Hello people, here's the next chapter of Entangled, hope you enjoy the read!
CHAPTER - 2
Arthur tried not to fidget as he sat with his father's eyes fixed on him from where he was sitting opposite to him in the dining table.
He was always edgy around his father these days and eventhough Merlin was safely ensconced in his room with Elena he still couldn't help but feel anxious. They'd been discussing about Pendragon Corps' latest acquisitions when Uther satisfied that he was not lagging around diverted the topic to Arthur's least favorite thing to talk about with his father.
"How is Merlin?"
"He's fine" Arthur made sure to make his tone very casual whenever he talked about Merlin to Uther.
"He's five now, you should enroll him in Whetherby."
Arthur frowned, he hadn't been expecting his father to needle him about Merlin's education, Arthur would be damned if he sent Merlin anywhere for school.
"No, I don't think that would be a good idea father." Arthur was resolute on this, he could not afford to take risk should Merlin ever loose control of his magic when other people were present, he was not old enough to control his powers yet.
Uther's glare was sharp as he quipped "It would not do if you coddled him and keep him locked up in here forever, he needs to go out, see the world and keep to the traditions of the Royal family!"
"Merlin is being educated by highly recommended private tutors; I don't see the need for him to go to Whetherby."
Uther voice was rising and along with it Arthur's ire, "He needs to interact with other children of his age, he needs to learn what being a Prince of England means!"
"He's my son; I know what is best for him."
"He is the heir to the throne of England! Or have you forgotten?"
Arthur was glaring right back at his father as he said "Oh I haven't, not for a single moment"
Uther's glare didn't drop, his tone frosty he said "He will resent you for this one day; don't think you're doing him any favors."
Arthur sighed and refrained from rubbing his temples, as if he didn't already feel guilty about restricting Merlin so much because of his paranoia, it was just like his father to cut right to the bone with his careless remarks.
Uther cleared his throat then and just as Arthur was preparing for another row he asked "I heard Lord O'Rourke was present for the du Lac's wedding."
Arthur gritted his teeth and bit out a tight, "Yes"
Uther nodded and Arthur found it odd that his father had never really disapproved of Gwaine as much as he disapproved of Arthur being gay. It was probably something to do with the fact that Gwaine was as blue blooded as the Pendragon's, were it some common man Arthur had taken up with he was sure Uther would have disinherited him, pregnant or no.
"Does he suspect anything?" it was Uther who spoke with caution now.
Arthur huffed, "Of course not, he hasn't got enough brain cells to put it all together."
"Are you sure about that?" asked Uther weary.
"You can rest easy father" said Arthur, "He won't figure it out."
Why was even his father bringing up Gwaine, it was like Arthur couldn't escape the shadow of him even in his own home. Wasn't it enough that he had to look upon Merlin's dark hair and chin and see Gwaine in it all day? He was so glad Merlin had inherited his blue eyes though, aside from the hair and chin Merlin was all Arthur's.
"What about you?" Uther persisted still in that wearisome tone.
"What do you mean father?" Arthur asked his head tilted to the side.
Uther looked away from him for a moment and then took a deep breath before asking "I only wanted to ask, are you alright?"
Arthur looked startled for a minute before nodding his head, saying "I'm fine."
Uther's eyes narrowed in scrutiny before he accepted Arthur's words saying "Good."
By the time Uther left Kensington palace Arthur was in a foul mood and only wanted to be left alone to mope for awhile.
Merlin was thankfully asleep by the time Arthur checked in on him and Arthur woke up Elena who was dozing on an armchair in Merlin's room. Elena looked about for awhile before she let out a huge yawn and tried to stand up.
Being the klutz that she was though she tripped and Arthur caught her before she could fall well accustomed to her bouts of clumsiness after years of their acquaintance.
"Come on, let's get something to eat I'm starving." Arthur said dragging Elena along to the kitchen where he switched on the stove to make some French toast.
"Who eats French toast in the night?" asked Elena for which Arthur replied.
"Stop whining, a Prince is making you toast, I'm pretty sure you must be bowing in gratitude."
"Gratitude my ass! It's the least you could do for me after I take care of your brat all day long."
Arthur smiled knowing she was jesting as usual and said "True that…."
When the toast was ready Elena grabbed plates for the both of them and they settled down close to the polished counter top to eat.
Elena kept quiet for all of five minutes before she asked "So…."
Arthur looked up from where he was shoving a piece of toast into his mouth and blinked, after he was finished gulping his food down he asked "So?"
Elena put down her fork and said "Oh come on!"
"What?" Arthur asked truly confounded now.
"Gods you're impossible! You saw Gwaine at the wedding."
Arthur shrugged, "So did you"
"Yeah except I never really fucked him, though I really wanted to!"
"Ugh Elena! Don't make me think about straight sex, you're girl bits creep me out. And it's not all that good…" Arthur said with a pointed look at Elena.
"What with Gwaine? Don't be silly! I was there when you two were an item remember, you both were at it like rabbits!"
"ELENA!" Arthur said outraged, "We did not!"
Elena only cackled in that truly horrifying fashion she did when she found something very amusing, "Of course, explain Merlin then."
Arthur laughed as he never did with anyone else, no one could get away with telling things that Elena did to him, but then again he had gotten close to Elena over the years when she'd been Merlin's nanny. He didn't know how it happened for before Gwaine and Arthur got together Elena was principally Gwaine's friend.
Arthur knew that Gwaine still talked to her over the phone and yet Elena had kept his secret. When he'd asked her once why she never told Gwaine anything she only said it was not her secret to tell.
"Seriously though….seeing him after all these years, are you okay?" Elena was tentative as she put her hands on top of his.
"Why wouldn't I be?" asked Arthur and all at once it seemed like his apatite had deserted him.
Elena grunted and decided to let it go for now though she knew Arthur wasn't as unaffected as he no doubt thought himself to be.
'We need the boy Morgana! He's our only chance to drive a bargain.'
'No Morgause, we will have to find another way'
'We'll never have enough leverage against them if we don't have the young warlock.'
'I won't let you use him as a war weapon, he is five! He's Arthur's son and as good as mine.'
'Your precious Arthur wouldn't lift a finger for us if it came down to a fight between Uther and us! Don't you forget that sister.'
Morgana frowned, Morgause' words were an echo of what she'd told Arthur but she couldn't believe Arthur would stand by and let Uther seize them all when it came down to a fight.
'He has as much reason for fighting on our side now!'
'He is Uther's son!'
