Dear Readers, Thank You for reading my story so far, and for your reviews. Seven in three days, that was awesome!
WARNING:
My Merlin is really different, not as dorky looking, and someone who actually can and does fight back.
SUMMARY:
In which Merlin discloses facts pertaining to his magic, leaving behind a rather stunned audience.
There is a mix on the history take. Gwen's been banished from Camelot as Lancelot returns, and betrayals have already surfaced.
Sorry have a bit of some good old fashioned writer's block, dealing with Emerald Sparks will update as soon as I can.
DISCLAIMER:
NOW THE PLOT IS ALL MINE; THE CHARACTERS BELONG TO BBC, BBC ONE HD STUDIOS, AND JULIAN JONES, JAKE MICHIE, JOHNNY CAPPS, JULIAN MURPHY. THE REST OF THE STORY AND CHAPTERS BELONG SOLELY TO ME 'SAHIBA'.
I do not own "Till the Day I die" by "Story of the Year"
This story is rated M. Please Enjoy.
Chapter Three
House of Flying Daggers
Merlin stretched as he finally reached the end of the Lake, facing the Castle he smiled, "God that feels good", he murmured to himself. Walking to a tree, that he knew held a small alcove of sorts, as he pulled his tunic over his head, unaware of the five pairs of eyes watching his move, smiling, he whistled a low tune, and unbuckled his briefs, shimming out of the pants, he yawned, "I really need a bloody holiday", he mumbled. Stretching he walked to the edge of the lake, "I hope Freya's having fun", smiling softly, he dove into the cool water, and breaking the surface he took in a huge gulp of air, counting to three, he breathed deeply, exhaled and started off a series of short breaths, breathing, exhaling, and breathing in again. Closing his eyes, Merlin nodded to himself, and then dived beneath the water. Mentally agreeing with him-self;
Time to play.
XXXX
The knights stood at the edge of the forest and sighed, "Well at least he's alone", Gwaine mumbled, "I was half afraid, he'd string along someone", he continued in relief. The others agreed silently. Merlin rarely walked anywhere without at least one other person tagging along. The charisma and the passion the man exuded was a testimony to how well liked he was, the young King, often found his friendship with random strangers absolutely irritating, as well as rather envious, of his passion to make friends so easily. The most annoying factor to the equation simply lay in the young King's absolute jealousy whenever someone so much as smiled at the man. His manservant. His warlock. Merlin was His.
Arthur sighed, "Right then; Knights, Take your positions", he addressed the rag-tag dressed up knights in a combination of bright tunics and mostly pure Black clothing. A symbol of sorts temporarily inked onto their arms, by Gaius. They were supposed to be a group of Mercenaries, their faces covered by the tight coifs of black cloth, eyes just visible beneath hair that fell into their eyes.
Gwaine wore a bright Blue Tunic and a Black Leather jacket, tight over his midriff, with Black pants, and a Black ribbon tied like a belt round his waist. His face was covered, with a tight Black cloth that stretched over his mouth, and when his talked the cloth stretched as well (A/N: Ninja Clothes). His hair pulled back with a leather thong, and a few stray curls, fell into his eyes, almost masking his eyes.
Percival wore who wore a simple pair of tights, and a dark blue tunic, a scarf tied around his mouth, his hair was short and spiky, and he carried himself well, almost like a trained Bandit. Arthur had smirked at him, the usually quiet knight looked almost evil, with the scar that ran over his left eyebrow, and the his eyes sharpened with an almost deadly look, it didn't help matters that he was tall. Percival looked too fierce, for what it was worth. The knights had teased him asking him if was looking into changing professions.
Elyan wore a completely different ensemble, being already dark skinned, they were worried Merlin would recognize him easily, but then Gaius had suggested he allow his face to be completely covered with a sheer Black cloth, his arms and legs covered in white bandages and his lithe form dressed in loose Black clothes, tied with a sash across his torso in an 'X'. His features not being visible was probably the creepy factor that still made Leon shudder, The Brown-eyed Blonde refused to acknowledge the literally dark man.
Leon, even as a Mercenary held himself too much like a knight, years of conditioning himself as one, still looked deadly. Arthur was especially proud of his look; the man looked like a leader, even as he watched their surrounding with a hawk's eye. Dressed, in simple Black slacks, and a red tunic. Mouth similarly covered as Gwaine's, Hair falling free, and yet his eyes, weren't covered.
Arthur was dressed entirely in Black, except for a Blue and Gold plaited ribbon coiled around his neck, a collar of sorts, his blonde hair pulled in short spiky tufts, that half fell shielding his blue eyes, and half pulled back, with a bit of some plant gel, Gaius called, 'Aloe Vera', the same substance currently in Percival's hair and the standard tight cloth covering their mouths.
