(Finally ginormous thanks to readers, reviewers, and servant123. Enjoy!)
The knock at the door was not unexpected, or necessarily unwelcome, but Arthur still flinched upon hearing it.
It had been three weeks since the assassination attack and Merlin's injury, and about two since the servant's miraculous recovery. Most people in the palace (King Uther included) believed that Gaius had misjudged the wound—panicked at seeing his ward injured. The knights and Gwen seemed to believe that Gaius had used magic to heal Merlin the night that Arthur sent them away from the physician's chamber. The prince didn't correct the assumption. The truth would be known someday, and until then he would enjoy the grateful looks that his friends—especially Gwaine—sent him when they mentioned Merlin's revival. Everything was back to normal for everyone.
Everyone except the prince and the warlock.
Arthur had visited Merlin regularly while his friend was on the mend, but his visits became less and less frequent as Merlin became more and more lucid. The prince was self-conscious and uncertain. He had no idea what would happen when he and Merlin finally had it out. It wouldn't be pleasant, that he knew for certain.
And now, it was Merlin's first day back at work, and there was no putting off the confrontation any longer.
"Enter," Arthur said, setting aside the papers he had been looking at and straightened in his chair.
A pale face peeped around the door, looking so nervous that Arthur nearly laughed. It was the same look the servant got when he was caught stealing food from his master's plate.
"Come in, Merlin," Arthur said, tamping down on his ridiculous urge to chuckle. This was going to be one of the most important conversations of his life, and he could not afford to go to pieces. "Have a seat."
The servant did as he was told, tripping slightly as he scurried across the room. Again, Arthur fought back a snort. There was a moment of silence between the two.
"You know about the magic, then," Merlin said, fiddling with his neckerchief. Arthur was surprised to see him wearing it, but couldn't say why, since Merlin always wore it. But the prince suddenly had a bizarre mental image of Merlin tearing off his neckerchief and throwing it to the ground because it had been a disguise all along—warlocks don't wear neckerchiefs. Arthur had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. What was wrong with him?
"Yes," he said, keeping his face smooth with great effort. "And I'm willing to listen. I need to understand why you chose to practice magic. I need the truth, Merlin."
"I'll tell you everything," said Merlin, nodding his head earnestly. "I've wanted to tell you but… well, I was too scared."
Scared. Arthur hadn't expected to hear that.
"Listen," Merlin said, leaning forward. "Before I tell you everything, there's something you should know. I've had to make a lot of really difficult decisions over the years. Alone. With no time to think. I've done a lot of things I regret, and sometimes I feel like I've caused more problems than I've solved. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, and I'm not saying I'd have done anything different, but I just… I just want you to be ready for what I'm going to tell you."
Arthur couldn't hold it in anymore. He let out a long, loud snort that broke into a loud, strong laugh. Tears were soon flooding his eyes. He caught a glimpse of Merlin's stricken-looking face and laughed all the harder.
"I'm sorry," he gasped, holding his side. "I'm sorry. It's not funny. Really, it's not—"
Arthur broke into another string of laughter at the look of total bewilderment on Merlin's face.
"I'm so glad my years of struggle are entertaining for you, sire," the servant said moodily.
"Oh, Merlin, come on," Arthur said, pulling himself together. "I have been dreading this conversation because I thought you would walk through that door, and I wouldn't recognize you. I thought you would have this other, intimidating sorcerer persona and tell me that the incompetence and clumsiness was all an act. But it wasn't, was it? That's really you. You really are an idiot!"
The warlock stared at the prince in disbelief and the prince grinned right back.
"So…" Merlin said carefully. "You're not angry?"
Arthur thought about it. "Not at the moment, no."
"And we're okay?"
"Yes."
"Because I'm an idiot."
Arthur nodded happily.
"Huh." Merlin tilted his head. It looked as though he was deciding whether or not to be offended.
"So," Arthur leaned back in his chair. "Tell me your story."
(AN: And that's it for this one! Thanks for sticking with it, folks, and keep an eye out for future installments :)