Title: A Walk to Remember
Author: BlueSpottedDog
Summary: Since when has so much hung in the balance of one walk?
Spoilers: Merlin Season 1
Disclaimer: BBC owns Merlin. I wish I could have Colin and Bradley as toys though :)
So, since I got a pretty good bunch of reviews for my first chapter, you get a second one. And directly after this is posted, I'm starting the third. You guys are so lucky!
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The Quest
The door of Gaius' chambers burst open as Arthur and Merlin walked in. Merlin was laughing hard and Arthur was glaring at him. Gaius shook his head. This was typical Merlin and Arthur. What he did notice though was the fact that they were holding hands. He grinned. 'Hello Merlin. Your majesty.' Both Arthur and Merlin looked at Gaius. 'Please, just call me Arthur.' Gaius nodded. 'Arthur it is. Now don't let me disturb you!'
Merlin could tell that Gaius had a slight idea of what they were going to do. He nodded at Gaius and led Arthur into his small bedroom. The door slammed shut after him and Gaius shook his head. This was going to cause a lot of trouble!
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As the door slammed shut, Arthur let go of Merlin's hand and grabbed hold of his shirt instead and slammed him into the wall. Merlin smiled up at Arthur and Arthur couldn't help but laugh. 'What?' Merlin asked, watching Arthur crack up. 'It's just…you…you're so cute when you smile. Like a little kid. It's just so funny.' Merlin shook his head. 'It's not re-' He was cut off by Arthur's lips on his.
Merlin's hands drifted from his side to Arthur's waist and into his hair. Arthur let go of Merlin's shirt and snaked his arms around Merlin's neck instead. Before the kiss could be deepened though, there was a knock on the door. 'Go away Gaius!' Merlin yelled at the door, after pulling away from Arthur. 'It's not Gaius.' Gwen's voice drifted in under the door.
Merlin took one look at Arthur and they way they were holding each other and pushed Arthur away from him. 'Yeah, come in Gwen.' The door opened and Gwen scuttled in. 'Arthur?' Arthur looked between Merlin and Guinevere. 'Merlin was cleaning my boots.' He lied quickly, pointing to his mud covered boots. Gwen nodded, clearly unconvinced. 'Merlin, the king wants to see you. You too Arthur.'
Merlin looked at Arthur with widened eyes. They'd been caught already! 'We'll be right there, I just have to get Arthur's boots spotless.' Gwen noticed the subtle look between the two. She smiled and shook her head. 'He doesn't know. Not about you two anyway.' Arthur looked at Gwen. 'Excuse me?' Gwen just nodded. 'You two. Being more than Master and Servant. Being more than friends. I'm not stupid!'
Arthur looked at Merlin quizzically. 'What the heck is she on about? Have you been taking anything?' Gwen just shook her head and walked out, leaving the door wide open. 'Damn! She knows! And she'll probably tell Morgana and at this rate, it will get to the king before we get there!' Merlin was trying to pat down his hair as he nodded. 'Let's go to the king now, hopefully we will get there before our relationship will.'
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Uther was sitting at the head of the table, waiting patiently for Gwen to deliver his message to the two boys. They showed up around five minutes later, both looking like they had just been through a thorn bush. Arthur's hair was standing up at all angles and Merlin was desperately trying to flatten his down.
'I don't want to know.' He said out loud as both Arthur and Merlin smiled sheepishly. 'We went for a walk father and Merlin fell into the lake so I had to get him out and then we found a trail of thorn bushes, so we had an eventful day.' Uther just shook his head and motioned to the two seats beside him.
Arthur went and sat down beside his father but Merlin stood wearily in the doorway. Arthur was motioning for him to come and sit, but he wasn't budging. 'It's ok Merlin. You aren't in any trouble.' Merlin walked slowly towards the empty seat beside his master and sat down, looking at a spot on the table.
Arthur nudged him with his foot and Merlin looked up at the king. 'Now, you two remember when I sent you guys and the knights to fight that griffin?' Both Arthur and Merlin nodded, eyeing each other. Merlin's leg was being rubbed by a foot and it took all of his self-control to keep a straight face. 'Well, there is word of another one making its way here. You two will go and find it and kill it. Understand?' Again both Merlin and Arthur nodded.
'Take the knights with you and Lancelot.' Arthur looked at his father in shock. 'Lancelot's here? And you're letting him come?' Uther nodded. 'He arrived while you two were getting attacked by thorn bushes. Lady Morgana is preparing him for this quest.'
Merlin sucked in a breath as Arthur's hand landed on his leg. 'Has he been granted knightship?' 'Yes. He is the best we've got and we can't let him go again. Try not to kill him either.' Arthur smiled sheepishly as he remembered the knight they lost last time. 'Now, go and prepare the knights and begin your journey at sunrise.' Arthur removed his hand and foot from Merlin and stood. 'Come on Merlin. I need you to get the horses ready.'
Merlin rose to his feet, smiled shyly at the king and followed Arthur out of the door.
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It was ten thirty by the time Merlin and Arthur had finished preparing for their quest. They were both in Arthur's room, Arthur on his bed and Merlin by the fire. 'Merlin.' Merlin turned to face the soon-to-be king. 'Yes Arthur?' Arthur sat up and looked into the fire. 'Promise me something.' Merlin smiled. 'Anything.' Arthur looked directly at Merlin. 'Promise me that you will never leave my sight tomorrow. Or any other day. Because I can't risk losing you. Not now.'
