One minute he'd been standing by his throne and the next Arthur was once more lying on his back and staring blearily up at the ceiling of the physician's chambers. He hadn't remembered falling asleep, or was this waking up? Things had been calm, he'd been listening to the sorcerers, and then everything had begun to fade to darkness.
Blinking hazily, Arthur's head shifted to the side as blue hues fell on the unconscious form of his servant beside him. Voices murmured around him, but they were garbled and undefined. Yet instead of trying to focus on them, his gaze remained firmly on Merlin. His servant. His friend. His sorcerer.
Blinking again, Arthur settled his eyes on the person beside Merlin, meeting and holding Gaius' concerned gaze. The sleeping draught must have worn off, though his body still felt the weight of sleep as the blonde shoved his hands beneath him and wearily pushed himself up from where he lay.
Turning his head and looking around, he spotted Gwaine across the room by the door, sitting on a stool with his sword drawn and resting across his knees as if he were waiting for someone to burst inside. Or perhaps waiting for someone to try and run. Turning and looking to the man near the back of the room, Alard's eyes met his with a guarded expression.
"Arthur?" His name was the first word to sink in and stick as the King's head sunk into his hands. "Arthur, are you alright?" A deep ache drilled through the blonde's skull but he forced himself to look to the knight who had risen from his seat and neared the King, a look of worry flickering over his features.
"I'm fine." He murmured, though even his voice still carried the thickness of sleep as he ran a hand down his arm. The lingering pain from the dream had faded, but the feeling of clawed fingers tearing into his skin played in the back of his mind like a ghost, making his body shudder at the thought.
His eyes darted back to where Merlin lay motionless beside him and relief shot through him at the lack of blood and charred flesh of his own. Relief that faded quickly however, transforming into hurt and guilt that made its home in his chest.
"What about Merlin? Why hasn't he woken?" Gwaine asked, the sword lowering in his hands as Arthur turned back towards the sorcerer to find his moss colored hues studying him quietly.
"Why hasn't he?" He repeated the question when the silence lingered.
"You did break the curse, didn't you?" The knight cut in, worry hanging in the air as Arthur swallowed, his throat as raw and dry as it had been in the dream. Arching his brows in question at the sorcerer, the man's head tilted a fraction.
"That depends," Alard finally replied, his hands clasping together in his lap as he leaned forwards and fixed the King with a firm stare. "Did you listen?"
"Yes." The blonde ground out, the hatred he'd felt for the man growing as the haze of sleep began to fade. He was responsible for this. For the torture that Merlin went through, for the strain that Arthur had felt. For Merlin's secret ruining everything.
"Then he'll be fine." The sorcerer declared, a thin smile rising as he stood, his cloak shifting against him as Gwaine stepped closer.
"If he's fine then he should be awake." He spat, his hand tightening around his sword as the sorcerer narrowed his eyes.
"Can you blame him?"
"Can you blame me? For being afraid?"
Dropping his head and rubbing at his eyes, Arthur fought to rid the boy's words from his mind as the two men quarreled beside him.
"He's been in a mentally and physically strained state for quite a long time now. Allow the boy to rest and he will wake in time."
Taking a step towards the door the knight blocked his path, his sword rising as the tip pointed at the man's throat. "The deal was that you got to go after Merlin was better. His still being asleep is not better."
"Do you understand what has happened?" The sorcerer asked, his voice unnervingly calm as Arthur sat up and watched them. "His body has gone through every form of torture, caused entirely by his own mind. He will heal, that I promise you, but he could be asleep for hours if not days while he recovers. You cannot expect to keep me here for that long." His voice rose as he finished before his eyes shifted to where Arthur still sat across the cot. "Unless you plan on going back on your word, My Lord?"
Glaring at the sorcerer, Arthur finally looked away and waved his hand. "Gwaine, let him go." He muttered, hearing the knight's boots shuffle against the floor.
