Chapter 13

~ Merlin ~

The next couple of days passed slowly. Merlin intentionally avoided Arthur, making sure he only cleaned Arthur's chambers when Arthur was at training. He had sent a different servant to help Arthur dress in the morning. He just couldn't do it. He couldn't let Arthur take his anger out on him. It wasn't fair for Merlin.

Unknown to Arthur, Merlin didn't just abandon him. Merlin would sneak into Arthur's chambers late at night and make sure he was sleeping soundly. While Arthur never saw him, Merlin made sure he was okay.

It wasn't until four days later when Arthur and his knights were preparing for battle that Merlin finally made an appearance. And it wasn't in the way Arthur was expecting.

They had made camp for the night not too far from where Queen Annis's men were camped. Merlin had done his best to avoid Arthur all day, but he knew he was only delaying the inevitable.

Merlin was woken up by a rustling sound. He looked around, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He saw Arthur pull on a cloak. Merlin immediately got to his feet and followed Arthur with a stealth he didn't know he possessed. He might be angry with Arthur, but he wasn't about to let him walk straight into danger.

That's exactly what Arthur did. He walked right up to the men guarding camp. "I am unarmed," he said, taking off his cloak. "You know who I am. Take me to your queen."

Merlin watched horrified as the two guards grabbed Arthur and led him to a tent in the center of camp. The tent that no doubt housed the queen.

Merlin followed, being careful not to make a sound. He went to the darker side of the tent and peaked in through the seam.

"What is the meaning of this?" The queen asked angrily.

"Your highness," Arthur started to say. He was cut off as the queen slapped him. No less than he deserved, but Merlin was proud that Arthur didn't snap at her.

"Queen Annis, I am here to apologize. I have done you a grievous wrong. I am sorry," Arthur said.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't bring back my husband. Sorry does not give my people back their king," the queen spat.

"I know. There is nothing I can say to change what I have done," Arthur conceded sadly.

"Then why are you here?" The queen asked him.

"I want to cancel the battle," Arthur told her evenly.

Merlin's jaw dropped. Did he really think the queen would agree to that?

"It's a little late for that," the queen told him. She started to raise her hand to signal the guards to dismiss him when Arthur spoke.

"I do not ask for a truce, but for an alternative. Single man combat. Fight to the death," Arthur said.

"Why should I grant you this?" The queen asked. If possible, Merlin's jaw dropped further. Was she considering it?

"There has been enough bloodshed your majesty," Arthur told her. "We could save hundreds of lives this way."

Queen Annis nodded to her guards and they released Arthur's arms. "And your terms?" She asked.

"If my man is the victor, you must withdraw your army," Arthur told her. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. That was reasonable.

"And if mine is the victor?" Annis asked.

"Then half…" Arthur said. Merlin didn't hear the rest as he was suddenly distracted by two guards grabbing his arms.

Merlin groaned. Arthur was going to kill him. The guards dragged him right into Annis's tent and forced him to his knees. He didn't need to look to know Arthur would look completely dumbfounded. Merlin had spent the better part of the last week avoiding Arthur at all costs, so Arthur's shock may not be entirely unreasonable.

Merlin shot Arthur an apologetic look. "Sorry about this," Merlin said.

"You know him?" Annis asked, looking at Arthur.

"He's… he's just my servant," Arthur grumbled. Merlin resisted his wince. Just his servant. "He must have followed me here. I truly had no idea."

"Kill him," the queen ordered.

"Wait!" Arthur yelled. Merlin wondered if only he could hear the desperate note in Arthur's voice. "Please, spare him. He's just a simpleminded fool."

"That is two favors you've asked of me tonight," Queen Annis told him.

She walked back to her throne. Merlin couldn't help but stare for a moment. Who brings a throne to battle? He quickly remembered himself and let his head drop. He had to play the part of humble servant.

"Very well," he heard Annis say. "You shall have your trial by combat. Select your champion by dawn tomorrow."

"Thank you, your majesty," Arthur said gratefully.

"And take your fool with you," Annis added.

Merlin had to suppress his eye roll as Arthur pushed him from the tent. It wasn't until they were past the tents that he spoke. "Simpleminded fool?" He asked.

"Trust me, I was being nice," Arthur said angrily. "You almost got me killed. What the hell were you playing at? You don't talk to me for a week and then you are found spying outside Annis's tent?"

"Me? You seemed to be doing a pretty good job of that yourself. I know you Arthur. You are going to be the man that goes out to battle! What if that doesn't end well? Are you going to leave Camelot without a king?" Merlin asked angrily.

"I don't expect you to understand," Arthur snapped. "You understand nothing of politics and war. You're just my servant."

The second the words were out, Arthur looked like he regretted them, but Merlin didn't stick around to listen to his apologies. He knew this was coming. But that didn't make it any easier. He knew his time with Arthur was too good to be true. He was, after all, just a manservant.

Merlin avoided camp for the rest of night. He's spent more nights avoiding comfort so he can avoid Arthur. Merlin sighed. He knew he would see Arthur the next day. He owed it to Arthur. If tomorrow is the last day they see, he wanted to have one more moment with Arthur. But for now, he was content hiding from Arthur and being a coward.

Naturally, Merlin was woken up again. The darkness was consuming and Merlin could only just make out the outline of something moving through the darkness.

