Disclaimer-Sadly I do not own Merlin, I just like to borrow the characters for my personal enjoyment.
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Chapter 4-Dancing With Morgana
Once Merlin had completed the chores Arthur had set for him, he made his way to the Prince's room and as usual he entered without knocking. The blonde was wearing nothing other than his breeches as he practiced with his sword.
"Ah Merlin." He greeted as he swung the sword through the air. "About time. Prepare me a bath will you."
"Of course sire." Merlin replied as he made his way over to the tub. Filling the bath with water was a long and tiring task; if only it were possible for him to use his magic, the job would be completed much faster.
Once the bath was filled Arthur set his sword aside and moved to the bath edge. Looking uncharacteristically shy, the prince slipped out of his breeches. Merlin politely looked away as a nude Arthur settled himself into the water.
"I'm in." Arthur informed him and the dark-haired boy turned back round to face him.
With his hands behind his back, Merlin rocked on his feet from heel to toe looking at anything other than Arthur as he washed himself.
"I expect I'll have to dance with Lady Rowena tonight." Arthur told him nonchalantly.
"Oh." Merlin replied wishing desperately that he could be the one to dance in the arms of the Prince. "Lucky her."
"I'd really rather not." Arthur said not really knowing why he felt it important for Merlin to know this. "I'd much rather be out hunting than indoors dancing. Morgana will probably bully me into a dance as well, she always does."
"Well the two of you do look great together." Merlin pointed out with a touch of envy in his voice.
"Perhaps." Arthur agreed with slight reluctance. "But she's too much like a sister for us to have any other form of relationship. I'd never want to be with her in a romantic sense."
"As if I'd have you." Said a mocking voice as the door was pushed open to reveal Morgana.
She was already dressed for the feast and dance and looked more spectacular than usual. With her perfectly combed curls, magnificent jewelry and beautiful blue dress, she was the perfect vision of a fairytale princess.
"Do you mind Morgana?" Arthur huffed. "I'm in the middle of a bath."
Ignoring his remark, Morgana stepped further into the room before twirling around in a graceful circle.
"Tell me I look beautiful." She commanded. Arthur snorted.
"You look beautiful my Lady." Merlin complimented her with an incline of his head.
"Why thank you Merlin." She replied before looking expectantly at the Prince.
"Not bad I suppose." Arthur gritted out between his teeth.
"I'll see you later." Morgana told him in what sounded very much like a threat before she slipped out of the room as quietly as a shadow.
"You think she's beautiful?" Arthur enquired looking into the depths of the bath water rather than his friend's face.
"She is beautiful." Merlin answered as if it were obvious. "Morgana is the most gorgeous woman I ever laid eyes on."
"Do shut up Merlin I think I might vomit." Arthur sneered.
"Arthur you can't deny her beauty." Merlin defended. "Just like no-one could deny that you're an excellent fighter and hunter."
"Oh so Morgana's beautiful and I'm just a fighter." Arthur muttered in displeasure.
"You're beautiful too Arthur." Merlin told him and two sets of blue eyes met one another. "In a very masculine way of course." He added as he suddenly felt his throat go dry.
"More beautiful than Morgana?" He asked never removing his eyes from those of his servant.
"Yes, yes I daresay you are." Merlin replied and was rewarded with a bashful smile.
"Avert your eyes." Arthur commanded. "I'm getting out."
Merlin looked away respectively and silently waited for the Prince to give him permission to look again. As he stood waiting he tried to calm the furious race of his heart. Surely his organ shouldn't beat so hard or so loudly.
"You can look." Arthur told him obviously trying to speak as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
When the young warlock faced his master again he found him to be sporting a pair of tight black breeches that looked magnificent on his strong legs, luscious bottom and slim hips whilst debating between two tunics.
"Which one do you think Merlin?" Arthur asked holding up a white tunic in one hand and a blue tunic in the other.
"The blue." Merlin advised. "It matches your eyes."
The Prince nodded and tossed the white garment aside before pulling the blue tunic over his head. Merlin silently mourned the loss of such a pleasant sight of Arthur's torso as he moved forward to straighten his clothes out for him, taking the opportunity to touch the Prince as much as he could. He then pulled out Arthur's best pair of boots and helped the blonde step into them.
"There, you look perfect." Merlin praised. "Lady Rowena won't be able to keep her eyes off you."
"What about you?" Arthur asked in a voice one might use to comment on the weather, though Merlin could see the nervousness in Arthur's eyes.
"I can never keep my eyes off you sire." Merlin dared to confess.
Both boys became shy after Merlin's admission and if anyone were to walk in on them, they might believe the boys to be imitating Gwen. Swallowing a lump that had spontaneously formed in his throat, Merlin forced himself to move and select Arthur a suitable cloak. He chose a blue one that was a darker shade than his tunic and he draped it around the Prince's shoulders before fixing the neck fastening with trembling fingers.
"I should go." Arthur whispered. "The King will be expecting me."
Merlin nodded than lowered his gaze to the floor. When he looked back up the Prince was gone. Running a hand through his dark hair he let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Knowing that he'd be expected to serve at the feast, Merlin forced his legs to move and began his journey to the great hall. As he walked he wondered if there was truth in Morgana's words. Perhaps Arthur did return his feelings, what other explanation was there for all the tension that had been swimming around them in Arthur's chambers. The only alternative answer Merlin could think of was that the Prince was teasing him, but surely Arthur wouldn't be so cruel.
