XII. Love in a Time of Peace
Arthur stands in the portico at the entrance to the stables, waiting for the stablehands to bring his stallion Hengroen into the courtyard. When he arrived earlier, he had expected to find his horse already saddled and prepared for his ride with Mithian and Merlin this afternoon. Instead, the young Henry, Sir Rupert's personal stableboy, informed Arthur that a strap at Hengroen's breastplate needed to be replaced. The stablehands were almost done, though, so it shouldn't take much longer.
Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, Arthur hears footsteps on the cobblestone and looks up. He spots Merlin coming down the stairs, a sullen expression on his face as he walks straight to Sir Rupert, who is already waiting for him in the courtyard. Before Arthur can say something, Merlin starts talking to Sir Rupert aloud, not making an effort to keep his voice down.
"This is ridiculous! As if the forest around the castle is full of bandits and evil sorcerers just waiting for an opportunity to kill him." Merlin shakes his head, before straightening the blanket of Sir Rupert's saddle – although it's perfectly straight as far as Arthur can tell.
"I mean, seriously," Merlin continues, apparently completely unaware that Arthur is standing only a short distance away. "You'd think the King of Camelot would be safe in the heart of Camelot. And it's not like he can't take care of himself. But no, I have to accompany Arthur and Mithian to their picnic. Because, as we've just established, absolutely everyone is out there to get him, and he's completely helpless on his own. And of course, I have nothing better to do than to go for a ride with the two of them." Merlin snorts, shaking his head, before he checks Sir Rupert's girth.
The stablehand, who is holding Mithian's dark brown stallion a few feet away from Merlin and Sir Rupert, has seen Arthur standing at the entrance of the stables, and he looks anxiously from Merlin to his king and back again.
Frowning, Arthur steps out of the portico. Before he can get very far, however, Mithian comes down the stairs into the courtyard, and Arthur pauses to watch her. She looks beautiful. Her hair is braided in two long braids, and she's wearing a wide, elegant coat with a high collar and puffed sleeves in a floral pattern in dark green and burgundy. A brown belt is holding the coat together at her waist, and instead of a dress, she's chosen a burgundy bodice and dark trousers to wear underneath. Since it had been planned that King Rodor and Mithian would stay in Camelot for a few days after the tournament, Arthur is not surprised that Mithian brought clothes for a ride or a hunt in addition to her dresses for the tournament and the feasts. [12]
King Llywarch and his son Owain, along with the knights from their kingdom, had departed that morning. Afterward, Arthur met with King Rodor in the council chamber to settle their dispute about Gedref. However, when Arthur told Rodor that he was willing to cede his claim on Gedref under the sole condition that the people currently living there would be allowed to stay, the negotiations ended very quickly. Nevertheless, Arthur offered Rodor to stay in Camelot for a few more days so that Arthur could spend time with Princess Mithian. Rodor agreed, clearly pleased by Arthur's interest in his daughter, and Arthur didn't hesitate to invite Mithian for a ride and a picnic in the afternoon.
After Mithian reaches the landing of the stairs in the courtyard, she walks toward her horse and when she spots Arthur coming toward her, she smiles at him.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Arthur returns her smile, shaking his head. "You haven't kept us waiting," he assures her. "My horse is not even here yet."
Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur sees Merlin glancing at him with a scowl, before he climbs onto Sir Rupert's back. Arthur frowns again, but before he can decide if he should talk to Merlin right now, hoofbeats on the cobblestone announce Hengroen being brought into the courtyard.
The stablehand holding Mithian's stallion helps her mount her horse, and Arthur climbs into the saddle as well.
After Mithian picks up her horse's reins, making sure they don't get tangled in the long wavy mane, she turns to Merlin. "Lord Emrys, it's very kind of you to accompany us for our protection. I'm sure there are many important things that need your attention."
Merlin manages a polite smile, but before he can reply, Sir Rupert answers for him. "Oh, I can assure you, milady, that is indeed the case. The duties of a Court Sorcerer are sheer endless."
Mithian's eyes widen, as she stares at Sir Rupert, slowly realizing that the horse has just spoken to her.
"Princess Mithian, may I introduce Sir Rupert," Arthur says, gesturing toward the gray horse. "He's one of Camelot's finest warhorses, and an incident last year resulted in him coming in contact with a considerable amount of magic. Now he's as intelligent as you and me."
Mithian blinks at Arthur a few times, before looking at Sir Rupert again and trying for a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Rupert," she offers tentatively.
"The pleasure is all mine," the horse replies, inclining his head briefly.
Arthur casts a sidelong glance at Merlin, but he doesn't look like he's going to respond to Sir Rupert's comment. Instead, he's looking straight ahead, his expression sullen, and after a moment, Arthur urges Hengroen forward.
"Shall we?" he says, and Mithian nods with a smile, before guiding her horse to walk next to Arthur's stallion.
Shortly afterward, they ride next to each other through the streets of the Lower Town, with Merlin and Sir Rupert following behind them.
The people on the street step aside to let their king pass, inclining their heads in a bow and smiling, before they return to their daily tasks. Arthur acknowledges the people with a few brief nods, while reaching out to Merlin with his mind.
"What is the matter with you? If you had told me you didn't want to come, I would have taken Lancelot or Galahad with us. I just thought it would be nice if you and Mithian could get to know each other, too."
Across their bond, Arthur detects a snort. "If you really want to know, there are actually important things that I need to take care of instead of riding through the forest and having a picnic."
