Author's Note: Yeah, I went for a gender-bend fic. Well, enjoy!
"Gaius, I don't think that potion was quite right," Merlin remarked, voice an octave higher than normal.
"Merlin, what's wrong with your voice?"
A clear of the throat, and Merlin's voice became deliberately low, lower than normal. "Gaius, I'm a girl."
"Are you sure?"
"Am I sure! Gaius, I have breasts!" she declared, almost shrill, pulling her shirt tight at the back to highlight her figure. "And I don't have a penis, though I can still feel something down there. It is beyond weird. How am I supposed to pee?!"
"You will have to sit to urinate, Merlin."
"You are far too calm!"
Just think of it like a rash-"
"This is nothing like a rash!" she cried.
"Think of it like a rash," he repeated. "Take any potion I give you, cover up the affliction, and wait for it to be cured."
"So it can be cured?" she asked hopefully as she sank into a chair heavily.
"It should be."
"Should?!"
"I've never known of an age reversal potion changing ones' sex."
"Not like anyone would admit to it," she muttered.
Gaius nodded. "Though I have known of people doing such things either as a curse, or by accident. I'm sure, between looking through such magics and their reversals, I will find the answer."
"That's going to take a while isn't it?"
"Yes Merlin. I will have to do my research around my duties. I hope this might make you think twice before you use the age spell again."
"You didn't do this deliberately, because you think I've done the spell too many times, did you? I don't like turning myself into an eighty-year-old! It's awful, and the aftereffects aren't much fun. Even without this," she remarked gesturing to herself. "I did it because it was necessary."
"I know you felt that way Merlin."
"Until such time as Arthur accepts magic, I have no choice but to make use of subterfuge." A silence settled between the two.
"Oh Gods," she lamented. Gaius raised his eyebrows. "I'm going to have to face Arthur like this! I can't just contract an illness for the duration of however long it takes for you to cure me." She put her head in her hands. "What am I going to do?"
"The same thing you always do Merlin," Gaius said placing his hand on her shoulder. "Whatever you need to."
MMMMMMM
Merlin was trying hard not to let out girlish squeals while Arthur kept hitting the shield she hid behind. "Stop being such a girl Merlin!"
Merlin threw the shield to the floor in a fit of pique. "Do you have any idea what you make me feel when you say things like that?" she demanded, roughening her voice even through her anger. She turned and stormed off.
"Merlin! Where are you going?"
"To clean your room, before you berate me for you making it a sty!" she called back over her shoulder, storming toward the Castle.
She made it to Arthur's room, her emotions still seething. She held onto the anger, sensing that beneath it was something far worse.
The door opened behind her. "I'm surprised that you're here," Arthur remarked.
"It's where I said I would be," she retorted hotly.
"Take the rest of the day off Merlin," he ordered.
"What?" she asked, turning to him in surprise.
"I have no tasks that cannot wait until tomorrow. Take the rest of the day off and come back in the morning. You might be more yourself by then."
She ducked her head. "I-"
"Go," he urged.
She glanced up at him, ready to thank him – a day off was a rare occurrence indeed, even a partial one – and her breath caught in her throat. Arthur looked…breath-taking. "Thanks," she spoke roughly, quickly scurrying from the room before her cheeks could heat.
She entered their chambers and leant against the door heavily. "I don't know how much more of this I can take Gaius," she sighed. "I just blew up at Arthur. Arthur!" she cried in dismay.
"How did that go?"
"He gave me the rest of the day off," she admitted ruefully. "Hoping I might be a bit more 'myself' in the morning. Fat chance. I even-" she cut off abruptly. "Never mind."
"Are you feeling especially emotional today?" Gaius asked gently. Merlin nodded. "Do you have an ache at the base of your back? A pain in your lower stomach?"
"Yes," Merlin replied slowly.
Gaius sighed. "I believe you are menstruating Merlin," he informed.
Merlin blinked. "How do women cope with this every month?"
"They have no choice," Gaius admitted.
"Suddenly, I admire every woman I know for not murdering me," she breathed, making Gaius chuckle, though she had been serious. "Wait, don't women bleed too?"
"Yes, between the legs."
Merlin gulped. "As if this doesn't feel weird enough, without bleeding from there too," she muttered.
"Why don't you go lie down Merlin? I will bring you a potion to help in a moment."
"Thank you Gaius," she breathed. "I couldn't cope with this without you."
