The Heartbeat
Chapter 26
"Planned out"
When they woke up again, the sun was high in the sky and the noises of the city were getting through an open window to Merlin's chamber. It seemed to be another ordinary day in Camelot but for Merlin and Arthur everything changed. Their existence just acquired a new meaning.
"Good morning," said Merlin, smiling at his man softly.
Arthur smiled at him back and murmured, "I think it's long past morning. We overslept..."
Merlin glanced at the window and sighed. "I think you're right." Then he looked back at Arthur and clung to him tighter. "Would it be bad if we stayed in my chambers all day?" he asked innocently.
"As tempting as it sounds, we can't do this," he said sadly. "There is a Council meeting this afternoon. I can't just tell my knights that I want to spend the whole day in bed."
"I completely forgot about this meeting," murmured Merlin, displeased.
Then Arthur pulled him into a long, lazy kiss. "I want you to remember it throughout the day," he said when he pulled away. "We will have time for each other in the evening. I promise."
Merlin nodded understandingly. It was clear from the start that he couldn't have Arthur only for himself. The kingdom needed him too. The bright side was that he was going be there for Arthur always, even after Camelot.
"If we need to see people today, we should probably start with making us look decent," said Merlin with a heavy sigh.
"That's true," murmured Arthur. "We're naked and stinky and..." He sat up on the bed and looked around Merlin's room. "You made quite a mess too," he added.
Merlin followed his gaze. Arthur's remark was an understatement. His chamber looked as if a hurricane went through it. Most of his belongings were tossed around the room and some of them were definitely broken.
"What the hell happened here?" Merlin asked.
"I believe you did this," said Arthur quietly. "With your magic. It somehow erupted when we were in the middle of... you know." For some reason it was hard for him to call these things by their name in the light of day. Arthur knew that it was stupid but Merlin seemed to understand it. He was perfect like this.
"I remember that my magic got a bit loose but I didn't expect that to happen," Merlin murmured honestly. "I hope it won't be happening on regular basis."
Arthur smirked at these words. "Would that be really bad?" he asked. "I mean... you can clean up this mess with your magic, right?"
Merlin looked at him partly in disbelief and partly with amusement. "I don't want to clean up after the eruption of my magic every morning," he said.
"Every morning you say?" Arthur asked him smugly, making him blush madly.
"You know what I mean," murmured Merlin with embarrassment.
"I'm just teasing you." Then Arthur kissed him shortly. "But it wouldn't change anything between us if you were to clean your room up every morning, would it?" He couldn't help asking him teasingly.
Merlin groaned at his words. "You're impossible, Arthur Pendragon," he said. "You're lucky I love you so much. Otherwise, I would wipe the smugness off your face."
Arthur laughed wholeheartedly at that. "I'm lucky then," he mumbled, pulling Merlin closer and looking into his eyes. "Very lucky indeed." This time his tone was serious and Merlin knew that he meant it.
"We should probably get dressed and eat something," murmured Merlin, not even trying to initiate any of these things.
"Most certainly," Arthur confirmed but instead of doing what was wise, he pulled Merlin into another kiss. They just got together and it was so hard to follow their daily duties when they could just stay away from the rest of the world.
After half an hour, they finally managed to get out of bed and make themselves look decent enough to see other people. They ate quickly what was left from the evening and what remained edible after the outbreak of Merlin's magic. Then Arthur kissed him goodbye and left him to clean up the rest of the mess. They were going to see each other during the Council meeting and Arthur needed to read and sign some papers before that. They knew that it was going to be their future. They would have to divide their time between themselves and the rest of the world. It wasn't a perfect solution but it wasn't bad either. They would get used to it sooner or later.
oOoOo
The Council meeting started like most of them did. They discussed the matters concerning the stores and Camelot's borders. Arthur had to remind himself time after time that he wasn't alone with Merlin so he shouldn't look at him so often, and most of all he shouldn't try to brush his hand under the Round Table. It was difficult for the man who just discovered that he could finally express his feelings to the man he loved.
