A pool and secrets
Chapter Nine
'What am I going to do? I can't be pregnant. It was only one time and I'm not that powerful. But what if I am? I can't stay in Camelot Arthur will know about my magic and he will kill me. But it is my destiny to protect him. How can I protect him if I'm away somewhere carrying his child?" Merlin was thinking to himself as started to wring his hands in worry. 'Whatever should I do?'
"Merlin." He did not hear the voice trying to get his attention. Merlin was still in shock from this morning when Gaius dropped the news that he may be pregnant. "Merlin!" Someone yelled making Merlin jump out of his skin.
"Wah?" Merlin's thoughts focused again and noticed that the king was scowling at him.
"As eloquent as usual Merlin. Seriously what is wrong with you? This is the fifth time this morning that I have had to get your attention because you're off with the fairies! I know with your small brain you find it hard to focus; but pay attention will you? Now can you pass me that scroll over there on my dresser?" Arthur watched as Merlin walked over to the dresser to collect the scroll the king had asked for. He frowned when he noticed Merlin looked a little more pale than usual. "What is wrong anyway? Why do you keep on spacing out?" The king asked in concealed concern.
Merlin paused on his way back to the king, not saying anything before shrugging his shoulders. "Nothing. Just thinking."
Arthur stared at his servant. "What about?"
"Sorry?" Merlin asked pretending he did not hear the question asked by Arthur.
"What has you thinking so hard?" Arthur asked.
"Nothing. It's nothing serious. I'll try to keep my mind focused. Sorry, my lord, for the inconvenience." Merlin said. Arthur stood from the table he sat before and walked over to where Merlin stood. He was a hair length away from the wizard and Merlin could feel his breath on his face. They stood staring at each other for what felt like eternity. Arthur started to move his head closer to Merlin when they were pulled out of their tranced state by a knock on the door. Both men turned their heads away from the other with deep scarlet blushes on their faces.
Arthur pulled away from Merlin and stood facing the door, he cleared his throat before calling for the person at the door to enter. When Gwen entered the room she noticed that both men had a deep blush and Merlin was trying very hard to keep his eyes diverted from the king. "Have I missed something?" she asked.
"What?" asked Arthur. He looked at Gwen trying to mask confusion.
"Have I missed something, you both look odd." Gwen stated. She was looking back and forwards between the two men. Merlin had placed the scroll on the table and was currently cleaning the table of Arthur's breakfast. He could feel Gwen's glance travel to him every now and then. All of a sudden it hits him that he was about to kiss Arthur. Again. The king. Gwen's future husband. He felt sick. "Are you alright Merlin?" asked Gwen noticing that the wizard had started to turn a horrid shade of green.
Merlin turned to face Gwen, noticing that her question had also drawn the king's attention to his servant. "I'm fine, just a bit under the weather. I have caught the flu is all. If you both will excuse me I have some other chores that I must attend to." Merlin gave a small bow to Gwen and Arthur before turning to leave the room. Before he could leave Arthur spoke to him.
"After you have disposed of breakfast you may take the rest of the morning off. But I want you to be present during the meeting later today." He said.
"You are being serious Arthur? I can actually take the morning off?" Merlin asked shocked.
"Yes. Now leave before I change my mind and come up with some horrible tasks for you to do." Arthur shooed Merlin away.
"Thank you so much Arthur." Merlin said with a huge smile lighting up his face; causing Arthur's heart to skip a beat. Merlin raced out of Arthur's room, forgetting his sorrows if but for a little while.
"You big softy you." Gwen smirked.
"I have no idea what you are talking about I merely do not wish to get sick." Arthur said haughtily; pretending not to care.
Merlin rushed into his and Gaius' quarters, hoping the old healer was not at home. Once he had checked everywhere that Gaius was not there Merlin rushed over to where the old man hides his magic books. He searched through the books until he came upon the page he was looking for. Once found, he rushed to his room and made sure that all his windows were shut. The last thing he needed was for the spell to go wrong and somebody to see some magic. He started to read through the passage.
"Right so as Gaius was saying, male wizards could get pregnant if they were powerful enough. The pregnant wizards used to be held in high esteem and were widely sought. Multiple births were not so common but were widely celebrated if ever pregnancy resulted in more than one child. Many kings or evil wizards would search widely for these wizards as they often produced the most strong and powerful of offspring. Pregnant wizards usually start to feel a pull on their magic within two to three weeks of conception due to the child needing the host' parents' magic to survive in the body. Usual pregnancy symptoms can start to manifest at the same time; such as nausea, vomiting or dizziness. Wizards should refrain from using large amounts of magic during pregnancy just to be safe. Pregnancy duration is nine months and the wizards can breastfeed after birth because the wizard's magic helps with milk production. That would have to be so weird."