MMMMMMM
Merlin threw herself into her daily tasks in the morning, determined not to repeat her – embarrassing – awareness from the day before, and distract herself from the strange sensation of menstruating.
"Feeling better Merlin?" Arthur asked as she deftly dressed him for the day.
"Yes Sire," she replied, voice roughened. "Your breakfast is ready," she nodded toward the table, and set herself to gathering up the clothes she needed to wash, looking anywhere but at Arthur. "I'll just go and-" she cut off abruptly as Arthur gripped her sleeve on the way past, her pose combined with the force of his grip tightening the material in just the wrong way. She hung her head.
"Merlin-"
"Please don't," she begged, forgetting to deepen her voice.
"Is this-" he indicated her body with a gesture, "why you were so weird yesterday?"
"Yes," she replied heavily. "Gaius is currently looking for a cure."
Arthur regarded her appraisingly. "Is it your woman's time Merlin?" Her face flushed. "I grew up with Morgana, I understand how it can make a girl haywire for a time." Her blush deepened. "Take the rest of the week off," he ordered.
"Sire?"
"Remain off work until you have finished. I can have someone else take over your tasks until then."
"Thank you," she replied sincerely.
"It can't be easy," Arthur replied with a smile.
Merlin found her breath stilling once again, her body heating, her heart pounding. She shook her head and quickly retreated.
MMMMMMM
Her 'woman's time' was not mentioned again – for which Merlin was thankful. It was embarrassing enough having to go through it, and having Arthur know about it, without discussing it further. She returned to her duties once finished, the process so smooth she began to wonder why Arthur kept her around. She tried to dismiss the thought, but it kept filling her mind, until she had no recourse but…
"Arthur?" she asked, pausing in her task.
"Yes Merlin?" he replied, looking up from his paperwork.
"Why do you keep me around?" Arthur blinked. "I realise I'm not as bad a manservant as you make out, but given how deftly my tasks were performed when I was gone, it's clear that someone else is better than I am. So why keep me around?"
"Are you forgetting how you became my manservant Merlin?"
"Your father assigned me the position as a reward for saving your life," she remarked, the thought playing behind her eyes unvoiced. "But, it's been so long since then you could have reassigned me."
"I could," Arthur replied slowly.
"But?"
"You are deft enough at your tasks to satisfy me Merlin, for the most part you are good at anticipating my needs, but most important, you are loyal Merlin. I would take someone worse than you and unflinchingly loyal, over some more dept who might be loyal." It was Merlin's turn to blink. "I have not forgotten all the times that you have risked your life for mine, Merlin. Nor will I."
"I understand," Merlin replied. "And I shouldn't be surprised, after all, your newest Knights you chose based upon their loyalty rather than by their bloodlines – as your Father had done." She blinked. "Not that Leon isn't loyal to you! He has proven his loyalty time and again – and he's one of the few of the Knights from the old system…that has served you longer than I have."
"That's a rather diplomatic way of saying he's one of the few that didn't die," Arthur teased.
She blushed. "I was trying not to say that. It isn't exactly the safest occupation, being a Knight of Camelot. What with magical beasts, enemy Armies, and evil Sorcerers to contend with."
"Good to know this change hasn't affected your personality Merlin," Arthur murmured with a smile.
"As if it would," Merlin retorted. Arthur's eyebrows rose. "That was not a change to my personality, I was just momentarily more emotional."
Arthur huffed out a laugh. "Although…" Her expression turned quizzical. "I wonder if you would have asked that question, if you were…back to normal."
Merlin's head tilted to the side as she considered. "Women do tend to discuss things more."
"'Things'?" Arthur parroted.
"Problems, thoughts, emotions," Merlin listed. "Which is probably why they're more emotionally mature than men. Then again, given that they get more emotional monthly – and they are likely to lash out at something, or someone, that is annoying them – it's likely that they developed the habit of having a discussion before, rather than having it spill out unfiltered."
"Feeling a bit more understanding of women?" Arthur asked with a teasing smile.
"I commend them for being able to cope with that every month – and I'm amazed every woman I know hasn't murdered me. Well, apart from my Mother, she loves me too much to murder me – even when I annoy her." She cleared her throat. "I should get back to work."
Arthur nodded absently, expression thoughtful as he turned his attention back to his paperwork – otherwise known as the bane of his existence.
