Not mine. No profit.
This is precisely 500 words (wooo!)
Arthur/Merlin
Eh…. Not much else to say at the mo' Aside from the usual if you spot an error and tell me about it then you get to make a request for me to write.
Enjoy.
He could never figure out what made Merlin so special. Uther had called Merlin a fool, as had many others. The Prince's Fool. But what did that mean? Was it just because he was the prince's manservant? Was it because he followed the prince into danger frequently? Was it the zealous way in which Merlin possessed loyalties to the prince? Was it the simple way that Merlin seemed to trust and live as if only the best could possibly come?
Some times there was this look on Merlin's face, like he was carrying this great burden and it weighted down his soul. Even when he smiled it was like the corners of his mouth and eyes could never turn up fully.
Why not just call him Merlin the fool? Why was it he was the prince's fool? Did he not foolishly trust Gwaine? Lancelot? Or Gwen? Or one of the multitudes of others who look at Merlin as if he has delivered them into light where once they were shadowed by doubt and despair.
Maybe he would never understand why people looked at Merlin as if he were something precious and powerful. He had seen men look at marvels of nature with that look. Standing at the banks of an awe-inspiring fountain, taller than anything man could ever made, rushing with this power that was more than any power man could possess. Some looked at Merlin as if he were one of these great shows of nature full of mystery, power, and a deep sense of eternity that inspired breathless wonder.
Why was he the Prince's Fool? Why did they all have these looks in their eyes as if their hearts were swelling with love and admiration? Why did they all call him a fool when they were so fond of him?
Sitting at his table, watching Merlin scrub the floors from the corner of his eye, he decided it didn't matter if he knew what made Merlin so special. It didn't matter because he was still a fool for his prince.
A trusting fool who did not deserve the troubles the prince put him through. So the prince didn't put him through this trouble. This trial was something he never wanted to burden the corners of Merlin's expressive eyes. Being the prince's bed warmer had no good ending and Merlin deserved that more than anything.
If only Arthur could figure out how to lift those weights that sat at the corners of Merlin's eyes and mouth. He would think himself in to circles about it; drive him to distraction contemplating Merlin's eyes and mouth, fantasizing that maybe if Arthur could kiss those spots the weights could transfer to his lips and eyes.
Arthur would take the burdens that Merlin carried quietly and without complaint if he could. If there was anything he could do to show Merlin…. Somehow let him know… Impress upon him that… The prince was Merlin's fool just as much as Merlin was the prince's fool.