Merlin was far from freaking out - he was staring at her hair with a look of amazement and wonder. "It's beautiful," he said simply, feeling touched to have been able to witness it.

"No, it's not fair. Uther's killed countless innocent people in his quest to purge magic from the land," Merlin said, turning away and biting his own lip. His mother and Gaius had always told him how he needed to keep his magic secret, always, how he could never ever let anyone know. He knew that they were right, that it was safer to stay hidden...but Rapunzel was like him. She had magic too - but she couldn't even hide like Merlin could. And it was so lonely, not having anyone who knew what it was like, that he could just talk to about magic.

He shouldn't tell her. Gaius would tell him not to, if here were here. But he wanted to, and if he didn't have someone to talk to here Merlin thought he might go mad. She'd shown him her magic, even though she looks as scared and nervous about doing that as he feels. "Rapunzel...I'm sorry, but I didn't tell you the truth earlier," he started, tentative.

"So you didn't have to hide forever, did you?" he added on with an uncertain smile. If only he could stop hiding too...