The arena normally reserved for jousting or Knights challenge's was slowly filling with Camelot's residents. However, this was no fight or competition, this was the Kingdoms weekly 'chat show' in which residents confessed secrets to their friends and partners, or confronted them about any suspicions' they had. Once all the seats where filled, the arena fell silent, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the host. Finally she stepped out, dressed in an outfit of the deepest blue, flowers adorning her red locks. There was a cheer, which she silenced with a raise of her hand.
"Hello Camelot I'm Lady Ysabel , welcome to this week's show." She announced, her powerful voice ringing around the arena. The crowd clapped and cheered, only to fall silent again at her command. "Today's guest is perhaps our most famous. He is known throughout the Kingdom as the Kings most trusted advisor, and is our first court sorcerer since Uther banned the practise of magic some 25 years ago, please welcome, Merlin..." Again the crowd clapped and cheered as Merlin walked out into the open, some stood on their feet, some waved. Merlin didn't seem to notice too much, he was blushing a deep red, and had his head ducked in embarrassment. Truly, he did want to announce such news in front of all of Camelot, but since Arthur had been avoiding him, he had no choice. Merlin sat himself down on a beautifully carved chair, taken from the castle's dining room. He kept his head down until the cheering silenced, and Lady Ysabel started talking to him.
"Hi Merlin," she said as she sat herself down on the chair next to him. Merlin braved a smile and nodded at her as she offered her hand. He shook it once, then let it go and folded his arms. He still had no idea why he had agreed to do this! Arthur would have to listen to him sooner or later... right?
"Hello Lady Ysabel, how are you?" he asked politely. What else was he meant to say to her? He had never been to one of her shows - despite the fact that Arthur went as often as was possible – he felt that it was a pointless thing to do. Why humiliate yourself in front of the entire Kingdom, when you could resolve your problems in the comfort of your own home. That's all very well and good. He thought to himself. But if the people you need to talk to you are avoiding you, for no obvious reason, you don't have much choice! At least here they have to listen.
"I'm very well Merlin, but what we really want to know is why you are here," Lady Isabel prompted him with a smile that only encouraged another almighty cheer from the watching residents of Camelot. Merlin again waited for silence before he answered.
"As most of you know... Arthur and I have a much... deeper... relationship than just King and advisor," Merlin said nervously. While his and Arthurs 'secret' was known throughout the Kingdom, and indeed beyond, he still felt uncomfortable talking about it in public.
"Merlin everyone knows you have been sleeping together," Lady Isabel said, winking at the crowd as she did so. Said crowd hooted and whistled. Merlin felt his face darken beyond just embarrassment, and almost went to leave, had it not been his desire to tell Arthur what needed to be said. "Ok Merlin, let's be serious now. Tell us why you are here," The Lady Ysabel asked, her tone of voice serious, as was her facial expression.
"Well, Arthur has been avoiding me these last few days... first of all, I'd like to know why... and also, I've been trying to tell him something important, I guess this is my best chance to tell him," Merlin said in a hurry, mumbling over his words. Luckily for him, or unluckily as the case may be, the voices of all those who took part in the show where enhanced with magic, so he was heard by all.
"And what is it that you wish to tell our King?" Lady Ysabel asked her smirk back, her tone again inquisitive. Merlin sighed and looked at his hands, which he had interlinked. He licked his lips a few times and then whispered,
"I will only say when he is here," This prompted a mixed reaction from the crowd. Some booed, some cheered. It was unclear whether they respected him for holding on to his secret until his King and lover had arrived, or whether they were just gossip hungry idiots, wanted to get the scandal and leave to discuss it with their friends and neighbours. Lady Ysabel silenced them again.
"So let's bring him out, please rise for our sovereign, our great ruler, King Arthur of Camelot," The crowd was on their feet in seconds, the roar of their cheers and claps out weighing those they had made for Merlin by a mile. Arthur smiled and nodded at his people, and after a few seconds, raised a hand to them, as a signal for them to silence. They all sat quietly, obeying their King at once. Arthurs smile however, vanished as he sat down next to Merlin. He glared at his lover in one long cold stare, before he turned to face Lady Ysabel with a forced smile on his face.
