A Fight To Remember
A.N. Set after episode 10, when Merlin and Arthur save Ealdor.
A.N 2: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter! I hope you like this one just as much :)
Chapter 2: Ok, Now we have a problem!
Arthur POV
No… No! Merlin couldn't be a sorcerer, he just COULDN'T! The one person I love couldn't be! I'm meant to hand sorcerers over to my father for execution, but I couldn't do that to Merlin! I stood there staring for what seemed like an age, before I found my voice. "Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked, looking at Merlin, still in shock. Merlin looked down towards his feet. "I was worried that you'd turn me over. I-I... I was nervous, I didn't want to die, and you seem to need me more than you know." I was surprised, but then lots of things fell into place. "You're the one who led me out of that cave, when I was looking for the mortis flower." Merlin nodded, "Yeah, although I did that unconsciously" He said, looking at me, slightly surprised. "You're not going to hand me over?" He asked, biting his bottom lip slightly. I actually laughed. "Of course I'm not Merlin! Seriously, I didn't think you were idiotic enough to think I would. I love you, you stupid boy," I said, shaking my head slightly, before kissing Merlin, before he could close his mouth.
Merlin POV
I knew I shouldn't have worried, but I couldn't help it. I was in bliss when he said he wasn't going to hand me over, and I kissed back furiously when he kissed me. "Umm... Is it safe to look or not?" I heard Morgana's voice ask, from somewhere to our left. We broke apart, shocked. Arthur spun round, facing where Morgana's voice had come from. "Morgana, how long have you been there!?" He asked angrily, obviously worried she'd turn me over. Morgana walked out of the bushes, sighing. "Long enough to know that Merlin's a sorcerer. Don't worry Arthur, I won't tell anyone." She said, shaking her head as Arthur was about to reply. "Arthur, do you really think I'd hand him over to Uther after what he's done to help all of us?" She asked, looking sceptical. It was true, though, if I was honest. I'd saved Gwen's father, I'd helped Morgana smuggle the druid boy out of Camelot, I'd saved Arthur's life numerous times. I'd even saved Uther. I smiled at Morgana, relieved. "Thank you Morgana." I said, glad she trusted me. Morgana smiled back, "don't mention it Merlin, I wouldn't do that to anyone, sorcerer or not. I will not give people to Uther just so they can die. It's not right, it's not just," Morgana said, looking upset. All the trouble about the druid boy had upset her, obviously. Even I found it difficult to understand how Uther could stand to kill such a young boy. "Come on Merlin, Will's funeral is starting soon, and we'll have to go after that. I'm sorry, but we must return to Camelot as soon as possible." Arthur said, walking up to me and squeezing my hand.
Arthur POV
I hated myself for asking Merlin to leave so soon, but we had to leave soon, before my father panicked and sent soldiers to 'help' me. I smiled at Merlin, before releasing his hand. "Come on, let's get down there before it starts, I want to see if they would like any help. He died saving me, so I want to honour his death. I'm really sorry we have to leave so quickly, but I don't want my father to get all paranoid and send soldiers here." I said, sighing before starting towards the field where Will was to be burnt, Merlin beside me.
After the funeral, we rode back in silence, making camp a few miles outside the city. No one really wanted to talk, after seeing so much death in one day. Next to me, Merlin sighed. He'd been really quiet, probably worrying about what Gaius would say about everything that had happened during and after the battle. Merlin looked round, feeling my gaze and smiled weakly. I smiled back, trying to convey my concern and love to him in my expression.
We arrived back in Camelot early the next morning, much to my father's relief. I ignored most of my father's lecture about the fact that I was the Crown Prince of Camelot, and that I shouldn't have gone 'gallivanting' into a foreign village, just for my 'idiot of a manservant'. I sighed, shaking my head; saying only: "Father, we shouldn't have to worry about where people are, we should be able to help anyone, anywhere. Not just people in our kingdom."
Merlin POV
Gaius shook his head, looking at me. "You took a great risk telling Arthur about your magic, Merlin. And you know your relationship with him will be hard to protect, as well as hide." I nodded, having already thought about that. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I was planning on asking Arthur what he thought, but I hadn't seen him yet, as he had given me the day off to relax, before returning to work the next day. Gaius had sent me off to deliver everyone's cures and other things, to keep my mind on the small jobs I had to do, instead of… Other things. It worked for most of the day, and then Arthur sent for me, just as the thoughts of Will were becoming too much. I knocked on Arthur's door, before poking my head through the door. "You sent for me, Sire?" I said, stepping into the room. Arthur smiled at me, nodding. "Close the door and come in Merlin," Arthur said, patting the bed next to him. "Come sit down, you must be exhausted." He said, once the door was closed. I walked over and sat down, leaning in to kiss him softly. "I missed you today." I told him, leaning into his shoulder. "I missed you too, my little warlock." Arthur replied lovingly. They both froze as they heard a gasp, something breaking, and running footsteps.