AN: Sorry for the delay! I've been writing a little bit of this chapter whenever i got the chance, which was not often. But I hope I can make it up to you ;)
So I've always had this theory (and i'm not sure if i've told you yet...) that if Merlin was a woman, she'd have stronger, different magic. Magic more emotionally charged and Earthy. And when she defeated Nimueh she absorbed like the Old Magic which I believe was nature based and feminine.
The plotline with the magic wanting her clothes to come off around Arthur is actually a main plotline to be ongoing in development. Not a hugely complicated one, as I'm sure you've already guessed it or can guess it easily. But it's a fun ride and hopefully an interesting read!
xoxo
It took some time (like, weeks) for me to be able to get used to the new magic that flowed though me. But I was now able to be near to Arthur without my dress spontaneously trying to rip from my body and tendrils of magic from reaching out and pulling Arthur towards me. There had been a few minor wardrobe malfunctions and stumbling accidents in those weeks, but I had it Handled. As evidenced by the fact that a very sweaty Arthur was leaning up against a fence post next to me and I was still able to do my job and breathe at the same time.
I still didn't understand the point of this strange magic. I didn't know why I suddenly felt so breathless around him and my magic tried to undress me. The dragon only laughed when I asked him. Laughed and laughed in my face until I left. Occasionally, when I was in the castle, he used magic to laugh in my head. So, clearly, he was no help.
I fixed the saddle on Arthur's horse while we watched a joust between two knights. One of the knights, I wasn't sure which, smashed his lance into the armor of another knight and unhorsed him. I winced. "That has got to hurt."
"That's the point, Merlin. It's not a like the pillow fights you and Gwen and Morgana have been having," he retorted sarcastically.
"Oh, you've been thinking about what the three of us get up to when we're alone?" I teased.
Arthur didn't look at me but a blush crept up his cheeks. "Fetch me another lance, will you?" he demanded.
"Yeah, I'll fetch your lance," came out of my mouth. Right, there was also that. I was unable to control that part of this new magic. Not surprising since I'd never been able to censor myself all that well. Now was no exception.
Embarrassed by the words that came out of my mouth, I quickly fetched the weapon and gave it Arthur, biting my tongue until it bled. He angrily pulled the lance from my hand and mounted his horse.
When Sir Leon threw the match, I knew a fight was about to break out before Arthur even dismounted his horse. Arthur was too prideful to win because someone let him, and I didn't really blame him. When Sir Leon said he was afraid to hurt Arthur, I didn't blame him for that, either. But Arthur looked like he was going to explode.
"You had the advantage! You can't afford to hesitate!" Arthur scolded the knight.
"I wouldn't have done if I were facing a different opponent. You are the future king, my lord," Sir Leon explained. Yeah, I really didn't blame him at all. But given the opportunity, I'd knock Arthur off his horse any given day- royalty or not.
"You jousted against me in the tournament last year. Are you saying you let me win?" Arthur questioned, fire in his eyes.
"No, my lord," Sir Leon said in a way that actually said "Yes."
"It doesn't matter who I am! I do not expect any special treatment from you, from any of you! Is that understood?" Arthur lectured to the group.
"Well, I'm a little confused," I said from behind him as I held his helmet and fed his horse a carrot. A few knights hid chuckles behind their hands.
"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur warned before stalking back to the castle.
Later, we were in his chambers and he was still fuming. He had almost broken down his bedroom doors entering the room, still trying to show how strong and capable he was, I assumed. He stripped off his armor and I scurried around behind him, picking it up as he spoke.
"How am I supposed to prove myself if my opponents aren't trying their hardest?" He asked me and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to answer or not.
"It's not happening all of the time," I said. I had known of a few instances during practices that the knights had spoken of before.
"So it's happening some of the time?" he turned and asked me, actually asked me, and awaited my response.
"No, I'm sure it's not," I tried to reassure him.
"Now you're doing it! Telling me exactly what I want to hear!" he shouted and turned away to finish removing his armor.
"Hmm, is that all you want to hear from me?" my voice sounded flirtatiously across the room. It took a second for me to even recognize that I had said that.
Arthur ignored that, thank the stars. "That just proves it. All my life I've been treated special. I just want to be treated like everyone else."
"Really?" I questioned him as the blush receded from my face.
"You have no idea how lucky you are," Arthur said to me.
I sputtered around a laugh, "Well, any time you want to swap places, just let me know."
"That's not a totally stupid idea," Arthur said as he removed his boots.
"You're Prince Arthur. You can't change who you are," I said as I finished gathering his armor.
"Yes, I can," Arthur said in that tone that said he had a terrible idea that would involve a lot of work.
That idea ended up being hiring someone from a village to pretend to be a knight who would be the face to Arthur's talent during the upcoming tournament. Arthur would hide with me and Gaius during the tournament. I was right, this was going to be a lot of work.
