Disclaimer: As pointed out many times previously, I do not own Merlin... For this I have cried over many times
A/N: I'll say this now... by the time you get to the end of this chapter, ALL of you will be very angry with me. Why you ask? Read and you'll find out... I really don't have anything to say rather then that. Thanks for all the positive reviews so far... But I get the feeling that won't continue on after this... Enjoy... I hope. Also, there's one swear word in this chapter, that being bastard... I hope no one is offended by that.
"Morning Arthur," Merlin whispered into the blonde's ear, before planting a light kiss on his cheek. Removing Arthur's hands from around his waist, Merlin crawled out of bed so he could stretch and give out a loud yawn.
The first tiny rays of sunlight made their way through the windows, bouncing off the mirror directly into Merlin's eyes. Grabbing a fresh shirt from his cupboard, Merlin put it on sluggishly.
"You've got it the wrong way around," Arthur pointed out, and instantly he looked down to see he was right.
"So?" Merlin shrugged, he honestly didn't have the energy to put it on the right way round. Muttering something under his breath, Arthur hopped out of bed behind him. Topless. Nothing had happened during the night, well, if you count a lot of hugging and kissing as nothing, but besides that, the night was perhaps the best night of Merlin's life.
"It's too hot to be wearing that," Arthur complained, tugging at the bottom of his shirt.
"You're just saying that so you can see me half naked again," Merlin said crossing his arms, as sleepy Arthur pushed him up against the wall, pressing their lips together.
"Maybe," Arthur responded, pushing him into the cabin wall gently.
"Arthur," Merlin groaned as the prat began trailing kisses from his chin down to his neck, where he began sucking gently on the skin. "We're going to be late for breakfast."
"Fine," Arthur pouted as if he was trying to make Merlin feel guilty. But no, not today, he wasn't going to fall for those puppy blue eyes....
"Oh, no you don't," Merlin said raising a finger to the manipulative prat's lips.
"But Merlin..." he complained, but this only caused Merlin to grin widely as he reached into Arthur's cupboard, pulling out a shirt for him to wear.
"Do you seriously want to wear me out? My lips feel as if they've been injected with local anaesthetic," Merlin ran his finger across his own lips; there was a slight tingling sensation, but it was hardly noticeable until he reached the very corner of his mouth.
"No," Arthur replied, snatching the shirt out of Merlin's hands as he put it on, covering his tanned chest.
"Much better," he stated as he opened the door, allowing the morning heat to fill the cabin.
Trying his best not to smile to arouse suspicious, Merlin walked with Arthur all the way to the dining hall, where they sat next to each other until Morgana and Gwen walked in. As soon as the two girls spotted them, Merlin couldn't help but notice the innocent grins that were forming on their faces.
"What?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow at his stepsister who had sat next to him. Gwen sat next to Merlin, and instantly he began to feel extremely crowded.
"Nothing," Morgana said as she examined her nails thoroughly. "You two were adorable last night, that's all."
"Don't say it so loud!" Arthur snapped, so loud in fact that people who had began to walk in looked down into their direction to see what was going on.
"But you were," Gwen pointed out, causing Arthur to blush furiously.
"Well maybe you should keep your nose out of our business," Arthur whispered fiercely that made even Merlin shiver.
"Perhaps you should keep your tongue out of Merlin's mouth then," Morgana replied with snicker as her and Gwen began giggling. Merlin couldn't help but feel embarrassed as his face and neck quickly turned to a deep shade of pink.
"You... saw that?" Merlin asked quietly.
"Well, you two weren't exactly discreet about it. Everyone who was at the campfire saw what happened," Gwen shrugged as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.
"Who else saw?" Arthur panicked as his eyes went wide with fear.
"Lancelot," Gwen answered calmly. "But you don't need to worry about him, I had a talk with him and he's promised not to say a word. Though I'm not quite sure of that girl... Freya I think her name is."
"She doesn't really talk much," Morgana added. "So I don't think she'll be much of a problem."
Arthur appeared to sigh in relief as the girls reassured him that no one was going to find out about their relationship. Merlin frowned slightly... Never in his life would he have expected to have a relationship, especially with someone like Arthur. That thought alone brought a magical smile to his face that nobody would ever be able to scrub off, no matter how hard they tried.
"What are you so happy about?" Arthur asked, looking at a very happy Merlin.
"No reason," Merlin replied as he reached down between them, placing his hand in Arthur's in such a way no one could see except them.
Once breakfast was over, everyone followed Morgause to the archery range where she explained the correct way to hold the bow, and when it was safe to collect their arrows. When she had finally finished, one by one each person lined up behind the safety rope and picked up their bow.
