Things That Merlin Isn't Allowed To Do (According to Prince Arthur)
9: Accept Gifts From Secret Admirers

"What's that?" Arthur demands to know, pointing at the thing in the boy's hands. Merlin looks confused, then a look over realization comes over him and finally he blushes.

"Uh, just a letter..."

"A letter, hm?" The prince relaxes a bit. "From your mother, I presume?"

"No, it's not from my mother," Merlin says. "It doesn't say who it's from."

Arthur raises an eyebrow, tensing up. He puts out a hand and speaks much like a child who demands something he sees in a candy shop by stomping a foot and pout. Except he's not pouting or stomping his foot, he's not that childish. "What? Let me see."

"No!" The servant holds the item in question to his chest possessively, and the prince looks both unimpressed and a bit concerned. "I mean," Merlin babbles, with a rising flush to his cheeks, "it's private..."

"C'mon, Merlin, it can't be that bad."

He wriggles the letter out of the protesting servant's hands ("No! Give it back!" the servant cries, to which Arthur responds with the famous 'I'm the prince, I can read what I want'-look), and Merlin looks like a ripe tomato when Arthur opens it and begins to read. Already at the first line, at the first word, Arthur freezes up, his breath catching in his throat. No. It can't be. No. (The sky might be falling down.) Nononono.

"Uhm, can I have it back now?" Merlin asks carefully.

It's a...it's a letter of confession. It's filled with all kinds of emotional, girly, poetic stuff and a spot-on description of Merlin's beautiful smile and his lovely blue eyes and Arthur would have laughed at the silliness of the content, if not the letter was addressed to his manservant. No, now it's serious business and Arthur feels inexplicably angry. Furious. A flame rises in his chest, his heart.

"Arthur, can I have it back? Please?"

All of a sudden Merlin finds himself pinned down my Arthur's gaze, the man's voice low and dangerous like a wild animal's. "Who gave you this?"

The boy's eyes flickers. "Err, I don't know, it was sitting on my bedside table...when I woke up it was there."

On his bedside table? When he woke up it was there? Arthur sees red. Someone's dared to sneak inside Merlin's room, when he was lying there asleep, alone and vulnerable - who dares to? Anything could have happened! Merlin could've been attacked or hurt or worse.

The prince can't stand still anymore and begins to pace. Someone's broken into his manservant's chamber. He needs to get better security around the physician's chambers immediately. He has to do something, he can't just stand here and pretend all is fine when his servant is being threatened by some burglar who leaves romantic letters by the boy's bed!

"Arthur," Merlin says, biting his lip; "Give me the letter! It's private!"

Arthur takes a few breaths, then nods sharply not really looking at him. "Fine." He thrusts the piece of parchment into the servant's hands, and Merlin looks at the letter with shining eyes.

Something has to be done.

()()()

When Merlin comes back to his chambers after dealing with the laundry, Arthur notices he's chipper (more than usual) and still blushing. And there's a flower visible between the layers of the neckerchief.

"Merlin," Arthur practically growls. "Where'd you get that?"

"Somebody left it in my room, I went there to change shirt because I spilled water on the other one, though it wasn't my fault really because I tripped and... anyway, it was just lying there, with this note saying it was a gift for me and-"

"Somebody left it in your room? AGAIN?"

Merlin nods; he doesn't look bothered or nervous or anything, only like some coy maiden who bashfully basks in the glow of unexpected but not unwelcome attention. "Yeah. There's a whole bouquet, with reds and yellows and whites - I really like the white ones! It's really pretty …" The dreamy-eyed warlock suddenly hears a strange sound and turns to the prince, frowning. "Arthur, are you ... growling?"

"No," Arthur hisses like a ferocious feline.

"Now you're acting really weird."

Something must be done now.

()()()

Admittedly, the plan sounded better when he was theorizing back in his chambers.

But here he is. He's timed it carefully, of course, because he rather not have a run-in with Gaius or worse, Merlin, having to explain what on earth he's doing in Merlin's room. More precisely, in the cupboard.

For a servant, Merlin is exceptionally untidy: the room is a mess. All right, fair enough, half of it belongs to Gaius, like those boxes in the corner – this was originally the physician's storage room after all. That silly colourful bouquet stands on the bedside table – Arthur would've liked to get rid of it, but cannot without getting Merlin suspicious. But there are things lying spread over the floor, including a couple of books and a tunic and there aren't many hiding places. A sheet and some other articles of clothing are hanging to dry on a line attached between two walls, next to some sacks, but it's a bit too risky. The boy might take down the linen from there and reveal whoever hides behind it. So, really, the cupboard's the only choice. It's relatively empty, an evidence it's not used much, and it's almost as tall as a man and wide enough for him to fit in it.

If he hunch downs his shoulders that is, and fold his legs tightly - he's not spending hours standing in that thing. It's not exactly comfortable, but Arthur is on an important mission, so he can ignore things like that. Contrary to what Merlin constantly claims, he's not a spoiled brat.