Arthur spun a story to Uther about a beast in the forest and was granted permission to miss the tournament to track it down with a few guards. Arthur was able to pay off the guards to not say anything to anyone and to stay in an inn in a nearby village. I met him in the forest with a bag of my clothes from Ealdor, which were considered men's clothing by Camelot's standards. In Ealdor, it was more out of convenience working in the field than style or propriety.
"What is that smell?" Arthur asked, his nose crinkled. "Whose clothes are these?"
"They're mine. I washed them specially. Don't worry, it's not a dress. Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked as he took the bag from me.
"Seems pretending to be somebody else is the only way to get people to be honest with me. Grab this bag, will you?" he handed the bag back to me, clothes in hand.
"If you want to pass as a peasant, you should probably carry your own bag," I said.
"No one will know it's my bag," he said with a smirk and threw it back at me.
"There must be easier ways to prove yourself," I sighed.
"Shut up, Merlin!" he gritted out between his teeth as he went to change behind a tree.
Once he was dressed we snuck back into the castle and to Gaius' chambers. He took down his hood and Gaius bowed. "My Lord."
"Gaius, it's good of you to allow me to stay in your home," Arthur said to the physician.
"I'm happy to help," Gaius said, but with a hint of long suffering annoyance. "I'll prepare us some food."
When Arthur turned to hang his cloak up on the rack, Gaius gave me a Look that said he was not happy to be an accomplice.
Arthur called me over to him and said "Merlin, you can't expect me to stay here."
"We need to keep you out of sight. We can trust Gaius not to tell anyone you're here," I explained and brought the bag of Arthur's normal clothes and hung them in my little wardrobe in my bedroom. He followed me up, still complaining.
"I doubt anyone would believe I was here anyways," he said and sat on my bed and leaned against the worn pillow.
"You really can't go without your big bed and your soft pillows?" I teased.
He settled his head hard against my pillow, as if adjusting it to his big head. "This will be fine."
Oh, he thought he was going to stay in my bed? I thought of the cot down in the main chamber that I set up close to the fire with the best linens. I guess I'd sleep there then….
"How are the preparations coming along? Have you found someone to play our knight in the tournament?" Arthur asked, picking up a book on herbs that was next to my bed. I was thankful in that moment that I hid the magic book in the dungeon with the dragon.
"Yes, he's a farmer from one of the outlying villages. Nobody will recognize him," I said confidently.
"Great, does he look the part?" Arthur asked, putting the book back with disinterest.
"That will take some work, but I'm hopeful," I said lightly.
Gaius called us down for lunch so Arthur didn't have to ask how far off the farmer was. I had the farmer, William, arrive soon after lunch and Arthur immediately wasn't happy.
"Great," Arthur said sarcastically and dropped his hands in defeat.
But after a bath, a new outfit, and a bit of a trim, he looked the part of a knight quite well. Arthur taught him names and ways of the court while I worked. Luckily, William was a fast learner.
I handed him a forged seal of nobility (I was really getting quite good at this), and said "From now on, you're Sir William of Daira. Imagine you're really...arrogant. Knights like to think they're so much better than everyone else."
William practiced his walk back and forth in the main chamber. I sat next to Arthur at the table, facing William. The farmer's walk was less shuffling than before, but not quite right.
"It's not arrogance. Ignore her, she's an idiot. A knight must behave with honor and nobility," Arthur shot me a glare.
William's walk became a strut, with his chest held out.
"Unless you're in the tavern and there's a pretty bar maid," I added.
William stopped and gave me a cocky smirk and a wink. I laughed.
Arthur leaned towards me, his arm pressed against mine as he invaded my space. "There's no need for your snide comments, Merlin." He moved back into his own space but his elbow still touched mine and I had difficulty focusing.
William walked again.
"That's… better. You must convince everyone that you were born into a noble family," Arthur said after turning back to William.
"Polish my armor, girl," William said in a deep commanding voice.
"Now you're getting the hang of it!" Arthur laughed. "He has a good point; you do need to polish our armor."
I rolled my eyes and sighed. Arthur taught William how to hold a sword while I polished their armor by the fire. It was almost dark when William left and I prepared dinner for us. It was the same food as lunch, and Arthur surprisingly didn't complain. The evening was quiet, mostly. Gaius and Arthur talked about what Uther was like when he was younger and I cleaned up. When it was getting late and I was just finishing my chores, Arthur announced that he was tired and was going to bed.
Gaius had already retired to his bed by the fire and was beginning to snore. I was just about to tell Arthur he could sleep in the bed I prepared for him when he climbed the stairs to my room. I sighed and looked at the bed by the fire. There was nothing wrong with the bed, but Gaius was snoring loudly and I had a long day ahead of me tomorrow. But, I settled into the bed and tried my best to sleep, but the night passed with me being awoken more than once by Gaius' snoring.
