"Stop." Merlin repeated, as if his first demand was not heard. Gwaine looked up at the warlock for a moment and bit his lip. Arthur still lay beneath him, but seeing his manservant made the king cease struggling for a moment. Gwaine then shrugged.

"It's for you, Merlin. I did it for you." Merlin frowned and shook his head.

"No. No, I don't want that." Gwaine nodded slowly.

"Alright then." He stood up, leaving Arthur free to move. For a moment Arthur swore that the knight looked ashamed that he let his temper get the best of him. Arthur sat up in the grass and lifted his hand to his jaw.

"That is going to bruise." Merlin told him. Arthur frowned.

"Well that's a bit obvious, isn't it?" He snapped. Merlin's shoulders slumped and he let out the slightest huff.

"You always did say I was stupid."

"I perceived a lot of things wrong about you. I believe I also thought that you were innocent and incapable of anything. It's seems that you are capable of a lot, actually. Like, lying and backstabbing to name a few."

"I'm also good at saving your life!" Merlin snapped. "Or have you forgotten that part? You seem to be very good at forgetting the parts that don't highlight your heroism." At Merlin's words Arthur leapt to his feat.

"I don't think you are in a position to speak to me like that." He barked. Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Oh yes, because I've always been the obedient servant. Why don't you just throw a goblet at me? I'm sure that would teach me a lesson or two."

"I'm warning you Merlin-" The warlock let out a laugh.

"Warning me about what? What can you do to me that hasn't been done already?" Arthur sucked in his cheeks and made no move to respond. Merlin took a shaking breath. "I'm still helping you, Arthur, despite everything. I told Gwaine to stop hitting you, although it would have been nice to see a bit of sense knocked into your prattish head." Arthur threw his head back and laughed.

"Oh that's just great, Merlin. You told someone not to hit me. I guess I should forgive all the lies you've told me, shouldn't I? Forget the treason everyone, I was spared a punch!" Arthur heard Gwaine growl behind him, but it seemed as if the knight lost his taste for violence at the moment. Arthur bit down on the inside of his cheek. His jaw throbbed from the hit, and for a moment he was at a loss for words. It felt as if everything around him was falling apart. He felt the valiant edge of his heart prod a bit, begging to get through to him. But pride and disappointment were too much right now. He just stood, looking from man to man feeling like anything but a king.

"You have nothing to say, then?" Merlin asked.

"Not if you aren't going to give me a bit of respect."

"Oh, you want respect now? If that's what you have a taste for I can fetch George. I'll be sure to tell him that a nice pair of cuffs come with the job."

"Well that's nice, Merlin. Keep making things worse. You know, you could at least try."

"Try?" Merlin said with a laugh. "Try? You want me to try?" He was answered with silence. The sorcerer took a shaky breath. Arthur stared at him with ice in his expression. Merlin quivered. He snapped. "I'm done trying!" He cried out. His voice came out rough and angry. It held the same raw energy and power as when he would call to Kilgharrah. Startled, Arthur stumbled back. Merlin clenched his fists, the cuffs diggings into his wrists.

"For the past several years, Arthur, years! All I have ever done is for you. I've risked everything for you. I've lost friends, Arthur, family. I've been hurt, and stepped over, and abused. Everything I have done, everything, was because I believed that you were good Arthur. I believed that you were good, and I believed that Camelot would change. Do you think I'm happy? Do you think I try to be? I could have gone home, I could have gone somewhere where they would recognize my talents. But I stuck around, and I believed." Tears found their way through Merlin's lashes, and raced each other down his cheeks.

"Do you know what, Arthur? Elaine is still out there. She is plotting, and she is waiting. Without me Arthur, without me you won't defeat her. How am I supposed to do that with these?" Merlin held up his wrists so that the king could see. "How do I continue to protect you if I don't have means to do so?"

"I don't need protection." Arthur choked out, surprised that his throat was so tight. Merlin shook his head.

"You don't understand, Arthur. You can't do things alone. That's why I am here! I've tried to tell you that a million times. Arthur." The name was a plea. "I do not expect you to accept my magic straight away. I can wait a bit. But me, Arthur. I have never not been Merlin. All I can ask right now is that you don't treat me like I am no better than the dirt beneath your feet." The last word came out as a sob. Arthur shifted from foot to foot.

"You're not you." He said. "You… are not my Merlin."

"Don't you dare say that." The wizard's words were venom now. "I've thrown dignity and pride aside so that I can plea your recognition again, but do not continue to throw cruel words at me. Is that your punishment? Are you trying to break me then? Well you're a bit late to that dance, Arthur. It won't work. You can't break something that's already broken." Arthur blinked. Someone cleared his throat. It took Arthur a moment to realize that there were more people present than the two of them.

"Forgive me, but I do not believe that fighting is the solution here." Leon intervened. "You have to admit that Merlin is correct about at least one thing, Arthur. Elaine does indeed hope to hurt us in some way, and she has admitted as much." Arthur gazed at Leon for a moment, and then each of the knights in turn. A glance was spared in Merlin's direction before the king let out a weary sigh.

"I need… to be alone." He stated, and turned to walk away.

Bum ba da dummm! Merlin's sick of it, guys. He's not going to be passive forever. If anyone is wondering where Gwen is in this story…. I dunno. Prolonged visit to her father's grave or something I guess. Our powers out and it's midnight. I also hear police cars. I do not approve of this combination in the slightest. So I shall fanfic until we have power again to keep myself occupied. Even if it's all night. Or until my computer runs out of battery. IDONOTOWNMERLINORIT'SCHARACTERS