Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Chapter 3 The Wicked Day
It is Arthur's birthday. Merlin looks out of Arthur's window to the main square as the entertainers arrive for the feast.
"Wow," he says in awe.
He does not see Arthur roll his eyes.
"Merlin," Arthur replies.
Merlin turns to Arthur, who is not looking very happy.
"What's wrong?" he asks. "It's your birthday." Merlin wraps his arms around Arthur, who lets out just a hint of a smile. "I'm actually looking forward to the feast."
Arthur pulls Merlin away and turns him around, keeping his hands on Merlin's shoulders.
"Because you have the mind of a child," Arthur tells him.
Merlin kisses Arthur before Arthur starts walking out.
"And yet I'm still more intelligent than you," he says underneath his breath, but Arthur could still hear him.
"I heard that," Arthur says.
Merlin grins and he follows Arthur out.
xxx
Merlin helps Arthur back to his chambers after the feast. Arthur appears to be drunk. Little did they know an apple he had eaten had been drugged? Arthur pulls Merlin to his lips as the door closes behind them, leaving them completely alone.
"You're telling me you weren't even a little bit scared?" Merlin asks when he gets a chance to breathe.
Arthur does not respond to Merlin's question about him being a part of one piece of the entertainment. Instead, Merlin is pushed onto the bed, Arthur undoing the scarf around Merlin's neck.
"Shut up," Arthur tells him.
Merlin laughs as Arthur continues the act of losing garments at a fast pace.
"You're drunk," Merlin replies, still laughing.
There is also the occasional gasp as Arthur works his way down his stomach. Before Arthur can researches past Merlin's bellybutton, he comes back up and nips at his ear.
"And I want you," Arthur whispers in a tone that make Merlin moan and ache for more. Merlin gasps as Arthur turn him on his back. Arthur gives a smile as he runs a finger down Merlin's back. "It is my birthday after all."
"Indeed it is," Merlin replies before losing himself in the moment.
xxx
Sometime later, Arthur decides to visit his father.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Merlin asks.
Arthur, still not walking right, gives Merlin a confused look. Merlin smiles, seeing Arthur was still a bit drunk.
"Why wouldn't it be?" Arthur asks.
Merlin looks down.
"You're no wearing any trousers," he replies.
It is not long after that Gaius finds Merlin and tells him Uther had been stabbed.
"Is there anything you can do?" Arthur asks.
"I'm afraid it's only a matter of time. There is nothing I can do," Gaius asks.
"Arthur…" Merlin beings, but Arthur ignores him and walks out.
"Go to him," Gaius tells Merlin.
"He needs to be alone tonight," Merlin replies.
"Merlin," Gaius says.
Merlin shakes his head.
"I know how he's feeling, Gaius," he tells him.
"And would you want to be alone?" he asks.
Merlin does not answer.
xxx
The next morning, Arthur hardly responds to anything Sir Leon or Agravaine has to say. Arthur quickly stands when Merlin and tells the others to leave. Merlin knew then it was a mistake leaving him.
"What news of my father?" Arthur asks.
Merlin shakes his head.
"No change," he replies.
Arthur wraps Merlin in his arms.
"Don't leave me," Arthur tells him.
"Wouldn't dream of it. Besides, who would clean up all of your messes?" Merlin asks, trying to lighten the mood, but it did not.
xxx
Merlin joins Arthur as he watches out his window that night.
"A vigil. They're acting like he's already gone," Arthur says.
"I wish this wasn't so," Merlin replies.
He wraps his arms around his waist.
"I want to thank you for all that you're doing for my father," Arthur says.
"I don't do it for him," Merlin tells him.
Arthur clears his throat and finally turns towards Merlin.
"There's only one way to heal my father," he replies.
Merlin let's his shocked expression fade before he can respond to what Arthur had just told him.
"How?" he asks.
Of course he already knows the answer. He just wants it to come out of Arthur's mouth.
"With magic," Arthur replies.
xxx
Gaius cannot believe what Merlin has told him.