The tournament began the next day, and William, who had stayed the night at the inn with some of the other knights, met us in his tent. William was to line up with the other participants to greet the king. So Arthur and I put him in his armor and Arthur gave him some last minute instructions.
"Now, remember the plan. I'm competing in the tournament, but no one will know that it's me. All you have to do is acknowledge the crowd at the end of the match. Act like you belong there and people will believe that you do," he instructed the farmer.
I helped William mount his horse and watched as he rode up to meet the other knights. As King Uther gave his speech to open the tournament, William was clearly having issues controlling his horse.
"Well, he hasn't fallen off the horse yet," I said.
Arthur crowded behind me at the small opening of the tent and looked over my head. "I suppose that's something," he said and his sigh ruffled my hair.
Uther finished his grand speech about worthy champions and other pomp and circumstance and William returned to the tent. "They're ready for you, Sire," he said to Arthur.
Arthur finished putting on the armor identical to William's and exited the tent with his helmet on. I helped him up onto his horse since it was difficult to see with the visor down. I stood on the sidelines and watched as Arthur lined up to start the first match. I clasped my hands in front of me nervously. Gwen came up next to me.
"Hello, Merlin. I thought you'd have gone with Arthur to find the beast," she said curiously.
"He, uh, had me stay back to work with the tournament participants," I said, not looking at her.
"Right," she said, realizing I was not telling the whole truth.
We watched and I cheered as Arthur won this round of the tournament. He came back to me on his horse to get a new lance.
"Oh, I know what happened," Gwen said in a teasing voice as she stroked the horse Totally Not Arthur was on while I pulled a new lance out of the bundle. "You two finally landed in his bed and now it's awkward."
A lot happened almost simultaneously as soon as she said that. I was startled and whacked Arthur in the back with his lance, Arthur choked, the horse went up on his back legs and almost slid Arthur right off, and I wished for the sweet release of death.
"No," I wheezed in response.
Gwen looked confused at the commotion of what just happened. She glanced up at Arthur and he kept his head turned so she couldn't see his eyes through the visor.
"The throne room, then?" she whispered to me with a giggle. And had Not Arthur truly been not Arthur, then he'd likely not have been listening to any of our conversation. But since Not Arthur was Indeed Arthur, and Gwen's good natured teasing was about him, he was listening very carefully.
He let out a presumably involuntary "Ha!" and then coughed and adjusted his helmet.
We were done for.
"Arthur?" Gwen asked, her eyes wide and the color draining from her face.
I sighed and knocked my head against the lance in defeat.
"Guenevere," Arthur greeted with a nod.
She quickly bowed her head in respect, but also realizing that he was not supposed to be there.
"I trust that you can keep this a secret, Guenevere. No one is to know that I am here," Arthur said quietly to her.
"Of course. Your secret is safe with me. Sire, I am so sorry for what I was saying-" she started to apologize.
"No need, I understand you were simply teasing Merlin. Now, I must return to the tournament," Arthur said as he was waved back in for his next match. He took his new lance from me and was off.
"Merlin, I am so so so sorry," she said to me.
I looked at her in silence for a moment, considering the recent events. Then it hit me just how funny it was and I let out a laugh that I almost couldn't stop. Gwen joined me and we leaned against each other laughing so hard tears rolled down our cheeks. A few people turned to look at us, smiles on their faces. Arthur turned back to look at us and shook his head, making us laugh harder.
Gwen eventually returned to her seat with Morgana and I went back to my duties with Arthur and William. I was mostly quiet, hoping Arthur wouldn't want to discuss what he overheard. When the matches were done and Arthur had won all of his, he returned to the tent. He pulled off his helmet, his sweaty hair sticking up in all directions.
"You must go and acknowledge the crowd," he said breathlessly to William.
"How do you do that?" William asked nervously.
"You wave, they cheer. It's not difficult," Arthur explained.
William took a deep breath and left the tent.
"I do all the work and someone else gets the praise," Arthur complained.
"I know the feeling," I muttered.
"When I win this tournament, I'll reveal my true identity, get the credit I deserve," he said and I was reminded why he was such a prat.
"Of course you will," I said unenthusiastically.
"Well don't just stand there. Help me off with my armor. And remember to polish it before tomorrow. The horse needs grooming. And don't forget to repair the broken lances," he ordered of me and I definitely remembered why he was the biggest prat that ever lived.
Later that evening I had prepared dinner for me and Arthur and set aside a bowl for Gaius, who was tending to the wounds of tournament participants. I was clearing the table and Arthur stood stretching out his sore muscles. I thought of the celebrations happening in the castle.
"From what I hear, the ladies of the court are quite impressed with Sir William. They think he's very handsome," I said with a smile, thinking of the sweet and confused farmer.
"Typical. He wouldn't know a real knight if he whacked him round the head with his lance," Arthur snorted.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked as I roughly put the dirty dishes in the soapy dish water.