What seemed to be the entire population of Camelot had congregated in the great hall for the feast and the dance. The large oak doors were pulled open to welcome Lord Aelfric and his small party. He strode up the length of the hall with a kind smile on his face and shook hands with the King.
"Lord Aelfric." Uther acknowledged. "Welcome to Camelot. This is my son Arthur, and the Lady Morgana, my ward."
"You have your father's eyes boy." Aelfric told Arthur as he beamed at the crown Prince before ruffling his blonde hair as if he were a boy of 5. Morgana barely suppressed a giggle at the look of indignation on the Prince's face. "My Lady, what a lovely vision you are." He complimented as he pressed a gentle kiss to her hand.
"Thank you my Lord." Morgana said graciously.
"Allow me to introduce my daughter." Aelfric said as he held his hand out to her. "Lady Rowena."
She stepped away from the knights who were travelling with her and her father before standing before Uther, Arthur and Morgana. She placed her hand in her father's and made a slight curtsey.
"Such a pleasure to meet you." Rowena said meekly.
The Lady Rowena was a frail looking woman with wispy blonde hair and beady eyes. Though her dress was a sparkling sensation, the girl who wore it was very plain looking.
Aelfric and Rowena seated themselves at the Royal table and Uther announced the beginning of the feast.
Part way through his meal, Arthur indicated for Merlin to come over to him and refill his goblet. Their fingers brushed against one another as Merlin handed the goblet back and their eyes met for what seemed the hundredth time that day.
"Meet me in my chambers after the dance." Arthur whispered into his servant's ear.
Merlin shivered as the Prince's breath ghosted over the shell of his ear but he nodded to show he had heard. He then moved back to stand beside Gwen who smiled at him coyly; she had obviously seen the exchange between the two men.
"You should tell him tonight." Gwen said. "When the two of you are alone."
"Do you really think Arthur has feelings for me Gwen?" Merlin asked knowing that she was far too sweet and honest to ever lie to him.
"Of course I do." She answered. "The evidence of his devotion I plain for everyone to see, it's just that nobody's looking for it."
"Then how did you and Morgana know?" He wondered aloud.
"We're you're friends Merlin, of course we're looking even if no-one else cares to." Gwen explained. "Just take my advice, let him know how you feel. You'll regret it forever if you don't tell him."
Merlin nodded absentmindedly as he focused his attention on the Prince. Every few minutes, Arthur would look his way and they would hold one another's gaze awhile before Arthur broke eye-contact and tuned back in to whatever his father or Lord Aelfric was saying.
A group of villagers were playing a variety of wood and string instruments to provide music for the dance. As was expected of him, Arthur led Lady Rowena onto the dance floor. She seemed delighted to be in his arms and moved across the floor with more grace than she seemed capable of. After sharing the first dance with her he was gentlemanly enough to place a kiss on her hand before hurrying back to his seat.
No sooner had he sat down then Morgana was pulling on his arm and dragging him back onto the dance floor. Years of experience and familiarity meant that they danced together well. They moved as though they had rehearsed a routine, each correctly predicting the next step the other would make.
"I noticed you whispering in Merlin's ear." Morgana told him as they weaved through the other dancing couples.
"I don't believe that's any of your concern." He retorted as he kept hold of her left hand then pushed her body away from his in a half spin before pulling her back to him.
"Well that's what makes it so interesting." She commented as she placed her hand back onto his shoulder.
"If you must know I've asked him to meet me in my chambers later." Arthur told her. "So I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from making any unexpected visits tonight."
"Aww, you want to be alone?" She asked mockingly as he spun her around.
"Just stay away Morgana, please." Arthur begged her as he dipped her down low.
"On one condition." She negotiated.
"What?" The Prince asked irritably as he pulled her back up.
"You tell Merlin how you feel." Morgana stated with a wicked grin.
"That's what I want to do." He replied as the dance finished.
Morgana looked ready to squeal in satisfaction, but being a noble lady she settled for a gloating smile before accepting Lord Aelfric's request for a dance.
The Prince tried to return to his seat but was intercepted by Gwen who placed a delicate hand on his shoulder and took his other hand into her own and engaging him in a dance.
"What are you doing Guinevere?" He demanded of her as he danced with her awkwardly.
"I wanted to warn you." Gwen told him feeling equally as uncomfortable dancing with him as he did with her.
"Warn me?" He repeated with an arched eyebrow.
"Yes." She replied in a fierce tone that she had obviously picked up from spending so much time in the presence of Morgana. "I know that you care deeply for Merlin, but if you break his heart then I will personally break your legs…my Lord."
With her piece said Gwen removed herself from their awkward dance hold and curtsied before hurrying away. Arthur stared after half shocked and half impressed.
Looking round him, he saw Merlin heading out the doors. Seizing the opportunity, Arthur moved quickly through the dancers, including Morgana who was now dancing with his father, then followed Merlin into the emptiness of the corridor.
Without a word, the Prince grabbed hold of Merlin's sleeve and practically dragged him to his rooms before locking the door behind them. Merlin looked adorably bewildered and Arthur was just about to speak when a number of loud screams penetrated their ears.
To Be Continued.
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