Pairing: Merlin/Arthur, background Gwen/Lancelot.
Warnings: None for this chapter.


The Divine Battle

Chapter 5: Departure

As soon as the rest of the council left and the door closed, Arthur turned his back and marched to the small room behind the throne room. He heard his Round Table-his friends-following; and he simply opened the door, entering first their own council room.

A small smile spread on his lips at the sight of the Round Table he had decided to take from the old castle they had hid into, two years ago. It had been the first time they had sat as equals; and only days after they had won back the castle from Morgana did the Table found its place here.

Now, Arthur watched as his friend sat down at their usual place. Lancelot sat down at his right, Gwen sitting beside Lancelot. Beside Gwen came Elyan, then Percival, then directly across from the King came Gwaine. Leon came after that, then Gaius. And finally, right at his left, Merlin sat down.

The blond didn't miss the hesitant look his manservant sent him. Arthur only glanced a split second in his direction; and the flinch Merlin had let Arthur know his anger was reflecting in his eyes. Arthur then trailed his eyes on everyone. He stopped a second later on Lancelot and Gaius, feeling a childish victory as they both looked down.

Gwen looked between the four men. She didn't realize yet why Arthur seemed so angry, but she felt like the King had realized something important. And she could guess it had to do with Merlin's strange behaviour.

As for the rest of the Knights, they felt confused, but worried.

"I've asked you all to stay, because I believe some might have further informations about these mercenaries." Then, the King turned to Merlin. "Right, Merlin?

All eyes zeroed on the raven haired as Merlin froze for the second time in less than ten minutes. He glanced at Arthur, hesitant. Arthur felt a pang of sadness as he could see slight fear too. They stared at each other, the King angry but feeling betrayed, and the servant sad and wary.

In the end, it was Lancelot who saved Merlin. He stood up, startling everyone in looking at him. The Knight cleared his throat before bowing toward his King.

"Please forgive us, Arthur. We didn't believe this to be this dangerous."

Arthur looked between Merlin and Lancelot, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I saw Merlin coming back from the forest, yesterday night. I cornered him; and he admitted having seen mercenaries. We went back this night to check if they were still here, and dispatched them. They weren't a lot, and we didn't think they were more mercenaries further away."

Merlin had to admit, Lancelot was a good liar. But each word fell like a knife, especially as Merlin felt like he was dragging Lancelot in his web of lies.

Arthur's eyebrow shot up. "Why didn't you two tell me? Especially as everyone here saw something was up."

Merlin bit his lips. "I... I didn't want to worry you." Eyes turned on him then, and he looked down. "As Lancelot said, we believed there were no more mercenaries. I did have insomnia yesterday night, and I went to take some herbs from Gaius. I saw a group of four of them; and I left quickly. Lancelot saw me, and the night after we went to check. We planned either to tell you if we find more of them, or dispatched them."

Merlin stopped them, not wanting to lie more. He felt God and Goddess listening; and sensed their quiet support.

Arthur stayed silent, hearing vaguely Lancelot sat down-and a small whack as Gwen thumped her husband's arm. All that mattered was Merlin. The King felt angry beyond belief; yet it was not directly at Merlin. The knowledge that Merlin had been in danger made fury rose in his heart, along with a slight despair. Arthur had realized soon enough that he wanted to protect Merlin; but how could he do so if he didn't know about any danger Merlin was in? Arthur glanced at Merlin again, and he felt his anger dissolving in fondness. It felt so Merlin-like, that his best friend wouldn't want to burden him more than strictly necessary, and it pained his heart as much as it warmed it that the raven-haired would do so much to make sure his King didn't have more trouble than necessary.

"Idiot." He called fondly, ruffling Merlin's hairs.

Merlin yelped then pouted; however he sent a small apologetic smile at Arthur. It hurt, to know that Arthur had been appeased by lies; but what could Merlin do?

One day, you'll be able to tell him.

Merlin's smile turned more genuine. He thanked mentally Goddess; and then watched Arthur-waiting for what the King wanted to do.

Arthur felt his fondness grew as Merlin's smile widened. He felt his face get hot, and he coughed as he turned back to the rest of his friends. He was met with amused and fond gaze, and scowled.

He would think about his fast beating heart and this bright fondness later.


Not one to take the risk to wait much longer, Arthur decided it would be best if he went with his most trusted knights to eradicate the threat. The council argued a bit that the party would have few members, but Arthur placated them by saying they would only try to chase away the bandits groups closest to Camelot.

In the end, Arthur left Camelot with Leon, Gwaine, Lancelot, Elyan, Percival and Merlin shortly after lunch. The king had much trust placed in each of them, and he knew each of them was like a mini army.

Well, except Merlin. It worried Arthur each time he brought Merlin with him, but the one time he had tried to convince Merlin he should stay at Camelot whenever Arthur went to a dangerous mission; Merlin had sent him such a dark glare that Arthur had felt cowed. The claim that Merlin preferred being by Arthur's side no matter what had also made his heart flutter pleasantly, quite a bit like in the Round Table room earlier.

Arthur frowned unconsciously, thoughtful. He felt mystified by the number of time Merlin would make him feel like a warm wave would overtake his heart and drown him in contentment. He had long accepted he cared for Merlin more than anyone, but he hadn't yet unravelled the mystery of the depth of his feelings. It had only been after Gwen left him than Arthur had paid mind to his heart; and sometimes he felt like he knew the answer and yet would refuse to see it.

"Arthur?"

Arthur jumped slightly, turning his head toward Merlin. His manservant had trotted closer, a worried look on his face. Arthur couldn't help but smile.

"Just... planning." It was true; he was planning to find how he felt for Merlin.

Merlin gave him a small smirk. "Don't hurt your head too much."

Arthur glowered at him, though without real heat. "It would have been easier if I had known sooner."

A pang of guilt hit Arthur as Merlin glanced down, his smile falling and a look too close to sorrow for comfort crossing his ocean blue eyes. Arthur brought his horse closer, and nudged his knees against Merlin.

"I understand why you did what you did. I know you really felt like not telling me was the best thing. I do trust your judgement; I just wish... That you wouldn't need to hide something from me, no matter what."

Quite without explanation, the words made Merlin smile fondly at him while his eyes seemed to shine with even more sorrow. Arthur's sky blue eyes turned puzzled, but Merlin just smiled a bit more, hiding his sadness.

Arthur vowed himself that, once they would be back to Camelot, he would pry out of Merlin whatever ate his mind. Enough was enough; he couldn't stand seeing the sadness within Merlin anymore.

With this resolution, Arthur urged his horse faster, knowing Merlin and his knights were following.