A/N: I hope you will enjoy this pure madness. Reviews are gladly appreciated.
What would've happened if Arthur, accidentally so, broke the touch barrier or crossed the line as you wish. Moments of truth, sacred feelings and all-consuming love for your pleasure.
Thank you so much for reading.
Apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Merlin found his way easily to the Tavern as it was the place where his own company were always preoccupied. It was easy enough to spot; all around familiar faces of knights and their squires were milling about and laughing. Their loud voices could be heard everywhere. From the noise level, Merlin suspected two banners with the emblem of golden lion on a scarlet background and this could only mean that the majority of the castle were in the large pavilion; He passed through two sleeping heads in front of the main entrance and headed over.
Merlin could see Arthur surrounded by his fearless warriors and some knights of his guard who were standing just behind his back. They were eagerly discussing matters of the coins which Merlin did find amusing after all. He decided not to attract other commoners attention due to the incident that happened last week and carefully slipped in to the part of the room where the candles were partly on. This incident was all a part of the stupid Dares, he was forced to wear a maid's gown all week and persuaded one of guards accompany 'a dear lady' to the Grand Feast at the castle. Merlin was absolutely humilliated in every possible way, and he might've enjoyed being a lady at first, but not untill he saw Arthur's sheepishly smiling face - this grimace haunted him everywhere just as his teases.
The most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to him was when he nearly spilled out the jar of wine on one of the King's most important guests. To Merlin's complete shock, the guest didn't say a word but a tiny smile touched his lips. Afterwards he was told that "A maid like you, shouldn't be serving at all, oh my dear, don't be shy..ohh my my, you have very capturing eyes." He mumbled something as "Thank you, my lord. Pardon me, but I cannot say the same about yours, because evidently so, YOU ARE THE BLIND MORRON!" Merlin screamed the last two words fiercely and run away as if he was an offended mistress, holding tightly the lavish, yes the lavish flounce. The whole court could hear Arthur's groan that night. As a part of his punishment, Merlin did apologie (with gritted teeth) to the ominious guest and the rest of following day was polishing two hundred swords.
Finally when he reached His Royal Pratness side, he was welcomed cheerfully by Sir Percival and Sir Leon - the later, to his surprise was there too. Merlin's been always certain that apart from usual duties, Leon has his poems and nothing could please him more than a bright beam of the sun and a piece of fresh parchment - surely he was so wrong.
"Merlin!" Gwaine called cheerfully, laying a hand on his shoulder when he reached him and trying not to dwell on their conversation earlier that morning. "You fought valiantly this morning"
Merlin smiled. "Not too bad for a fair gal" Gwaine conceded. The smile faded on Merlin's face. "But I think it's your squire that you want to be congratulating. He put a lot of the knights out there to shame and fought so graciously"
"That he did indeed." Gwaine grinned, not even offended by Merlin's words. "Merlin, let us forget about that disastrous play?" He laughed.
"Knowing you, I wouldn't put it aside, but if you say so." They embraced each other briefly, laughing.
Gwaine grinned. "True. But I dare say even Arthur has enough sense to know that this youth did well today despite not being the victor. Or if he doesn't, then he's certainly been told so by a greater amount of people. I don't think I've ever seen anyone as proud as the king was when he saw him."
"Hmmm, perhaps" Merlin nodded.
"The Queen as well seemed ever so pleased to see him. I suppose a lot of people will be very unhappy when I send him back home, especially Arthur." Gwaine added.
Merlin couldn't help but grimace slightly at those words. The unpleasant sensation of this evidence turned his stomach.
There was a silence for a moment befor Gwaine patted Merlin gently on the arm. "Needless to say, that Arthur's been asking for you. He had something important to say." He gestured over to the far side of the Tavern where Arthur was sitting with other knights and this lucky squire, who was already out of his armour. First Mordred, and now this. Ohh at least not everyone were seemed to be enchanted by this boasting git, or not? Merlin thought. He could see almost everyone in the room were listening intently to him as he was presumably told how wonderful he was, even the stinky farmer Gareth Pintnose who promised to snap this ale-soused apple john earlier this morning.
Everything seemed to be natural as the atmosphere was dull and folk was enjoying the presence of their King, whom they deeply admire.
