Right By Your Side
Merlin normally went back to his shared chamber with Gaius when it came time for lights out but Arthur refused to sleep. He looked completely exhausted and if he worked himself any harder on his paperwork Merlin thought that he was gonna hurt himself with all the thinking he was doing.
"Alright that's it. Put down the quill and go to bed." Merlin said as he took the quill away from Arthur's hand and put it back where it belonged on his desk.
Arthur looked up at him with a raised eyebrow and confusion. "I'm the King Merlin. You can't tell me what to do."
"No. A King knows when he's reached his limits and right now you're acting more like a little kid who doesn't want to go to sleep. What's wrong Arthur?" Merlin asked, sensing his words held some truth to them that Arthur didn't want to admit. "Are you afraid of something? Nightmares perhaps?"
Arthur got up and rubbed his eyes. "Don't be stupid I haven't been having nightmares."
"Then why don't you go to sleep?" Merlin asked again.
Silence fell between them until finally Arthur took off his belt and got ready for bed. He got himself inside the sheets and looked up with a glassy expression in his eyes. "Stay with me."
"Sure." Merlin replied, not knowing why he was being so insistent all of a sudden to keep his presence with him. He brought over a chair and sat by his bedside like a mother watching her son fall asleep. "You need anything else?"
"No just...stay with me. As much as it pains me to admit it, I've been on edge since the attempt on my life this morning. I'm too wound up and for some reason it feels better having you here with me. Funny right?" Arthur admitted. Not knowing whether or not he should look over to Merlin to convey how serious he was.
Merlin sat there looking at Arthur with a newfound protectiveness that he hadn't felt since he was told his destiny was to be his servant. "Not at all. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep or through the night if you want. I'll be here right by your side unless you want me to leave."
"You're a good servant when you want to be." Arthur said in a playful voice, he looked over to Merlin and gave him a genuine smile. "I appreciate it."
"My pleasure." Merlin said, watching as the tension slowly drew out of Arthur and the King's eyes were starting to get heavier.
Merlin stayed by Arthur's bedside the entire night. Not caring how tired he was going to be in the morning and he kept watch for any suspicious movement in or around the room. He was protecting his King and he was protecting his friend. One restless night mattered little to him.