Leon whistled low, "He's been in that water for too long", he mumbled as he counted down a minute and three seconds. Arthur turned to the lake and as he looked, at the quiet surface, moving forward almost instinctively. Leon put an arm out, and pushed him back, "Wait", he ordered softly. They waited five more seconds, before Merlin broke the surface. "We should move before he senses our presence", guiding the now relieved King towards a heavy tree, he barked a few orders. "Gwaine, Percival and Elyan, head to the south east of this tree, and hide. The King and I will confer for a moment. Oh, and do remember, try not to kill him, remember we're here to scare him into releasing his magic, not here to hurt or maim him", pushing the young King to the tree, the others nodded once and dispersed.
"Sire, I'll be calling you Master from now, just until this incident ends. You need a place to hide, now", Leon turned the King's face towards him-self and sighed, "He's fine, he'll be fine. No one would dare hurt Merlin. Master you need to hide… Now!" he hissed and ducked behind a tree, as Merlin swam out towards the shore of the lake. And like a dog, wiggled a bit, to shake of the excess water.
Arthur watched as Merlin stood at the edge of the lake in his briefs, Arthur drew in a soft breath as he spied Merlin half-naked in front of him, briefs hanging low on his hips, his chest was dry-ish. His wet hair dripping, clichéd as always, a tiny droplet broke free and travelled down his torso, disappearing into the curve of his pelvis, and into his pants. "Merlin", he hissed through his teeth, the name a prayer on his lips. Swallowing once, Arthur scrambled and with no help scaled the tree in three quick bursts of energy, mostly to avoid dashing to the dark haired youth. "Time to Play", he whispered unconsciously echoing Merlin's earlier thought.
XXXX
Merlin stretched and allowed the sun to beat down onto his skin, as he lay down on the grass, for a quick nap. The swim had eased his muscles and relaxed his body, closing his eyes; he fell asleep, for all of five minutes, when a cold thread of dread clawed through his entire being. The forest was quiet, too quiet. Opening his eyes, he sat up slowly. Sighing he internally mumbled;
Great! Too close to the Castle to perform magic and surrounded by four-five bandits. Not good.
Standing Merlin pulled on his pants, and pulled the Blue Tunic he wore earlier. Forgoing his neck-scarf he pulled on his shoes, and counted to five before he walked into the closure standing just below the tree that currently hosted the king.
Swallowing Merlin stood at attention, his eyes scanning the forest floor, alert and sharp. Hearing a deep sigh he turned to his right and hid a scowl behind a carefully placed mask. A man wearing a bright Blue Tunic and a Black Leather jacket, tight over his midriff, with Black pants and a Black ribbon tied like a belt round his waist. His face was covered, with a tight Black cloth that stretched over his mouth, and when he talked the cloth stretched as well hair pulled back with a leather thong, and a few stray curls, fell into his eyes, almost masking his eyes. Gwaine stood tall as he pierced Merlin with a cold glare, "Well now, look at what I found Lads, a little lost lamb", he laughed a cold chilling sound as he tossed a dagger straight at Merlin's chest. The warlock blinked and time slowed as he rolled beneath the dagger, standing fluidly a little to the left. The dagger hit the tree with a resounding 'thunk'.
Gwaine raised a brow, "Impressive, You moved quite fast. Tell me are you a knight of Camelot?" he asked. Merlin shook his head, as his eyes narrowed on two approaching figures. A short man, whose face was completely covered with a sheer Black cloth, his arms and legs covered in white bandages and his lithe form dressed in loose Black clothes, tied with a sash across his torso in an 'X' accompanied with A tall man who wore a simple pair of tights, and a blue tunic, a scarf tied around his mouth, hiding part of his features, his hair was short and spiky , and he carried himself well, cracking his neck he sliced his hand through the air and suddenly five scalps were flying towards Merlin. The brunette caught them with his left hand, and shot them back without letting Gwaine and Percival see he had even moved. He blurred out from the eyesight and in the next moment kicked Gwaine back with brute force. He turned to Percival and said:
"Who are you? What do you want?" He jumped back and stood back at the tree that still had a dagger lodged in his trunk. The tall man laughed the sound a dark trembling roar as he answered, "We're Bandits, of a sort. We also kill for simple pleasure", he ignored Merlin's disgusted expression. But Gwaine caught it, "The way you fight, you have battle training, yet you're disgusted by what we do? Who gave you the right?" he screamed, as he ran to the brunette and lashed out.
Merlin caught his hand, a vial of poison, fell from the man's grasp, positioning himself out of harm's way. He leaned in closer and said, "Ever since I met the sun. And learnt to walk on my knees", he joked.