It was almost midnight but the room was still filled with a lot of enjoyfull people with the horn beer mugs in their hands.
Merlin must admit that he wasn't so sure what was more intoxicating the hopped beer that he's certainly had enough or the strong alle, that tasted like apple and pears and that he desired to sip so terribly. "Just a little, one sip, not more." Merlin muttered under his breath. He was already drunk to bits. "Ohh my...this cup is very prett...pretttyy, come 'ere my deary..." He fell on the floor, with barely an audible ouch and continued hypnosing the poor cup with his already golden eyes. "Aha, I caught yoouu, you foolish woodennn cup..." Giggling as the lovely kitchen maids always do in his presence( obviously when they succeed in drawing his attention to them), Merlin closed his eyes and started enjoying the pleasurable liquid.
"Morglin, right?"Someone with a very familiar voice called, patting him on the shoulder. "I remember you, you were at the Tourney. You are the King's silly and shy servant, right?"
Oh not now. This stupid...
"What?! I be-...gg yourr pardonn?" Merlin turned his face in disgust to see the infamous squire. Even with the blurry vision he recognised that 'pompous' arse. He tried to put on his feet but the way his body was moving, he understood that he got a refusal.
"You did wonderfully!"
What?!
"I could have done better." The youth shrugged nonchalantly.
Merlin narrowed his eyes in concentration to comrehend what he'd heard. "If..youu say soo thenn..you did not bad."
"Well obviously I did well." The squire retorted. "My point was is that I could have done better. I could have won."
Merlin couldn't understand for now, was he mad at him or was it all a part of his ridiculous dream? But decided to spare this arrogant git. "Theyy are the champions, yoou must ... "
The youth laughed. "Next time." He said quietly, more to himself than to the laying on the floor Merlin.
"Next time what?" Merlin hissed. He wanted to get rid of this nosey boy as soon as possible.
"Next time I'm going to win." He grinned. "And preferably it will be sooner." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "The King will be so pleased to see that, won't he?"He paused, then added. "He'd certainly love to see as I unhorse someone in the proccess. I could reach the final..knights one by one will hit the ground in awe...ahhh."
Merlin rolled his eyes and resisted the urge to shove him hard. And he was sure by now that he did not like this boasting git. Did not, as in he utterly despised him.
He turned instead to see the whole group of knights, smiling when he saw the way this boy was looking at Arthur. "Arhh" Merlin almost cried out.
The squire turned his face to Merlin again, grinning. "I'll tell what you know but shhh." He paused. "With a lovely queen like Guinevere knights must be lining up for her. She's such a delicate flower and needs a husband, a man to treat her proper." He winked charmingly at the shocked Merlin. "I suppose that yesterday on the Tourney, the queen saw me, really saw me. I think she's interested in seeing real men, with maturity, independence and more sophisticated, not a rude, arrogant and selfish child." The youth puffed out his chest.
What?!
"You are speaking of treas-"
"She will speak her mind freely at the tournament tomorrow."
"What are your intentions to the Queen?" Merlin directed back at the squire.
"Nothing. I don't need to tell you that." The youth replied, straightening up to face the servant.
"Yes you do, if you know what's good for you."
"I l-...admire her, "And I won't see her hurt by a man like him."
"Who?"
The squire bent down and whispered into Merlin's ear. "Arthur." Merlin's alle spilled on the floor as he shrugged.
"A man like him?"
"Yes. He's bold, arrogant and common. I on the other hand am in my prime. I have no imperfections."
"Don't you dare say about His Royal Highness (Pratness) such terrible things!" He didn't know what was the drunk and offended Merlin capable of.
"I...I was just talking to my friend, is all." The squire smirked. "I had no idea you were so overprotective girlfriend. But I've always thought that there was something strange between you two, and n-"
What?! Friend?!
"Don't push me Rown," Merlin poked his finger into youth's tunic.
"What are you going to do about it, huh?" Rown challenged.
Merlin was so glad that Gauis didn't see him in that state.
"I'll show you if you don't back off and leave Arthur's woman alone."
"His woman? She doesn't belong to him, and he doesn't own her." He smirked. "Don't you think you can declare that to your precious king, you mug." The squire turned his lip up at Merlin.
