Arthur stood before the cook with four men who looked entirely out of place, nervous and tired. They weren't used to being awake during the day after all.
"Cook, these are the men I promised. They're eager for the job." Arthur said.
The cook looked at them uncertain. "What experience do you have in the kitchen?" She asked.
"Cooking wasn't our forte… but we're eager to learn. We reached quite high serving stations in our former services." The pretty one that Arthur first met spoke up. They'd all changed their names but Arthur hadn't learned them yet.
"Well, come on then, we have a feast to prepare in three days." She said and tossed an apron at all of them. They stared at the apron like it was a lifeline.
"Thank you, cook." One said. They turned to Arthur, in disbelief, as if waiting for him to take away the offer and send them running back to where they came from.
"Then that will be that." Arthur said.
Merlin rushed in then, a little out of breath, still somewhat pale after they spent most of the night out in the snow. "Cook! The prince's breakfa-oh." Merlin stopped as he saw Arthur was already there.
"What are you doing here? You should be in bed." Merlin said and Arthur rolled his eyes.
"No, you should be in bed."
"I have my duties to start, sire, namely, feeding you." Merlin said.
"Your prince orders you to return to bed. So do so." Arthur said, grabbing onto his neckerchief.
"For how long?" Merlin asked.
"Just go." Arthur said and Merlin walked off, grumbling about one thing or another. Something about cabbages and turnips.
"He's the one?" Arthur turned surprised to see the new servant.
"He is." Arthur said. "Remember what we agreed?"
"If I hear of any plans to harm him, I come straight to you." The new kitchen servant answered and Arthur nodded.
"Good luck." Arthur said.
"Thank you, my lord." He said politely and turned to listen to the cook's instructions.
Arthur picked up breakfast for two from the cook and went back to his rooms, where Merlin lay on the bed, arms crossed over his chest, looking tired but refusing to go to sleep.
"We have to talk." Merlin said. "What's wrong with you?" He asked.
"Implying that there's anything wrong with the crown prince is a sure way to return to the stocks." Arthur said bringing Merlin hot honeyed milk to drink. Merlin stared at the cup.
"Arthur, I am a servant. Nothing more. If Uther were to find out how you're favouring me he'd have me sacked." Merlin said.
"We both know you're more than that." Arthur said looking at Merlin straight in the eye. "Aren't you the one always saying how many times you've saved my life?" Arthur asked. Merlin froze.
"I… well… I…" He looked away. "You know, I'm the voice of reason in all your expeditions." Merlin said.
"I think we can both agree you're more than a voice." Arthur said.
Merlin stared at him for a long time. "What am I, Arthur?" He asked him flat out. Arthur didn't want to be the one to say it. He wanted Merlin to confess his magic of his own volition so he changed the topic by leaning in and kissing Merlin deeply.
oOoOoOo
Merlin's heart stopped as he stared at Arthur after the kiss. Oh god, he'd enchanted Arthur by accident! This was the out of control magic! Arthur was trying to say he was in love with him! What nonsense!
"Now, eat your breakfast." Arthur said, motioning for the tray, full of a breakfast for two. They both sat cross-legged on the bed, facing each other.
Merlin stared at the food and his stomach rumbled loudly after being sick the day before and not eating anything for dinner. He started eating, keeping a suspicious eye on Arthur until Arthur finally snapped.
"What?" He asked annoyed.
"Why do you keep kissing me?" Merlin asked. "You love Gwen."
"When have I ever said that I love Gwen?" Arthur asked.
"You can deny it, but your heart knows she's your true love." Merlin said. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Nothing can ever happen between us, Gwen and I parted on… amicable terms." Arthur said simply.
"Nothing can… what and something can with us?" Merlin mocked.
"Well, something is already happening, on order of my father, and I simply can't be intimate with someone and be cold to them the rest of the time." Arthur said simply, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Right, so perhaps not enchantment… otherwise Arthur would be all over him proclaiming his undying love for him. "Thank you for the breakfast, my lord." Merlin said. Arthur leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips.
"You're welcome." Merlin stared at him as Arthur stood and took the tray away. He reached up to feel his tingling lips, licking them a little. His heart raced. This was not good. He was supposed to discourage their magical union.
What if Arthur genuinely fell in love with him? Merlin scoffed. That would never happen. Men just don't fall in love with each other the way they fall for a woman. Specially not Arthur Pendragon.