Picking up a bow as close to the edge of the range as possible, Merlin grabbed an arrow and placed the nock onto the string, carefully aiming towards the centre of the target that was at least fifteen meters away. Once he was satisfied with the angle, Merlin let go of the string, allowing the arrow to hurtle through the air directly towards Uther, who happened to be walking along the path on the side of the archery range at the time.
"Who did that?!" Uther shouted in what appeared to be a state of panic. Pulling the arrow from out of a tree that was only inches away from his face, he then walked over to Morgause who was laughing, but put on a serious face when Uther drew near.
Quickly grabbed another arrow, Merlin pretending that he had no idea what had just happened, and began aiming at the target for a second time.
Thankfully, Uther left fuming once he was unable to find out who shot the arrow at him, much to Merlin's relief.
Looking down the range, Merlin couldn't help but notice Arthur who was showing a few of the girls how to fire the arrow properly. Amazingly, when Arthur released the arrow, it hit the bulls eyes dead on centre.
"Wow..." Merlin commented pretty impressed as Arthur demonstrated again.
"Ogling over your boyfriend I see," Nimueh mocked as she took up a position next to Merlin, grabbing a bow and firing at the target.
For a moment Merlin wasn't sure what to make of her accusation, there was no way she could know about him and Arthur.
"No... Of course not," Merlin stuttered, trying to sound as if he had no idea what she was going on about. Though, Merlin had to admit he sounded extremely unconvincing, even to himself. "He's not my boyfriend."
"Right... and I'm an evil enchantress," Nimueh rolled her eyes as she turned towards Merlin.
"What do you want?" Merlin growled contemplating whether or not he should fire an arrow at her.
"You don't know?" she gasped dramatically, even raising her hand in front of her mouth to add to the effect.
"Go away Nimueh," Merlin snapped, returning his attention to the target in front of him. Just as he went to release the arrow, Nimueh bumped him, causing the arrow to go flying well over the target.
"Opps," Nimueh apologized innocently. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me."
"Sure," he replied, trying his best to ignore the cow, but she didn't appear to be giving up easily.
"You do know that it's wrong, right? What you and Arthur are doing... It's unnatural."
Merlin felt his fist tightened as he forced himself to block her from his sight. But as his line of vision moved, she did with it, until she was directly beside him.
"I have no idea what you're going on about, Nimueh. And even if I did, why is my private life any of your business?"
Even back at school, Nimueh seemed to always find a way to make him angry and hurt, twisting his emotions until he cracked so badly that he was the one that got into trouble, while she and Valiant always got off easy.
"Now, now," she teased, "Is it so wrong of me to care about your personal wellbeing?"
"As a matter of fact, it is," Merlin said, placing the bow on the ground. "So for once in your miserable life, leave me alone!"
A few people turned their heads to see what was going on, but ignored them and continued on firing their arrows.
"But why would I want to do that?" Nimueh laughed softly as she titled her head.
"That's it, I'm leaving," Merlin said and instantly tried to walk away, but Nimueh gripped onto him around the wrist, twisting it slightly causing Merlin to wince in pain as she pulled him back.
"Oh, I don't think so. You see," she said squeezing a little harder, "I still have to get you back for getting me and Valiant in trouble. Not to mention your boyfriend hitting Valiant, after all, it's only fair."
Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at her antics. There was no way she had no proof that him and Arthur were in a relationship.
"Do you see Arthur over there?" Nimueh pointed over towards Arthur who was now helping Freya aim correctly. "What a shame it would be if his father found out that his roommate had been kissing his son."
It took a moment for her words to sink in, only then did Merlin's mouth gape open in horror. She wouldn't dare. No, wait, she would!
"You can't do that," Merlin whispered so no one else could hear. "That's blackmail!"
"Of course it is, silly," she let go of his wrist, and instantly he began rubbing it better. "So I'm afraid you have two choices. Number one, you tell Arthur you never loved him-"
"I would never-"
"Or number two, I tell Uther and he will personally make sure you never see or touch his precious son ever again. Now, which one is it going to be?"
An evil grin broadened on her face that he recognised immediately. After all these years of knowing Nimueh, one thing always remained constant; she was true to her word. If she said she was going to do it, she would without hesitating.
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin asked, trying his best to hold back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Because it's fun," she gave an innocent smile before kissing him light on the cheek. "Oh, and if you tell a soul about our friendly chat, then I'll go straight to Uther. I'll be watching, Merlin, watching your every step. You have until after dinner tonight. Have a great day!"
With an enthusiastic wave, Nimueh walked away casually, almost as if nothing had happened at all. Why? Why did she always have to ruin his life!? It wasn't fair, though that's what life is, unfair and unjust.
"What's wrong?" Gwen asked softly as she walked over towards him. Was it really that obvious he was upset?