"I fear that people respect me just because of my title," Arthur replied, either ignoring or not noticing my irritated tone.
"I really don't believe that's true of everyone," I said and began scrubbing the dishes.
"Would you tell me if it were?" He questioned me, looking at me now. Really looking at me, not just a glance.
I sighed. "It would depend on the situation, honestly, Arthur."
"When I'm competing as William, my title doesn't matter, nobody gives me any special treatment. So when I win this tournament...if I win this tournament, it will be because I deserve it and not because I am Prince Arthur. I think I'll take a bath," he finished with a demand.
It was my turn to snort. "That might be difficult seeing as I don't have a bathtub."
"Really? Er… perhaps you could prepare me a bowl of hot water?" He asked, rolling his shoulders to loosen the muscles.
"I think I can manage a bowl," I mumbled. I was going to argue. I was going to complain. But being his maidservant, and knowing the moaning and groaning that I would endure if he lost due to sore muscles, I obliged.
I got his hot water prepared and soaked fabric from Gaius' stores in it. I added some plant oils that Gaius kept for muscle aches to the water. Arthur removed his shirt to bathe and I directed him to sit on a stool. He looked at me questioningly but I waved off his question as if to say "Shut up and trust me." He sat on the stool in front of me in only his trousers. I pulled the steaming strips of fabric out of the bowl and placed them over his shoulders and arms. He hissed in a breath at the first contact. We were silent as I worked. His posture went from trained to sit up straight to relaxed and hunched over with his head bowed. I let the fabric warm his skin and loosen his muscles before I removed the cooling fabric.
It was likely this magic I was having difficulty controlling. Maybe I had been spending too much time with him, not allowing myself to rest to keep control over it. As I removed the fabric strips and placed them back in the bowl, I felt the urge- the need, to touch his softened skin. Part of my mind reasoned with me that this was a terrible idea. But a larger part was a soft pile of mush at the first real skin to skin contact I had made with Arthur. Sure there had been accidental hand brushes when I gave him a weapon, or a roll of parchment, but nothing like this.
I smoothed my hands over his broad shoulders and I heard his breath hitch the slightest bit. He almost started to tense his muscles as if to resist but didn't once I curved my hands around where his shoulder and neck met and gave a squeeze. He let out a throaty sound like a moan that somehow reverberated throughout my entire body. I continued to massage his hard muscled shoulders for some time, moving outwards as I felt each muscle was worked sufficiently. He was entirely relaxed, leaning back into me, as I ran my hands down his arms and back up. His arms and shoulders were developed from years of swinging a sword and training with the knights. His strength was something to be admired, and I knew he could likely pick me up and throw me if he chose. I kneaded the muscles and skin of his arms and he made the moaning sound again. The sound sent little, pleasant shivers down my spine and made my whole body feel warm at the same time.
The fire was dying and Arthur was almost asleep on the stool when Gaius opened the door to the main chamber. Arthur and I both almost jumped out of our skin at the sound of the door opening. I gasped and Arthur leaned forwards on the stool as if he were ready to grab a sword and fight the intruder until he realized it was Gaius. The physician barely gave us a glance since Arthur sitting bare chested on a stool wasn't necessarily inappropriate, given the fact that today was a tournament day. He nodded to us in greeting and went to put some wood on the fire.
While Gaius was working, Arthur turned around on the stool to face me. He grabbed my hand from my side and looked up at me. "Thank you, Merlin," he said sincerely and kissed my knuckles.
I hadn't found my voice so I nodded and let him drop my hand. He pulled his loose tunic back over his head and bid us a good night before heading up to my room.
The next morning was as normal as it could be with Arthur staying with me. He seemed to have his full mobility as he mounted his horse for his matches in the tournament. When he won the first match he strode into the tent where William and I were waiting. The crowd was cheering loudly for "Sir William."
"Congratulations! You're in the final!" I said to him brightly.
"Go on then. Your people await you. No one can say Sir Leon let me win this time," Arthur said to William, ignoring me.
William hurried out of the tent and the cheers got louder as he waved to the crowd.
"Sounds like the crowd has really taken to William," I stated as I handed Arthur a goblet of water.
"That will change when I reveal my identity," Arthur said in a matter of fact tone.
"You really miss getting all of the attention, don't you?" I asked with a shake of my head.
"Just go and water the horse," he demanded instead of responding.
I smirked at his snapped response, knowing that it meant I was correct. I left the tent and brought the horse to the water trough. The horse drank happily and I stroked his side.
"He's a fine horse. I see your master has advanced to the final. He's extremely skilled with a lance," an unfamiliar man said to me when he approached. I didn't know everyone in Camelot, especially during a tournament, but this man approached me as if it were commonplace.
"He's doing well. Just one more match to go," I said, friendly enough.
"Tell me, what is he like to work for?" the dark man asked.