"Arthur, you can't-"
"Let him go." He commanded, the ache in his head pounding against his eyes as he met Gwaine's irritated gaze. Gripping his sword tighter, the knight sheathed it angrily and stepped aside while glowering as the sorcerer regarded the King.
"One more thing before I go, My Lord. Did you decide?"
Looking up at him with a narrowed gaze, Arthur repeated the question. "Decide?"
"On where you stand."
"Where will you stand when it all comes to an end?"
The words from his dream in the forest rushed through his mind as Arthur's eyes narrowed. "It was you. You gave me those dreams." He accused as the sorcerer's arrogance gave way to disappointment.
"You still haven't decided, have you?" He questioned as the blonde remained silent, his hands tightening into fists beside him as Alard turned away. "After all you saw, you're still unsure. A pity."
"Do not come back." Arthur called out, staring at the man's back as the sorcerer paused near the door.
"My Lord?"
"I may have promised you your life and your freedom, to which I will keep my word, but if I find you within Camelot's borders again you will be sentenced to death. And mark my words, Alard, I will be the one to do it."
The tension in the air was thick as the sorcerer's gaze hardened. "You've learned nothing, have you?"
"You think this is about your magic?" Arthur scoffed, turning and throwing his legs over the edge of the cot as his feet brushed against the floor. "You attacked the King, and you injured my servant. That is treason, regardless of your affiliations with magic."
Alard's eyes fell away, his hands reaching up and drawing his hood up over his head as the smallest curve of his lips indicated a smile. "For his sake, My Lord, I hope you remember that."
Without another word the sorcerer slipped out the door and closed it softly behind him as Arthur's head turned back to look at Merlin. What exactly had he meant by that? For a moment no one spoke as the blonde turned away from his servant and rubbed at his eyes again.
"What happened?" Gwaine's voice broke through his thoughts, the knight shifting in front of him. "Before you fell asleep you talked about screams, that Merlin heard screaming? So what happened in his head?"
Looking up, Arthur's eyes moved past his knight and instead searched the room. "Where's Gwen?"
The knight's irritation at the avoidance of his question was clear, but he merely sighed. "She's with the council."
"What?" Sitting up straighter he met the man's gaze and found him fidgeting. "Why is she with them?"
Gwaine's eyes darted behind Arthur and when the King turned he found him exchanging a glance with the physician. "Those documents you had her deliver? Whatever they were was not well received by them. In fact they've been waiting for you to clear up whatever it was; Gwen's merely been trying to keep the peace until then."
Closing his eyes tightly and letting out a shallow breath, Arthur cursed quietly. He'd forgotten about them, and the documents. He still stood by his decision, even after all that had happened. But now with Merlin.. Merlin was going to make things much more complicated now.
"Go find her." He finally spoke, meeting Gwaine's pressing stare. "Let her know I'm awake, that I'm fine. And that Merlin will be too."
"But-"
"She'll want to know, Gwaine. And if I step foot anywhere near the council I'll be locked in a room with them for hours. I can't have that." He stated wearily, glancing back at where Merlin still lay. "Not yet."
He could feel the knight's urge to argue, his eyes darting to his friend in concern, but finally he nodded reluctantly and left, leaving Arthur alone with his servant and the physician. Dropping his head into his hands again and rubbing at his temples, the blonde barely even noticed that Gaius had moved until he was right beside the man extending a cup out to him.
"That spell can leave you feeling disoriented." He explained, looking down at the man sympathetically as Arthur took the cup gratefully. Downing the contents quickly, the ache in his head continued to pulse but the rawness of his throat had thankfully faded.
"It can't have been easy." The elder continued, moving towards the table and gathering a few items as he made his way back to his ward. "I imagine the nightmares that plagued Merlin were far worse than we thought."
Shifting on the cot, Arthur moved to the other side and dropped his legs down between himself and Merlin and watched as Gaius placed a fresh cloth across the boy's forehead. "It was." The blonde murmured, his brows drawing together at the way the physician began to change a bandage across the boy's leg.