Arthur frowns. "Really? That's the reason?" he asks dubiously, because he can't quite believe that Merlin's bad mood is a result of not being able to finish whatever task he had planned for today.
"Yes, of course. What did you expect? It's not like I'm jealous or something, because that would be completely ridiculous."
However, Arthur does receive a feeling of envy and resentment from Merlin across their bond, and he has to refrain from turning around to frown at him in disbelief.
"You can't actually be jealous," Arthur says instead. "There is absolutely no reason for that."
"Of course, there isn't. Why would I be jealous of your future queen?"
The problem with having a conversation in your mind is that you can't hide your true feelings, and Arthur senses that Merlin is indeed jealous of Mithian. Reaching out through their bond with a comforting warmth, Arthur tries to make Merlin feel how much he loves him.
"Merlin, you were the one who said she was the perfect choice because, after all, I already liked her a lot in the other time," Arthur says softly. "And you liked her too, if I remember correctly."
Merlin sighs. "I know," he replies miserably. "And I did like her. But now that I actually see you together, I don't like the prospect of having to share you with her."
Arthur thinks about what he could say in response, but he can't think of anything. "And what am I supposed to do now?" he finally asks.
"I don't know," Merlin replies with a scowl. "It was my idea, but I didn't realize that I would not have you all to myself any more so soon already."
"I don't have to marry her right away" Arthur says gently, brushing his mind soothingly against Merlin's. "And I didn't even intend to ask her father for her hand in the next few days. Under Camelot's old laws, she wouldn't have been old enough to be crowned queen for another three years. That means we have time."
Arthur can feel a cautious trickle of hope from Merlin.
"You would wait for another year or two? Even though the council is pressuring you to marry?"
Smiling fondly, Arthur once again reaches out to Merlin through their connection with a comforting warmth of love and understanding.
"Yes, of course. Don't worry about the council. I can handle them. And Mithian could come to Camelot a few more times, or I could visit Nemeth. And then in a year or two I can ask her to become my wife. I'm still young in this time, and so is Mithian. This is just an opportunity for us to get to know each other. And by we, I mean the three of us. That's why I wanted you to accompany us to this picnic."
Arthur can sense that Merlin's frustration has completely vanished by now. Instead, he feels like an idiot.
"I'm sorry," Merlin says contritely. "I have no idea what's gotten into me."
"It's all right. Don't worry about it," Arthur reassures him. "I guess it's my fault. I should have talked to you."
Arthur can feel Merlin roll his eyes. "No, it's not your fault. I could have said something, too."
"All right, then let's agree that we're both to blame and enjoy a wonderful picnic with my possible future wife. I'll even promise that I won't make you carry all the baskets by yourself this time," Arthur says, and he can hear how Merlin is trying to stifle his snort behind him.
"So, did you enjoy the tournament, Princess Mithian?" Arthur asks, before taking another sip of wine from his cup. He's propped up on one elbow, lying on his side on the dark blue blanket they have spread out in a small, shady clearing.
Merlin sits next to Arthur, and he has the strange feeling that this is the same clearing they had chosen for their picnic in the other time as well.
Mithian has settled down across from them, and just like Arthur and Merlin, she has a cup of wine in one hand. If she finds it odd that Merlin is joining her and Arthur for their picnic, instead of standing guard and giving them privacy, she doesn't let it show. The food Arthur has ordered to be prepared for their picnic is spread out on the blanket between them, and especially the little tarts filled with dried fruit and nuts are delicious.
Mithian considers Arthur's question, putting down the rest of her fruit tart. "It was a formidable display of knightly skills, sire," she finally says politely.
Arthur raises his eyebrows. "So, you didn't enjoy it? And you can call me Arthur. It's just us here. Well, and Merlin, but he doesn't count."
Mithian shifts slightly on the blanket, smiling sheepishly, and Merlin isn't sure whether the reason is that Arthur saw through her very diplomatic answer, made a joke at Merlin's expense, or offered her to call him by his name.
Mithian's eyes flicker to Merlin briefly, but he just smiles at her, indicating that he's not annoyed by Arthur's comment.
"I can understand the desire to test one's abilities against the best knights of the realms in battle," Mithian says after a moment, choosing her words carefully. "But I'm not sure the joust is the best way to do that. Fighting on horseback is an important part of a knight's training, but jousting is a dangerous endeavor that all too often results in grave injuries or even death."
She looks at Arthur, a challenging expression in her eyes. Arthur, however, just nods.
"I agree with you."
Mithian blinks at him in surprise. "You do?"
"Yes," Arthur replies with a smile. "And for that reason, I had Merlin place protection spells on all the knight's armor and shields."
Mithian's mouth drops open at that revelation, and she looks first at Merlin, who meets her gaze with a grin, and then at Arthur, who just shrugs.
"Participating in a tournament to determine the best knight of all the realms should not result in being crippled for life," he simply says.
"And that's why I made sure no one got seriously injured," Merlin adds.
"Is that why you allowed your sister to participate until the end?" Mithian asks, raising an eyebrow, and Merlin is pleased to note that she is still as straightforward as the Mithian in the other time had been.
Arthur tries to look as innocently as possible, but the corners of his mouth twitch. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Mithian eyes him closely, before a knowing smile appears on her lips. "I think what Princess Morgana did was very brave," she finally says, lifting her chin.
Arthur snorts. "Yes, but also very risky and arrogant."
"Perhaps," Mithian replies. "But she won."