Merlin threw herself into scrubbing the floor of Arthur's bedchamber, for it was the only other task for her to complete, aside from washing a couple of garments. Partway through, she felt as if eyes were on her, but shook it off. The only other occupant in the room was Arthur, and why would he watch her scrub the floor? It's not as if she'd never done it before…well, she had, but she had been a man at the time. This was the first time she had done it as a woman. But again, why would Arthur watch her? It's not as if she was his type – she was nowhere near as pretty or buxom as Gwen.
She finished and threw the brush into the bucket, stretching her arms above her head while arching her back. She stood, and strode to the few dirty items of Arthur's clothing.
"Leave it," Arthur ordered. Merlin straightened immediately, turning to Arthur with a quizzical expression. "Come here Merlin," he ordered, voice slightly husky.
She blinked, head tilted in confusion as she strode to her King. "Arthur?"
Arthur cupped Merlin's cheek, causing her breath to still. "Tell me no Merlin, and I will stop," he promised, pausing to allow her the time to speak. "Good," he breathed, closing the distance between them for a chaste kiss.
She returned it with a moan, and soon found herself in Arthur's lap, her hands gripping his shoulders as her King plundered her mouth. Thoroughly. How had she thought she knew what kissing entailed? Obviously, she knew nothing. As evidenced by how quickly Arthur was making her lose all decorum with a few strokes of his tongue.
Arthur pulled back and Merlin let out a mewl of disappointment. "So eager Merlin," he breathed, cupping her cheek possessively.
"Please," she breathed.
"Do you know what you're asking for Merlin?" he asked softly, stroking a thumb along her cheek.
"You," she replied, voice an endearing mix of needy and shy.
Arthur's expression softened and he closed the distance between them for another heated kiss, unable to prevent his smirk when Merlin moaned. He pulled back, rivetted at the way her breasts heaved as she panted. "You make a very pretty girl Merlin," he stated, causing her to blush. "Have you explored your new body?" She shook her head fiercely. "Really?" Her head tilted curiously. "Do you have any idea how many men would be groping themselves, if they were in your position?"
She laughed softly. "Really?"
"The chance to fondle breasts, or get a hand under a girl's skirts? Many would take advantage in an instant, even if it was their own." Merlin grinned, then glanced away shyly. "What is it Merlin?"
Taking a fortifying breath, she took his hands in hers' and placed them over her breasts. "Touch me, Arthur," she breathed.
Her King shivered. "Do you want me to show you how good you can feel Merlin?" he asked huskily. She nodded. "You know you don't have to do this, don't you?" he checked.
"Of course," she retorted, rolling her eyes. "I want to," she said firmly, eyes glancing shyly away.
Arthur tilted her chin so her eyes met his. "If at any time I do anything you do not like, or you want to stop, tell me so," he ordered.
She smiled softly. "I know Arthur," she breathed, leaning close to kiss him chastely. "You would never force a partner, everyone in Camelot knows it."
Arthur smiled, and gave her cheek another stroke before he released her. "Lock the door, Merlin, then I'll show you how much pleasure this new body can feel."
She scrambled off his lap in her haste to obey. Once she turned from the now-locked door, she saw Arthur by the bed. She blushed.
"Second thoughts Merlin?" he asked softly. She shook her head and hastened to his side. "Then what is the blush for?" he asked, cupping her pink cheek gently.
"I-" she cut off, her blush blazing hotter. He waited, expression encouraging. "I have only kissed before," she admitted softly.
"I will be careful with you Merlin," he promised. "Again, if you want to me to stop, you have only to say." She nodded, rolling her eyes. "Such a thing can never be said enough," Arthur stated, smiling at Merlin's long-suffering expression. "Let's get you out of these clothes," he purred.
Merlin helped her King to remove her clothes, her eyes averted. "What is it Merlin?" he asked gently.
She glanced up and him, and then down. "I'm not as pretty as Gwen."
"Merlin," he chided. She glanced up at him, smiling shyly at his smile. "You are beautiful," he stated, voice leaving no room for argument.
She smiled brightly, her shyness disappearing in a moment as she saw his reaction to her body. "Will I get to see you as well Sire?" she asked breathily.
"You have seen me naked Merlin," he pointed out, voice teasing.
"I hadn't looked," she retorted, her eyes travelling over his frame curiously.