He worked with as much care as he always had, but as the pieces of what he'd learned started to fall steadily into place, Arthur found himself studying the two intently. How could he not have seen it sooner? The excuses that were always readily at hand, the abundance of tasks that would come seemingly out of nowhere. How had he missed it all this time?
"You've known from the beginning, haven't you?" Arthur asked softly, clasping his hands together as Gaius glanced up momentarily from his work.
"Known about what, Sire?" He questioned, a curious expression morphing his features as the blonde frowned at him.
"Don't treat me like a fool, Gaius. No more. Merlin may have said he was terrified for anyone to find out, but he wouldn't have hidden it from you. You've known since he stepped foot into Camelot, haven't you?" The bitterness in his tone couldn't be masked, not that he had tried very hard to do so.
The elder didn't respond right away, his eyes falling to his ward's leg as he removed a crimson stained bandage and sat back, a neutral mask settling into place as he regarded the King. "To what are you referring to, Your Highness?" The way he asked it only served to aggravate Arthur more, though he had to admit he wasn't all that surprised. Gaius loved Merlin like a son, so there was little shock to knowing he would guard the boy's secret closely.
"His magic, Gaius. Merlin has magic and you've known all along." He stated clearly, his tone leaving no room for any more secrets. The recognition was clear though the moment the words left him, the physician resting his hands on the cot near the boy as his head tilted forwards.
"Yes, I have."
Letting out a heavy breath, Arthur's head fell and his eyes burned into the floor. He knew of course, but it didn't take away the strike of anger he felt at knowing another person he'd trusted had been lying to him. Too many questions were drifting through his mind, too many emotions that all crowded together and made him feel sick the longer he dwelt on them.
"If he had magic," Arthur began, finally deciding on one of the questions he hadn't asked Merlin. "Why didn't he just heal himself?" Tapping his foot a couple of times and pressing it against the floor, his eyes landed on the boy who had yet to stir even once. "I watched him heal himself in his dream, so why didn't he just do that to restore his hearing?"
"He tried." Gaius sighed, a gentle hand resting on Merlin's forearm before he moved to redress the wound. "But his magic reacted poorly with the sorcerer's and caused more damage. The spell hadn't been meant for him, and once it combined with his own power the curse grew and became unmanageable alone."
The explanation only threw more questions into the King's mind, and the realization that he lacked greatly in the knowledge of magic only fueled the irritation that had been steadily rising. "Is that possible? I've never heard of such a thing before." He'd never heard of a lot of things before apparently, but he wasn't about to admit to that either.
Gaius let out a quiet hum in response, a fresh bandage covering the open wound on the boy's leg as the physician gestured towards it. "Think of it like this injury." He offered, knowledgeable eyes catching Arthur's while weathered hands worked expertly. "When the sorcerer cast the curse it had one intended purpose, just like a rock cutting through skin. It was meant to injure, but not destroy."
Arthur turned quiet as the man continued, fingers moving towards Merlin's head and adjusting the cloth carefully. "But then Merlin tried to heal himself and his magic collided with that of Alard's. It made the curse stronger, spreading through his body like an infection. Much like an injury of this sort, if left untreated it can grow and attack other parts of a body. Rather than aiding him, his own magic made the curse worse, a deadly virus that spread and sought to destroy everything it touched."
"Has magic never collided like that before?" Arthur questioned, unable to deny the amount of intrigue that had begun to surface.
"It has, but Merlin's magic is different."
"I was born with it!" The boy's words echoed in his head as the man frowned.
"Because he was born with it?"
Gaius nodded at the blonde's response. "His magic is strong, and where it should have helped him, it reacted the other way. For as powerful as he is and as long as it lasted, he's lucky to still be alive."
"His magic is strong?" Arthur cut in, a short laugh falling out as the elder quirked a brow. "I can't picture Merlin as powerful. A few decent tricks perhaps, but powerful is a stretch." He scoffed, leaning back where he sat as a faint smile rose to the elders face. "What?" Arthur asked, narrowing his eyes at the physician who looked up with a glimmer of amusement.
