Hey, second chapter already :D
A massive thank you to all my reviewers, you guys are amazing =)
Please let me know if there are any mistakes, this is all unbeta'd.
Haliii, x
Weeks passed, and Trystan still showed no sign of leaving. Arthur barely saw Merlin at all, only when by chance they passed in the corridor. Even then, Merlin was either with Trystan, or wrapped up in some errand.
Arthur had resigned himself to the fact Merlin was no longer his servant. He tried to absorb himself in his duties as a prince, sometimes going out on lengthy patrols or practising for longer with his knights.
The worst thing, however, was that the light in Arthur Pendragon was disappearing.
The prince became more stoic, lifeless, and angry, more likely to lose his temper at people who didn't deserve it.
But Arthur's behaviour didn't go unnoticed by everyone.
Gwen sighed as she watched Arthur yell at another knight for not being able to endure the longer, harder training sessions.
"It's not good enough! You are useless! You must be faster, stronger and have much more stamina if you even hope to be able to defend your kingdom!"
The knight, who was breathless, on his knees and sweating, could only nod.
Gwen couldn't watch any longer, and walked away without a word.
Gaius looked up from his studies as Gwen walked in. The physician frowned in concern when he saw Gwen was jumpy and agitated, seemingly worried about something.
"Gwen? What's wrong?"
Gwen wrung her hands nervously. "How's Merlin been? Have you seen much of him?"
Gaius thought for a moment before realising he had seen steadily less of the young warlock. He frowned. "Now that you mention it, I admit I haven't seen as much of him as usual."
"And when you have what's he like?"
"Same old Merlin, really."
"Are you sure?"
Gaius thought hard. He knew this was important to Gwen, and if it was about Merlin, it concerned Gaius too. "I guess he seems... happier. I'm not sure what else. I have been busy these past few days. Tell me, what is this about?"
Gwen sighed. "Have you spoken to Arthur recently?"
"No, I haven't."
"He's… different. I mean, he's not, but he is," Gwen tried to explain. "He's not the same around people… it's like… like he's gone back to how he was before Merlin came."
Gaius's eyes lit up in recognition. "And you think this is because Merlin is working for Trystan?"
Gwen nodded. "Yes. Since Merlin started working for Trystan no one has seen him as much as they used to. And Arthur… he… it's like Merlin was what changed him, and now without him... he's changing back."
"I see what you mean, Gwen. I will talk to Merlin this evening."
Gwen suddenly looked worried. "All right, Gaius, but don't mention Arthur to him."
"Why not?" Gaius asked, confused.
Gwen sighed anxiously. "Just ask him what Trystan is like, and what the two get up to. If you think about it, no one else knows what he is like. He barely speaks to anyone. They both just disappear off together. Who knows what they're doing?"
Gaius still didn't understand. "I still don't see why Merlin shouldn't know about Arthur."
"What if Trystan can't be trusted?"
That night, Merlin returned home late, expecting Gaius to be asleep.
But to the warlock's surprise, he was there waiting up for him.
"Hey, Gaius. It's late. What are you still doing up?"
Gaius smiled. "I waited up for you. I've barely seen you these past few days."
Taking off his coat, Merlin grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I know, I guess I've just been spending a whole lot of time with Trystan."
"Who?" Gaius pretended to forget.
"Trystan," Merlin repeated cautiously. "You know, he came to Camelot, Uther made him a guest…" Merlin trailed off, seemingly reluctant to go into detail.
"Oh, yes, of course," Gaius feigned realisation. "What do you two get up to anyway? I haven't seen much of you recently."
"Oh, lots of things," the warlock said unenthusiastically. "Trystan's a really good person. We just have a great time doing whatever he wants to do, be it hunting or just a ride in the woods."
Merlin's eyes adopted a far away look. "He treats me equally. Like… like I'm more than a servant."
Gaius forced a smile. "I'm glad you two are getting on so well. Maybe you should bring Trystan round some time, so I can meet him."
