Chapter 8
Blood would always run thicker than water.
That was what Camelot's royal brothers were brought up to believe. Nothing took precedence like the bond between family, no matter how serious the issue. But this moral that had been instilled for years was being put to a grueling test.
Arthur was known to most as a privileged, ignorant, well-bred boy who only rose to rank as general due to his status as crown prince. People viewed his cold and distant attitude as sign of arrogance, but in reality, all of it was a defense mechanism. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Arthur had become gravely aware of those with ulterior motives. His inner circle consisted of very few people, and he trusted even fewer. So when it was made clear to him that the two closest people he held to him had deceived him, he was torn.
He couldn't comprehend how his half brother had kept such a terrible secret from him. He didn't understand how he hadn't detected the lies before. He had loved both Merlin and Morgana deeply, and for both of them to act the way they had, and done the things they did, shattered his world completely.
But nonetheless, he didn't allow his actions to be dictated by his might have had a brief moment of weakness, but all of it had been necessary for him to move forward. No one really gave him the credit he justly deserved when it came to his nobility. He was to act with pride, he would not stand for humiliation any longer.
No one defied a Pendragon. It was the most basic, unsaid law of Albion.
And despite his feelings of betrayal, his loyalty to his brother told him that this law would not go unpunished.
After Gwen had burst into his room, confronting his drunk and foolish form, Arthur had cleaned himself up. He didn't know how, but her words stuck in his head, he couldn't ignore what she had to say.
He began to direct his frustration towards a new purpose. The people of Camelot, Merlin, his father, Guinevere, no one was more responsible for his pain than the person who had been orchestrating the scheme. He was going to put a stop to the King's madness, and he was going to turn in the person who really deserved persecution.
So he now stood straight, dressed neatly in his strict military uniform a rigid expression on his sculpted features. He pursed his lips as he waited for a long awaited explanation.
Surprised, dark blue eyes looked back at the blond prince, unsure of how to proceed. The wound to his side was unbearably painful, but the thought of how his brother would react was far more tortuous.
"So, Merlin," he started, "You should probably start talking now,"
The dark haired prince had his mouth open, anticipating everything that was to come. This was going to be the longest conversation of his life.
Time passed slowly, with every answer, came another silence. And with every silence, came a heated atmosphere. All of it was unbearably uncomfortable. It had taken no more than an hour for Arthur to receive what he had come there to know. Merlin, hesitant at first, had opened up. Everything was out in the open, no more secrets.
The pace of their exchanges decreased. Neither one of them wanting to speak up, for they knew they had one more topic to clear up.
"You love her,"
Merlin swore he stopped breathing. The atmosphere had thickened beyond belief, the air stifling. He couldn't believe his ears. He could understand the older prince lashing out, even taking to strike his younger brother, but this was an all new Arthur he wasn't sure he recognized.
Who would have thought that Arthur would come so easily to terms with the lies he had told. It was hard enough to have to reveal Morgana's intentions. To even mention the type of relationship that was felt between Merlin and the woman was petrifying.
And seeing Arthur as calm as he was, it scared the soul out of him.
"Yes," Merlin was careful with his response. He breathed in a silent breath through his clenched teeth.
Arthur was in a pensive state, the blond royal sitting in a large leather recliner with his arms crossed. He stared straight ahead at the younger sibling, but not really focusing his attention in any specific direction.
"You've always loved her, haven't you?"
"Yes," he winced internally as he admitted it. He didn't doubt the emotional conflict going through his brother's head. He knew Arthur was using his best efforts to hold back.
"Is that why you never told me of her treachery?"
"Yes,"
"You loved her, even though you knew I loved her?"
"Yes," he wished he had something different to say. But all was being put out on the table. Arthur had given him the opportunity to come clean. He was smart enough to know that if he didn't follow the truth, that he wouldn't be given a second chance.
The older boy sat still, but then brought a hand to his was angry, he was hurt. But through it all, he could only feel pity. He had the right to feel the way he did, but Merlin never did. As the bastard child of the King, Merlin never got first choice. He was forever cursed in Arthur's shadow, no matter what he accomplished. Had Merlin even displayed interest in Morgana, his affections would have been brushed off. Pursuit of a relationship that had already been set in motion with the crown prince would have been condemned without debate.
Arthur felt ashamed, for not realizing it before. His younger brother was suffering, and he had turned a blind eye to it all.
"And Guinevere?"