Soft laughter echoed through the forest, and Merlin glanced at the tree, a quiet blonde with curls walked out from behind the shadows of the tree, dressed in simple Black slacks, and a red tunic. His brown eyes sharp; ignoring Merlin he looked up, "Master would you get out of that tree, please?" he requested. "Do I have to?" he whined. Leon sighed, "Master", he beckoned exasperatedly. "But I like it up here, I can see everything from up here. Tell me warrior, have you ever walked on your knees?" he asked. Merlin remained silent. Sighing the collared cat, stood up and looked directly at him, "Fine", and then jumped.
Merlin watched in well concealed awe as a lithe figure with broad shoulders, practically flew from the tree, The Blue-and-Gold ribbon collar and odd thing to wear on any given Sunday. The warlock Blinked, and then, "Who are you?" he asked. Arthur tilted his head and like a puppy, looked the warlock up and down, "Draco", he answered, "And you?" he asked. Merlin paused briefly, contemplating what to let the man know him as, sighing he answered almost instinctively, "Emrys", Draco blinked at him, eyes widening briefly before he looked away, "Interesting. Tell me Emrys, why should I let you live, even if you are battle-trained what's to say, that if I do keep you, you won't kill my men in their sleep?" he asked.
Merlin snorted, "What makes you think I will be kept, by you?" he taunted. Draco raised a brow, "Oh? Are you already a kept man?" he asked. Merlin smiled, "In a manner of speaking", he answered. Intrigued the collared cat moved forward, "I see, well I can always take care of you so much better than this other master of yours", he stressed, a gloved hand gently placed on Merlin's chin. Merlin raised a brow, "Arthur is not my master, he's my friend", he replied, taking one subtle step back, body angled to attack.
Draco laughed a soft thoughtful laughter, "Well then Emrys, what do you say we duel for it. If I win you get to stay with this Arthur of yours, and we leave. Yet, if I win, I will not only kill you, but I will also kill your friend Arthur", he hissed. Merlin snorted, "Arthur's a knight of Camelot, he won't die so easily, by the hand of a bandit", he scoffed. Gwaine hissed his disapproval.
Draco smirked, eyes lighting up, "Well then, what is your weapon of choice?" he asked. Merlin sighed, "I can wield daggers or a sword", he murmured softly. Draco nodded, turning to Leon, he gestured. Leon stepped forward and handed Merlin a pair of daggers dressed in Black Cloth. Merlin sighed, "What is it with you lot and Black?" he wondered, and removed the cloth. Merlin whistled lowly, as he took in the daggers shape and craft.
It wasn't an ordinary dagger, the metal body lay smooth, longer than an average blade, with two inbuilt ridges, which seemed to him as a puzzle piece, that linked two more jagged blades, the blade was half the length of an actual sword, but relatively larger than an ordinary blade. The handle was simply a leather grip, engraved with odd symbols; he couldn't pin-point the origin of. Merlin clutching the weapon swung it downwards as his eyes glared in a furious agony for the one responsible. It was this sort of idiocy in this Place that caused such hazardous accidents.
He didn't know what he would have told a dignitary should he have been meeting with one now. As the quick, yet thorough, inspection of the land as far as he could tell proved culprit-less, Merlin steeled his jaw and made a move to turn around when something cold, and very much deadly, pressed itself against his throat. "Too easy," Draco's tongue clicked his voice as smooth as velvet. The tone in which he used was one he wasn't quite used to.
He seemed to know what he was doing to him as the feel of his hard body pressed the length of itself against him. Merlin had to physically restrain himself from spinning around to face him. The blade against his neck was held tight enough that any such movement would cost him dearly.
And she wasn't entirely sure that Draco didn't mean business, either. Merlin couldn't allow his questionable antics to go unnoticed. Just because it was someone who seemed interested in him, in that way, did not change the rules. Or, something like that…
"I can help you forget about him, Emrys. I can take away your pain", he promised. Merlin growled low. It was difficult to maintain balance when the man he loved was in potential danger, while his body seemed to reap certain benefits. Draco gave a snort, and then a soft sigh, using his free hand to push away from him.
The move caught Merlin by surprise as he stumbled forward, turning to face him slowly. While he had Draco in sight, Merlin allowed himself a moment to take in his attire. Draco was wearing something akin to a sweatshirt, loose and fitting, the only difference being that this one was pure Cotton and a comfortable pair of Black Pants. Tight. The cut of his T-shirt left the neckline open, the sleeves were long, he was well aware of the angelic appearance it gave him when fighting. To top it all off, not only did the T-shirt fit snuggly to his lean body Merlin swallowed was sure, he was a dead girl.