'That does not make him the same as Uther.'
'How can you be sure he will not let us down? He has as much to loose if we came into power.'
Morgana couldn't believe that she was thinking in this way but what if Morgause was right? What if in the end Arthur did let them down anyway?
Morgana knew Arthur did not truly support Uther's tyrannical opposition of magic and all magic users but still Arthur loved Uther, of that she had no doubt. But Arthur's love for Merlin was greater and if a time came when Arthur had to choose between Merlin and Uther she was sure Arthur would pick Merlin. Moreover, she still loved Arthur and Merlin and she couldn't let Morgause use Merlin as another pawn in her plans to stage a coup. 'We don't involve Merlin' Morgana said resolutely before walking away from Morgause to calm her racing thoughts.
The front page of the Entertainment section was splashed with Gwaine's photograph as Arthur turned the pages that boasted of Gwaine's new album 'Believe' selling ten million copies worldwide ever since its release just short of a month.
Gwaine, the cad looked sinfully good posing for the cover of his album and Arthur scowled as he wondered why out of all professions in the world Gwaine had to become a popstar and a famous one at that. And since he was originally from Ireland he couldn't get a reprieve even in England because Gwaine was the first popstar who'd made it this big from the UK in a long while and he had a huge fanbase in Britain alone, let alone all the other European fanbase.
Merlin came thundering into his room and Arthur folded the newspaper just so, he didn't want Merlin admiring Gwaine in the papers too. It was bad enough that Gwaine's songs were blaring through Merlin's room for about two weeks now.
Arthur kept trying to needle Merlin into watching cartoons or listen to David Bowie or Michael Jackson but Merlin would have none of it.
They were going out together with Morgana for some shopping today since Merlin's birthday was coming soon and like all dutiful aunts Morgana spoiled him silly.
Arthur was going to go with them to chaperone and carry their bags for them, he'd refuse but then again he would not escape the wrath of Morgana so he sucked it up and went every year.
Merlin was already in hyperbole mood even before Morgana had even arrived and Arthur smiled indulgently as Merlin rattled off everything he wanted to him, 'Dad I want a Necca Godzilla, Minecraft cave, Spider Man, Ninja turtle, Universe Gladiator, Hot wheels and….'
Arthur made sure to keep an expression of disapproval on his face as Merlin scrunched up his little face thinking of anything else that he could squeeze into the list.
"Now now, you know I'm not going to buy you everything on that list" Arthur jested though he probably would end up buying them all for Merlin anyway.
Merlin turned displeasured eyes at him and quipped, "That's what Aunt Morgana is for!" and stuck out his tongue at Arthur.
Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Oh you little monster, you're going to pay for that' Arthur brought up his arms in the universal gesture of trying to tickle someone and Merlin ran out with Arthur giving chase.
Merlin was laughing hard and Arthur caught him in no time at all and wrestled him to the ground tickling him until it had Merlin giggling and squirming trying to get away from Arthur's invading hands.
"Daddy! Daaadyyy, stop!" Merlin had tears running down from his eyes when Arthur finally stopped and then he lifted Merlin up into his arms and into his sitting room to see that Morgana had arrived.
"Aunty!" Merlin screamed and got down and out of Arthur's arms, little feet racing to hug Morgana about her legs.
Morgana ran her hand through Merlin's hair smiling indulgently at his childish enthusiasm. "I see someone is very eager to see me." She said pointedly looking at Arthur who gave her a churlish look.
After all it was him who had to carry all the stuff that Morgana and Merlin were going to buy, well him and Leon and his other two bodyguards but he knew from experience that Morgana would have all of their hands overflowing with goods so he had a right to look less than thrilled about it.
They'd been out on the streets of London for the better part of the day when Arthur cottoned on that Morgana seemed agitated and out of sorts. She'd forgotten her shopping bags twice at a store and tripped in her heels which never happened on a normal day.
And she seemed spaced out most of the time like she was in an entirely different place and not together with Arthur and Merlin.
Merlin was browsing through a toy store when Arthur finally cornered Morgana and asked her what it was all about.
Morgana snapped out of whatever trance she was in, seemingly forgetting about the fact that Arthur had asked her a question before saying "I'm fine…"
Her tone was questioning and Arthur raised an unimpressed eyebrow saying "Now I know this has got to be because of your meetings with the rebels…"
Arthur knew that Morgana was part of the Underground Magical Rebel forces ever since her cousin sister Morgause had inducted her into their secret task force to overthrow the monarchy.
Morgana shot him a dirty look and said "Seriously Arthur, you could be the most judgmental jerk in the planet…"
Arthur was offended, "I didn't say a thing!"
"You didn't need to say it" Morgana was gritting her teeth and vying for a fight but since they were both in a decidedly public place she lowered her voice and hissed, "The way you talk about us itself says what you feel about our lot!"
Before he could comment Merlin came to them with both his arms loaded with an action figure of Iron Man and yet another power ranger.
Arthur frowned, "Merlin, you already have two of those at home, put it back."
They maybe royal and therefore able to afford anything and everything but even Arthur had his limits when it came to spoiling Merlin.
Merlin stubborn as ever refused blatantly saying "This is the new one! The one I have at home is old."
"Old?" Arthur asked incredulously, "You got one just two months back, now put the doll back in its place; I'm not getting you another."
"But daddy!" Merlin whined but Arthur didn't budge.
"I really really really want it!" Merlin pouted, big blue eyes eerily similar to Arthur's gazing at him with a puppy dog expression that Merlin just knew Arthur wouldn't be able to resist.
And Morgana looked amused inspecting her perfectly manicured nails and giving a superior smirk, she'd thought all of her dirty tricks to Merlin, the she devil.
But resist Arthur did and his tone was firm when he said "No Merlin, I've spoiled you enough for one day and no more. Now put it back so we can buy your Iron Man figure and go."
Merlin looked defiant and shouted "NO!"
Everyone in the shop turned to look at them and Arthur was angry now and he was not loosing yet another battle with his only child, he needed to set some boundaries. If it were Uther now Arthur would have been removed from the premises and given a thorough tongue lashing for making a spectacle in the public's eyes.
Unbidden Uther's words came into his mind ringing annoyingly and yet insistently, 'your coddling him too much, he won't thank you for this…..He is a Prince'
"Merlin, you will not shout!" Arthur crouched down with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"I will if I want to!" Merlin screamed yet again and Arthur glared, why was Merlin so obdurate all the damn time?
Morgana tried to interfere saying "Come on Arthur, it's only a doll, get it and let's get out of here."
