Merlin was avoiding Arthur.
Arthur knew this, and Merlin knew that Arthur knew this, and Arthur knew that Merlin knew that he knew.
It was really starting to test Arthur's patience, which was why he was currently standing outside of Gaius's chambers, waiting for Merlin to appear.
Unfortunately, for Arthur, when the sounds of footsteps sounded from the corridor, it was not Merlin, but Gaius that appeared.
"Your majesty," he exclaimed, a rare look of surprise flitting across his face. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Internally, Arthur frowned. He had never noticed it before, but there was something… shifty going on with Gaius. Of course, if Merlin was involved in any way, it could be assumed that Gaius knew, as the two of them had lived in the same tower for the past ten years. Arthur would have to tread lightly.
Or, maybe not at all, as the very person he was looking for, had never once in his life trodden lightly, and to prove this point, had just tripped up the stairs. Not noticing Arthur to begin with, Merlin frantically whispered,"Gaius, is Ar- oh, uh Arthur! I was just looking for you."
Once again, Arthur frowned internally. If it had been any other day, he would have accepted this explanation, but Merlin had been astutely avoiding him since the battle, or more specifically, since he outed Merlin as having relations with a sorceress. Arthur quelled the urge to laugh. 'Relations', it sounded like Merlin and the Dolma were- no, best stop that chain of thought there.
Pushing that disgusting thought into the darkest recesses of his mind, Arthur put his full attention on his manservant and court physician.
"Merlin, we need to talk."
Arthur fixed Merlin with his commanding glare, hoping that it would get the point across to Merlin that this was not up for discussion. Although, Arthur wouldn't be lying if he said he wasn't looking for a bit of a bantering fight between him and Merlin, as Merlin had spent most of the ride back to Camelot with Lancelot.
So, it came as a surprise when Merlin simply sighed, and nodded, his body slumping into an unusual bout of subservience.
With that Arthur turned on his heel, listening as he heard the familiar, soft footfalls behind him as Merlin followed.
Entering Arthur's chambers, Merlin felt shivers run down his spine. This was way too close to some of the nightmares he had had. The ones where Arthur found out about his magic, except without the chains and pyre.
Also, Arthur didn't know about his magic, did he? He just thought that Merlin had brought Dolma to help out.
Not that that stopped Merlin from feeling like he was already on the pyre. In fact, he could swear it was getting hotter in Arthur's chambers.
Was this Arthur's plan? Make him uncomfortable until he spilled everything? And then it really would be roasted Merlin for -
"Merlin."
He couldn't help but look up, and despite Arthur's promises on the battlefield not to kill him, Merlin gulped.
Arthur sighed, and looked Merlin straight in the eye.
"Merlin, I'm not going to kill you."
Arthur had never seen Merlin more frightened before, and this was the man who had followed Arthur against a dragon and the dorocha, and all other kinds of nasty things. But never, never in Arthur's life, could he have foreseen this. Merlin was scared of him, him, of all people.
"I just need to know a few things, Merlin," Arthur started, hoping that a friendlier tone would help ease Merlin into it. Which didn't work. At all.
In fact, it seemed to just make Merlin more tense, his body shifting, hands rubbing each other in an attempt at comfort.
Deciding that this was a futile effort on his part, Arthur gave up. There was only one other person who knew what was going on, and he doubted that she would be as afraid of this… matter as Merlin seemed to be.
It was time to visit the Dolma.