Arthur walked down the corridor with a purposeful stride, not even blinking when Merlin came around the corner.
"Arthur." He said. "I've been looking for you."
"You found me—now you can go."
"I need to talk to you." Merlin switched directions and followed Arthur down the corridor stairs.
"Please don't, you do entirely too much of that already."
"It's important."
"Then say it."
"Well, it's difficult—"
"For you, Merlin, everything is."
Merlin frowned, half annoyed, half amused.
"If you'll just listen—"
"I never know when to listen to you; all you do is gab and hope something intelligent comes out."
"…Are you saying I'm intelligent?"
"No, I'm saying you should stop talking just because you like the sound of you own voice."
"…So, where are you going?"
"That's none of your concern."
"I'm always concerned about you—after all, you did wet the bed."
"I did not!"
"You always did drink a lot."
"You talk a lot."
"Don't worry; I don't plan on talking to you again."
"I doubt that."
"Why?"
"I have faith in your ability to always say the wrong thing."
"If I talk too much, just tell me and we can sit down and talk about it."
"If you want my advice, I wouldn't do that—women talk about their problems."
"Nah, I'll just talk to myself if I need an expert's advice."
"You do that, but I won't be there to get you out of the stock. And I'll be cheering anyone on who puts in the gallows."
"But then you won't have a servant to push around and make up lies for when you pee in the bed again."
"That never happened."
"Right, I believe you."
Arthur looked at his servant in annoyance at his sarcasm.
"Uh," Merlin said nervously. "I'm just…gonna—go that way." He pointed behind him.
"Yeah." Arthur said continuing on his way to Gaius's quarters.
…
"Arthur." Gaius said upon the prince's entrance. "This is a surprise."
"Hello, Gaius."
"How are you feeling? Any better?"
"Oh yeah, loads. My throat's still dry and I'm a bit tired but other than that I feel fine."
"Good." Gaius nodded.
Arthur nodded as well, his hands on his hips and looked about the room; to the window, the contents of a table, the shelves—anywhere but the man he was speaking to.
"I sense," Gaius said moving closer. "That there is something you wish to say."
Arthur took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Gaius, you've been a friend to the royal family for years. You've treated my mother, my father, me…"
"I'm not sure what you are getting at, sire."
"You're…trusted. You've kept secrets."
"I tell you everything you need to know, Arthur. You know this."
"Yes. I do know that, I just…" another deep breath. "I…I need to…"
"You wish to get something off your chest."
"You can keep a secret. Even from my father?"
"Yes, of course. Though I don't see what the king has to do with any of this."
Deep breath. Slow breath.
"Gaius, I…I think I have magic."
Gaius straightened up.
"I know," Arthur continued hurriedly. "I know it's ridiculous. Impossible even. I just…"
"Calm down, Arthur." Gaius placed a comforting hand on the prince's shoulder and led him to a stool to sit down. "Breathe."
Arthur nodded again and took another deep breath through his nose.
"I know it should be impossible. No one in my family has ever had magic…and now it's banned. Just…just tell me I'm wrong and I'll go."
"I don't know what to tell you, Arthur. There aren't any tests I can perform to test you for magic and I can't just dismiss it without knowing for sure. But I'm glad you told me."
"What do I do?"
"Let's wait and see. If anything else happens, because I assume something as already happened, tell me."
"You can't do anything now?"
"I think it best to wait until we have more proof. And when you are stronger."
"What do I do until then? Can I tell anyone?"
"If anyone, only those you trust."
"Thank you, Gaius. You've been very helpful."
He stood to leave.
"I only wish I could have been of more help." The physician said to himself as the prince left the room alone.
R&R!