"Will there be training today?" Merlin asked, getting out of bed, coming to his side.
"There's no training now until the snows begin to melt." Arthur said. "Snow is too deep at the moment." He looked at him. "So we'll be staying in bed this morning. I can still feel the chill of last night in my bones." Arthur said and wrapped an arm around Merlin's waist, pulling him close.
"I told you to get back inside." Merlin said, but found his voice came out soft, the wind knocked out of him at the feeling of Arthur's strong body against his. Arthur looked into his eyes and reached to caress his cheek, stealing a kiss that Merlin would have gladly, if conflicted, given.
Arthur then leaned lower, letting his lips rest on Merlin's neck. Merlin shuddered, his insides twisting and turning as Arthur took his time with his neck, nibbling on his collarbone, holding him tighter against him. "Let me embrace you, Merlin." Arthur whispered.
"Please…" Merlin begged. He'd go mad if Arthur didn't take him now. Arthur kissed him deeply and Merlin kissed him back almost hungry to savour his prince, reaching up to wrap his arms around his neck, gripping onto the other's hair, kissing him with a building need that had them stumbling toward the bed and yanking at their clothes to toss to the side.
Merlin smiled up at Arthur as he lay on the bed, Arthur looking at him all over, slowing down to take him in, leaning down to kiss his neck, his collarbone and trail firm kisses down his body, making Merlin shudder and arch up his body against him.
Arthur came back up to reclaim his mouth and Merlin wrapped his legs around the other's waist, pulling him against him as they kissed. One of Arthur's hands reached for his thigh, holding onto it firm while his thumb caressed his skin.
They finally pulled back out of breath and Arthur looked down at him, their eyes locking onto each other, conveying much more than either of them had ever said out loud. Those same looks they'd always shared, now they seemed to carry so much more meaning than ever before.
Arthur reached for the oil once more and Merlin relaxed under him, letting his body take Arthur in. Merlin winced a little, as his body took its time to adjust and Arthur leaned down to kiss him in response, making him forget about the discomfort just like that.
Arthur's hand reached for his, threading their finger's together and Merlin held him back, moaning as Arthur moved against him, their bodies rocking together with a need to feel closer than even now.
"Mmh… Ah- Arthur…" Merlin moaned and it seemed to light a fire in Arthur's eyes that showed when he moved.
"Merlin…"
As they moved, as they kissed, as they held each other, the pleasure began to build and build, and Merlin threw his head back, crying out as he reached his point, Arthur became more forceful, moaning and panting against Merlin's ear in those lovely sounds that sent a thrill through Merlin's spine, tensing up against him, reaching his point seconds after.
Merlin shuddered as their energy fizzled away. Merlin opened his eyes as Arthur pulled on his hand. While keeping their eyes locked, Arthur gave the back of his hand a kiss, just above his knuckles. It was the least intimate thing that they'd just done and yet it sent Merlin's heart racing in his chest.
They both seemed to have so many questions that none were ready to ask out loud.
Instead, they curled up under the blankets, holding onto each other for a while. Eventually they started talking. Pointless little questions.
"Blue?" Merlin said surprised.
"What? Can't I like blue?" Arthur asked.
"It's just, I pictured you more for liking everything red." Merlin said, amused.
"And you? Your kingdom's colours are blue." Arthur said.
Merlin smiled. "No, my favourite colour is red." Specially when Arthur was wearing it.
"Favourite food?" Arthur asked. Merlin thought about it.
"I do really like the sweet pudding that Gaius makes with raisings and honey. But if it's not sweet… I like crisp oven-made parsnips." Merlin said.
"Sounds boring."
"It's actually quite tasty with a touch of salt." Merlin said.
There was a knock on the door and they both tensed, Merlin pulling up the blanket to his shoulders.
"Sire?" It was a servant. "I was wondering if you wanted your bath prepared today." Came the voice at the door, but they didn't come in far enough for them to see Merlin.
"Yes, have it prepared." Arthur called. The door closed shut once more and Merlin glared.
"That's my job!" Merlin said. "Are you trying to slowly leave me without work?" He asked. Arthur didn't seem phased by his annoyance, climbing on top of him and kissing him deeply instead.
"I want you here, with me." He said.
Merlin blushed darkly. "Absolutely not! The servants will have to come in and they'll see us!" Merlin said, squirming away to get his clothes on. Arthur just watched him go.