Arthur rounded on Morgana then saying "I've had enough of you supporting his snobbery Morgana, keep out of this."
Morgana rolled her eyes and raised her hands in surrender before leaning back and looking at Merlin who was still clutching the two toys tightly in his hands and looking for all the world like he might start bawling just for the hell of it anytime now.
"Alright, if you won't put it back now we won't be getting either."
Merlin wailed loudly his mouth opening wide in a scream of obstinacy and Arthur refrained from rolling his eyes and praying for his brat to shut up, this had been Merlin's way of getting what he wanted for way too long and Arthur was getting tired of bending to his whims all the time.
Arthur shook his head and crouched down to Merlin holding him with both arms and loudly said "MERLIN, stop it! Stop screaming!"
His pleas fell on deaf ears however and Merlin only wailed louder.
Arthur knowing this wasn't getting anywhere pried both the dolls out of Merlin's hands and when he tried to reach for them he walked away swiftly while Merlin stood there with his hands empty and screamed and screamed.
Morgana was trying to comfort him but she wasn't getting through and Merlin held up his hands and screamed.
Arthur turned back to the shelves determinedly even as Merlin's screams made him want to run back and just offer Merlin whatever he bloody wanted.
He put the toys back in their respective places and when he turned back it was to a scene that he'd never anticipated he'd ever have to see in all his living days.
Merlin was still crying but what absolutely rankled Arthur was the fact that Gwaine, yes the one and only Gwaine the mancing popstar who lived to burst Arthur's blood vessels Gwaine was kneeling close to Merlin and seemed to be trying to calm Merlin down.
'Oh Gods, why couldn't he fuck off to America already?' thought Arthur and walked swiftly to his erstwhile son.
Miraculously Merlin seemed to have stopped bawling and now it was only the occasional sniffles that escaped, his small frame shaking in anguish and Arthur felt guilty despite himself, hell being a parent was hard.
"Alright now, alright, calm down…that's it" Gwaine was speaking in a low whisper but Arthur was close enough to hear and he hissed and moved forward.
At the same time Merlin looked up and let out a huge whimper his hands spread askew, the sight of Arthur only making him regress back into full out wailing.
Arthur's chest ached with hurt and he stayed where he was while Gwaine approached Merlin cautiously and put his arms on Merlin's tiny shoulders bringing him close and whispering, "Calm down now, calm down…" in his ears, Morgana was watching it all with fascination and Arthur was gritting his teeth in anger that something which he never wanted to happen was happening right in front of his eyes, he couldn't help but be reminded of Leon and his words now, the shit could hit the fan pretty quickly indeed if Merlin stayed within line of Gwaine's sight like this.
What was a guy like Gwaine even doing in a toy store?
Gwaine had pulled Merlin close and was hugging him tight to his chest and finally after what seemed to be ages, Gwaine looked up at Arthur with an indecipherable slant to his eyes.
And just like he always was, ignoring other people's boundaries and even knowing that it was very rude to lift any child that wasn't your own without the parent's permission when the parent was standing right next to them he picked Merlin up and Merlin his stubborn son tucked his head right into Gwaine's neck like he did customarily with Arthur and all Arthur wanted to do was rip Merlin away from Gwaine's arms and run until he was far far away.
Arthur sulked while Morgana watched it all enfold like a hawk, Gwaine cooed to Merlin speaking softly with him until Merlin grunted back a half hearted response and the shop's customers were still eyeing them all like it was twilight zone and hell it felt that way to Arthur.
"What are you doing here?" blurted Arthur the minute they started walking away, Gwaine still holding Merlin.
Gwaine looked at him like he was dim before snapping, "What does any adult do in a toy store? Except you of course, who enjoys making kids cry in the middle of a toy shop."
Arthur was indignant at once, "Don't you dare! You don't even know what happened."
Gwaine rounded on Arthur and even though he knew he had no right to say anything he hissed, "Oh really? All I know is I saw enough to know that you left your son bawling in the middle of a crowd of onlookers who you know must be taking pictures like Christmas has come early and you don't even have the smarts to not leave your incredibly upset child alone."
Arthur clenched his teeth so hard he feared he might have fractured them and if Gwaine weren't holding Merlin in his arms and they weren't in a place that was so public he would have gladly put a shiner on him.
"Merlin was with Morgana…"
Gwaine rolled his eyes and shot Morgana a cool look, for some reason he'd never liked Arthur's cousin all that much, principally because Morgana Le Fay acted like she was above everyone and everything in the world and expected people to bend to her wiles.
Gwaine refrained from saying anything although he wanted to say something nasty.
Merlin finally lifted his head off of Gwaine's neck and looked about finding Arthur. Arthur looked and felt like shit and Gwaine sighed just knowing that Arthur was already feeling guilty.
He'd been here to purchase a doll for his niece when he'd noticed all the hoopla when Prince Arthur and his son had come into the shop. He'd hid behind some conveniently placed shelves as he'd wanted to avoid another encounter with Arthur but then all the commotion had started.
He heard a shouted 'NO' in a voice that sounded suspiciously like that of Merlin's and went closer to see what was happening. By the time he'd made it to where Merlin was he'd already started wailing loud enough to wake the dead and Morgana was trying and failing to get him to stop crying when Arthur just waltzed away like it wasn't his problem.
At that moment Gwaine had doubted all the things he'd ever thought about where it concerned Arthur, maybe he was as much of a pillock as he used to be and maybe he was as bad as the old Pendragon was at being a parent.
Gwaine knew he had no right to get involved, this was clearly not his problem and Arthur would not thank him for his interference either but the sight of Merlin bawling standing all alone in the crowded store pulled at his heartstrings and before he knew it his feet had taken him to Merlin's side and he could hardly stop himself from crushing the child into his arms and soothing him until he stopped crying and looking so miserable.
Looking at Arthur now though he understood that no matter what Arthur did feel guilty for having caused his son so much distress and it showed in the way Arthur's eyes were wandering over his son. Arthur looked as miserable as Merlin right then and Gwaine tapped Merlin's chin and said "Gosh, you have some lungs on you lad!"
Merlin didn't seem to understand and looked adorably confused while Arthur grunted and Morgana chuckled.
Merlin turned to Morgana for an explanation obviously disconcerted that he wasn't in on the joke; Arthur was still not favored with a glance.
Gwaine continued, "So why did you start bawling anyway?"
Merlin turned away and tucked his head back into Gwaine's neck not offering an explanation while Morgana said "He wanted a toy, Arthur refused. I told you to just get it for him."