Merlin kept on reading until he came upon the spell to determine if he was pregnant. "Ok, so say this spell in the book and if I am pregnant my belly will shine gold, if not my belly will shine a red colour. Right, so there is nothing to it." Merlin paused he was staring down at his stomach. 'C'mon Merlin, it's as easy as saying a little spell, your stomach turns red and you never have to worry about this again because the man you love is marrying someone else. Right. But what if I am pregnant than I will have to worry about what I am going to do. Plus I will be PREGNANT!' Merlin sighed before he finally got up the courage. The young wizard closed his eyes before reciting the spell. When Merlin felt the magic swirling around his abdomen he peeked an eye open to have a look at the colour. "Fate hates me." He groaned falling back on his bed. Merlin heard a noise downstairs and hid the book before heading out to see who was downstairs.
"Hi Gwaine, what are you doing here?" Merlin asked when he spotted the knight standing just inside of the door carrying a basket.
"I know you aren't feeling well so I brought some chicken broth hoping we could eat outside before we have to attend the meeting." The knight said holding up the basket he had packed everything into.
"Sure; that sounds nice." Merlin smiled before leaving with Gwaine.
Merlin sat behind Arthur, Gwen and the knights sitting around the round table, half listening to the reports being spoken by said knights. He was still reeling from the result of the spell he had gotten earlier when he heard a familiar name being spoken of.
"There have been reports of Morgana being sighted just off of the southern borders. She has been recruiting soldiers and if rumours are true attacking druids. Tells them to side with her or she will kill them." Spoke Percival.
"That is terrible." Said Gwen. "How can she be doing that to her own people?"
"My sister has obviously fallen to the powers of her magic and it has corrupted her soul. All she craves is more power and she doesn't care who she hurts to get it." Said Arthur with a pained face. He sighed before he turned to Leon, "Have there been any sightings of Alar yet? He asked.
"Not from the west my lord, but Percival has heard rumours that he has been trading with Morgana." Leon said.
"What would Morgana have to offer Alar? Perhaps my death? They both would rejoice at that outcome." Arthur sighed. "We must stop them before they can destroy Camelot and the people in it. Percival I want you to keep an eye and ear out for any more information on Morgana and Alar. Alright does anybody have any other news to report?" When everybody shook their heads Arthur ended the meeting and everybody started to leave. Arthur turned around to his servant as he stood up from the table. "I have arranged for Gwen's serving maid to attend to our dinner tonight so you can have the rest of the day off. I am not being nice, before you start to say anything, I just do not wish to catch anything. A king has to be in fit and healthy shape" Arthur said puffing out his chest. He glared at Merlin when the wizard was quietly laughing behind his hand. "Do you want me to change my mind?" Merlin shook his head and made his way over to the door.
When Merlin arrived home he noticed Gaius sitting at his table reading a book. The old man looked up at the young as he entered and put his book down on the table. They stared at each other for a long time before Merlin sighed. "We need to talk Gaius." Merlin said.
"Yes we do. Sit." Gaius said pointing to the chair on the other side of the table. Merlin hesitated for a second before complying with the old man's wishes. Gaius opened his mouth to speak but Merlin beat him to it.
"I lied this morning. I have slept with another man. It was Arthur. It happened two weeks ago when we got ambushed by Alar and we were in that cave for the night. It just happened. I noticed that he was getting flushed so I woke him up and next thing I know he is sniffing me saying I smell nice and kissing my neck. And then one thing led to another and we slept together. I tried to resist. Really I did! But I couldn't! He did not remember what happened the next day so I tried to forget it as well but I performed the spell and I'm pregnant Gaius. Pregnant!" Merlin almost shouted at the end; getting more distressed as he talked.
"Calm down Merlin. Stressing is not good for somebody in your condition." Gaius said. Merlin groaned resting his head on the table. "I just can't believe that the father of your child is Arthur. I thought maybe Gwaine since you seem to be spending so much time together lately. What do you plan to do about this Merlin?" Gaius asked concerned. Merlin sighed.
"I have been thinking about this since I found out I was pregnant and I have decided to leave Camelot. To protect my unborn child." He said with determination.
A.N. Well here is another chapter of 'A pool and secrets'. Hoped you enjoyed it. Please read and review. I would just like to thank everybody for their wonderful comments so far.