Chapter 11

~ Merlin ~

Merlin couldn't help the blush that spread across his face as they walked back to the dragon's clearing so they could get the horses and head back to Camelot. He was dreading riding a horse and every time he thought about the reason behind his dread, he could feel heat flood his cheeks.

He knew Arthur was aware of this as every time Merlin blushed, he chuckled. It's easy enough for him to be amused. He didn't exactly have Merlin's… um… problem.

When they had finally gotten back to the clearing, Arthur hesitated before turning to Merlin. "Do you want to walk back? We can guide the horses. It would probably be a nice break for them and it's not that far of a walk," Arthur suggested.

Merlin wasn't an idiot. He knew what Arthur was doing. He knew perfectly well that the horses didn't need more rest when they had been standing on their own for hours, but he pretended to go along with it, appreciating Arthur's silent message.

"Oh yes. For the horses," Merlin agreed. It took monumental effort not to roll his eyes.

Arthur chuckled lightly before he grabbed Merlin's hand in one hand and a horse's reign in his other. Merlin mimicked the action and they slowly made their way back to Camelot.

Neither boy was in a hurry. They had both enjoyed their day out immensely and they enjoyed the fact that they could be alone and not be subjected to judgmental stares. They didn't know when they would have this opportunity again.

Merlin had meant it when he said he was ready to be with Arthur, he was just dreading the way he knew people would react.

Sure enough, as they entered the gates of Camelot, gawks and hushed whispers followed them everywhere they went.

Despite that, Merlin couldn't make himself care. He had been sure that he would want the ground to open up and swallow him so no one can stare. But that's not how he felt. He didn't have room to feel that. He was too distracted by Arthur's whispers to ignore them and the way Arthur was caressing the back of his hand. He felt safe and protected with Arthur at his side.

Arthur didn't release Merlin's hand until they reached the stables. Merlin leaned up and lightly pressed a kiss to Arthur's cheek. "I'll see you in your chambers," Merlin whispered.

Before Merlin had a chance to walk away, Arthur turned his head and pressed their lips together. The kiss was short, but it said enough. It said Arthur would be waiting.

Merlin quickly put the horses in the stables, carefully groomed them and made sure their food and water supply was replenished.

When that was done, he made his way to the kitchens to get food for the king.

When Merlin got to Arthur's chambers, he entered without knocking and he sorely regretted it. Arthur and his uncle were standing, their faces almost touching and anger present in both of their expressions. Neither made any indication that they had heard Merlin enter. Merlin nervously cleared his throat. He watched Agravaine stiffen and then turn to look at him.

"I hope you will keep what we discussed confidential," Agravaine said, shooting Arthur a meaningful look.

"Of course uncle," Arthur readily agreed. "I won't tell anyone except for Merlin."

Agravaine's eyes tightened and he was openly glaring at Arthur. "My lord," he said. "I don't think that be wi–"

"I think we have both made our opinions on the matter very clear," Arthur said. Merlin couldn't suppress his wince at his tone. He sounded dangerous.

Agravaine merely nodded and then stormed from the chambers. Merlin waited a moment before he turned to Arthur.

"What was that about?" He asked anxiously. He thought he already knew, but he needed confirmation.

"What do you think, Merlin?" Arthur asked. In contrast with his tone before, Arthur sounded carefree right now.

"He's not the only one that won't approve," Merlin whispered. He could feel his heart breaking. He wasn't selfless enough to stay away from Arthur, but they shouldn't be together. It was wrong. He couldn't give Arthur an heir. He needed to take a queen that Camelot would approve of. Someone that could rule at his side. That could never be him.

Arthur's gaze snapped up to look at Merlin and Merlin couldn't look away if he wanted to. "I don't care. Do you hear me?" He asked, his voice rough with emotion. Merlin could make out the fear in his voice and he understood. He wasn't the only one terrified of being apart.

"You have to have an heir," Merlin whispered weakly. He closed his eyes to get away from the power of Arthur's gaze. "You need a queen."

Merlin kept his eyes closed, bracing himself for Arthur's reaction. He was shocked when he felt Arthur's warm hand on his cheek, lifting up his head. He opened his eyes and looked into Arthur's determined blue ones.

