Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Chapter 5 His Father's Son
Merlin and Arthur find themselves alone in a tent after tracking down King Caerleon. Merlin looks down and laughs as Arthur helps undress his armor.
"You did a good job today," Arthur says.
"You just wanted to see me in your armor," Merlin replies.
"Not at all," Arthur says, looking Merlin up and down. "Well, maybe just a little."
After Merlin changes, they join the others. They have captured King Caerleon and now Agravaine is trying to tell Arthur he needs to kill him. Merlin waits to say anything until they are alone again.
"Arthur…" Merlin starts.
"Not now, Merlin," he says, putting his hand up to stop Merlin.
Merlin falls asleep, letting Arthur think. When he wakes, Arthur is still sitting.
"Have you not slept at all?" Arthur asks.
"Couldn't," Arthur tells him.
Then Merlin realizes just why Arthur could not sleep.
"You're going to go through with it," he replies.
Arthur looks at Merlin, not wanting to say anything, but knows he has to.
"I have no choice if it comes down to it. He'll accept the treaty or not," he says.
King Caerleon does not accept the treaty. Merlin and Arthur do not talk to each all the way back to Camelot.
xxx
Arthur washes when they arrive back to Camelot. Merlin slowly walks in. The ride back had been quiet, but not in his head. Merlin had been arguing with himself on how to talk to Arthur.
"Are you going to be all right?" he asks.
Arthur does not turn as he puts on a shirt.
"I had no choice. My conscience is clean," he says.
Merlin reaches out to touch Arthur, but decides against it.
"You can talk to me you know," he replies.
"No, I can't. The kingdom's my responsibility now," Arthur says.
"Arthur…" Merlin starts.
He stops when Arthur finally turns to face him.
"Please, Merlin. Just do your job," Arthur replies.
Merlin nods and leaves.
xxx
The next day, Merlin is surprised when Arthur calls him to his room. He did not know what to think of the King's mood swings.
"Is everything all right?" Merlin asks.
Arthur nods and puts both his hands on Merlin's shoulders.
"Yes," he says.
"You just seem tense," Merlin replies.
Arthur starts to lean in to kiss Merlin. Before he can go throw with it, Sir Leon comes in. Arthur lets go on Merlin.
"My Lord, Caerleon's queen has an army approaching Camelot," he says.
"Have the Knights ready to ride at dawn," Arthur tells him.
He nods and leaves.
"Off again it seems. Eating weird animals. No hot water, no baths. This may be the last time either of us get to sleep in a proper bed," Merlin says as way to lighten the mood.
"If you think I'm sharing this bed with you…" Arthur says as he pushes Merlin to the bed.
"Better make the best of it then," Merlin replies.
And that is where the two spend the rest of the night.
xxx
The next day is spent riding until nightfall. Merlin and the other Knights sit around a campsite that night when he notices Arthur is looking at him from the tent. Merlin gets up and joins him.
"I do wonder sometimes how you can put up with me," Arthur says.
He speaks quietly so that none of the others can hear them.
"You might be quick to give up on us, but I'm not," Merlin replies.
Arthur looks down and smiles.
"Get some sleep," he says.
"You two," Merlin tells him. However, neither of them do. Merlin catches Arthur going to Queen Annis's tent and gets caught. They are eventually let go after agreeing to a one on one combat. "Simple mined fool?"
Merlin is angry at Arthur's description of him to the queen.
"Oh, I was being kind," Arthur says, hitting in Merlin's face. He is angry that Merlin risked his life like that. "What did you think you were doing?"
"Helping," Merlin replies.
Arthur pulls Merlin into a heated kiss. At this moment, they forget that they are in a tent and could be caught at any moment.
"We shouldn't," Arthur says breathlessly as they come to their senses.
"Could get caught," Merlin agrees. Silence then fills the tent as Merlin remembers something. "You're going as the champion, aren't you?"
"I have to," Arthur says. "If this is my last night…"
Merlin shakes his head.
"Arthur, don't," he says.
Arthur takes his ring off his finger.
"I want you to have this," Arthur replies, placing the circular object in Merlin's hand.
xxx
Merlin is thankful when Arthur does not kill the queen's champion the next day. They ride side by side on their way back to Camelot.
"You're a hero," Merlin says.
"Thank you," Arthur replies.
"Not to me, of course," Merlin says.
He does not look at Arthur to see his reaction.
"Right," Arthur said.
Merlin looks over at Arthur and smiles.
"Cabbage head," he mutters.
"Idiot," Arthur retorts back.
AN:
Yay! Another update done! I'm making up for missing last week.