CHAPTER 7: THROUGH FIGHTING TO FORGIVING

Funny things flitted through Merlin's mind when he was able to think clearly.

He was up early and the rising sun caught his eyes and momentarily blinded him and he suddenly remembered walking out the main door of the palace into the rising sun.

Three days rain, no training and excessive energy led to an annoying, irritable, insufferable, pampered, demanding prat. Things got out of hand when he purposely jostled Merlin who had his arms full of clean laundry. The shirts and underclothes went flying onto the yet to be cleaned floor.

That was the start of a shoving match which quickly escalated into blows, until Arthur placed his hand on the charging Merlin's head and by straightening out his arm held him at bay as Merlin swung in vain trying to make contact.

Unfortunately, Arthur's rear met the edge of the table and put him off balance. Merlin made contact, left to the upper body, right to the face.

The howl from Arthur was as much from shock as pain. He grabbed his face, blood oozing between his fingers.

Merlin for once feeling no remorse, backed up and waited fists at the ready for a second bout. Arthur had been outboxed and more than that, outboxed by according to his previous comments 'a weak girl of a servant'. He was furious, he stomped towards Merlin and yelled a muffled, "You are fired!"

Merlin sauntered to the door and his parting shot was heard loud and clear, "Fuck you, Arthur Pendragon!"

Gaius had upon seeing Merlin, gone to check up on Arthur. His nose wasn't broken but he would be the owner of a couple of black eyes. Arthur refused point blank to discuss the incident and as Merlin had not enlightened him further than stating that Arthur could do with his help, Gaius decided not to interfere. It would blow over.

Neither combatant was willing to withdraw his last words. People wondered why Merlin was not at Arthur's side especially as according to the castle gossip; Arthur had received those black eyes when his manservant had accidentally opened the door into the prince's face.

By the end of the week, things were still not settled. Two damaged souls were hiding out in Camelot. Merlin had Gaius but on the other hand, Arthur could only simmer by himself as he couldn't; he wouldn't acknowledge to anyone that he had lost not only a stupid fight but also his only real friend.

Gaius tried to talk sense into Merlin but years of dealing with Arthur had clouded his perception of master/servant fairness. Yes, he acknowledged that he was wrong to hit Arthur but...

Gaius had on a subsequent visit to check Arthur, tried to reason with him but to no avail, they were both as pigheaded as each other.

Time supposedly heals all wounds but not this one.

Merlin realized how sick and tired he was of pampering a spoiled brat. He wasn't a happy warlock at the moment; he was tending his wounded pride.

Did Arthur not understand his abilities, his feelings? How long was he supposed to kowtow to an insufferable badly behaved royal? Had he not proven to be trustworthy and reliable, albeit a little late in the mornings? Things would have to change if he was ever going to even acknowledge Arthur in the street.

But he thought, 'He is Arthur, supposedly my destiny, some destiny! He has stood up for me on innumerable occasions and in a pinch I would trust him with my life. I don't really need him to do that but it is nice to have someone care. But oh, he is insufferable...yet I really miss him!'

Merlin said to himself, 'Did I really say fuck to him?' laughter bubbled up inside him, 'Oh, if we ever settle this, I'll be paying for that retort for ages!'

Well, he can easily be replaced, he wasn't that great a manservant, was he? Moody, interfering, idiotic and all those other annoying things that made him Merlin. He couldn't handle a horse, a sword or even a pile of laundry if it came to that. He was hopeless making a bed and as to mucking out stables, well, forget it!

Things had changed for the better without him, he'd show that bumbling fool how little he needed him around.

But he thought, 'He is Merlin, and when he smiles the world is a nicer place. I know he'd give every ounce of his being for me. Not that I can't look out for myself... He's made my life in the palace bearable. He brings out the best in me, I think. But oh, he is exasperating...and I really miss him!'

Arthur thought to himself, 'Did he really say fuck to me?' laughter bubbled up inside him, 'Oh, if we ever settle this, he'll be paying for that retort for ages!'

Merlin's hurt feelings of being taken advantage of, were lessening and Arthur's black eyes fading but each was still feeling sorry for himself. They had not seen each other since the fight.

Gaius had to step in...This had to stop! An unhappy Merlin was no fun to have around his chambers and Arthur had been threatening anyone and everyone who got near him.

Gaius had to get the two dunderheads back together again...but how? He decided to take matters into his own hands; he would settle it one way or another.

And so... the two combatants were notified that their presence was requested on neutral grounds. The location was the courtyard of Camelot before the large flight of steps up to the palace, with dawn being the time decided upon. There was to be a non-combative verbal challenge with seconds. Gaius threatened under pain of death that Merlin and Arthur had no choice but to attend!

The next day dawned clear and chilly. Arthur with a bored look but a heightened demeanor, and his second were present when Gaius arrived in the courtyard. As the rays of the sun gently caressed the spires of Camelot, Arthur cleared his voice and commented in his usual style, to nobody, "Typical, late as usual!"

Gaius admonished him with the words, "Arthur! Give him a few minutes he will come."

As the fingers of the rising sun illuminated the main door, out stepped a tall thin servant clothed in the ceremonial dress of the Royal Household. Making no eye contact with the three persons below him, he descended the stairs, the swaying of the tall feathers on his hat, echoing his every movement. Head down, he walked to within three paces of Gaius and stopped.

Gaius's face showed surprise and then slowly understanding. He hoped Arthur would realise and accept what was was about to happen.

Merlin turned slightly towards Arthur, eyes still cast down; he lifted his head, allowing his eyes to wander across the cobbles to Arthur's boots, up his body to his chest. His demeanor reflected his clothes.

His face relaxed slightly and by the time he was looking into Arthur's face, his eyes were bright, and his lips had the suspicion of a beseeching smile.

Gaius couldn't see the prince's face, so when Arthur took a step towards Merlin, he immediately intervened to stop further fighting. Then facing Arthur, who actually seemed shaken, he asked him to identify himself and his second.

Arthur complied saying, "I am Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot."

"And your second?" prompted Gaius.

Glancing over his shoulder, he continued "My second is Sir Leon of Camelot."

Gaius turned to Merlin asking the same questions.

Merlin looked straight at Arthur and bowing his head, replied, "I am Merlin, manservant to the Crown Prince."

"And your second?" Gaius again prompted.

Merlin looked deep into Arthur's eyes and hopefully reaching his heart, said quietly and humbly, "My second is Merlin, the friend of Arthur."

Arthur gave an audible gasp. He knew that was the essence of Merlin in those two little words.

Merlin.

Friend.

The person, he had hated with a passion since being punched in the face, had succinctly and truthfully summarised their relationship. At that very moment, Arthur's heart was aching and his mind wiped clean of any negative feeling towards the person facing him, eyes pleading that he be accepted...

Arthur took two steps forward and placed his hands on both of his shoulders. Not letting him go until he had managed to quietly, yet with a catch in his voice, say, "Fuck you, Merlin!"

To which a visibly relieved Merlin, had replied with a grin, "You too, Arthur!"

"...and for heaven's sake, remove that ridiculous hat!" This being said in louder voice for the benefit of Gaius and Leon, who smiled at each other shrugging.

The reunited prince and his loyal servant walked to the stairs. Arthur jostled Merlin a number of times. At the door, Merlin stood back, holding it and with a flourish of his hat, bowed low and said, "Sire!"

To which his Sire answered, "Idiot!" Grabbing him by the neck, they entered the palace side by side, equals! At least, until the next time Merlin made reference to his superior fighting ability...

Gaius watched satisfied that he had intervened. He was so proud of Merlin, again marveling, at his ability to deal with Arthur.