Hello again, lovely people. So.. this is a sequel/prequel to Merlin's Voice. It's set before Merlin's Voice because... I don't know, so I guess its a prequel. People wanted more of Arthur and Merlin's relationship and I've always wanted to try my hand at a reveal fic, though I can't promise it'll be very good. And yes, this first chapter is incredibly short, bear with me, I think they'll get longer as the story goes on...
It was a rare day when Merlin was so incredibly late that the king had to go and find the idiot himself, yet today was one of those days. Arthur stormed through the castle, towards the physicians chambers, his face set in a stony glare. He had managed to dress himself, despite what Merlin said he wasn't completely useless... That being said, his shirt was still on backwards.
His footsteps echoed loudly throughout the almost empty corridor as servants and maids stepped aside to bow and allow their king to pass them swiftly. Puffing out his chest, Arthur reached the physician and Merlin's chambers and flung open the door.
The sight that met his eyes was not one he was expecting.
The elderly physician and Arthur's young manservant sat beside each other in the middle of the room facing away from the table covered in mixtures and remedies. Gaius had one arm around Merlin comfortingly. Frowning to himself, Arthur realised they hadn't heard him enter and was about to shout to them from the doorway, when he froze for a sob had escaped Merlin. Arthur stood, shocked still. Suddenly, Gaius spoke, still oblivious to the king in his doorway.
"Merlin, I cannot imagine how hard it is. Don't blame yourself. We all need an outlet at times." At his words, the warlock bowed his head and sniffed.
"Sorry," Merlin mumbled, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket.
"Oh, my boy, you don't need to apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault you can't always handle things by yourself, and you know I don't expect you to. It's such a lot for one person to bear." Then Gaius squeezed his nephew with the one arm which was hung around Merlin's shoulders.
Staring at the two men, Arthur wondered what they could possibly be talking about. Could it be that he was working Merlin too hard? From the sounds of things, this had happened before and the skinny man had been working for the king for quite a few years now. Perhaps it was Arthur's chores for his servant driving him into the ground...
Before Merlin could speak again, Arthur decided to take his leave. Carefully, he stepped silently out of the room and closed the door behind himself with a soft click and making sure neither Gaius nor Merlin had heard. Almost collapsing against the wall, the blond man rubbed a hand over his face and thinking.
"Sire, is everything alright?" A passing guard had noticed the king emerge from the physician's chambers, a sombre and shocked expression plastered onto his face. Arthur shook himself out of his reverie.
"Of course." He answered shortly, and the guard bowed slightly and went on his way.
The king stood still for a moment more, then made up his mind about what he was to do. Once again making sure that Gaius and Merlin were still inside the physician's chambers, Arthur set off at a brisk walk towards the Queen's rooms, where he hoped his wife would be.