left a little while ago to visit the lower town." 

Arthur could see worry shining through his (though he would never admit it to Merlin) friend's eye, guessing what the king would say. Arthur smirked knowing Merlin was going to be upset when he found out what the prince has planned.

"Well, since you've become rather observant, maybe you could put your new skill to use when we go on a hunting trip today with Leon, Elyane, Percival, Gwaine, and Mordred." (Pretend Mordred's never evil in this)

Merlin stifled a groan as Arthur got off the bed and walked to the changing screen. "Don't be such a girls petticoat, Merlin. Honestly, what is your deal when it comes to hunting? You know it is what keeps us alive and with food on our plates." Merlin carried over his king's clothes. "I know that sire, but what you knights do is not hunting for the benefit of yourself, others, or the kingdom. No, you're killing off fluffy rabbits for sport, for entertainment. I will never understand why you people love killing innocent animals so much."

As Merlin finished changing Arthur (because no matter how much the Pendragon denied it, he did not know how to dress. Ugh, royalty), Arthur spoke up. "The others have already packed all of their things, and Gwaine took everything you need down to the horses, so you don't have to run to your chambers. I think it's better that way since now I won't have to go through your laziness and be delayed precious time by the hours."

"Oh, wow, my own personal royal escort," Merlin stated in a false cheer, but he was internally freaking out. 'Oh no. Oh, NO. I  can't go back! I've fallen behind on painting my wings because of all of my work, and the black is starting to wear off. They might actually notice that my wings aren't of a normal servant. Hopefully, Arthur and the others will be as oblivious as they always are.' Merlin settled on relying on Arthur's blindness to carry him through, and the others will dismiss his wings, thinking it as weird birthmarks that could just as on to all of his "unusual traits." Mordred, though he knew of Merlin's other name, still did not know that Merlin had the physical proof of being a warlock, last dragon lord, a high priest of the Old Religion, and basically King of the Druids written on him in white ink. Never the less, Merlin wore his signature "smile" and followed Arthur down to the stables.

(Time Skip)

The sun was setting over the horizon, and they had set camp. Or rather, Merlin set the camp. He didn't mind, after all, this was his job. It's just that he wonders if the knights really care about him. He instantly shuns the very thought. He knows they care, and they all show him in his own way. Elyane feels comfortable in trusting Merlin to look after his sister, Guinevere, as her best friend. Percival opens up to Merlin because he knows that Merlin will memorize every word, even if it's just a few. Gwaine trusts Merlin with everything, even his darkest secrets. Mordred admires and respects Merlin almost to the point where it rivals his own for the king. And Arthur...even if that dollop head tries his darndest to deny it, has shown that he cares for Merlin a great deal. 'Even so, he'll kill you in a heartbeat as soon as he realizes you've been lying to him since day one,' a small voice in the back of his head whispers. He shakes the thought away. Mordred must've seen his distress because he suddenly told the group, "I'll go get more kindle for the fire, Merlin, do you want to help me search?" Merlin nodded in both agreement and in thanks as they both got up soundlessly and walked away. They didn't notice the confused glances of the knights.

After a few minutes of mindless twig-searching, Mordred suddenly broke the silence. "Emrys', what is bothering you so much? For what I can gather, there is no immediate threat to the kingdom or crown, and there aren't any bandits near. Why are you so troubled?"

Merlin was a little too quick on his defense. "Well, you know me, always doing chores, saving Arthur's royal arse all the time, and doing chores for Gaius. I'm just a little tired, that's all."

Mordred frowned at Merlin's response and concern shown through his eyes like beams of light in a dark forest. "Emrys, please, I know you are lying to me. What is wrong?" Merlin stared at Mordred for a long time before he gave a tired sigh. Merlin slowly lifted one of his wings and turns it so Mordred gets a good view of his bottom feathers. "Look closely Mordred. Tell me what you see."

Mordred gently held his wing up to examine Merlin's wing better. He squinted and brushed a feather, and paint residue was left on his finger, leaving a small area on the feather exposed as white. Mordred's eyes widened faster than the warlock thought was even possible and stared at him with a mixture of awe, disbelief, and respect. "Emrys...is this-how.....oh my lord." Merlin huffed. "If you think you're surprised, just wait until one of the others - or even worse, Arthur sees."

Mordred thought hard about the problem at hand. "Well," he began, "as long as there isn't rain or too much work given to you, you may manage to hide it until we get back. I'm sure you can do it...King Emys." 

"MORDRED!"

(Time Skip)

Of course, Mordred had to jinx it. He just HAD to jinx it. The very next day, the group had set camp early because not only was it raining, it was storming. Luckily, there was a cave nearby, so they all took refuge inside and Merlin was actually able to get a fire starting with the few dry twigs found inside. Now, he was huddling in the corner of the cave, trying to find anything, anything to cover the now very visible white feathers on his black wings. After grudgingly giving up, he compromised to hiding in the shadows and stealing the charcoal from the pit when everyone's asleep. Unfortunately, fate was not on his side today.