Merlin caught glimpse of Nimueh who was watching them carefully from the other end of the range.
"Nothing's wrong, Gwen," Merlin chuckled. "I just... Uh... feel a bit sick, that's all."
Technically it wasn't far from the truth either, right at this current moment, Merlin felt as if he could throw up any second now.
"Do you want me to get the nurse?" Gwen asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"No, I just... need to sit out for a while, get some fresh air, that's all," Merlin was looking for any excuse now to get away from everyone.
"Umm, Merlin?" Gwen said looking quite puzzled. "There's fresh air all around us..."
"There is?" he inquired. "Of course there is! I just meant I need to go for a walk, that's all."
His breathing and heartbeat were both getting faster by each passing second, not to mention his shirt was beginning to stick to his back as he perspired.
"Okay..." Gwen raised an eyebrow before continuing. "Well, I'll see you later then."
"Sure will," Merlin tripped over the bow as he walked away from the group, towards the cabins.
Closing and locking the door behind him, Merlin eased himself onto his bed, curling himself up into a ball and began crying.
*
Merlin didn't leave the cabin at all that day. By now his face was red and soaked with tears, not to mention he was shaking uncontrollably.
Grabbing up one of Arthur's shirt, Merlin began wiping his face down so no one would suspect he'd been crying like a girl. Taking a deep breath in the shirt, Merlin inhaled as much of Arthur's scent as possible before unlocking the cabin door and heading towards the dining hall.
"Hi Merlin," Nimueh giggled as he entered the dining hall. She was seating next to Valiant, and Merlin couldn't help but notice the broad grins on their faces. Grabbing a plate of food from the kitchen counter, Merlin sat down between the girls.
"Where have you been all day? Arthur's been worried about you," Morgana directed Merlin's attention over towards her stepbrother, who was now walking over towards them.
"I went for a walk," Merlin lied, trying to prevent himself from crying again as he saw Valiant tap his watch.
"Must have been an awfully long walk then," Arthur stated as the girls shuffled to the side, so he could sit next to Merlin.
His entire body tensed when the blonde sat next to him, and already he could see Nimueh rubbing her hands together gleefully.
"I can't do it..." Merlin mumbled to himself, placing his head between his hands.
"Do what?" Arthur asked, placing a hand against his thigh, but Merlin brushed his hand away in one swift motion.
In the corner of his eye, Merlin noticed Nimueh walking over towards Uther, smiling the entire time until she reached the camp leader and began chatting casually. Merlin had a feeling she hadn't said anything to him yet, but she was about to, any moment now Nimueh would tell Uther all about what him and Arthur had been up too.
"I... I," Merlin closed his eyes as his body began to tremble beneath him. "I hate you."
"What?" Arthur said stunned.
"You heard me," Merlin opened his eyes, but never once looked at Arthur's face. "For days I've had to put up with you. Did you honestly believe that I loved you? Seriously, I have much better things to do in my life than to waste my time with someone like you."
"You don't mean that..." Arthur stammered, horrified.
"I do!" Merlin yelled out, and everyone turned to look, including Nimueh and Uther.
"In that case, don't you dare ever speak to me again you bastard! Oh, and you can remove your things from the cabin, I'm having father move you in with someone else,"Arthur growled, picking up his tray and moving to the other end of the table. Those words drove straight into Merlin's heart like a rusty dagger, the impact more excruciating and painful than anything anyone had ever said to him before in his entire life.
Picking up his plate, Merlin threw it across the room in Nimueh's general direction, hitting the wall directly behind her where it smashed into several pieces. A large blob of mashed potato flew through the air, landing right in the middle of Nimueh's face, causing her to shreik in fury as she attempted to get it out of her eyes. Everyone in the room gasped at his outburst, but right now Merlin didn't care in the slightest.
"What on earth are you doing?" Morgana asked, but Merlin was already leaving the dining hall in tears to collect his things from the cabin.
As he walked out of the dining room, Valiant cackled under his breath as Nimueh still attempted to remove all the mashed potato from her precious face.
"Stage one, complete," Valiant confirmed quietly, taking one look at the mash potato left on his own plate, before pushing it aside as he no longer felt hungry.
To be continued...
A/N: SEE! I told you that you'd all be angry with me... But I promise, there is a happy ending at the end of the tunnel! Sorry it took so long for me to update, as you might have guessed this chapter got a little bit emotional for me, so I had a bit of trouble writing it. There was that, and the damn plot bunnies ceased bouncing away happily, taking a nasty turn. I didn't intend this story to have angst, but It just seemed to fit... Have no fear! I'll make sure both Nimueh and Valiant get what's coming for them. I'm afraid to ask... but please review... I'll update soon.