Author's notes: my real notes will be at the end, but this chapter's title comes from Panic! At the Disco's song, Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time
Merlin was running from one end of Camelot to the other it seemed. The festival was in full swing and appeared to be going off without too big a hitch. Merlin was busy dealing with what little minor problems arose, like well over four thousand people arriving and Merlin having to redistribute the food. Nothing horrible like dragons eating people or wraiths attacking had happened. Yet. But Merlin had high hopes for tonight; and he wouldn't put it passed Arthur to blame Merlin if a plague suddenly swept through the people.
Turning a corner around a tent, Merlin ran straight into Arthur, chests bumping and all. Arthur brought his hands up to make sure Merlin didn't fall, and slowly lowered them once he saw Merlin was steady. "Oh, Arthur I am so sorry," Merlin rushed out. When he noticed Mordred standing slightly behind Arthur, his heart panged painfully, but he forced a pleased smile onto his face. "Mordred," he said, acknowledging his presence. "How are you two enjoying the festival?"
"I am having so much fun, Merlin. If you weren't so busy taking care of Arthur, I would say you should do this professionally," Mordred laughed, noticing Merlin's false excitement at seeing him at Arthur's side, and trying to lighten his heart.
Arthur scoffed, "He can barely take care of himself, what makes you think he takes care of me?" He looked at Merlin and genuinely smiled at him, "But it is a good party. I am enjoying myself immensely, and I can tell the other are as well. I have yet to see any druids, though. Do you think they received the missive?"
Mordred looked around at the people, just noticing the lack of druids, when he spotted some deep grey cloaks behind Merlin. "You spoke too soon, sire. Look," he nodded his head in the right direction for Arthur. Merlin spun around to have a look, too.
A group of about ten to twelve men and women were all making their way towards the three men. The man leading them was no older than fifty, had a greying beard hanging about four inches from his chin, and a grey cloak over his leather trousers and forest green tunic. He spread his arms wide in a welcoming gesture and introduced himself. "King Arthur, Emrys, and Mordred. So we finally meet." He had nodded at each man as he identified them, confusing Arthur at the use of 'Emrys' but making Merlin freeze with fear. But the man continued without pause, "My name is Hadrian, and I have been given the honor of leading these fine people with me." He turned and introduced them to the king, but Merlin was not listening because all he could hear was his heart pounding away in his ears like a woodpecker.
Merlin stumbled back a step, and steadied himself on the nearest sturdy object, which happened to be Mordred. Merlin looked at him, his fear shining in his eyes and gripped his shoulder more firmly. Mordred looked back and understood what Merlin was trying to convey without words, because Merlin wasn't sure that the telepathic linked wouldn't broadcast across to all the druids. Mordred nodded, and looked back at the people in front of him.
When Merlin tuned back in as well, he caught what they were speaking about, "The news about legalization, although wonderful, came as no surprise to us. We, and by that I mean the druids as a whole, had been informed by Emrys that it would happen in your reign, King Arthur. We are very happy he has kept that promise and remained by-"
That was when Mordred finally cut in, "My Lord, how rude of me! As the Court Sorcerer, I should be seeing these people through these festivities; making sure they are comfortable, and are not harassed. I shall give them a tour! If you would like to follow me, Hadrian?" And with that Mordred all but marched the group through the masses of people who, it appeared, had started dancing.
Arthur looked over at Merlin with a very confused look on his face. When he opened his mouth to speak, Merlin beat him to it. "So what have you not seen yet, sire? Have you been up to the courtyard to see the performers?"
"I- uh- I have seen a few, but only what would be at a typical celebration," Arthur said, distracted.
"Oh, you have to see the magical performances. I saw them through their auditions, and they are all brilliant!" Merlin then reached out and snagged Arthur's hand in order to pull him through the crowds and up to the courtyard.
