1 July 6, 2013
12:10 AM
To Love & Lose
Merlin peeked into his sire's room making sure that the prince was asleep. Arthur lay curled up in his 1200 count sheets and blankets, random clothes and other accessories from the night before strewn carelessly about his chamber. Merlin shook his head at the mess that he knew he would have to clean up tomorrow. On the bed, Arthur turned over breaking the servant out of his thoughts. Outside the full moon shined over the abundant fields and orchards signifying the riches of the kingdom, but its only purpose for now was to help Merlin get ahead on his chores. Quietly he tiptoed into the room, his arms full with supplies to clean armor and shine boots. Just like he had done every night since he had been appointed personal manservant he walked to the bed past the royal draperies and checked on Arthur if not only to good one last look before he went to bed of the man that he had come to adore.
Smiling he pushed a couple of strands away from the other's forehead. And pulled the covers up and over his abdomen.
"Merlin," Arthur groaned in his sleep.
Said person stopped completely looking at the angelic face of his master.
"Yes sire," he answered timidly ready for punishment but no answer came to him.
"Arthur," he called out again.
He waited with bated breath for Arthur to sentence him to the stocks but again no answer came. He sighed relieved before he went over to where the long row of boots where kept.
"Don't leave me!" Arthur screamed beginning to fight with the covers and pillows.
Merlin jumped almost dropping the breastplate he had just begun to clean. Up on the bed, Arthur sat on his haunches swinging at air. Merlin dropped the piece of armor on purpose this time to see if the prince was still asleep. And as expected, never once did the man stop his imaginary duel. Suddenly the man dove of the bed. Merlin still too far away in the ridiculously large room could not catch up in time to actually grab him, so just like when he had first met Gaius, he slowed time. He slid under with his arms out in order to catch him. Arthur gasped as time caught up and he landed in Merlin's arms face to face with the warlock.
Again Arthur started swinging but this time it was aimed for Merlin's face.
"Arthur wake up! It's me," Merlin screamed as he dodged yet another well aimed blow for his face.
Arthur let out a battle cry renewing his punches. Shit, Merlin thought as Arthur grabbed him by the collar. In a last attempt, the warlock wrapped his thighs around the other's middle and pulled them in making it to where even if the prince kept swinging, they would only ever it the space around Merlin, but never actually him. Clenching his eyes, he slapped the prince wincing when he heard the hit reverberate around the room.
Arthur blinked finally awake looking around himself confused. But when his eyes alighted to the hips around him and even more to the face of the owner of said hips, cerulean blue eyes promised nothing less than murder. Merlin watched all of this hoping that the floor would open and swallow him whole.
"You were dreaming sire."
"And that gave you reason enough to sneak in here and molest me?" Arthur finished sitting up, or at least as far as Merlin's thighs would let him.
The warlock frowned looking offended," I would never," he huffed.
"The gall of some people," he murmured under his breath.
Arthur's eyebrows rose," Excuse me? And what do you call this then, huh?" motioning to the little space left between their genitalia.
Merlin just bit his bottom lip. Arthur was right nothing he could say would fix the way this position looked. Suddenly he inhaled feeling Arthur pinch down on his hips lengthening the space and letting the future king roll out. Merlin stayed laid on the floor still reeling from the pain.
Arthur came to stand above him sword pointed at him,"trespassing is a serious offense and if I ever see you in my rooms without my express permission again. I won't hesitate to send you to the stocks. Understand Merlin?"
The warlock nodded choosing to stay quite instead of making his love any angrier. Arthur nodded too backing up so that he could get up. Nothing more was said between the two as Merlin gathered his supplies and walked to the door. Merlin turned just in time to see the prince staring out of the window, a single tear alighted by the moonlight sliding down his cheek. For a moment he contemplated going back, but with how angry Arthur had been earlier, his return would only end with the warlock having his feelings and probably his face hurt. The door clicked quietly into place behind him. The dark hall loomed before him, head bowed he headed back to his room in Gaius' home.
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Merlin woke up with a too bright sun streaming on his face. Shit, he cursed as he jumped haphazardly around his room trying to get dressed. He winced as acute pain registered in his thighs from squeezing Arthur's waist the night before. Ignoring that voices from downstairs reached his ears. Quieting down, he crept closer to the stairwell eavesdropping, or at least trying to.
"He looks like death warmed over this morning," The lady Morgana spoke.
"Why do you say that," Gwen replied.
In his mind, merlin picture Morgana standing a bit off to the side bending down to Guinevere in a way that screamed gossiper while her servant girl frowned more than a little concerned for the man that she had a secret crush on, yes Merlin knew of the crush and he felt bad for having one on the same guy, but you can't help who you love.
"You didn't hear him last night? He was screaming practically all night. One time I woke up and listened to him. And do you know what was the most surprising?"
Merlin assumed that Gwen had nodded because the ward started speaking again.
