The atmosphere was icy. Arthur was staring for the most part just at the table. Morgana and Uther were talking softly, trying to pull him into the conversation. After a few moments of seeing that it would be near hopeless to try and pull Arthur into the lull of the conversation, Uther decided to ask him questions directly.
"Are you ready for your hunt tomorrow Arthur?" Uther voice had still the hard note to it, that made everyone fear the king. But Morgana could see that he was trying. She casted a worried glance at Arthur. He was still just picking at his food. Anyone with eyes could see that he had started to lose weight.
Arthur forced himself to look Uther in the eyes. "Yes, father." His voice was slightly strained. Uther could feel the urge to kick himself again. Arthur was his pride and joy for so long, but he had always forced themselves to be distanced with each other.
Morgana could not help but to wonder why they were dinning together. This was not one of Uther's normal dinners, where they would discuss problems in the kingdom. Or when he started to urge her to take a husband that would strengthen Camelot's borders. She narrowed her eyes a little bit. She sits her silver ware silently down.
"Uther, if I may ask why you wanted to dine together?" Her voice was icy. She could see from the corner of her eye that Arthur hand had tighten around his fork. His eyes were down casted to his plate, but she was relatively sure that he had tensed up.
Uther look at his daughter for a long moment.
"I realised that I messed up. I have hurt both of you, in ways that I would never be able to apologise for. The only thing I can try and do is try and change my behaviour to you both. You are both adults and are cable to make your own choices and I should learn to listen to you." Uther words trailed off. There was so much he wanted to say, but he was unsure of how to do it.
Uther suddenly pushed his plate away standing up. "I truly am sorry for the hurt; I have caused both of you." With those words he left the hall. He could only hope with time they would be able to forgive him.
Arthur and Morgana sat there with big eyes, neither of them was sure of how they should respond. Arthur was the first one to reacted. He pushed himself away from the table. "If you are finished, I would escort you back to your room." Morgana almost flinched form how numb Arthur sounded. She just nodded and stand. The walk back to her chambers were fast.
When they got to the door, she quickly pulled Arthur into a hug, she broke it equally as fast. The gesture was just there that she would be there for him.
He gave her a slight grimaced smile and then turn to walk back to his own chambers. Arthur slowly loosed himself in thought. When he realised that he had walked to a tower. The tower was empty these days. He pushed the window open, just watching the stars.
Arthur was unsure of how long he was standing there when he heard footsteps behind him. He froze up slightly when he realised it was Uther.
Uther stood still in the tower room watching his son. He could see the lost look on his face, and he longed to make the situation right.
"Why did you do it?" Arthur voice was soft. Uther walked closer to him. He racked his brain trying to find the words to say. "Truth be told, I do not know." Uther could see how Arthur had tensed up at the answer. He knows the answer is not satisfactory. "I wanted to force you to follow orders, orders I know realised that has caused a mess. Arthur, the only thing I know is that the enchantment made me feel infuriated and disrespected. When you spoke up against me, the only thing I wanted to do was make you bow down. But not once did you." Arthur could hear that Uther was struggling to gather his words, but at the same time he could also feel the disappointment settle deep into his gut.
Before Arthur could say anything, Uther continued. "Arthur, nothing I can say would make anything better. But you need to know, that I am proud of you. I am proud to call you my son. You stood up even when you knew it would lead to a beating and you tried to defend the people. You can be proud Arthur; you would be a great king one day." Uther wanted nothing more than pull his son to him, to give him the comfort he needed.
Arthur bit back a sob. He would not cry now. He can do it when he is back in his chambers. "I'm sorry." Rushed out of Arthur mouth as he run out of the tower to his chamber. He knows Merlin would be there more than likely.
At a few steps he almost fell over his own feet, but he manged to make it back to the room before the tears started to fall. He sinks down onto the floor, slightly biting his fist to try and keep the sobs down.
Arthur was slightly startled when Merlin sat down next to him. "Are you alright?" Arthur tried to take a deep breath to answer Merlin. The only sound that escaped him was a slight coke whimper. When Merlin pulled him down to rest against his chest, he went willingly. "Follow my breathing Arthur." Merlin voice was soft but commanding. Arthur felt himself taking deep breaths in and out. Slowly he started to calm down.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Arthur just shook his head. In truth the only thing he wants to do is get into bed and sleep until he feels better. Merlin just hummed slightly and then pulled him up. Arthur shivered slightly when Merlin pulled himself away.
He quickly helped Arthur into his night clothing. Before helping him into bed. His fingers gently running through Arthur hair until he fell into a deep sleep. Merlin gave him a sad smile, before retiring into the anti-chamber.
Thank you, XX-blade, for your lovely review. I hoped you will enjoy the rest of the story. Please leave a review, constructive criticism is always welcome. You can also find me on tumblr lover-of-midnight.