Merlin froze. "Oh… um… I'm not sure, Gaius."
"Why not, Merlin?"
"There's just never enough time…"
"I'm sure it wouldn't take that long."
"Trystan's always just really busy, and he's not that used to being around a lot of strangers."
"I'm not a stranger to you. Surely he wouldn't mind – "
"No, Gaius. I really don't think he would like it," Merlin insisted forcefully.
The physician rose his eyebrows, surprised at the warlock's tone of voice. "I only want to meet your friend – "
"Look, Gaius, just drop it! He doesn't want to see you and I don't want you to see him!" Merlin shouted.
Silence.
Merlin turned and stalked to his room without so much as a look at Gaius, slamming the door behind him.
Gaius sighed and bowed his head.
"Oh, Merlin…"
It was the next day, and Arthur Pendragon stormed into his chambers, throwing his sword on the table with a frustrated growl.
Everyone was so useless; no one could keep up in training anymore. Arthur wondered why his knights had suddenly becomeso much weaker, slower, and less aware. Nothing was different. Nothing had changed.
Not concerning the knights, anyway.
Arthur's world was another matter.
The prince paced his chambers, fists clenched at his sides. The longer he thought, the whiter his knuckles became, and his nails started to dig into his palms.
His head was such a mess.
He was so confused. He didn't understand how things had gone so wrong in the space of a few weeks. What had happened? Had he done something wrong? Was this some kind of trick? Was his father testing him?
Arthur sat down in a chair and leant forward, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. He was so consumed in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone else had entered the room.
Gaius crossed the room to where the drained Arthur was, placing a comforting hand on the prince's shoulder. "Sire?"
Arthur jumped and sat up instantly, sharply returning to the present. He looked at the man standing behind him. "Gaius? What are you doing here?"
The physician sighed and looked away.
"Gaius?" Arthur asked, concerned. The prince stood up. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Gaius looked Arthur in the eye. "It's... it's you, sire."
Arthur recoiled slightly in surprise. That was the last thing he'd expected out of Gaius. "Me? Why? What's wrong with me?"
Gaius hesitated, not sure if he could speak so frankly with the prince. "I… you… well…"
"Gaius," the prince urged, "you are a trusted friend. You may speak with me as you wish. Have no fear. Tell me what is wrong."
The physician nodded, taking a deep breath. "I have noticed you have been acting… differently of late, Arthur."
The prince nodded, face turning suspiciuos. "Go on."
"I- I have noticed that you… that you seem to be more irritable. I have seen you practicing with your knights; you lose your temper at your most trusted warriors, sire. And... you are not as… open… as you once were." Gaius swallowed nervously.
Arthur broke eye contact and began slowly pacing the room, contemplating Gaius's observations.
"Sire, if this has anything to do with Mer – "
"This has nothing to do with Merlin!" Arthur cut in, a little louder than necessary.
Gaius sighed. "I know he has become Trystan's servant, and I can see… I can see that it has affected you, Arthur."
The prince opened his mouth, ready to retaliate, but the physician spoke before he had a chance.
"It has affected me too."
The prince looked at Gaius disbelievingly, mouth closing in surprise.
"Like you, I have not seen Merlin either as of late. And when he returned last night…" Gaius broke off.
"What?" immediately asked the prince. "What happened?"
"He… he was very defensive of anything concerning Trystan. I asked to meet him, but Merlin snapped and shouted at me to just leave it!" Gaius exclaimed.
Arthur stopped his pacing in surprise. "It's not like Merlin to snap at anyone." Arthur's eyes widened. "In fact, I've never heard of him losing his temper at you before."
"Exactly," agreed Gaius. "Merlin has changed almost immediately since meeting Trystan."
There was a pause.
"Just as you have changed since Merlin left."
Arthur looked at Gaius, recognition sparking in his eyes. He had to get Merlin back.
"So, what are we going to do?"
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