"Ah! Lady Ysabel, to what do I owe this most lovely of pleasures?" he asked as he took her hand in his and kissed the gloved knuckles. The crowd whooped, while Merlin felt tears fill his eyes. Lady Ysabel was blushing a red that rivalled the colour of Merlin's cheeks, but she was able to keep herself calm and composed.
"Believe me sire, the pleasure is all mine," she said with the sickliest of smiles. "But you must realise of course, that your esteemed advisor and lover has brought you here," she continued, nodding her head in Merlin's direction. Arthur's frown returned, and his jaw tightened as he fought back an aggravated outburst.
"Yes My Lady, I realise that much. What I want to know is why my lover and advisor has brought me here when he knows full well that he can talk to me whenever he likes," Before Merlin could even open his mouth to respond, Lady Ysabel jumped in and answered for him.
"Ah but that is the problem sire, Merlin feels as if you have been avoiding him of late," she said, a sparkle in her eyes as she watched Merlin and Arthurs reactions. Merlin had sunk back into his chair, as if fearing an angry response, while Arthur's jaw had tightened to the point where it looked like it would snap if it were to be tightened any more.
"Merlin?" he asked, an eyebrow raised. Merlin remembered that look from when he had simply been Arthurs manservant. The look said untold amounts of things. Like the fact that Arthur was mad at him, and that he had a lot of explaining to do.
"Well you have," Merlin said defensively, finding his voice and his courage at last. The crowd gasped, for although Merlin often talked to Arthur in such a manner, nobody had spoken to their King like that in public. Never.
"For your information Merlin, certain matters of this kingdom had to be dealt with, and they are more important than your trivial wants and needs," Arthur said as he rubbed his chin between his thumb and finger.
"Like what? I am your most trusted advisor Arthur, and I am your partner, what is so important that you cannot tell me?" Merlin demanded. Again the crowd gasped. How dare Merlin speak to the King in such a way.
"Merlin you really are a complete idiot aren't you?" Arthur cried out, making everyone, including Lady Ysabel jump. However, his anger and frustration disappeared as he caught sight of Merlin's shocked face. It had been years since he had been so rude to Merlin in public. "Do you honestly believe that I would keep something from you unless it was something that I was planning to surprise you with?" he continued, his voice soft and gentle. It reassured a shaking Merlin, who found the courage in that moment, to look into Arthur's eyes. He melted at once at the love and devotion that so clearly poured from them. However, what was most obvious was his hurt and disappointment. Clearly, this surprise was something that he wanted to be kept private. He suddenly felt very guilty about dragging their relationship out in such a public way. The awes and cheers of the crowd weren't making things any easier.
"Surprise?" he whispered, his voice clearly showing his scepticism. It was not like Arthur to be spontaneous and romantic.
"Yes!" said Arthur, some of his frustration back. "But you're such a paranoid little twit you've gone and ruined it for me, for us,"
"It doesn't have to be ruined Arthur... we could walk away and finish this in private," Merlin whispered pointlessly. After all, all of Camelot would hear his magically amplified words. They did so, of course, and booed him. However Arthur smiled at his lover, and held out his hand to him, only for Lady Ysabel to stand between them.
"I'm sorry sire, but I can't let you do that. Your people, they want to know what your surprise is... and what Merlin's is too," she said, looking back and forth between them, a devious smile on her lips. It was Arthurs turn to look shocked. Merlin had been keeping something from him..? Merlin never kept anything from him, not anymore, not since he revealed his powers... not since they had become lovers.
"Merlin?" Arthur couldn't help but let his voice crack just a little. He was hurt, and felt betrayed. Whatever Merlin had been keeping from him couldn't be good, not if he'd dragged him here to tell him.