Arthur woke up with a slight groan, his head was pounding and his mouth dry. He blindly reached for Merlin's hand.

A soft finger traced Arthur's brow, Arthur settled slightly. "How are you feeling darling?" Merlin's voice was low, it was still early in the morning.

"Alright and you?" Arthur pushed himself onto Merlin's chest, just listing to the steady beat of Merlin's heart.

"Good." Merlin ran his finger up and down on Arthur's stomach. "Try and get some more sleep darling, today is going to be a long day." Merlin pressed a kiss onto Arthur's head.

Arthur relaxed against Merlin, soon drifting off again.

When the sun was up, George knocked and bought them both food, he was subdued and only glanced at them. He didn't say a word like he normally would and Merlin couldn't help but have a sense of something was going to happen.

Arthur was quiet as he ate, his eyes on Merlin who paced the room muttering under his breath.

"What's wrong Merlin?" Arthur's voice was soft, his blue eyes showing his concern for his lover.

"Something is going to happen today, But what?" Merlin pinched his nose, closing his eyes for a second before he looked at Arthur.

"Promise me you would be careful today." Something in his voice made Arthur gave Merlin a serious look.

"I promise Merls." Arthur's eyes darted to his sword, maybe it would be better to keep it close by.

Both of them jumped when the servant door opened up and George came rushing in. His eyes were slightly wide and he looked scared. His face pail he glanced at Merlin before bowing before Arthur.

"Sire, permission to speak please." His voice was rushed and his eyes kept on moving through the room as if he suspected that someone would come and jumped on there heads.

"What is it?" Arthur sat a little bit straighter as he watched the servant.

"There is a rumour going that the council wants to act against you, from what I have gathered they rather want your father back on the throne." George didn't want to say the reason why they wanted it.

Merlin bit his lip slightly, he could feel his magic itching for a way out. The same council had laid there promise that they would be loyal to Arthur and now they wanted to go back on there words.

Arthur frowned. "Do you know the reason why they want that?" He should have gotten rid of the council sooner and he had a feeling it would happen today.

George glanced at the floor. "Yes, Sire." But he didn't speak, unsure of how to voice the reason they wanted him out.

"George the reason." Merlin was the one to put some pressure on his friend.

"They are mad that you went with Merlin, they wanted you to marry for an alliance." The words came tumbling out of George's mouth.

Arthur's fist came down on the table with a bang. There was pure fury in his eyes as he tried to figure out what to say.

When he saw the insecurities in Merlin's eyes he knew that there would be a conversation on hand.

"Thank you, George, you are dismissed for the day." Arthur watched as the servant left the same way he came in.

"Merls." Arthur tried to get Merlin to focus.

"They have a point you know." Merlin almost sounded like the death when he said it. His heart ached at the thought of Arthur with someone else. But Merlin knows that he would stay and serve his king for that is his place.

"They don't, we can always adopt or crown Morgana's oldest child to the throne, hell Morgana is to be the crowned princess if something is to happen to me or you. But their point is invalid because I won't be able to love another as I love you." Arthur's hand wrapped around the nap of Merlin's neck.

His head rested against Merlin's.

"I love you." The words were a quiet admission and Merlin could feel a small part of himself accepting the words as the truth.

"As I love you." Merlin pulled Arthur properly close to him. They would face whatever is going to happen together.

And they will survive it may hell come and try to take it from them.

I hope everyone is enjoying the story. Please tell me what you think. I can also be found on Tumblr lover-of-midnight