"Well what did you want me to say?" Arthur asked as he followed Merlin into their room.
"It's not what you said, it's how you said it! You're making her think you actually want to marry her. Maybe you do!" Merlin yelled.
"Of course I don't. I love you. I'm married to you." Arthur said plainly.
"Yes, through a rite of magic, of the old religion, which to your father, and everyone else in the kingdom, means nothing." Merlin said.
Arthur had to admit he'd missed Merlin being angry at him. Only long gone were the days where he'd refrain from completely being honest with Arthur for fear of being sacked.
"You're not even listening to me!" Merlin yelled, probably catching his far off look.
"I'm trying to think. It's not like I can just poison my father to get the kingdom. It wouldn't be right." Arthur said.
"I don't want you to do that." Merlin insisted and sat down on the edge of the bed. "This whole mess should never have even started! I should have worked harder to get rid of lady Vivian's love spell." Merlin said.
"We can keep complaining on what ifs until we get old, or we can try and find the solution to our problem." Arthur said and came to sit beside Merlin. "Merlin, talk to me."
"I have nothing else to say, Arthur." Merlin whispered.
Arthur looked down. "I'm going to talk to Morgana." Arthur leaned in like he usually did to kiss Merlin, but Merlin moved away. Arthur sighed and instead kissed the top of his head. "I love you." He said and stood, leaving the room.
oOoOoOo
Merlin watched Arthur go and took a deep breath. He shouldn't be acting like this. It was Merlin that insisted that Arthur go along with it. But he didn't mean to actually go along with it!
But was it really so terrible if Arthur did fall in love with that princess? It was as things should be, after all. It would hurt Merlin beyond what he could imagine, but he would still withstand it and stay beside Arthur and protect him at all cost.
He would remain distant until this issue is resolved.
oOoOoOo
Arthur stared at Morgana wondering if she had lost her mind. "That's your plan?"
"Yes."
"And what makes you think father simply won't just put us both in separate cells until we confess the truth?" Arthur demanded.
"Because there is no reason for him to refuse other than the truth." Morgana said.
Arthur stared at her and finally chuckled, shaking his head. "You better be right about this Morgana."
"I certainly hope so." She replied and Arthur wasn't entirely sure that this would work. "On a separate note, how's Merlin?" She teased.
"Not pleased." Arthur replied.
"I wonder why."
"He insisted I go along with this!"
"You don't have to be so defensive, little brother." Morgana scoffed and Arthur rolled his eyes.
Arthur looked away. "It's mad, isn't it, loving a man?" Arthur said.
"So most would say." Morgana said and looked at him intently. "But I've seen the two of you. I can only hope that one day someone will look at me the way you both look at each other." She smiled and Arthur smiled back. "Don't worry brother. Soon, all of this will be over."
oOoOoOo
In Camelot's surrounding forest, a figure made its way through the foliage to gaze at the majestic castle with narrowed eyes. She would exact her revenge. Of that they could be certain. Morgause pulled the hood of her cape over her golden hair and blended into the shadows.
oOoOoOo
Merlin woke up early to collect herbs. Normally it would be a peaceful activity, one he could use to clear his head and suppress his annoyance at whatever Arthur had made him do the previous day. However, this time…
"What about this one?" Arthur pointed at a plant growing by the base of one of the trees.
"That's just a weed." Merlin rolled his eyes. The crown prince of Camelot had insisted on coming with him.
"You are my husband, now, Merlin. I can't possibly let you go off alone and unguarded."
Merlin rolled his eyes at the memory. What Arthur was really doing was trying to prove to Merlin that he wanted to be with him and not with princess Elena, who'd gone riding with her father and Uther instead. Still, Merlin couldn't help but rub his ring gently.
"Everything looks the same to me." Arthur grumbled behind him. Merlin heard a branch snap and grabbed Arthur, pulling him over behind a large tree.
"Shh!" Merlin silenced him before Arthur had a chance to protest.
"What is it?" Arthur poked his head out and Merlin pointed to where he heard the sound. Grunhilda was kneeling by the stream. Arthur stood up straight. "Honestly Merlin, you're so-"
The sound of something snapping through the air was heard and Arthur quieted down. Merlin let his eyes glow gold and everything slowed down. He glanced at Arthur, his eyes also glowing as he looked around confused.
"It's happening again." Arthur said.
"Again?" Merlin asked confused. When had Arthur seen time slow down before? The snapping sound was heard again and they both turned their heads to see Grunhilda snapping up flies the way a frog would catch its dinner.
"Eugh…" Arthur shuddered and Merlin smirked.
"Weren't you saying something? I'm so… what was it?" Merlin mocked. Arthur glared at him before hiding himself better.
"What is she?" Arthur asked grossed out. "Is she a sorcerer? You're not able to do that… are you?" Arthur asked with a grimace and Merlin smacked his arm.
"Of course not! Come on… we have to go talk to Gaius." Merlin whispered and slowly made his way back with Arthur, as time slowly sped up until it was back to normal.
oOoOoOo
Gaius eyed them both with curiosity. "There are some ailments out there that could render a tongue strange-looking."
"No, Gaius, you don't understand… this was…" Merlin shook his head, trying to find words.
"It was certainly not normal, Gaius." Arthur said. "It was purple."
"And long!" Merlin cut in. Arthur contributed by holding his arms apart in a close approximation of what he saw.
"How strange… she must be a creature of magic." Gaius said.
"It's clear that a magical creature has infiltrated Lord Godwin's household but the question is what kind and why?" Merlin said. The door opened and young Mordred trotted in, holding a basket of empty potion vials.
"I collected your orders Gaius." The boy said proudly and Gaius smiled, ruffling the boy's hair.
"Well done my boy. Thank you for your help."
"You're keeping my room neat?" Merlin asked and Mordred smiled.