Merlin's curiosity got the better of him and he followed the figure. He was sure it wasn't Arthur. The footsteps were too heavy.

Suddenly, they passed through the thick foliage to a path where the moonlight illuminated their surroundings. Merlin was shocked. Where could Agravaine be going this late at night?

His question was answered a few moments later when a figure joined Agravaine. "Did you get it?" A cruel voice asked. Merlin felt his heart thump louder. He would recognize that voice anywhere. It was Morgana.

"Of course," Agravaine told her. He pulled a sword out of his sheath. Merlin's eyes widened. He recognized that sword. It would be impossible not to. Not after all the times he has had to sharpen it. Or polish it. It was Arthur's sword.

He watched as Morgana muttered something. The sword burst into flames. Merlin had no idea what she did to the sword, but he knew it wouldn't be good. He also knew he would never convince Arthur to withdraw.

That left only one solution. He had to use his magic to make sure Arthur didn't lose.

Easy, right?

~ Arthur ~

Arthur spent a sleepless night tossing and turning. He felt awful for what he said to Merlin, but he couldn't take back what he said. He could only hope that Merlin would see him before he went into battle. Then he could apologize. And die with a clean conscious.

Sure enough, Merlin entered Arthur's tent as the sun was rising. Arthur felt grateful for that. He didn't know where he would find the courage to enter combat if he couldn't apologize to Merlin.

Merlin wordlessly dressed Arthur and helped him into his armor.

Once he was fully dressed, Arthur turned to Merlin. "Merlin, if today should prove to be my last, I want you to take this," he told him. He held his hand out to Merlin.

Merlin looked down and Arthur watched as his eyes widened. He took Arthur's ring. "You're not going to die," Merlin told him.

"We don't know that," Arthur told him. "And I need you to promise you won't interfere. Promise you will let me fight this battle on my own terms."

A strange emotion flitted across Merlin's face. After a long, long moment, he finally agreed. "I promise," he said. Arthur didn't know if he was telling the truth, but he would have to settle for that. "Arthur, do you really think it's worth it? You're king now. Camelot needs you. Alive."

"I don't know what will happen, but there have been two things of which I am absolutely certain I have done right since I became king. I ruined the first one, but I know in my heart that this is the right decision," Arthur told him. Arthur didn't know if he would hear the hidden message in his words. From Merlin's look of comprehension, he got the message.

Arthur knew he didn't have long. He pulled Merlin close to his and crushed their lips together. He was overwhelmed with the feelings that coursed through him.

If he could hold onto that feeling, he knew he would be okay. Arthur heard the ruffling of the tent flap and promptly pulled back. He stepped back just as Agravaine entered the tent.

He didn't miss the look of hatred Merlin shot Agravaine, but he didn't have time to think about it.

"It is time my lord," Agravaine told him.

"Very well," Arthur agreed. He couldn't make himself move.

"Is all in readiness?" Agravaine asked.

Arthur turned to Merlin. "Merlin?" He asked.

"Ready," Merlin agreed. There was a strange look in his eyes, but Arthur couldn't quite place it.

"Right then," Arthur said. He forced himself to move as he exited the tent with his uncle. He knew Merlin would follow. There was no doubt in his mind.

Arthur entered the field and his eyes widened as he took in his opponent, Darian. Arthur thought he was tall, but his opponent had to be well over a foot taller. And he looked like he could break Arthur in half with little effort.

Before he knew what was happening, they were fighting. It wasn't long into the battle when Darian got through to Arthur. Arthur landed on his knees. As Darian was bringing his sword down, Arthur rolled, slicing his sword against Darian's cheek.

Arthur brought his sword up, ready to deliver the next blow. Suddenly, he felt like his sword weighed a thousand pounds. He couldn't lift it up, no matter how hard he tried.

He knew this wasn't normal. This was magic. He looked up in time to duck under Darian's swing. He managed to punch Darian. He cried out in pain when Darian slashed his sword up, gliding across Arthur's armor. He was going to have a wicked bruise in the morning.

He watched as Darian picked up his sword. He didn't close his eyes. He knew this was the end and he wasn't going out like a coward.

Darian froze and Arthur seized the moment, and rammed his shoulder into Darian. They both fell to the ground.

Arthur forced himself to ignore his pain and tried to get to his feet. He knew he was too late when he felt Darian kick him, forcing him back to the ground.

Darian picked up his sword. Suddenly the sword flew out of his hand towards the ground. Arthur knew that would be Merlin's doing. And for once, he wasn't angry that Merlin broke his promise. It just evened the playing field. Queen Annis had whoever made his sword heavy. And he had Merlin.

Arthur rolled behind Darian and grabbed his sword. He slid it across Darian's back and kicked him. Darian fell to the ground before him, completely at his mercy. Arthur was ready to kill him when he found himself looking around at his men. More importantly, he found Merlin. Merlin wouldn't want him to kill this man.

With that knowledge in his heart, Arthur slammed the sword into the ground. There would be no more bloodshed. Not on his part.

Arthur heard cries of long live the king, but he wasn't listening to them. He was looking at Merlin. Right at Merlin. He was looking at the pride that lit up Merlin's face. He knew that he did well. He knew he made the right decision.

Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream cut across the cheers of his men. "No!" Someone screamed. Arthur turned and felt his heart drop. He saw Morgana.