Merlin: Fate Be Changed

Aftermath

Merlin was so not looking forward to showing up for work today. Since Arthur discovered Merlin's magic, things have been... Awkward. Arthur can no longer stand to meet his gaze anymore and they constantly distance themselves from each other whenever they don't have to be around each other. On top of that, Merlin is 85% sure that someone keeps following him at night. And about 75% of that 85 is sure that Arthur is the culprit. The other 10% goes to Morgana.

Neither of those are good options.

Anyway, because of that he hasn't really been able to communicate with Kilgharrah and convey the recent news regarding Merlin's secret. And also he doesn't want anyone to know that the dragon is still alive. If Arthur finds out, he might snap and kill him as well as himself when he confronts the great beast. If Morgana finds out, she'll discover that he has magic and that the dragon is alive and then there'll be nowhere safe on earth for Merlin. So it will just have to wait until things die down a bit.

So he'd finally reached Arthur's door and quietly crept inside with the prince's breakfast in hand. He gently set it down on the table and tip toed over to the curtains and opened them up, letting the rays of sunshine flow into the room. He heard Arthur mumble something incoherent and shifted in his bed. The warlock took a steady breath and decided that the best way to get things back the way they were was to act as if nothing had changed. "Alright, Arthur! Time to wake up," Merlin said loudly jolting the royal out of his sleep.

"Merlin, what the hell? What time is it?" Arthur grumbled. "Time for you to get out of bed and eat breakfast, that's what," Merlin snipped. Arthur grumbled some more and was lulled back to sleep. Merlin rolled his eyes and caught sight of something in his peripheral vision: a bucket of water. A mischievous grin spread across his face.

No one ever said that things had to go completely back to the way they were.

So, with a flash of gold in his eyes, Merlin levitated the bucket over to Arthur's bed and forced it to hover a few inches from his face. The water sloshed inside the bucket causing a few drops to fall onto the prince's cheek. This made Arthur stir and slowly open his eyes.

What he saw made him squint his eyes in confusion. Then, everything came back all at once and he realized what or rather who was causing the bucket to float and what was about to happen. "Merlin," he began. But before he could continue, the bucket was magically tilted all the way upside down, letting the water crash down onto Arthur's head.

Merlin laughed raucously, clearing enjoying himself.

Outside in the hallway, Merlin's laughter could be heard the passerbyers. But that laughter quickly ceased and turned into a loud, painful howl.

And their day had officially begun.

***

Merlin had just finished dusting Arthur's room, while Arthur sat at his desk writing something and Merlin was about to head back to Gaius's chambers, when Arthur called after him. "Merlin," he said calmly. "Yes, sire?" the sorcerer replied. Arthur looked up from his desk and set his quill down. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something." "Yes?" the warlock continued innocently. It made Arthur feel nervous like what he was about to ask was somehow overstepping boundaries.

Well, it was too late to back out now.

"Um, I was just thinking about what you said earlier about magic not being evil but the people who wield it..." he couldn't do it. Merlin's heart rate picked up. "Yes, Arthur?" "Well, I know you're not evil, but some other people here in Camelot are," Arthur stammered. Merlin didn't miss the way Arthur stressed the word other in that statement. The warlock rolled his eyes and exhaled, "What is it? Do you want me to spy on Morgana or something?" Arthur quirked an eyebrow, "How'd you know I was thinking about that?"

"I... Didn't. I just assumed that maybe you would want me to use my "abilities" to keep a discreet eye on her," Merlin explained. Arthur nodded his head once. "Well, anyway, um, yes. I-If you don't... Mind. Y-Y-You... you're probably busy or something. It... nevermind it was stupid to ask." Merlin decided to take pity on the prince and said, "Arthur, she is a threat to Camelot. I was going to keep an eye on her even if you didn't ask me." Arthur lit up.

"So does this mean..."

"Yes, prat, it means that I'll keep an eye out for any suspicious activity," the warlock answered. The two men fell into a deep silence. "Now if that is all, Sire," Merlin said snapping Arthur out of his thoughts. "Uh, right. That'll be all for now, Merlin," he dismissed. Merlin bowed his head and finished making his way to the door.

Just as he turned the knob, Arthur called out after him again, saying, "Merlin, if what the Fisher King said is true, Camelot is about to become a dangerous place for humans and sorcerers alike." Merlin puzzled. "I need you to be careful. Not for whatever destiny you and I have, but for the people that care about you. Gaius, your mother, Gwaine, Guinevere," the prince clarified. Merlin smirked, "Of course."

Arthur pulled his lips together and Merlin opened wide the door and walked through, closing it after he'd gone. Arthur returned to his work and a few moments later he felt a warm familiar presence in his mind. "By the way, I can read minds. And I care about you, too, clotpole!" Arthur snorted softly and smiled.

2 days later...

In the throne room, Uther sat on his throne with Morgana and Arthur standing on either side of him and the courtiers standing on either side of the aisle awaiting the king's announcement. "People of Camelot and Members of the court, in light of recent news of the prophecy my son has spoken of, anyone bearing news of sorcerers in Camelot, conspirators, or traitors in Camelot shall report their findings immediately to the crown," Uther announced.

The crowd murmured and whispered and Merlin looked to Gaius with concern. Arthur winced at the consequences his lie had brought about. Morgana looked downright terrified. The king raised his hand for silence and the murmurs ceased. "And to that, I issue a warning. Let it be known that anyone harboring or aiding and abetting any sorcerer, traitor, or fugitive will be put on trial along with the guilty party and they shall die by the king's justice.

"Anyone who is a sorcerer or a traitor that doesn't confess now and has been seen caught in the act is to be killed on sight," the king declared. Arthur, Morgana, and Merlin felt their hearts crawl into their throats. And for a second, Merlin and Morgana met each other's gaze before the secret princess looked away. She didn't see the worried look that Arthur gave Merlin nor the look Merlin returned. All any of them knew was that Camelot just became the most dangerous place in all of the five kingdoms.