"Merlin is stronger than you might think, Arthur. In fact, there are some that say he is the most powerful sorcerer to walk the Earth."
"Merlin?" The King gawked, another louder laugh leaving him. "No, no that's not possible. Merlin? That Merlin? No." He shook his head, gesturing towards the limp form between them. Merlin wasn't that powerful, he couldn't be. He was scrawny and unfit and reckless. And brave and caring and always obsessed with helping others.
Merlin had been weak in the dream when he'd cast that first spell, but Arthur couldn't deny the power he'd felt come from him. And the look on the boy's face, it had been one of complete control and confidence. Then of course there had been the magic all around him when he'd first woken up, those voices that had urged him on. He'd thought it had been from the sorcerer's magic, but had that really been Merlin's own?
No, he couldn't believe that. Could he? No. Then again, there were an awful lot of coincidences that followed the boy wherever he went. But Merlin? Most powerful sorcerer? Ever? No, that was too much for him. Not when he was staring at the idiot in front of him that had just been on death's door.
"He's done great things, Arthur." Gaius nodded, his head lowering as he looked back to the boy. Arthur opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a lack for words. What did he say to that? About that?
"If he's some all powerful sorcerer, why the hell is he here?" Closing his eyes and trying to find some semblance of a coherent thought, Arthur gestured towards him again. "Why stay in Camelot where if what he could do was discovered he'd be put to death?"
"I think you already know that answer." Gaius said as the smile he wore remained intact.
"No, no I don't." He said a bit too quickly, unease building at the way the physician looked at him.
Gaius didn't answer right away and Arthur's hands gripped together as the man considered his next words carefully. "The answer is quite simple, really." The elder finally spoke, eyeing the King before he rose from his chair and stepped around the cots. "He stayed because of you, Arthur."
The King's body froze at the words, his back tensing while the physician moved about the room behind him as Arthur swallowed thickly, his eyes staring at the pale face of his servant. "Me?" He scoffed, though there was little feeling put into it as his heart beat faster and guilt began to eat away at the anger he'd been holding on to. "No, you must be mistaken." He shook his head once, eyes never leaving the sleeping boy.
"He cares a great deal for you, Arthur." Gaius spoke from behind, the sound of clattering vials nothing more than a background noise as Arthur's breath hitched. "He's merely too stubborn to admit it. Just as you are."
"Excuse me?" Arthur sputtered, whirling around and looking at where the physician was combining the contents of two vials together. "He lied to me, Gaius. Ever since I've met him he's been lying-"
"And you're still here, watching over him." Gaius stated, shooting the blonde a knowing glance that left the King fumbling to find words.
"I just.. I haven't got the answers I want yet." He finally muttered out, though the brief rush of anger quickly faded as he slouched back and shot an accusatory glare in his servant's direction.
"Here, drink this. It will help your head." The physician walked closer and offered a pale green vial out to the man as Arthur took it and drank it quickly, an herbal taste lingering in his mouth as he twisted the empty bottle in his hands.
He could feel Gaius' gaze lingering on him as he returned to his chair by Merlin's side but Arthur refused to meet it, instead focusing his attention on the floor between his feet until the ache in his head disappeared. Though with all the thoughts running rampant in his mind he did have to wonder if that would ever happen.
He'd thought finding out that Merlin had magic would be the worst thing, but to find out he was powerful? That he was some great magical force? It was too much for him. Gaius had said he'd continued to work for Arthur because he cared, but was that true? Or was it because Camelot had become his home and he just didn't want to leave?
When he'd first arrived, he'd had magic then hadn't he? He knew the risks, he knew what might happen, yet he'd stayed. He hadn't even met Arthur at that point, and when he finally had they'd hated each other. So was that just another lie?
He couldn't take it any longer, his thoughts and questions and irritations all colliding and fighting with one another as the King rose from the cot and moved to the chair the sorcerer had been in earlier, the blonde's back pressing against the wall as his arms folded across his chest and he stared in silence at the boy.