"Yes, she did. And I'm very proud of her for that."
Mithian squints at Arthur doubtfully, before shaking her head. "I heard you talking to King Llywarch during the feast. You said that you had no intention of actually allowing a woman to become a knight."
Heaving a sigh, Arthur grimaces. "I told him what he wanted to hear. I will change the law, and I will officially knight Morgana if she passes the same test that every other knight had to pass: she has to hold her own against me in single combat and manage to stand on her feet with her sword in hand after the hour glass has run out. But I'm sure she'll manage just fine; she beat me in a duel for the first time when I was seven years old, after all."
Mithian laughs softly, and Arthur smiles at her, before continuing. "Morgana's half-sister, Lady Morgause and Lady Isolde will also pass the test, and I can assure you I won't treat them with kid gloves during the fight, because there's absolutely no reason for that."
Shaking her head, Mithian watches Arthur in amazement. "And then there will be female knights in Camelot."
"It's a brave new world," Arthur replies with a shrug. "But men like my father or yours, or King Llywarch, are trapped in the old world they grew up in. I don't judge them for that, but I think it's time to strike a new path."
"And that includes allowing the use of magic again and appointing a Court Sorcerer," Mithian notes.
Arthur nods. "Exactly."
A thoughtful expression enters Mithian's eyes, before her gaze wanders to Merlin. She casts him a long look, hesitating briefly, before she starts speaking again. "I have heard that you were the prince's and later on the king's manservant before you became Court Sorcerer. Is that true, Lord Emrys?"
Merlin nods. "Yes, it's true."
"You'd better call him Merlin, he doesn't like his title very much," Arthur adds with a sly grin.
Mithian looks surprised, and Merlin can't help blushing a little. Finally, he shrugs. "It sounds kind of strange to be called a lord," he admits.
"But it's a good thing he's Court Sorcerer now, because he was a terrible manservant," Arthur informs Mithian, holding a hand in front of his mouth and lowering his voice, but Merlin can still hear every word, of course.
"Hey!" he complains, feigning indignation.
"Anyway," Arthur continues, without paying attention to Merlin's protest. "We met after Merlin came to Camelot to become the apprentice of our Court Physician, Gaius. The next day, he picked a fight with me, and insulted me without knowing who I was. For that he spent his second night at the castle in a cell, and all the next morning in the stocks."
"Yes," Merlin replies flatly. "And the next day I challenged you to another fight and I made sure you landed on your ass." He allows a smug grin to appear on his face.
Arthur raises his forefinger. "Because you cheated with magic! Don't think I haven't figured that out by now."
Merlin's grin doesn't falter. "Well, I had to take you down a peg or two somehow. You were an arrogant ass back then."
Putting a hand on his chest, Arthur draws in a mock-offended gasp. He's grinning, though, and Mithian starts laughing softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
After a moment, Arthur drops the act and an affectionate look enters his eyes, as he looks at Merlin. "A few days later, Merlin saved my life when a sorceress tried to kill me and everyone in the castle, and as a reward my father appointed him as my manservant."
Merlin snorts, remembering how thrilled he had been by his new position back then. "Yes, and how honored I was to be allowed to mop the floor of your room and wash your socks."
Mithian places a hand in front of her mouth as she tries to keep from laughing even louder this time. Still grinning, she finally reaches for her cup to take a sip of wine, eyeing Merlin and Arthur for a long moment, before shaking her head with a barely noticeable gesture.
Arthur notices, though, and raises an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Mithian appears surprised at that question, but she shakes her head. "Nothing," she replies with a polite smile.
Arthur, however, tilts his head. "Come on. I saw the look on your face just now."
Lowering her eyes to the blanket they're sitting on, Mithian hesitates for a moment. When she looks up again, she shrugs a bit sheepishly. "You're just so familiar with each other, as if you've been close friends for years, and you bicker like an old married couple. It's hard to believe that Merlin was your manservant just six months ago."
For a moment, Mithian looks at them, almost in awe, but finally she averts her gaze again when she realizes that she has just been very frank and open with the King of Camelot and his Court Sorcerer.
Merlin sees Arthur looking at him, and they exchange a quick glance. They have not been aware of how familiar they act with each other, apparently even when they're not alone, because, of course, no one has pointed it out so far. It's different in the presence of the Knights of the Round Table or Morgana, but in public they've always been careful to keep up appearances, at least. They have had a lot of practice in their roles as prince or king and servant, but since Merlin became Court Sorcerer things seemed to have blurred. As a noble, Merlin is now as close to a peer to Arthur as possible – Arthur is still the king, after all – and it seems like even the last boundary between them has disappeared by now. Then again, Arthur and Merlin have never really tried to hide their familiarity with each other either.
"It's all right, Mithian. You didn't say anything rude or unseemly," Arthur finally says. "I was just surprised that you are so observant, but I guess I should have expected that. You are intelligent and very perceptive. And you're right, Merlin and I have always been very familiar with each other, from the moment we first met. We have a special connection, and it was easy to forget that he was actually a commoner. I've never had a real friend before, someone I could trust without worrying that he might be using me for his own gain. And when I appointed Merlin Court Sorcerer, he finally became someone I could be friends with in the eyes of society, and there's been no reason for us to pretend ever since. To be honest, I don't care what others think about me and Merlin. I'm the king. No one has the right to express an opinion on how I interact with my Court Sorcerer as long as Camelot is not in danger as a result of it."