Merlin seemed to have slightly different issues. He could look at Arthur as much as he wished because Arthur was his king. However, it wasn't easy for him to suppress his blush. It was clear that he tried but he failed miserably. Arthur was almost certain that some members of the Council already noticed this shift in Merlin's behaviour.
When Arthur started hoping that the meeting was coming to an end, Sir Lionel cleared his throat and spoke up, "Could we discuss one more pressing matter, my lord?"
Arthur looked at him closely. He had a feeling that he knew what Sir Lionel wanted to talk about. He had been ready for this discussion for a long time but he didn't like starting it right after he and Merlin got together. However, it seemed that he wasn't going to have a choice.
"Of course, Sir Lionel," said Arthur, hiding his irritation well.
The knight looked around, searching for support in other members of the Council. "We are worried about the future of Camelot," he started cautiously.
"What exactly worries you, my lords?" the king turned to all Counsellors. "You can speak freely."
"You are in the prime of life, my lord, but it's not enough for the kingdom," Sir Lionel continued. "You should take measures to ensure the stability of Camelot for the next generations. We all remember that your wife passed away recently, but you should move forward with your life, Sire. The kingdom needs an heir. Therefore, you should consider remarrying in the near future." The knight seemed to be pleased with the way he managed to voice these concerns.
Arthur looked around, trying to avoid Merlin's gaze, and noticing that some of the knights were nodding approvingly. He knew that this day would come sooner or later. He hoped that it would take place in different circumstances, but he was ready to face his knights and their objections.
"Thank you for your honesty, Sir Lionel," he finally said. "I understand your point of you. I also understand your concerns but I assure you that there's no need for them."
Sir Lionel looked him in the eye. "My lord, does that mean that you agree with us?" he asked. "We've already considered some candidates that could sit on the throne next to you. If you agree to hear us out now, we can discuss them right away."
"You didn't understand me, Sir Lionel," Arthur interrupted him, a bit amused. "I don't intend to take another Queen. There's no need for that."
Some of the knights became clearly disturbed by his words. They started whispering among themselves, which reminded him of the time when he stated that he was going to legalise magic. The funniest thing was that both of these matters concerned Merlin to some extent.
"My king" Sir Galahad spoke up suddenly. "You said that you understand our point of view."
"Please calm down, my lords, and hear me out," said Arthur quietly. "I'm not going to leave Camelot without an heir. I assure you that I care about the future of this kingdom as much as you do." Then he glanced shortly at Merlin. The Court Sorcerer seemed paler than usual. Arthur had a sudden urge to kiss him and assure him that everything was going to be all right, but he couldn't do it in front of the whole Council. There were some boundaries that shouldn't be crossed and it was one of them. As much as he believed that some of the knights would understand his affection to Merlin, or even suspected it already, most of them would be disturbed. Not all of his men were as understanding as Percival or Leon, who was away and had his own kingdom to rule.
All members of the Council were looking at him intently, awaiting some explanation. It made Arthur a little bit nervous but he was certain that his decision was right. He wasn't going to neglect the needs of his soul any longer. He wasn't going to hurt Merlin in the most cruel way by marrying another. He wasn't going to hurt the poor woman who would become his wife. Living his life on his own terms was the best choice he could make.
"I'm aware that you believe that a natural heir is the best solution to ensure the safety of this kingdom," he started firmly. "I understand it because there was a time when I believed it too. However, it doesn't have to be the case. One's blood doesn't make a man the best ruler. The upbringing does." He looked around, noticing some confused faces, but he wasn't discouraged by them. "When the right time comes, I will name my heir. He will not be of my blood but I'll make sure that he will be worthy of this kingdom."
"But Sire," Sir Lionel couldn't help voicing his objection. "This is not traditional. What if the people don't accept the ruler of your choice? It can bring downfall to this kingdom."
