Title: A Matter of Patience
Author: Takebuo Ishimatsu
Pairing(s): Arthur/Merlin
Summary: Someone else is waiting for the day he can reveal his magic. Unfortunately, Arthur enjoys Merlin's attempts at lying too much to tell him so. Goes from pre-friendship all the way to definite Merthur. 3rd in series but can stand alone. Arthur's POV.
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
***This first chapter doesn't have a specific time in mind, though it's mentioned that it's right after the Sophia incident. I'm gonna say that they're definitely friends by now, but Arthur tries to stay in denial.***
Chapter Two: Waiting for Duels
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"Stop being such a girl Merlin. What happened to the confident man that claimed he could take me apart with less than a blow, even after he knew I was the Prince?
"I'm fairly certain he'd been hitting it pretty hard that morning. You shouldn't take anything he said to heart." Merlin made a drinking motion, making it clear just what "he" had been hitting that day. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"You don't drink."
"Exactly. Now you know why."
By this time, Arthur could practically feel his knights' amused glances. He glared at his insolent manservant for once again making him look like a fool Prince that couldn't control his most base of subjects. Only the fact that the brunette was slightly more proper in front of his father and visiting nobles saved him from a swift kick in the ass.
"All right then, if you don't want to do it, I will," Arthur threw up his hands in mock surrender before starting towards the wall of the castle.
He still couldn't believe Merlin had not only shot directly in the middle of three towers, going through two windows on top of that, but had somehow managed to get his father's prized golden arrow stuck up in one of the flags. The most frightening part was that he was fairly certain he hadn't even used any magic.
"I never said I wouldn't do it. I just said that it didn't seem like a very good idea."
Arthur smirked but was careful not to let the other see it. He'd had a feeling the fear for his safety might get the other moving. Though, now that he thought about it, he wasn't entirely certain he liked the idea of Merlin protecting him, let alone the fact that the other man had seemingly made a habit out of it.
"And I suppose you have a better idea?"
He paused to wait for the response. Merlin's eyes drifted up the whole thirty feet of stone to finally rest on the center of one of the banners.
He shrugged slightly, his usual innocent smile in place as he responded, "Maybe we should just leave it for the moment? You never know, a wind might come up and blow it down for us."
Arthur snorted, "Or maybe my father will notice the bright, shiny thing stuck up in the banner and order someone else to get it down. And then maybe he'll ask them how it got there."
He nodded towards his men, who were trying to give the impression of not listening but were failing quite spectacularly at it. Sir Kay even started a little when he realized the Prince was indicating them. In truth, Arthur doubted that they would say anything to anyone, lest the King asked them personally, but he wasn't taking any chances. He knew his father would not be pleased if he found out Merlin had been messing around and had almost lost a family heirloom. One that wasn't atrociously hideous and had in fact been sacredly passed down from father to son for generations.
Merlin bit his bottom lip but didn't respond, still looking at the arrow judgingly. Arthur knew by now what his normal method was and what he was then trying to do. He would get everyone to leave somehow, then claim to have forgotten something, run back and magic it down, and then come up with some horribly unbelievable excuse as to how he got it. He probably would say the wind blew it down, never mind that it was the calmest day they'd seen in a fortnight.
The Prince would have normally let him get away with it if it'd just been him, or even just he and some random noble. But he knew Merlin had already pushed his luck too many times when it came to the knights. They were around the two often enough to notice a trend, just as Arthur himself had many months ago, and the Prince couldn't say for certain if they'd all keep quiet.
"I'll get it down, sire," Sir Percival stepped forwards and the Prince shook his head.
He would never intentionally put Merlin in danger, but there was specific reason he wanted his servant to do it and not anyone else. The other man had magic for goodness sakes! He was not going to risk one of his other men when he was certain the servant could somehow make certain he wouldn't fall while making it seem like luck if something did happen. The other had been doing it for months, after all.
"Maybe I should just tell your father what happened, I'm sure he'll understand." Even the knights, who were politely not listening to their lord argue with his naughty manservant, had to give the young sorcerer a Look at that.
Arthur mentally groaned, silently wishing for the day Merlin's secret could be known and things wouldn't be so complicated. In fact, he was debating just pulling the other to the side and telling him right then and there what he knew, if only to save himself from the agony of Merlin's stupid ideas. Honestly, "I'm sure he'll understand?" As if! His father would probably "understand" enough to have his servant flogged more like it.
"Merlin! Either do it or don't! We can't all be standing around here all day," he finally snapped, deciding once again to keep quiet. Merlin would tell him one day, not the other way around. Or, as Arthur expected would be the case, he'd screw up and "reveal" his secret. And, he certainly didn't need to show his trump card in order to defeat a wall. He'd climb it himself if Merlin wouldn't do it.
"Ok! Ok! No need to be so cranky!" his servant huffed out, irritated that his master presumably didn't care for his safety. Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me? I am Crown Prince; I do not get 'cranky.' I get annoyed at my idiotic, cowardly servant who not only managed to get the only valuable thing in the Northeastern Tower stuck up in the banner but now refuses to help get it down!"
