Disclaimer: Merlin still isn't mine.
Ok - so this was a tough one. Really very tough, especially with all the G/A scenes. I do hope you all like what I've come up with. It kind of gets a bit depressive at the end there. Sorry, I'm not really sure where that came from. :S But, enjoy all the same and let me know what you think. :)
Keep The Relationship Secret - Episode X
There was a sharp dig in Merlin's back as Arthur leveled his sword at it. "Show yourself. Who are you?" Disguised as an old man sorcerer, Merlin knew Arthur wouldn't recognise him.
"I am," Merlin paused to screw up his face in what he hoped was an unappealing manner before turned to his prince. "Dragoon the Great!"
Arthur looked momentarily horrified. "Is it you who planted the Poultice in my bed?"
"You have caught me red handed," Merlin growled, glancing down at the object in his hands. "I have no choice but to confess."
"An innocent girl almost died because of your actions," Deep down Merlin felt a stab of jealousy at how passionate Arthur sounded over Gwen's near death. The moment was only brief, though.
"I suppose your father will have to release her now that you've caught me," Merlin quickly continued.
"I should run you through where you stand." It was Arthur's turn to growl as he levelled his sword at Merlin's chest. Merlin swallowed nervously.
"I really wouldn't do that if I were you," Arthur gave him a questioning look. "Because if you do that..." Merlin paused, thinking quickly. "...you will never learn of my plan."
"What plan?"
"Exactly!" Merlin shouted, amused at how Arthur's eyes widened slightly. "That's why you can't run me through."
"Have we met?"
Merlin swallowed again before narrowing his eyes. They glared at each other, tilting their heads slightly before Merlin spoke again, roughly. "No, I don't believe so. I never forget a face."
"Your eyes," Arthur lowered his sword slightly and stepped forward. "We've met somewhere before."
"Me?" Merlin panicked and pulled his face into another snarl. "No!"
Without a second's breath, he looked at a nearby helmet and muttered the basic spell. His eyes glowed golden and the helmet flew across the room, hitting Arthur in the head and knocking him back onto the bed. With a slight grin, Merlin ran from the room.
Revenge was rather sweet.
~ *XX* ~
It was a few days after the whole Poultice incident with Gwen being reinstated as Morgana's handmaiden (much to both Merlin and Gwen's worry) and 'Dragoon the Great' hadn't been seen since. At least as far as most people were concerned.
Arthur lay propped up in his bed, watching Merlin intently as he began to douse the candles. "I was wrong," the prince whispered suddenly and Merlin turned to him with questioning eyes.
"About what?"
"Nothing... it's just," he paused. Merlin frowned and his lips formed a goofy grin.
"What?"
Arthur smiled back, before reaching up and cupping Merlin's cheek. He stared straight into the vivid blue eyes of his manservant and lover. "Your eyes."
Merlin swallowed and blinked. "My eyes?"
Arthur brushed a thumb across his sharp cheek bones. "There was a moment, a few days ago. I thought... That old sorcerer. His eyes looked so familiar. They looked exactly like yours, Merlin."
"Mine?" And Merlin felt a stab of fear.
"But I was wrong," Arthur continued softly. "That sorcerer. His eyes glowed gold. They burned with magic, Merlin. They burned with hate and evil. And they were nothing like yours. Nothing at all and I was wrong to think that. You could never be so hateful and evil."
Merlin closed his eyes, blocking out the sudden tears. But he couldn't block the way his heart suddenly ached with pain and rejection. It still hurt him to know that Arthur couldn't fully accept magic. Forcing a crooked smile, he opened his eyes again. "Thank you?"
Arthur returned the grin, removed his hand from Merlin's cheek and gave him a light slap on the shoulder. "Get some sleep, you."
"Yes, sire," Merlin said. In their usual nightly ritual, Arthur pouted as he watched Merlin douse the rest of the candles. Once the room had darkened, Merlin found his way back to Arthur's side. Leaning down he found Arthur's lips with his and they shared one final kiss. "Goodnight Arthur."
"Sleep well, Merlin."
Merlin returned to his own quarters and curled up on the bed fully clothed. Alone, he allowed the pain to overwhelm him and the tears to come. That night, Merlin cried himself asleep. His dreams filled with the rejection he'd face if Arthur ever learnt that his eyes, too, burned with the glow of magic.