Arthur rolled his eyes skyward, "He already has one at home."
Merlin seemed to come alive at that, he defended his wishes stating, "I have an old one at home! I want a new one!"
Gwaine was surprised the kid could talk after having rung out his lungs for the better part of an hour and he could see why Arthur might have done what he had. He was hardly an expert at handling kids; he just knew they were very messy and very demanding.
Arthur was petulant himself when he exasperatedly told, "He got one two months back and now he's calling it old! And I keep indulging him all the time, he'll end up the greatest snob that's ever been!"
Gwaine smirked now and when Arthur looked confused he said, "Now I know that's not possible, because…" Gwaine paused and shared a conspiratorial look with Merlin winked at him and then turned to Arthur saying "Because that title will always belong to you Arthur."
Morgana hid a smile behind her hands and Merlin giggled, the traitor.
Arthur had about had enough and he extended his hands cautiously saying "Come now Merlin, you're not as light anymore and Gwaine's arms are probably numb from holding you up."
Thankfully Merlin didn't embarrass him by refusing and turning away or gods forbid clinging to Gwaine. Gwaine felt inexplicably unhappy when Merlin was out of his arms, he'd liked the weight of Merlin in his arms. Holding Merlin close made him feel content and he couldn't for the life of him understand why a kid who was all but a stranger to him affected him so deeply.
"So what were you here for really?" asked Arthur as they came out of their hiding place and out where the other patrons were looking at them in awe.
Gwaine shoved his hands into his pockets to prevent himself from feeling bereft and said "I came to buy a doll for my niece."
"I did know Leslie had a daughter, what's her name?" asked Arthur as Morgana excused herself saying she had to call someone. If Arthur thought that as blatant scheming on her part he didn't say it out loud.
Leslie O' Rourke was Gwaine's elder sister and though Arthur had never known her, her husband was known in his circles well enough.
"Cassandra Liz" said Gwaine.
"Daddy" Merlin's voice made them both stop and Arthur knew what he was going to ask before he even voiced it.
"I'll get you the Iron Man action figure but not the power ranger."
"But why?" asked Merlin petulantly.
"You know why Merls."
Merlin squirmed in his arms and Arthur put him down and he ran out of sight quick as lightning and Arthur was left alone with Gwaine with a room full of people yes but still alone with Gwaine, with no Morgana or Merlin or Gwen or Lance to act as a buffer.
It was good that Gwaine seemed as uncomfortable as Arthur felt. They walked a few paces slowly before Gwaine cleared his throat and straightened his back like he always did when he was feeling nervous but decided to brave through it anyway.
"How are you Arthur?" Gwaine asked meeting Arthur's eyes straight on for the first time with genuine concern alighting his face.
And Arthur was stumped, pinned with those soulful brown eyes that he'd fell so hard for and which seemed to penetrate and see everything in him. That was one of the most thrilling and most unnerving things about Gwaine, his eyes made Arthur feel naked and exposed and on the edge of descending into torturous madness.
Arthur averted his eyes and said "I'm fine."
Gwaine nodded his head looking down at the garishly colored tiles on the floor, "Good" he mumbled after a while but Arthur was close enough that he could hear it.
Merlin came bounding back to Arthur again with an Iron Man figure clutched in his arms.
When Morgana came back in, Gwaine floundered rubbing his neck self consciously before he shrugged and said "Well I guess I'll see you around."
He ruffled Merlin's hair and said "Take care kiddo"
Merlin smiled and waved and Gwaine walked away and out of the shop forgetting to buy anything for his niece.
Arthur watched him until he disappeared out of sight and then said "Don't think I didn't realize your scheming ways when you left me alone to deal with him Morgana."
Merlin was engrossed with a disney princess doll and was out of earshot, Morgana just gave him a coy smile and quipped "Oh is wee little Artiekins afraid of the big bad boy Gwaine?"
Arthur shot her a cutting glare before he took the toys to the front of the store deciding to pull Merlin along and write the entire day out of his mind.
'Scooby dooby doooo'
The telly was blaring with Cartoon Network and Arthur rubbed at his temples and sat overlooking some reports on expenditure for the month. As boring as accounts was Arthur would prefer to do it with a modicum of silence but Merlin had been insistent on being with Arthur and hence the blaring of TV and Arthur had just about had enough of 'Scooby dooby doo, where are you?' for a lifetime.
Merlin was so engrossed with the Shaggy searching for the masked criminal that he didn't bother Arthur too much while he was working. Otherwise Merlin hardly ever allowed Arthur to work when he decided he wanted Arthur's undivided attention on him.
"Merlin, could you reduce the volume? I'm working here."
Merlin turned to look at him with his mouth turning down in a displeased frown but he did reduce the volume so Arthur went back to reading.
"Daddy"
Arthur looked up to see that Merlin had switched off the tv in the time he'd been absorbed in his work and Merlin was not sat with a mountain of pillows at his back at the center of Arthur's huge four poster bed.
Merlin was fiddling with the long sleeves of his night shirt and Arthur knew this was a sign of nervousness.
So he softened his tone and asked "What is it Merlin?"
"Was my mummy magic? Is that why she's not here with me now?" Merlin was twisting his fingers and looking down while asking this and Arthur sat stunned for a long while, Merlin had never asked him about his aforementioned mother before today.
"Merlin….why…why would you think that…." Arthur couldn't understand how Merlin came to the conclusion that his mother was not with him because she must have had magic. Arthur himself didn't understand how Merlin was born with magic; neither he nor Gwaine had any magical abilities.
Merlin looked up at him at that and asked "Did grandpa take my mummy away like you said he'd take me away because I'm magic?"
Arthur understood then and refrained from slapping himself on the head, of course Merlin thought Uther might have taken away his mother. And as much as Arthur had been hoping for this conversation to never come up, he'd known deep down that someday he would have to answer Merlin's questions. The thing was that he was utterly unprepared for it now because Arthur thought Merlin was still very little to have such curiosities.
He'd decided long ago that when and if Merlin asked he'd be as truthful as he could about it, except for involving Gwaine in his explanations of course.
So he put his reports down, he was not at all prepared for this and as he walked towards Merlin quickly and sat down pulling him close to his chest he only hoped Merlin would understand and see him the same after this.
"Merlin, no one took your mom away alright?"
Merlin looked up from where he'd been leaning his head against Arthur's chest, "So she left me because she didn't want me?"
