Merlin's Kisses

By Unknown Book

Chapter 4: Elyan and Leon

(A/N: Another small time jump in the middle of this one. Not too jarring I hope.)

Merlin can't rule out magic.

There hasn't been an obvious trigger for Arthur's sudden, erratic decisions and mood swings. Camelot's been doing well since he's become king. There aren't any threats that Arthur knows about. Hence, magic is the cause?

Nothing's been noticeably off, but now he can't even double-check because Arthur's temporarily sacked him.

Last night, Merlin tried to sneak into Arthur's room. He planned to spell the guards to sleep, but he'd been caught before he could start casting. Arthur doubled the security around his room, which is all the more suspicious. Several more failed attempts to get near Arthur, and Merlin feels he's going insane.

After an hour of re-evaluating the issue, Merlin realizes he is the problem in all his attempts. He is the only one Arthur is actively pushing away right now. The solution he reaches is simple.

He needs someone else to spy on the king for him.

It can't be Gaius; the physician is rarely around Arthur, and it would be too suspicious. Arthur would suspect Gwaine in a heartbeat. Percival and Gwen would feel too much guilt for invading Arthur's privacy. Lancelot is a horrendous liar, and Leon would be blind to Arthur's strange behavior.

There's only one other knight Merlin can trust.

Elyan has been going about his days, trying to find the best way to earn Merlin's kiss. He wants his work to be unique, and well-planned so Gwaine can't complain when he loses.

In truth, he hasn't gotten far in planning. He doesn't want to feel like he's tricked his friend. No "scheme" will do, and in the same regard, no regular act of kindness will work either.

He's at a loss for ideas, and as a blacksmith's son, the best way to think about something is to sharpen a sword as you sharpen your mind.

He's in the armory, sharpening swords, when Merlin visits him.

"Mind if I join you?" The words snap Elyan from his concentration, and he looks up to see Merlin's joyful, if slightly manic, smile.

"Not at all my friend, grab a Whetstone, and take a seat."

The two get to work on sharpening swords, though Merlin is doing a terrible job. He's busy thinking of ways to bring up Arthur.

"So…Arthur's behavior lately..." he starts awkwardly.

"Ah, yeah. He's been right mean this past week, and now he's a shut-in."

"So, you've noticed? He's acting entirely unlike himself! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's noticed," Merlin says as he sets down the sword and stone to scooch closer to Elyan. Elyan pauses his movements to meet Merlin's eyes.

"Elyan, I have a favor to ask of you, and it's going to sound—crazy."

"Well," Elyan takes a moment to consider; he'd do anything for Merlin, but Merlin has asked some strange things. In the end, he decides 'anything' includes the crazy stuff. "I'm happy to help, Merlin. What is it?"

"How do you feel about spying on Arthur?"

"Spying on—Now, why would we do that?" Elyan sets the items down to give Merlin his full attention.

"You said it yourself, he's not acting normal. I can't get near him, and usually, nothing could keep me away. It's just weird!"

"'Weird' isn't a reason to spy on someone."

"Elyan, please? I want to make sure he's alright. Just keep a closer eye on him, that's all I'm asking. Maybe… take a look through his things to make sure nothing's… off."

"Take a look through his—that's borderline stalking! And what would be 'off' exactly?"

"Elyan!" Merlin whines. "You said you'd be happy to help." Merlin's face contorts into a pouty, pleading puppy-dog look.

Elyan decides to consider it. Judging by Merlin's appearance, his friend isn't sleeping well. This must be eating him alive. On top of that, Arthur has been acting strangely; if Merlin can't get close, then something might be extremely wrong. It might be worth looking into; besides, it's a knight's job to watch over the king. And Merlin's puppy eyes are far too powerful.

Elyan stands and turns to Merlin.

"Alright. I'll investigate; if only to help you breathe easy."

The relief that washes over Merlin makes him sway as he slumps in his seat. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." He reaches over and squeezes Elyan's hand.

The knight nods and squeezes back before leaving the armory on his quest.

After his first scouting attempt, Elyan reports back to Merlin with nothing. He hugs his worried friend and promises to keep trying. Merlin, though stumped by Elyan's lack of findings, is still happy to have help.

He thanks Elyan with a kiss on the cheek.

Leon is the only knight left who must earn a cheek kiss, and up until now, he hasn't been trying.

Part of him doesn't want to play Gwaine's game; another part of him—well—that part of him is sick of being the responsible one. It might be nice to make Gwaine eat his words for once, and seeing as he's the only knight left, Leon can complete this task easily. It's also plausible that he just wants a cheek kiss.

"Ah, Merlin. Just the person I didn't want to see." Leon's smile betrays his words as he approaches Merlin in the meeting hall.

Merlin whips around from where he was rifling through important documents. On the table behind him, there are maps he wasn't supposed to look at. He's still under orders to give Arthur space.

"Leon! W-what brings you here?" At Leon's raised eyebrow, Merlin gulps and backtracks with, "I can explain."

"No need my friend. I didn't see you here, ransacking the patrol routes that Arthur specifically didn't mark in case you decided to follow. I also didn't tell you that Arthur, the scouts, and I will be heading Northwest, towards the Kingdom of Caerleon." Leon's smile doesn't dim as he looks at a very confused Merlin.

"What are—Oh! Oh, yes. Okay." Merlin cheerily steps closer to Leon; his mischievous smile matches the knight's. "Is there anything else you definitely didn't tell me?"

"Yes. I definitely didn't tell you that there's a fork in the road after half a day's travel, and though Arthur is taking the right path, you can just as easily take the left path. You definitely won't find a shortcut on that path that will put you ahead of the troop. I also didn't show you that it's right—" Leon pauses to pull Merlin back over to the maps. "There." He points before meeting Merlin's eyes again.

Merlin is grinning ear to ear. "Why, thank you for nothing, Sir Leon. I shall definitely not remember this." Before heading out to pack for the trip, Merlin hoists himself onto his tiptoes to kiss Leon on the cheek.

(A/N: Gwaine releases him from jail,
Lance gets him a present,
Percy gives him flowers,
Elyan stalks Arthur, and
Leon spills the tea.

The next chapter is titled: "CAN YOU GUESS WHO'S NEXT?" I definitely do not want to hear your predictions. )