He didn't look any better than he had, though his breathing wasn't as laborious as it had been. That was a good sign, wasn't it? He didn't want to see him suffer, liar though he may be.
"And you're still here, watching over him."
Looking away, the blonde's hands tightened against his chest, glaring at the edge of the cot. He'd trusted that idiot with everything and instead of being told what he had, what he could do, he'd been forced to find out in the worst possible way. Not out of choice, but out of no other option.
Merlin never would have told him, would he? So then what, was anything he'd been told true? He couldn't believe the boy would outright lie about so many things, but then again he'd have never believed that Merlin had magic either. Although when he thought about it, it did explain his actions. His aversion to the executions, the way he behaved when a sorcerer attacked them. All those times he'd go running off places or when he'd disappear for days on end.
Arthur made jokes, but never for a moment did he believe Merlin to be cowardly. In fact, he was one of the bravest men Arthur had ever met. He'd always thought Merlin just cared too much. That his kindness towards strangers and those in need caused him to never say no. But finding out he had magic, that he was doing all those things even when Arthur wasn't around made it sink in even more.
"I would never use magic to harm anyone, only to aid." The sorceress' words played through his mind from the dream's trials and Arthur found his eyes seeking out Merlin again. He'd never used his magic to hurt people, only to help them. That was something he could believe.
Guilt prodded at the King's chest, but he forced it away and allowed his hurt to resurface, his mouth setting into a firm line. Perhaps Merlin had used his magic to help others, to help him even, but he couldn't get over the lies. Merlin had been there through Morgana, through his father, through just about everything. He should have known how important his trust in him had been.
Arthur still would have been furious, but it would have been different if the boy had come to him. But to be forced into using his magic? It only solidified what he'd believed. Merlin never would have told him, he'd have just gone on, continuing to hide his magic and sneaking behind the King's back.
Arthur's time in thought turned from minutes into hours, moving from place to place in the physician's chambers but never straying far from the servant who had yet to stir. Gwen had come as soon as she'd heard, her relief for his safety and hope for Merlin's a calming force that helped to ground him. She and Gwaine had pestered for the first few minutes, asking what had happened, but Arthur couldn't bring himself to discuss it.
He could hardly get his head around what had occurred, what he'd learned. So how could he possibly explain it to them? Besides, there was a piece of him that didn't want them to know about Merlin yet. It wasn't his place to tell them, and until he sorted things out with the council the more that knew of his magic the more danger he was in. So instead he'd fallen quiet, letting his spiraling thoughts draw him away while Gaius and Gwen took turns watching over the unconscious boy.
His fever had broken after the first hour, and as the second rolled around he had begun to regain some color. Arthur was relieved, but he felt nerves creeping over him as well. What was he to say when Merlin awoke? What was there that he could say?
The second hour turned into the third and the third into the fourth. Gwen had gone to cancel meetings for Arthur and Gwaine had collapsed in Merlin's room after being up all night watching over them.
By the fifth hour Arthur was growing restless and Merlin was still as motionless as ever. Gaius had spent his time checking on Merlin and puttering about with his work before he'd gathered supplies together to deliver in the Lower Town. "I shouldn't be long, but send Gwaine if anything happens." He'd told the King before he'd gone out and left the two alone.
Arthur had been relieved at first, glad to have some time without the bustling of others around him. But as the time continued to pass and Merlin had yet to even flinch he was growing impatient. By the sixth hour Arthur had moved to the chair Gaius had vacated, sitting beside the boy's cot as he weighed his options with the council.
He wouldn't be able to avoid them for much longer, although he really didn't want to deal with them. He would stand by his decision, wouldn't he? Even though once word got out about it and Merlin things would get infinitely more complicated. How had all this happened?
Dropping his head into his hands and running his fingers through his hair, he heard the cot beside him shift. Looking up, the blonde's eyes landed on his servant whose head had begun to move. Sitting up and clasping his hands together, Arthur waited anxiously as a faint groan sounded from the boy before blue eyes pulled open.
