Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 4: Feelings

"Arthur please," Merlin begged for the thousandth time. "There must be something you can do for Gwen." If anyone could convince Uther of Gwen's innocence, it would be Arthur.

"You heard what my father said," Arthur told him frustrated. He was angry. He had promised Gwen that she would be safe and then she had to go do something stupid like be seen near a sorcerer.

"Do you believe him?" Merlin asked. He studied Arthur's reaction. He could see it clear as day. Arthur didn't agree, he was just afraid to go against his father's wishes.

"It doesn't matter what I believe," Arthur snapped. He honestly didn't believe that there was evil in Gwen's heart, but he couldn't argue with the evidence against her. Particularly when his father was the witness.

"You don't do you?" Merlin asked. "You don't agree with what he is doing. Yet you're going to stand by and watch him execute an innocent woman?"

"Enough," Arthur said furiously. Why couldn't Merlin see that there was nothing he could do? "I can't change my father's mind."

"Arthur, I can't let her die. I won't let her die," Merlin said desperately. "If ever you thought of me as a friend, please help me."

Arthur observed Merlin quietly. He had long since suspected Merlin of having feelings for Guinevere. He hadn't realized Merlin still had those feelings. "Why do you care so much?" He asked suspiciously.

"Gwen has just lost her father. Do you really want to see her suffer any more?" Merlin asked. "I know she is innocent of the crimes that she has been accused of. Gwen is not a vindictive person. She would never try to hurt Uther."

"You care for her," Arthur commented. It was written on Merlin's face, inscribed in his features.

"She's my friend," Merlin explained. Arthur had to resist his eye roll.

"It's more than that," Arthur said. "I've seen you like this once before. The last time Guinevere was arrested. Do you still have feelings for her?"

Merlin groaned. Why did Arthur instantly jump to that conclusion? He didn't care for Gwen that way. She was just his friend. Why couldn't they just be friends? "Why do you insist I have feelings for her?" Merlin asked frustratedly.

"Because of how you are acting," Arthur told him. "Do you really not realize it?"

"Realize what?" Merlin asked confused.

"That you act like a lovesick puppy whenever Gwen is in danger," Arthur told him.

"I do not," Merlin protested. He didn't think he acted strangely. He would act this way if Arthur or Morgana were in danger.

"So you meant to tell me that the fact that you threatened to break Gwen out of prison doesn't indicate you have feelings for her?" Arthur asked amused.

"I didn't threaten to break her out of prison," Merlin said surprised. He had been thinking it, had actually been plotting how to do it and how to keep her safe, but he most definitely hadn't said it out loud.

"Not in so many words," Arthur agreed. "But you said you won't let her die."

Merlin sighed. "She's just my friend," he claimed.

"Who are you trying to convince?" Arthur asked. "Me or yourself?" He used his I'm right and you're wrong voice.

Merlin groaned. "Why can't she just be my friend? Why does she have to be more?" He asked Arthur angrily. "Even if I did have feelings for her, which I don't, it would never work. We both have jobs here. I don't have time for anything like that between helping Gaius and serving you. And if you don't help me, she'll be dead by morning."

"Is that why you haven't told her?" Arthur asked him curiously. Normally he wouldn't prod Merlin like this, but it was amusing to see Merlin blush and look so uncomfortable.

Merlin sighed. Why wouldn't Arthur just accept he didn't have feelings for her? She was just his friend. It was natural that he would care for her after the kindness she had shown him. It was natural he would replay the kiss she had given him after Gaius had given him an antidote to the poison he had drunk. It didn't mean anything.

"Or is it because you are afraid that you might actually lose her?" Arthur asked him.

"I am afraid to lose her," Merlin admitted. "But it's because she is my friend. Gwen's like you, she's just not as much of an ass."

"I am extremely flattered and only slightly uncomfortable by that. I'll excuse it because you are still trying to convince me you don't have feelings for Gwen, but let me ask you. How would you feel if you lost Gwen? Really think about it," Arthur prodded. He didn't know why he cared so much that Merlin admits it. Maybe it was because he knew if their situations were reversed, Merlin would do the same for him. Or maybe it was because Arthur needed a really good excuse to do something incredibly reckless. As a prince, Arthur is held to a different set of standards. He swore to uphold the laws of Camelot. He wasn't about to break those vows if he didn't need to.

Merlin decided to humor Arthur and he thought about it. The moment he did, he understood what Arthur had been saying. Because Merlin simply couldn't picture that future, mostly because he didn't want to. He couldn't even consider that future, because it was far too painful to think about a future without Gwen. A future free from her smile and her laughter. It wasn't a future worth living.

Arthur could see the truth written on Merlin's face. "Arthur, please help me," Merlin pleaded.

"Will you admit you have feelings for Gwen?" Arthur asked.

Merlin nodded. "I… I do," he whispered. "I truly didn't realize… well I guess I did, I just didn't want to admit it. Please, I can't lose her."

Arthur nodded. "I'll help you," he promised. He needed a good excuse to break the law and Merlin had just given it to him. Merlin was his friend and he would be completely unbearable if he was moping over losing the woman he loved. For the good of Camelot, Arthur had to help him.