So after spying for a few minutes to make sure the coast is clear, he saw Gaius leave the room and he hurriedly slipped inside, up the stairs to Merlin's room and the cupboard. He decided, after some consideration, to bring his sword. Just…just in case. You know. In case the so-called secret admirer has more in mind than leaving silly romantic letters and flowers at Merlin's bedside. It's Arthur duty to protect his people in general and his servant in particular, after all.

He's trained since childhood and been in battles and war so he's learned the virtue of patience and secrecy. He also has got a fairly good comprehension of time even if there is little to tell it by. It can't take that long to remove the dirty dishes from his chambers and scrub the floors, can it?

Obviously it does because Arthur startles awake, unhappy when realizing that he's fallen asleep, as the door to the physician's chamber opens loudly and is followed by a familiar, tired voice.

"Hi, Gaius, I'm home."

"I prepared some dinner, I thought you'd be hungry."

"Oh! It's chicken!"

"Yes, I knew you'd appreciate it. Gods know you need to put some flesh on your bones."

Merlin makes an indignant sound. "I'm not that thin."

Evidently he's very hungry because it's totally quiet for a couple of minutes, apart from the occasional sound of a spoon coming in contact with a bowl. Gaius speaks a little but Merlin doesn't say much; he seems really tired, making Arthur frown. Maybe he should cut down some of the servant's duties. Strange, Merlin's never complained about it. Well – only about the hunting. And a bit about training. And mucking out the stables. Okay, Merlin has asked for a day off quite a lot but he's never told Arthur that he comes home totally exhausted and half-starved and really needs a break, because Arthur can't let him get out of hunting just because Merlin thinks it's boring. How can anyone think hunting is boring anyway?

Immediately the feeling of annoyance goes away when Merlin comes into the room, closes the door, sits by the edge of the bed and takes off his boots.

Unwillingly, Arthur's pulse speeds up a bit as he sees it. From where he is, he's got a perfect view of the bed (and the person on it) through the tiny crack the cupboard is open.

Next, the shirt. Almost excruciatingly slowly, Merlin unlaces his tunic and pulls it over his shoulders and Arthur can't tear his eyes away from the milky white smooth skin, it looks unblemished and soft and glowing in the candlelight and the prince lets out the tiniest squeal as the boy stands up to take off his trousers. It really isn't honorable and good, this behavior, Arthur knows that and he would punish any man who has the indecency to spy on others like this, but, Merlin looks really irresistible and Arthur can barely breathe, can't look away, and he really must stop the line of thought right there before his mind goes into a minor meltdown.

It's incredibly, incredibly difficult to sit here in the cupboard and be able to just watch but not touch all that naked skin and Arthur bites his hand to stop himself from making any sound.

Merlin stays oblivious and puts on a nightshirt, those wonderful long legs bare, and slips into bed.

This really isn't a well-timed, well-planned plan…really, it's not. He should've chosen another spot to hide, or come in at night, or something, so that he wouldn't witness that beautiful body…No! Stop! No naughty thoughts! Arthur shouts at himself, mentally kicking his own head.

After a few tantalizing minutes Merlin's breath evens out.

Now for the wait.

It's a long wait. Arthur already got aching limbs and an itch on his back he can't reach and cramps in his legs. There's no guarantee that the secret admirer will come here tonight. He might be stuck here until morning without anything happening and then somehow have to sneak out after his manservant (and past Gaius' with the horrifying Eyebrow Look) and some explain to Merlin why he looks so tired and why he's arriving at his own chambers after his own servant. Merlin isn't like other servants: instead of just nodding at his master's words, he's going to question and ask and be concerned. Plus, he's always late. Sometimes very late. So Arthur is going to be stuck here for some very long hours.

I should have brought a pillow, he thinks absently.

Somehow, he falls asleep without remembering to do it, because the next moment it's so dark he can't see anything as he opens his eyes, startled.

Footsteps. The click of a shoe's heel against the stone floor. Arthur tenses up, his limbs feeling heavy and joints stuck, and he fumbles after his sword while trying to be as quiet as possible. He searches for the crack to look at the bed but there's too little light. Instead he relies on his other senses as he slowly, slowly opens the cupboard…it doesn't creak, thankfully, just the whisper of a sound…The footsteps stop momentarily. A short shuffling sound, like something being pulled out of a pocket...

Arthur judges the distance and direction and lurches forward in one certain movement.

And stumbles on a box or something on the messy floor, ungracefully falls over and crashes into whoever is leaning over the bedside table. His sword clangs onto the floor with the sound of thunder and Merlin wakes up with a startled cry. The candle on the bedside table flares to life, the servant's eyes golden. Arthur blinks as his eyes are suddenly flooded with light and he can make out his surroundings.

"Wha—Arthur?"

