Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters
This is a sequel to "The End?"
Bringing his arm down from over his eyes, Arthur turned and knelt next to Merlin. The two sets of blue eyes looked deep into each other, tears shining in both.
"Is it really you?" Merlin whispered.
"Of course it is, idiot." Arthur replied, bending closer. "Would Nimueh do this?" He bent further, and before Merlin could do anything, their lips brushed together. Arthur immediately jerked back, shaking his head as if waking up from a trance. "Oh God. What was I doing?" he exclaimed, looking slightly stunned.
"Arthur, it's ok, really." Merlin whispered, also looking shocked, but happy.
"Are you sure?" Arthur asked, a worried look on his face. Merlin nodded and they moved into a passionate kiss. When they broke apart Arthur turned all practical. "We need to get back to the castle. We'll freeze out here when it gets dark." He helped Merlin to his feet and the men leaned on each other for a moment, both exhausted.
"I'll take those off" Merlin said, pointing to the manacles around Arthur's wrists and ankles. He ran the hand of his good arm over the cuffs and whispered a few words. There was a muffled clink as the chains fell away.
"Your magic is back?" Arthur said inquiringly.
"How did you know it was gone?" Merlin asked.
"There was a pool in the cave. Nimueh cast a spell on it so I could see everything you did." Arthur spun the warlock around and looked him in the eye.
"You didn't really believe it was me, did you? You know I'd never hurt you. You mean too much to me." Arthur interrogated, gripping Merlin by the shoulders.
"I thought something was wrong but I was confused. You had been so cold to me since it happened. I thought you didn't want me around anymore." Merlin replied, unable to meet Arthur's eyes.
"But you stayed anyway? Even when that witch started hurting you."
"I had to protect you. It's my destiny and..." Merlin's voice faded away.
"And what?" the prince asked. Merlin replied so quietly that Arthur had to bend in close to hear.
"I love you." the warlock whispered, eyes downcast. Arthur pulled his head up and they shared another lingering kiss.
"I love you too, idiot." Arthur answered, looking into Merlin's eyes and willing him to believe. They stood, locked deep in each other's eyes for several minutes before Arthur shook himself out of it. Using each other for support, they limped back to the castle.
Gwen sat at the seat in the window of Morgana's chamber, sewing forgotten as she watched for any sign of Arthur or Merlin returning. Gwen had turned up at the physician's chambers only ten minutes after Merlin left and Gaius had told her the whole story. Unable to do anything about it she had gone to attend Morgana. Gwen abruptly stood up as she saw two familiar figures limping through the castle gates. Without saying a word she ran out the room, closely followed by Morgana.
"What have you done to him now..." Morgana had started rounding on Arthur as soon as she saw him, but stopped startled as she noticed the prince looked very different to the one she had seen at breakfast that morning.
"I've been chained in a cave for a week and this is the welcome I get?" Arthur grinned at her.
"But... who was the other guy then?" Morgana said, looking very confused.
"It was Nimueh. She used a potion to look like Arthur." Merlin replied. It was obvious to Morgana that Merlin was feeling much better, and the look that shot between the two men spoke a million words to the very perceptive woman.
"We had better get Gaius to check you both over. Gwen, go and warn him. I expect the full story when he says you're fine." She walked ahead of them, opening doors.
An hour later, Gaius had given them a clean bill of health and they had all had the full story, barring some of what had happened after Nimueh disappeared. Arthur was called to see his father, to explain his recent behaviour and Merlin was told to go and rest. Later that evening, Merlin volunteered to take a salve for Arthur's wounds up to him. When he returned several hours later, Gaius only raised an eyebrow knowingly, then turned over and went back to sleep.
The End
Hope you enjoyed my story. Many thanks to DementedViper and Myrmidryad for their avid r&r's.