"You should bring your clothes up here. I have room in my armoire." Arthur said. Merlin stared at him.
"You mean it?" Merlin asked.
"I do." He said, slipping on his trousers. Merlin automatically came over to help finish dressing him, straightening out his clothes, reaching up to brush his hair to the side with his fingers, all while Arthur made his heart race with his intense gaze.
"Only because you insist on keeping me here most of the time." Merlin said. Arthur simply smiled and went off to sit on his table, starting some work while Merlin made the bed before the maids could come and see how they'd left it. He'd bring fresh sheets later on and give the floor a clean. Then he'd bring his things in and that will be that.
Back to normal.
The maids came in and didn't give him a second glance. No disgust, no disdain, no glares, nothing. They simply kept their heads down, ignoring him as if he were Arthur himself.
Merlin glanced at Arthur in confusion but the prince said nothing, not even making a sign that he'd noticed.
oOoOoOo
It must have been a few weeks later when it happened. Merlin woke up with a jump in the middle of the night.
"Hurry…"
"Almost there…"
Merlin felt his heart race. That voice… it was Mordred.
Merlin was with Arthur, as he always was. He never spent a night outside the other's bed at this point. Luckily for him, Arthur was a heavy sleeper.
Merlin carefully moved Arthur's arm and replaced himself with a pillow, which Arthur instantly pulled close against him. Merlin sighed softly at the sight before turning to put on his shirt and slip on his shoes, slipping out of the room as silent as he could.
The voice was far away, he could barely make out what was being said. "Morgana… not much further…"
Merlin's eyes widened and he rushed towards Morgana's chambers. He didn't notice Arthur following him in the shadows.
oOoOoOo
"…Gana…" Morgana frowned. "Morgana…" She opened her eyes. Her heart soared as she saw Mordred's innocent face smiling at her.
"Mordred!" She whispered, opening her arms to him, pulling him into a hug, holding his small frame and petting his hair gently. "I've missed you." She said softly. She pulled back checking him all over, petting his cheek. "You've lost weight." She said, worried. He smiled softly.
The alarm bells rang out and Mordred along with the man with him looked up in worry.
"Not much to eat when you're a child, lost and alone and hunted by Uther's men. It's a rough winter this year." The man said and Morgana looked at Mordred, playing with his hair still.
"Who are you?" She asked him suspicious.
"My name is Alvarr, I too have been alone since I was a child." He said.
"You have magic."
"Yes, as did my parents before me and their parents before them. They, however, were lucky to live in a time of peace."
Morgana looked down, caressing Mordred's cheek with the back of her hand, smiling as he turned his bright eyes to her. "There will be peace once more, once Arthur is king." Morgana said.
"Arthur Pendragon has been just as ruthless hunting sorcerers as his father." Alvarr said and Morgana looked up.
"He has changed."
"Will he stay as such, I wonder, if he learns of your magic?" Alvarr said. Morgana smiled looking away.
"He knows my mother had magic, he knows my sister has magic. He's a bit thick at times but I'm certain he's not so much of a fool to not suspect me already." She said.
"They are coming." Mordred said softly. Morgana tensed, not having the time to hide them. Thankfully, it wasn't the guards. It was Merlin, who stormed into her rooms followed closely by Arthur.
"Merlin! Arthur!" Morgana said shocked.
"Arthur?!" Merlin said turning around shocked.
"Mordred?" Arthur asked surprised.
"The famous Arthur Pendragon." Alvarr said.
"Who are you?" Arthur said and Morgana could feel a headache forming.
"Shut up, all of you! Or the guards will hear us!" Morgana hissed, holding Mordred close in her arms. Everyone was on edge. "Arthur… Mordred just came to visit me."
Arthur laughed. "Hah! Right, Morgana, despite what you might think, you're not that special. No one would risk death for something like that." Arthur said.
"Morgana is special!" Mordred yelled.
"The child, I believe, the adult, risking execution? I don't think so." Arthur took out his sword. "Who are you?" He pointed his sword at Alvarr.
"My name is Alvarr. We do come with a purpose. Lady Morgana says you've allied yourself to our cause. Prove it." Alvarr said.
"What?" Merlin whispered looking at Arthur in shock. "A-Arthur, what is he saying? Magic is against the law." Merlin said.
"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur said, without so much as looking at him. "Alvarr, was it? I'm listening."
Morgana smiled and turned to Mordred, who looked as surprised as Merlin.