Author: LadyFromPoland

Disclaimer: I don't own "Merlin". It is a TV show which belongs to BBC.

Warning: SLASH

English is not my mother language.

Engagement of an idiot

Chapter 2

„Dangerous thoughts"

Arthur was trying to wade through some papers but he couldn't focus on them at all. He was thinking about Merlin who was probably just eating supper with Rowena and her family. They were likely chatting now, creating the bond. Those thoughts were very frustrating. Arthur felt that there was something wrong in this marriage. It was just really hard to find out the truth when Merlin was behaving like this. It was so unlike Merlin to say that he believed in the romantic value of marriage and at the same time wanting to marry a woman that he had met a few times. The king was sure that his friend wasn't in love with her. There was no affection in his eyes when he was talking about her. There was no longing in his voice. Every time when Merlin was talking about values of true love there was something girlish about him. Arthur always thought that Merlin wanted to find the one person that he would spend a loving life with. It was a big disappointment to the king when he found out that Merlin's priorities changed. Arthur was sure that one day his friend would wake up in the morning and he would realise his great mistake. However then it would be too late. Arthur wasn't going to watch the slow destruction of his naïve friend. That's why he needed to stop this marriage. He was ready to make as many efforts as it was needed. One day Merlin would thank him.

Arthur didn't want to think about the selfish part of his plan. The truth was that he didn't really know the nature of Merlin's feelings for the noble girl. All things that he took for granted were just his suspicions and silent hopes. He didn't want to lose his friend; at least not for the noble woman that he didn't know and didn't trust. After marrying her, Merlin would have to change his all life. Arthur was a brave man but he was afraid of changes as everyone. His heart was aching at the thought of Merlin being taken away from his ridiculous chamber in the highest tower. He didn't want to think about Merlin living outside the castle. It would be too close to living out of his life.

The king lay down on his large bed, thinking intensively. He needed to create a detailed plan to get the old Merlin back. It needed to be well-thought-out and ready for the dinner.

oOoOo

"It's just the two of us?" Merlin asked, coming into the dining chamber.

"Yes," Arthur answered, smiling at his friend. "I didn't invite anyone else because we so rarely can eat in peace. Besides I want to talk with you about things that should not concern the others."

"I see," Merlin said, sitting in his chair next to Arthur. "You didn't even ask servants to attend you?" he asked after a while, raising his eyebrow.

"I know that you don't like servants to serve you," the king explained. That was true. Merlin remembered the times when he himself used to be a servant. He knew that he could take care of himself without someone's else help so he didn't have his personal servant.

"But you do," the warlock said a little bit teasingly.

"Yes. However I can get around without them."

"Pity that you didn't want to try it while I was serving you," Merlin told Arthur, making him roll his eyes.

"Can we start the meal?" Arthur suggested. "I don't like cold food."

Merlin nodded. He himself was very hungry and the food in front of him looked really delicious.

They started eating in silence. Arthur was watching his friend very carefully all the time. He liked the way Merlin's fingers lingered on the plate. Arthur was sure that he wasn't supposed to find it so interesting. It was weird but he couldn't help himself.

"Merlin?" He finally broke the silence.

"Yes?" The warlock raised his eyes and met his gaze.

"Did you enjoy the previous evening?" Arthur asked after a short while. It was the question that he had to ask, though he didn't really want to know the answer. It was the part of his plan.

Merlin straightened up slightly. "Yes, it was a lovely evening," he said smoothly. "Why are you asking?"

"I was just curious," Arthur lied. "Can you tell me what is she like? I think I should learn about her some things. After all she's going to be my friend's wife."

"Her heart is kind," Merlin said without hesitation. "She will make a good wife. I'm sure of that." The tone of his voice seemed to be a bit artificial. It sounded as if he had decided before how to answer such question.

"I should meet her." It was actually the last thing that he wanted but to achieve his goal he had to get to know his enemy. "Can you invite her for tomorrow's dinner?"

"Do you really think it is a good idea?" Merlin asked doubtfully, remembering Arthur's reaction for the news.

