Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Chapter 12 The Sword in the Stone
Merlin is helping Arthur get ready for the feast of Beltane. Gwen is just starting to show.
"What's taking so long?" Arthur asks.
He is waiting for Merlin to hand him his clothes to get dressed.
"Wait one second," Merlin replies.
Arthur steps from behind the dressing screen, only in his shirt and no trousers. Merlin hides something behind his back as he turns to face Arthur.
"What's that?" Arthur asks.
"Nothing," Merlin tells him.
Arthur grabs him and turns him around. He takes in Merlin's backside for a moment before grabbing the belt Merlin is trying to hide.
"Why are you putting another hole in my belt?' Arthur asks.
"I'm enhancing it for comfort and ease of use," Merlin says.
"You're saying I'm fat?" Arthur asks. He takes Merlin's hands and places them on his waist. "Say it now."
Merlin bites his lip and hands the belt to Arthur.
"Here," he says.
Arthur tries to put the belt on, but cannot.
"Not a word to anyone," Arthur says.
He shoves it into Merlin's chest.
xxx
A few days later, Arthur and Merlin are in the Council Chambers when the warning bells sound. Gwaine runs in.
"We're under attack," he yells.
Arthur turns to Merlin.
"Merlin, get everyone to the inner chamber," he tells him.
"Right," he nods. Merlin meets up with Gaius after getting everyone to safety. "They'll reach the citadel soon."
"How did they get in without being detected?" Gaius asks.
Then realization hits Merlin.
"Agravaine," he says.
Merlin starts towards the door.
"Merlin," Gaius calls.
"I've got to find Arthur," he replies. Merlin finds him in a corridor, injured. It takes some effort for Merlin to pick Arthur up. "We need to get out of here."
They get to the inner chambers. Arthur takes a heavy breath as Merlin helps him lay down. As Merlin starts to stand up, Arthur grabs his hand. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Arthur replies through gritted teeth.
"No, you're not. Here," Merlin says.
Arthur let's go of Merlin and watches as he retrieves a wet rag. Merlin places it over Arthur's wound.
"All right, maybe a broken rib or two," Arthur admits.
"How long before they reach us?" Gaius asks.
"Minutes at best," Percival answers.
Merlin walks up to them after tending to Arthur.
"We need to get Arthur out," he says.
"He won't go willingly," Gaius replies. Percival leaves after being called. "What if he was to lose his will?"
"Magic?" Merlin asks in a whisper. "I can try." Merlin casts a spell over Arthur. Gwaine and Percival arrive. "We have to go."
Arthur, being under the influence of the spell, agrees. Gwaine stays with Gaius. Merlin, Percival, and Arthur run into Elyan in the woods. That night, they decided that they will go to Ealdor. However, Morgana finds them, and they lose sight of Percival. Then Elyan leaves, giving Melrin and Arthur the chance to escape.
xxx
Merlin has Arthur change the next morning. He has a hard time reframing his laugh as Arthur walks from behind a tree.
"Are these your clothes?" Arthur asks.
They are obviously too small for the king.
"Yes," Merlin answers.
"A bit tight," Arthur replies.
Merlin laughs.
"It'll do," he says.
They soon run into the smugglers Isolde and Tristian. As the spell on Arthur wears off, the sight is attacked.
"Where do we go?" Tristian asks.
"Come with us to Ealdor," Merlin says.
Suddenly Merlin collapses to the ground.
"Merlin," Arthur replies.
"He's been injured," Isolde say, noticing the gash in Merlin side.
Merlin comes to as they stop for the night. The first thing he does look down at his now bandaged side. He had not realized before that he had been injured. He turns and sees Arthur looking over at him across the fire.
"You knew Agravaine was betraying me," Arthur says.
"I had my suspicions," Merlin replies.
Arthur then gets up and joins Merlin.
"You feeling all right?" he asks.
"You're the one that's injured," Merlin reminds Arthur.
Arthur looks down and laughs. Leave it to Merlin to ignore his own problems.
"You too now," Arthur replies.
They reach Ealdor. Arthur watches as Merlin rests. Hunith walks up beside him.
"He'll be fine by the morning," she tells him.
"Good," Arthur says.
Hunith notices Arthur has not stopped looking at her son.
"What about you, sire?" she asks.
"I'm healing," Arthur tells her.
Hunith leaves as Merlin begins to stir. He sits up and rubs his face. His face begin to warm when he sees Arthur watching him at the doorway.
"Arthur," Merlin says.
"Hey," he replies.
Arthur smiles and sits next to Merlin.
"We're out of harm?" Merlin asks.
"For now," Arthur tells him.
Arthur leans in and takes Merlin in his arms. The next day, Agravaine and his men find them. They are able to get away.