"I'm glad to hear that you care about the future of this kingdom," Arthur told him. "It's much appreciated. However, if everything goes according to my plan, Camelot will thrive."
Sire Lionel gave him an uncertain look. "So you have a plan, my lord?" he asked.
"That's right," Arthur confirmed gladly.
"Would you be so kind to share it with us?"
Some of the knights nodded with agreement. It was clear that they all wanted to hear it too.
"I will share it with you when the right time comes," said Arthur elusively. "Firstly, I need to discuss it with the concerned party."
"So it hasn't been decided yet," murmured Sir Lionel. "What if it doesn't go according to your plan, Sire? Will you reconsider remarrying then?"
Arthur felt their gaze on himself. All of them were awaiting his answer with anticipation.
"We will come back to this discussion then," said Arthur firmly. "I promise you that I won't do anything to harm this kingdom."
"But Sire..."
"The meeting is over, Sir Lionel," said Arthur decisively. "You can all go."
There was no place for further discussion that day and Sir Lionel knew it. He sent a short, annoyed glance at Merlin, and left the room in silence. After a short while, Arthur and Merlin were the only people who remained inside.
"They know it's my fault," said Merlin quietly. "I think you should reconsider..."
Arthur gasped and looked at him in disbelief. "Did you really just say that?" he asked. "After everything we went through? After what happened last night..."
"It won't last forever. One day we will leave Camelot to spend our immortal lives elsewhere. I can wait for you until then," he murmured, trying to hide his sadness.
"And I should do what...? Try to produce an heir, knowing that it's pointless? Knowing that you suffer?" He sighed angrily. "I can't believe that you just suggested that. I won't live a lie. I won't deceive neither you nor a poor woman I would have to marry."
"I know it's not perfect but it may be the only way to appease your people." Merlin didn't like it but he didn't want Arthur to watch his kingdom fall apart during his reign.
"If it comes to that, I will tell them that I'm unable to father a child," Arthur told him firmly.
"Some of them may try to undermine your position then," said Merlin worryingly.
"It wouldn't be the first time." Arthur sighed heavily. "If it happens and if my subjects believe them, then maybe they are not the people I thought they were. In such case, I won't need to be their king any more."
"I can't believe that you would do it to your people."
"I won't," Arthur promised him. "I told you I have a plan."
"What's that plan, then?" Merlin asked him. "Will you tell me?"
"Not here," said Arthur, glancing uncertainly at the door. "I'll tell you in the evening, during the dinner."
Merlin nodded understandingly. He could wait a few hours. Waiting was something that he was good at.
oOoOo
Merlin was waiting for Arthur in his own room with a freshly prepared dinner. They agreed in the morning that it was wiser to meet in Merlin's chambers for now. The door to Arthur's chambers was guarded and there was no one outside Merlin's room. There was no need for that, as a long time ago Merlin put a protection spell on his chambers. He did the same with Arthur's rooms but the appearances had to be kept up and the guards remained at the door to king's chambers.
Arthur came inside Merlin's chamber quietly without knocking. There was no need for it any longer.
"The dinner's ready," Merlin murmured instead of a greeting.
Arthur walked past the table and kissed Merlin firmly in the mouth. "First things first," he said when he pulled away.
Merlin smiled at this display of affection. Arthur already knew that he had him but it didn't change his approach. He was still trying to prove Merlin how much he loved him.
"Food is important too," mumbled Merlin as he led Arthur to the table. "We should eat and then talk," he reminded him.
Arthur sighed heavily but obediently did what Merlin wanted. The truth was that he was hungry but he also didn't want to waste the time they had only for each other. It was a true conflict of interests.
"So you said that you had a plan," said Merlin when they started eating. "What is it?" he knew that he should probably wait with this question until the end of dinner but he was too curious to wait in silence. After all, the future of Camelot as well as the future of their relationship depended on this plan.
