CHAPTER 14 : IN THE LOOKING GLASS

Gaius finally left. As Arthur started his late breakfast, he said, "Merlin…was I awful last night?"

Merlin smiled. This was the first time that Arthur had ever enquired about his behaviour even after knights had had to help Merlin get him upstairs and into bed. He said, "Nothing that I couldn't deal with."

"I didn't …"

"No, Arthur, you were a real gentleman, nothing more than a kiss and sneaking into my bed."

Arthur continued eating then said, "I'm sorry…I woke up alone, couldn't find you so I went searching and…when I found you I was happy."

"Well, don't worry," Merlin laughed, "Perhaps, one night when I can't sleep and feel all alone, I'll come looking for you." His heart thudded as he said it.

"Would you, Merlin?" Arthur asked very quietly without raising his eyes. He was too scared to see the denial and refusal in Merlin's eyes.

Merlin felt his heart fluttering at the tone of Arthur's voice. He hadn't minded sharing his bed. Not being able to turn over was a bit of a drawback but the feel of Arthur beside him compensated for the inconvenience. However, it would have made more sense if they had been in Arthur's bed which was much larger. He moved aside the breakfast platter to which Arthur had done justice and waited a while before saying, "When we know the time is right, and you ask me nicely…yes, Arthur…I would share your bed."

Arthur's head snapped up and looking at him. Merlin knew beyond a shade of a doubt that what he had just said was not only the truth but what Arthur had been hoping to hear. He picked up the platter to put it in the antechamber on the sideboard and knew that someone was padding after him. He put it down as he felt Arthur's lips on the back of his neck.

All his senses were on fire. Arthur then turned him slowly and ran his hand up into his hair causing Merlin to lean his head back into it. Continuing to kiss neck, he reached his mouth but bypassed it, settling instead for the tip of his nose and then the bridge between his eyes. Merlin moaned softly and Arthur's lips found his.

What started as a chaste kiss became more demanding. Merlin placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders and then he was weaving his fingers through his hair. They pulled back for a breath and smiled at each other. Arthur ran the pad of his thumb over Merlin's cheek bones and carefully touched his ears. He turned his head so that one was closer and he ran his tongue over the shell. Merlin almost jumped out of his skin. He had never realised that beyond hearing, his ears could bring so much pleasure. He blushed as Arthur whispered, "Merlin, you are lovely."

Arthur let his finger run over Merlin's lips and turned his attention back to them. Merlin realised that Arthur's mouth was becoming more demanding and as he began to respond, there was a knock at the door and Gawaine's voice said, "Open up!"

Merlin jumped out of his skin, he had been miles away. He tried to spring away but Arthur held him to the wall with the weight of his body and whispered sexily, "To be continued…! Now for heaven's sake," he said walking back into the main chamber, "Open the door or that fool will have it down!"

Opening his mouth, Merlin found he had no voice but he managed to almost croak out, "Coming, Gawaine!"

Gawaine bounded in saying, "So, just finishing breakfast, guess that last full goblet of mead did it. Eh, Arthur?"

He glanced at Merlin's heightened complexion and his tousled hair and said, "Did I interrupt something!"

"For, God's sake, Gawaine stop it! Things are bad enough with Uther and the two he has in the dungeons without adding fuel to the fire."

Gawaine said, "Then, I am the bearer of good news. They're out. The king didn't exactly apologise but seems he had forgotten the Sir Bryan and Galen's mother were practically family. Galen had a few questions and Bryan had in answering them, put his arms across his shoulders, tousled his hair and then had given him a longer than normal hug.

"Some sad excuse for a human being reported it to the king who jumped to conclusions and threw them in the dungeon overnight. Gaius, it seems, went to him about an hour ago and straightened the whole mess out. Not that Uther, I…I mean the king, thinks he has done anything wrong. Galen was quite upset even though I guess he was treated kindly by the guards and Bryan is ready to take on anyone who looks at him sideways."

Merlin was glad that Gaius had got it straightened out now Arthur wouldn't be drawn into it. He felt uncomfortable and thought, 'Is this, what Arthur and I are going to face everyday of their lives?'

-0-O-0-

Arthur was notified mid afternoon that his father wished him to dine in his private chambers. He nodded at the squire and turned to Merlin. "I thought that maybe I would have got out of that. Gaius and Leon are also going to be present so you had better come to help Killian. Damn! I was looking forward to dining downstairs."