"Merlin, you bumkin! Are you trying to freeze? Come near the fire before you catch a cold," Arthur yelled at Merlin. Merlin paled and scooted even further away. "I-I'm fine, I could just stay here and look out for bandits they're bound to see our smoke soon, what with the storm quieting down and everything. Better yet, I'll set up my sleeping stuff here." Merlin mentally cursed himself for sounding so nervous. Leon, ever the logical one, frowned and said: "But you should sleep by the fire then, it'll help."

Mordred, who was trying to find Merlin the best escape route, suddenly piped up. "Actually, the fire is about to die out, so it won't make a difference.  Merlin also told me earlier that he was going to take the first watch, right Merlin?" Merlin, who recognized what Mordred was doing, quickly agreed. "Oh right! Silly me, I forgot that I volunteered. Oh well, I won't mind. Thanks."

Arthur, however, either realized what was going on and was being suspicious, or he was just being thick-headed.

"That's nonsense. Merlin can't do the first watch; he'll fall asleep in the first five minutes. And," Arthur proceeded overlooking Merlin's glower, "the fire is still going strong. So, stop being such a girl and come over here. Then, once you realize it, you'll be thanking me."

Merlin barked out a laugh. "Thank you? Never in a million years." He then proceeded to slowly walk towards the others, making sure his wings weren't facing any of them. He sat a little behind Mordred, who was trying to discreetly hide some of Merlin's wings from the view of the others.

After a while, Merlin was slowly easing up because nobody noticed it. What he didn't realize was that the bottom of one of his wings was poking out and was glinting in the firelight.

"Merlin," Gwaine started, "Come here. I think there is something on your wing. It may be blood; it's shining."

As everyone's eyes turned to Merlin, he tried to dismiss the thought. "Oh, it's not blood trust me. I would know if I was bleeding." Merlin through a fake glance over his shoulder and smiled while saying "Yep, not blood. Just mud. It's fine. You don't need to look at it."

Before Mordred could back his claim, Arthur spoke up. 

"Merlin, let Gwaine check your wings. It's better for him to check than for you to get an infection. Now stop complaining and get over here." When Merlin didn't move, Arthur put on his authoritative voice. "Now, Merlin."

Merlin got up shaking and walked over to Gwaine.

Gwaine smiled warmly and held out his hand. "Let's see that wing now." Merlin gave a defeated glance over to Mordred, whose face was that of stone. 'He's probably preparing for what comes next,' Merlin thought defeatedly as he slowly raised his wing for Gwaine and the others to see.

"Now, where was that..." Gwaine's voice died as he saw the bottom layer of feathers of Merlin's wing. Gasps filled the room as all of the knights (except Mordred) stared in disbelief at the sight in front of them. To them, their innocent helpless manservant friend that always wore a smile had been hiding wings fit for a king and was crying quietly.

Percival quietly spoke up. "Merlin...those wings...are fit for a king." 

Merlin laughed bitterly. "Oh, you have no idea." 

"Merlin?" 

Merlin froze he turned around slowly to face his king. Arthur's eyes were bulging out of their sockets and his voice quivered when he spoke. "What is the meaning of this? Are you a royal? Are you a king? Why have you...why did you..." Arthur trailed off. He was shaking. His manservant, his friend, his brother had been lying to him for years. Years. Did he not trust Arthur? His mouth mimicked his thoughts, as he asked "Why did you hide this? Do you not trust me? All this time," Arthur's voice started to rise, "I've treated you like dirt, thrown you in the stock and made you muck out my stabled when all this time...all this time you've been hiding this from me. Why, why did you do it? WHO ARE YOU?!?" At this point, Arthur was screaming at Merlin, who had backed into a stone wall and was crying rivers. 

"Arthur..." Merlin began, "I have always trusted you please don't doubt that. I would never betray you or the kingdom. I swore an oath to stay by your side, or to die loyally. Never once did I not trust you, Arthur. I just..."

The king was uncertain and full of emotion, so his voice was quiet. "Just what?"

Merlin's breathing quickened. "I-I just...", he took a deep inhale and looked into Arthur's eyes. Arthur could see resignation, determination, truth, and so much fear in his eyes. Arthur was shocked to see such fear in Merlin's eyes, but before Merlin answered his question, the manservant's eyes went wide as he pushed Arthur screaming "LOOK OUT!" Arthur was pushed to the ground as an arrow flew past him and embedded itself in Merlin's shoulder. Leon, Percival, Elyane, Gwaine, and Mordred were broken out of their haze and leaped into battle with the bandits. Arthur quickly got off the ground and unsheathed his sword to fight.

As Merlin struggled to get to his feet, the knights took down all of the bandits except one. The bandit who hadn't been sliced yet raised his hand and yelled, "blǣst!"The man's eyes glowed gold and the knights flew backward, slamming against the stone wall. The man smirked.

"Well well well, look what we have here," The sorcerer smirked. "Looks like I got myself some knights in shining armor and a slave! You lot should be fun. 'Names Hale, by the way. But you can call me Master Hale." Hale started to advance towards the knights, but a deep and powerful voice stopped him.