"Between you and me? He can be a bit of a prat," I laughed, knowing the bulk of the joke would be lost on this man.
"So are you no longer working for Prince Arthur?" he asked as though he were finally getting to the point he had intended.
"No. Yes. I mean yes. Only not right now because he's away," I said quickly. "I'm just… helping out."
"Well, I wish your master luck in the final," the man said with a hint of suspicion.
That afternoon, when we returned to Gaius' chambers, the physician was asleep in his chair by the fire. The old man was snoring away in his chair when Arthur and I walked in.
Arthur removed the hooded cloak and looked at Gaius and then the two beds in the room. "Does he snore every night like that?"
"Yes," I said with a tired sigh and started to sweep the ash in front of the fireplace.
"Is this where you've been sleeping?" he asked me, pointing at the cot by the fire.
"Yes," I said again.
"Where's your bed?" he asked, looking around.
"You've been sleeping in it," I said matter of factly.
"I've been sleeping in your bed?" he repeated in a tone I couldn't decipher.
"Yeah, not how I thought getting you into my bed would turn out," I said despite my frustration. After I said it I cringed and blushed. This magic was popping up at the weirdest times.
"Why didn't you say something?" he asked, taking a step towards me. As usual, he thankfully ignored my inappropriate comment.
"How could I? You're Prince Arthur. Besides, you didn't give me the chance. You just assumed the bed was yours," I explained and put the broom down.
"Well, how am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?" Arthur argued.
Gaius' snoring had stopped so I assumed he was waking up to our argument.
"You shouldn't need to be told to think of someone other than yourself, you're not a child!" I shouted at him.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say to me? Please, I'd like to hear it. If there's something you want to say to me, don't let me stop you," he challenged.
Gaius chose this moment to make his wordless exit from the chambers. He probably didn't want to be a witness to whatever murder was about to occur.
"You don't have any idea, do you?" I shook my head.
"About what, Merlin?" Arthur asked, sounding annoyed.
"About how much of a spoiled prat you can be! I know you are used to a nicer, bigger home, but this is where Gaius and I live. And you've been so rude! You have been talking about how you want to be treated just like everyone else, but yet you boss me around like I'm still your servant! Saying it means nothing if you don't act like it! I mean, would it kill you to say please and thank you once in awhile?!" I said in a loud, angry rush.
"Is there anything else you'd like to add?" he asked, his arms folded over his broad chest and his blue eyes narrowed at me.
I paused and reviewed what I had said in the heat of my anger. While everything I said was correctly how I felt, I also felt guilty at telling him my frustrations in that manner. It wasn't fair to scream it at him. And now he was mad at me, likely to fire me. Angry tears pricked my eyes and I looked away. "No, I think that's it," I whispered.
There was another pause as Arthur thought. "You're right. You have invited me into your home and I have behaved appallingly," he said calmer than I expected.
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad," I said quietly.
"Oh, really?" he asked teasingly, moving towards me.
"Well, perhaps a little," I looked up at him through my eyelashes, wet with unshed tears.
He smiled. "I'll make it up to you. Tonight, I will make dinner for you and Gaius."
"Gaius has dinner with friends tonight," I told him.
"Then it'll just be us," Arthur said, looking down at me. "How modern of us."
I giggled.
"Now go for a walk, or whatever it is that girls do at this time of evening," he said stepping away from me and pointing to the door.
"A walk sounds wonderful," I said as I grabbed my light cloak from the door.
"And your dinner will be ready when you return," he said confidently.
I smiled and left the chambers. I was still smiling when I ran into Gwen in the courtyard.
"Merlin!" she waved me over.
"Gwen! You will not believe it! Arthur is currently cooking me dinner as an apology for behaving like a complete prat," I told her excitedly.
"Is it for Gaius, too? Or is tonight the night he's with his friends?" Gwen asked.
"Just me," I said.
"Like a date?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"No!" I answered her quickly.
"Well aren't you worried he's going to burn the place down?" she laughed.
"On second thought, maybe it would be alright if I supervised," I said.
"I will see you in the morning and you better tell me everything!" she insisted as I hurried off.
I burst back into the chambers to see Arthur looking confusedly at a raw chicken. "That wasn't long enough for me to cook!" he said, irritated.
"I changed my mind. I'm going to help you cook so you don't burn this place down," I said, removing my cloak.
He gave a sigh of relief. "Good because I don't actually know the first thing about cooking."
"I figured. That's why I came back," I said. "So what did you do so far?"
"Stole ingredients from the castle kitchens," he said.
I laughed. "What's on the menu?"
"Chicken with carrots, and bread," he said looking at the ingredients he had on the table.
"Sounds lovely. Let's start with the chicken since it will probably take the longest," I said and looked at the ingredients on the table while putting on an apron.