Merlin walked over to the bed and sat in front of Arthur. 'I promise. Promise me something.' Arthur touched his lover's face. 'Anything.' 'Promise me that you will never throw me out of Camelot, no matter what.' Arthur held Merlin's face in his hands. 'I promise.' Merlin smiled and kissed Arthur. Arthur lay down on his bed, rolling over so Merlin was on the bed.
Merlin knew where this was going. 'Are you sure Arthur? Are you ready?' Arthur sat up, straddling Merlin. 'Ready if you are.' Merlin looked a little uncertain. Arthur noticed. 'I'll wait. If it's for you, then I'll wait forever.' Arthur leant down and kissed his servant on the nose. Merlin was grinning. 'But stay anyway Merlin. This bed is awfully big for one person.'
Arthur rolled off of Merlin. 'See, now that's better. Way more comfortable!' Merlin was giggling quietly. Arthur wrapped his arm around Merlin's waist and just laid there. After ten minutes of silence just listening to the other's breathing, Merlin rolled over to face Arthur. 'Hey Arthur.' Arthur opened his eyes. 'Yes Merlin?' Merlin took a deep breath. 'What do you think of magic?'
Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes. 'Magic. I don't know. Every time I'm with you, I feel magic. But magic as in sorcery? I don't see the problem with it. Unless it's Nimueh, then magic's bad. But if someone were using it for good, then I wouldn't have a problem.' Relief swept over Merlin. 'Why do you ask?' Silence. 'Merlin?'
Merlin sighed. 'Uh...well you see…' 'Go on Merlin.' Arthur prompted. 'I'm magic.' Arthur burst out laughing. He was howling with laughter and he couldn't help it. Merlin did not look pleased. Arthur laughed for a while longer, until he saw Merlin's face. 'You were being serious?' Merlin nodded, looking away so he wouldn't see Arthur's reaction.
Arthur pondered that thought. Merlin. A sorcerer? A powerful sorcerer? No way! Merlin was his servant, his lover, not some sorcerer. There was no way. 'Merlin, don't lie to me.' Merlin looked back at Arthur, who looked a bit surprised. 'I'm not Arthur. Truly. I would never lie to you.'
There was silence as Arthur continued to ponder. Merlin realised that he had been a stupid idiot by telling his lover, the Crown Prince on Camelot, that he was a sorcerer. 'Show me.' Merlin looked quizzically at Arthur. 'Show me some magic.' Merlin could tell Arthur was being serious, his face showed intrigue while his eyes showed the love that he held for Merlin.
Merlin looked down at the blanket at their feet. His eyes shone gold and the blanket covered their legs and hips. Arthur looked truly impressed. 'That's pretty cool Merlin. Do you have a broomstick that you fly around on too?' Arthur laughed and Merlin joined in. Arthur didn't care about his power and his greatest fear had been conquered.
'Let's sleep now Merlin. Tomorrow will be a long day.' Merlin shut his eyes and before he could drift off, he heard Arthur whisper 'I love you idiot'. Merlin opened his eyes and smiled at the sleepy looking Arthur. 'I love you too prat.'
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Merlin opened his eyes as he felt Arthur move beside him. Arthur was now sitting on the side of the bed. Merlin sat up behind him and leant his head into Arthur's ear and whispered. 'Morning sire.' Arthur yawned and turned to Merlin. 'Do not address me in such a fashion after we spend a night together. It's Arthur. Got it?' Merlin laughed and rubbed his eyes.
'What's the time?' Arthur shrugged and stood up. 'The sun isn't up yet, but we need to be ready by sunrise.' Arthur walked over to his closet and rifled through, looking for something in particular. Merlin realised that sometime during the night, they had both managed to lose their shirts.
Arthur emerged from the closet minutes later with a tunic and handed it to Merlin. 'Put this on.' Merlin looked at the blue tunic in his hands. 'But sire-' 'Arthur!' 'But Arthur, I can't wear one of these. They're for royalty, not servants and I'm still your servant sir-Arthur.' Arthur shrugged. 'It's an old one, just put it on you idiot!' Merlin shrugged and slipped it over his head.
Arthur smiled at Merlin. He looked great. 'There, see Merlin! It's not that bad!' Merlin looked at himself in the mirror. It really didn't look that bad. 'It's ok I guess!' Arthur shook his head and turned to his closet and pulled out a tunic for himself. 'Uh Arthur, shouldn't I be doing that? I am still your servant.' Arthur shut the closet door and walked towards Merlin.
'Of course. You can dress me.' Merlin grinned as he took the tunic from Arthur. He slipped it over Arthur's head and helped him put his arms in the sleeves. Every time Merlin touched Arthur's skin, he took a sharp intake of breath. Arthur couldn't help but notice this. 'Merlin, this is no way for a servant to react when touching his master. It's the same with the master.
Arthur reached out and slide his hand under the tunic. Merlin gasped at Arthur's cold hand. Arthur was holding back the urge to intake breath quickly. 'Alright…I get it Arthur. Can you please remove your freezing hand from my stomach?' Arthur smiled. 'I guess… but only because we have other places to be. Coming?' Arthur asked as he headed to the door.
Merlin followed Arthur out of the door. It was going to a very long day!
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Like it? I had fun writing it, so I hope you guys liked it! Got any ideas? Put them in your review and they will probably end up in the story!