"You won't be spoken about the King like that."
"I won't be spoken to like that by a fussy boy with big and stupid ears." Rown barked.
Stupid?! boy?! "That's it!" Merlin launched himself onto the squire and they started wrestling fiercely. Such a great struggle it was between the two. Rown grabbed Merlin's dark hair, before the later jabbed him in the stomach. Merlin was going to blind his rival by sweeping his alle on his eyes, but the mug's gone. Where's Arthur?! He's always nowhere to be found when he's needed. The squire who decided that he'd had enough, raised his fist and swung it through the air, hoping it'd send the servant to the ground, but his fist met nothing.
Maybe because of the complete absence of mind or perhaps it was a good old alle, but only perhaps; Merlin gripped tightly squire's leg and pulled him harshly down. He wasn't sure whether the magic played its part in this revenge, but he could feel the new wave of energy vibrating inside of him...
He looked down at the form of the scared squire and was ready to punch his pretendious face, but another for tonight voice called, this time it was rightly so.
"Merlin? What on earth is going on here?"
"What are you doing to this young squire?" Gauis turned his face to the boy, and then again to Merlin, whose fist was still.
"Gauiss?!" Merlin exclaimed. He obviously had enough of surprises for tonight and as a matter of fact he didn't want Gauis to see him in this state. Not now, not ever. He rubbed his eyes hurriedly. The alcohol had almost gone from his head and now he was supposed to face the consequences. At last he murmured some words...
"Yes!" I'm still waiting for the explanation?"
"I'm ...it will not happen again."
"Merlin!" Gauis scowled at him, as he was contemplating running from the room.
Gauis lost the sight of Merlin's figure and turned his face to the lying squire who was blinking at him. "Get up, and get off to your bed, you've had enough of joy for today. And I do think you wouldn't want Sir Gwaine to know of this, would you?"
"I...I don't understand...was just standing ...and then Merlin.." He paused, comprehending what's happened. "He was going to punch me in the face! How can I forget about that?!" The youth stood up immediately and pursed his lips in irritation. "I need an explanation as well! Hold on, I do not, because ... because His Majesty does! I am to be his valiant knight of the round table... yes I'll be knighted!" The squire was already screaming. " And this rude...he'll be dismissed!" He straightened up slowly, as the spoon swung before his eyes.
Gauis started laughing just like everyone in the Tavern watching this little spectacle. One particular person was interested less in it but started observing this mess with more enthusiasm when he'd understood who was the initiator.
"What has happened?"
"Nothing that is worth your attention Sire." Gauis replied.
"Nothing?! Ha, your manservant, my lord, jumped on me with the silver kitchen spoon and was trying to punch me in the face. He nearly succeded...this is-"
"Sire, we cannot know what truly has happened between the two of them-"
"Yes it was me. My intensions were fair, but we had a misunderstanding and I didn't mean any harm, but things got out of hand, and certainly so it was my fault. I'd never ever put an honourable squire of one of the Kings, most brave knight in such position. It will never happen again." Merlin hung his head.
He will not remember anything about it.
"But Sire, how can you trust this..ignorant servant.. he's..he is?" Rown stuck, he didn't know what he'd seen and was those golden balls real?
Arthur ignored the youth and asked Merlin with an evident concern. "Are you alright?"
"I'm quite so, Sire."
"He was defending your honour, my lord. Due to his utter loyalty and an endless devotion to you, Sire, Merlin was only hoping to prevent the damage of the words that he misheard, which could cause many troubles. But knowing Merlin, he's been very true in his intentions, therefore apparently in this situation, he was more impulsive and I do feel he regrets it." Gauis said.
Merlin was astonished and a tiny smile appeared on his lips, but he managed to hide it on time.
"Obviously. Well that is enough. Do shake hands and exchange the apologies." He glared at the Gwaine who looked extremely guilty." Sir Gwaine, I do hope you will conclude your business here without your squire. He will be returned to the pavillion, and tomorrow I will re-consider his place in Camelot."
"Yes, Sire. As you please."
"As you know already, if I find him guilty enough, he will be sent immediately to the dungeons, or if he's threaten my manservant." He glanced at Merlin and the tight feeling in his chest increased.
"But Sire-" The youth couldn't finish his sentence.