Arthur swallowed what he had in mouth and looked at Merlin intently. "It's easy. I want to ask Leon for permission to have his son as the heir of Camelot," he said.
"You mean prince Philip?"
"Yes, Merlin, as far as we know Leon has only one child," said Arthur, a bit amused. "Why are you looking at me like this?"
Merlin was a bit surprised by this turn of events. He never considered Leon's son as a possible solution to the problem of succession in Camelot.
"He's not even one year old," Merlin murmured. "We don't know what he'll be like."
Arthur smiled with disbelief at these words. "Do you honestly believe that a child of Leon and Mithian won't be worthy of Camelot?" he asked. "To be honest, I would have more doubts about my own child if I could have one."
Merlin couldn't help smiling at that. "Your child wouldn't be so bad if it was Gwen's too," he suggested.
Arthur snorted. "Or yours if you were a woman," he said before he could bite his tongue.
Merlin raised his eyebrow in curiosity. "Would you marry me if I were a woman?" he asked.
"Maybe," said Arthur, looking into his eyes. He was just teasing him. The answer was obvious and both of them knew it. "But I like you the way you are. Don't even think about turning into a woman," he joked, not being sure if it was even possible.
"You know... I did it once," Merlin admitted shyly.
"What?" Arthur looked at him with disbelief. "When?"
Merlin told him about that one time when he turned into an old witch to save Guinevere from Morgana's influence. Arthur remembered that day very well and he couldn't believe that he didn't recognise Merlin in this old hag.
"I should have known..." he mumbled. "She was teasing me just like you do."
Merlin smiled at this memory. "Sometimes I think that you didn't want to notice these things," he admitted. "That it was easier for you to believe that I was just an ordinary servant."
"Believe me, I never thought you were ordinary," said Arthur. "It feels strange to think about these times now. I didn't know about your magic, I thought that Guinevere was the love of my life..."
"She must have been the love of your life," Merlin told him. "Otherwise we wouldn't be able to release her from Morgana's magic. Your love was true." It pained him to admit it but he wasn't going to lie to Arthur ever again. That was the only fair attitude.
"I know that I loved her and that it was true but it was different than what I feel for you," said Arthur. "Guinevere was my perfect Queen. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, even when she did that to scold me. She was..." Then he hesitated because the sudden realisation hit him. "In some way she was like a female version of you," he finished.
Merlin didn't expect to hear that. He had no idea what to say.
"I think that's why I fell in love with her so easily," Arthur continued, as more and more things suddenly seemed to fit together. "She was brave, just like you. She was a servant..."
"We shouldn't dwell on the past," Merlin told him, putting his hand on Arthur's. "Gwen was your wife and you loved her. I understand that."
"I know but it's hard not to think about it from this new perspective," Arthur admitted. "I finally start to understand why I did what I did."
Merlin sighed heavily. "That's completely understandable but we should focus on the future of Camelot now," he said. "We can talk about Gwen and your past choices other time."
"You're right," said Arthur. "I was just overwhelmed by this realisation."
Merlin squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We're in this together, Arthur, no matter what happens." Then he decided to come back to their main topic. "Do Leon and Mithian even know what you plan for their son?" he asked him.
Arthur shook his head. "I plan to visit Nemeth next week and then I'll ask them for their permission," he said.
"How do you want to convince them?" Merlin asked.
"I hope I won't have to," said Arthur. "You shouldn't worry, though. I have some strong arguments, just in case."
"For example?"
"I planned to unite Camelot and Nemeth through marriage to Mithian. I believe you remember that," he said.
"It's hard to forget," murmured Merlin. "You were quite stubborn then."
"It's true but I didn't marry her in the end. Now we have another chance to seal the alliance between our kingdoms. Leon is the true man of Camelot. He has the best traits that Camelot's knights have. Philip is as much the son of Camelot as he is the son of Nemeth. Under his reign these two kingdoms can be truly united."
