Disclaimer: Merlin does not belong to me; all of the characters belong to the BBC.
AN: I know it's awful. Apologies in advance.
Merlin POV
"Merlin, we're going to war." Arthur's voice echoed down the corridor as he came out from the armoury, presumably polishing his amour – a job he usually reserved for me. I really must be behind. Oh well, it's Arthur. He deserves to know what it feels like polishing his sloppy armour all day. I swear he only does it to gaze longingly into his reflection, the narcissist. It's the most romantic I've ever seen him be. Or he has developed a fondness for his horse. That'd probably be it.
"Merlin, are you even listening to me?" exclaimed Arthur. "We have Cenred knocking at our doors and here you are gazing off into space like an idiot. Get to work; I need the rest of my armour polishing, my saddle serviced, oh and Merlin? Make sure Gwen stays safe will you?" His annoyance had changed into his rogue boy face, the one he used for charming the public. Or in this case I would say, at the mention of Gwen's name. Who would have thought Arthur such a love struck fool? Maybe there would be hope for those two after all.
If Arthur liked Gwen and declared his feelings for her then they could possibly have a future together. When Arthur becomes King he would have nothing to worry about, no one could condemn him for it because is King. And then if Arthur makes it acceptable, maybe Morgana and I- no, I can't think like that. Morgana would never want to be with me, she couldn't be with me. What am I thinking? Arthur becoming King won't change anything, let alone happen soon. And even the pompous prince himself knows it won't work out with him and Gwen, it just won't. And neither will it with me and Morgana.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked incredulously.
"Yeah?" I replied to the slightly shocked prince next to me, trying to not let my voice shake and keeping an eye on the rapidly approaching cloud on the ground that was most likely going to kill us.
"Why are you here?" His voice had gone up in utter confusion and his mouth was unattractively gaping open.
It was a good question actually, why was I here, standing next to this buffoon in a vain attempt to protect him using my non-existent fighting skills when I could be inside the castle staying safe. But you would think that me being here would outweigh the fact that I had no fighting skills but I suppose according to Arthur, Gwen would probably be more useful to him.
"To-" I stuttered, I shrugged my shoulders and made up, "To help you?" I knew it was pathetic, but the alternative of: "I'm here to save you using magic just in case you die because you're important in the future" wouldn't be the best solution.
All I received was another incredulous look and an eyeroll. "Oh why didn't you just say, now we can both die while I'm trying to save you!" The irony of why I was here made me burst out laughing until I was doubled over leaning on Arthur for support. Arthur simply shook his head and said, "We really need to get you checked out, make sure you ask Gaius for a potion."
After a little while of watching the ominous cloud growing into more pronounced horse like shapes, Arthur turned to me and clapped me on the back. "You know Merlin. I'm glad you're here." It may have been the only compliment he was ever going to give me so I welcomed it with a friendly smile.
AN: Are you confused yet? Yeah I am too. It feels like I'm dragging out nothing and therefore I'll be taking a break from this/possibly not finishing this/possibly rewriting this/changing it into Mergana moments in the future. Sorry about that :/
