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Arthur gave a slight groan. This is the last thing he has the energy for. His mind was racing trying to think of something he might have done wrong. "Merlin?" His voice was hoarse. Arthur still did not look up at Merlin. His fingers were clutching the blanket.
Merlin wanted to sign but he did not, he gently put his hands over Arthur's trying to give him some form of comfort. "Yes?" His voice was soft, and Arthur could not help but relaxed slightly next to Merlin.
"Did I do something wrong?" Merlin frowned at the question not quite sure what the prince was meaning. "Did I do something wrong against you?" the question came so soft. Merlin gently pressed the prince head up that he could look Arthur in the eyes. "What do you mean?" Merlin's brows where frowned and Arthur suddenly realised, he was the last person to make him look like that.
"What are the wrongs I did against you in the last few years?" Arthur tried to articulate what he wanted to ask. He does not want a kingdom were his people would suffer anymore, he wants to be a fair and just king one day. And truth be told he has no idea how to do it.
"Arthur where is this coming from?" Merlin's voice had disbelieving sound to his voice. Arthur eyes darted back to the blankets on the bed. "I don't want to be like my father Merlin. He builds this kingdom up on pure fear. Blood and military are how he keeps his people in check. How can I do this differently when that is the only why I know how to rule?" Arthur's voice broke and he jumped slightly back when Merlin's hand was suddenly on his cheek. He realised with a start he had started to cry.
"I'm sorry." Arthur curled up into himself. Merlin did not say anything, but he started to pull Arthur out of the foetus positions he had taken up and against his chest. Merlin could feel how Arthur slowly started to relax against him. "The only thing you should truly learn Arthur is to listen. You are going to have advisors and councillors and you need to listen to them. But at the same time, you need to listen to yourself. You will know best what is good for your kingdom, never doubt that." Merlin said it as a whisper into his ear.
Merlin slightly tensed up when Arthur suddenly have both his arms around his waist pulling Merlin closer to him. But he quickly relaxes when he realised Arthur was returning the hug. "What would I have done without you Merlin?" Merin chose not to the answer the question when he realised the answer would have been more than likely dead.
They sat there in silence for a while.
Arthur pushed himself away from Merlin with a slight groan. He would give anything to stay within his arms where he felt safe, but he has work to do and Merlin as well. Merlin gave him a worried look, but he did not say anything else.
"Will you draw a bath for an hour or two before dinner please?" Arthur could not help but grimaced slightly at the thought of begin in the same place as his father alone. The cold pit of fear settled deep within his stomach.
"Off course Arthur." Merlin gave Arthur an encouraging smile. They would be able to do this, it would only need time. "Would you like to eat lunch?" Merlin wondered if he only should get something light for Arthur, but at the same time he knows that it would more than likely be wasted.
Arthur only shook his head. He started to stand up. "Come on, we both have work that needs to be done today." Arthur tried to project some confidence into his own words, but it did not really show. Arthur made his why over to his working table and he watched as Merlin left the room.
His eyes darted over all the paper littered over his desk and gave a slight groan. He had been putting off his own duties and now he would need to play catch up.
The time had flied while Arthur work and he was slightly startled when the door suddenly had opened. He watched as four servants both buckets of water into his room, Merlin was on there heals with something in his hand.
Merin helped them pour the water into the bath and then he put something into the bath, soon the room smelled like lavender. Arthur could feel how he slowly started to relax but he waited until Merlin called for him to come and bath.
Arthur made quick work of his clothing before he stepped into the warm water. Merlin got a stool behind him, still holding a jar of something. They both were silent. Arthur had tensed up again when he realised Merlin would be in a blind spot, but with gently coaching he started to relax again. He knows he can trust Merlin. That Merlin would not hurt him.
A whimper made it past his lips when Merlin slowly started to work the knots out of his back. He could feel himself relaxing more as Merlin hands danced around his back working the stress out of them.
He jumped slightly when Merlin suddenly touch one of the wounds. Merlin made a calming sound. "Please…" Arthur voice trailed off. He was not sure why he said please, what he wanted Merlin to do, but Merlin knew him well and moved his hand away.
Arthur body went slack from the sudden adrenalin that went trough him. "Are you okay?" Merlin voice was soft. Arthur could only nod. He was not sure why he reacted like he did, he just knows that the thought of anyone seeing his back and then touching it had made him panic.
Merlin quickly helped him was. His gently movements made Arthur calmed down for the most part, but the pit of fear was sitting deep in his stomach, he does not know how he would be able to get rid of it, or if it would go away on his own in time.