Wide-eyed, Merlin gapes down at him. Arthur is still struggling with the intruder, who he now sees is a muscled, tall man with partly covered face and wearing simple clothes like a peasant, with a rich arm-less vest on top, with many pockets on it. Something has fallen out of one of the pockets: another letter. Probably very cheesy and romantic and Arthur nearly strangles the man, but Merlin crawls over the edge of the bed and grabs his arm, pulling on it.

"Stop! You'll suffocate him! Arthur - stop it!"

Arthur reluctantly lets the man breathe but still holds him down. "Who are you to dare sneak into my manservant's chambers in the middle of the night?"

"Umm, you're sneaking in my chambers in the middle of the night too," Merlin points out rather faintly. He clenches at the blanket, pulling it closer to his body, not feeling very safe anymore and a bit embarrassed. How long had Arthur been there? Has the prince been watching him sleep...? Blood rushes up heating his face at the thought. He should ask Gaius if he's allowed to install a lock on the door...Yeah. Why's Arthur here? he wonders, mind reeling. And that man?

The masked man doesn't speak up so Arthur rips of the cloth that's hiding the face, and stares in shock, the prince's eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

"…PERCIVAL?"

"Sorry, sire," the knight mumbles, terribly embarrassed.

Well, that explained the guy's bulk.

"You? You have been leaving those stupid gifts?" Arthur asks. He can't believe this. He could imagine it was a stranger, a lecherous man asking for trouble or a nervous young love-struck squire, not one of his knights. Except maybe Gwaine. Possibly Gareth, the man is a fool when trying to court anyone. But not Percival.

"I-yes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't mean any harm! I just...I wanted to leave this," the young knight babbles, gesturing toward the fallen letter.

Perfect. Just perfect. Percival is one of his strongest, brightest, most loyal knights. If Arthur punishes him it won't go unnoticed, so people will ask and then his father will find out and then everyone will know that the prince stepped in to protect his manservant's virtue by attacking a knight in the middle of the night, in the servant's room no less. This is just great.

"Um, you left me the letter?" Merlin asks timidly, looking at the knight through long black eyelashes. The look is almost infuriating, Arthur thinks, when not directed at him. Merlin shouldn't look like that at anyone but the prince of Camelot.

Percival looks up at the servant and nods awkwardly, causing Merlin to smile shyly. Arthur still hasn't let the man up off the ground.

"It's really sweet. Thank you."

The knight looks like he's just gone to heaven.

"No, Merlin, it's not really sweet," Arthur growls, because Merlin is his and shouldn't think that any letters or gifts other than those given to him by Arthur are sweet. "Don't thank him!"

"It was! And could you let him go now? He's not dangerous." Arthur rolls of the knight, who gets to his feet slowly. Both has a fine set of bruises now and while the knight looks mortified under the prince's glare, the prince looks incredibly furious; it's a wonder he's not exploded yet, or have steam coming out of his ears. Merlin turns to the knight. "But maybe you should, um, give me things in person and not sneak into my room…"

"Yes. I apologize," Percival babbles, very out of character. "I'm terribly sorry. I thought I could...Maybe I could get attention this way... Gwaine said, just as an idea and I believed that maybe- but it shan't happen again, I promise."

Arthur suddenly has an urge to repeatedly bang his head into the nearest flat surface. Of course. Of course. He should've known this was coming all since that second unicorn incident. If something weird is going on and roses are involved, it's all Gwaine's fault.

"Haven't I told you to never listen to any 'advice' Gwaine gives?"

"Yes, sire, you have," Percival says, stressing the sire in hope it might please the prince and make his punishment less severe. "I'm sorry."

Arthur sighs tiredly. "All right. I'm too tired for this mess, so I'm letting you go. But I will have you know if anything like this happen ever again…"

"It won't! Sire! I swear it!"

"All right, then go."

Percival bows and scurries out of the room like a frightened hare. Arthur breathes out in relief. He's going to have a conversation with Gwaine (again) tomorrow, about behavior, and address all his knights again how important it is not to listen to Gwaine's advice. Yeah. Tomorrow. Now some sleep would be nice. His neck and back feels all bent and sore. Hmm. Sleep... Arthur nods to himself, almost falling asleep on his feet.

Merlin gives him a strange look, as the prince doesn't move out of his room. "Arthur," he asks and cocks his head, "Were you sitting in the cupboard all night?"

()()()

To Merlin and Arthur it's slightly awkward coming down to the breakfast table the following morning, as they are greeted by Gaius and the quite dangerous Eyebrow Look. The prince tries to look dignified and nonchalant, but fails, and grapples for words on what he's doing here in the first place. Merlin launches into a fairly sane explanation of everything's that happened and who actually gave him the flowers and the letters, why Arthur has acted so wierd and what he's doing here, and why there was such a ruckus in the middle of the night, but Gaius raises a hand to stop him in mid-sentence.

"Merlin, sire; all I ask is that you keep it down next time. Some people here were trying to sleep."