ThAnks for the comments and keep them coming.
I don't own Merlin or Arthur or Camelot:(
Enjoy:)
Arthur carried Merlin back to their chambers as he slept. He had already arranged for the events of the festival to be taken care of. He watched Merlin as he slept and then decided to lay down beside him.
He must have fallen asleep because next thing he knew he woke up sweating. Merlin was curled up next to him purring. Arthur smiled and petted the soft ears.
The omega stirred, "Arthur?"
"I'm here love, how are you feeling?" He asked watching his poor mate.
He could see the fear cross his features, "Arthur, Alpha, it's all my fault. I've ruined everything, I'm so sorry."
Arthur tried to shush him as the warlock kept babbling. Finally he just kissed him and felt the other boy's mouth still. He pulled away and Merlin offers his neck in submission. The blond king kissed him there in acknowledgement. He could still feel warmth rolling off his mate, "are you feeling okay, besides this whole ordeal?"
Merlin nodded and snuggled closure. He was curled up just like a kitten. Arthur smiled and laid back down.
They spent that day in bed and the next morning dawned with Merlin feeling better but still feeling warm to the touch. As Gaius came to take the bandages off, he asked again, "Are you sure you're alright? You've been warm the past day."
"Gaius tell him I'm fine!" Merlin growled.
"Sire, I have to agree, he looks no worst for wear. It's probably just his body's reaction to healing," the physician replied.
Arthur sighed and decided to drop it for now. It was the beginning of the third day of the festival and only two days before he left. He really needed to speak with his husband about that so he needed him to stay around.
Before he could Merlin was off running the omega centered events.
He sighed and continued to get ready, when Morgana came in. "You got him hurt again! How are you so bad at this?" She asked.
He glared at her, "I'm not doing it on purpose! He was with a damn dragon Morgana, he asked me to trust him, so I did! He agreed to having Sir Percival and Freya with him at all the times I'm not. We're dealing with it!"
"I realize that dear brother, but what has this last episode cost him?" She asked watching him.
"I fear that the most," he whispered. "It was terrifying to think that I was almost too late to save him."
She smiled and set a hand on his back, "I will watch him too, what concerns you the most?"
Arthur ran his fingers through his hair, "He seems fine, I'm glad he is but I fear he's not actually at all anywhere near fine with all of this. He won't let me in 'gana."
Morgana hugged him smiling at the pet name, "Arthur, he's probably fine, you got there in time so he probably won't slip as far, if at all. You proved that you'll be there."
"He blames himself," the king replied walking away from his sister.
"I imagine he would. Just let him come to you first okay? It might happen or it might not and you have to be okay with either," she replied and then left him with his thoughts.
He decided to go and watch the tournament. The alphas were all very strong and indeed great at their specific skills. He watched the secondary and quarterfinal rounds of each. The finals would be held the following day, which would also be shared by a mixed meal and the mating ball, celebrating all pairs. He was sure that he wouldn't get to talk with Merlin until then.
He was correct in the part that he didn't see Merlin that day but the next morning found his mate beside him. He tried to get the omega up but he kept snuggling back into him, not that he was objecting, but they had duties.
"Come on Merlin, time to get up!" He tried again.
Merlin whined, "No, we can just stay here!" He burrowed his now burning hot body into Arthur's torso.
"Merlin, we have to host this last day, then we can lay in bed tonight." 'And then I have to leave in the morning,' he added in his head. He had given up on trying to explain it anymore, he was just going to endure it tomorrow morning.
Merlin curled up tighter and refused to move, so Arthur got out of bed and got ready for the day. He got back to the bed and found Merlin curled up in the pile of blankets and pillows that were on their bed. He smiled but then decided to make him get up. He picked the omega up along with a few blankets he was clinging to.
"Merlin, you are usually the morning person here, what's wrong?" Arthur laughed setting his mate down.
Merlin scrambled back but the alpha grabbed him, "Stop! I just want to stay in bed!"
"Why? You were so excited for this event and now it is here. Come and enjoy it with me," Arthur replied trying to ignore his mate pulling away from him. It hurt even if Merlin didn't mean it to.
"Because it's warm and safe," he cried and finally broke from the alphas grasp.
Arthur just wanted to leave after all of this so he got Freya and then went out to the tournament finals. It hurt too much to think about so he threw himself into watching the events, but still holding a tiny hope that he would see Merlin arrive.
Morgana arrived later just as Elyan was in the finals of jousting. Arthur's heart sank as she took the seat beside him.
"Your mate has a slight fever and refuses to leave, so I'm stepping in. You can go see him," she said watching as the two competitors lined up.
"He doesn't want me," he said as the horses ran towards each other.
"Shut up! He does too! He's just not himself," she replied.
Arthur shook it off and went back to the castle ensuring that everything was done for tonight. He walked within the halls and was surrounded by Merlin's scent. He looked around for his mate but couldn't find him, so he continued.
He walked into the dining room and saw the food and dishes all set out. He could see that everything was handled and was hit with Merlin's scent again.
The omega walked up and hugged into his side. "I was looking for you," he said hugged his hot body against Arthur's own.
"Merlin, you're sick, go back to bed," he replied rubbing his back.
"No I need to be at your side," he replied.
Arthur rolled his eyes, "No you don't. Go back to bed and I'll check in on you after midday."
Merlin clung to him, "I'm not leaving, I NEED to be here."
Arthur moved to their thrones knowing that everyone would be here soon. "Okay Merlin, but if you start feeling sick again go back to bed."
Merlin shook his head as he sat down, "I can't, I'll mess it all up."
Arthur just laughed and sat down himself.
