Oh this is way too long. However the plot is introduced AND there's a bit of romance ...at the end. Sorry! Next chapter will be romancy! Fair warning, this piece is unedited. So...there are typos I'm sure.

Blessed Be

Chapter 2

Arthur looked away, slowly nodding his head in acceptance. "Okay," he drawled, swaying back on his heels. "Explain."

Merlin squirmed himself out from under the covers. His heart was racing, thumping loudly in his ears. He felt like he was going to explode from so much embarrassment. "I was going to strip your bed, but I fell and as I was trying to get up, I get all tangled into your bed sheets. I mean, how do you sleep in all that? It's suffocating! It like...clings to you!"

Arthur allowed a large laugh to escape his throat. "Merlin, you can be such a...dimwitted, useless thing." He turned away from his bed, seemingly satisfied with the answer Merlin had provided him with.

Merlin breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He began pulling the sheets off the bed, looking out from the corner of his eye at Arthur. "What're you doing? Shouldn't you be training?"

"I should be training Merlin, yes you're absolutely right. However, I require my chainmail now."

Merlin rolled his eyes, dropping the silken sheets to the floor and going over to Arthur. He began dressing the prince, carefully analyzing each and every feature the man had. He wished those thick muscles would yearn for Merlin, just as much as Merlin's body yearned for Arthur's.

"Merlin...what're you looking at? I don't have all day," Arthur chided as he raised his eyebrows incredulously at the smaller man.

Merlin hastened his movements, trying not to really look at Arthur's pristine body. His hands slipped and allowed the chainmail to fall over Arthur's shoulders.

"Honestly Merlin! What's wrong with you today?" Arthur spat, taking a step back and putting the chainmail on as best as he could be himself.

"I-I'm sorry. I just...I don't know what's wrong today." Merlin looked away from his prince, feeling utterly hopeless.

"Merlin," Arthur said sighing heavily. "Go take a walk, forget about your chores and we'll resume tomorrow. Today, just try to gather yourself."

Merlin nodded, unable to meet the gaze of his prince...his beloved. "Sire." He left the room in a hurry, needing to get away as fast as he could. He felt the tears coming on and fast. The servant ran through the bright halls, passing people here and there. They all gave him questioning looks, but he paid no heed to them. Merlin, sniffing like a pitiful puppy found his home and went in.

"Ah, Merlin! Just in time. I need you to go pick up a few thi-" Gaius stopped dead in his sentence. He knitted his brow as he analyzed Merlin. "Merlin?"

"I can't do this anymore Gaius!" Merlin shouted, slumping against the door. He allowed the tears to flow freely from his eyes now. "The way he looks at me, the way he treats me. I can't be near him anymore."

"Arthur has always been good to you. What's this all about?" Gaius stood up, walking toward Merlin. He offered a hand for which Merlin could stand back up.

"You don't understand. He treats me wonderfully, and that's what hurts so badly. Gaius...I can't be here anymore."

Gaius wiped Merlin's tears away from his face. A look of pure sympathy graced his experienced features. "You care for Arthur, and he cares for you."

"Not the way I care for him Gaius..." Merlin swatted the physician's hand away from his face. He didn't want to be touched by anyone...except Arthur. "I'm in-" He chocked on a sob. He rocked into his knees, allowing his sobs to become wails. "I'm in love with him Gaius!"

Gaius's eyes widened at the news. "Merlin..." he said softly, pulling Merlin into a hug. "I had no idea."

The warlock embraced his guardian, allowing a few last tears to fall from his eyes as he gasped back air, trying to control himself. "Arthur gave me the day off so I could collect my thoughts. I'm thinking about leaving."

Gaius nodded as he pulled away from Merlin. "If you leave, your heart will not mend. You share a strong bond with Arthur, Merlin. I feel that leaving will only make it worse for you."

Merlin nodded, licking his lips as he thought on the words. There was a chance Gaius was right. The only way he'd know for sure is if he talked to The Dragon. "I'm going out. I'll pick up whatever it is you need."