Mithian looks at them for a moment, and a small, barely-there smile appears on her lips. Merlin can also see the longing that entered her eyes. Just like Arthur, she's heir to the throne of a great kingdom, and that position can be very lonely.
"I'm happy for you. For both of you," she finally says, and her voice is sincere. However, something in her eyes makes Merlin think that she already suspects that he and Arthur are closer than even close friends are supposed to be.
When they ride back to the castle after the picnic, they set a leisurely pace, and Arthur uses the opportunity to ask Mithian about her horse. The dark brown stallion has sturdy built but long elegant legs, and a wavy black mane, and even though Merlin has little knowledge about horses, he can see that the animal is something special. His assumption is confirmed, when Mithian tells them the stallion's name is Arion, and that it is the pride of her father's horse breeding. King Rodor had brought several horses across the sea from the mainland more than two decades ago to breed more elegant and graceful animals. When Mithian also tells them about the incredible speed the stallion can reach on short distances, she instantly rouses Arthur's curiosity, and he challenges her to a race. Sir Rupert agrees to participate as well, and at Arthur's signal, they race off toward the castle.
At first, it looks as if Hengroen and Sir Rupert might be able to hold pace with Mithian's stallion, but when Mithian spurs Arion on once more, she effortlessly gains ground, and neither Sir Rupert nor Hengroen can catch up again. Mithian is already waiting at the agreed upon finish line, a broad grin on her face as Sir Rupert and Hengroen finally stop next to her.
When they enter the courtyard a short time later, all three horses are still sweaty. Mithian insists on washing and brushing her horse's coat herself, instead of leaving this task to one of the stablehands. Sir Rupert thinks that's an excellent idea, and since young Henry has the afternoon off, and Sir Rupert is very particular about who is allowed to do his grooming, Merlin eventually finds himself with a brush in his hand, standing next to Sir Rupert in front of the poles behind the stables.
Arthur has promised King Rodor to discuss a few other important issues with him that evening, even though the dispute about Gedref has been settled, and so it's only Merlin and Mithian washing their horses with buckets full of water, before brushing away the water again, so they will dry faster in the late afternoon sun.
Merlin is running a coarse brush along Sir Rupert's neck, as he looks over the stallion's back at Mithian. Arion tied to the pole next to Sir Rupert, and both horses appear several shades darker from the water in their coats. When Mithian notices Merlin's glance, she smiles at him, and Merlin returns the smile. The silence between is somewhat awkward, though, and so Merlin clears his throat and says the first thing that comes to his mind to start a conversation.
"So, how do you like Camelot so far?"
Mithian smiles politely. "It's impressive and very beautiful."
Merlin nods, waiting for Mithian to continue, but she doesn't, and there's silence between them again.
Continuing to brush the water from Sir Rupert's coat, Merlin tries to think of something else to say, but before he can come up with a new topic, Mithian looks at him
"Can I ask you something?" she inquires, but there's hesitation in her voice.
Merlin eyes her curiously, before nodding. "Yes, of course."
"My father thinks Arthur is going to ask for my hand in marriage," she says, and even though she phrased it like a statement, she raised her eyebrows slightly in anticipation of an answer.
Merlin isn't sure what to say, but the longer he considers his reply, the more concerned Mithian's expression becomes, so he just starts babbling.
"Um, well, Arthur is still a very young king. I mean, he hasn't even ruled Camelot for a year yet. Of course, his council would like to see him marry and give Camelot an heir as soon as possible, but he's not going to marry some princess just to please his council," he says, shrugging, but when he realizes how that must have sounded – because Mithian is one of those princesses as well – he backpaddles. "Um, that came out wrong. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"No. No, it's all right," Mithian interrupts Merlin's stammering with a smile, though. "I think I understand what you're trying to tell me."
Merlin frowns. "You do?" he asks, because he's not even sure he understood what he was trying to tell her, but Mithian gives a pleased nod.
"Yes. Thank you, Merlin."
Dropping his gaze to Sir Rupert's back, Merlin thinks about what Mithian might have figured out from his incoherent stammering. He can't come up with anything, though, so he finally looks at her again, eyebrows furrowing.
"Just out of curiosity. Would Arthur be someone you could imagine marrying? In theory, I mean."
Another polite smile appears on Mithian's lips. "I'm sure any princess would feel lucky at the prospect of marrying Arthur Pendragon. Especially since he became King of Camelot."
Merlin tilts his head, and he has the distinct impression that they are having completely different conversations. He has never been any good at speaking in those subtle indications the way nobles did.
"That wasn't the answer to my question," he finally says.
Mithian averts her gaze. "I know. But it's the only answer I can give you," she says. After a moment, she looks up again. "I'm the Princess of Nemeth. I accepted long ago that the man my father chose for me to marry would be the best choice for our kingdom."
"But if you could have more than that? If you could marry for love?" Merlin asks. "Because that's what Arthur intends to do, no matter how hard his council tries to pressure him."
Mithian smiles, but it's a thin smile and there's something wistful in it. "That's a very nice thought, Merlin. But a very dangerous one as well."
Merlin immediately regrets his brazen words about love, pressing his lips together. "I'm sorry."
He turns his attention back to brushing Sir Rupert's coat, and there's once again silence between them, until Mithian suddenly starts speaking again.
"To answer your question, though," she says quietly, still focused on grooming her horse. "I think Arthur Pendragon is not only the King of Camelot, and very handsome, he also seems to be a good man. Just, and kind, and loyal to his friends. I've only known him for a few days, but those are all qualities I value in a person and in a man."
