Arthur eyed the fireplace, the glass of wine in his hand becoming heavier as his mind left him and entered the glass as he drank. The fire was warm as he watched it, the flames devouring the logs that were placed inside it, by Merlin. He lowered his gaze his mind replaying the scenes in his head, he shook his head trying to waver the thoughts of the oncoming doom.
The door creaked as it was opened, he turned quickly. The dimly lit room seemed to shine only on his manservant who was standing by the door, seeming to be lost in his thoughts and then suddenly realize where he was. He looked at the door seeming to want to leave the room and the tension that Arthur would most definitely bring to the situation.
'Arthur, I would stay. If only I could.'
Arthur tried to hold his stance, trying to remain strong and brave like his father had taught him. But the man watching him he seemed to be almost in tears. Merlin always put him in the position unable to decide between his pride or him. He furrowed his brow as he thought, "Why can't you stay?" he blurted out, meaning to keep the thought in his mind.
'It's just...it's difficult to...' Merlin stumbled over his words as he moved his gaze from the prince to the floor. 'I just-' his eyes returning to Arthur, 'My mother needs me.' he said and seemed to shake as he turned his gaze to the window the slow drift of snow on the window being the only sign of the cheery holiday that everyone else in Camelot seemed to be celebrating. He saw the dawning sun being the sign that he would have to leave as soon as it rose and he begged it to stay down as he looked at the prince.
"I need you."
Arthur was even surprised by the longing in his voice as the words spilled out, he hung his head. Feeling defeated in two ways, one knowing he would never be able to hide his feelings for his manservant. And two that he would never see the blue eyes that got him through so many hard ships and the mouth that usually adorned a smile that would cheer up the darkest of situations. But he knew it wouldn't do any help of what was happening now.
'Arthur...' his voice was slow as he drew nearer to the prince, he cupped his hands on his cheeks and drew him into a soft kiss. Knowing that this would be the last time he would taste the prince's lips. 'I have to leave.' he said softly as he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on Arthur's. There was a slow nod. Before he gave a hint of a smile. 'Uther would hunt an kill me if I didn't get you into bed.' he said looking out the window knowing that he would have to leave soon.
When the prince reluctantly walked over to the bed and lied down, his smile grew before he sat and watched the prince slowly drift off into a slumber. He caressed his cheeks before taking off his scarf and placing it on the table. He wanted the prince to have some way of remembering him other than his memories as they would fail at some point.
~~~~~
The prince woke up from a almost slumber-less night and looked around the room. His memory now filling him in on the events of the day before, he hung his head. Trying to think where his manservant would be at at this moment, he looked up and his eyes drifted to the table. Where a red piece of fabric lay. He smiled slightly before putting on his fake smile for the day ahead that was full of festivals celebrating the yule time. But he would be filled with the same joy that many people celebrated with knowing his only love was far away from him. The entire day he held the scarf softly in his hand.