DISCLAIMER - I do not own these characters, they all rightfully belong to the BBC.
Chapter Two - Merlin's Mask
That night Gwaine and Arthur walked back in silence until they were safely in Arthur's chambers - away from prying eyes and listening ears.
"So Merlin has a lady..." Gwaine said, as he closed the door behind him. "He sure kept that quiet."
Arthur rubbed his eyes, "I fear that is not all that he has been quiet about."
Gwaine frowned. "Sire?"
"I believe that Merlin may be using magic." Arthur said.
Gwaine took a step back from the King and Arthur sat down slowly in his chair. He did not want to believe it himself but suddenly all sorts of mysteries were beginning to slot themselves into place. Strange things had always happened around Merlin; tree branches fell on top of enemy heads, objects vanished and people were often found unconscious where he was near. Not to mention the amount of times Merlin had left battles completely unscathed despite never wearing armour. How had he not noticed it before?
He looked up at Gwaine and saw fear in the Knight's eyes. Of course, Gwaine's allegiance would always lie with Merlin before it did with him.
"What would you have me do, Sire?" Gwaine asked coldly.
Arthur rested his head in his hands. "Nothing for the time being...I need to think." He smiled reassuringly at the Knight. "Good night Gwaine and thank you for coming with me."
If Gwaine was concerned by the King's behaviour he did not show it, he merely bowed and left the room.
Arthur ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He could not forget Merlin's cries as the Lady had fallen back into the Lake, nor could he forget his words.
"I can't keep lying to him, I can't keep hiding who I am."
Arthur got up from his seat and made his way to his bedroom window where he looked over at sleeping city of Camelot. Everything appeared the same as it had the night before but Arthur felt somehow different.
"Who are you then Merlin?" He asked himself. "Servant, traitor or sorcerer?"
But what Arthur really wanted to know - more than anything - was Merlin ever really his friend?
Merlin pulled open the curtains with his usual enthusiasm and the sun flooded into the room and cast a white light over Arthur's face.
Arthur was already wide awake, in fact he hadn't slept at all.
"Rise and shine!" Merlin said cheerfully, placing Arthur's food in front of him.
Arthur gazed at Merlin in surprise. Last night he had seen him crying, baring his soul before a Lady that Arthur had never met. Yet here he stood in front of him, smiling like he had not a care in the world.
How often did he wear this mask?
"You seem awfully chipper this morning." Arthur said carefully, trying to recompose himself.
Merlin shrugged, "The sun is bright, a new day begins and Camelot has a new King. Things could be a lot worse."
Arthur nodded sullenly.
"I was er...rather under the impression that you were a bit out of sorts lately." He said slowly, trying to gage Merlin's reaction. "What changed?"
Merlin smiled casually and poured Arthur a cup of orange juice. "Arthur really it was nothing. I was just having a bit of trouble sleeping, but last night Gaius made me a sleeping draft and as you can see, it's made all the difference."
Arthur took a sip of his drink, the orange juice was cold against his tongue and tasted both bitter and sweet to him. He watched silently as Merlin bustled his way about the room. Outwardly Arthur could see not difference in his servant and yet he knew now that something deeper lay beneath the cheerful surface.
Arthur placed down his cup. He could not do this. Merlin may well be adept at lying a secrecy but he, Arthur, was not. He would not participate in this game, he wanted the truth and he wanted it now.
"So, Merlin. Who is Freya?"
The tray that Merlin had been carrying fell to the ground, and as it fell so did Merlin's mask.
The servant raised his gaze to meet Arthur's and all pretence of happiness was gone. Now all Arthur could see in Merlin's blue eyes was fear.
A short chapter I know, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same :)