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Arthur Pendragon was dreaming. That he could tell he was dreaming was unusual. That the dream was of a battle was not. Swords clashed around him, hazy in the way only dreams could make them. He stood alone with his own sword and shield surrounded. There was no way he could fight this many warriors. Still, he was not going down without a fight … even in a dream.
“Try me, you cowards! Try me!” Dream Arthur performed his signature sword flip with a cocky grin on his face and moved with lightning precision, attacking a few of the soldiers. Striking one down … Trying to hold off another … Dodging and weaving in between strikes.
That was until he saw Merlin. Somehow his manservant was here. “Arthur! You cannot take on them all!”
Arthur blocked a downward swing
“You don’t get it, do you? This is a battle! It means I have to fight! I don’t have a choice,” he scolded Merlin.
“I do... have a choice. ” his manservant replied. Merlin thrust his hand out, his eyes shining with a golden light. The circle of fighters around Arthur broke. Thrown back. It was magic. His manservant had just done magic and—
And Arthur was in bed, lying tangled in the sheets with one arm over his forehead. He stared up at the canopy. What a ridiculous dream. Merlin with magic? What a …
Suddenly the prince's mind put together years of occurrences, close calls, and incredible strokes of luck … that only happened when Merlin was there. Then his mind was putting together countless things Merlin had said to him over the years … hinting he was something more.
Arthur sat bolt upright in bed, his mind reeling. He sought directions to go with his new knowledge but found none.
For the warlock known as Merlin, it was just another day. He entered Arthur’s room to find him already halfway though his “Let’s have you, lazy daisy.” before realizing the prince was sitting up in bed. He broke off, staring. Arthur was awake before he came in? That was new. Merlin looked at him. “You are awake already?”
Author just made a vague gesture in his direction, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly.
“Are you alright, sire?”
The only response was some sort of odd squeak Merlin could never have imagined Arthur making.
Now Merlin was extra concerned. He set down the tray and moved closer to Arthur who seemed to be gesturing vigorously at him. Arthur was turning red and making sounds Merlin could not make out as words.
“Arthur?” He put a hand to Arthur’s forehead, Arthur fell back on the blankets.
He had no fever , but there was definitely something wrong with Arthur …
“Right, I’m getting help!” Melin turned toward the doorway. He had to find Gaius.
“Stop!” came a choked voice
Merlin, as ever, did not do what he was told, instead continuing to the door
“Please.”
This stopped Merlin in his tracks. There was definitely something very wrong with Arthur. Was it even safe to leave him alone? He turned back to see Arthur just staring at him as if he had suddenly sprouted the head of a wildoren.
“I’m going to call for the guards, Arthur. There is something very wrong with you right now—ot that there is not usually something very wrong with you—just—”
Arthur made what Merlin guessed was a vague gesture in his direction
“Magic.”
The world froze Merlin in his tracks. A chill went down his spine.
“What about magic?”
“You. Have. Magic.”
Merlin could feel his entire body tens.e
“Been so Blind … ” Arthur was stumbling over his words.
“Now that you mention it, you have been oddly oblivious.” Merlin could not stop the worlds coming out of his mouth. This was not how he had ever imagined this conversation going.
Wonderful, Merlin, he thought to himself. He might be wanting to kill you and you insult him.
Merlin held up both hands. “I use it for you, Arthur. Only for you. I’m not evil or …
He could see the thoughts racing behind Arthur's eyes. If I have to run, I can, he thought ignoring the pain the idea of it gave him. He doesn't look like he could get far right now .
Arthur finally seemed to have come to some sort of decision “Going to pretend I never figured this out for now … Won’t tell Father.”
This was better news than Merlin could have hoped for, even if Arthur seemed to have temporarily lost the ability to speak in proper sentences.
He gave Arthur a pleased grin and walked out.