"Emrys?" the sound of his voice pulled her from his thoughts as he once more focused on this beautiful face, even though it was half covered. He was closer than he had been, both daggers (the same who seemed sisters to the blade he held) drawn and fisted as he folded his arms beneath his torso. His frown scolding him. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" "Yes, and you've just proved my point." Suddenly, he was throwing himself at him.
Merlin jumped to defend himself, catching his daggers with the one he held horizontally out before him. "I say you are far too easily distracted. All I have to do is stand here." Merlin's lips pursed at his raise of a singular brow, as if challenging him to tell him he was wrong. He wasn't, of course. Sliding his blade along his weapons, he pushed him back, holding the fuller extended towards him in a reproachful manner.
"You think I'm scared? That I don't know what I'm feeling" he couldn't help it, his mouth nearly fell open at the obvious accusation. Him not know? Preposterous!
Draco couldn't help the laugh that escaped his throat at the look on Merlin's face. His scowl only seemed to deepen with every snigger. "No, no, I just…" instead of using words, he trailed the blade of his weapon along his skin, listening to the metallic scrape as it went down to the hilt, bringing Merlin closer to him. "I thought you weren't scared?" he spoke the words so softly, he had to strain to hear.
Merlin barely had time to react as Draco twisted, nearly catching him in the throat again with a backhanded dagger. He maneuvered out of the way just in time, curving his wrist and slashing it upward towards him. His daggers bounced off the weapon, deterring it as he spun in towards Merlin.
Thinking quickly, Merlin caught his left wrist and twisted it behind his back, using only the necessary force. (he knew not to treat him as if he were made of glass or as Royalty). Meanwhile Merlin's dagger-like-sword was brought up to catch his throat. He wasn't going to be done in so soon, though, and matched Merlin by blocking with his dagger.
Merlin breathed in his ear, his mood having done a complete one eighty. Mischief and arousal danced in his eyes as he bumped him with his backside, the feeling of the flesh pushing against Draco making him suppress a groan. His mouth was open, lips curled at the corners to reveal his frisky attitude.
Draco drug his tongue over his teeth, twirling the dagger as he made a sound similar to a laugh and charged at Merlin again. Merlin could feel the stirrings of desire quickly spreading throughout his body as his eyes caught sight of his bare stomach, as the T-shirt rode up. Every fast paced movement jostled the T-shirt, giving him more than just a fleeting look at his creamy flesh. Little was left to Merlin's imagination at this point. He no longer cared about being 'kept'.
When Draco came at him with his dagger, he moved in anticipation, successfully tricking him as he quickly planted his foot to stop himself short. Merlin knew his plan. He was going to twist around the other way and come at the warlock from the other side. Merlin's hand smacked his away, the move stunning Draco as his weapon was knocked from his hand.
Trapping his free hand between them, Merlin's dagger pressed lightly into the skin of Draco's other wrist. Moving could result in him losing not just the grip on his dagger, but his hand with it.
The two panted, Draco didn't object when he felt Merlin press himself into him from behind, nuzzling his nose against his neck as his knee pushed itself between his thighs. Merlin blew small heated breaths against his skin, the back of his free hand moving slowly down his side. A series of shivers ran down his spine, making his nipples pucker. He was losing all sense of purpose, only managing to summon his willpower long enough to break away from Merlin, and grab his discarded dagger.
"Now we're even", he said casually, smirking at how quickly the tables had been turned. Draco huffed, "Hardly. The blade of your weapon is much longer than mine." "What do you suggest then, Draco?" he purred. Eying him, Draco's lips slowly rose up into a smirk; he tossed his dagger off to the side, standing unarmed.
Merlin tilted his head. "No weapons. We settle this the old fashioned way." With a raise of his brows, and a shrug of his shoulders, Merlin half grinned as he let his weapon fall from his grasp, landing with a soft echoing thud on the grass below. Neither was sure who made the first move. They were a tangled mess, Draco's attempts at hitting him with one of his blows seeming spot on until Merlin somehow managed to parry them at the last instant.
Draco's high kicks were blocked by his forearm, yet whenever he did lift his leg, he was momentarily caught off guard by the skin revealed from the move. It gave him enough time to retract and move in for a solid blow, but somehow, he managed to regain his senses and would catch his fist.
Draco soon realized that he was on the offensive, and Merlin was simply toying with him, admiring the flush of his skin. He wasn't entirely sure if it was due to the exertion of their activity or the fact that whenever he touched him, it sent a rush of fire through his veins. What started out with his calling the shots had swiftly become counter effective. He was supposed to be teaching Merlin a lesson for allowing his emotions to close off, and yet here he was, vivid images of every night he'd dreamt, since discovering his heart and his charm couldn't harm him, forcing his sudden mistake.
