AN: WARNING! Some spoilers through 4.11, 'The Hunter's Heart.' If you've not seen the 4th season, go watch it! The internet is a beautiful thing; if you can't find anywhere to watch, PM/review and I will let you in on the secret :) Takes place directly after Arthur shows Merlin the apparently not missing maps.

CATHARSIS

"Send me into exile?"

"Yes, Merlin. Do not push me."

Merlin watched Agravaine smirk as he left the vaults. He had never more felt like clawing someone's brains out. "Alright, fine," he said, throwing his hands in the air helplessly. "Send me into exile. But don't do it because I tried to save Camelot."

"Merlin, what the hell are you talking about?" Arthur hissed angrily.

"Giving you a real reason to banish me. Because you seem so keen on the idea. But before I leave you forever, I just want to make sure we're clear about why I'm being banished."

"What are you going on about? Just shut up before you really anger me."

"I am a warlock, Arthur. I am Emrys, and I am the last Dragonlord. I have been 'practicing' magic since I was born, and I have used to it to protect Camelot against Nimueh, Morgause, and now Morgana."

"Merlin, you can hardly expect me to—"

"For once in your life, Arthur, you 'shut up' and let me have my say. I don't mind not getting thanks for what I do, but I am so sick of you yelling at me all the time while I am trying to save Camelot from YOUR STUPIDITY!" Merlin paused, breathing heavily. "Your. Uncle. Is. A. Traitor. He is in league with Morgana, and she is in league with the Southron Army. And when Camelot is about to fall to its knees in a few days time, please for God's sake remember this conversation—and for once in your life, feel some appreciation for what I could have been saving you from."

"Are you insa—" Arthur tried, with no avail, to edge in once more.

"How could you possibly trust anyone more than you trust me? I, who have drunk poison for you, traded my life for yours at the Isle of Blessed, saved you from bandits and dragons and every sort of magical and nonmagical threat. If you're going to banish me, Arthur, then by God you are going to do it because I've broken the law by being magical myself and not because I accused your idiot uncle."

"Merlin, I don't know how many times I have to tell you to stay out of the tavern and—"

But Merlin was already muttering the words, and with a bright flash, he was gone. Leaving behind a very baffled Arthur.

AN: Normally, this is the sort of fanfic that would idle on my computer for my own pleasure and never be posted. But from what I can tell of the mood among Merlin fans, it may just be that I am not the only one who needed a little… catharsis. So I went ahead and shared!

Hope you enjoyed—leave a review and let me know!