The omegas enter first since they had been in the stands watching the alphas compete. Morgana came and sat next to Merlin and they began to talk. The alphas entered next, with the champions in front. They all mingled with the waiting omegas and began to take their seats. Everyone ate the small meal quickly and were soon milling around again.
Many alphas came up to the main table and Arthur assumed they wanted to speak with him about strategy or skills. But they were gathered in front of Merlin who ignored them and instead looked at Arthur. His heart warmed at this and he sent a warning growl at the others alphas.
Merlin was startled, "What was that for?"
Arthur chuckled, "They were looking at you like a piece of meat."
"Oh, thank you," he said cuddling close as he could in his own throne.
As everyone left, Arthur led Merlin into the large gathering hall that would hold the ball that evening. He explained how everything was set up and how he saw things happening. He turned to ask Merlin if the was alright when he was met with the beautiful blue orbs that were filled with love and adoration.
The alpha chuckled, "Did you hear a word I just said?"
Merlin blinked and then nodded, "Of course and everything is just fine. Can we go back to our room?"
Arthur nodded and they walked back. Merlin immediately climbed back into the bed and arranged the blankets and pillows. He curled back up and laid down.
The alpha grabbed him and pulled him off the bed, "No, Merlin they all expect you there tonight."
"But your messing it up! I worked so hard to get it right and now you've messed it up!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Arthur said almost laughing at how distressed Merlin was over something so trivial.
"The bedding, it was perfect and you ruined it you clotpole!" Merlin said with such conviction that Arthur just had to laugh.
He tried to stifle his laughter and said, "George will fix it, I promise."
Merlin growled and pulled away, "I'm getting ready with Morgana!" He stormed out but Freya stopped and bowed while grabbing Merlin's robes and crown.
Arthur shook his head and quickly got ready. He didn't understand what was wrong with his omega but he figure it couldn't be serious if Gaius and Morgana weren't worried. Merlin would calm down and be happy after the party was over, even if it would be short lived happiness.
He walked down to the hall dressed in his red tunic and jacket. His crown was sitting on his brow and his cape flowed behind him. His sword was a familiar weight against his hip.
Arthur entered the hall and found Merlin speaking with a few omegas. He went to speak with him when Morgana grabbed his arm.
"Arthur keep an eye on Merlin tonight," she pleaded.
He nodded, "Of course, just like I always do."
She shook her head, "I mean pay attention to him, I don't exactly know what is going on but I also won't tell you because I don't want to worry you."
"Morgana this isn't helping," he said.
She walked away and he continued his course towards his mate. Everyone would be here tonight because it would celebrate the bonds formed and those already existing.
Arthur stood behind Merlin and wrapped his arms around his waist. He leaned his chin onto his neck and inhaled the wonderful scent. Merlin leaned into his grip and continued to speak. The alpha wasn't paying attention but then he heard the two female omegas depart.
Merlin turned in his grasp and kissed Arthur on the lips. He pulled away, "I'm sorry, I blew up over something stupid. I think I know what's the matter with me lately, but we can't talk here."
"Then let's leave," he said holding Merlin close.
Merlin smiled up at him, "While I would love that, it won't help either way. I'll let you know if we need to leave early."
Arthur didn't like this waiting, "Promise you'll tell me later."
"You'll be the first to know I think," Merlin said with a mischievous smile that he could've only learned from Morgana.
Arthur groaned and then walked with his omega around and visited with their guests. Many omegas he recognized from his own presentations now had mates and he was genuinely happy for them.
The music started later and Arthur asked Merlin to accompany him the floor. They danced first as the kings of Camelot and soon others joined. The omega held onto him like a lifeline as they spun and he blushed whenever he accidentally stepped on his feet. Arthur kept telling him things about the different people dancing around them. Merlin laughed and blushed at some of the scandals mentioned. The alpha found it endearing and he wanted to keep Merlin here forever, even if he was crating enough body heat for both of them.
Soon food was brought out and the kings walked over. Merlin just looked at the food while sipping his wine. Arthur ate and kept offering his mate food but he refused.
After people had eaten, music started again and some of the noble women asked Arthur to dance. Merlin encouraged it and soon found himself in the arms of Arthur's own knights. The blonde made a mental note to thank them later.
Five dances had passed when Lancelot came up and tapped Arthur's shoulder, "Sire, Morgana has taken Merlin back to your chambers."
Arthur's mind cleared and he focused, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Sire, you just need to talk with Merlin first," Lancelot said.
Arthur ran from the hall and found Merlin's scent everywhere and strong. He shook his head to clear it and ran to his chambers hoping that everyone else could explain this to their guests.
He burst into their chambers to find Merlin still rearranging blankets and pillows. He would rub a few on his face and then replace them. His scent was so strong here and he followed it before Morgana stopped him. He started to growl before she smacked him.
"Hush, let me explain." She said, "We believe Merlin is going into his first heat."
"But how? He's too young!" Arthur asked trying to clear his head.
"Gaius believes it has to do with the fact that he's magic born and not naturally born, but really your fighting this?" She asked her eye brown raised.
"No just really confused," the king replied. He was becoming overwhelmed and really didn't want to discuss it with his sister.
"Okay, but he won't be coming into it fully until a little while longer. It just figures that your underaged mate would come into heat before I do," she sighed.
"Really Morgana, I have other things to worry about," he said pushing her out of the room.
Arthur thought over everything the nest making, the refusing food, the closeness, and the overly loving actions. He was presenting with everything a normal omega would before going into heat but Arthur ignored it because Merlin was too young.
He turned and Merlin just kept arranging blankets as Arthur came up behind him, "I'm sorry I didn't understand."
Merlin mewled and curled in close to his mate. They laid down and fell asleep in their nest waiting for his heat to fully come on.
Okay I was going to continue but needed a small break from writing so that I could do this next part justice. It deserves it and will be great.
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