Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters below
Ok - so i hadn't really planned on continuing this, but this came to me a few days ago, so I thought I'd post it as a continuation of Keep The Relationship Secret. Thanks goes out to scientia-potentia-est for suggesting it. :)
This contains spoilers for the second episode of season 3, also contains a rather corny ending (apologies in advance). Enjoy and please leave a review/feedback. :) And let me know if you'd like me to continue this, or if I should leave it at this. :)
Keep The Relationship Secret - Episode II
"Where is that half-wit?" Arthur marched into Gaius' chambers, crossbow in hand and a scowl on his face. At least, he hoped it was a scowl. Because no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't completely stop the sickly worried feeling from showing on his face. Merlin had been missing since yesterday afternoon and Arthur knew something must have been wrong. Merlin wouldn't miss saying goodnight to his prince. Not for anything.
"Merlin?" Gaius looked up from his work, his eyes searching Arthur's face. The prince swallowed and forced out an irritated sentence.
"I've got no socks, no breeches and an archery session to go to!" Arthur looked up into the room where Merlin (sometimes) slept. It was dark and his stomach flipped in worry again. Where could he be? Was he asleep up there? "Merlin!"
"I thought he was with you, Sire," the older man said and Arthur looked around at him again. 'What?' The word had begun to form on his lips, but he swallowed it. Did Gaius know about their relationship? Had Merlin told him? Had the older man begun to notice how many times Merlin didn't return to his own bed (at least until not until early in the morning). Arthur held up a quivering finger, determined to stay in character.
"Don't try and cover for him," Arthur said warningly, dropping his arm before his worried shakes and quivering got the better of him.
"He didn't come home last night," Gaius admitted, his eyes widening to reflect the worry Arthur felt. "I can't find him."
"Neither can I," Arthur murmured incoherently, glancing down to hide his pained look.
"Pardon, sire?"
Arthur looked up and forced his face into a scowl again. "Nothing. Just when you find him, you can tell him he's the target!" And with that he turned and left the room, leaving a somewhat confused, yet equally worried Gaius behind.
~ *XX* ~
Merlin walked past the newly placed guards at Arthur's door, raised an eyebrow and entered the prince's chambers to find the place a complete mess. His first glance was, of course, to the bed where Arthur lay asleep. A wave of relief washed over him at seeing his lover safe and so contented, despite his new worries.
Merlin's second glance, however, was to the rest of the room which was barely visible underneath all the other clothes and shoes and armour. Making his way, in shock, to the windows, Merlin pulled the curtain back and turned to face the bed again, taking in the horror of how messy the place had become in his absence.
"What happened?" Merlin demanded as Arthur began to wake. The prince opened an eye and began to smile, until Merlin tilted his head slightly, gesturing to the guards at the door.
"What happened?" Arthur fell into the role of complaining again(very easily, it should be mentioned). "I've had to make do without a servant, that's what happened."
"I wasn't gone for that long," Merlin muttered, walking around to the end of the bed.
"Without my permission!" Arthur sat up and pointed a finger at him, threateningly.
"What if I was dying?" Merlin cried back and Arthur inwardly winced. Sometimes their faux arguing felt so real.
"I wouldn't be complaining," Arthur replied evenly and this time Merlin winced. "But you're not, so where've you been," the prince quickly added.
"I was dying," Merlin admitted and Arthur frowned ever so slightly before replying.
"I don't have time for this. The future of the kingdom rests upon my shoulders. Do you have any idea what that feels like?" Arthur swivelled on the bed, until his legs were hanging over the edge and he turned to look at his manservant.
"Well..."
"Merlin. I should have you thrown in the dungeons, so what have you got to say for yourself?"
Merlin paused, looking into Arthur's deep blue eyes. "You've not had your breakfast this morning have you," he said a hint of cheek in his voice.
"I'll have you for breakfast!" Arthur roared back, leaping out of bed and picking up the thing nearest to him. He was angry. But not the reason the guards or anyone else would have thought. He was angry at Merlin for leaving him alone to worry for so long. He was so filled with a sudden angry relief at his manservant. He threw a boot at him.
"Oh, no wonder this place is such a mess!" Merlin mocked as he retreated, successfully ducking the tossed items. "Oh yes, I can see you've got all the makings of a great king," he continued sarcastically, ducking out into the back corridor and therefore missing the last object Arthur threw at him.
Then, out of everyone's sight, Merlin leaned against the cool stone wall of the back corridor. He sighed and let the pretense drop, closing his eyes for a weary second. A moment later, Arthur appeared beside him, murmuring an apology which Merlin echoed back, blinking up into the face of his prince and lover. Arthur leaned in towards the darked haired, young man and cupped his cheek before pressing a kiss to his lips.
"I'm sorry I worried you," Merlin whispered when Arthur drew back. The prince shushed him however, pressing a finger to his lips.
"Please don't leave without saying goodbye, again," Arthur replied, his voice breaking slightly. Merlin responded by passionately kissing the prince once more, wrapping an arm around his muscled waist.
"I'm glad you're safe, Merlin," Arthur muttered a moment later and Merlin nodded against him.
"Me too, Arthur. Me too."
And they rested together in secret, content in the others mere presence and company. Together they waited, for possibly the last time, as the battle for Camelot formed around them.