"Truly?" She nodded, her fingers absently playing with the material of his tunic. "Then we had better remedy that," he stated. Her smile brightening, she helped Arthur out of his clothes, her breath stilling as she took in his toned, naked form. He chuckled smugly. "Thank you for the compliment Merlin," he breathed, tugging her against him as he claimed her mouth in a heated kiss. She moaned, as much from the skill of his mouth, as from the feel of his arousal against her stomach.
"I want to feel you in me," she breathed once their lips parted, then promptly blushed.
Arthur chuckled wickedly. "We will get to that," he promised, stroking his thumb over her kiss-darkened bottom lip. "But first, I'm going to make you feel good." Her eyebrows rose, head tilted curiously. "Get on the bed Merlin," he ordered.
Merlin settled on her back, gazing up at her King with trust and desire. Arthur smiled as he settled with his knees between her spread legs. He leant down and kissed her gently. "Large breasts are not necessary for pleasure," he stated, and cradled her breasts in his palms. "Do you see how your breasts fit perfectly in my hands?" he continued. She nodded eyes rivetted to the sight. He gently squeezed, and her lips parted on a cry. "Feels good doesn't it?" She nodded with a moan. "As you feel desire, your nipples will harden, and you will become slick at your entrance. Can you feel that Merlin?" She nodded, a blush staining her cheeks. He leant down and kissed both of her flaming cheeks gently. "It is a natural reaction," he assured. "The more pleasure you feel, the more your entrance will be become slick in welcome."
He released one of her breasts and she let out a disappointed mewl. Her King grinned. "There is another pleasure I want to introduce you to Merlin," he stated, and lowered his head until he could suck her nipple into his mouth.
Once he was satisfied, he turned his attention to its partner. "Arthur," she moaned.
He released it with a grin. "Are you wet Merlin?" he asked hotly. She nodded mutely, blush returning. "There is another pleasure I want to introduce you to," he stated, sliding down the bed until his head was between her legs. "So wet," he breathed, a hint of reverence in his voice.
"What are you-" she began, and cut off with a cry as Arthur sealed his mouth over her entrance. She had not expected him to do that! Although…it did feel…really…good.
Merlin cried out as she came. Only then did Arthur raise his head, licking his lips. "Feels good doesn't it, Merlin?"
"Yes," she panted. "I didn't know…"
"Not every man does it," Arthur stated. "I always considered it a point of honour that my partner should feel as much pleasure as possible from our union, rather than simply seeing to my own." Merlin smiled and linked their fingers together, using the grip to tug her King up the bed until their faces were level once more. "Want to know what you taste like Merlin?" Arthur asked with a wicked grin.
"I would not be averse to a kiss," she replied softly.
Her King closed the distance between them, his tongue sliding into her open mouth, coaxing her to taste herself and tangle her tongue with his. She moaned into the touch, arching and sliding her naked skin against the blonde's needily.
He pulled back with a wicked smile. "Please Arthur," she breathed. "I want to feel you inside me."
"Are you sure Merlin?" he felt compelled to ask.
"Yes," she breathed. If this was the only time she would get to touch him, she wanted to make the most of it.
Arthur cradled her cheek gently, kissing her softly before he shifted until he was in position. He locked gazes with Merlin and gently pushed the head of his shaft into her entrance. They moaned in unison, and Arthur forced himself to slowly slide deeper. He wanted to make sure that Merlin experienced as much pleasure as possible. As he sank deep, he paused, determined to wait until Merlin was ready, and he would.
Merlin blew out a breath and locked eyes with Arthur, before nodding. He set a slow pace, they had as much time as they needed, and he would do his utmost to ensure Merlin was boneless by the time they had finished.
MMMMMMM
"Good morning Arthur," Merlin spoke as he entered the blonde's bedchamber, his voice back to normal cadence.
"Merlin?" he murmured, eyes narrowing.
"Gaius found a cure," he stated. Emotions flicked across Arthur's face. "Are you disappointed?" he asked softly.
Arthur's lips curved. "I hadn't noticed how pretty you are Merlin," he purred. The brunet's eyes widened. "Lock the door," he ordered. Merlin did as bid, expression curious. "Come here." As soon as Merlin was within reach, he tugged the startled brunet onto his lap.
"Arthur!" he gasped.
"I've finally had the chance to touch you Merlin, do you really think I could give it up?" The warlock's eyes widened. "You remember you can tell me no, don't you Merlin?" he murmured as he shifted until their mouths were only inches apart. The brunet nodded mutely. Arthur grinned and kissed the warlock soundly. Merlin moaned and he deepened the touch, sliding his tongue into the brunet's mouth the moment his lips parted.