Finally, Mithian's eyes flicker up to meet Merlin's, and she gives him a half-smile.
Merlin can feel a grin stretching across his face. "Well, then it's a good thing you'll be in Camelot for a few more days, so you can get to know Arthur even better."
Mithian rests her gaze on her horse again, but the corners of her mouth twitch, and Merlin tries to keep from grinning happily.
After King Rodor and Princess Mithian leave the castle a few days later to ride back home to their kingdom Nemeth, life in Camelot becomes quiet again.
It's a sunny afternoon, when Arthur and Merlin return to Arthur's chamber. The council meeting that just ended has been short and uneventful, but Merlin's mind is still occupied by the last topic they discussed. He closes the door behind Arthur, absentmindedly walking over to the table in the antechamber. Just as he's about to tell Arthur why he thinks Lord Allendale's assumption is wrong, his eyes fall on something standing in the back of the room, and he stops mid-stride. Frowning, Merlin looks at Arthur, who's standing a few feet away, watching him.
"What's that?" Merlin asks, pointing at the stocks standing behind the foot of Arthur's bed.
Arthur fixes him with a lazy smirk. "I think you know exactly what that is."
"Well," Merlin replies, drawing out the word. "Yes. But what are the stocks doing in your room?"
"I had them brought up here."
"And why would you do that?"
"Well, not too long ago we had a conversation about how I was going to put you in the stocks, so I could have you at my mercy," Arthur informs him with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "And that's the reason I ordered Leon to have the stocks brought up here." Walking over to him, Arthur steps close behind Merlin, sliding his arms around his waist. A moment later, Merlin hears Arthur's soft voice right next to his ear, and he can feel Arthur's hot breath on his neck. "I promise you won't regret it."
A shiver runs down Merlin's spine, as he remembers their conversation. Arthur had teased him about putting him in the stocks, but not in public on the marketplace, but in the privacy of their room, maybe even with Gwaine, Leon or Lancelot present. Merlin had found that scenario incredibly hot, even when Arthur had reminded him that Merlin would be completely at his mercy, unable to run away, because his magic seemed to obey Arthur over him.
Merlin clears his throat, totally on board with what Arthur has planned. "But I haven't done anything that you could punish me for," he finally points out innocently, stifling a grin.
A thoughtful hum sounds behind him. "I'm sure I can think of something."
The next moment, Arthur's warm body disappears, and he walks to the stocks. Placing a hand on top of the wooden frame, he lifts an eyebrow. "Now then, I'm sure you remember how this works."
Merlin rolls his eyes before moving to stand behind the stocks, and Arthur pulls the wooden wedges out of the top board. Before lifting the board, however, Arthur pauses, letting his gaze sweep over Merlin briefly.
"I think you should take off your clothes first, though."
Merlin raises his eyebrows, pretending to think about it. "I don't remember that part."
Arthur grins. "Well Merlin, we can't have you getting bored after all, so I figured I should change a few things."
Barely keeping the grin from his own face, Merlin starts removing his robe. He puts it on the bed, before pulling off his shirt next. When he looks back at Arthur and the stocks, he notices that the two wooden boards with the holes for his head and hands in it are positioned rather low on the wooden frame. In the stocks at the marketplace, Merlin only had to bend forward a bit, but this time he will have to bend down much further.
After taking off all his clothes, Merlin steps back behind the stocks again, and Arthur lifts the top board. Leaning forward to put his head and his arms into the holes in the board, Merlin's previous assessment proves correct: the boards are positioned lower than it would normally be the case, and he has to spread his legs to lean down far enough. Arthur lowers the top board, before securing the wedges that lock the boards in place. Finally, he also closes the iron shackles around Merlin's wrists to prevent him from pulling his hands out again.
Afterward, Arthur walks around the stocks to stand behind Merlin. Merlin can't see him any longer, and for a moment, nothing happens. Then, Merlin feels Arthur's fingers between his shoulder blades, slowly trailing down his spine, before stroking Merlin's ass.
"Just as I thought. An excellent view. It's a shame none of the knights are here to appreciate it as well."
Merlin snorts a laugh, shaking his head. "You're such an ass."
"Oh, I think I'd better take care of your ass," Arthur says, teasingly. "I've always thought that just being pelted with rotten vegetables was not an adequate punishment. In my opinion, a good spanking would have seemed much more appropriate. And I remember that not so long ago you were quite reckless and arrogant, even though you promised to let Nimueh help you deal with Myror. I think you deserve to be punished for that."
Arthur's hand disappears, and a moment later his palm hits Merlin's ass with a loud smack. Merlin flinches, gasping loudly, but it's more out of surprise than out of actual pain. Arthur barely gives him a chance to process the feeling, however, because the next moment Arthur's hand already connects with Merlin's ass again.
Merlin bites his lower lip to keep quiet as Arthur spanks his ass and thighs, and the supposed reason for his punishment comes back to him. He thinks of how he promised Arthur not to face Myror on his own, and how he had broken that promise. Guilt washes over him, strong and shameful, and suddenly there are feelings and images reaching him across their connection. Merlin can sense the fear that had gripped Arthur when he hadn't been able to reach Merlin with his mind; he feels the shiver of dread that had run through Arthur when he had thrust his sword through Myror's stomach, seeing Merlin's face in front of him; and Merlin experiences the moment of shock when Arthur had found him lying motionless on the floor of that tavern. All those emotions come crashing down on Arthur all at once, completely surprising both of them.
