One of my friends sent me one of this emails and while I read it with absolutely no intention of passing it on in any form, I found myself thinking of scenarios and hence this Fanfiction was created. Sorry.

SLASH references: Merlin/Arthur

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Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to

Merlin was innocence personified, Arthur decided. Only someone as pure as Merlin could approach a unicorn, touch one and weep a solitary tear for its death. Only Merlin could fail to realise the significance attached to some of the travelling noblemen's words and actions and they showered Merlin with attention, and barely concealed affection; and if Arthur was truthful, it wasn't just noblemen, it was some of his knights and some of the servants. It was everywhere and Merlin seemed totally oblivious. He allowed the obvious petting, only moving away with legitimate reasons to tend to his charge, the Prince. And if Arthur was being completely truthful it made him really jealous.

It made his blood boil the way some of them treated Merlin, like he was a toy, or even worse, just a piece of ass; and not the most precious thing in the world, something that had to be adored, loved, truly, madly, deeply. Which is how Arthur felt about Merlin. Every fibre of his being loved Merlin which a passion and an intensity that scared him and thrilled him each and every day. But he was a Prince; and that meant he could never show how he felt. He couldn't let Merlin know. He wouldn't be able to turn him down. He wouldn't be able to control himself. So Arthur stayed silent.

Until today. For an entire week Merlin had been even more innocent than usual and Arthur didn't think he could stand it. Dressing was the worst; his scent, his breath, so close and so warm. He was slowly being driven insane, was all Arthur could conclude, as another suggestive comment fell from Merlin's lips and he choked on his breakfast. Finally, breakfast was over and Arthur fled, but Merlin was his servant and it was his job to be with Arthur. By the end of the day Arthur was a frazzled lump of nerves. Lying on his bed with his head under a pillow he heard Merlin return and groaned.

"Are you ready for bed?" Merlin asked brightly as he deftly removed the pillow, holding Arthur's nightshirt over his arm.

"I am perfectly capable of changing" Arthur muttered as Merlin gave him a funny look.

"Of course, Sire" Merlin replied as he threw his arms around Arthur's middle without warning as he unclipped his belt. Arthur forced himself not to jump or yelp…or push Merlin up against the wall and ravish him. Arthur shivered as Merlin's hands ghosted his chest and shoulders and before his brain could properly process such thoughts he was standing in his nightshirt, blinking. Merlin stood in front of him doing up the buttons and Arthur watched him, barely breathing. Merlin was so close and without thinking Arthur reached out and ran his fingers down the side of Merlin's face. Merlin looked at him quizzically and Arthur realised the location of his offending hand and blushed. Merlin smiled shyly and mirrored Arthur's action.

"Merlin" Arthur's voice was hoarse and scratchy and he cleared it before he tried to continue,

"What are you smiling at?"

That wasn't strictly what Arthur wanted to say. He wanted to say something more along the lines of 'what the hell is going on?' or 'I'm crazy about you and you have been steadily sending me out of my mind'. In fact, what Arthur actually said was 'Whareyusmillingat?' to which Merlin took only a few moments to translate,

"I'm smiling at you" Merlin said "The way you looked as you touched my face."

Merlin had already decided that stating the obvious and keeping things simple would be the best plan of action in this case and with Arthur in particular. He had stepped up his seduce-Arthur plan at the start of this week and had watched in delight as Arthur slowly succumbed and now he was finally breaking.

"Ok…" said Arthur in a tone of voice that suggested everything was fine then spoilt it by going "Erm…" and looking at Merlin like a lost puppy in the rain.

"Shall we sit down?" Merlin suggested kindly and steered Arthur to the bed and sat him down. Merlin settled himself down on the bed and Arthur hugged a pillow for comfort. They looked at each other for a moment then Merlin leaned over until his face was about an inch from Arthur's who first looked cross-eyed, then slightly worried and then hopeful.

"You've been driving me crazy all week" he murmured,

"I know" Merlin smiled, finally leaning in further for the kiss he had been waiting for. Arthur smiled as well as their lips met in a slightly nervous but tender first kiss; which steadily deepened as Arthur reached out again and set about relearning the contours of Merlin's face and then deciding suddenly that this was totally right. Totally and completely and utterly. Arthur lost all semblance of control. He wound his fingers into Merlin's hair and none-to-gently yanks him forward simultaneously moving his own position so Merlin lands on top of him.

"Gumnph" was a reasonably accurate description of the kiss-muffled sound Merlin made during this move and he sat atop Arthur glaring at him. Arthur just grinned and pulled him down for a searing kiss, relishing the closeness between them. Merlin grinned into the kiss as he responded by deftly removing Arthur's top and caressing the firm, well-defined skin he found. Arthur was ticklish and Merlin was delighted. Arthur sat up, still with Merlin on his lap, kissing his face, cheeks, jaw line and traced soft kisses down his neck as he slowly removed Merlin's scarf and undid his shirt and gently eased it down his arms, like unwrapping a present. A precious, delicate present.

Arthur felt like he was worshipping Merlin, every inch of tender skin, drowning in each of Merlin's deep eyes, shining in the glow of his smile. Arthur couldn't quite believe that Merlin felt the same way nor that he had pursued Arthur, that Arthur had been seduced. Merlin completed Arthur in a way he could never understand or truly appreciate. Arthur could never describe how safe he felt with Merlin. How truly comfortable, he was perfectly at ease and he could tell Merlin felt the same way, as he lay beside him, sated, enjoying the sensation of heat and tingling in the after effects of orgasm. Arthur lay on his side, staring at Merlin who was staring at the ceiling, lying on his back. Then Merlin stretched, his form lithe and subtle compared to Arthur's solidity. Merlin got up from the bed and padded around the room, unashamed with his nakedness, picking up items of clothing and redressing. Arthur watched, his nudity hidden by a well placed blanket. Merlin smiled at him as he left.

Discussions about the future could wait, baring the one that had already had. Arthur knew all about Merlin's magic. He hadn't been completely overjoyed but Merlin had pinned him down and kissed him until he had realised it wasn't so much of a deal, although the realisation that his life had been saved so many times by a servant would rankle for a while.

They had had their night, they would have many others. For in a world of magic and mystery, the only power that could triumph over all was now in the possession of the two men destined to change the lands of England forever; love.

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