Arthur inspected Merlin as they rode in silence together. His father had sent him on a solo expedition to lord Cendred's kingdom, which obviously meant it was just him and Merlin. Merlin seemed sad; there was an air of despair around him that tugged at Arthur's heart strings. He knew he wasn't supposed to care for his servants, let alone fall in love with them, but something about Merlin made him want to never do anything but be with him. It unnerved Arthur that he was in love so deeply. Merlin had no idea the power he had over Arthur. Power... that brought up another important point about Merlin. He was a sorcerer, a very powerful one. Yes Arthur knew. How could he not have? At first he had been angry beyond belief. He thought of going to his father. As soon as he had that thought, all anger fled from him. If he went to his father Merlin would be dead. Dead, no Merlin dead was not something that was acceptable. Then Arthur truly thought about it. Sure he had just seen Merlin use his magic to stop the most powerful sorcerer ever. No, Arthur thought, correcting himself. The second most powerful sorcerer ever. Merlin was the most powerful. What else had Merlin used magic for? Then every question Arthur had ever had was answered. How he was guided out of the caves by the comforting ball of blue light, how he survived his encounter with the questing beast, how he managed to save Camelot when he didn't remember it. All of that had been Merlin and others, including himself, had taken the glory. Merlin had never said anything, letting others take the praise for something they hadn't done.
"Merlin." Arthur asked softly. Merlin's head jerked up and met Arthur's eyes. It was then that Arthur realized Merlin was crying, soft tears making their way down his pale face. His lips were bright red, probably from being bitten to hold back sobs. Arthur slowed his horse until they were riding right next to each other. Without thinking he lifted Merlin from his horse and settled him onto his, hugging the young warlock to his chest. Merlin's sobs were muffled against his chest. "Oh Merlin, what's wrong?" Arthur asked softly. He rubbed comforting circles into his back and petted his hair lovingly. Arthur had already decided as soon as this trip was announced that he was going to tell Merlin everything. Especially after hearing the words exchanged between Segan and Merlin. Merlin's loyalty to him had never failed. 'Forever a servant to the king?' Segan had hissed. Merlin's face was set and for a second Arthur had worried Merlin would join him. 'That's the way it has to be. He will be a great king.' Merlin had said sternly. 'It must have hurt to be cast aside, forgotten so easily.' Segan had said, switching tactics. Arthur's heart clenched guiltily at the look of hurt that crossed Merlin's face. The pain was so obvious it hurt. 'It doesn't matter.' Was all Merlin had said. A sharp exhale from Merlin brought Arthur back to the present.
"I'm sorry." Merlin whispered into Arthur's chest. Arthur chuckled and hugged Merlin tighter.
"What's wrong Merlin? You know you can trust me." Arthur said soothingly. Merlin sighed.
"You'll hate me." Merlin whispered. Arthur chuckled again.
"Never." Was the only response he gave. Merlin sighed then pulled back to look at Arthur. Arthur smiled encouragingly.
"I… There's so much I don't even know where to start." Merlin whispered. Arthur smiled softly and slowed the horses. He stopped them in a small clearing that had a stream running through it. Arthur hopped off, helping Merlin off silently. They tied up the horses and unpacked the things from the saddle bags before taking off the saddles. They sat next to each other on a fallen log and Arthur turned to face Merlin.
"So, where do you want to start?" Arthur asked softly. Merlin turned to mirror his position and blushed before ducking his head.
"I… I have these feelings, for… well for you. I… I think… I think I love you." Merlin whispered. Arthur kept quiet, knowing he had more to say. "The thing is though; I've tried to make them go away. I've tried really hard to not feel this way towards you. Even with Freya I've felt a stronger pull to you. It hurts so much though, because I know you could never think of me that way. You could never return my feelings. You're the crown prince of Camelot and me; well I'm just a servant. Not that I mind being your servant… it's just that it's hard, being so close to you. Knowing one day I won't be the one you talk to, you'll fall in love and leave me behind. That kills me." Merlin whispered. Arthur stared at him. Merlin really thought Arthur would ever fall in love with someone other than himself? Worst of all Merlin thought Arthur would leave him behind. Merlin was a servant, but he was also Arthur's best friend. He meant the world to Arthur.
