I posted the first draft of this ages ago, but I wasn't happy with it, so I deleted it. Well, this is the new (hopefully better) version.
Note: Gwen is OOC. Sorry about that.
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur, Arthur/Gwen (sort of)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin... I only have the boxsets :)
And finally.... dedicated to my lovely friend Emily, who helped me get over several months of writers block in one conversation x
The False Queen
Chapter 1 – Concentrate, Merlin
Merlin never let himself get swept away when he was with Arthur. Not when he bathed him, not when he watched him fight, not even when Arthur said something mildly suggestive. He couldn't. Merlin found that his magic was prone to burst free if he wasn't careful, and he couldn't let that happen; not ever.
The sword swung, cutting the air with a loud whistle. Arthur dodged sideways, narrowly missing the blade as it passed over his head. The new knight was very skilled, and it was taking all of Arthur's talent with a sword just to fend him off. Breathing heavily, he raised his shield to parry another blow, and tried to land a one in return. He was unsuccessful, but the move wrong-footed his opponent. The man stumbled slightly, giving Arthur the chance he needed. Grunting a little, he thrust his sword forwards into the knight's breastplate, knocking him off of his feet. Arthur grinned; he had won. He always won.
Half an hour later, Arthur strode into his chamber, closely followed by Merlin, who was carrying his armour.
"Merlin, you need to repair my armour, clean it, muck out my horses…." Merlin didn't catch the rest. He had totally zoned out, just watching Arthur's lips move, to way they shaped themselves when he spoke, the way his tongue occasionally darted out to wet them.
"Merlin! Merlin!" Merlin glanced up startled. Arthur was regarding him with an annoyed expression.
"Merlin! Were you even listening to me?" Arthur asked, raising his eyebrows. The action distracted Merlin; he fought to regain focus.
"Err, yeah." Merlin lied. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Then tell me what I said?" Merlin stayed silent; he didn't know. Arthur sighed.
"Merlin, you are such an idiot! What is wrong with you today?" Merlin looked down at the floor, unable to raise his eyes.
"Nothing." He made to leave, heading towards to door. Arthur strode quickly in front of him, and closed it, pushing Merlin up against a wall.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked again, getting frustrated. Merlin shook his head.
"Nothing, Arthur." Merlin became aware of how close he and Arthur were; they were practically pressed up against each other. Merlin tried to move, but Arthur wouldn't let him.
"Merlin, what is wrong?"
Arthur too was conscious of the distance between him and his manservant; or rather, the lack of it. He could feel himself becoming aroused as he gazed into Merlin's eyes. The minutes stretched, neither of them saying anything. Finally, Arthur could take it no more. Closing his eyes, he leant forward slightly, and pressed his lips to Merlin's. The other boy responded almost instantly, kissing him back with a passion that surprised Arthur.
Merlin was in heaven. The feel of Arthur's mouth on his was better than he had ever dared to imagine. For once, Merlin didn't want to be careful, he didn't want to hold back. As the kiss grew more intense, Merlin could feel his control slipping away. He opened his eyes, struggling to subdue the feelings coursing through him. Desperately, he tried to push Arthur off of him, but it was too late. All at once, the wind began to rise, rain began to fall, lightning struck, goblets melted, vases smashed and Merlin's eyes burned gold. Arthur, disturbed by the sudden noise, pulled away from Merlin, just in time to see his eyes change colour.
"Arthur…" Merlin started, before he was stopped by Arthur kissing him again. Merlin pushed him off of him.
"But…. You saw what just happened…. I'm a sorcerer, Arthur." Arthur nodded.
"Yes, I did notice that, Merlin." He remarked sarcastically, before kissing Merlin lightly.
"But…" Merlin tried again.
"Merlin," Arthur said firmly, "I don't care. I'm not my father, I'm not like him. I can't believe that you would ever threaten this kingdom. As long as no one else knows, then we'll be fine." He kissed Merlin again, oblivious the various objects that were moving of their own accord around them.
Gwen scurried down the corridor, clutching a huge pile of Morganna's dresses to her chest. They needed to be cleaned. All of them! As if I don't have enough to do, Gwen thought crossly to herself. She was just passing Arthur's chamber doors, when she heard voices, raised louder than normal. Intrigued, she dumped her load onto the floor, and pressed her ear against the door. She was just in time to hear:
"I'm a sorcerer, Arthur." Gwen gasped, and then cursed herself, praying that no one inside the room had heard her. Slowly, she lowered her eye to the keyhole, and let her mouth fall open as she saw Arthur passionately kissing Merlin. The same Merlin who had, moments before, confessed himself to being a sorcerer.
Gwen drew back, careful not to make a sound, even though inside, she was buzzing and seething, all at once. Seething because how dare Arthur kiss Merlin? Arthur was meant to be hers; how else could she be queen? But Merlin being a sorcerer… that was interesting. He had certainly kept that quiet, she mused. Nevertheless, she needed Merlin out of the way, and after all, everyone knew how magic was treated in Camelot…
Gwen bundled the laundry into her arms, and set off into a fast run down the corridors, desperate to find Uther. She burst into the hall with no announcement, relieved to see that the King was alone, with only Sir Leon for company. King Uther turned angrily as she banged in, glaring at her in a truly intimidating way.
"What is the meaning of this, girl?" He bellowed, as Leon took a small step back. Gwen, as she had planned to do, broke down into sobs.
"Oh, your majesty, I'm so sorry. But… I… I..." Gwen fell to the floor, still sobbing. Uther looked faintly ruffled.
"Are you ok?" Sir Leon asked kindly, not entirely sure what to do with himself. He settled for folding his hands behind his back, and trying to look noble.
"No... I… I am so scared. There… he… he's a sorcerer, my lord!
"Who is?!" Uther demanded, as his attention was finally caught.
"Please, sire… he'll kill me if he finds out I told…."
"You need not fear. Only I and Sir Leon will know that you told us."
Gwen took a deep breath, as though steadying herself.
"Merlin, your majesty."
"Prince Arthur's manservant?" Sir Leon asked.
"Yes. He's with him now, all alone, but I didn't…. I couldn't." Gwen dissolved once more into loud tears. Uther quickly strode towards the door, Leon closely on his heels.
"Guards." He said sharply. Several fell into step behind them. Moving quickly, they headed towards Arthur's chambers.
Rising up from the floor, Gwen smiled to herself. Arthur would be hers. She would be Queen, no matter what.
