Merlin chanted the spell against Arthur's amour. It was one of the older ones that didn't fit him properly anymore.

He could see the magic taking a hold on the metal before it started to disappear again. Merlin groaned and sank to the floor. He glared at the book and the at the amour. How is he supposed to do this?

Merlin jumped slightly when the door was pushed open, for a moment it felt like his heart would climb out of his chest before he calmed down when he saw Arthur. Arthur frowned and seem to be deep in thought.

When he saw Merlin and the realisation went through his mind there broke a big grin on his face. For a moment, both just look at each other, before Arthur carefully made his way to Merlin. Pulling him up for a hug.

"How did it go?" Merlin's voice was quiet, he was tired and hungry, and frustrated with the spells not working.

"Alright, for the most part, the council is a little bit against the laws changing, and it took a few debates. Tomorrow we would need to finish it up. But hopefully, after they had slept on it, it would be better." Arthur places a soft kiss on Merlin's head.

"And the common folk?" Merlin pulled Arthur back against him when he moved slightly away.

Arthur's arms tightened around Merlin, he could see from the stuff laying on the floor that Merlin was trying to figure out the spells.

"Well I heard a few booms, and multiple coloured lights in the air, so I think they are happy. You alright?" Arthur's voice softened slightly. He didn't want Merlin to be worried about his magic anymore.

Merlin pulled away from Arthur, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "No matter what spell I try, it just doesn't want to stick to the amour, and there was a bunch of other spells that I had to throw out since they would need to be reapplied after each hit." His voice raised against the end.

A lot of the knights where his friends, he didn't want them to get hurt, and worst of all Arthur would be on the front lines if something does happen.

"Taka a break Merls, it won't help that you force it." Arthur kept eye contact with Merlin, he had seen how Merlin could work himself up and it would just take even longer to figure the problem out.

Merlin knows that Arthur had a point, but at the same time, he didn't want to quiet yet. They don't know how long they have until it reaches Camelot's borders.

"Let's eat dinner, I am sure you didn't eat since this morning." Arthur could see the determination in Merlin's eyes and he knows that Merlin wouldn't rest until he had figured it out.

Arthur gave Merlin an amused smile when he heard his stomach grumble. Arthur went to the door, getting the first servant that he sees to send up food for two.

He was sure that if anyone asked the servants who he was dating, they would pretty much hear the rumours of Merlin.

Before Merlin had a chance to regain his bearings Arthur pulled him down onto the bed, just holding him close. His mind drifted to the council meeting and to his father.

Merlin's eyes were closed when he spoked. "Are you okay? I heard Uther had spoken to you today?" His voice was loud in the quiet room.

Arthur tensed up slightly. He didn't want to think about Uther. "He came and apologised for what he had done." His voice was rough and he pushed his face into the pillow.

"You can always ask him why he did it, Arthur." Merlin kept his voice gently. He knows that Arthur didn't bother to really to keep up with Uther, not after all the pain he had caused.

"Just so that he can tell me he had no idea, and that he was able to resist the spell." Arthur was angry, he didn't understand why Merlin would suggest such a thing.

"Arthur, I want you to make peace, this is something that has been eating you alive and you know it." Merlin's voice was harsh but still low.

"You don't have to forgive him, but you can't keep on walking on eggshells around him. When you see him, you go in another direction." Merlin's voice softens slightly.

Arthur was silent for a few seconds. "I know Merls, but I just can't…" Arthur bit the inside of his lip. "When I see him, all I see was the time he was like that," Arthur whispered the last part.

Merlin rolled up so that he could see Arthur properly. "Then why don't you get him a place near the castle, but not in the castle?" It was a gentle suggestion.

Before Arthur had a chance to answer, was there a knock on the door, and then George came in with two plates. They could hear him give a quick thank you to the guards.

He gave them a bow before he left again.

"Let's just eat please." Arthur glared at the floor. He knows Merlin means well, but at the moment it just wasn't something he wanted to deal with.

"Of course." Merlin gave Arthur's shoulder a slight squeeze and they moved to the table.

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