His kick meant for the side of Merlin's head, he'd have stopped the blow before it would have landed of course, had been much too slow (or the warlock was just that fast) and resulted with him being able to grab a hold of his ankle. Balancing him-self on one leg, the look in his eyes as realization washed over him made his heart skip a beat.
Draco was gone the instant Merlin pulled him forward, his hand sliding along the underside of his leg, smoothing up his calf. He reached the back of his knee when he gave a yelp, his balance long lost. Grabbing for the warlock, Draco clung to Merlin as he guided him to the ground, quickly covering his body with his own.
There was nothing he could've done to thwart Merlin from obtaining the upper hand. He was strong and demanding, hands already seizing his own as they trapped his arms well above his head. Draco arched up into him, his body betraying him in ways he didn't dare criticize it for. The feel of Merlin's body hard over his made it difficult for him to breathe.
His shirt having pushed up, away to reveal the skin he offered to no one but his destiny, now, Draco's knees fell open in an instant to cradle him between his warm thighs. His eyes fluttered for a moment as he let out a strangled gasp."I thought we agreed no weapons?" Draco asked breathlessly, his hips instinctively rolling upward which forced him to drag his lower lip between his teeth.
Merlin chuckled as he nibbled the skin beneath his ear, making him shudder with want. "That isn't my dagger Draco..." "It has thrust and that's still cheating, Emrys". Reduced to nothing more than putty beneath Merlin.
Draco thought that if he were going to lose, he might as well not do so without more of a fight. Playing along for the most part, it was rather easy to do what with Merlin peppering kisses along the column of his throat, Draco slowly slid his leg up Merlin's side, determined to wrap the limb around him in order to give him the proper leverage he needed. He wasn't even prepared for the delicious friction that was suddenly created between them as Merlin shifted above him, sensing his intentions.
Judging by the low groan that curled from his lips, Draco guessed he must've felt it too. It no longer mattered to him whether he emerged victorious or not. Lying with his back firmly planted in the soft grass, Merlin's glorious body obscuring him from the eyes of anyone who would happen to wander by the stretch of land, Draco was hard pressed to care for anything other than when he was planning on relieving the ache beginning to stir between his legs.
Letting go of his hands, Merlin slid his down his arms, curving his finger tips to seek more, his mouth neared his nipples, tongue darting along the swell teasingly until he tugged the fabric to the side. It surprised him when he felt his hot mouth surround his nipple. Crying out, Draco locked a leg around him, the other hooking itself over his waist, pulling him closer as his hand moved up to grip his hair in his. Merlin's back gave a high arch as if to push more of himself to the young bandit. His tongue swiped over his puckered nipple, through his clothes, and the cloth covering his mouth, sucking the point before teasing it with his teeth.
Merlin hissed at the pleasure, caused by the rough cloth wet by the stranger's mouth on his nipple, moaning when his hips gyrated up into his own. The sound of his laughter brought his head from the clouds, his eyes opened when he no longer felt Merlin's lovely tongue stroking him.
Draco looked at him almost incredulously as he loomed above him, "So, I guess this mean's I'm the winner. I hope there's a prize, other than you sparing Arthur's life?" Merlin's eyes flashed Gold in silent warning. Draco nodded, slipping his hand from his chest; Merlin stole his blue eyes as he moved his touch over his stomach. Rubbing his inner thigh in slow circular motions for a moment, he watched as his mouth dropped when he finally touched him.
Merlin moaned, with wanton abandon, swallowing he stared into Draco's lust blown pupils, his eyes, almost Midnight blue, as they reached for each other instinctively. Flipping him over Draco straddled his waist, as realization swept through him, "Dear God, Emrys! What the hell? So, Let's see, I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're no longer pissed?" he asked. Merlin sighed, and blinked at him, and almost groaned as his inner voice stated blandly.
Wakey Wakey! Time to get up!
XXXX
Merlin swallowed, "I will admit, I'm no longer ticked off, but I am curious. How the hell did you know, I was worth any kind of trouble?" he asked. Arthur smirked, "Where to even begin", he sighed as he pushed off of him and lay down next to him.
Merlin turned to look at him, "Why do you wear a mask?" he asked. Arthur laughed, "Not everyone is allowed the freedom to move freely. I have a reason not to let you see my face Emrys, you will have to forgive me", he murmured. Merlin nodded, "You're entitled your secret. God knows, I've kept my fair share", he answered. "Where are your uh… friends?" he asked changing the subject. Arthur blinked, "Around, they're probably in the trees", watching or talking to each other. Merlin nodded, "You lot are an odd bunch of bandits", he observed. Arthur gulped, "Well", he laughed, "We're more Justice Seekers. We sort of. . . attack only those who hurt others, and well if there's money to be won, who's to say we aren't allowed to take it?" he asked. Merlin laughed softly.
