The last chapter was quite short so here's another! :D


A week later, Geoffrey was with Arthur's knights. He liked the men well enough, though he had to remain highly cautious of Leon, who knew Geoffrey from childhood; albeit not as closely as Arthur did.

Geoffrey was speaking to Lancelot, one of his least favourite knights. Lancelot was respected as the most kind-hearted knight and had the reputation of being the most loyal knight to Arthur, though the other knights in Arthur's main guard could certainly give him a run for his money. Geoffrey appreciated Lancelot's loyalty to Arthur, but he needed the gain the spot of 'the most loyal knight'.

"You seem troubled," Geoffrey smiled at Lancelot warmly.

"I am." Lancelot smiled back tiredly.

"What troubles you? Surely it is nothing too bad?" Geoffrey faked concern.

"It's nothing." Lancelot smiled. "I do not wish to trouble others with my petty worries."

"Sir Lancelot, I am sure it is not petty!" Geoffrey exclaimed. "I know you well enough to know that if something is troubling you, it is something of importance."

Lancelot hesitated, but the smiled. "It is a girl, Geoffrey."

Geoffrey grinned. "Ah, this is trouble I can understand."

Lancelot laughed slightly. "I love her very much, and I want to ask for her hand in marriage, but I am very worried about actually proposing. I want it to be perfect. Gwen deserves that much."

Geoffrey pretended to be thinking while he inwardly laughed hysterically. It seemed that all his plans would come in to place faster than he expected!

"I do not think I can help you there, my friend." Geoffrey said. "But surely you can practice the proposal before? I'm sure Merlin would be willing to help you. I noticed you are good friends and Merlin seems like the kind of person who would want to help. Especially because he is good friends with Gwen."

Lancelot's expression cleared. "You're right! Merlin would know exactly what Gwen wants! He can help me with the ring too!"

Geoffrey clapped Lancelot on the back. "I'm glad I could help."


"Gaius? Can I ask you something?"

Gaius looked up at his son in everything but blood and nodded. "Of course Merlin."

The two men were seated at the table, finishing up lunch.

"What exactly is Sir Geoffrey's relationship with Arthur?" Merlin looked curious.

Gaius paused, moving the dishes to the side of the table. Merlin seemed to understand the seriousness of the conversation and moved his own dishes.

"Merlin, there is something you need to understand about Arthur." Gaius started. "Do you remember how Arthur acted when you first met him?"

Merlin snorted. "Like a prat and a bully."

"Exactly." Gaius nodded. "In his childhood, Arthur was ten times worse. He would treat girls like objects and treat his servants like slaves. He found humour in other people's pain and misery."

Merlin looked confused. "What-?"

"Let me finish, and then you can ask questions." Gaius smiled slightly. "Ever since Arthur's birth, he has been mainly influenced by his father. Uther's relationship with Arthur always wavered between love for his son and hate that his wife died because of his son. Because of this, Arthur was a very vicious child growing up. I believe he thought love and hate to be one and the same, and he had a very hard time expressing his true feelings. I have no doubt you've noticed some of his more potent emotions from time to time."

Merlin nodded.

"Arthur has grown a lot since then and I believe that because he knows you still trust him despite his lapses into rage and hatred, he has matured greatly into the King we have today." Gaius continued with the story. "Geoffrey has known Arthur from a young age, and as children, they were always together. It was hard to tell who influenced the other, because Arthur was always in charge and always the leader, but a few words from Geoffrey could have Arthur flying into a rage and beating up an innocent servant. Geoffrey encouraged Arthur's more violent side. And no one could separate the two boys. Arthur listened to Geoffrey's every word. A lot of people were more fearful of Geoffrey than Arthur, because Geoffrey was ruthless and anyone he disliked would be out of the Prince's favour. Obviously, not many people liked Geoffrey, but Uther didn't seem to see anything wrong with the two boys, and knighted Geoffrey. To be honest Merlin, I was very nervous that once Arthur became King, Camelot would not be a peaceful place. I was almost certain it would be worse than when Uther ruled. Arthur back then was not pleasant. He was very cruel. However, Geoffrey left Camelot when his mother cause a great scandal amongst Uther's knights, and only returned now."

There was silence as Merlin absorbed the story. "So they're just really good friends?"

Gaius hesitated. "I think they were very close as teenagers." Gaius said softly. "It has always been apparent that Geoffrey lusted after Arthur and Arthur's power. I know it is not love that Geoffrey feels, and despite their childhood, Arthur definitely does not feel the same way."

"Still," Merlin muttered. "They seem awfully close now."

"Well," Gaius sighed. "Geoffrey is very manipulative. He's sneaking his way back into Arthur's life perfectly. No doubt you've already seen Arthur's tendency to seek advice from Geoffrey or to just spend time with the knight."

Merlin nodded.

"However," Gaius patted Merlin's hand. "Geoffrey cannot account for how much Arthur cares for you. Don't worry for now Merlin, Arthur is just excited about his old friend. He will be back to normal in no time."

