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Arthur's pov

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You have never known boredom like sitting in a advisory meeting about well maintenance, I let out a sigh. My eyes scanned the room trying to have a silent laugh at Merlin suffering with me.

In a split second it all came back, Merlin kidnapped, magic eyes and a distressed Gaius wondering about the castle.

My breath caught for a second, that's when my ears picked up the commotion outside, a welcomed distraction.

The door swung open hitting the wall with an audible bang. A messager from the search party come running in stopping for a second to catch his breath so he could strongly say.

"Pardon the interruption your Majesty."

He bowed deeply keeping his eye lowered even as he straightened.

"You're manservant has been found by you're uncle, lord Agravaine. He is bringing him back and to the physicians chambers as we speak."

He bowed his head once more and waited for a dismissal or instructions.

Knowing I couldn't just run out in the middle of a council meeting, even one as mundain as this, for my servant. I dismissed the messager and we resumed where we have left off.

Though as one might expect my thoughts were far from the meeting. I was just considering dismissing the meeting early, consequences be damned, when the man responsible for such thoughts walking into the throne room covered from head to toe in mud.

Shock was the only thing keeping the room quiet, Merlin strode up the hall eyes locked on me.

I had expected Merlin to lower his head and explain when he reached the steps but to my shock and the shock of the whole room he walked right up to me and kissed me.