"Don't."
Not breaking the eye contact with Merlin, Arthur continued." You may shake hands, after Rown, you may go."
Merlin didn't understand why Arthur was so persistent and what was happening at all. He'd never before done something like that in public, moreover he'd never thanked him but this... ohh it's different story.
"Yes, my lord. I apologie for my horrible behaviour earlier." Merlin held out his hand which Rowb took hurriedly and muttered something under his breath.
"I didn't hear you." Arthur rubbed his face before speaking again."Say that aloud."
Arthur was being not himself: he wasn't teasing, nor joking. He was actually angry. Was he serious about all those things? Of course he was, because he values their friendship, after all he'd admitted it once. But tonight it did occur to Merlin that he might've done something, that...
"You will do as I say, apologise now!" Arthur grabbed the youth by his collar and turned him towards Merlin.
"Will you accept my apologies?"
"Yes, I will." Merlin sighed.
He saw that Arthur's tension has gone and his body relaxed. What's wrong? What is the reason he's acting so oddly?
"Good, you may go." The King nodded to two of his knights. They took the squire by his elbows and walked out of the tavern.
"My lord, I think it was the-"
"We shall return now." Arthur looked at his guard and exchanged looks with the host.
The scops started playing again and the cheerful folk already were preoccupied. Arthur bid farewell and turned his face to Merlin who was talking to Gauis.
"Gauis, may I have a word."
Merlin still had no clue what was going on in Arthur's head, but the earlier outburst and this conspiracy made him no less worried.
His eyes almost shut, when he felt someone lightly patting him on shoulder.
"Hurry up, unless you want to stay and spend the rest of the night cleaning the whole tavern?" Arthur grinned.
"No, Sire. Why would you think so? I'd rather wash your robes, polish your shield and sharp your sword." Merlin returned the smile.
"Exactly."
They were starring at each other for no reason; the strange sensation came through Merlin's chest, when he captured Arthur's lingering eyes on his lips, for just a few moments longer.
There were much cheering and a loud whispering as everyone hurried to obey his words. Arthur merely grinned and grabbed Merlin's arm, steering him out of the Tavern. Once they were outside, he was leaning up against the side of the wall, and whispered under his breath to Merlin:
"Merlin,"
Merlin was ready to hear the thousand new and horrible tortures that was awaiting for him, but the look on Arthur's face and the way his body was reflecting meant otherwise.
He was merely drunk.
"Accompany me back to the castle."
"Is that an order?"
"As if you always do as you told." Arthur breathed. "Merlin stop being such a daft."
Merlin could feel his warm breath on his face. "Come on, I don't want to make the Queen worry of our long absence." He smiled sheepishly at his friend and rubbed Merlin's right cheek.
Ohh. What is it? Am I dreaming? Is that happening? What's he doing?
"Of.. co-uur-se."
Arthur leaned in, closing the gap between their bodies. "Why are you blushing?" He breathed, looking intensely into Merlin's eyes.
"I..we shoul-... Art-"
"What? Tell me you don't know why and how. Tell me you haven't been longing for that moment." Arthur whispered.
Arthur's hand went down to Merlin's waist and another was still brushing his cheeks and jaw, so carefully.
"What are you doing, Sire?" Merlin was paralysed.
"Merlin, do away formalities." Arthur pushed him against the wall and pressed their thighs together.
"Ohh, Arthur I think we'd better get going, shall we?"
They were alone in the dark alley between two inhabiting houses, doing something that Merlin's mind refused to accept.
"You've been thinking about it too, haven't you?" Arthur started planting small, gentle kisses on Merlin's neck.
"Please..."
Arthur's demandind lips were almost inches away from his lips.
"Please what?" He grinned.
"Stopp ...it." Merlin was trying to push him away, but he was stronger even in this state. Why is he struggling, though? Isn't it what he... The last thought, he'd prefered to forget.
"I cannot resist...you." Arthur's voice became more huskier, as he nipped on Merlin's lower lip. "It's impossible... I've waited so long..and now.. " He pinned Merlin against the cold wall harder.
"Long?" Merlin looked up at him and tangled his arms around Arthur's neck.
"Yes."He moaned capturing Merlin's lips with his own and holding him tightly.