Merlin's eyes had drifted down to the table. He now understood why Geoffrey seemed to dislike Merlin so much. Merlin hoped that Geoffrey hadn't realised Merlin's own feelings for the King.


Merlin walked with Lancelot later that night, laughing and talking as the knight described how he wanted to propose to Gwen.

"Alright, lover boy," Merlin laughed. "Just please show me the ring!" Merlin's eyes were sparkling. "I'm so happy for you and Gwen."

Lancelot laughed. "Alright, alright, we're here!"

The two men entered Lancelot's chambers, not noticing Geoffrey and Arthur, who were taking a walk down the hallway.

"Where is it…" Lancelot was on his knees, reaching into an inconspicuous drawer as Merlin stood behind him, eager to see the ring. "Tell me if the ring is a good choice, I don't want Gwen to hate it. I want her to be happy with the ring."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Gwen would love anything as long as it's not too flashy. It's more important that you're proposing!"

"Ah!" Lancelot straightened his back, and turned, still on his knees. He slowly opened the box and Merlin's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He couldn't seem to make a noise.

"Well?" Lancelot asked nervously.

"Yes!" Merlin grinned, gently taking the ring. "Yes, yes, yes!"

He threw his arms around Lancelot as the knight stood up, grinning. "You like it?"

Merlin nodded. "Gwen will love it, it's perfect for her! I'm so happy for you guys!"

"She hasn't said yes yet." Lancelot's cheeks were pink.

Merlin waved a hand dismissively, gently handing the ring back to the knight. "But she will."

Lancelot smiled. "And you'll be my best man?"

Merlin gaped. "Me?" He squeaked. "Yes! Of course! I would love to!"

Lancelot tugged Merlin back into a hug.


Geoffrey stopped speaking and Arthur looked at him. "What is it?"

The knight pointed through a window, and Arthur's heart stopped dead in his chest. Lancelot was kneeling in front of Merlin with a ring.

NO!

Arthur's heart plummeted violently in his chest when he saw the look of joy on Merlin's face and heard Merlin's excited answer. Something ice cold slid down his throat and settled in his stomach when he saw Merlin throw his arms around Lancelot.

Arthur stepped away from the window back into the shadows, and then swiftly turned on his heels, storming back through the castle. He vaguely heard Geoffrey hurrying to catch up.

Lancelot, Sir Lancelot; the most loyal knight to the King. Arthur sneered. Lancelot had betrayed him in the worst way possible. But then again, perhaps Lancelot had not known of Arthur's feelings for his manservant. But Arthur had made them clear enough. No one was to touch Merlin! Merlin was his!

Snarling, Arthur punched the wall with the side of his fist as he stopped in an abandoned hallway. He panted slightly, not from physical exertion, but from the wild thoughts going through his head.

"Arthur?" Geoffrey asked softly. "Arthur, are you not happy for you manservant?"

Arthur closed his eyes, still facing away from his friend. "No," his voice was raspy. "No, I'm not happy. Nothing about this situation is happy. Lancelot has betrayed me and Merlin is-"

Arthur's voice caught slightly in rage. Merlin was now taken by Lancelot – this meant Arthur's boundaries regarding his manservant were even stricter. He wouldn't be able to touch his manservant like he used to or tease him like he used to or ask (demand) Merlin to stay late into the night …

Arthur punched the wall again and continued on.

"Arthur, if there's anything you need …" Geoffrey wrapped his hand around Arthur's wrist, halting his movements. "I've known you since childhood after all. I know this is hard for you, but let me be your friend. Don't push me away in anger."

Arthur felt himself trembling. "Oh, god." Arthur bowed his head. He was going to be physically sick! Merlin was his, had always been only his. But he wasn't. Lancelot had taken him.

Merlin is MINE!

But now he wasn't and Arthur didn't know what to do.

His chest was heaving and his vision was darkening at the edges. He was going to kill Lancelot. He would make an example of what would happen if anyone dared touch Merlin…

But he couldn't. He saw how happy Merlin was. Merlin obviously chose Lancelot over Arthur. It hurt even more knowing that Merlin did in fact have a preference for boys, but obviously held no feelings for Arthur.

He probably knew! Arthur thought viciously. All this time, pining after Merlin and protecting him with his life and doing things he knew would please the manservant … Merlin was probably laughing his head off at Arthur, while taking advantage of Arthur's feelings!

How can you think that? A small voice in his head asked, but his rage easily ignored it.

"Arthur!" Geoffrey's voice seeped into his consciousness. "Arthur please! You're scaring me!"

Arthur blinked slowly and realised he was hunched over laughing manically. The King straightened up slowly, and then reached for Geoffrey.

"Come." Arthur took Geoffrey by the wrist and walked down the halls towards his rooms.

"What do you need?" Geoffrey asked.

"Only you." Arthur kept his eyes forward as he slowly fell piece by piece into the Arthur Geoffrey knew so well. "All I need is you."

"Of course Arthur." Geoffrey murmured, lips turning up into a small smile.

His plan had fallen into place and Merlin would soon be gone.


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