"He's what?" he asks again.
"He's desperate," Merlin says. "Magic is the only thing that can save Uther. Arthur knows it."
"Merlin, please tell me you're not…" Gaius starts, but he stops, knowing the answer.
"If I said no, would you believe me?" he asks.
"No," Gaius replies.
"Then I'm not going to do it," Merlin says.
"Merlin," Gaius replies, his voice stern.
"I'll use an aging spell. He'll never know it's me," he tells him.
Gaius gives up arguing.
"You're risking a lot," he says.
"It's worth it," Merlin replies.
xxx
Arthur and Merlin ride up to a hut.
"Is this the right place?" Arthur asks.
He believes that Merlin has been told by Gaius where to find a sorcerer that might help them.
"Yes," Merlin replies.
Arthur looks back when Merlin does not follow him.
"Are you joining me?" he asks.
"I'll be there in a moment. I have to pee," Merlin tells him.
Arthur goes into the hut. As he walks through, he knocks over a pot. Merlin, disguised as an old man, enters.
"Have you come to kill me?" old Merlin asks.
"No, I'm not," Arthur tells him. Merlin eyes the broken pot. "I broke your pot."
"You clumsy fool," old Merlin yells.
Arthur shakes his head and starts to walk out.
"I can see this isn't going to work," he says.
"So you haven't come to ask me to heal your father?" old Merlin asks.
Arthur turns in shock.
"You will help? You can have whatever you want," Arthur replies.
"All I've ever wanted is for me and my kind to live in peace," old Merlin tells him.
"When I am King, you shall have it," Arthur assures him.
Old Merlin smiles. This will change everything he thought. He can finally be able to tell Arthur the truth about him.
"Then I will help you. I will come to Camelot at night fall. I must first gather some rare herbs," old Merlin replies.
He takes off, leaving Arthur in shock. He stands there for a while before leaving the hut.
"Merlin," Arthur calls. Merlin emerges from the tress. "You were peeing all this time?"
"I really had to go," Merlin replies.
Arthur rolls his eyes and they leave back to Camelot.
xxx
Later that night, Arthur waits for old Merlin. Merlin appears and they head towards Uther's chambers. Little did they know that Morgana had fouled their plans? She had made it to so that Merlin's spell would become reverse. So instead of healing, the spell would kill Uther.
"What have you done?" Arthur demands after the spell goes wrong.
Merlin is in shock.
"This was not supposed to happen," he tells him.
Arthur takes out his sword and starts towards old Merlin.
"You will pay for this," he says.
Merlin sends him flying across the floor and runs out.
xxx
Merlin is shocked when Gaius tells him what really happened. Why the spell had not worked.
"I found this charm round Uther's neck. Enchanted to reverse the effects of your healing spell," Gaius tells him.
"Morgana," Merlin says under his breath.
Gaius nods.
"Yes," replies.
xxx
Merlin walks up behind Arthur and wraps his arms around him.
"I'm so sorry," he apologizes. He sniffs, unable to hold back tears. "I should've done something."
"There was nothing you could do," Arthur tells him.
There's a knock at the door, and Arthur leaves. Merlin follows behind in silence as they enter the throne room. Merlin leaves Arthur with Uther.
"We should leave him be," Gaius says.
"I don't think anyone wants that," Merlin tells him.
Gaius gives Merlin a worried look.
"But…" he starts to say.
"I was wrong before," Merlin replies.
Gaius leaves as Merlin sits on the floor against the wall. He stays the entire night. Arthur walks out the next morning and is shocked to see Merlin, eyes closed.
"Merlin?" he asks. Merlin slowly opens his eyes. They stare at each other for a moment. "It's a new day."
They stand.
"I didn't want you to feel that you were alone," Merlin tells him.
"Thank you," Arthur replies. They share a small smile. "You must be hungry."
"Starving," Merlin says.
"Me too. Come on. You can make us some breakfast," Arthur replies.
Arthur is crowned King that day.