A/N: I'm really sorry for the wait, and although I could give you a ton of excuses, I won't. Honestly, for some reason I fell behind working on this story. So srry, everyone! I am planning on continuing this story.

Thanks for sticking with me. Tell me what you think! I love you all,

MerlinPsych

Arthur just stood there gaping at him for a long time as the weight of his actions slowly dawned upon Merlin, who was in as much shock as the prince was.

Oh my gosh… I just revealed my magic! What have I done?!

Merlin shook slightly as he pondered his predicament. Even if Arthur was heading to his death, there was still time for him to tell on him. How could I have been so stupid?!

But that wasn't even close to his biggest worry.

Even if Arthur didn't tell, he would probably never get the chance to make up for what he'd done. Arthur wouldn't ever stop hating him… until the moment he died.

Somehow, that was unimaginably worse than facing an execution could ever be.

Merlin was unable to stop another sudden rush of tears, and crumpled slowly to the ground. Arthur just stared at him, still too surprised to think properly.

"Please…" Arthur finally gasped out at last, "Please tell me that was one of your stupid jokes…"

Merlin shook his head, weakly. "It's true… I-I only use it for you though… I would never… I mean, I'm not… I-"

"First Morgana and now you?" Arthur sighed, sliding his hand down his face in exhaustion. "Who else has betrayed me?"

"No…" Merlin whispered, "I'm sorry Arthur. I'd never use it against you…."

"Merlin!" he shouted in exasperation, "Magic is against the law! Why would you study it in the first place!"

"I didn't-" he protested.

"Don't lie to me, Merlin!" Arthur cried.

"I'm not!" Merlin whispered back, hurt, "I was born with it!"

"That's impossible!" Arthur yelled.

Merlin shook his head, and silently created a small animated dragon out of sparks, eyes flashing gold. "I can't help it, Arthur. It's a part of who I am."

Arthur squeezed his eyes shut, unable to believe what was happening. "But… How does that even work?! You have to study magic! You can't just have it!"

"What if magic isn't a choice?" Merlin said, softly. "What if it's just something that happens to us?" he extinguished the dragon.

"But it's not!" Arthur protested.

"Not usually…" Merlin admitted, "But I really was born with it. I'm a somewhat… unique case. The druids have even said that I don't just possess magic, I am magic."

"You can't be magic, Merlin!"

"The prophecies say I am to be the most powerful warlock to ever live." Merlin replied, somehow still sounding humble. He was merely stating a fact.

Arthur sank to the ground beside him in shock, trying to process this new information.

Merlin is a sorcerer?! Merlin?!

"B-but… What? So the whole clumsy idiot of a servant thing was just an act?" Arthur asked.

"Of course not!" Merlin snorted, "That's just part of my charm!"

Arthur opened his mouth to shout at Merlin again, but suddenly realized that it wouldn't solve anything. Deep down, Arthur knew that with the Hunger Games staring him in the face he really didn't care that much about Merlin's magic. What was he going to do, execute him? Yeah right!

Arthur had volunteered for a reason. Merlin was his best friend. He wasn't going to let him die, sorcerer or not! After all, the pain behind Merlin's stormy blue eyes was certainly real enough.

"I… I really am sorry…" Merlin said softly, sniffling.

"Hey," Arthur sighed, "I guess you can't help it if you were born with it."

"Really?" Merlin asked, "You… Are you forgiving me?"

"Of course!" Arthur exclaimed, "It's just… If you aren't evil… What have you used magic for?"

"Magic can be a powerful force for good too, you know," Merlin pointed out. "Actually, if it weren't for my magic, you would be dead."

Arthur laughed, shocked. "What?"

"You remember when we went to that party and Lady Helena sang and she was evil and I saved you?" Merlin asked, smiling slightly.

"…Yeah…" Arthur replied, slowly. "So?"

"I used magic." Merlin said, simply. "I froze the dagger so I'd have to time to push you out of the way."

"Even then?" Arthur asked, weakly.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "A 'Thank you Merlin, for saving my royal butt even though it was putting your own life in peril after I was a jerk to you and beat you up!' would be appropriate, here."

Arthur snorted. "You wish, Merlin!"

They laughed, and Merlin felt a huge weight lift off of his shoulders. Arthur knew… And it actually wasn't the end of the world!

"So…" Arthur said, awkwardly, "What else have you done that I don't know about?"

"Time's up!" came a loud voice, as the guards trooped in.

Don't worry, they'll do something to gain more time... they have to! XD That's next chapter though... I'll try to update sooner this time!