Silence reigned as the birds twittered madly, almost as a reprieve from the sudden fight that occurred between the two men. Arthur nodded, and then asked a question that sounded fairly odd to him-self when, he asked, "What is your relation to this Arthur?" he asked. Merlin smiled, "Arthur's the man I'm madly in love with, also the one man I cannot have. There's also the fact that he's Royalty", he answered glibly. Arthur nodded, "And if he chooses you regardless?" he asked. Merlin sighed, "He won't, he loves another", he stated blandly. "You could be mistaken", Arthur tried to reassure. "I've known Arthur for the last Four years, I can safely say, as a twenty one year old, that he who is twenty six and in love with another, will never be with me", his next words shot an arrow through the young King's heart, "You said you'd help me forget him, that you'd help take away this pain. You know who I am, and what I am capable of, Will you still take the risk of helping me?" he asked.
Arthur sat up, "I'm an outlaw, and I live with my brother's in the forest. We're bandits, to be with me, you'd have to leave Camelot", he said. Merlin sighed, "No. No, that's not possible. I can't leave", he sighed, as he sat up. They sat shoulder to shoulder. Arthur turned to him, "Why? Why can't you leave? I could take you away from the pain, from Arthur", he urged. Merlin smiled, a soft sad heart breaking smile, "Yes, I supposed you'd have the power to do so. But I'm afraid I can't leave. Arthur is… well I have to stay, he needs me", he mumbled slowly.
The king turned to him, "How? Does he even know you're a magic user, that you're a warlock? Camelot doesn't allow magic, remember. You're from around here, you would know that", he tried to argue back. Merlin laughed a bitter sound that halted Arthur in his tracks, "Arthur is my friend, and call me a masochist, but I have a reason to stay by his side. It's my duty as his friend, and—", "B-But you're magic, you can't stay, How are you still alive? And why stay here, where it's likely you'll get hurt or worse die?" he asked. Blue eyes glittering dangerously. Merlin cupped his cheek, feeling the rough cloth he sighed, "I love him. But no, that's not the only reason, my magic is the reason Arthur stays safe, you would not believe the trouble he gets into on a daily basis, thanks to his rather stubborn attitude", Merlin sighed. Arthur turned to him, "tell me, tell me about him", he asked.
Merlin laughed, "That may take a while", he muttered. Arthur sighed, "That's fine, I have time", he answered. Merlin nodded, "Maybe another time. Call your brothers closer, I'll heal their injuries", he muttered. The knights stood in quiet shock, Gwaine blinked, "What injuries?" he asked. Merlin snickered, "The gashes are likely to bring forth pain, when a few more hours pass. I meant for it to get infected and hand you a slow death if you didn't get it treated, and I hoped I'd be long gone by then. They're currently numb", turning to the man, he lifted Gwaine's tunic, Arthur and his knights whistled, as they saw a long gash of approximately three inches deep, across Gwaine's back, "H-How?" he sputtered. Merlin shrugged, "You were more angry than actually hurtful, I used my magic when you turned back to grab your daggers, and I was being attacked by the Giant", he pointed to Percival. "You were trying to hurt me, but you seemed conflicted. Almost like you didn't want to hurt me", he murmured absentmindedly.
Merlin passed a hand over his wound, "This will sting a bit. Ahluttre tha seocness. Thurh-haele braed", Merlin's eyes glowed, as he murmured the spell, the Latin rolling of his tongue fluidly. Removing his hand, Arthur grinned, "Wow! The skin is completely healed". Merlin breathed through his teeth, "Not completely, he'll be in pain for a few hours". Turning to Elyan he took his arm, "This will hurt a lot more than his, bite down on this", he handed Elyan a piece of wood, he'd wrapped with the Black cloth that held the daggers. "Ferula Purhhaele licsar min", he murmured. Elyan hissed, "By the gods what did you do to me?" he asked. Merlin shrugged, "I broke your arm in three different places. And like your friend's back, numbed it", he answered. Breathing deeply, he released the arm, "It won't hurt too much, just try not to move it too much", he ordered. Turning to Percival, he pointed to the man, and allowed a warm simple healing spell his way, "that'll take care of all the scratches, I may have given you". Percival nodded, and "It's warm", his voice was soft as if in awe.
