A couple days had passed and Merlin was finally getting back on his feet. Arthur had rarely left his side, which hadn't escaped the knights or the rest of Camelot.

Merlin was bringing up the prince's breakfast for the first time in three days. He would have gladly continued his duties the day after the attack but Arthur had insisted that Merlin recover fully before going about his normal activities. Today he had decided to wake before the prince so as to surprise him with breakfast.

The sorcerer walked through the doors, setting the tray of Arthur's favorite morning foods on the table. He opened the red velvet curtains wide, allowing sunlight to fill the room, which was in major need of cleaning. The prince groaned, putting an arm over his eyes to block out the light.

"Go away," he mumbled.

Merlin smiled in amusement. "It's a beautiful day out sire and sleeping in won't get you anywhere. Come on, up and at em!"

Arthur sat up at the sound of his favorite manservant's voice. "Merlin! What're you doing here?"

"I amyour manservant, am I not?" Merlin stated, going to the wardrobe to find the prince's clothes for the day.

"You're feeling better then, I take it?" Arthur asked, getting out of bed.

Merlin nodded. "Loads. It's amazing what an actual break from your list of chores can do for someone."

He grinned. He had missed Merlin working for him. "Well in that case, I have a list of things that need done. My laundry needs washed, armor needs polished, horse needs brushed and just lookat the state of this room! And let's not forget the other things..."

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It was late afternoon when Merlin had finished his chores. His arm-which was healing miraculously well, thanks to a little bit of magic-was sore. The warlock was resting in one of Arthur's chairs, watching the prince go over some papers at his desk.

Arthur felt the servant's gaze and tore himself away from his work. "How are you, Merlin?"

He shrugged. "Fine sire. You?"

"I'm alright." Silence. "So umm I've been thinking...about the other day...I completely understand if you wish to act like it had never happened..."

Merlin frowned. "And why would I want to do that, you dollophead?"

Arthur grinned and came over to Merlin. "No reason...I was just making sure it's still ok to do this." And Arthur kissed him passionately, cupping Merlin's face with his calloused hands.

They pulled back, breathless. "Definitely still ok," Merlin replied.

The two moved to Arthur's bed where they could sit and hold each other comfortably. "You know, I've been thinking about when I first fell in love with your egotistical pratness..."Merlin started slowly.

Arthur looked down at him and saw Merlin's sapphire eyes looking up through thick, dark lashes. "And when was that?" The prince asked, nuzzling into Merlin's neck. The servant's breath hitched.

"When you journeyed through an innumerable amount of odds to get me the antidote for the poison I drank," he replied, entwining their hands.

Arthur kissed just under the sorcerer's ear, causing him to squirm. "I think I realized I loved you when I saw you drop to the floor after drinking the poison. I knew then that I couldn't lose you, no matter what, and would do anything to keep you with me."

"Well you don't have to worry about that because I'm not going anywhere."

Arthur grinned. "Good."

And with that, the prince kissed his servant with a fervent passion, like Merlin's lips were the only thing keeping him alive. He slipped his hands to Merlin's back, pressing him close. He could feel the rising in him, knew that if they didn't stop soon, he probably wouldn't be able to help himself.

Merlin's hands traveled along Arthur's chest. He could feel Arthur's strong muscles through the thin white tunic. His heart was beating strongly, his face flaming, along with that...otherarea. All that ran through the warlock's head was how good Arthur felt, kissing him right there, holding him everywhere.

"Arthur-that's sooo nice," Merlin moaned as the prince did some things with his tongue that Merlin won't repeat. The prince shushed him though by pressing his lips back to Merlin's.

Neither of them heard the footsteps. Or the sound of the door opening. They didhear the angry shout though and at that, they leapt apart guiltily, faces bright red.

The person who had interrupted them was no other than King Uther himself. Arthur's eyes widened in fear, and he opened his mouth several times, trying to think of an explanation.

"Arthur Pendragon! I hope you have an explanation for what I've just witnessed!" Uther yelled, fuming.

Arthur once again tried to say something but couldn't. He was, for the first time in his life, speechless.

"This is why you're so adamant about not taking a wife? Because of this-this thingyou have with the servant?! And a male at that! Do you have no respect? Can you even begin to fathom what this would look like if word got out?" Arthur bowed his head in shame. Merlin's eyes were wide with sorrow and his face was-if possible-redder than his shirt. "I will not accept this. You willchoose a bride and stop with this nonsense!"

The king turned quickly and was out the door before Arthur could argue. A deathly silence filled the room, which was only broken by Merlin's meek voice.

"I-I should go." And before Arthur could stop him, Merlin raced through the doors and away from everyone.

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Arthur and Merlin avoided each other for several days after the incident. Neither knew what Uther's decision had meant to the other. Tensions were high in the castle and only the few knights closest to the prince seemed to understand what had happened.

Gwaine and Lancelot stood talking about it, watching as Merlin and Arthur once again had an awkward run in where the servant would avert his gaze and turn from the prince as fast as was possible.

"Poor lads," Lancelot commented, sorrow heavy in his voice. "I can't believe things finally started heating up between them only for it to get an end to because of the heartless king. If only he could see how much they cared about each other."

Gwaine nodded grimly. "I think they should just stick it in Uther's face." Lancelot, who didn't advocate going against authority, silently agreed. Maybe someday the two lovers would truly be together.