"Stop right there. Don't take another step, or you'll wish to have never of been born." The voice came from none other than Merlin, who was standing straight up with his wings pushed out a little in a display of power. Arthur couldn't believe it. His friend just transitioned from a helpless servant to a powerful man in a split second. Later, Arthur would never admit it, but he was intimidated by him. Whether or not this display scared the sorcerer, he did not show. In fact, he only scoffed and replied with, "And how you planin' on doin' that? You're already injured, and I doubt a scrawny boy like you, no matter what your wings say, has any form of magic." 

Merlin took another step towards Hale, who stood his ground. Suddenly, Merlin laughed. Laughed! When he finished, he smiled a cold smile and said to Hale, "Oh silly me! I forgot to introduce myself. Hale, my name is Merlin but the druids," He glanced at Mordred, who was still in a haze from the impact. "like to call my Emrys." 

Hale's eyes widened and he took a step back but ended up falling backward while Merlin-or is that Emrys? No one knew anymore, advanced slowly. "It's not possible. No, you can't be him! Emrys is merely a myth, a legend for those who still think peace can form between the magical and nonmagical."

"Oh, but I am Emrys. And you, 'Master Hale,' just hurt the Once and Future King and his knights." 

Merlin was looming over the man now, and all of the knights were watching as Merlin/Emrys was terrifying him just by his name alone. Arthur wondered just how many secrets Merlin had hidden from him and if they were ever even friends, to begin with. 'I'd be happy to be your servant till the day I die.' 'I have always trusted you please don't doubt that. I would never betray you or the kingdom. I swore an oath to stay by your side, or to die loyally. Never once did I not trust you...' Merlin resurfaced in his memories, saying all of these things. Arthur knew now, that whatever Merlin is, he's still Merlin, and he's still Arthur's best friend. 

Suddenly, the sorcerer yelled the same spell he used on the knights at Merlin. Merlin, who seemed to be expecting it, merely waved his hand while his eyes glowed gold.

"H-H-How is that possible? No one should be able to block a spell with-without saying a counterspell. W-What are you?" Hale asked with fear dripping off his voice. Merlin lowered himself to where he was eye-level with the bandit-sorcerer, and before he spoke up, Arthur saw his eyes flicked to his, and he could see that they looked as if...he was apologizing and pleading for understanding.  Arthur gave the tiniest nod, but that was all Merlin needed.

"What am I? I am many things, as well as nothing. I am the last High Priest of the Old Religion. I am the last Dragon Lord. I am both the first and last warlock to roam this Earth, making me the most powerful magical being in all time. I am the slayer of the High Priestess Nimueh. I am the master over life and death itself. I am the Lord of all Druids. I am shadow, light, wind, and sky. I was born and will always have magic. I am magic. I am Emrys." Merlin looked over at his friends, who were all watching with mixed emotions. He looked at Arthur and gave a ghost of a smile, and locked eyes as he then said "But I am also Merlin, manservant, and loyal friend of Arthur Pendragon and his knights." Merlin looked back at Hale, who looked as if he was going to pee in his trousers. Merlin's face shadowed over again. 

"I do not take pleasure in killing. However, you have threatened the life of my king and friends. You also forced me to reveal myself, which may make my job a lot harder." As Arthur thought Merlin was going to say something like 'So with that being said -insert spell-!'  Instead, Merlin simply sighed. "Run. Runaway and don't look back. Run, and if you ever abuse your powers again, I will know, and I will find you." When the man didn't move, Merlin yelled "RUN!" and he was off.

When the bandit was finally out of view, Merlin turned to Arthur and started rambling his guts out. "Arthur, I know you probably want to burn me right now-"

"Merlin-" Arthur tried to cut him off, but Merlin was too focused to hear him.

"But just know I have only ever used my magic for you Arthur, only you, I swear-"

"Merlin!"

"I was born with it, I never had a choice, and-"

"Merlin!"

Merlin shut up and stared at Arthur, waiting for some sort of verbal lashing or punishment. Arthur's features softened, and he knew that he would never hurt Merlin. He just saves his life! All of their lives! He just had to get Merlin to see that.

"Merlin," Arthur tried again, "I'm not going to hurt you, or hunt you, and most certainly NOT burn you. However, I would,-along with the rest of us, would like to hear your story."

That was the day Merlin told the knight everything. His victories, his sorrows, his highest and lowest points in life. His mistakes and regrets, his accomplishments and moments of pride. He told them of Balinor, Lancelot, Will, and Freya. He told them about Kilgharrah and Aithusa. And the knights listened. After seven months, the ban on magic was lifted, and Arthur and Merlin worked together to unite Albion and were remembered throughout history, and history would always mention them, naming them with the same saying-

They were like two sides of the same coin.

Wow. I did not expect it to turn out like this. Hopefully, you guys liked it, and make sure to leave comments and/or requests in the comment section. If you ask, I'll post another chapter that just lists what the others' wings look like, but it'll only be that. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a lovely day!