Gaius wrote down a few items before handing the note to Merlin. He clasped Merlin on the shoulder as he passed the note off, holding the boy for a moment. "Arthur has a great destiny ahead of him, and he needs you in it. Does that not count for something?"

Merlin sighed heavily, but nodded in acceptance. He hated it when Gaius was right...at least about matters like this. The wizard strode out of the room, feeling new optimism fill his lungs with each breath. He held his head high and for once, did not feel the need to go flying down the stairs to the outside world. He'd speak with The Dragon. Maybe, this was how it was supposed to be, and The Dragon knew it.

Merlin walked by the shops analyzing their goods, picking up the ingredients and items Gaius needed. He felt for the moment, at peace, however that all could change once he set eyes on Arthur again. He paid the shopkeeper, turning away and feeling his heart sputter to a nasty stop. His eyes glued to the blonde man walking his way.

Arthur walked up to him, his brow slightly furrowed clearly confused as Merlin's expression was far from easy to read. "Merlin," he greeted.

"S-Sire?" Merlin squeaked.

"I give you the day off and Gaius has you running about does he?" Arthur took a moment to investigate all the things Merlin had picked up for Gaius.

"He needs my help. He's a busy man," Merlin defended.

Arthur nodded, picking up a few blue leaves out of a bottle. "I'm beginning to wonder what I've ingested from that man..."

"Probably a frog's eye here and there. Maybe some cow dung..." Merlin teased. It felt good to be teasing his prince again. His heart was finally coming into check, beating as steady as a drum.

"Mm, delicious." Arthur gave a curt nod to Merlin before walking away.

Merlin was left utterly speechless in his wake. What had just happened? He turned around, running after Arthur. "Uh, I think I can manage now, if you need chores done?"

"No, Merlin. I gave you the day off to do as you please. I won't take that away from you," Arthur said, not even looking over to his servant.

"I'm working for Gaius though! I'm not even resting. I shouldn't miss out on a day's work."

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed as he spun around to face Merlin. "It's okay. I appreciate the sentiment, but it's honestly okay. Besides, you'll be doing twice as much for me tomorrow." He flashed a cocky grin toward Merlin before striding off.

Merlin sulked playfully. "Yeah whatever clotpole!" He turned away from the castle, his good mood still with him and began walking out of Camelot.

The woods were peaceful at this time of day and the warm breeze felt lovely as it playfully nudged against his skin. Merlin continued to walk off the beaten path, trying to find the clearing to summon the dragon. As he was walking a twig snapped behind him, causing him to turn around quickly and lose his balance. He tumbled to the ground, getting sticks, leaves and moss all over his hair and clothing. He stood up, breathing hard from all the pain and excitement. His blue orbs marveling at the site in front of him.

A rushing waterfall with clear crystal water rumbled loudly into a large pond that trickled into a creek down the way. Merlin climbed over a few trees to get closer to the pond. The water shimmered with a light man hardly ever got to see. The air around the waterfall was colder, but it had a kind feeling to it. "This is...fantastic..." Merlin said; his jaw dropping and his eyes analyzing each and every detail. He sat by the pond, looking into it. He could see the fish swimming underneath the cool water. He watched them swim with each other, turning around for no reason other than that seemed to be what fish did.

Merlin was going to stand up when something shiny caught his eye. He peered closer to the waterfall, seeing something gold shine under the water. He moved quickly, jumping over the creek and going to the side of the waterfall. The water sprayed at him, covering him with a mist of water as it continued to rush from the fall. He dipped his hand into the cool water, reaching for the golden object.

He pulled out a golden gauntlet. It was in perfect condition. His eyes marveled at the sight. Part of him wondered if it was from magic, but the other part didn't even care. He wanted to give this to Arthur. He suddenly had an overwhelming desire to give the golden marvel to Arthur. He put the gauntlet in his satchel and started to leave the pond. He barely had time to notice the water turn from its clear crystalline presentation to a green, sickly color.

