(Arthur)
He was forced to take off his armor in the middle of the forest while a creature was not far away ready to attack them.
What could possibly be in that house?
They have faced all kinds of magical threats, including a Dragon. Merlin had nothing to fear. But his idiot manservant still looked as though he was walking to his death.
He looked around at his knights.
Leon kept looking back to where they came from, clearly hoping they managed to escape it, while also glancing at the house looking for possible threats. Percival looked uncomfortable, probably feeling bad that they were disturbing someone in the middle of the night. Elyan was standing near Gwen, ready to protect her, but just like Leon he was also looking around. Gwaine on the other hand was looking straight at Merlin, his eyes narrowed slightly and his hand on his sword ready for a fight. And the drunk had the audacity to look back at him as though he had just sent Merlin to his death.
Perhaps he should have sent someone who actually could protect themselves, but out of all of them, Merlin looked the least threatening. Aside from Gwen. But he would never send her in such a way, unprotected.
He noticed Merlin's hesitation. The boy lifted his hand slowly, as though they weren't in a hurry to get help.
But before the idiot could even knock on the wooden door, it swung open.
And the first thing they all heard was "Merlin!"
It was a young woman with dark hair that swayed slightly in the night breeze. She was wearing a simple green dress, and a light grey cloak covered her shoulders.
He dragged his eyes away from the girl and looked at Merlin, who seemed in awe of her.
Merlin stood still for a second.
"Hi!"
The girl smiled, and pulled Merlin into a hug.
Arthur stood there and blinked a few times to ensure that he was seeing clearly.
Merlin knew this person? Then what was the problem with going inside and asking for help? Who was this girl? And how did Merlin know her? And why did she live here? Why didn't Merlin tell them that he knew who lived in this house?
Too many questions, and no answers.
He noticed that the knights had the same reaction.
Even Gwaine who seemed closest to Merlin was confused as to what was happening.
The next thing that should have happened, should have been Merlin turning around and introducing them to this girl and explaining what was happening.
But no.
He should have known that Merlin was "special". Because the next thing they all know is, Merlin puts his hands around the girl's waist and kisses her.
The girl doesn't seem to mind it, as she returns the kiss eagerly and slides her hands up to Merlin's neck.
Everyone is quiet for a few seconds when the two pull apart.
Except Gwaine who whistles loudly and starts laughing.
Everyone including the girl and Merlin look at Gwaine.
"Now I know why you never accompany me to the Tavern!"
The girl chuckles quietly and glances at Merlin.
"I suppose that is your friend Gwaine?"
Arthur is about to ask for answers, but Gwaine is quicker.
"So you told her about me? That is nice of you. But what isn't nice is that you hide girls from me in the middle of the forest."
Merlin narrowed his eyes, but smiled slightly.
"No offense Gwaine, but I'd rather keep my wife to myself."
Arthur's jaw dropped.
Wife?
Did everyone hear it?
Did he hear it right?
Merlin just said wife?
"What the Hell Merlin?!'
No. This wouldn't do, this would absolutely not do. Merlin hiding the fact that he is married?
Merlin looked at him with the look of a startled deer.
"I can explain everything."
Arthur glared at him.
"You better! Or I'll have you spend an entire week in the stocks!"
To his further surprise, the girl standing beside Merlin only smiled.
"I assume that is the King of Camelot?"
After Merlin assured her that Arthur was in fact the King of Camelot, the girl was kind enough to invite them all inside.
She offered them a place to sit and some tea.
The moment they all sat down, Arthur turned to Merlin.
"Explain."
Merlin let out a heavy breath and looked at him and then at all the knights.
"Well, uh… this is Freya… my wife."
Arthur waited for a few seconds before raising his eyebrows.
"And? Anything else?"
Merlin looked confused.
"Well what else do you want to know?"
He narrowed his eyes at his manservant.
"What do I want to know? What do I want to know?! I want to know since when you are married? Why didn't you tell me? Why does your wife live in the middle of the forest?"
Merlin clenched his jaw slightly.
"Uh yes… well… you see… I married Freya three years ago. I didn't tell you because she is a druid, and even though she doesn't have magic, we decided that living here is better than Camelot."
He eyed Merlin carefully trying to see if he was lying.
But he was interrupted by Percival who was looking at Freya.
"If you're a druid then why don't you live with them?"
The girl suddenly looked sadly at the ground.
"I was cursed for some time, and they couldn't help me, so instead they cast me out."
Percival nodded, but still looked confused.
"It's unusual for Druids to cast out someone."
Freya shrugged.
"Well, that is the reason why I came to them in the first place, after my family was killed."
Percival nodded once. Pain was evident in his eyes, it probably reminded him of his own family that was killed.
The other knights were looking between Merlin and him, probably wondering what he was about to do to his manservant.
He glanced at Merlin.
"Alright… Well, Merlin, we will speak more about this tomorrow. For now we should rest."
He then glanced at Freya.
"If you don't mind of course?"
Freya smiled kindly.
"Of course, you're welcome to stay."
Arthur let out a heavy breath and stood up.
He needed fresh air.
Apparently his friend didn't trust him enough to tell him that he got married.
He walked over to the door but was stopped.
"Where are you going Arthur?"
He glanced at one of his closest friends.
"I'll go get the armor."
Leon nodded once and turned around.
He wouldn't get the armor. No, the idiot owed him to at least do that for him after this mess.
Stepping into the cold air helped him relax. But his thoughts remained with Merlin and Freya. There was no good reason for Merlin not to tell him. Yes, Freya was a druid. But she didn't even have magic! So why?
That question ate away at him, and he lost track of time.
He only snapped back out of his thoughts when Gwen walked over to him and pulled him into a tight hug.
He looked down at her and pressed his lips to hers for a quick kiss.
"He doesn't trust me?"
Gwen shook her head.
"He trusts you, because he knows you. But Freya doesn't know you."
He looked up at the dark sky.
"Still, he should have told me. Freya would have known me, and would have trusted me, if Merlin would have let me meet her."
Gwen shrugged slightly.
"Well, he didn't tell anyone. I wonder if Gaius knows."
Arthur looked back down and raised an eyebrow.
"Gaius?! Merlin lives with Gaius. I'm sure that if anyone knew, it would be Gaius."
Gwen let out a heavy breath and placed her head on his shoulder.
They stayed like that for a few moments before Gwen pulled away slowly and took his hand in her own.
"We should get back before they start worrying."
Arthur snorted.
"Merlin deserves some worry after the shock he put us all through!"
Gwen chuckled and pushed him slightly in the direction of the house.
He took one last breath of fresh air before heading inside.
There was something Merlin wasn't telling him, and he would find out what it was.