There in the courtyard, everything seemed to come alive. There was so much activity going on, and everywhere you looked, magic was being used. Arthur, unaccustomed to so much freely-used magic, stared around in wonder. Merlin, in turn, stared at Arthur. His face was lit up with both wonder and the bright moonlight. His eyes couldn't seem to keep still, and they flitted from warlock to witch and back many times. Merlin dragged him over to one performer who was creating shapes and scenes from the fire in the pit at his feet. Arthur stood back, a bit weary at first -his instincts at war with his heart- but as he watched, his fascination got the better of him, and he stepped closer. The sorcerer, upon noticing he was performing for the king himself, stepped up his game. Little butterflies, and dancing maidens transformed into dragons zooming overhead, battling giants and monsters of all sorts. Arthur watched, enraptured, as the battle wore on, and he realized that this was a representation of the first magic war that Gaius told him about. This sorcerer was telling a story, and it was a good one and needed no words. When everything wound down and the last giant was defeated, Arthur pulled a few gold pieces from his pocket and handed it to the stunned man. Arthur then turned to Merlin and asked quietly, "Fancy a walk?"
Merlin answered, "Gladly." And the two proceeded to fight their way passed all the people, and on to the lower town which was deserted. They walked silently for a while until they came to an alley, and then Arthur stopped.
"I wanted to thank you, Merlin. This is truly a perfect festival. I don't think anything could make it better."
Merlin looked up at Arthur pleasantly surprised as a deep flush quickly consumed his face, starting, as always, at his ears. "I- it was- I mean-it was no trouble, really. I had enough time and enough resources. Plus everyone gave their input and-"
"Merlin, shut. Up," Arthur smirked, and Merlin did just that, smiling at Arthur, embarrassed. "I also wanted to thank you for helping me put all this together, not just the festival, but the laws, and dealing with angry citizens and whatnot," Arthur said, rubbing the back of his neck, not used to thanking Merlin like this.
"But, that was all you Arthur, I didn't-" at a pointed look from Arthur, Merlin's mouth closed with a snap. "Shut. Up?"
Arthur smiled and nodded. He looked at Merlin, and then he looked at Merlin. Not that he hadn't noticed him in that way before tonight, but now he was going to acknowledge it to himself that who he was seeing was not just his gorgeous manservant, but his beautiful best friend. Merlin's blush still had not receded, and it made him look younger and more innocent than he was, and his eyes flickering between the two of Arthur's were a brighter blue because of the red of his face. Arthur felt he could stare at them all night; for the rest of eternity if he could get away with neglecting his kingdom like that. He shuffled forward a couple steps, and came within six inches of Merlin, who seemed shocked to see him so close, as if he had not seen him move. Arthur quirked his lips minutely, and tilted his chin -up?! Damn, had Merlin always been taller?- just barely brushing his nose against Merlin's.
Merlin's eyes went to the size of dinner plates, and he couldn't remember the last time he took a breath. Merlin's brain was reeling, 'Arthur is going to kiss me! Oh, my gods!' but then his conscious caught up to him, and he realized why this would be a disastrous mistake. Because Arthur just thought he was a manservant, not his destiny. Not the magical side of his metaphorical coin. When Merlin was finally able to draw in a breath, it was shaky, and the exhale came out just as ragged. "Arthur," he all but sobbed, his voice thick.
Arthur drew back, thinking about how stupid he had been. He cleared his throat, "Right, sorry. I didn't mean-"
"No, Arthur. No I want to, I really do. But… I need to tell you something first, and I know you would not appreciate it if I told you a-after you… you know," Merlin gestured between them. They had still been standing pressed together, but Merlin distanced himself from Arthur, like he was protecting himself. He drew in a wobbly breath and said, "Please, let me explain everything first, and if you still want this again, then… I doubt you will, but it's time I told you."
Notes cont.: No need to tell me how much you hate me for leaving you with a cliffhanger, because I already hate myself for doing it. I hate cliffhangers (which is rich coming from someone with Sherlock being in their top 3 favorite shows. I'll post again. I promise, (girl) scout's honor.