I walked Arthur through cleaning the chicken since I didn't want to do it. He was quick to learn after I told him that cooking is something he could do to impress the knights when they're on hunting trips. We seasoned the chicken and put it in a pot over the fire to cook. Arthur and I talked while we washed, peeled, and chopped the carrots. He told me about the knights and some of their histories and family stories. I told him about some of the people from Ealdor that I'd known my whole life. Arthur used a towel to hold the lid open while I added the carrots to the pot with the chicken. I almost didn't realize, since I was concentrating on not getting burned, that the front of him was pressed against the back of me while we added the carrots. My magic had noticed, though, and my apron strings came untied and almost fell into the fire I was leaning over.
"Oh, your apron strings," Arthur said looking down as he put the lid back on the pot. I had a bowl and a spoon in my hands so he tied the strings for me.
"Thanks," I said, my voice hoarse. He was slow to tie the strings around my waist, tightening them to be snug around my body at an unhurried pace as if he didn't want to be tying them. When they were tied he rested his hands on my hips. I was startled by this contact and dropped the bowl I'd been holding. Arthur took his hands from my hips and started gathering the ingredients for the bread.
"So you and Gwen have become close," he said, breaking our silence.
"She's wonderful. I don't know what I'd do in Camelot without her," I said, thankful for the change in pace.
"What about Lancelot?" he asked, his tone blank as he measured out the right amount of flour.
"What about him?" I asked, stirring some milk into the flour he was measuring into a bowl.
"There are rumors," he said.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" I asked him, feeling nervous.
"That you two were involved," Arthur said. "But also that he was involved with Gwen."
"Both are correct," I laughed.
"Merlin," he scolded, shaking his head.
"What? It was just a bit of fun," I laughed again.
"A bit of fun?" Arthur questioned angrily.
"Why are you so upset? It doesn't have anything to do with my position as your servant," I reminded him.
"It doesn't?" he stopped working and turned to me. "It's your reputation and it's not proper for me to have a servant with a bad reputation."
"What? Lancelot kissed me, it's not like I'm with child," I said and shook my head.
"He kissed you?" Arthur asked, glaring down at me.
"Yeah. Arthur, I don't understand," I said with a sharp exhale.
"Because- Merlin, it's because. It's because you- it's because I-" he stumbled over his words but looked frustrated. He turned away from me and walked to the fire, his floured hands on his hips. I was confused but I leaned back against the table, watching him. Was he upset because of my involvement in the lies about Lancelot's nobility? Was is because Lancelot was also romantic with Gwen and that was scandalous?
He turned around suddenly, his eyes immediately fixed on mine. He took the four steps back towards me quickly, almost running. I didn't have enough time to react, but my immediate thought was that he was about to attack me. But instead, his hands went to where my face met my neck at my jaw and his lips met mine. He kissed me so hard that we pushed the table back, the legs scraping the floor.
Arthur Pendragon was kissing me. I gasped a little at this realization and at the table moving backwards. Arthur took that opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth. Had someone told me yesterday that I would be kissing Arthur, I'd have said I'd never have wanted it. But here I was, weak in the knees and panting for more. I hadn't kissed him back yet so he pulled away looking self conscious and embarrassed.
My magic decided now was a good time to wake up and it reached out those vines that had been creeping up on Arthur the last few weeks. My magic wrapped around us and the air between us almost shimmered like heat above the forge. Something felt so undeniably right being this close to Arthur. I felt warm all over, heat emanating from my hips. I needed more.
I reached up to his shirt collar and pulled him down to me, crashing his lips against mine. He exhaled in relief against me and gripped me tight around the waist. He licked my lips with the tip of his tongue, telling me to open up, to which I obliged. It was overwhelming but yet I needed more. A small whimper like noise came from me and he kissed me deeper. His tongue slid against mine, teasing and drawing me in. My hands moved to the back of his head and neck, gripping his soft hair in my fingers, my nails scratching lightly on his scalp. He let out a quiet guttural noise, like a growl, and lifted me easily onto the table, sending a mixing spoon skidding to the floor. I let my legs fall open to accommodate Arthur to continue kissing me. A strong, undeniable, need for moremoremoremoremore took over and I kissed him desperately and gripped him tight with my legs. I couldn't get close enough to him. It was impossible.
He kissed over my jaw and down my neck while I panted to catch my breath. He was kissing the swell of my breasts above my dress neckline when there was a sharp knock on the door. It wasn't Gaius because he would just walk in. The magic's hold on us snapped and I pulled away from Arthur.
"Who is it?" I called out a little harsher than necessary.
"The King requests your presence in the guards' corridor, Merlin," came Sir Leon's voice through the door.
"Now?" I called back.
"Immediately," he replied before I could hear him leaving.
I looked at Arthur, who had stopped kissing me. He stepped back from me and ran his hands through his hair. His lips were red and his eyes dilated. His shirt was wrinkled where I had gripped it. I was in no better of a state. I was sitting on the table, my dress hitched up to my knees. I slid off of the table and smoothed my hands over my dress skirts.
