Prompt: "The Chains That Bind Us:" Write about a character metaphorically imprisoned by a circumstance/situation or literally bound in chains. I took the latter route. ;)
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwen
Ratings/Warnings: Post-Reveal.
Word Count: 465
The Desperation of a King
"I hope you know that this is absolutely ridic—"
"You're going to tell me what you know."
"No, actually, I don't think I will, thanks."
The King's blazing eyes narrowed murderously at his prisoner's insolent tone and cheeky, lopsided smile, and folding his arms across his chest, he glared with all his might.
Of course, the prisoner found it more amusing than anything, and with an eye roll, Merlin shrugged his shoulders in an impish manner and jostled the magic-restraining chains that he had made for Arthur under the assumption that they'd be used for those arrested for practicing Dark magic—but no, instead, the prat found it fit to use them on his Court Sorcerer whenever he damn well wanted to (Merlin'd live to regret it for many years to come, he was sure…unless he enlisted Gwaine's help in hiding or destroying them…).
"Was it really necessary to chain me to your bedpost, Arthur?"
Allowing a small smirk to grace his face, Arthur said menacingly, "I'm not letting you go until you tell me."
"And I'm not going to tell you, so I hope that you're ready for a long night," Merlin said, a diabolical smile creeping onto his lips.
Arthur's eyes widened comically at his warlock's line of thought—he wouldn't get sleep at all with the annoying blathering he would have to endure—but then, aggravated, he pounded his fist on the table.
"Dammit, Merlin! I'm concerned for her! Don't you think I have a right—?"
"ARTHUR PENDRAGON!"
The mighty King of Camelot cringed at his wife's tone, and he yelped, "It's not what it looks like!"
Gwen, who had just stumbled in upon the sight of her husband towering over her chained best friend, stomped over to them, said in a deadly quiet tone, "Then what do you think it looks like? Because it certainly looks to me like you've chained your Court Sorcerer to our bed."
Arthur bowed his head and mumbled something about idiotic, secret-keeping sorcerers and moody wives before saying, "Fine. Fine. I lost my temper when he wouldn't tell me, and since you seemed so upset, I just didn't want—"
"Upset?" Gwen asked, and after exchanging a loaded look with Merlin, she laughed suddenly, "Is that what this was about?"
Merlin nodded.
Gwen closed her eyes, and after taking a shaky breath, she said, "I really didn't want to tell you like this—"
"Tell me what?" Arthur interrupted, fear lacing his words at her tone.
Gwen smiled knowingly and finished. "But I really should have expected it."
Arthur looked between Gwen and Merlin, and he looked so confused, the two of them couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Arthur," Gwen said, taking his hand and looking directly into his sapphire eyes, "I'm pregnant."
AN: Bedposts seem to be very handy humor devises... who knew? ;P