"Merlin I would never leave you behind." Arthur whispered taking Merlin's hand in his. Merlin met his eyes confused. "I have fallen in love Merlin." Merlin's eyes filled with pure unmasked pain. Arthur rushed to erase it. "I've fallen in love with you, you idiot." The insult sounded more like an endearment. Merlin looked into Arthur's eyes in disbelief.
"You… you love… me?" Merlin asked, obviously not believing it. Arthur chuckled despite the tears that still remained on Merlin's cheeks.
"Yes." He said, leaning in. he paused with his lips barely touching Merlin's, waiting for Merlin to make the decision. Merlin surged up and their lips melded together. Arthur felt the charge in the air and knew Merlin's magic was happy. Something about that made him a little smug. He made Merlin's magic happy. The kiss was amazing. It was unrefined and perfect. Merlin tasted of magic and loyalty, his mouth was warm and inviting and Arthur wanted nothing more than to continue kissing Merlin until the day he died. Air became necessary and Arthur pulled back just a fraction. He rested his forehead on Merlin's, both of them breathing heavily.
"That was… amazing." Merlin breathed. Arthur hummed his agreement and kissed Merlin softly before pulling back slightly. He held Merlin's hand in his, tracing invisible patterns over the soft skin. Anyone would know from Merlin's hands that he was magic. He was a servant with the softest hands on this earth.
"Was there more?" Arthur asked softly. Merlin frowned a bit. He looked at his hand clasped in Arthur's and then up into Arthur's eyes. He sighed and looked away. He didn't use words, simply the magic inside of himself. Suddenly in front of him was a dragon of flame. Arthur gasped. "It's beautiful." He murmured. The dragon was extinguished and Merlin was looking at him in confusion.
"You're not angry?" he asked softly. Arthur stroked his thumb over the back of Merlin's hand.
"I told you I wouldn't be." Arthur paused. "Thank you, for trusting me finally. With your heart and your life." Arthur whispered his voice full of emotion. He pulled Merlin to him and held the warlock to his chest. You couldn't have wiped the smile from his face with a pitchfork. Merlin trusted him. Merlin sighed in relief and Arthur could feel the tension leaving his shoulders. Arthur rubbed Merlin's back, soothing the stiff muscles. Suddenly Merlin pulled back and looked at Arthur.
"You Knew." He whispered. Arthur bit his lip and looked at Merlin from under his eyelashes.
"Yes. I knew." Arthur whispered. "I saw... with Segan. I saw what you said, and what happened." He paused. "With… Segan." He said as soft as he could. Merlin sighed.
"I didn't tell you, because i. I didn't want you to have to choose between me and your father. I didn't want to put you through anything like this. Most of all my heart couldn't bear seeing the look of rejection across your face." Merlin explained. Arthur shook his head.
"You're an idiot. My idiot, but an idiot none the less. You are fiercely loyal to me and I to you. I saw what you said to Segan. You could have ruled us Merlin, but you didn't." Arthur said amazed. Merlin blushed.
"No, that's what you are to be. You are going to rule us, you're going to be the greatest king there ever was." Merlin said confidently. Arthur blushed slightly.
"You have more confidence in me than I have in myself." He said softly. Merlin nodded.
"It's okay. I will be there every step of the way to reassure you. I know you will be the best king ever." Merlin said confidently. Arthur smiled at him.
"Thank you for believing in me." He whispered. Merlin simply grinned. Night began to fall and they rolled out their sleeping mats, Arthur blushed as he laid his down next to Merlin's. "Is it alright if I sleep next to you?" he asked softly. Merlin rolled his eyes and pulled Arthur down to snuggle with him.
"Of course it is you fool." He said with a smile.
"I'm sorry." Arthur whispered into the silence after a while, not even sure if Merlin was awake.
"For what?" Merlin murmured into his chest. Arthur sighed and clutched Merlin closer to him.
"For replacing you so quickly. For making you feel like you are anything but important to me. I don't know what happened, I just… I'm so sorry." Arthur whispered, hoping his voice conveyed his emotions. Merlin met his eyes.
"You're already forgiven Arthur. Just… don't let it happen again." He said with a smile. Arthur nodded and kissed Merlin quickly.
"Never." He whispered and he pulled Merlin closer to him.