"Always, big brother." Arthur watched as Merlin resisted the urge to smile at the boy. "Prince Arthur, the king says your presence is needed at supper." Mordred said and Arthur felt dread fill the pit of his stomach.
"Thank you, Mordred." He turned to Merlin and Gaius and sighed. "Let me know what you find." Gaius nodded.
Arthur leaned in to kiss Merlin and again, Merlin turned his head away. It hurt. Arthur felt his heart tightening painfully. He missed him. He missed being closer to Merlin. It was as if he'd forgotten what it was like being apart and now he couldn't bear to go back to how things were.
"Merlin, please." Arthur tried but Merlin didn't say anything. He clenched his jaw tight and turned his back to him, storming away and slamming the door behind him.
oOoOoOo
Merlin flinched as Arthur stormed out and took a deep breath.
"Everything alright between you two?" Gaius asked.
"I don't know." Merlin said softly. "You should have seen him flirting with princess Elena. Who knows, he might actually truly like her." He said, trying to pretend that he didn't care but Gaius' raised eyebrows told him that his mentor knew otherwise.
Mordred sat beside him, swinging his legs from the chair as he read up a book that Gaius had propped open on herbs.
"If I recall correctly, you said that it had been your idea that he pursue her." Gaius said.
"Well I didn't mean for him to get so into it!" Merlin snapped and huffed as he glared at the fire.
"Ah, well, jealousy does have a cruel sting." Gaius said. "I suppose I better go and try to figure out what sort of creature Grunhilda is."
Merlin huffed at the little interest Gaius showed for his predicament. But he was right. It was Merlin's fault. He groaned rubbing his temples.
"Merlin, could you help me with this?" Mordred asked, showing him a scroll of questions. It seemed that Gaius was testing Mordred's knowledge too. He sighed. At least it would serve as a distraction.
"Very well, show me."
oOoOoOo
Arthur entered the room and walked right up to Morgana before Uther arrived. "Tell me you have a plan." Arthur said.
"I do." She smiled.
"Great, what is it?" Arthur asked.
"You'll see." She winked and Arthur opened his mouth to argue but she didn't offer anything else as Uther entered the room.
"Whispering? Are you two planning something?" Uther asked suspiciously and a nervous laugh escaped Arthur's lips.
"Planning something? Like what, father?" Arthur asked. Uther looked at them both before shaking his head.
"Let's sit and eat. We must discuss your proposal, Arthur." Uther got straight to the point and Arthur sat himself down.
"What proposal, father? I already said I wouldn't marry Elena." Arthur said.
"And why not? You seem to get along well enough." Uther said.
"I… yes, I get along with her, but I have no feelings for her. I can't marry someone I do not love." Arthur said.
Uther's jaw was clenched tight as he glared at him. Arthur couldn't understand when his father grew to hate him so, but here he was, looking at Arthur as if he was the greatest disappointment in his life.
"You can and you will. Tomorrow morn, you will get on one knee and propose marriage to princess Elena. Tomorrow evening, you two will wed. Will you disobey your king, Arthur?"
Arthur clenched his hands into fists as he looked down. "I'll do as you say, father." He said softly.
"Then it is settled." Uther clapped his hands together and proceeded to eat his meal. Arthur glanced at Morgana who smiled at him faintly while Arthur struggled to control the burning from his eyes. He certainly hoped Morgana's plan could take action before he had to get married. Again.
oOoOoOo
"A changeling?" Arthur said as he sat on the bed.
"Yup! That's why she's always so clumsy." Merlin said as he sat by the fireplace, a book on his lap as he read a book on Sidhe magic ferociously, passing page by page by the second. Arthur wasn't entirely sure how much Merlin was actually reading but from the stacks of books beside him it was clear that he had a long way to go.
"So the Sidhe want a Sidhe queen… but why? What good would that do them?" Arthur asked.
"Who knows what plans they have for Camelot." Merlin sighed as he put the large book down.
"Anything I can help you with?" Arthur asked.
"No, I've got this. You wouldn't understand anyway." Merlin said. Arthur stared at him for a long time.
"Have I always been this useless to you?" Arthur finally asked. Merlin looked up at him at that.
"You are not useless."
"Then let me help you."
"You don't know the first thing about magic. I've been studying everyday since I came here." Merlin argued.
"You won't let me help, you'll just have me flirting with someone else, pretending I want to marry her, all in the while you roll your eyes at my incompetence when it comes to magic and get angry when I do what you wanted me to do in the first place!" Arthur exclaimed.
"So this whole mess is all my fault?!" Merlin yelled. "Mine? For not letting you go against your father?! As if you'd ever go against him! If you were remotely capable of saying no to him you would never have started using me the way you did!" Merlin yelled.
Silence fell over them and Arthur felt like he couldn't breathe. Merlin's eyes widened with realisation at his words and shook his head.
"I didn't mean that, Arthur." He whispered.
"You should go." Arthur said softly. Merlin looked at him and shook his head.
"Arthur, I-"
"I'll be proposing to princess Elena in the morning. In the eve we'll be wedded." He said.
"Arthur, I didn't mean-"
"I'm sorry for ever hurting you, Merlin." Arthur said and left the room, hoping that when he returned, Merlin would be gone.
How could he be so stupid? How could he let himself get pulled along with these emotions when all along Merlin evidently resented him from the start. He cared for him. Arthur didn't doubt that. But he resented him nonetheless and the truth of what Arthur had done hit him hard.
When he returned to his room, Merlin was gone. Arthur got into bed and instinctively reached out for Merlin's warmth, which wasn't there anymore. He felt burning in his eyes and clenched his eyes tight.
"A prince doesn't cry… a prince doesn't cry…" He whispered to himself and took a deep breath as he successfully supressed his emotions.