"You can't blame him Arthur, he hasn't seen you since before we went hunting. He probably missed you!"

"Very funny! Put out something suitable for me to wear and then we're going to look at those chests of clothes which I told you about. I'm serious about having you in warmer clothes this winter. Did you know that last year fifteen deaths could be attributed to the freezing weather and sadly, more than a half of those were children under five?"

"At home, when it was very cold, we didn't go out unless it was absolutely necessary. We would huddle around the fire in someone's cottage and hope that we had enough firewood to get through the cold snap. One year it was so cold that we lost most of our chickens. Life is hard in the country…"

"I remember one year when it was so cold, that we only kept some rooms open and I had to sleep in my father's chambers with Killian and my nursemaid. It was then that I had wished I had had lots of brothers as Gaius told me that they had double up all the pages to try to keep them warm at night. If it happened now, I wouldn't mind," he dropped his head and then smiled as he looked up, "Because I'd have you to cuddle with."

"But do you think that the king would allow me to share your bed if you had to sleep in his chambers?"

Arthur grabbed Merlin as he walked past him and pulled him on this lap. He wrapped his arms around him and held him tight. "For that comment you are now held captive, and the toll you have to pay to get released is a…."

"…. kiss?" Merlin turned his head and sought out Arthur's lips, teasing him and allowing Arthur to lead the way. Breaking the kiss to breathe, Arthur rubbed his finger along Merlin's lips and as he went to say something, took advantage and kissed him deeply. Merlin soon retaliated and when they broke apart each one was smiling.

"Do I get released now? I'd like to put more logs on the fire and check to see if the water is hot enough."

Arthur gave him a little peck and opened his arms and Merlin gave him a hug before standing up and walking away.

"Hurry up, as I still want to look into those chests before supper."

-0-O-0-

Searching the chest turned into a couple of hours of Arthur's telling tales of when he had worn the various outfits. He couldn't see his wearing any of them but Arthur was having a great time and possibly there were a few which would be suitable for Merlin especially a couple of quilted long sleeved doublets and a heavy winter cloak.

The room was freezing but Arthur insisted that Merlin try on a couple of tops using a mirror which had long been due for a good dusting. "But I can hardly see anything…" Merlin complained.

"Well, I can see you and that is the main point. Here, slip on these trousers and we'll see how much lengthening is needed."

"Arthur, I can't change here, there's no screen."

"Merlin for heaven's sake, you're wasting time arguing when you could have been in and out of them. Stand still, I'll help you!"

"Arthur, don't! Don't touch me!"

Arthur laughed but then realised that the blushing person in front of him was serious; he suddenly became contrite and stood back. "I'm sorry! Merlin, I wasn't going to do anything. Just help you…"

Merlin regained his composure saying, "Arthur, I will change but no looking."

Arthur turned away, closing his eyes. He was conscious of someone getting dressed, and knew that Merlin true to his word was changing. The desire to spin around was so strong that he gripped the back of a nearby chair.

"Ready! You can look now."

Arthur turned and a completely different Merlin stood before him. He thought, 'The new clothes only accentuate what is perfect.' He smiled and said quietly, "Merlin, how I am ever going to keep my hands off you?"

Merlin dropped his head, blushed and took a step towards the mirror, ignoring the comment, "They will have to be lengthened and maybe taken in a little. Even the doublet fits. Everything feels so warm and luxurious."

"Try on the navy trousers."

"Remember!" said Merlin looking him in the eye.

Arthur obediently turned away and Merlin proceeded to slip out of one pair or pants into another. Arthur opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, only to realise that he had a perfect view of Merlin in the mirror. His heart quickened and his body seemed to take control. He smiled to himself. There was only really one word for it, Merlin, clothed or unclothed was beautiful…

"How do these look?" said Merlin after a little while.

Arthur turned to look at him and Merlin caught the look on his face and said, "I have an uncomfortable feeling that you are looking at more than the clothes." He shook his head at him saying, "It was fun trying them on but I can't borrow or wear them. They're for someone far above my station in life."

"Then you'll wear them when it's just the two of us. But think about it, Killian dresses to match his position as a royal manservant and you should do likewise."

Merlin was silent for a moment then said, "Well, maybe the heavier doublet and the cloak."

"…and those fabulous trousers!"

Merlin turned and smiled.