Merlin smiled, "Magic is not something that hurts, and it depends on the caster. So if used to protect or heal, or to defend, Magic is a very beautiful thing", he explained. "It's a bit like a weapon. It depends on how the user wields it", he stated.
Standing he stretched and loosened the kinks in his neck, when Arthur turned to him, "You didn't hurt Le—", he broke off and swallowed, remembering just on the brink that Leon's name should not be mentioned. Merlin grinned, "Your friend Lee didn't attack me. Is that your name then? L-E-E?" he asked spelling the name, Leon nodded. "And the others?" he asked.
Gwaine grinned, "Well, This is—", he pulled Elyan into a side hug, almost squeezing the life out of him, "Oiché". Merlin grinned, "The Gaelic translation for 'night'?" he murmured. "Intriguing", he muttered. Indicating Percival, Elyan coughed, "This is Cival", he murmured, and the bloody idiot choking the life out of me, is Diomas, we call him Dio", the last four words, drowned out by Merlin's laughter, as he doubled over with sheer humor; the meaning of the name registering.
The knights turned, and watched the warlock as he laughed without any qualms, they had never seen the young Boy, ever let go completely. Arthur blinked, "W-What?" he asked. Merlin managed to control his laughs, as he tried to answer, "The name—it's the Gaelic translation—for—ha ha ha ha—Arrogant!" Merlin smirked, "Let me guess, Oiché, because you're dark skinned, Cival, is an abbreviated form of your original name, Diomas, because you're rather Cocky, Lee, is also short form, maybe for something like Leo or Liam? And Draco that's Latin for Dragon. You all have nicknames. I assume you've guessed that my name is a nickname as well. I believe we'll be good friends. On the occasion none of you try to so much as hurt a hair on Arthur's person", he warned quietly, he's laughter ending.
The knights nodded mutely, standing once more Merlin, grabbed the remainder of his belongings and quickly moved to leave. As he turned to say Goodbye, Percival asked softly, "You must leave then?" Merlin grinned, "Yes. If you stay here for a few days, I may see you again, but for now, I must take my leave. I need to find Arthur", he muttered. "Why?" The king asked. Merlin sighed, "I have to let him know you're here, but don't worry, I'll just let him know that you're passing villagers, travelers. Providing you keep my secret", he explained. Bowing once, his eyes glowed Gold and when he looked up, the knights took a step back. Merlin smirked, the look oddly evil yet befitting, "Understand this, if you betray my trust, I will cause you pain, of the likes you've never experienced. My magic resides in three of your companions, and I can reverse the spell of healing. I've also infused magic in the collar you wear, and as your men fall Draco, you will be forced to watch them die, and not be able to offer them any comfort", he warned.
To soften the blow he smiled, "However, the ribbon you wear, collared to your neck, and is infused with protective magic, as are your friends. As I healed their wounds. If you are attacked in any way that will cause you harm, my magic will protect you, and as long as you, Draco, wear that—", he paused stepping into Arthur's personal space, "— collar, you'll be safe from any kind of evil magic, as long as it stays connected to your skin, Don't worry about Lee, I've placed a silent protection spell around him, he may have felt a warm breeze pass through or around him", at Leon's nod, Merlin grinned, "I really have to go now, stay out of trouble", and he jogged back to the Castle.
The sun at a shadow past Three, Merlin paused as he heard footsteps behind him, "Wait", Arthur called. The warlock sighed, "Draco, I really have to go. It's for your own safety", he urged. Arthur nodded, "I know, I just have a question", Merlin nodded. Swallowing Arthur asked, "You hurt the rest and we never caught on to it, despite each fight being roughly half a minute long, more or less, and you managed to hurt them. We fought for the longest, and you gave me nothing not a single scratch, and yet you have me collared to you. Why? Why single me out?" he asked. Merlin sighed, "I was hoping you wouldn't catch on to that… Draco, there's a trace of Magic in your blood. I can't infuse Magic into your soul, when there lays dormant old magic within you. The results could be catastrophic. Pure chaos. I didn't want to risk hurting you", he murmured. Confused Arthur turned to him, "Why? Why would you go to such lengths to protect me?" he asked. Merlin turned to Arthur, "Do you trust me Draco?" he asked.
Arthur nodded, smiling Merlin dropped his belongings, and he pulled off his scarf. And tied it around his eyes, with Blind movements he pulled the cover off of Arthur's mouth, "I didn't hurt you, because, there is a part of me, that needs you—", placing his hands on either side of Arthur's face, he used his thumbs to map out his features. With both hands his thumbs on each corner of his lips, "—Because you promised, you'd take away this pain", he whispered. Leaning down at a proper angle despite being taller than the Blonde, Merlin brings his lips closer, his breath warm across Arthur's lips. Swallowing the blonde can feel a shift in the air around him, a tangible charge in the atmosphere, as if Merlin's magic is engulfing them in a protective bubble.