Arthur shook his head, "No Merlin, no, you see you weren't born the same way children are born to mummies and daddies."
Merlin's eyes were filled with confusion and Arthur rolled his eyes at himself for not being more articulate instead of giving half arsed explanations and confusing Merlin even more.
"You see Merlin, sometimes….some people…." Arthur pointed to himself, "like me can have babies without a mummy."
"But where did I come from if I don't have a mummy? Little Hayden came from Aunt Gertrude, I saw her when she had it inside her belly!"
Curse Aunt Gertrude and her seventh pregnancy Arthur thought before he said "Well…if we are being very technical then I suppose we could say you came from me."
Merlin scrunched up his face adorably before he asked "I came from your belly?" in a questioning tone and Arthur had no choice but to nod.
Merlin seemed to ponder on this for awhile looking down and then with a little index finger he poked Arthur in his flat abdomen.
Merlin was quiet and it seemed to be the longest five minutes of Arthur's life before he said "So you are my mummy?"
Merlin extricated himself from Arthur's arms and his blue eyes pinned Arthur in place, he couldn't lie even if he wanted to now, "I carried you inside my belly yes, so I suppose I am the closest thing to a mummy you'll have."
Arthur went to his closet leaving Merlin alone for a minute, he knew he'd have to show it to Merlin that Arthur did carry him because how could a child believe that a male like Arthur could carry children otherwise. Male carriers were rare these days and Arthur had not even known he was one until he'd got together with Gwaine and even then he had never believed in the rumors enough to know he chanced a risk of pregnancy when he slept with a male.
Uther had never seen it fit to inform Arthur of this little detail because at that time he'd been under the impression that Arthur was into girls.
When he came out Merlin was still sitting in the same place and he took the keys to the drawer where he kept his photo album and opened it. It had been at Morgana's insistence that Arthur had documented his pregnancy. She'd told him that no matter that the situation he was in was shitty at best he had to understand that it was a gift in and of itself eventhough it came at a very inappropriate time in his life and when he'd been on board with having the kid because he couldn't very well kill it Morgana had taken it upon herself to snap pictures whenever she saw fit.
Arthur took the small inconspicuous leather covered album out from his desk drawer and flipped it to a page where Morgana had taken a picture of Arthur without his shirt on when he was seven months along. His belly was distended and marked with stretch marks and it was to this day one of the photos which brought Arthur equal amounts of disgust and wonder.
Arthur brought the album to Merlin and showed him the picture and Merlin's blue eyes widened as he flipped the pages and saw Arthur with Gwen and Lance sometimes, Morgana most of the times, or by himself but all the photos had a young Arthur showing off his round belly clothed or otherwise. There was one photograph of him having an ultra sound where his shirt had been pulled up and Morgana had focused the lens just so to include the image on the screen of Merlin growing inside Arthur.
It was then that his smart little five year old lad caught on to all of Arthur's lies and asked "If you are my mummy, then who is my daddy?"
It's was Arthur's turn to be shocked as he didn't imagine his son would put two and two together so quickly.
Merlin was looking at Arthur expectantly and Arthur couldn't tell him the truth, not right now, "I am"
Merlin frowned and said "But Will said it takes two people to make a baby, a mummy and a daddy, so if you are my mummy, where's my daddy?"
"Merlin, I told you people like me are different."
Merlin looked down for a minute, "Like magic?"
"What?"
"Like magic….you are my mummy and my daddy, it must be magic…" Merlin spoke in a hushed tone and Arthur glad to have that interpretation so he didn't have to lie even more nodded.
Merlin giggled then and threw himself into Arthur's arms with mirth spilling forth, "Daddy, you're a little magic too."
And hell if that didn't make Arthur feel like the shittiest person that ever lived.
Arthur told Morgana, Gwen, Lance, Leon and Elena about what happened that night so that they knew that they didn't need to be so overly cautious around Merlin anymore.
Leon cornered him when he came back from work the next day and with a curt "We need to talk" he separated Arthur from the rest of his body guards and lead him to Arthur's rooms which really were the most private place they could be in the entire palace.
"What's so urgent that you felt the need to make a scene and drag me away?" asked Arthur taking off his suit jacket and removing the top two buttons on his shirt.
Arthur was taking off his shoes when Leon said "Arthur something big has happened with Uther."
Arthur looked up shock palpable in his eyes, his skin crawled with fear and he had the urge to run and find Merlin right then and there.
Leon assured him immediately saying, "He's fine Arthur, Merlin is alright, I just wanted to warn you."
Arthur took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"What's happened?" asked Arthur.
"He knows about Morgana."
Arthur looked even more shocked at this as he knew Morgana was well adept at covering her tracks, she'd never been caught out for having magic in all the time Arthur had known her "What? How did that happen?"
Leon sighed and rubbed his temples looking wearier than Arthur felt and said "There was an accident in her apartment and it was caused by magic. Uther had a special investigation team who confirmed that the signature was Morgana's. As you can imagine, he's furious."
Arthur found it hard to assimilate all this, how were things getting so out of hand so quickly, "What's he said? What is he doing?"
"He's all but ordered a witch hunt. Her face will be all over the papers and tv tomorrow and he's going to approach you…..I wouldn't be surprised if he investigated you formally either."
"When did this happen? Why wasn't I told immediately?" Arthur demanded out of Leon who held up his hands in surrender and said "Uther had it all hushed up, Gaius was the one who told me after he knew Morgana was going to be in trouble."
Arthur paced up and down his room his arms folded tight across his chest. He knew by now Morgana must be safe with Morgause but that still didn't mean Uther's crones couldn't find her out and snuff her.
And Morgana was the only one who had a link to the magical world among them and Arthur feared for her and himself when he knew she'd most likely not show her face anywhere around them now. He feared what Morgause and all the other dark sorcerers' influence would do to her without being able to live her normal life as she did and go into hiding with them all.
And he had a more pressing problem of Uther questioning him, Leon put it too kindly but Arthur knew he'd have to face hours of intense scrutiny from Uther when he did come around to see Arthur and he'd have to dodge questions and atleast manage to convince his father that he knew nothing about Morgana's magic.
Uther would not believe him straight away, Arthur knew that for a fact for he knew how close Arthur and Morgana were.
And Uther having caught on to Morgana hit a little too close to home and Arthur couldn't help but work a sweat up imagining Merlin found in a similar situation. Morgana being an adult and practiced at controlling her magic had caused an accident that outed her without a doubt, Merlin was only a child and his magic was wild and uncontrolled at the best of times.
