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Arthur and Merlin were in the woods on a summer morning, he had ordered merlin to wake him at dawn despite not finishing his chores till late at night , because the prince wanted to go hunting. this was really an excuse to avoid his duties in the harsh sun , retreating to relax in the shade of the trees and cool waters of the streams. Merlin trudged after him through the woods, coming to a stop to drop the packs and equipment and sit on a fallen tree, sweat soaking his tunic. Arthur turns round, merlins commotion had frightened his current prey " what are you doing merlin!" merlin took a gulp from his water skin , quicking an eyebrow at Arthurs outburst " having a drink -its boiling out here" Arthur rolls his eyes and pushes hair from his damp forehead and sits beside him taking his own waterskin in hand.
"i suppose we could stop for a moment" merlin ignores him and scowl this almost empty water skin, " oy cheer up ! its a nice day" he punctuates his sentence by hitting merlins arm causing him to drop the waterskin and watch as the remains of its contents hydrated the dried grass beneath there feet. groaning as he leans forward to retrieve it "how was punching me in the arm meant to cheer me up!" the prince shrugged his smile falling slightly " works with the knights" merlin brings the water skin to his dry lips sulking when not a drop falls. " well they're thick aren't they " he mutters standing up to fetch more water " I'm a knight!" arthur called out behind him . " well .. there you go then" he says in a low voice as he crouches at the brook , letting his hand linger in the cool ripples of the stream he feels a presence settle beside him nudged his shoulder as he sits back .
"I never properly thanked you " Arthur turns his attention to merlins quiet voice " for. .what?" he asks, his head inclining to the side and he looks like a confused puppy . merlin holds back a laugh at the comparison " for helping that druid boy , despite his magic" arthur looked away " he was just a boy I doubt he was a sorcerer merlin" " gaius says there are some who are born with magic, if you knew for sure would you have still helped him" Arthur was quiet , gazed fixed on the water " yes , magic or not he couldn't of done anything wrong, helping him was the right thing to do , and he is safe with his people now. " he looks to merlin a small smile on his face. "what about if someone you knew had magic?" arthu laughs and takes a sip of water " like who, you ?" merlin shrugs in reply "don't be ridiculous merlin " Merlin nudges him "humour me then sire" Arthur hesitates for a moment "alright.. I've always been taught the evils of magic, how it corrupts the soul " merlin is silent and waitis for him to continue, " I don't believe for a moment you have an evil bone in that gangly body of yours" merlin rolled his eyes "i guess id banish you .. though it would sadden me to do so but learning and practising sorcery in camelot, my father would hunt you down if he caught you " merlin furrowed his brow "what if i was born with it "arthur looks him in the eye " if you had no choice .. id keep you safe, you always been loyal to me and to camelot , i fail to see what harm you could possibly do" he scoffs and merlin swallows down the lump in his throat " but what if i had , what if i was magic , and id hurt people , for the sake of camelot , for you " "- " it would make you no different from my knights I suppose , I couldn't punish you for that , it would be hypocritical" merlin breathed a sigh of relief " you would lie to the king? for me?" there's so much I would do for you Arthur doesn't say, merely sending the dark-haired man a sincere smile " its hardly lying if we just don't tell him " merlin laughs and Arthur joins him . " but we don't have to worry about any of that " merlin looks to him in confusion " because your not a sorcerer merlin, I would know " merlin sighs and lays down to look at the sky, he doesn't reply, just wonders if Arthur really is that oblivious.
" I do have magic Arthur, I was born with it, and I use it for you, all I said was true"
Arthur is quiet beside him. and for a moment he fears he changed his mind but then he feels a warm hand fold over his own, he sits up to meet Arthur's eyes.
"thank you"