The Once and Future King (S02E02)
Part 3
Previously: So she had to leave Merlin with a shocked Arthur who would more than likely take his anger out on him, but what she didn't know was that maybe in times that he needed it most, Arthur would share his thought with a wolf he didn't know was Merlin.
Arthur sat down on the bed in the corner of the room, shock written all over his face. He couldn't believe it, everything that Gwen had said was true, even the bits he hadn't known till now, he could just tell they were true, Gwen just wasn't the kind of person to lie. Arthur put his head in his hands in gilts, trying to proses all Gwen had told him. He breathed in a deep breath before pulling away from his hands to find Shadow sitting there staring at him, but Arthur being Arthur got embraced for showing his emotion and therefor got protective, and snappy which didn't allow him to see the concern in Shadows eyes.
"What do you want?!" Arthur exclaimed defensively. Merlin rolls his eyes, gets up and starts moving away. "Wait!" Arthur stated quickly, and he did stop but didn't turn around. "Please don't go." He said softly, Merlin looked over to Arthur, concern all over his face, but also upset for his friend. He whished more than anything that Arthur would talk to him like that when he was human, well…he actually did one or twice, but this was different. Merlin suspected it was because he was discussed as a wolf, some part of Arthur felt safer around Shadow because he believed with everything in him that Shadow couldn't understand him and the fact that if he could understand him but couldn't share what he would heard Arthur say. It mad Merlin sad to think that Arthur would think Merlin would share a privet conversation between them, but he understood, Arthur had a lot of walls to go though. Merlin was just glade that he was the only person in Camelot that knew how to break them down. So anything that Arthur said now was going to be nothing but true, and not shared to anyone else.
Arthur looked at the wolf that now faced him. "Such a gorgeous creature…I can see why Merlin wants to keep him hidden." He thought. "I don't know if you can understand me, and to be honest I don't really care. I just…I just really need someone to talk to." Arthur said gently, signing as he lowered his head to look at the floor. Merlin didn't dare hesitate to go over to Arthur, he needed someone there for him and he was going to help. Once he was sat in front of Arthur he placed his nose under Arthurs chin and gently lifted his head, and smiled a gentle smile that told Arthur it was going to be ok. Arthur smiled a week but genuine smile back at Merlin. "Thank you old friend." Merlin looked at Arthur in shock and Arthur seemed to be shocked too. "I'm sorry, its just you really do remind me a lot of Merlin" Arthur conformed. "God…I really whish he was here, I could really us a hug." Arthur said in a whisper that Merlin almost mistook for a trick of the wind.
Merlin jumps up on the bed next to Arthur, being carful not to scare Arthur or hurt him, he used his teeth to pull Arthur by the cloths his wore. The movement shocked Arthur, not expecting it to happen, he closed his eyes awaited to hit the bed but came into contact with something really soft. Arthur opened his eyes to find his head was now resting on the Black wolfs chest. Merlin placed his head on Arthur's shoulder and gently looked down; using his mussel to slowly move Arthur closer for better comfort, and to try and convince Arthur it was ok to hug back if he wanted to. And you know what? Arthur put his arms around the wolf and allowed his body to relax and be consumed by the softness of his fur, which was softer than his pillows, and the warmth of his body, worming him up better than his own bed. "Thank you Shadow" Arthur said softly into Merlin's chest, making Merlin's heart rise, and they just sit there in silence for a while until Arthur finally palled away.
"You know Shadow, Gwen was right…the why I treat Merlin is appalling. Not once have I ever thanked him for all he's done for me…I just took him for granted, but no more! I'm going to try harder to show Merlin how much I appreciate him." Arthur explained, Merlin shook his head to try and convince hi it was ok. "Don't try to convince me otherwise! Merlin is my only true friend and I'm not going to stand here and loose him because of my ignorance." Arthur proclaimed, Merlin smiled with a blush that was luckily hidden by his fur, an appreciative smile spread across his face. Merlin looked at Arthur with a face that told Arthur, Merlin would appreciate that. Arthur smiled. "Then its settled…Shadow I would like to ask you a favour." Arthur states with a smile.
Merlin wages his tail, not quite understanding the look on Arthur's face. "Is there a way you could bring Merlin here." Arthur asked, Merlin nods his head and Arthur smiles, a pleased look on his face. "Could you do that for me whilst I go find Gwen so I can have a quick word with her." Shadow nods once more, Arthur strokes his head, puts on his hooded cape making sure to cover his face, and leaves to go find Gwen. Merlin changes back to normal and decides to stay sat on the bed, waiting for Arthur's return, feeling a bit confused but more please with himself. He had comforted Arthur in his time of need, and Arthur was going to try being nice to him, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.
Meanwhile, Arthur searched around the city looking for Gwen. He soon came across her as she had finally decided to got home, but when she sure Arthur she went to walk away. "Guinevere wait!" He called, and she turned around.
"Yes." She asked, anger still in her voice.
"You were right Guinevere, about everything. I promise you that I will do my best to change. But as you were clearly trying to say, was that I had hurt Merlin the most. And I really want to make it up to him, but because I'm such an awful friend, I don't know the kind of things he likes, so I was hoping you could help me…please?" Arthur said softly, Gwen's excretion softened and a small smile perked up in the corner of her mouth.
"Your not an awful friend, I think you know more about Merlin than you think. But if you want my honest opinion, and help…I can tell you that Merlin would appreciate anything you'd do to try and make things up to him, even just apologizing to him would make him happy." She explained with a soft chuckle.
"Guinevere, please…I really want to make this up to him." Arthur begged, with desperation in his eyes.
"Well, since you asked so nicely." Gwen stated, making Arthur smile. "Merlin's favourite colours are blue and red, he loves to have a laugh with people, he loves animals, he told me that he liked silver because his mother used to wear a silver necklace that his father gave to her not long before he disappeared…and I do think I recall he said he'd like to get himself another neckerchief because he only has the one." Gwen explained to Arthur with a smile, and something came to Arthur instantly.
"Guinevere, can you sneak me into the castle?" Arthur asked with a smirk.
Gwen looked around. "The only reason the answer to that question is yes, is because of Merlin…Please don't yell at him for that." Gwen begged, Arthur's smile grow.
"If anything, I'll thank him." Arthur replied, and with that they made there was to the castle.
To Be Concerned
