Merlin took a moment to register everything. He was still in Sythian and he left Camelot days ago. Why was Prince Arthur standing in front of him now? His cheek was even smudged with charcoal and his clothes were worn.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Merlin finally asked the still-scowling prince. "You knew I was coming here. Why are you in Sythian?"
"…they have magic here." Arthur said as an excuse. "They could put a spell on you and send you back to Camelot to kill any one of us."
"Both kingdoms are under a treaty that your father agreed to." Merlin said as the comment sank in as personal. "Besides, none of the magic I've seen so far has hurt anyone. I've seen it do damage in training but I've seen it heal the same people. They're at least prepared for magic."
"Are you suggesting how I train my knights?" Arthur scoffed.
"…it's not like they're ever ready for magic as much as Camelot is attacked by it." Merlin murmured.
Arthur cast another glare at his servant.
"Why are you really here?" Merlin asked. "Do you not trust Garrick or has something gone wrong? Is Gaius okay? Guinevere? Is Camelot being attacked?"
"Why would I come for you if Camelot was being attacked?" Arthur asked.
Merlin didn't answer for obvious reasons. Arthur really had no clue just how valuable the servant was. It was a surprise that Camelot survived before he showed up. If it had faced the same threats that it did today, it would have fallen a long time ago.
"If nobody is in danger, why come for me?" Merlin asked.
There really is no easy way, is there? Arthur asked himself.
"Do you know what the servants here are saying about you?" he asked his servant. "Do you know why? Has Prince Garrick said anything? Has he…done anything?"
Merlin's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Arthur must have been in Sythian long enough to hear the rumors about the prince's lover. How was Merlin supposed to explain?
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said as convincingly as he could.
Arthur didn't buy it. He knew Merlin well enough by now and the light pink blush showed easily on the younger man's fair cheekbones. The thought stirred more shame in the blond prince. It was the first time facing Merlin after being confronted by his confusing feelings and this was what they had to talk about?
"Don't lie to me, Merlin. You might be Garrick's guest but you're still my servant." Arthur said.
"What difference does it make?" Merlin asked him. "I'm a commoner. Why should it matter to you how someone feels about me? I have all the freedom to leave if I want but I've stayed. I want to be here. It's better here."
Arthur felt his blood mix hot and cold at the words he didn't want to hear. Merlin was happier here. Even if the prince had those intentions, Merlin would accept them. Was it because he was a prince? Was it because Sythian was such a peaceful kingdom? But Camelot could be, too…when Arthur was king. Wouldn't Merlin be able to accept Arthur and stay by him in that case?
"What about your friends in Camelot?" Arthur argued. "What about Gaius and Guinevere? They would miss you if you stayed here."
"…I'm still coming back to Camelot. I just won't be staying there. Sythian is a better place for me." Merlin replied calmly.
"Camelot is the better place for you." Arthur disagreed with a rather forceful tone. "Garrick has dishonorable intentions for you. It's not safe here."
"…dishonorable?" Merlin asked with a confused and perhaps hurt expression.
Sythian wasn't safe for him? It was the only place it was. This was the only place where people knowing he had magic wouldn't get him burned at the stake. Falling asleep in Garrick's arms was the safest he'd ever felt. They just fit together so warmly. To call something so precious to Merlin dishonorable…even from Arthur, it was a grave insult.
"If you don't want the king or Garrick to know you're here, then you should leave now." Merlin said.
Arthur was confused and offended by Merlin's frankness.
"You're telling me to leave?" he asked.
Merlin didn't reply but his blank stare was answer enough.
"I'm not leaving unless you're coming with me." Arthur said daringly. "Even the princess has magic. Garrick could have it too. He could do whatever he wants. If you think I'm leaving you here, you're a bigger idiot than I thought."
He took Merlin's arm by the wrist but Merlin yanked it back with a hard stare.
"I told you I'm not leaving." Merlin said.
"I promise to make you a noble when I'm king if you come now." The frustrated prince said.
While that surprises Merlin, he didn't give in.
"If you think I'm staying here because I'm treated like a noble, you're a bigger prat than I thought." He told Arthur to the prince's shock. "I like being treated like a person but more than that, I like how everybody is treated that way."
"Like a person?" Arthur scoffed. "I've been scrubbing pots endlessly for however many days in a row with my bare hands! I've gotten blisters and my clothes have holes in them! I've even been sleeping on the floor!"
"It's called hard work." Merlin said angrily. "I polish your armor all the time and spend the entire day on my feet. I wake up before the sun so that I can wake you up on time. I spend over an hour heating your baths. I'm forced to go hunting with you and watch tournaments all the time. That's what a servant does. Do you know how you reward me? You throw water and clothes and even armor at me. You insult me constantly. That's the difference between here and Camelot. That doesn't happen here. People are taken care of. Families that would die in Camelot find refuge here. You say Camelot is safer for me but the truth is that you just want someone to clean your room and bring you your sword and prepare the horses. I'm not a person there."
The words sank in and made Arthur's heart ache bitterly. He was both angry and ashamed. He was also worried that he would have no way to argue this.
"I apologize, sire," Merlin said while the prince was still thinking. "But someone special is expecting me."
The words stung Arthur and he held Merlin in place by his arm again.
"I didn't come here to get my servant. I came here to get my friend." Arthur said strongly but Merlin was still defiant as he continued looking away from Arthur.
"If it wasn't clear enough, Garrick is expecting me." Merlin said. "I know what the servants say about us. I know how he feels about me. I can't leave him now…because I feel the same."
Arthur's heart sank and his grip tightened on Merlin's arm possessively.
"Please don't insult him anymore." Merlin said as he pulled his arm away from Arthur again.
He started walking down the corridor but after only four steps, Arthur pulled him back by his shoulder and turned him around. Merlin nearly blurted a protest but Arthur's lips pressed firmly against his. The shock hardly registered before the prince pulled back with a light gasp for air like he'd been mid-breath. Merlin's expression crumpled at the buzz on his lips that continued on into his jawbone. It wasn't the same tender burn as with Garrick but he liked it. That caused a bitter scowl to weigh in his expression at Arthur.
"I-I could be more like him." Arthur breathed while staring him hard in the eyes. "I'll treat you better…I'll treat all of the servants better."
Merlin's glare was piercing. Arthur kept hold of Merlin's arms in his hands.
"…just please come back with me." he said, actually begging for the first time in a long time. "There's too much I'm willing to sacrifice for you, Merlin, but I'd do it all. You're too important."
Arthur could hardly find the strength to breathe anymore but managed a deep swallow. Merlin's expression didn't weaken but only turned more hateful. Arthur couldn't help thinking that it didn't suit him. Merlin didn't even shake Arthur off this time before replying in a scarily serious voice.
"It's too late."
Arthur's grasp weakened on its own and Merlin turned freely before continuing his walk to Garrick's chambers, never once looking back as his former master sank to the floors of a mockingly bright and peaceful corridor.