When the knights and Arthur had brought Merlin back to the castle that night, they had both been too relieved that the other was still alive, and when the effects of the poison had finally worn off the next morning, Merlin had apologized to Arthur, and even though Arthur had still been angry, he had forgiven him.
Merlin squeezes his eyes shut, and a high, broken sound escapes his throat when he truly realizes what he'd done that day. His arrogance had made Arthur think he was dead, and Merlin still remembers the moment at Camlann, when he had thought Arthur was about to die. Even thinking about it is unbearable and chills him to the core.
The spanking stops all at once, and when Merlin manages to blink open his eyes, he realizes that his eyelashes are wet, and that tears are running down his cheeks. A moment later, Arthur appears in front of him, squatting down on his heels, and Merlin lifts his head. Blinking away the tears to see clearly, he swallows hard, before he's able to say something.
"I'm sorry," he chokes out.
Arthur presses his lips together as he lifts his hands to wipe the tears from Merlin's cheeks. "I know," he says, his voice strained and raw with emotion. "And I'm sorry, too."
Merlin shakes his head, huffing out a small laugh. "Don't be. I guess we both needed that."
Arthur's lips twitch slightly, but he shoots Merlin a concerned look all the same, gently stroking Merlin's cheek with his thumb. "Are you okay?"
Nodding, Merlin gives Arthur a reassuring smile, before brushing Arthur's mind soothingly through their connection. "Yeah, everything's fine."
Arthur eyes Merlin warily, but he has to feel that Merlin is telling the truth, because he nods. Then he leans forward and brushes their lips together.
Merlin hums softly, opening his mouth and returning the kiss happily. In the back of his mind, he can feel his magic, relaxed and mellowed and for a moment nothing is important except the slow kiss he and Arthur share. A heartbeat later, however, it's not enough anymore. Arthur feels it as well, because he moans, before holding Merlin's head in place to deepen the kiss. Merlin surges forward as good as he can, greedily meeting Arthur's lips, and allowing him to take everything he wants.
When Arthur finally pulls away again, breathing heavily, Merlin notices to his surprise that his body has begun to show interest in the proceedings again. Through their connection, Arthur detects it as well, and he looks at Merlin, raising his eyebrows.
"Do you want to continue?" he asks in his mind, and Merlin nods. He lets Arthur see that this is what he needs right now. He wants to lose himself in Arthur and in the desire that's coursing through his body again, and even though he can't put it into words, Arthur understands and nods.
After stroking Merlin's cheeks one last time, Arthur clears his throat and his lips tilt into a crooked little smile. "I suppose I should take advantage of having you in this position. The guards carried the stocks up here all the way for this very opportunity, after all."
Drawing back, Arthur stands up, and Merlin follows him with his eyes. First, Arthur takes off his belt, letting it fall to the floor, and a moment later his shirt follows. Finally, Arthur opens the strings on his trousers, before taking a step forward. Merlin knows exactly what Arthur is going to do, and he licks his lips in anticipation. Opening his mouth, Merlin looks up at Arthur and holds his gaze when Arthur pushes himself between Merlin's lips a moment later.
Arthur tangles his fingers in Merlin's hair to hold his head up, before he starts moving with shallow thrusts.
Eyes falling closed, after all, Merlin moans softly. The angle is awkward, but the fact that Merlin has no other choice but to take what Arthur is giving him, is incredibly liberating. There's also a strange feeling inside him that in offering himself up to Arthur, he's making amends for breaking his promise and for causing Arthur to worry.
Merlin loses himself completely in his task, trying his best to bring his tongue into play whenever he can. He's rewarded with small noises from Arthur, little groans and gasps, that make him feel powerful despite being locked in the stocks.
After some time, Arthur finally pulls back again, and Merlin opens his eyes. Arthur's pupils are blown wide and dark with lust, and he lifts his hand to trace Merlin's bottom lip with his thumb once. Then, he walks around the stocks until he's standing behind Merlin.
Half expecting Arthur to use his magic to prepare him, Merlin is surprised when one of Arthur's fingers pushes into him, slick with oil. He lets his head drop forward, moaning softly as Arthur takes his time opening him up.
"Imagine if I had done that when you actually had been in the stocks," Arthur says after a moment, his voice teasing.
Merlin groans loudly as the scene takes shape in his mind's eye. He himself has jerked off to this scenario more than once after he had started fantasizing about Arthur.
Arthur adds a second finger and more oil, before he starts hitting that spot inside Merlin that makes him arch his back and groan deeply. Soon, it's three fingers, but it's not enough, and just as Merlin is about to start begging, Arthur withdraws again. A moment later, Arthur replaces his fingers with his hard erection, and when he slides into Merlin slowly, Merlin has to grit his teeth and breathe deeply to keep from coming immediately.
Once again, Arthur starts with slow, shallow movements of his hips, but it doesn't take long before his thrusts become faster and deeper. His fingers grip Merlin's hips, and Merlin can't do anything but let Arthur take him, moaning every time Arthur hits that perfect spot inside him. The idea that Arthur would have actually done this when Merlin had been in the stocks, accompanied by Merlin's current position and Arthur's hard thrusts, quickly becomes too much for Merlin, and when Arthur closes his fingers around Merlin's erection and strokes him just right, Merlin comes with a drawn-out groan.