"Morgana has always been so careful with her magic, I can't believe she'd just lost control and in such a magnitude that it would expose her without a doubt" Arthur said still pacing, she'd looked so out of it the other day when they went shopping but Arthur didn't think Morgana was the type to let stress goad her into being stupid. She knew all her life what exposure meant as she lived under the cold tight scrutiny of Uther and she knew more than any of them to be cautious.
Leon agreed and said "That's what I find hard to believe too, I mean….she'd never be so careless."
That's when it struck Arthur, "Oh God Leon! Of course she wouldn't be, unless she had no choice. The rebels probably staged this so they could get her into their circle permanently." Arthur faced Leon and said growing confident as his conviction grew, "They knew about her powers and they knew that she wouldn't go against Uther blatantly unless she had no other choice but to do so! They probably orchestrated it so that if she got caught she had no choice but to seek security with them and fight for them."
Comprehension dawned on both their faces and they stayed silent for a long while.
"Uther's probably going to want to have this entire place bugged" Leon said and then added, "We have to be careful of what we speak from now on…."
Arthur nodded knowing that they were all going to be under Uther's intense scrutiny for days to come.
"And about Merlin…I think it would be wise if you just take a vacation and not be seen here for awhile, not immediately of course because it'd be too suspicious but when this has settled…."
Arthur didn't believe Uther was going to let any of them out of his sight anytime soon but he considered it anyway, maybe if he was successful in making Uther believe that he had not known of Morgana's secret all along then he'd chance at asking Uther to let him go away for a while. He had to phrase his request carefully otherwise it might all go to hell in a matter of minutes.
"Don't tell Merlin anything…..any of you! I don't want him to be scared than he already is."
Leon nodded but ever the practical one he stated, "If it's all over the media and papers he might find out sooner or later."
"Yes and I prefer him to not know until such a time I can get him safely out of Uther's sight."
Shite, shite, shite, how were things going so wrong so quickly?
Arthur told Elena what had happened and told her to keep Merlin away from any news paper, Arthur had already set parent control on the TV in Merlin's room to display only cartoon channels and channels he was sure wouldn't be telecasting Morgana's betrayal as they'd no doubt dubbed it by now.
It took Uther a surprisingly long time, all things considered he even waited a whole day and Arthur having anticipated his coming had sent Merlin and Elena away to Gwen and Lance's house so that if they're arguments resulted in screaming Merlin wouldn't come to find out exactly what was happening around him.
Merlin adored Morgana and all this would no doubt cause him to be very upset and when he was upset he generally exhibited outbursts of uncontrolled magic and Arthur could not afford for that to happen.
They were seated in the dining hall and Arthur refrained from showing any discomfort feeling a strong sense of déjà vu as this interrogation had become quite the customary way for Uther to interact with him these days but today he could see in the tense set of his father's shoulders and the tightness of his lips pressed together to know that Uther was very very angry.
"I assume you know by now" Uther started in a deceptively calm tone that Arthur knew not to be mislaid by.
Arthur looked down and then up and met Uther's eyes square on, "If you mean by Morgana father, then yes I know…..hard not to with all this talk about witch hunts."
Arthur voice was bitter and Uther's eyes narrowed shrewd and cutting in their reprimand, "It's the least she deserves for betraying me!" Uther shouted unrestrained and Arthur knew better than to argue.
Uther stood up then, his fists balled and his teeth clenched and the sight of him openly displaying his anger was enough for Arthur to know his father was in a very volatile state of mind.
"I took her in when her parents died, gave her a home, gave her a life, indulged her ever whim as if she were my own daughter, I loved her as my own daughter and she goes behind my back and practices magic!"
Arthur kept silent letting Uther vent his anger, as long as he only wanted to express his fury Arthur was safe, yet he knew his father would not be so remiss to not question him thoroughly once he'd exhausted himself from shouting.
Uther seemed to make a visible effort to calm himself down before he came back and sat down in his place opposite to Arthur.
He cut right to the chase with, "Did you know?"
Arthur brows scrunched and he hoped he looked suitably dubious before he said "Of course not.."
Uther narrowed his eyes at Arthur again and asked, "Are you lying to me?"
Arthur threw his hands up in an exasperated fashion, "Why would I lie about her to you?"
Uther didn't miss a beat as he said, "You two have been rather close all this while, are you truly telling me that she didn't entrust you with her dirty secret?"
"Do you know Morgana to be the sort of person who trusts anybody? Especially if she had something of this magnitude hidden, do you really think that she'd let me know?"
Uther got contemplative for a while, and Arthur gave himself a mental pat on the back for putting it out there. Everybody who knew Morgana knew that she kept people at an arms distance all the time and it might not be true with Arthur but Uther hardly needed to know that.
"You are not convincing me of your innocence Arthur, you truly mean to say that after living together as brother and sister for all these years and few of those years in the same house, hell the same rooms, that you've never once seen her perform magic, or talk about magic? Did you never suspect why she championed for the rights of those scum?"
Arthur calmly said "Why would I father? It didn't make you suspicious after all….."
By the way Uther was holding himself Arthur knew he'd just grated on Uther's nerves all the more, he had essentially pointed out that Uther despite being the King and everything was not so very smart.
Uther looked away after that seemingly ruminating on whether his son was guilty or not. Then finally he turned back to Arthur and asked "Would you have told me if you did know? Would you have come to me if she'd told you?"
Arthur knew this was a tricky question, if he said yes his father would be appeased but then again he'd be suspicious too. Whatever he may be Uther knew him all too well and if he admitted that he would have ratted on Morgana to his father knowing what was at stake, he would look atleast to his father out of character.
Arthur hardened his expression before he looked straight into Uther's eyes and said "No, no I would not have….I wouldn't want her to be put to the same fate as every other magic user you capture."
Uther mouth tightened at that and his eyes were filled with fury that Arthur could hardly not flinch.
Time passed and Arthur's heart rattled in his chest awaiting his father's judgment.
"Well it looks like she won't be avoiding that fate anyway." Uther stood up with that final remark that made Arthur grit his teeth in anger.
"Father, you said yourself you loved her, can't you find it in your heart to forgive her?"
Uther turned around to look at Arthur and the absolute coldness that radiated from every pore of his body made Arthur fear for Morgana's fate is she was ever captured by Uther's assassins and police task force against magic.
"She betrayed me Arthur, she betrayed you."
That's all he said before he walked out swiftly and Arthur fell back down in his chair wondering how good the rebels were at their thing and if they possessed enough power to keep Morgana hidden.