Arthur looked at me apologetically. "Merlin."
"Finish the bread, I'll be back soon," I said and left the chambers.
I rushed to the guard's corridor trying to calm my body down and smooth my dress skirts. When I got there, Leon, Gaius, and Uther were already there. There was a guard's body on the ground and Gaius was examining him.
Gaius determined the cause of death to be a broken neck. "There's scarcely a mark on him. The person who killed him knew exactly what they were doing."
"Earlier this evening, an intruder was spotted in the lower town," Leon said from next to me.
"Then I fear it's true, Odin has sent an assassin to kill Arthur," Uther said solemnly.
"An assassin?" I asked, shocked.
"Have you any word from Arthur since he left for the northern borders?" Uther asked me.
"No. None," I lied easily.
"With this assassin in Camelot, we must be thankful Arthur isn't here. Search the entire town. I want the assassin found before Arthur returns," he ordered Sir Leon. The knight nodded and hurried off to organize the search.
I bowed to the king and hurried back to Gaius' chambers where Arthur was waiting. I burst into the room and turned to shut the door quickly. I moved a small table to cover the door.
"What happened?" Arthur questioned me, rushing over.
"There's an assassin in Camelot. He's here to kill you," I told him, tears pricking at my eyes.
"What?!" Arthur was shocked.
"The assassin killed a guard. Your father said Odin sent him," I explained. "Why would Odin want you dead, Arthur?"
"Because I killed his son. Odin's son challenged me to a fight. I had no quarrel with him. I asked him to withdraw. Perhaps he felt he had to prove himself. I can still see his face. He looked so scared," Arthur said solemnly. He looked away from me, ashamed.
"You can't blame yourself," I said and stepped towards him. I wanted to comfort him but didn't know where our boundaries were after this evening. "Besides, nobody but us and Gaius and Gwen know where you are. If he can't find you, he can't kill you."
"May I continue to stay here?" Arthur asked me.
"Of course, as long as you need," I replied.
"Thank you. I'll sleep on the cot tonight," he said.
"No, have my bed. You will need your rest for the tournament tomorrow," I shook my head.
"Share with me," Arthur said quietly.
"Like I said; you will need your rest for the tournament tomorrow," I replied flirtatiously.
He shook his head chuckling at me. The he remembered "Oh! Dinner is finished!"
We ate the dinner we prepared, cleaned up together, and then both retired to our separate beds. Gaius came home while we cleaned up and I had to unbarricade the door for him. I didn't sleep well, waking up to every sound, thinking it was the assassin. I checked on Arthur multiple times throughout the night to make sure he was alright.
The last time I checked on him was just before dawn. I opened the door to my room and peeked in to see Arthur sitting awake on the bed. "Good morning, Merlin," he whispered, being mindful of the sleeping Gaius down the stairs.
"Good morning," I said and shut the door behind me.
He moved over on the bed so I could sit with him easier. I sat on the edge of the bed next to him and looked out the window. The view was of the sunrise over the courtyard. The sky was orangey yellow as the world woke up.
We sat in silence for some time, watching the sun come up and a few servants start to scurry about. "Are you ready for the tournament? Today's the last day," I said finally when the sun was all the way risen.
"Of course I'm ready," he said quietly confident.
I smiled. "You're going to win."
"Most likely, yes," he said and looked over at me. He was quiet, pensive for a moment. "I'm sorry for being so forward last night. I'm not sure what came over me."
"It's alright," I said and looked down at my hands on my lap. I was surprised to hear that he was affected by my magic, too. My magic, which was swirling deliciously around us now, urged me to kiss him again.
"It was… amazing," he said, his voice deep.
I closed my eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. "It was."
Gaius called us from downstairs. He was preparing breakfast. We reluctantly went down for breakfast before heading out for the tournament.
We met up with William in our tent. He greeted the crowd for the start of the day's matches and came back to give his helmet to Arthur.
"They're ready for you, sire," he said as he handed Arthur the helmet.
Arthur was set to fight Sir Alynor in the final and I joined Gwen in the stands to watch. When Arthur was knocked from his horse and lost one of the matches, I realized something was wrong. Arthur was slumped over on the ground and I caught a glimpse of blood. I gasped and ran from the stands before anyone else was able to get to him. I rushed him into the tent, supporting him as we went.
"His lance pierced my armor," Arthur said breathlessly.
William handed me a towel and I dabbed at the blood coming out of his chainmail. "You're losing too much blood, Arthur."
"I have to be back on the course in five minutes or I forfeit the match. Do what you can," Arthur said, his voice gravelly from pain.
"You can't possibly joust, you're too badly injured!" I insisted.
"I have never withdrawn from a match. I do not intend to start now," Arthur said, wincing as I tried to clean the wound through his armor.
"You stupid prat! You would risk your life to protect your pride? You have nothing to prove…. Least of all to me." I said desperately.