"Well amongst the mumbling, he kept yelling for Merlin. You should have heard it Gwen, he sounded so heart broken."
"That is sad. Does Merlin know?" Gwen asked.
"Probably not. You know the boy can be slow at times."
Merlin huffed as he listened but he kept listening until the medic interrupted their rant with a prescription. Merlin backed away from the stairs thinking over the talk he had just heard and what happened earlier. All of it totaled up to a talk that he should have with the prince, but a talk that he would not dare to ever have.
Arthur watched with glee as people of all shapes and sizes danced in their finest silks about the massive dance hall. As far as this prince was concerned, everything was right in the world tables were lined with food, barrels were filled to the brim with wine, red and gold cloth adorned the dance hall. Everything was so great, so right and he loved every bit off it. Merlin chatted gaily with his knights all smiles and laughs. He looked over smiling at him. Arthur smiled back, his heart pulsing rapidly in his chest. He looked away quick so that his father, Uther Pendragon would not get suspicious of his feelings for his servant, but also because he did not want Merlin to know of the feelings he had for said servant. Still he let happiness show in his features, even if it was only he who knew the truth.
Morgana and Guinevere stood off to the side talking. Morgana brushed a stray hair from her servant's shoulder caressing it. The future king chuckled, he knew that Morgana liked her servant, and he also knew that Gwen liked her master. The soft- spoken girl just tried to hide with making people think that it was actually Arthur that she liked. Really, it was pretty funny for him.
Uther walked forward holding out a grand chalice to his subjects," Quiet now. This is my son's coronation," the king turned to him lifting the glass higher in a toast.
"To my son, Arthur, the official prince of Camelot!" he finished.
Around the room people joined in the toast drinking to his success. He reached for the glass but Uther pulled it away.
"Oh no Arthur. You're a prince know. People will try to kill you now. Manservant come," the king finished motioning for Merlin.
Arthur watched as the man walked forward with that confident dimpled grin that made Gwen get all blushy, Morgana touchy, and him get hyper in choice areas. Merlin turned to him looking at the ground.
"Yes," black eyes stared straight into his own," My lord."
With that the warlock drank the liquid never once breaking contact. For some reason, he found himself holding his breath in anticipation not breathing until that face was in full view again.
"The wine is safe sire," he smiled again.
All around them clapping ensued but the blonde could not take his eyes off his servant. Merlin's face began to contort as he struggled to lift his hand to his throat. Everything went out of focus as he zeroed in on Merlin's crumpling form, his arms reaching for him before his mind could catch up.
"Merlin!"
With that one yell everything went into slow motion.
"Merlin," he said having finally reached the man.
The servant's eyes creaked open wide and afraid," Arthur," he barely spoke before his eyes closed.
Arthur leaned in close coddling him to his chest," please don't leave me," he whispered softly.
The prince felt himself struggle as the crowd became aware of what had just happened and tried to pry him away. Tears made his vision blurry as his one and only friend was swallowed up by the crowd and he could do nothing than be dragged away by his knights.
The scenery went dark enough to where he could not see his hand before his face. All around him feet clattered and people talked but all the prince could see was his beloved servant's eyes roll back in his mind. No, no- please don't go, Arthur thought on a loop.
*Slap!* Arthur awoke with a jolt as he was hit across the cheek..Around him it was pitch black again. He looked around scared that he was still dreaming when he noticed that he could not sit up all the way. He looked down at a pelvic bone and followed them up one thigh and exhaled. He would know those brown, starched wool pants anywhere. Tears fought for his attention but he knew that what he'd had was only a nightmare. A nightmare that would never come true, but it was the person it involved that made it so heart wrenchingly terrible. Schooling his features he let his gaze travel to Merlin's face.
"You were dreaming sire."
"And that gave you reason enough to sneak in here and molest me?" Arthur finished sitting up, or at least as far as Merlin's thighs would let him.
The warlock frowned looking offended," I would never," he huffed.
Arthur's eyebrows rose," Excuse me? And what do you call this then, huh?" motioning to the little space left between their genitalia.
He watched lustily as Merlin worried his bottom lip for sure trying to come up with an explanation, at least one that would not get him killed. Impatient to get as far away from Merlin as possible before tears escaped he beared down causing the man's legs to release him and rolled away.
He grabbed Excalibur, "trespassing is a serious offense and if I ever see you in my rooms without my express permission again. I won't hesitate to send you to the stocks. Understand Merlin?"
Said person just nodded at him concern coming off in waves, but Arthur had enough of caring for th night. He just wanted to take a second to just make himself immune to how badly his heart cried out. He nodded too trying to seem okay if only for a moment. He said nothing more as Merlin exited his room.
He looked out of the window letting the light of the moon disguise his tears.
Author's Note: To all of my followers, fans, and passionate guests: I deeply apologize for not uploading stories in so long, but for all of summer, I was grounded from the sight could not put up any more. Please don't be angry with me! Anyway...
R&R is always a plus!