Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, this is an alternate universe fan fiction, in which I have used the characters, places, quotes and story from the BBC TV show which I do not own.
A/N: Hey guys! Thanks a lot for your responses, I hope you like this one!
No-One Knew
~MERLIN~
It was the middle of the night. The only light was from the campfire and the stars above., and everyone was sleeping, except him - he volunteered to keep the last watch. He sat by the fire, probing it with a stick absent-mindedly. Merlin sighed. What had he gotten himself into? Yes, they had all accepted his story (after all, it wasn't all lies) and yes, he enjoyed being himself. But what now?
He hadn't the slightest idea of how to defeat Morgana in the first place as Emrys. He was powerful, but along with being high priestess, she had a whole army behind her back, not to mention her sorcerer friends. And now, as Merlin...
He looked up as he heard movement. He knew that no enemy would be able to come within ten meters of them, nor would they be able to see or find them: he had put some powerful wards before leaving to see Aithusa. He wasn't going to leave his friends unprotected; knowing Arthur and the knights, it would only be mere moments before trouble found them.
Tristan and Isolde were lying together against a tree, Lancelot had taken another, while Percival and Gwain had spread their bed rolls on the forest floor, closer to the fire to catch some more heat in the cold night. That left one person.
"Arthur?"
The said man sat down beside him, head in his hands.
"Couldn't sleep?"
He took the silence as an affirmative, and waited for him to speak his mind.
It may have been a while, but he had not forgotten one thing about Arthur, nor Arthur had him.
Merlin knew that he understood Arthur the best, even more than Gwen. He could look past the mask the King wore as if it was not there at all. He would be able to tell what thoughts he had, what he held most dear to his heart, what he despised. He knew what Arthur would call wrong and what right. He knew everything Arthur had been through, and how it effected him, his actions, his decisions. He knew Arthur's morals, his chivalry, his loneliness and his happiness. And Arthur knew this.
In return, Arthur would never hesitate in sharing his thoughts with Merlin, he considered him as the only person he could be completely at ease with, the one person he could tell anything to: his concerns, troubles, pressures...and in return, Merlin always listened, never judging, never affronting, never belittling. With Merlin, Arthur felt comfort and completeness in such a way that he never experienced with anyone else. He would, when Arthur asked tell him what he thought. And he would not be afraid to disagree - but it was not that Merlin didn't see him as a king, it was that Merlin saw him as a friend.
They sat side by side, waiting for Arthur to speak. The love they shared, the bond, it was a beautiful thing to know. Even those who observed them from a distance could feel the warmth and contentment inside, right there, tugging at the heart strings. Just like old times. How they both wished for those again.
"Agravaine was betraying me. I feel like such a fool. I put such trust in him. All this time I was blind to his treachery as I was to Morgana's."
Merlin looked at Arthur. He did not deserve this - the grief, the loss, the sense of abandoned hope.
"You were deceived, Arthur. That could happen to anyone."
He felt Arthur's sadness and defeat.
"Yet it keeps happening to me. I cared about these people. I just...don't understand. What have I don't wrong? Why do they hate me?"
It hurt, what Arthur said. Merlin closed his eyes momentarily, feeing the sensation of burning in them with a lump in his throat. Morgana, Agravaine, Mordred, Uther. What difference was there really between them and himself? Who is to say that Arthur would not hate him as much, and perhaps even more than them? In the end, would he lose Arthur?
"No, they don't hate you. They just...crave your power for themselves."
"Perhaps. Would they still want that power if I was the king my people deserve? If I was-"
"No. Never think that, Arthur. Do you remember what I told you before I left Camelot? I said that I will watch you become the greatest King Camelot had ever known. And I have."
"You seem very sure about all this."
"Yes, because I am. For your many faults, you are gentle, and brave, and gallant and bold."
"Ha. You are not the first person to say that to me...well, good to know I have the support of my friend at least."
Merlin felt warmth and happiness bloom in his heart, and grow into all his body from his feet, to his fingertips which he twiddled, staring down at them with a smile.
"I'm not alone. Believe me. And did I hear the word 'friend'?"
"No, you must have mistaken 'former-servant' for it."
"No, you definitely said it." Merlin grinned widely.
"All right, it's true. You're the only friend I have and I couldn't bear to lose you."
"Really?" Merlin's grin stretched even wider, stretching across his face.
"No, don't be stupid." Arthur said, letting no emotion escape into his voice, but Merlin caught sight of the grin on his face too, before he recieved something which was part one-armed hug and part playful shove from him.
They settled into a mutual silence, both enjoying the companionship after so long. Merlin watched as Arthur's gaze travelled and settled onto the forms of Tristan and Isolde.
It was always Tristan and Isolde. Never Tristan. Never Isolde. Tristan and Isolde. Merlin smiled at them.
"True love if I ever saw it."
"Mm."
"They lost everything, but they are more content than any of us: they have each other."
"Then they are richer that they know."
A/N: What do you think? I loved writing this chapter! I want to give a shout out to D Rose since I forgot before: thanks for pointing out my mistakes, and thanks for the continued support too! And thank you to a person d, Aaronna, mersan123, Thalia Luz, Lost Soul Buried in the Darkness, PhoebeHuntress, snowflaker, Sunchaser, NightsAnger, Linorien, Tomgirlbre, and Guests for your fantastic reviews!