"I'll have to meet her sooner or later anyway," Arthur said quietly. "Unless you're not going to see me again after your wedding." He couldn't get rid of bitterness in his voice.

"Don't be silly." Merlin sighed. "If you really want to meet Rowena, then I'll ask her to come here tomorrow. But please... Be nice to her."

"Merlin, I know the manners and everything. Don't treat me like a churl."

The warlock gave him a small smile. "I don't treat you like that. I'm just worried about your prattishness. You just can't stop it sometimes." Merlin's voice was soft and tender. It made Arthur's heart twitch in his chest. He was afraid of his body's reactions. It was dangerous that Merlin had such impact on him.

"Arthur? Are you okay?" Merlin asked him.

The blonde looked at him with confused eyes. "I'm fine," he mumbled after a while.

"You don't look good," the warlock said worryingly. "You're quite pale. I think you should take some rest."

"That's not necessary."

Merlin got up from his chair and grabbed Arthur's shoulder. "I said that you need to rest," he said warningly. "I was Gaius' assistant for a long time. You should listen to me."

"I have my duties," Arthur said, not being able to stop thinking about Merlin's touch.

"Camelot will be fine. Your people need a healthy king and you are overworked. You really ought to forgot about your duties for the rest of the afternoon."

Merlin was so touchingly concerned that Arthur couldn't say no. He followed him obediently, feeling as if he was under some spell.

oOoOo

Merlin magically hid all Arthur's papers, saying that they would appear back in the morning. He wanted to make sure that the king would take some rest.

On the one hand, Arthur was a bit angry because he was the king and Merlin just couldn't hide important documents. However on the other hand he was touched by Merlin's concern. It was good to actually see that the warlock cared for him.

Nonetheless, Arthur was disappointed when Merlin got away as soon as he was sure that nothing would disturb his king. He said that he had to tell Rowena about the invitation for dinner. Arthur almost forgot about the whole thing. Hearing about her wasn't something that would help him rest. Arthur couldn't forget about his plan even for a short moment. Its prosperity was too crucial.

Arthur was lying, looking at the ceiling and thinking about the future. He was responsible for the kingdom. The lives of many people depended on his decisions and he wasn't even sure if they were right. He didn't even know what was happening to him now.

For the first time since "the war" ended, Arthur started thinking about his half-sister. Morgana, the old Morgana, would know what to do. Although they weren't fighting against each other, they couldn't forget about the mistakes that they had made in the past. Morgana hadn't even taken part in the last battle. Arthur knew that she'd wanted to stop it but Morgause was too stubborn. The stubbornness was the cause of her death. Arthur remembered very well Morgana's eyes when she signed the peace treaty and took her sister's dead body. She was more relieved than sad. She also wished him luck and promised him that she would never again try to destroy the peace of Camelot.

Arthur didn't know what the new Morgana was like. Neither was she the proud but deep inside frightened Lady Morgana who was secretly helping the poor and the sick, nor the bloodthirsty witch who craved for power and revenge. Arthur started regretting that he had never tried to get to know the new Morgana, the one who ended up the pointless war. He regretted that he had never thanked her.

Arthur didn't understand what was wrong with him. All important women in his life were leaving him sooner or later. It'd started the very first day of his life and continued. His mother died just after giving birth to him. His half-sister tried to kill him but eventually decided to disappear from his life. His first big love chose another man. The worst thing was that Arthur knew that he wouldn't understand it without woman's help. It was like a closed circle.

Moreover, the person that he trusted with his whole life, in some sense, was leaving him as well. Merlin didn't betray him in any way, but Arthur felt as if it was a true betrayal. However he didn't blame Merlin but the woman that his friend chose. Without meeting her Arthur was sure that Merlin deserved someone better. He just couldn't imagine "the better someone". Arthur would never admit it out loud but he didn't think that there was such woman in the world who would be good enough for Merlin. The warlock was just too good and too brave and too perfect.

Arthur decided to try to fall asleep the moment he thought about Merlin as perfect. He had a hard day and his thoughts took a dangerous direction.

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