That night while Merlin was asleep and Elena gone home Arthur switched on the telly only to find most of the channels filled with Morgana's pictures and scandalous story after scandalous story.
He finally landed on Late Night with David Letterman and surprise surprise the guest was none other than Gwaine O Rourke.
And Arthur despite having the ability to turn the telly off or switch to another channel watched.
Letterman made the introductions saying, "And today we have here a very special guest, he's an Irish pop star who has now released his third studio album Believe to a sale of 10 million copies worldwide, he's also a four time Grammy winning artist, ladies and gentlemen let's welcome Gwaine O' Rourke."
Gwaine came out looking well put together in a three piece suit as opposed to the leather jacket and ripped jeans Arthur had expected him to sport, and Arthur silently appreciated the efforts on grooming as Gwaine's hair alone looked as edible as the rest of him was.
The crowd went mad cheering loudly and Gwaine looked abashedly at them waving and smiling before he sat down.
The applause was still loud and Gwaine and Letterman spoke something but it was all lost in the noise and Arthur found himself being annoyed.
Finally Letterman raised his voice and said "Gwaine O' Rourke, am I pronouncing that right Gwaine? Cos we American's are a little sloppy on English accent"
"You pronounced that quite right, no worries there Dave, can I call you Dave?" Gwaine asked leaning towards Letterman like he was genuinely asking for permission when Arthur knew it was posturing.
"Sure, sure…Dave makes me feel younger! I like it when people call me that."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes, now have you ever been on the show before?"
Gwaine laughed and said "Not really….hmmm, aren't you supposed to know that?"
The crowded erupted in cheers to Gwaine's taunting and Letterman looked mock insulted before saying "I have an excuse for lack of memory, you see people its called senility."
"But I thought you liked to feel younger?" Gwaine goaded again.
"Stop turning this interview about me, we're here to talk about you."
Gwaine widened his eyes and said flippantly, "Oh yeah, I forgot….I just can't help but be curious about you…."
Arthur wondered why Gwaine was acting like an arse kisser, it's not like he needed a talk show hosts' good will or anything.
"WOW!" Letterman looked suitably impressed and said "Yes well, tell you what we'll have coffee together once this is over, now your album believe has sold 10 million copies worldwide since its been released three months back, how do you feel about that?"
Gwaine eyebrows shot up and he laughed quite awkwardly before saying "I feel great about that….incredible really that people love my music."
Arthur wondered if the awkwardness was genuine too as he'd never expected Gwaine to shy away from a word of praise or miss an opportunity to preen, right now though he looked slightly uncomfortable and spoke with abashment which Arthur had to wonder at as he knew Gwaine was not really the modest kind, if anything he'd expected Gwaine's interviews to be one like Madonna's.
"And did you always want to be a pop star?"
"Uhmm not really….actually it was only very lately in my life that I thought about seriously making music. I mean I had a band and everything but it was only when I finished school that I thought about it…."
"Did your parents support you? Or where they you know…."
"Not thrilled?" Gwaine questioned with a downward tilt and smile and Letterman nodded when he said, "They were definitely not thrilled…..I mean they considered the entire business to be a very dodgy choice for me….uhmm….my mother was terrified I'd become a druggie so she was…very much against that initially…"
This was news to Arthur, as close as they were at school Arthur had never met Gwaine's parents in anything other than formal gatherings.
"But now…."
"Yes now…"
Gwaine chuckled and said, "Well they are impressed by the bank balance atleast so…."
The crowd laughed again and Arthur felt immensely annoyed again.
Letterman looked shocked but Gwaine hastened to assure, "No really, they attend all the concerts and both of them are very proud of me now, they've come around very well with it all really…."
"And is it true that you also belong to Irish nobility, you went to school with Prince Arthur…"
Gwaine got a cagy look in his eyes for just a second before he wiped it away with a casual smirk and said "Yes my father has a proper title and all that, I have a title too but I can't be arsed to remember it."
The annoying laughing was back again and Gwaine winked to some of the ladies in the crowd and Arthur huffed at what a dishonest shit he was being with his fans. And quite on purpose he'd entirely refused to acknowledge the question about Arthur and Arthur hoped Letterman would forget but it was not to be.
"So you rubbed elbows with the Prince before fancy polo matches and things?" Letterman asked and this time Gwaine concealed his displeasure at being asked about Arthur.
He smirked and that infuriatingly made him look a smug bastard when he said "The only thing I found fancy about polo matches is that you get to ride a horse….it's incredibly dull otherwise."
Again he'd refused to acknowledge Arthur and then before Letterman could see the obvious and poke some more Gwaine said "And yeah I knew Prince Arthur because we went to the same school, we weren't fast friends or anything, he was the guy…..everyone was….y'know hesitant to approach because he had two burly guys…" Gwaine made a show of showing biceps, "guarding him all the time and it was kinda scary."
The crowd laughed again and Arthur cursed Gwaine for the filthy liar that he was, Gwaine was the one who'd pull Arthur away from his guards giving them the slip all the time before dragging him off to an ill advised snogging session in one of their dorm rooms. On one occasion Gwaine had even boldly flirted with him while his father was just out of earshot and Arthur had been terrified Uther was going to find out which only seemed to amuse Gwaine.
Arthur felt a tightness in his chest that had not been previously there though, and he told himself it had nothing to do with Gwaine not even acknowledging him and trying to actively not even speak Arthur's name.
Before long the interview was over and Arthur sat down with his arms clutching the remote close. With Morgana gone he felt as lonely as ever and the fact that he still wasn't sure if she'd made it out in time made his heart ache and mind a mess.
He couldn't go out anywhere without the press hounding him for interviews and so he'd decided to coop himself up inside for the past two days.
Ever since his father visited Leon had been extremely careful about what they talked and he couldn't even talk to Merlin properly without his hair on the end at uttering a dangerous word and some of the bugs Uther no doubt installed at the Palace picking them up.
Merlin had as of now no idea that Morgana was lost to them. Thankfully he hadn't asked why his favorite aunt hasn't visited him in nearly five days but Arthur was counting down the days before his son asked for Morgana and then he'd have to throw a lie at him yet again.
His personal mobile phone rang and Arthur looked at the unknown number flashing at his screen wondering who could be calling him at this hour. Maybe it was one of those kids who scrambled up numbers and called random people with the sole purpose of being a pest.
Arthur ignored it for awhile before the incessant ringing threatened to bring him a headache and he answered the damn thing, "Hello, this is Arthur Pendragon."
