The Once and Future King (S02E02)
Part 8
Previously: "Now, I shall tell you how Shadow appeared." And with that Guise told them both so many stories about Merlin and his magic and how much he used it to save peoples live, Gwen and Arthur were fascinated by the stories, and when Merlin woke up, Arthur was determined to tell Merlin he knew of his magic and has excepted it as another part of Merlin charm.
It was now two weeks later, Merlin still hasn't woken up yet, the cut on his hand has fully healed, the one from the tournament was slowly getting there and Merlin's fever was still a nasty one that his body was working hard to fight. Arthur and his father have not talked about the wolf incident yet, for Arthur is still in trouble and shouldn't even be wondering around the castle, let alone the city but he did, and every time he did it was to check on Merlin.
This morning Arthur felt really bad, it has been two weeks and still Merlin hasn't shown signs that he's going to wake up any time soon. Arthur reached out and stocked the side of Merlin's face with his thumb. Then Merlin's eyes started to flutter. "Merlin?" Arthur whispered in shock.
"Arthur?" Came a very weak, raspy replied as Merlin's eyes opened and Arthur was greeted with the same blue eyes he's seen every day since they met, the same blue eyes he loved seeing and staring into so much. Arthur smiles as a tear of joy comes out of Arthur's eye. "Are you ok?" Merlin asked with concern.
Arthur chuckled slightly. "Are you serious Merlin? You're the one who is both injured and fighting a nasty fever. And you ask me if I'm ok?" Arthur asked sarcastically, whipping away his tears.
"I guess it's just one of my many charms." Merlin states with a smile, the smile Arthur wanted nothing more than to see again.
"You mean like your magic." Arthur asked with a smile, Merlin went to sit up but Arthur stopped him. "No Merlin, you need to rest." He stated, placing Merlin back down gently.
"Arthur, I swear I can explain." Merlin stated quickly, sock and fear I his eyes.
"No need, Guise has already told me everything. It would appear I owe you a lot more than I thought." Arthur stated with a smile.
"You don't owe me anything" Merlin said with a slight smile creeping on his lips, but it soon fades. "So…you're not made?" Merlin asked shyly a very slight pink tint on his cheeks.
"I could never be made at you Merlin, and I understand why you kept it from me. But you need to now Merlin, your magic is a part of who you are and I accept it as part of who you are." Arthur stated with a smile, tears started coming out of Merlin's eyes at that.
"You have no idea how much that means to me coming from you Arthur." Merlin states with a smile.
"Actually…I think I'm starting to." Arthur said gently, and with that Arthur leaned in and took Merlin's lips in a kiss, one full of passion and love. Arthur pulled away slowly, and was met with surprised sky blue eyes. "I love you Merlin." Arthur whispered, not sure if he could say it any louder, afraid of rejection.
Merlin smiles, one so full of happiness it makes Arthur's heart skip a beat. "I love you too." Merlin puts his arms around Arthur's neck, and for the first time, they share a kiss worth more than anything in the world, a kiss they would always remember, there first kiss as lovers, as two side of the same coin.
They soon pull away with love filled gazes. "I'll go tell Guise you're awake." Arthur got up to go fetch Guise, and for the first time since Merlin arrived in Camelot, he felt hole, he felt…complete. When Guise returned without Arthur, Merlin frowned, but Guise explained to him as he examined Merlin that Arthur was in trouble for hiding who he was in the tournament, Merlin joked by saying "When is he never in trouble?" Which made them both laugh a bit.
Another week gone, Arthur's punishment was finally finished today. Merlin and Guise awoke early this morning. Merlin was finally given the all clear to start simple tasks. So Merlin got up and resumed his servant duties, and the first thing he was going to do, was wake up the man he loves. He went into Arthur's chambers and closed the door softly behind him so he wouldn't wake Arthur. He walked over and knelt next to Arthur on the bed, admiring him for a moment before placing a hand on his worm cheek, and leans in to kiss him on the lips. The kiss was quickly returned by a happy, smiling Arthur.
Merlin brakes the kiss and made sweet, soft eye contact with Arthur's ocean blue eyes. "Rise and shine." Merlin whispered as a joke, but Arthur loved it anyway, he smiled at his dark haired sorcerer.
"I wish you could wake me up like that every morning." Arthur states softly with a smile.
"You know I can't, doing it today was risky enough." Merlin explains, sadness crossing his eyes.
"When I'm King, I promise you that will change." Arthur replies softly as he sits up slowly to capture Merlin's face in his hand. Merlin smiles at Arthur's kind, reassuring words. Arthur kisses Merlin on the lips, and then pecks him on the forehead before placing his forehead on Merlin's. "I love you Merlin." Arthur breaths, Merlin's smile grows bigger at those sweet words he still can't believe he's hearing.
"And I love you…Clotpot." Merlin replies making Arthur chuckle. "Your father wishes to speak to you as soon as you're up and ready." Merlin informs Arthur getting up off the bed. "Come on, get up so you can get dresses." Arthur smiles as he shakes his head slightly. *You will never change, will you Merlin?* was the thought that passed his mind, but then again…he didn't ever want Merlin to change.
After getting dresses, they went to the throne room. Merlin knocks on the door before going inside. "Arthur is outside, would you like me to send him in your Majesty?" Merlin asked politely.
"Yes, send him in." Uther replies, looking at the servant that stood just in front of the doors. Merlin opens the door, and jesters for Arthur to come in. Arthur enters the throne room and Merlin goes to leave. "Merlin, you are to stay. I need to discuss some situations with my son that may take a while, so you are to stay and fill our goblets when summoned." Uther states, Merlin nods his head in understanding and closes the throne room door, Uther invites his son to sit next to him and he does, Merlin standing a good distance away from the Prince admiring him like he always did when he was in the same room as Arthur.
To Be Continued