Arthur fucks him through it, not slowing down. Gripping Merlin's hips tightly again, Arthur movements become frantic and after a few more hard thrusts, he comes as well.
Panting, Merlin slumps in his bindings. He can hear Arthur trying to catch his breath behind him, and for a moment they just stand there. Finally, Arthur runs a hand down Merlin's back, before pulling out. A moment later, Merlin can feel Arthur use his magic, and the iron shackles around Merlin's wrists open with a soft click. The wedges pull themselves out of the top board next, and then Arthur lifts the board.
Merlin grimaces as he straightens up, his body protesting, but it was worth it.
"Are you all right?" Arthur asks quietly, a look of concern on his face as he senses Merlin's discomfort.
Merlin, however, smiles affectionately. "Yes, I'm fine. More than fine, actually," he replies, before stepping close to Arthur, and pulling him in for a kiss.
When they break apart again, Merlin gently cups Arthur's face and presses their foreheads together.
"I love you," he says softly, letting the full extent of that feeling reverberate through their bond, because words are not nearly enough.
"And I love you," Arthur replies, sending the same all-encompassing love through their connection, before brushing their lips together for another kiss.
The sun has just risen over the walls of the castle, when Arthur climbs the stairs to Morgana's tower room. Bright light falls through the narrow windows in the stairwell and it looks like it will be a sunny and warm spring day.
Arthur is supposed to be sitting in his room now, having breakfast with Merlin and Morgana, as he does every Monday morning at this time, but Morgana didn't show up, and after Arthur and Merlin waited for a while, Arthur set out to see what was keeping her.
After reaching the door to Morgana's room, Arthur knocks, and he frowns when it takes some time before the door is opened. He was just about to open the door himself, when Morgana pokes her head out.
"Arthur, what are you doing here?" she asks in surprise, not opening the door further than a crack.
Arthur eyes her warily. She looks like she just got out of bed, and her black curls around her shoulders are a mess. The room behind her is bright, though, so she apparently drew back the curtains already.
"I'm here to see why you didn't come to breakfast. It's Monday," Arthur replies.
Morgana groans as she closes her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Arthur. Today is Gwen's day off. I must have overslept." She smiles apologetically. "I'll get dressed quickly. Why don't you go back to Merlin, and I'll join you in a bit," she suggests.
Something about her smile is off, though, and when Arthur sweeps his gaze over her more closely, he notices that Morgana appears to have wrapped her bedspread around her naked body before heading to the door.
"Is everything all right?"
Morgana, however, looks at Arthur in amusement, before laughing softly and shaking her head. "Of course."
At that moment, though, a thump sounds from inside the room, and Arthur hears someone uttering a curse. Morgana's eyes widen in alarm, while Arthur tilts his head to give her an incredulous look. Then he pushes the door open further, forcing his way past Morgana and into the room. What he sees inside, however, makes Arthur stop dead in his movements after only a few steps. He's not sure what he expected, but certainly not Gwaine standing in the middle of Morgan's chamber – completely naked. He has a pained expression on his face, and he's holding his right knee with both hands, apparently as a result of colliding with the leg of Morgana's desk.
"Gwaine?!" Arthur asks, dumbfounded.
Gwaine straightens up, raising his hands defensively. "Ah… I can explain that."
Arthur takes a quick glance around the room. There are various articles of clothing on the floor, and a pair of boots at the foot of the bed that clearly does not belong to Morgana. In addition, the covers of the bed are rumpled, and Arthur hastily suppresses the images that arise in his mind's eye as he realizes what is going on here.
"Oh, really?" he asks pointedly, putting his hands on his hips, and his tone indicates that he's very much doubting that Gwaine could come up with a plausible explanation.
Gwaine grimaces. "All right. Maybe not."
Arthur snorts, before turning to Morgana. "You and Gwaine?" he asks incredulously, causing Morgana to cross her arms in front of her chest demonstratively.
Arthur shakes his head. "How long has that been going on?"
"A couple of weeks. Since the tournament," Morgana answers curtly.
Raising his eyebrows, Arthur looks at Gwaine again. "Since the tournament? Does that mean you started sleeping together after she beat you in the semifinal?"
Gwaine shrugs, and a stupid, completely besotted grin appears on his face.
Rolling his eyes, Arthur groans, before turning back to Morgana. "And when were you planning on telling me about this?"
"Oh, please!" Morgana retorts irritably, rolling her eyes. "I'm not a child anymore. I can do what I want and with whom I want."
Arthur screws up his face. "Well, yes, but does it have to be Gwaine?"
"Hey!" Gwaine complains instantly. "What's that supposed to mean?" Now he's the one who puts his hands on his hips, not bothering that he's still standing stark naked in the middle of the room.
Morgana groans in annoyance. "Oh, by the gods! Stop it, both of you! And Gwaine could you please…?" She makes a vague gesture with her hand, but Gwaine just tilts his head.
"What? It's not like this is something the princess hasn't seen before, after all."
There is complete silence in the room after that, and Arthur suppresses the impulse to smack himself against the forehead with the flat of his hand.
"What did you just say?" Morgana finally asks, her tone quiet.
Gwaine tries to put on an innocent expression. "Um… nothing?"
"Morgana, it's not what you think…", Arthur tries to explain, but Morgana doesn't let him finish.
"Oh, I can't believe it!" she says, throwing her hands in the air, before she looks first at Arthur and then at Gwaine in disbelief. "You were in bed together?"