"Strange, I thought you'd answer with you have the honor of speaking to His Majesty Holy Highness Prince Arthur of Wales, princess."
"Gwaine?" to say Arthur was stunned would be an understatement of the universe, "How in hells did you get my number?"
"Not important Princess" answered Gwaine in his causal baritone making Arthur grit his teeth in annoyance at the pet name.
"Don't call me that, and it is important for what if every little upstart decides he can call the Prince of Wales' personal mobile…."
"You calling me an upstart, I'm wounded Princess…"
"Stop. Calling. Me. That." Arthur enunciated each word slowly as if speaking to a simpleton with no common sense but Gwaine only laughed boomingly. It seemed that after all this while none of Arthur's irritation got through to Gwaine, he'd always be his cheerful unflappable self no matter what.
"Listen I heard about what happened with Morgana…."
Arthur let out an exhale, Gwaine was the last person he wanted to talk to about Morgana, "Gwaine….don't….don't pretend you cared anything for her, I know you despised her."
Gwaine sighed sounding weary he said "I didn't despise her, I despised her influence on you….and I've never supported your old man's crusades you know that at the least."
Arthur knew indeed but right now Gwaine's concern or whatever it was he was trying to do was only making him feel more anxious so he asked "What do you really want Gwaine? You didn't just decide to call me out of nowhere…..to what….give your condolences?"
"Jesus Princess, I only wanted to ask how you were holding up, I know she means a great deal to you.."
"Oh yeah? Why's that? After all you admitted on national television that we weren't fast friends or anything and that I used my bodyguards to threaten people in school!"
"You saw my interview?" Gwaine's shock was palpable eventhough they were not seeing each other Arthur knew his brows must have climbed high in surprise.
Arthur immediately retorted "Of course not! I have my sources who inform me! Obviously I was NOT SEEING your goddamned interview!"
"Princess it's 12.00 in the damn night and the show was telecasted in the UK only fifteen minutes ago, you expect me to believe your source told you about my interview at 12 in the damn night when you've been talking to me for the past 10 minutes?"
"I could have friends in other places you know….UK is not the only bloody place on the Earth."
Gwaine chuckled and said "Whatever you say Arthur, and if you're miffed about that, what did you want me to tell the man? That we went to school together and that I used to shag you seven ways to sunday? And I never said you threatened people with your body guards, don't put words in my mouth."
Arthur flushed at Gwaine's lewd taunt and then said "Yes how can I forget that your life now depends on the raging hetero act."
Gwaine's voice was tight as well as he retorted, "Not anymore than you depend on your hetero act Princess…." Both of them paused for a long minute and then Gwaine sighed before saying "Look Princess I really didn't want to argue with you about anything alright…."
"You're never going to stop calling me that are you?"
"No, I'm the only one who has the guts to call you by nick names; you need someone in your life who can take you down a peg or two."
"And you intend to be this someone in my life?" asked Arthur, no matter that his mind told him he was getting into hot water he could just not stop himself from talking with or goading Gwaine. It was like he had a case of verbal diarrhea when it came to Gwaine.
"Of course, someone has to do the job."
"Strange that you want to be in my life at some capacity now when you fucked off to America and didn't think to call me once in six long years." It came out before he could stop it and Gwaine's sharp intake of breath was all Arthur needed to know that he'd sounded exactly like he didn't want to sound which was precisely hurt and angry. He'd wanted to give Gwaine the impression that he didn't care a wick but he'd come off entirely too concerned.
Before Arthur could divert the subject, he still didn't know why he didn't just end the call Gwaine answered his voice measured, "I didn't think you'd appreciate a call from me. I didn't think you wanted me in any capacity after you got another girl pregnant right after we broke up and it was all over the news. How do you think that made me feel then?"
Arthur never really thought on how Gwaine could have been hurt because of his lies, at that time his own troubles looked too big to tackle and he'd felt nothing but resentment for Gwaine. Gwaine was free to walk off and enjoy his life while Arthur suffered through pregnancy and the sole responsibility of taking care of Merlin.
He wanted to shout out that he hadn't slept with a girl right after they broke up and deny it all but he knew it would only put him in trouble so he remained silent.
Another long minute passed and Gwaine sighed again, "Look…Arthur….if you don't want me to bother you again just tell me and I won't."
Arthur should say yes, but he didn't say what he should say, instead he said "I didn't say you were bothering me….your too insignificant to bother me…." Arthur knew Gwaine would understand it for the admission it was not, mainly that Arthur had just given leave to Gwaine to bother him indefinitely.
Gwaine laughed light and airy and Arthur thought it sounded good to hear it after so many years, for once not in mockery but something akin to affection.
"So…how are you really? I can't imagine you didn't know she had magic….did the old man suss it out with spies or was it really an accident?"
Arthur was surprised Gwaine was so sure that he must have known about Morgana's magic. He didn't attempt to deny it however and said "It was an accident but Leon and I have a theory that the rebels might have staged it to get her on their side."
"Uther isn't suspicious of your knowledge then?"
Arthur huffed, "I just about managed to convince him I didn't know anything."
"Hmmm….have you heard from her….I mean….I don't want to ask if it's going to be dangerous for you or her but it's just that I have some contacts who can y'know find out things if you want….."
"No, no….I know she must be safe….Uther has the entire place bugged and I'm only speaking so freely now because Leon is my head security staff and would make sure my phone isn't getting tapped."
Arthur's voice was only a whisper when he talked now and Gwaine understood that situations must be quite tense indeed at Kensington palace.
"Gwaine, how did you get my number?"
This Arthur had reason to know.
"Gwen gave it to me when I asked her about you, told me to man up and talk to you myself."
"Ohh…."
Their conversation which overflowed with ease for so much of this time seemed to take an awkwardly long pause as neither of them ended the call or spoke anything.
"How is Merlin? How's he taking the news?" Gwaine finally asked to break the silence.
"I haven't told him yet actually, he isn't going to be pleased Morgana is an enemy now according to Uther. I'm actually planning to get away from it all for a while…"
"Oh…good"
"Yeah"
They stopped talking again.
"I have to go now Princess, take care of yourself."
Arthur told himself to stop being disappointed and said "You too, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Finally he got his phone away from his ear to find it hot and his ears were red from holding it close for so long. He'd had about a 20 minute phone conversation with Gwaine when he'd sworn to stay away from him forever. This didn't bode well for him at all. Arthur put his head in his hands and groaned wondering what he thought he was getting himself into.
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