Merlin's hands are warm against his skin, but Arthur doesn't have time to process everything as Merlin tilting his head, brushes his lips over Arthur's. The king is frozen in place, shocked into utter stillness. Is he even breathing? He can't even tell, all he can do is stare at his friend, while so many questions graze the borders of his consciousness. Is it really happening, this thing that Arthur has thought countless time, since Gwen had been banished from Camelot, and he had actually looked at Merlin, while the young warlock had tried to comfort him.
Merlin's lips press to his again, more firmly, drawing Arthur out of his trance with an air of patience. This time Arthur does not hesitate to return the gesture. Slowly their mouths move together, lips parting and breaths mingling. A buzz of energy seems to surround them, swirling up through the air and encasing them in tepid hum of magic.
Arthur feels as if the ground is falling from beneath his feet, every particle of his being focused solely on the man before him, the mouth on his.
Time stands still.
In stories, the kiss is always the part where hearts flutter and emotions soar, but for Arthur, that isn't the case. No. For Arthur, it's quite the opposite, actually. He's certain that his heart stops, altogether; so overwhelmed that it simply fails to continue beating. And this raw emotion—already so strong, that isn't sure he's able to go about his everyday life bearing the burden of Secret Love's weight—that freezes, too. At the very peak of its strength, there with Merlin's chest against his, thumbs gently tracing Arthur's jaw line, tongue softly pressing against Arthur's, he knows that it's all he'll ever need. If he's never allowed another single breath in this lifetime, he'll be forever grateful, for this moment. Arthur is sure that he could happily die right now, shatter into a billion tiny fragments, and disperse throughout the universe.
Arthur sighs against Merlin's lips and finds himself melting into the kiss a little more, he's sure that the proper kiss etiquette would call for them to separate half a minute ago, but Arthur can't seem to care. He's dreamt of this for so long, that there isn't anything in the world that could make him stop now.
Except Merlin himself.
When time begins to move again, Arthur finds that his hands have travelled up to Merlin's, holding them firmly in place. Merlin moves back a place, breaking their kiss and possibly a part of Arthur's heart as well, but only a little, as reality crashes back down upon them. Merlin rests his head against his forehead, and exhales a shaky breath that comes out more like a nervous laugh.
"Right… Goodnight Draco", he whispers and then moves back, turning around he removes his neckerchief. "I hope to be seeing you again, and my magic will protect you, till the day I die", he murmured and ran off. Arthur brought a hand to his lips, recalling the words spoken before, and this time he's glad that the words spoken are not as heartbreaking as they had sounded earlier.
The knights congregated around him, "Let me know something, you've been kissed before right?" Gwaine asked. Arthur nodded dumbly. "Right… Then why on earth do you look like someone's hit you over the head with a lump of wood for real this time?" he asked. Arthur grinned, "It was different. It's like the way he is. The kiss was passionate and pure, simple and mischievous. Strong, and honest. Pure Magic", he muttered mostly to himself. The knights sighed.
Elyan pulled off the mask around his face and breathed deeply, "We know he has magic, so why did we not get him, just ask him. Why all this drama?" he asked warily. Leon shook his head, as well as the other two who remained silent. Arthur sighed, "Maybe through Draco, I can help him trust people with his magic… And when I know its right, I'll let him know who I am. For now, will you help me?" he asked. The knights nodded, "Always", they answered in unison, and turned back to the forest to find the horses and their uniforms.
Arthur looked towards the castle, and nods mostly to himself, and "I will love you Till the Day I Die", he answered the warlock, his words carried through the wind. Arthur sang the words to himself;
Until the day I die
I'll spill my heart for you, for you
Until the day I die
I'll spill my heart for you
As years go by
I race the clock with you
But if you died right now
You know that I'd die too
I'd die too
You remind me of the times
When I knew who I was (I was)
But still the second hand will catch us
Like it always does
We'll make the same mistakes
I'll take the fall for you
I hope you need this now
Cause I know I still do
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you
Should I bite my tongue?
Until blood soaks my shirt
We'll never fall apart
Tell me why this hurts so much
My hands are at your throat
And I think I hate you
But still we'll say, "remember when"
Just like we always do
Just like we always do
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you
Yeah I'd spill my heart!
Yeah I'd spill my heart for you!
My hands are at your throat
And I think I hate you
We made the same mistakes
Mistakes like friends do
My hands are at your throat
And I think I hate you
We made the same mistakes
Made the same mistakes
Until the day I die
I'll spill my heart for you, for you
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you, for you
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
Until the day I die!