Merlin made his way back to Camelot, passing the guards who were guarding the main gates. He smiled sheepishly to them, whom in turn gave no reaction to him. He guessed they had been getting used to him going in and out. He suddenly had a thought, and turned left instead of right, heading to Gwen's house.

He knocked on the door, and waited patiently for her to answer. She opened the door, smiling brightly at Merlin before moving out of his way so he could step inside.

"Merlin," she said nodding her head in greeting.

"Gwen. I want to show you something I found. Maybe you could tell me a bit about it." He pulled out the gauntlet, but instead of it being perfectly golden, it was rusted and looked to be on the verge of breaking. "W-wait...that's not right. It was gold before!" His eyes shot up to look at her in a state of panic, his mouth slightly agape. "I don't understand..."

Nevertheless, Gwen took the gauntlet from Merlin and looked at it. "Merlin, this is really old. But it looks like it's seen many battles?"

Merlin knew she was patronizing him. "No, Gwen it was gold! I found it in a pond with a waterfall! The water was beautiful and the gauntlet was gold!"

Gwen simply laughed. "Merlin, you tell such interesting stories sometimes. Now if you'd excuse me, I have to go to the Lady Morgana's room." Gwen left her home, leaving a dumbfounded Merlin.

"Gaius!" he said to himself as he ran from Gwen's house and over to his own home. He pushed the door open and found Gaius sitting at his desk looking over some papers. "Gaius look at this!" Merlin pulled out the gauntlet. It was just as before, all old, rusted and brittle.

Gaius looked at the artifact with a scrutinizing eye. "Merlin, it's a piece of junk."

"No it's not. Earlier, I found it in a pond. I've never seen water so beautiful. I saw this gold gauntlet and pulled it out and put it in my bag." He neglected to mention the urge he felt to give it to Arthur. "I went to show it to Gwen and when I did, it looked like this."

Gaius looked at the gauntlet with more reverence this time. "Merlin, that gauntlet is made from magic. You should put it back where you found it."

"You're probably right. I've stayed out of trouble for awhile now; best not start that all up again." He offered a smile to Gaius, putting the gauntlet back in his satchel. "I'll put it back tonight."

"You better..." Gaius warned before returning to his work. "Oh, did you pick up my ingredients?"

"Yes I did," Merlin said proudly. He pulled the ingredients out of the satchel and gave it to Gaius.

The physician looked at the items before nodding at Merlin. "Thank you. You're free to go now. Be back for supper though."

Merlin smiled brightly, turning with his satchel over his shoulder. He didn't get three feet away from his home before Arthur turned the corner, nearly bumping into Merlin.

"Sire?" Merlin asked astonished as his hands tightened on the gauntlet through his satchel.

"I uh...I want you to draw me a bath..." Arthur said rather awkwardly. He shifted his weight from leg to leg.

Merlin tiled his head to the side, with a proud smile. "You're bored aren't you?"

"You have no idea. I'm tired of listening to my father and all these...plans for joust. It's a joust. Many knights come, I beat them, they leave, everyone's happy."

"I'd be happier if you lost," Merlin teased.

Arthur playfully punched Merlin on the shoulder. "Wimp."

Together the two walked side by side back to Arthur's chambers. All the while Merlin was trying to sneak glances into his bag at the gauntlet, hoping that it would change when in Arthur's presence.

"I found something today, while I was out," Merlin ventured, hoping the gauntlet could magically hear him.

"Oh yeah?" Arthur asked, not sounding too entirely interested. He walked into his room, going to lay face down on his bed. "What's that?"

Merlin pulled the gauntlet out of his satchel, his eyes sparkling as the gold gleam returned to the gauntlet. "It was in a pond."

"Nn," Arthur said as his face was buried deep within a pillow.

"I want you to have it," Merlin said, holding back his excitement. He walked next to his prince, offering out the gauntlet.

