A/N - Apologies for how long this had taken to get up, I have had assessments over the past week (and still have one next week) that I've had to study for, and so was trying to keep myself from getting distracted (*cough* that didn't exactly work). Sorry :S. A huge thanks to those who reviewed, you guys really do make my day. Also a big thanks to those who read, alerted and favourited, you guys also rock :D.

AMAM

Chapter 5

Merlin

AMAM

The next day, Arthur stood in the arena, watching Sir Valiant ride into the arena, the crowd cheering loudly, trumpets sounding.

"Sir Valiant," Arthur said. "I don't think I've ever seen him lose."

"No, but defeat him and you'll see it first hand," Leon said, patting him on the shoulder, before turning back to tend to the horse.

Nodding, Arthur tried to settle his nerves, telling himself that Sir Valiant was just another knight, that he could defeat him as he had the other.

"Arthur, my boy."

Turning, he gave Gaius a small smile as the old man came to stand next to him.

"Disappearing again, Gaius?" Arthur asked, trying not to move restlessly.

"My friend required my attention," Gaius replied, his gaze narrowing as he took in Valiant. "And there is someone who wishes to speak with you before you joust."

Frowning, Arthur turned and followed the old man around the corner and under one of the curtains hanging down the stands.

"You only have a few minutes, my lord," Gaius reminded him, before he ducked out again.

Turning, Arthur saw a hooded figure push away from the post, hood falling to reveal a face that Arthur had been dreaming about.

"Sir Arthur," his mystery Lord said, the smile on his face warming something in Arthur.

"My lord," he replied, giving a small bow.

The man moved closer, the heat from him warming Arthur even through his armour, his blue eyes capturing and holding Arthur's.

"Merlin," the man whispered.

Arthur frowned, wondering what the other man was talking about.

"My name," Merlin said, amusement in his voice. "My name is Merlin."

Arthur smiled, running the name through his mind and finding it fitting for the man who had captured his interest so effortlessly.

"And, I," Merlin said, blush crossing his face, as his hands lifted to untie the neckerchief he wore. "I wanted you to have this."

Taking the garment, Arthur ran it through his hands, the warmth from Merlin's skin still warming it, the silkiness making Arthur wonder whether it was as soft as Merlin's skin.

Looking up, he felt his breath catch at the look on Merlin's face, finding himself moving closer, his hands reaching out and gripping Merlin's arms lightly, running up and down, his eyes flicking between Merlin's eyes and mouth.

"Arthur," Merlin said breathily, his chest rising and falling quickly.

"Merlin," Arthur whispered, his head tilting forward, lips brushing against Merlin's mouth-

"Sir Arthur."

Cursing inside his head, Arthur pulled away from Merlin, turning to glare at Lancelot.

"You're needed in the arena," Lance said, eyes shining with amusement. "You know … to joust?"

Sending his friend one more glare, Arthur turned back to Merlin, unable to stop a smile from crossing his face as he tucked Merlin's neckerchief into his armour.

"Good luck," Merlin said, before leaving.

"Not a word," Arthur said to Lance, as he followed him back to the arena.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Lance said, grin on his face telling Arthur that he wasn't going to say anything right now, but he would later.

"Focus," Leon said, as Arthur got up on the horse.

Nodding, Arthur looked across the arena, feeling lighter now that he knew Merlin's name, that he had a piece of Merlin close to him.

"Focus," Leon said again, giving him a stern look.

AMAM

"And just where have you been?" Morgana asked as Merlin sat down next to her.

"Nowhere," he replied, trying not to let the blush spread across his face.

"I wonder if it has anything to do with that soppy look on Sir Arthur's face," Morgana continued, as if he hadn't spoken a knowing look in her eye.

"Did you kiss him?" she asked quietly, leaning towards him.

"No," he denied loudly, the blush on his face spreading.

"But you wanted to," she murmured, a smirk crossing her face.

"I … let's just watch the joust," he replied, knowing it was useless to deny.

Because he had wanted to kiss Arthur, would have if the knight's squire hadn't interrupted. There was something about the man, something that made his heart race faster and his breaths come shallower, something that told him that he'd finally found that thing he'd been missing his whole life.

"We'll talk about it later," Morgana whispered to him, before turning back to watch the first run.

Watching intently, Merlin couldn't help but flinch as Arthur was hit by Valiant's lance, hoping that the man was okay, before he realized that Arthur had also hit the other knight.

Smiling, he clapped along with the crowd, his nerves winding tighter as they started the process all over again.

This time, Arthur wasn't hit, his lance breaking on Valiant's, but the other knight's lance still in tact.

Clapping, he couldn't help but cheer along with the crowd, glad to see that Arthur hadn't been hurt.

His happiness was short lived, however, Valiant's next lance hitting Arthur in the head, knocking his helmet off and onto the ground.

"Oh, my," Morgana said, gripping his arm tightly.

Swallowing heavily, Merlin watched as Arthur almost fell off his horse, the look on his face dazed, clearly having been hurt quite badly, a line of blood spilling down his face.

"I believe this is yours, my lord," Valiant said, appearing in front of him on his horse.

Taking the neckerchief from the broken lance, Merlin couldn't stop the disgust he felt for the other man well up, turning and walking away before he said, or did, something that he would regret.

He could feel Morgana behind him, her anger at Valiant and her amusement at him clear.

"Nothing, huh?" she asked, hand taking his neckerchief.

Rolling his eyes, he moved down to the entrance to the arena, hoping to see Arthur, to see that he was okay.

"He'll be fine, Merlin."

Turning, Merlin couldn't help but smile as he took in his mentor.

"Gaius," he said, pulling the old man into a hug. "It's been a long time."

"It's only been a few months," the old man scoffed.

"You're sure he'll be okay, Gaius?" Morgana asked, smile crossing her face also.

"Once I'm done with him he will be," Gaius said, winking at them.

Nodding, Merlin was still reluctant to leave, but knew that the King expected to see both him and Morgana before the banquet tonight.

"Go," Gaius said, indicating with his head. "Uther does not like to be kept waiting. And tell him he better be taking the concoction I gave him yesterday when I saw him."

Sighing, Merlin let Morgana start to lead him away.

"Oh, Merlin?" Gaius called. "Arthur seems to like wearing red to banquets and what not."

AMAM

A/N - As always let me know what you thought :).