Merlin was deeply moved by his words. In his mind's eyes he could picture the bright future of Camelot and Nemeth. "That's a beautiful idea," he murmured.
"That's what I thought," said Arthur, smiling. "I hope they will agree with us."
"We will find out next week."
Suddenly Arthur stopped being hungry. With the dinner only half eaten, he stood up and grabbed Merlin by his wrist.
"The food will get cold," Merlin told him.
Arthur shrugged and said, "You will heat it with magic when we're finished."
Merlin gasped at his husky voice. "Do you want me to do something else with my magic now?" he asked.
"Why not..." murmured Arthur, leading him to the bed. "You promised me something last night."
Merlin grinned as his eyes turned gold. Their clothes momentarily materialised on a chair, leaving them completely naked.
Arthur pressed his body to Merlin's and whispered into his ear, "That's my favourite magic of all."
Merlin laughed at these words. He had a feeling that Arthur was slightly biased by his current state of arousal. "Take me, my king," he encouraged him. "In a way that you didn't get to take me before."
Arthur's eyes darkened with lust. "You shouldn't say those things," he murmured. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't," Merlin assured him. "Our souls bonded last night. I know that you could feel that too. Now I want you to claim my body completely. What we did last night was beautiful and I will treasure it forever but I need more. I want you to take me in a way I wouldn't allow anyone else to take me. I want to feel you inside me."
His words were driving Arthur crazy. He wanted all of that too but he didn't know how to do it in a way that wouldn't bring Merlin pain.
"Don't worry about me," Merlin told him quietly. "Just kiss me and everything will be fine."
This much Arthur could do without hesitation. He helped Merlin lie down on bed and climbed on him instantly, kissing him. Their bodies were moving together in a perfect rhythm but it wasn't their ultimate goal. This time they were aiming at something more than just a sweet friction.
"What shall I do?" murmured Arthur between their kisses.
Then Merlin pushed something into his hand. Arthur looked at it and saw a vial filled with something that resembled oil.
"Tonight I want you to prepare me," Merlin told him. "Next time I can do it with my magic but I would like you to do it during our first time."
"You don't need to excuse yourself," said Arthur and uncorked the vial. "I will do it gladly."
Merlin smiled lovingly at him, happy that Arthur understood it. They finally had the connection that he always craved. They could still argue about various things but in the end they were going to understand each other without words. It was a precious ability and Merlin was certain that it would prove to be useful many times in the future.
Arthur was very careful with his touch and Merlin appreciated that. He felt loved and cared for, which was a nice change. Most of the time, he was the one who had to care for others. Now he was completely in Arthur's hands but this thought didn't scare him at all. He trusted him completely. Probably more than he trusted himself when it came to the emotional outbreaks.
"Is that all right?" Arthur kept asking him between their kisses. It was clear that the king was nervous about it but he was also pleased that Merlin allowed him to do this.
"Everything is fine," Merlin assured him each time. "Don't worry about it."
They gave each other time to get fully prepared for their proper love making. It came to this that Merlin had to encourage Arthur verbally to get on with it and get inside him. Arthur laughed nervously at his words, but then Merlin pulled him into a tender kiss and promised him that he would tell him if he felt uncomfortable. After all these assurances, Arthur finally believed him and did as he was asked.
Merlin was not ready for this. He wasn't in severe pain or something like that but the very idea of Arthur being inside him was blowing his mind. To say that it was a good feeling was an understatement. Merlin reached an entirely new level of connection with Arthur and the pleasure that he felt at this moment overwhelmed him completely.
By the desperation with which Arthur was kissing and touching him, he must have felt the same. His every move inside Merlin was bringing them closer to climax, and when the moment finally arrived, too early for their liking, they reached completion together.
Afterwards, they were lying in each other's arms with goofy smiles plastered on their faces. They were too tired to get up and finish the dinner. However, there was no need for that. The only hunger they were feeling this moment was their hunger for each other. Luckily, they had plenty of time to satisfy this need.