Arthur was in his own world, while he was drawing. Merlin and he walked in the mornings, and he had started to take up trying with the knights even though he didn't want to be a knight again.
Gwain and Borne were around constantly, with extra guards in front of the doors and under windows. Some days he felt like a prisoner until he remembered that Uther had found out he was in Mercia.
Merlin tried to make up for it, by relieving Gwain and Borne as regularly as he could. When he wasn't in a meeting or busy with kingdom work, he would spend his time with Arthur.
Arthur looked at the medallion he was drawing, the bad feeling that something was going to happen, was pestering him for the last few days.
He hoped that he would be able to get the medallion made before anything could happen. There was a deep sadness in his heart and he wished that it would go away. He had told Merlin about it, and Merlin just doubled the guards that he already had doubled.
"Princess, are you alright?" Gwain gave Arthur a searching look. The omega was just staring at the supplies he had in front of him.
Arthur pushed himself away from the table. He was slightly hunched into himself. "Not really. I can't help but feel that something is going to happen."
"Whatever happens Arthur, we will keep you safe." Gwain was firm, anyone with two eyes could see that the newlyweds were stressed.
Arthur just gave him a look that clearly said he didn't believe it.
"Walk with me please." Arthur's voice was low, as he grabbed the drawing and a coin pouched.
He knows that he doesn't need to worry about money, but he liked it to do something and sell it. His art had made a lot of the nobles in the kingdom happy and helped him save up enough to get the medallion made for Merlin.
The walked was spent in silence as they made their way to the medilst shop.
The transaction went fast, and the old woman's eyes had lit up when she saw the design.
"This is beautiful, child." She traced the paper with her finger, the bear he had used looked protective.
"Thank you, Ma'am." Arthur's voice was low, he didn't want to attract attention to himself. He just wanted to go and spend time with Merlin.
"I will have it ready for you tomorrow. Do you want it delivered to the castle?" Her voice was rough as if she didn't use it a lot.
"Please, Ma'am." Arthur's eyes were trained on the picture. With a bow, the woman turned around walking to the back of the shop.
Gwain sighed. "Why don't we go and see if Merlin is done with the meeting?" He was gentle with the suggestion.
Arthur lite up when he heard the suggestion. Gwain smiled at him. He hoped that Arthur would relax slightly with Merlin around him.
The walked back to the castle, was silent. Gwain kept an eye on the crowd. When they got to the castle, they walked to the council room.
Gwain pulled Arthur to sat down at a bench where they can keep an eye on the door.
When Merlin walked out, Arthur almost pounced on him. The smile Merlin gave him, made Arthur's heart melt slightly.
"Everything alright darling?" Merlin kept his voice low, one of these days Uther would arrive and he would prefer to keep Arthur as far as possible from him.
"Yeah, just missed you." Arthur moved closer to Merlin, just breathing in his scent.
Merlin could hear that Arthur was down, but didn't press the issue, he knows there is nothing that can be done until something happened.
"Want to go for a walk, or just cuddle?" Merlin asks as he pressed a kiss onto Arthur's hair.
"Cuddle." Arthur didn't want to be outside, he just wants to spend every moment with Merlin. Pressed as close as he possibly could be to him.
Merlin gave Arthur a grin before he picked him up. He loved to carry him, Arthur didn't allow it to happen regularly, but today he just curled closer.
With a nod Merlin dismissed Gwain.
The walk to their chambers was silent, both were slightly lost in thought.
When Merlin pulled Arthur closer to his chest, he peppered the side of his face and neck with small kisses.
"Try not to worry darling." Merlin knew how futile that sentence could be.
Arthur turned around so that he could face Merlin properly.
"I'm scared Merls, Uther is going to hate the fact that I am out of his control. He would try to rectify it. What if you get hurt?" Arthur's voice was low, but he kept his eyes on Merlins.
"I know darling, but at the moment is there nothing we can do about it. You are busy to make yourself sick. We will deal with what is going to happen, together." Merlin could see that no matter how he would try and reassure Arthur that the fear would stick.
Arthur simply pressed his face against Merlin's shoulder, trying to hide slightly. He was tired emotionally and physically. It just felt like it is one bad thing after another.
"Sleep darling, I am going nowhere." Merlin pulled Arthur onto his stomach, his one hand ran slightly up and down his back.
Arthur tried to fight the tiredness but soon was lulled into a semi-peaceful nap.
He woke with a start, his face was pale and he jumped slightly when Merlin hushed him. It took him a moment to settle down again.
"It was just a nightmare darling, you are safe." Merlin's voice was soft.
Arthur fisted his hands into Merlin's tunic, he could feel tears burning behind his eyes. Merlin hummed gently.
"Don't go please." Arthur's voice was so soft that Merlin thought he misheard him. When he felt Arthur trying to get closer to him, he wrapped his arms around Arthur, just holding him close.
"I'm not going anywhere darling." Merlin wondered what Arthur had dreamed about, but he didn't ask, from the way he had trashed and cry out, he knows that Arthur would more than likely prefer not to talk about it.
When Theo brought their dinner up, Merlin had to use magic to open the door, since Arthur didn't want him to leave.
"Thank you." With a nod, Theo was dismissed from the room.
Merlin ran his fingers through Arthur's hair. "Come darling, you need to eat." Merlin's voice was firm, they would need to keep their strengths up.
Arthur forced himself upright. He didn't want to eat, but he knew that Merlin had a point. The soup and bread was a small feast, but Arthur quickly noticed that he didn't have much of an appetite.
Merlin gave him a gentle nudge, and he forced a few more bites before he pushed the food away.
When Merlin was done, he quickly placed it on the table, before he lay back down, pulling Arthur onto him.
Arthur kept a firm hold on Merlin. "Don't go." The plea in his voice almost broke Merlin's heart.
"I'm not going anywhere darling." Merlin pressed a chaste kiss against Arthur's lips. "I love you," Merlin said it for the first time.
And Arthur knows it, he was scared to say the same, but the feelings he had for Merlin, was nothing else but love and adoration.
"And I love you." The words were whispered into Merlin's ear.
I hope everyone is still enjoying the story, I can't believe the story is almost at his end. Time sure does fly. Please tell me what you think of the story and constructive critsims is always welcome.
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