"I'm sorry," the mention of the other girl caught Merlin off guard, "What?". Merlin had gotten the impression that their discussion would revolve around the past. He had no idea why Arthur brought the girl's name up.
"Guinevere of Mercia," Arthur stared at Merlin's face, but didn't make eye contact, "Your date to the Commemoration Feast,"
Merlin cleared his throat, "I know who she is," he paused, still not aware of the intention of the question, "What of her?"
"She seems to know more than I did only a couple of hours ago," his eyes narrowed in memory of the strong willed girl, "What is your relation?"
Merlin's eyebrows knitted close together, "She came to see you?" he stopped, it was his turn for questions, "What exactly is your relation?"
"Merlin," his tone threatening, close to a growl.
He gave way first, "Nothing serious," a thought flashed in his mind, but he shook his head. There couldn't possibly be a connection to be drawn between Gwen, and his cool attitude towards the whole issue with Morgana. Could there? "I contacted her through Elyan. A sweet girl, an understanding and kind heart,"
The light haired brother unconsciously nodded in agreement. He didn't notice it, but Merlin caught it. Arthur picked up where Merlin had left off, "Opinionated, sharp tongued, lacking proper manners," he turned his head away, his volume lowered into a mutter, "beautiful,"
Merlin heard it, even if Arthur didn't mean for him to. It was strikingly strange change. A talk that had started on such a serious note, had turned into something completely different. "What was that?"
Arthur appeared annoyed, irked by Merlin's hidden amusement. He had wanted to intimidate Merlin, to assure that nothing else of the sort would ever transpire again. But he failed miserably. It didn't matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stay angry at Merlin for long. The familiar, goofy smile reappeared across his features, much to the older prince's dismay. He rolled his eyes. "What do you know about this woman?"
"About Gwen?"
"Yes, about Gwen," Arthur himself wasn't sure of why he was asking. But he was curious. He knew nothing about her, yet she seemed to know him well. He wasn't pleased whenever he received the short end of the stick. He needed to keep the advantage of knowledge, which he was currently lacking.
"Why do you want to know?"
Daggers were shot through the air. Merlin immediately put his hands up, in hopes of defending himself from the sharp glare on the other side. "I know nothing," he lowered his arms, now with a more stern voice, "I swear. I wouldn't lie to you, not after all of this,"
Arthur didn't reply.
Merlin let out a breath he had been holding in. He pressed his lips together tightly, there was one last thing that he had to get off his chest. "Arthur?"
"What is it?"
His palms burned, he could feel the sweat collecting on them. "I'm sorry,"
It was only two words strung together, but the significance they held was momentous. It was in that moment, every begrudging feeling Arthur held for his half brother disappeared. His apology was entirely sincere.
Arthur didn't say anything back. Instead, he lowered his chin in acknowledgment. The simple gesture was enough to send the message: all was forgiven. He wasn't the type to best convey his feelings. Merlin knew this, and read his thoughts without difficulty.
The veil of tension was lifted at last.
But that didn't mean they didn't have further pressing matters to deal with.
"You know of Elyan's father?"
"A great man, why?" Merlin shifted in his seat. He took a moment to look at the bandage wrapped around his torso through the thin material of his shirt. Somehow it didn't bother him as much as it had before.
"Guinevere came to me with disturbing news,"
"Uther's purge?"
He nodded, "It's come to my attention that there's far more suffering around our nation than I've really recognized,"
"Yes,"
"You said to me that you were sorry for lying to me," for the first time in a while, Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes. He wasn't messing around, "I want to believe you are speaking the truth,"
"Of course," he didn't think that Arthur doubted him. Not in the least.
"I've come to see that you regret your actions, and I hope that you will be willing to repent,"
"It would be my only desire to prove myself to you again,"
All of it was leading somewhere that Arthur knew would be difficult for the younger man. "What is it, Arthur?"
"You've admitted you love Morgana,"
"Yes," he had a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"It's time to show your loyalty to me," he leaned forward, he straightened his shoulders, "to our father and King, to our country, to our people," his gaze intensified, "You will join me. We are going to turn Morgana in,"
End Chapter 8
A/N: Arthur has forgiven Merlin, but in no way come close to forgiving Morgana. Merlin's feelings for Morgana, and his loyalties to his family, are to be tested. A little mention of Gwen in this chapter, just to show that she's a continuous part of Arthur's thoughts.