Well, in truth, he might have been a little short tempered that day, but that was only because Merlin had been so late that morning he'd not had time for breakfast before meeting with his father. At which meeting, the King had kindly pointed out that his breeches were untied. Arthur scowled; just thinking about it again completely evaporated any good mood he might have had.
"Oh, forgive me sire! Clearly I was mistaken!" Arthur was in the middle of an accepting nod when Merlin continued, "You're not cranky! You're just an ass." The servant's voice had risen with anger and his cheeks had received a tinge of red.
Arthur stared at the other a split second, not quite believing he'd actually said that, before starting forward in a determined pace. He smirked internally as Merlin's displeased scowl turned into an "Oh shit" look and the other started backing up quickly. Arthur picked up his pace, knowing the brunette couldn't walk straight slowly, let alone backwards with speed. Merlin, as if realizing just then that he was in deep trouble, turned tail and ran off towards the tower. Arthur began jogging after him, silently cursing his heavy armor and Merlin's sudden swiftness when faced with apparent danger.
He could hear Sir Caradoc's calls, begging him "not to hurt the lad," which he ignored. He wasn't going to beat him to death, just rough him up a bit while he had the opportunity. There was nothing out there for Merlin to magic into his path as he'd done during their first fight, and he was going to enjoy getting some pay back.
The servant ran up the rope they'd tied let down from one of the windows and frantically began to climb. Arthur was a bit amused to realize the other preferred the risk of a thirty foot drop to facing him. Not that the powers that be seemed to want to give him a choice…the other made it up about five feet or so before he dropped flat on his back. Arthur could hear a few "oooooo's" and the general sentiment of "That's gotta hurt" in the distance.
Strolling leisurely up to his prey, he placed his hands on his knees and leaned directly over the other's head. He gave the sorcerer a friendly smile that they both knew was far more dangerous than his normal glare.
"I'm sorry, Merlin, but I don't think I quite heard you just a minute ago. What did you call me?" He gave the other an expectant look.
"I didn't say anything." Merlin shook his head as he answered, his best (or worst, depending on your perspective) innocent look in place. Arthur smirked, not having any of that.
"Really? Because it certainly sounded like you called me an ass again. And you know what happened the last time you called me that, don't you?"
"Well, first off," Merlin held up his hand, one finger raised, which looked a little odd considering he was still flat on his back, "I didn't call you anything, you must be hearing things. Probably all those knocks to the head during training. And secondly," here he held up another finger, "last time I called you that, you stopped your men from throwing me in the dungeon. You even said there was 'something about me.'"
Arthur shook his head, his frighteningly friendly smile still in place.
"Right, that was just after we had a nice little duel with…maces, I believe? Well then, let's get to it, shall we?"
He pulled off his gauntlet and tossed it on the ground right next to the other's head, causing him to flinch. Merlin glanced at the object out of the corner of his eye before looking back up at the Prince and shaking his head.
Merlin clasped his fingers together, indicating he had no desire whatsoever to pick up the piece of armor, "I refuse."
Arthur rolled his eyes and held out his hand, "Come on Merlin, get up."
"No thanks, I think I'll stay here for a while. Admire the nice weather we're having."
"Merlin, I'm not kidding, get up."
"Ooooh no, that's not gonna happen," he shook his head once more, a sarcastic smile taking form. Arthur looked to the heavens for help. He was starting to lose his anger to annoyance, and if that was Merlin's plan, even he had to admit his servant was a genius.
"Merlin, if you don't get up, I'm going to have my knights pick you up and carry you to the stocks, where you'll stay until tomorrow morning if I feel like forgiving you then."
"So, you're saying my choices are between not accepting your challenge and being put in the stocks, which happens enough even when I am in your good graces, or accepting it and being hit by you with a mace? Hmm…let me think about that." Merlin twisted his lips in a mock "thinking face" and looked past his master towards some clouds off on the right.
"I'm not going to hit you with a mace," he admitted with some exasperation.
Merlin raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
"It's a proper duel, moron. I'm going to hit you with my sword," he grabbed the hilt of his weapon for emphasis, desperately trying to fight off the smile he felt tugging at the corner of his lips. Good Lord above, the situation was so utterly ridiculous!
Merlin nodded mockingly, "That's much better."
"Merlin! Stand up and face me like a man!" He stood to his full height and loomed over the other. Of course, being that it was Merlin, his servant wasn't impressed and instead stayed just as he was.
Arthur mentally sighed, knowing what the other was doing. While others might not think twice about kicking an errant servant, everyone that knew him knew that he would never attack a man while he was down. Even if he was down by his own volition. If only Merlin's magic was revealed! Then the other would at least face him in an honorable fashion, as he'd done when they'd first met.