"Merlin, what would happen if I died tomorrow?" Arthur asked.

"You're not going to die," Merlin answered immediately. The thought was unbearable. He wasn't going to let Arthur die.

"It's a hypothetical question Merlin," Arthur grumbled. Merlin could hear legitimate frustration in his voice. After a long moment passed and it was clear Merlin didn't have an answer for him, Arthur sighed. "If I died tomorrow, I wouldn't have an heir, correct?"

Merlin nodded, not quite following his logic. "Okay, let me give you another scenario. If I were to marry a barren maiden that couldn't give me an heir, what would I do?" Arthur asked.

Merlin looked at Arthur cluelessly. "You wouldn't use magic, would you?" Merlin asked anxiously. "Because, no offense Arthur, but that hasn't really worked out very well in the past. One magic isn't allowed in Camelot, and two, the whole life for a life thing. Really could you be more irresponsible." Merlin knew he was ranting, but it was easier to rant then to picture Arthur with some maiden.

"That's not where I was going with this. If I don't have an heir, what do I have the right to do?" Arthur asked, trying to get Merlin to connect the dots.

Merlin's eyes widened with understanding. "You can give someone your seal," he whispered. "Name them your successor."

"Exactly," Arthur said with a grin. Merlin felt hope surge up in him.

~ Arthur ~

Arthur stood there and watched as Merlin carefully considered Arthur's plan. Not that Arthur was going to let Merlin object to it, but he figured he would humor him.

"Well?" Arthur asked, after a long time had passed. "Say something."

"I don't know what to say," Merlin whispered.

"You could start by saying what you're thinking," Arthur drawled. It felt so natural to fall back into the condescending tone he used so often with Merlin. He knew by the twinkle in Merlin's eyes that Merlin knew he didn't mean the tone he used and that he appreciated the familiarity as well.

"I don't know what I'm thinking," Merlin admitted after another long moment. "Part of me knows I should tell you that your… idea… is… a… bad… one…" His eyes widened as Arthur took predatory steps towards him. Merlin took a deep breath and Arthur had to use all of his effort to contain his chuckle.

"What's so bad about it?" Arthur asked seductively, stepping closer.

Merlin's eyes started to glaze over and Arthur internally cheered for his victory. "Queen… Camelot needs… queen," Merlin gasped out.

"But surely, two kings are better than one," Arthur pointed out, taking another step closer.

Suddenly Merlin's eyes widened to the size of saucers and he stopped breathing.

Arthur approached him and looked at him concerned. "Merlin, are you okay?" He asked anxiously. Merlin just stood there with a shocked expression on his face. "Merlin, breathe!" When there was still no reaction from him, Arthur slapped him. Hard.

Relief surged through Arthur as Merlin came back from whatever planet he had been on. "King?" Merlin asked weakly. "You want me to be king?"

Arthur looked at Merlin surprised. "What's wrong with that?" He asked confused.

"We… we would have to get married," Merlin whispered. There was barely any volume to his voice. Arthur winced for a moment, thinking that Merlin was going to tell him he didn't want to marry him. "No one's going to agree to us getting married. It's against the law."

Arthur shook his head. "I'm the king. I make the laws," Arthur told him.

"You… you really want me?" Merlin asked quietly. "You want me as your king?"

"Not yet," Arthur answered sincerely. "I want my people to get to know you first and to learn to trust you as they trust me. And then, yes. I want to ma–"

Arthur was cut off by Merlin's lips on his own. He couldn't help himself as he groaned into the kiss. He would never have enough of this. The feelings Merlin's kiss invoked in him were purely magical… well not really magical, but they were… there really aren't words to describe it and right now, Arthur's brain wasn't connected to his body, so he wouldn't have been able to come up with a word even if he wanted to.

Too soon, far too soon, Merlin pulled back. He was gasping for air, filling his lungs. "I should go back. Gaius will be expecting me," Merlin said sadly.

"Don't go," Arthur said. He hated the vulnerable tone of his voice, but he couldn't help it. He didn't want Merlin to leave. Who knows what could happen tomorrow? This could be their last chance to spend the night together. "Stay."

Merlin looked at Arthur carefully and Arthur watched as realization spread over him. "I'll stay," he readily agreed.

