Burdens-
Just a little one-shot that came to mind one day. This doesn't really have any thing to do with this story but I figured it would fit here.
Arthur and Merlin both many had burdens.
An insane amount of weight pressing down on them all the time.
Arthur wore it in his armor and his crown, baring it for all to see. He carries it proudly and never falters in front of the public eye.
Merlin, however, stored his burden inside of him. It festered just beneath his skin, entwined with the golden glow of magic and weighing heavily on him with every step he took. He wavers often, tripping under what would crush some. No one saw his burden, he made sure of it.
Heavy armor painted golden was something many wanted but leaden bones and lagging legs, shining with golden light was something many feared.
Sometimes, in the privacy of the prince's chambers, they would let each other glimpse what was hidden. Arthur would bask in this inexplicable power that he didn't know of while Merlin would support Arthur's burden with already trembling legs. For Arthur, Merlin could hold up the world.
For Arthur, Merlin would do anything.
And, underneath all of the burdens that Arthur already had, he knew that he would do anything for Merlin, too.