Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of the characters.
Story: Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana all have to camp out in Arthur's room for a series of nights when Morgana's room is being redecorated. Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Morgana.
"I brought some fruit. I thought it might be nice to eat, while we talk," Gwen smiled sweetly, as she and Morgana sat down on the various sheets Arthur had laid out. Both had been eager at the idea of a sleepover as the four had been so preoccupied with their duties and prospective partners that they had not had time to spend together as friends.
"Fruit! Why the hell would you bring fruit, Gwen?"
"Well, I-"
"I'm joking," Arthur smiled before Gwen could feel stupid. "Thank you, Guinevere," he added, as he took an orange. Merlin did likewise, and Morgana politely declined. She was distracted with Gwen. Gwen's hair, in particular.
"Can I plait your hair, Gwen?" She held some bands, and Gwen nodded girlishly.
Arthur flashed a look at Merlin. "Do you think it's going to get too girly for us, Merlin?"
Merlin grinned, peeling his orange, then cheekily flicked a piece of the peel at Arthur. A look of mock scandal on his face, Arthur retaliated, and it became something of a play fight. Gwen and Morgana laughed at them, as Morgana lovingly brushed Gwen's hair through.
The next morning, Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana subtly wiped the sleep from their eyes as they stood in the royal court, with King Uther. They had all stayed up until the early light of the morning, laughing and talking, play fighting. There had even been a mass pillow fight. A smile pulled at Merlin's mouth as he remembered how they had all ganged up on Arthur with pillows, until they had him restrained, and Morgana said in a tone of mock seriousness – "Does the Crown Prince, Arthur Pendragon relent at the hands of the Pillow Knights?" It had made them all laugh a lot; Merlin hadn't known Morgana could be so silly and fun. It was easy to see why Gwen loved her so much. He managed to prevent himself laughing, but had shared a few secret smiles with Arthur across the court.
Court was finished quickly, and Merlin lingered around, hoping to walk back to Arthur's room with him, and share a quick kiss before Arthur had to go train the nights, but he heard Uther say distinctly – "Arthur, wait here please. I need to talk to you." His heart stopped beating for a second, and he turned away to leave the room. If Uther knew about him and Arthur...either way, he didn't want to add to Uther's suspicions, or make him suspicious...
"Last night, the lady Morgana, her maidservant and your servant were in your room, were they not?"
"That's right, father," Arthur nodded, folding his arms, and forcing himself to breathe naturally. His father had already made a few comments here and there about how Arthur had been acting differently. And it was true – Merlin had made Arthur a lot happier than he had been in a while.
"Arthur, you've been very distracted recently. I don't want you to lose sight of what is important."
"I won't, father."
"You do realise, that now, more than ever, you need to be focused?"
"Of course, father. But I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I-" Arthur opened his mouth, and Merlin flashed into his mind. But then he looked at his father stood in front of him. One look at his father and he was reminded of all the expectations on his shoulders. The most glaringly obvious was to provide an heir.
"It's...nothing, father," he smiled.