Arthur didn't remember much of what happened next. It was all a blur. He just knows that he was kissing Merlin and touching Merlin and then, suddenly, Merlin was elbowing to get him to release the death grip he had put him in while they were sleeping. Slivers of bright light were filtering into his room from under the curtain. Arthur felt more at peace than he had in a long time. That was, until Merlin elbowed him again. "Arthur, I can't breathe," Merlin groaned.

Arthur was briefly amused by Merlin's attempts to break out of Arthur's grip, but then he showed him Mercy and carefully pulled his arms away. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief as he stood up. Merlin opened the curtains and Arthur rolled over, pulling a pillow over his head.

"Sire, you have to get up," Merlin warned.

"No," Arthur grumbled.

"It is my job to make sure you wake up. We're going on a trip with your uncle and the knights today," Merlin pointed out.

"They can wait," Arthur grumbled. He knew he had to wake up, but he wanted to hold on to the memories from last night as long as possible.

Suddenly, he felt Merlin's lips on his cheek, slowly making their way to his lips. By the time they met, Arthur was wide awake.

When they broke apart, Arthur looked at Merlin amazed. "Well, I'm awake now," Arthur said, more to himself than to Merlin.

Merlin chuckled and without saying another word, left his chambers. Arthur stared after him shocked. Where was he going?

Arthur shook his head. He would go find him after he dressed. Reluctantly, he pushed himself out of bed. After staring at his wardrobe for several minutes, he tried to figure out what he should wear. He wasn't used to this. He knew what he should wear if he was just sitting through council meetings, but Merlin was the one to decide what he should wear when going on a potentially dangerous mission.

He picked a white tunic and was putting it on when there was a knock on the door to his chambers. Hastily fastening the tunic, he called, "Enter."

His uncle entered. "My lord," he greeted.

"Uncle," Arthur said curtly. He was still a little angry about their argument yesterday.

"I came to debrief you on our plan for today," Agravaine told him.

Arthur wasn't surprised. He had given council permission to plan a course of action so he could go 'hunting' with Merlin yesterday. Perhaps not the most responsible decision for the king of Camelot, but entirely worth it, in his opinion. He nodded at his uncle to show he was listening.

"We are going to send a single person dressed as a knight to lure Calien's men to an area where all of the knights will be waiting to ambush them," Agravaine explained. He said it like it was a very simple plan, but Arthur knew the dangers behind it, especially for the man they chose to dress like a knight.

"Who do you want to play knight?" Arthur asked cautiously.

"Merlin," Agravaine said, confirming Arthur's fears.

"Absolutely not," Arthur warned. "Merlin has no fighting skills. He can't defend himself if something goes wrong. He hasn't trained for this. I refuse to allow you to risk his life. Why can't a knight do it?"

"Because they need the knights to be ready with you. They need every man possible with you, ready to ambush. Even one man can make a difference," a voice said from behind them. "I'll be fine Arthur. I can do this." Arthur turned to look at Merlin. He was wearing a fresh set of clothes and was carrying a large breakfast tray for Arthur.

"You can't," Arthur pleaded.

Merlin ignored him. He turned to face Agravaine. "I will do whatever you need me to do, to help keep Camelot safe," he told him.

A cruel smile came across Agravaine's face as he nodded. He promptly nodded to Arthur and then left, pleased that he got what he wanted.

The second the doors closed behind him, Arthur turned on Merlin. "You can't do it. You could be killed. That's why he wants you to do this," Arthur said.

"Probably," Merlin agreed. Arthur stared at him shocked. Why would he agree to this? "But, I have powers that Agravaine doesn't know about. I can keep myself safe."

Arthur just stared and stared and stared. Merlin will never cease to amaze him. He was so selfless and brave. Arthur can only hope to be as brave as him one day. "Just be careful," he pleaded.

"You know me. I always am," Merlin teased.

Arthur chuckled. "That's what concerns me," he told him, rolling his eyes. He took a seat at the table and began eating his breakfast while Merlin picked out appropriate clothes for him.

Once Arthur was dressed, Merlin went off to prepare the horses. Arthur reluctantly followed.

It seemed like no time had passed before they were on the horses, riding of to certain doom. Arthur looked at the sky, praying with his entire being that somehow they would come out of this in one piece.