Arthur looked up at first lazily, but shot up with such vigor it almost startled Merlin. "Merlin!" he cried out in amazement. "You found this?" Arthur seemed to be afraid to even touch the golden gauntlet. "It's...it's amazing..."

"I told you. It was in a pond. The water didn't even damage it."

"A pond? There's no ponds close to Camelot, at least from what I've seen." Arthur's voice was laced in suspicion.

Merlin sucked in his lips, trying to find something to say. "I found one. I can take you to it."

"Yes, let's do that shall we?" Arthur stood up from his bed, still not touching the gauntlet.

Merlin tucked the forearm armor into his satchel and followed Arthur out.

"I thought it was this way..." Merlin said as he led his horse to the edge where he had fallen. "I fell here and all the way down there."

"So that's why you look like you've been rolling around in dirt?" Arthur playfully commented.

"Prat." Merlin eased himself from his horse, looking down the hill. He didn't have time to prepare himself for what came next. He felt his body being pushed and an impatient sigh come from Arthur. The world spun around him as he felt the familiar feeling of twigs poking into his skin and the moss easing his fall. He rolled to a stop at the bottom of the hill, looking up angrily at Arthur who was cackling, clearly amused at himself. "Ha. Ha. You're so funny!"

Arthur came down the hill, grabbing at trees and rocks to steady himself. He met up with Merlin down at the bottom, a smug smile still plastered on his face. Merlin wanted to smack him...or kiss him. He couldn't decide which was a stronger feeling.

"I think it's this way." Merlin led his prince further down, trying to listen for the waterfall. His eyes spotted a green pond that looked stagnant. Lilly pads and fungus overtook its surface. "I..." He knew this was the right spot. At least he had found a pond. "I found it," he said half sure that his plan would work. I found it in this pond."

"Well it's more of an overgrown puddle...not really a pond..." Arthur described, as he placed his hands on his hips.

Merlin looked into his bag at the golden gauntlet. He pulled it out and offered it over to Arthur. "See, I didn't steal it or anything. I want you to have it. You could wear it in the joust."

Arthur looked from the armor to Merlin's eyes before he took the gauntlet and placed it on his arm.

Merlin thought it looked beautiful there. The gauntlet seemed to gleam with joy. "It looks beautiful."

"Armor isn't supposed to be beautiful Merlin..." Arthur chastised. "But I like it. Thank you."

Merlin felt his heart flutter at the words. He so desperately wished that Arthur would take the arm with the shining gauntlet on it around his waist and pull him in for a deep kiss, but instead, Arthur cleared his throat as he awkwardly searched for something to say.

"Should I bring you your supper when we get back?" Merlin asked.

"...Merlin..."

"I'm sorry...I know you gave me the day off, but...I'm bored without having you to insult." Truthfully, Merlin wasn't bored in the least bit. He had enjoyed his day, however it focused mainly around Arthur...

"That's not it Merlin." Arthur took a step closer to Merlin, running a golden finger over the wizard's cheekbone. He picked a twig out of Merlin's hair. "You had a twig in your hair..." He coughed awkwardly and took a step back from Merlin.

The warlock felt like he was going to explode. Arthur pulled it off like he was grooming Merlin, but the servant knew better. Arthur wouldn't just do that, he'd tell Merlin to do it himself. "Sire..."

"We should head back now..." Arthur said, changing the subject permanently. "How'd you even find this place?

"Oh you know-"

"You got lost didn't you?" Arthur said flatly as he started pulling himself up the trees.

"Yep."

The two helped each other up the hill and back to their horses. Despite the day being rather Arthur-less, Merlin felt accomplished. The prince had stroked his cheek...

Merlin knew he cared.

Aweee at the end. Pfft, I'm so lame. I just don't like instaromance (where the main characters are madly in love in the first chapter) Even in fanfiction, I don't like it. Plus...that would be so OOC of Arthur to just up and be like "Merlin I love you..." I mean, we all know he does, but...he has to admit it to himself first XD

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