Arthur made a show of drinking his mead, however it was unknown if Merlin was watching him or not. He still made the gesture. He needed the drink to rehydrate his mouth as such as he needed the mild encouragement that might come from a bit of alcohol, however Gaius's drink was barely enough to soothe a sore throat.

His poor Merlin was breaking before his eyes and as much as his heart went out to him, Merlin was making him angry. It was just like his idiot to protect the real warlock.

"Merlin, don't be ridiculous. I know you. I know what you're like. You don't have to protect Emrys by claiming to be him. You've tried this sort of thing before – you should know better that trying to take the blame for another is not the solution," explained Arthur as gently as he could.

Merlin looked mournfully from between his splayed fingers at his master and hiccuped.

"I'm not hunting Emrys, although I'm not pleased with how he moved you to shield me from Morganna's attack...," admitted the young Pendragon. "But, you are fine. If you weren't, that would be another story. I assure you, you don't have to protect him. I'm sure he will be fine – as he always has been. Magic might be illegal, but I'm not about to track someone down for trying to help."

"Arthur, I am Emrys," stated Merlin, miserably. "I really am him. That's the name that the druids call me. I – I apparently have many names, but Kilgharrah hasn't told me them all."

"You'll have to stop this nonsense before I lose my temper with you Merlin," threatened Arthur. "Just tell me who led you to attempt to do magic. You aren't in trouble. You're too pure for magic to twist your heart."

Arthur meant it. Merlin had drunk poison for him. He insisted on doing it a second time to attempt to save Arthur from the test of the unicorn, but Arthur had not permitted it. How many times had Merlin stepped into battle just to stay at his side? No wonder he learned magic, he was physically weak and couldn't bare the weight of the armor.

"I am Emrys," stated Merlin again – more forcefully, but still miserably. He was biting his lip and his hands were shaking. "I am magic. Even Morganna can't deny that now! Why are you so stubborn? Why's it so hard for you to see me for what I am?!"

Merlin slammed his hands onto the table, but it was not that impressive. His delicate hands would never be menacing. Merlin showing aggression was the same as a five year old adopting a boxing pose, it was ridiculous.

Arthur gave his friend a small smile, "Alright, alright, I get it. You've been enchanted to think you're Emrys."

"For the sake of my sanity! Arthur!"

Arthur leaned over the table and patted his friend gently on the shoulder. "You just concentrate on healing up and feeling better. You did a great job standing up to Morganna like that. You impressed me, but Merlin... in the future? I don't want you to risk yourself by entering any fights like that. Magic might be useful, but I need you safe. I don't want to have to rely on George anymore. I miss being attended by my manservant. So many are capable of the job, but none of them are my actual friend. Did you hear that, Merlin? You're my friend. I won't allow anything to happen to you. Magic is against the law, but as long as you promise not to practice it anymore. I'm sure I can get away with ignoring your display of talent – I mean my father accepted Gaius, after all. You're not evil and you never will be – just as Gaius could never be evil."

Merlin slammed his head down onto the table. Arthur was afraid he had knocked himself out, but the boy was still moving. His fingers flexing in frustration.

"I'll ask Gaius to look you over, although I'm sure he's already done that. No more magic, Merlin, I mean it!"

There was something warming about being worried about someone close, even if worry itself was stressful. Arthur was so grateful to Merlin, not only for his devoted friendship, but for being worthy of worry. He felt warm inside as his feelings crested for the slim boy who was willing to take on the burden of magic – for his sake.

If only there were others so dedicated to him, no, that was selfish. Arthur doubted that anyone other than Merlin could be so Merlin-like. No. This was obviously special. Regular people did not have Merlin's in their lives or they wouldn't need knights, kingdoms, or kings. They got their security from the show of heroic feats. They were cared for by the kingdom. They needed to have faith in their king.

Their king... Arthur swallowed bitterly. Uther. He hadn't seen his father in quite some time and hopefully no one filled his ears about Merlin, magic, or Morganna's latest attempt to kill him. Truthfully, his affections for his father had weakened. His father had betrayed his mother, he had slaughtered so many for associating with magic when he himself had done so, and he took his guilt out for his actions by spilling blood. His father caused so much pain in an attempt to alleviate his own. It was shameful.

The visit was brief. Uther was a shell of what he had been. He had stopped talking. He had stopped eating. Arthur partially blamed himself for not visiting his father as much as he normally would have, but he had a hard time looking at his father lately. He was no longer the man that Arthur thought he was, and sadly – he was never the man Arthur thought he was. Thin and gaunt – but well cared for, the "King" of Camelot lay helpless in his bed surrounded by attendants.

There was no need to worry about Uther hearing about Merlin, there was nothing he could do to him. His heart beat, but his mind had already died.

Until Death Do Us Part...

Days had passed and the castle was beginning to calm down. Arthur had made Emrys public knowledge and assured his people that they had a heroic secret warlock watching out for the kingdom. Speeches and meetings had made his days painful. He longed for a good long ride with Merlin at his side. The thrill of the hunt, the shudder of his manservant as a stag was brought down. Oh yeah, that would make him feel much better.

The dramatic response from peasant and noble alike were starting to wear on his nerves. His father had done a great job at convincing everyone that magic was vile. This was a fight he would have to win, if Camelot was ever going to stop being a kingdom who stood on the principles of murder.

The rains had stopped.

The snows never returned.

Arthur finally felt as if he could stop worrying about prophecies as his world returned to being what he expected instead of the constant stress filling surprise party.

Once again, George woke Arthur, though. Merlin still had not returned to his work and until that happened, Arthur would not feel true peace. He needed his friend and his insights. He needed Merlin's honesty. He needed Merlin's presence.

"Where's Merlin?" demanded Arthur, past caring whether or not George would take offense. The perfect manservant was quiet. Arthur regretted accusing the man of magic. Thanks to his father, there was an understandable amount of fear that George must be feeling even after Arthur apologized.

"Sire, Merlin...," faltered George. The usual crisp stance was slightly relaxed, not enough to be that noticeable if done by any other person, but for George – he was practically slouching. "Merlin has left us, Sire."

"Excuse me," Arthur could scarcely believe what he was hearing. "Repeat that?"

"Merlin no longer resides in Camelot. He has left."

"He must be visiting his mother. He should have asked permission," remarked Arthur.

"No Sire, I assure you that I heard it from Gaius himself. Merlin has taken his possessions and he has left Camelot, Sire."

"I'm happy to be your servant till the day I die," Arthur whispered, alarmed. He sprang from his bed and then hesitated. If Merlin was going to his death, he wouldn't have taken his things with him. He sat down dejected. Then a wave of realization hit him and his breath hitched. Merlin had broken his oath. The Oath Breaker, he really was Emrys.

The End.

– I'm starting a sequel.

Any and All feedback for this story: writing style comments, plot comments - will be appreciated. Everything - teaches me something.

.

.

.

There was no room for all that I had planned for this fiction. However this was the perfect place for this story to end.

.

The sequel will have those elements/subplots that I had wanted to put in this one. However if I had, I'd have strayed from the point: Merlin -Not Arthur - Merlin.

.

I hope you'll continue to read my writing attempts. The sequel will be named, Merlin - The Oath Breaker