"Uh… maybe?" Gwaine replies, clearly not sure what the right answer to that question is, and casting a help-seeking glance at Arthur.
Arthur considers what he could say, but before he can think of anything, Morgana snorts, shaking her head.
"This is just unbelievable. Does Merlin know about that?"
Again, Arthur doesn't get a word in edgewise, not that he knows what to say in response, but Gwaine is already answering.
"I should hope so, he was there, after all."
Closing his eyes for a moment, Arthur suppresses a groan. Whatever the right answer to Morgana's question would have been, that wasn't it.
"What?" Morgana asks, and this time her voice has taken on such a dangerous undertone that even Gwaine must begin to understand the gravity of the situation. "You were in bed with Merlin and Arthur, and you didn't think that was something I should know?"
Gwaine looks at her with wide eyes. "Well…" he replies, drawing out the word, hoping to come up with an answer, but Morgana has apparently heard enough, because she snorts derisively and shakes her head.
"Morgana, please," Arthur finally says in an effort to save the situation. "It was just one night, and it was months ago."
She raises her eyebrows, turning her full attention to Arthur now. "And that's supposed to make it better?" she asks incredulously.
Arthur has no idea what to answer, so finally, he shrugs. "Well, sort of?"
Morgana snorts again, before glaring at both of them. "Men! I can't deal with this right now," she finally says, before turning around, walking over to her closet, and taking out a dark green robe. With her back to Gwaine and Arthur, she drops the bedsheet to the floor – Arthur hastily averts his eyes – before putting on her robe and a pair of boots. Then she disappears out the door without another word.
After the door slams shut behind her, a long moment passes. Finally, Gwaine makes a curt humming noise.
"That could have gone better," he says.
Snorting, Arthur eyes him with a flat look. "You think?"
Gwaine shrugs. After a moment, however, his brows furrow, and he looks at Arthur, a cautious expression appearing on his face. "So, just to make sure, you are not planning on striking me down any time soon, are you?"
Arthur tilts his head. "That depends."
"On what?" Gwaine asks, not taking his eyes off him.
"On whether Morgana is just a nice pastime for you."
Gwaine shakes his head and his expression turns serious. "She's not," he replies without hesitation, looking straight at Arthur. "I swear it."
Arthur has known Gwaine long enough to know when he's actually serious about something, and after a moment he nods. "All right. Good luck with her, then."
Arthur can't help but grin as he turns around and heads for the door.
Just before the door closes behind him again, he hears Gwaine's voice coming from inside, as Gwaine apparently realized that he's the one who'll have to appease Morgana again.
"Oh, come on. That's not fair!"
When the door opens, and Arthur re-enters his room, the first thing Merlin notices is that Arthur has come back alone. Just as Merlin is about to ask where Morgana is, he sees the strange expression on Arthur's face. On top of that, Arthur walks straight to the table and after reaching it, he grabs the jug of wine standing there. Pouring himself a cup, he drinks it down in one go before resting his hands on the tabletop and taking a deep breath.
Merlin watches him with a frown. "Are you all right?" he finally asks.
Arthur shakes his head as he straightens again. "No. Give me a moment."
The words only serve to deepen Merlin's confusion. "What happened?"
"I just caught Morgana and Gwaine in bed together."
Merlin stares at Arthur for a long moment, before he is able to answer. "Oh," he finally says, unintelligently. Now Arthur's strange behavior kind of makes sense.
"Yes, oh," Arthur replies.
Merlin's eyebrows furrow as he considers this development. "I didn't see that one coming," he confesses.
Arthur snorts. "No, me neither."
Finally, Merlin shrugs. "Well, last time she tortured him on two occasions, before killing him. So, I guess that's an improvement."
Arthur looks at him skeptically, and Merlin realizes all at once that he forgot to ask a very important question.
"Is Gwaine all right?"
Snorting, Arthur rolls his eyes. "Yes, Gwaine is fine. He assured me that his intentions regarding Morgana are honorable and sincere. Apparently, they have been sleeping together since the tournament in Camelot, shortly after Morgana defeated Gwaine in the semifinal."
Merlin can't suppress a short laugh at that. "Somehow that makes an awful lot of sense," he says, before shaking his head. "So, it's all good, right?"
"Yeah, sure," Arthur replies dryly. "Except for the fact that my sister and I, and you for that matter, have all been in bed with the same man. And oddly enough, Morgana is not very thrilled about that."
Merlin frowns. "How does she even know about it?"
"Gwaine can't keep his mouth shut and Morgana put two and two together," Arthur says flatly.
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
Pouring himself another cup of wine from the jug, Arthur takes a sip, before sitting down in one of the chairs at the table.
Merlin considers this development for a moment. "Do you think this will work?" he asks thoughtfully. "Morgana and Gwaine, I mean?"
Arthur shrugs. "We'll see. It's too early to tell yet. But Morgana could use someone to help her loosen up a bit, and Gwaine clearly needs a woman who can stand up to him. Apparently, he very much enjoyed Morgana beating him at the joust – after he got over the fact that he was beaten by a woman, of course."
Merlin snorts in amusement, before walking over to the table. "It's funny how some things stay the same and other things change completely."
Arthur gives him a sidelong glance, but there's a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and finally he just shakes his head and takes another sip from his cup.
A/N
[12] Mithian's dress for the ride: .de/pin/AdkiRTAlf7EZMr_I_HewvT8mUWZlnxVMJlqk2BQDaLRHkYOfz1_uITY/