He looked down into blue eyes, wondering if he shouldn't make good on his threat of carrying him to the stocks. His lips began to twitch as a sudden idea came to him, and, without further ado, he promptly sat down on Merlin's stomach. He was quite satisfied at the sound of air leaving the servant's lungs in a big whoosh.
"Get off! Get off!" Merlin began trying to push the other off, something he probably wouldn't have been able to do even in the proper position.
"I don't know, Merlin. I kind of like this new seat, even if it is a little boney."
"Do you have any idea how much you weigh in all that?" Merlin gasped.
"Not really," Arthur shook his head nonchalantly.
"I'll get up! I swear! Just get off!" Arthur glanced down at the other for a moment before nodding once and standing unhurriedly. Merlin sighed in relief, which didn't last long when the Prince offered his hand. Hesitantly, the servant took it, and was gently pulled to his feet.
"Well then, Merlin. Since it's apparent you lack the ability to get it down yourself, how should we go about it? Oh yes, pick that up."
Arthur glanced up to the arrow still stuck up thirty feet above, while at the same time waiving towards the gauntlet still resting on the ground. He was just able to catch Merlin's incredulous look out of the corner of his eyes.
"I'm not picking that up."
"Yes, you are. And then you're going to refasten it, which is about the only thing you're good for," he held up his arm expectantly.
"If I do, you're not going to hit me with a mace?"
"Don't you listen? I already said I wasn't going to do that."
Merlin rolled his eyes, "You're not going to hit me with your sword?"
Arthur gave the other an odd look, "Do you want me to?"
Merlin shook his head, "Not really, no. Just wondering if I should prepare myself for it."
Arthur snorted, "You'd need a lot of preparing, believe me. In fact, that's why I've decided to postpone our duel. After the completely pathetic display of cowardice and utter lack of skill, I feel it wouldn't be a proper fight. And so, we'll wait until later."
Merlin snorted himself, his usual friendly smile returning, "Sorry to say, sire, but you might be waiting for that duel for a long time." He bent down to pick up the arm piece and then efficiently connected it again.
Arthur nodded but didn't say anything. One of the things he'd always liked about Merlin was his complete honesty about his faults (at least those not involving magic, not that Arthur knew if he had any when it came to that). While others would bluster and try to make themselves look better, his servant just accepted the fact that he sucked without feeling dishonor or shame.
Of course, it was clear that the other thought he meant he'd wait until his sword skills improved. Arthur felt no need to imply otherwise. It'd be better to let the other think he was safe so long as he was crap with a weapon (which would probably be forever, with his clumsiness). Then he'd spring it on him and watch him get that startled face he always got whenever Arthur almost caught him doing magic or Gaius asked if he'd cleaned his room yet.
"Well…maybe you could pull me up?" Merlin finally said after a few minutes of content silence, the original problem still existing even if they'd made up.
"Getting rather lazy, aren't you?" Arthur replied with a smile.
"Clearly! I only failed at climbing ten feet with my life in danger, no reason not to try thirty," Merlin rolled his eyes. A small, devious smile came to his face and he continued, "But, of course, if you don't have the strength, then I suppose I can ask one of the other knights. No need for you to wear yourself out, sire."
"I could pull Sir Geraint up a mountain if I wanted to. It's the fact of the matter," Arthur was quick to defend his honor.
Merlin gave him a mocking smile, "Of course, sire."
Arthur shook his head in disbelief that Merlin was already starting something again, before replying, "You know, I think I've changed my mind. I am going to hit you." He put his hand on the hilt of his sword and Merlin took off towards the knights, waving his arms frantically.
"Sir Caradoc! Sir Geraint! Arthur needs your help!"
"No I don't!" Arthur yelled out frantically before he quickly began following the other.
Unfortunately, he didn't quite make it in time and in the end Merlin was pulled up the wall by Sir Kay and Sir Percival, who'd somehow been convinced that he was hiding some grievous injury under his armor that would ensure he dropped his "poor" manservant and probably cause him to be pulled out the window after him. Arthur glared at the brunette the entire time he went up and down, half tempted to push the other two knights out of the way and let him drop at least a few feet. He was positive a good scare would do wonders for his temperament.
However, he decided to not give his servant a near-death experience in favor of terrorizing him every single day for the rest of his life once the other's magic was known. Like Merlin had said, he'd probably be waiting a long time, but it would be so worth it.
AN: Once again, not certain I like how this came out, but I suppose it'll do. I can't recall if they've ever actually gotten into a real anger-driven fight, so please forgive me if it seems a little out of character (or that it came upon too suddenly)…and let me know if you think so. I might try to fix it later. Anyway, all comments & criticisms are welcome regardless.
I'm re-watching the episodes for season one, which is what led me to the "ass" comments (I'd completely forgotten Merlin called him that when they first met). That leads me to the question: ass or arse? I originally put "arse" in chapter one since I thought that's what they'd say in Merlin, but apparently not? Just wondering what some of you British people might think about it.