He blinked a couple of times before his eyes closed again and his head shifted towards the King. When they opened once more it took a moment for them to settle and another for recognition to flicker across his face.
"Arthur.." He murmured, the strained word barely audible as Arthur swallowed down his relief.
"It's about time you woke up." The blonde stated coolly, watching with masked amusement as the boy's eyes widened and he began to sit up. The effect was instantaneous, his body barely rising before he was falling back and his face was scrunching up in pain.
"Don't move, you idiot." Arthur grumbled, gripping his hands tighter to keep himself from moving to the other's aid. He was still angry and hurt and confused. He couldn't let things slide out of worry, not just yet.
When Merlin's expression eased and his eyes opened again, the amount of relief and joy on his face was nearly indescribable. "The curse.." He croaked, and suddenly the King understood.
"It's broken." He nodded, leaning back in his seat. "You're welcome."
The boy blinked again and the joy melted into guilt, blue hues darting away as Arthur redirected his own gaze. Shifting on the cot, the boy managed to sit up slowly on his second try, a stifled groan slipping out as he shuddered, a tremor running through his slight frame. Neither spoke for several moments, Arthur keeping his eyes firmly on the floor as the servant clasped and unclasped his hands over and over again.
"Arthur-"
"You were right." The King cut in, the words jumping out and catching the servant off guard as Merlin's eyes widened. "Just this once, you were right. You didn't betray me." Arthur spoke slowly, leaning forwards and propping his elbows against his knees as he studied the boy in front of him. "But I was right too." Folding his hands together, Arthur worked to keep his voice level. "You lied to me, and I can't just get over that."
The boy's head bobbed briefly, his eyes falling onto his hands. "I know." His voice cracked with effort, Merlin wincing as Arthur stood and walked across the room, feeling the servant's eyes on him as he did. Returning to his chair a moment later, he extended a cup of water out to him as the dark haired boy looked up warily. Taking it carefully, his hand shook as he lifted it to his lips and took a long drink.
Another few moments of silence lapsed as he drank, emptying the cup and setting it in his lap, his fingers curling around it tightly. When he still hadn't spoken, Arthur shifted where he sat, moving to the edge of his seat and staring at the boy's weak form.
"Magic is still banned within Camelot." He said with a deep breath as Merlin's finger ran across the rim of his cup. "And I can't pretend that I don't know what you are, what you can do."
"So what happens now?" Merlin asked, the rawness of his voice gone as his eyes lifted to Arthur's.
"I don't know." He admitted softly, spotting the way the boy's brows raised. "I've just.. I've got to get my head around all of this first."
"Around what?" Merlin questioned, his eyes falling as his finger began to circle the rim of his cup again. "I thought you didn't care about my magic."
"What?" Arthur gaped, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, Merlin, I-I cared more that you lied to me, but your magic it.. I still have to process that you have it. That you're.. you're a.. a sorcerer of all things, you."
"You don't have to say it like it's the worst thing in the world." He commented dryly, tapping his fingers against the cup as Arthur stared.
"Isn't it though?" That got his attention. As Merlin turned his head to face Arthur, the King tossed his hands up while falling back in his chair. "Nothing will be the same again, Merlin. You understand that, don't you? It can't be."
"Because of my magic."
"Because of the law." Arthur grimaced, scraping his hand through his hair in frustration. "And the fact that you went against it. Merlin I-" His words cut off as a lump formed in his throat, concern for the boy rising again. "I can't change the law overnight." He finally forced out, his hand covering his mouth as he sighed. "I don't know what to do here, Merlin, I really don't."
He could hear it in his own voice, in the way his words came out in such exasperation. He wouldn't let anything happen to Merlin, he already knew that. But what in the meantime? What was he meant to do? Let him wander about the citadel? Continue to aid Gaius? If anyone found out about his magic, about what he could do, and they found out Arthur knew? No one would listen to him anymore. He'd be a hypocrite in his own kingdom.