He gave me a little smile at my words. "I have everything to prove to myself."
I helped him back onto his horse and passed him his lance. He rode off slowly back towards the course. Gwen ran up to me. "Where's Arthur?" she asked breathless and desperate.
"He's about to joust, why?" I asked.
"He's jousting against the assassin!" she said, fear in her voice and on her face. "His lance has a dagger on the end of it!"
We both rushed to the sidelines of the course. Arthur and the assassin were ready to begin and were given the signal. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Arthur, slumped over in his saddle, ride towards the assassin. There was no way he was going to live through this alone. I used magic to break the saddle on the assassin's horse so that he slipped, giving Arthur the advantage. He knocked the assassin clear off the horse, sending him tumbling to the ground. Everyone cheered for Arthur who was riding towards his tent, looking like he was about to slide off the horse sideways.
I rushed to his side to help him down. I grabbed him about his middle and put his arm around me. He was groaning in pain and stumbling as we went into the tent. I helped Arthur to sit in a chair and Gwen came rushing in to help. She gave Arthur a rag to press against his armor to catch some of the blood.
"What happened?" Arthur asked.
"You were jousting against the assassin. He killed Sir Alynor and took his place in the tournament," I explained. Arthur nodded his understanding. "They're waiting for their champion. It's time to reveal yourself."
The crowd was loudly cheering for Sir William and waiting for him to come out. Arthur looked at William. "You must go and collect your trophy," he said.
The three of us were shocked. "Uh, I thought this was going to be your moment of glory," I said.
He looked at me for a moment and gave a small smile. "Perhaps this is a time for humility."
He was doing this to prove a point to me. To prove that his pride wasn't everything to him. To prove that he could be just Arthur sometimes. I smiled brightly at him.
Arthur nodded at William to go collect his trophy. William bowed to Arthur and left the tent to an eruption of applause. Arthur donned his hooded cloak and we went outside to watch William ride around while people cheered for him. Gwen and Arthur and I laughed at his goofy grin as he raised his arms for the crowd. I looked up at Arthur to make sure this wasn't like rubbing salt in his wounds to see someone else getting his glory. Arthur noticed me looking at him and bent down and kissed my forehead.
We concocted a cover story for Arthur's injury and had him conveniently return to Camelot just after the tournament. I stood on the sidelines with Gaius and Gwen.
"We encountered the assassin as we were heading back into Camelot. I was injured whilst killing him," Arthur explained.
"Odin must be made to pay for his actions. We must strike back at him," Uther demanded.
"Surely you understand the grief he feels for the loss of his son? We should try to make peace with him. There's been enough bloodshed," Arthur reasoned with the king. I was proud of his level headedness.
"Perhaps you're right. How was the rest of your trip? Fruitful?" Uther asked.
Arthur looked at me, a secret smile on his face. "Very. I learned a great deal. How was the tournament?"
"Excellent, we have a new champion. Sir William of Daira," Uther explained with a wave of his gloved hand.
Arthur chuckled. "I'm sorry I missed all of the excitement."
The court was dismissed not long after that and I went to follow Gaius back to his chambers. "Merlin!" Arthur called me to him outside of the throne room. He ushered me away from the earshot the others.
"Yes?" I asked him.
"About what happened when I was staying with you," he said and then hesitated. "I'm afraid my father would never understand."
My stomach lurched and I felt like kicking Arthur. I swallowed and looked down. "You don't have to explain. Um," I swallowed down the lump in my throat again. "Maybe things will be different when you're king."
Arthur opened his mouth to say something but Uther called his name. Arthur looked at me apologetically and then turned to leave. I stood watching him walk away, and he turned back to look at me. His expression was apologetic and longing. I couldn't take it so I turned and ran.
I ran deep into the woods where I knew there was nobody around. I stopped and took a few deep breaths and wiped the tears from my face. My magic had been bubbling under the surface since Arthur had walked away from me and now I needed to let it out. My body tensed up and I took another deep breath before letting out the anger and magic energy I had been holding in. It came out like a scream and it exploded around me. Trees fell around me and the ground was scorched and smoldering. I took a shuddering breath that caught in my throat and came back out as a pathetic sob.
This was stupid. I shouldn't be crying over some stupid prat who was terrified of his own father. Stupid, helpless, prat. Can't even dress himself in the morning without help. Can't even win a jousting tournament without getting hurt.
I didn't cry like this over Lancelot, why should I cry over Arthur? I gathered myself, stopped crying and assessed the damage around me. It looked like a large lightning strike had occurred. I put out the rest of the smoldering embers and left the forest. I had work to do. I had a prince to torture.
AN: I have some ideas of how Merlin can torture Arthur. Do you? I'd love to make a chapter all about the ways Merlin gets Arthur all hot and bothered and then leaves him high and dry. Apparently i'm feeling vindictive?