He pulled back and smirked when he felt Merlin's shaft harden. "Glad to know you're just as attracted to me, Merlin," he murmured as his hand slipped into the brunet's breeches.
"Arthur!" he spoke, scandalised.
A wicked chuckle from the blonde. "I need to prove to you I'm just as attracted to you like this, don't I Merlin?" he purred. As the brunet opened his mouth, he wrapped his fingers around his shaft, causing him to let out a gasp. "I think I'll enjoy teaching you about pleasure just as much this time around," he murmured as he began to stroke.
Merlin clutched his shoulders. "Arthur," he moaned.
"That's it," he purred as he swiped his thumb along the head. "Let me hear how much you enjoy my touch, Merlin." The brunet let out panting moans, locking eyes with the blonde in the seconds before he went over the edge.
He gentled the brunet through his orgasm, before he withdrew his hand, licking it clean while Merlin was still out of it. He stroked the warlock's cheek as he blinked back to awareness. "I think we need to talk Merlin," he stated.
"What about?" he murmured, straightening languidly.
"I was hoping you would tell me this before now," he stated. Merlin blinked. "I know you have magic Merlin."
"You do?" he breathed. The blonde nodded and he licked his lips. "You're okay with it?"
"I've known for quite some time Merlin."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why didn't you?" the blonde countered.
"Because I didn't want you to have to choose between your loyalty to your father, and protection of me," he murmured.
Arthur stroked his cheek gently. "Thank you for that Merlin," he breathed, heartfelt. "It gave me longer not to be at odds with my father. I think there are a few things you need to confess, don't you?"
The warlock blew out a breath…and then confessed to everything that had occurred in Camelot that involved magic. Arthur blinked as he absorbed it all. "There's something else I should confess," he murmured. The blonde's eyebrows arched. "It's easier to show you," he stated, rising from Arthur's lap.
"Well then, show me Merlin," Arthur murmured. He watched as Merlin stripped below the waist. His eyes flicked over the brunet's cock, before they focused upon a vagina nestled beneath it. "What?" he breathed.
"That's the only thing that didn't go right," he spoke hastily. "Everything else changed back – but then apart from gaining breasts, and my penis being replaced by a vagina, not much changed physically-" he cut off as Arthur placed gentle fingers on his lips.
"Do you know why?"
He licked his lips. "Well, Gaius has a theory," he spoke slowly. "Since he knows he brewed the cure perfectly," he hastened to add.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"He believed I might be…pregnant," he added sheepishly.
Arthur kept his expression carefully schooled. "Why does he think that?"
"Well, I only menstruated once, and-" he cut off with a blush. "We had sex, without me taking any precautions against conceiving. Gaius had tried to time the cure before I would need to menstruate again, but he didn't quite manage it. Being a week late is apparently not a true sign, but-" His eyes flicked to Arthur's and his words stilled in his throat.
"Yes Merlin?"
"If we have conceived a child, the magic in the potion wouldn't remove my womb, and the life within it. We won't know for certain until more time passes. Please say something."
"How do you feel about this?"
"Arthur, you're never this controlled, please tell me what you're thinking."
Arthur linked their fingers together. "I would never be disappointed that we made a child – even with the steps we'll have to go through to make sure they're a legitimate heir – I simply don't want to get too excited, in case it isn't the case or you're not happy about it, Merlin."
He blew out a relieved breath and laid his free hand over his stomach. "I couldn't be upset about it," he stated. "Unless you didn't want them." He met the blonde's gaze shyly. "If I'm not, we can always try again."
"I like the way you think Merlin," Arthur stated, bringing their joined hands to his mouth to kiss the back of Merlin's. "Just, from now on, be honest with me about magical events please."
"Of course Arthur," he replied. His eyes flicked down. Arthur raised his chin, expression curious. "Would you- Do you-" he cut off with a frustrated sound. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing with his free hand to Arthur's bed.
Arthur's answering smile was wicked. "I definitely like the way you think Merlin," he purred, sweeping the brunet into his arm, smirking at his startled squeak, and stalking to the bed. "It's a good thing I have a free morning," he purred.
"Will you need it?" Merlin breathed.
"Most definitely," he breathed, laying Merlin down upon his bed and claiming his mouth in a heated kiss.