"I know, Arthur." Merlin said softly, drawing the blonde back to reality as he met his gaze.
"I don't think you do." He uttered quietly as the boy barely nodded.
"I do. You're worried what will happen if people find out. If they learn about my magic."
"I know why you hid it. I'm not saying I approve, but I know why you did." The King stated firmly, sitting back up and eyeing him. "But I can't stand by the law and persecute those that go against it when my own servant practices it. What kind of a King does that make me at that point? What kind of King has that made me already?"
"What do you want me to do, Arthur?" He asked, pained blue eyes focusing on the man wearily. "Do you want me to leave? Because I won't. I already told you I won't leave my home and I won't leave you."
"He cares a great deal for you, Arthur."
"I'd rather go to trial for my magic." He finished, the statement bringing a wave of horror crashing down over the King.
"No, Merlin, do you have a death wish?" He demanded as the boy sighed.
"Of course not, but I know you, Arthur, I trust you." Gripping the cup tighter, a weak smile tugged at the corner of the servant's mouth. "Maybe I didn't with my magic, and maybe I should've. But I trust you with this. I won't leave my home, so whatever you have to do, whatever happens, let it."
Arthur couldn't speak. He could feel his mouth opening, but there were no words that would come out. He found however that the anger and the hurt had disappeared almost entirely, and in its place was shock. How could he sit there and say those things?
"Why are you so damned stubborn?" Arthur cursed, a flicker of amusement lighting up the boy's face.
"I have to be when dealing with you."
"Merlin-"
"I believe in you, Arthur." He cut in, an earnest expression resting over him. "I always have. You're a great King, bit of a prat at times-"
"Merlin."
"But you're fair. You listened to those sorcerer's, and maybe it's too late for them, but I know what that took. Camelot has never had a finer King, you've proven that. So whatever has to be done, I'll accept it."
Arthur found himself staring when he finished, the boy keeping hold of his gaze as the King's mind raced. Damn him. Damn him and his foolishly noble self. How could he sit there and not try to fight? To not bargain?
"I am loyal to you, Arthur. Only you!"
"You're an idiot." He muttered out, finally breaking their stare as Merlin's shoulders slouched with a weak laugh.
"Better than being a dollop head." He remarked as Arthur rose from his chair and made his way stiffly across the room.
He'd been avoiding the council for hours. He'd thought because he needed time, needed to rethink the things that had happened. But all he'd really needed was a reason. And maybe that was what had kept him there aside from the concern. But he was ready now. He knew what to do, what to say, and damn those that would try to fight him on it.
"Arthur.. Thank you for helping me, for not giving up or leaving me once you knew."
Because he'd been fighting with himself all this time trying to figure out the reason. Was it for the benefit of his kingdom or those of his people? But the answer had been in front of him all along, hadn't it? So what was the point in trying to deny it anymore?
"Don't be such a girl, Merlin. I wasn't going to just let you die."
Everything he'd done, it was already obvious for those around him. It was for him. All of it, he couldn't even ignore it anymore. And as he strode out the door, he found a small smile on his face and a newfound determination rising within him. Because it had finally sunk in that it was for Merlin. It had always been for Merlin. And he'd be damned if he let a law founded on a biased opinion take away someone else that he cared about.
A/N
Remember when I thought these chapters were gonna be shorter? Yeah, I was foolishly naive. Fun fact – this chapter was supposed to be MAJOR angst and then at the very end I was like no fuck it throw in FLUFF. So, you're welcome! Enjoy it like I did! I'm still grinning while editing this, they're too damn cute. Someone wanna be my friend like this? Anyone? I need this kind of bond in my life.
One chapter left, and my luck it's gonna be a short novel cause I have one last scene with Alard planned that will give a little insight to why the curse happened in the first place, so stay tuned!
I hope you guys enjoyed, and if you did I'd love a comment! I get crazy excited whenever my email alerts me ^-^ so yeah, I'll see you guys soon with the final chapter to this crazy adventure!