Hey! So, here's another song lyric fic while I work on the next chapter of Safe and Sound. I am loving writing these, so I really hope you all are enjoying them too! As usual, I own nothing. Enjoy!

Title is from "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait

Arthur rolled over in bed, fully intent on pulling his lover into his arms. Being met with nothing but empty air and cold sheets, his eyes flew open.

Their chambers were still dark, and despite the lowly glowing embers in the hearth, there was a bitter cold in the air that had Arthur biting back a shiver. Sure, it was the middle of winter, but why the hell were the king's chambers so cold?

Arthur shot up in bed and worriedly began to scan the room as best as he could in the dim lighting, dozens of scenarios of what could have happened to Merlin already running through his head. His frantic searching came to halt, however, when he saw the lone figure curled up on the windowsill, the window wide open and blowing in bitingly cold wind and snow flurries.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked bewilderedly, concern for his love blooming his chest. It wasn't uncommon for Merlin to pull such crazy stunts on a whim, but the man was going to freeze to death in his current position.

Getting out of bed, Arthur hissed as his bare feet came in contact with the cold stone floor, another shiver coursing through his body. He pulled one of the extra animal skins from the bed and wrapped it around himself as he made his way to the sill.

"What are you doing, Merlin? It's bloody freezing in here!"

The raven made no movement to show he had even heard the blond. His head was resting against the wall as his azure eyes stared unseeingly into the black night. Flakes of snow covered him, but he seemed to pay them no mind. Arthur briefly wondered if he had cast some sort of enchantment so he wouldn't feel the cold.

This theory was quickly disproved as Arthur shut the window and reached for one of Merlin's hands. He nearly dropped it on instinct when he was met with cold, stiff skin.

"Gods Merlin, you're as cold as ice!"

Arthur sat down next to his lover and pulled the warlock to his chest, wrapping the skin around both of them as he rubbed up and down Merlin's arms in the hopes of restoring some warmth to the other man's skin.

It was only after a few minutes of Arthur silently rubbing warmth back into his beloved that Merlin finally spoke up.

"Arthur, do you love me?" he asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur nearly choked on his own saliva. Of all the things he had expected Merlin to say, that hadn't been one of them.

"The hell, Merlin? Of course, I love you! I wouldn't be marrying you tomorrow otherwise! What even made you question such a thing?"

Arthur felt Merlin shudder against him, and he held the raven a little tighter. "I've heard people talking; some of the older nobles. They've been saying you're only marrying me because it makes you look good. Allowing a sorcerer to have such a high position within the court and all."

Anger bubble in Arthur's stomach. He would have to find out exactly which nobles were saying such things later. For now, Arthur needed to take care of his Merlin.

"Merlin," Arthur said quietly, searching for just the right words, "I'm marrying you for you. Sorcerer or not, I love you, magic and all. I love your smile, your laugh, your beautiful eyes. There is nothing about you not to love, Merlin."

Merlin sighed after Arthur finished. "Just because you love me, doesn't mean I'm suited for this. What if I'm not made out to be a prince, Arthur? I'm just a peasant from a little farming village that isn't even in Camelot's lands! What if I let the people down? I know nothing of royal life. I'm hardly the kind of person the people could want as their Prince Consort."

Arthur deliberately turned Merlin in his arms so that they were gazing into each other's eyes. Merlin's were so nervous, doubtful, and full of fear that Arthur's heart shattered. Merlin truly could not see what Arthur had seen since they first began courting: how much the people adored him; how much good he was going to do for the kingdom as their Prince Consort.

"Merlin, you are the most extraordinary person I have ever met. The people love you, and tomorrow at the wedding, they will welcome you with open arms as their new leader. You are the only one who fails to see how wonderful you are. I have never had a shadow of a doubt that you will make and amazing ruler. You are kind, compassionate, and just; everything the people could want in a ruler. You are the most selfless, brave, loyal person I have ever met, and I will spend the rest of my days convincing you of that if I must. Don't listen to some stuffy nobles who have no true idea how to run a kingdom."

There were tears shining in Merlin's eyes by the time Arthur's little speech was over and the blond gathered him just a little closer, kissing him all over the head and rocking him softly.

The king made to get up first, pulling his warlock up with him. "Come to bed now, love, and stop fretting. I'll send for a servant to relight the fire and get you warmed up."

"Arthur," Merlin called after him and the king turned back to him curiously.

"I love you."

"With all my heart," Arthur responded.

All done! I really love the fics where Merlin doubts himself and Arthur is there to offer reassurance. I hope you enjoyed!