A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

167. Chapter 169

This chapter is dedicated to Hailly, who wanted to see Merlin pointing out why he choose his neckerchief as a favor, and I figured since Arthur is freaking out over Lancelot's favor in this chapter, what better way to bring up when Merlin gave him one. ;p

X

Merlin Pendragon would never know for sure, exactly, why he had spilled his guts about 'why' Arthur's knights had came after him for a time. Maybe it was because he was tired of Arthur thinking his men could do no wrong, or maybe he didn't like Arthur thinking Julian and Bryon were just the bad eggs coming out of the basket instead of being only two of many. Maybe Merlin had grown quite tired of Arthur acting as if he truly didn't understand why his men would want to come after him…it wasn't exactly like it was some big mystery. Many peasants faced prejudice and unfair judgement from those who stood above in power, and Merlin might carry a fancy title but he was no different than any of the many on the street. Arthur's men had picked up on that many months ago, and Arthur's behavior had only exaggerated their behavior. Maybe that is one more reason why Merlin had allowed a touch of his vulnerability to show to the prince…Merlin had already spilled his guts to the prince once. The night Merlin had woken up from the poison, and Merlin's yells had nearly brought down the entire place around them it had felt like. He needed Arthur to know there was many more secrets, things that hadn't gotten revealed that night…things that the prince had never known because he hadn't bothered to ask.

And Arthur had the absolute nerve to look shocked when Merlin had explained all of that to him…had protested vehemently as he listed the accomplishments Merlin had done in his time here…Valiant, and the plague, and the poison…the big three battles Merlin had entangled himself in. And yet, Arthur had spoken of them as if he had been proud, as if he was pleased with Merlin working and fighting to protect the kingdom that condemned him before they had gave him a real chance. It had made Merlin fucking sick…made him want to throttle that blond haired prince of his…this was just some kind of game to Arthur. He knew it was. After all the times Arthur had fussed over him getting involved, the way he had screamed at Merlin as if he was a rabid dog that needed to be down for good, the awful way he had treated Merlin, and yet…he had the nerve to act as if he was upset on Merlin's behalf? What a load of absolute hogwash! He's not going to buy one thing that Arthur was selling, wasn't going to fall for any trick or lie. Maybe Merlin was blinded by the rage he felt every time he saw Arthur…but that rage was well deserved. And Merlin often felt as if it was festering in his stomach, growing roots and embedding itself through his organs and veins and ribcage and bloodstream, until the rough thorns gripped his heart so tight that it felt like it was crushing him whole. Building an inescapable prison, and it kept his rage locked inside his heart with every bloody beat of the muscle.

And nothing changed when Arthur had started with that possessive crap, after Arthur had admitted he was, what…jealous…of Lancelot? That right there had made Merlin feel as if the thorns in his heart was trying to pierce through that flesh, dragging downward in a slow and agonizing pain. Arthur Pendragon was not allowed to claim Merlin was 'his' just because he didn't like Merlin making friends. He didn't get to follow that stupid rumor about Merlin blind, and then just 'decide' Merlin must be dating him! Merlin didn't know when Arthur would finally let go of that possessive crap, but he couldn't bloody wait for the day to come where Arthur finally got bored of him and moved onto something else to occupy his time. Arthur had never wanted Merlin before a day in his life, but he bloody well knew if ANYBODY could call Merlin 'his', then it's only because HE allowed it. Not because Arthur thought he could just…take him…and practically lock him away in this castle as if he was a dragon and Merlin was the gold that was kept hidden away in the tallest tower. The world didn't work that way, and Arthur's bloody possession wasn't real. It wasn't. It might be days or it might be weeks or it might be months, but one day…one day Arthur was going to just move on from him.

And when he finally did, when Merlin could finally breathe again when he was no longer in his space….he would have Lancelot. Who had to be one of the few good men Merlin had ever had the pleasure of meeting, and Arthur wanted to try and twist that. He wanted to try and manipulate Merlin into believing for a single second that Lancelot had 'orchestrated' their whole meeting? As if the warrior had just been sitting around in the bushes with that beast on a leash to wait for Bryon and Julian to drag the unsuspecting Merlin into that clearing! It was madness! Pure and undulating madness! And Merlin hadn't wanted to stay and hear one more word of the utter crap that Arthur had been spewing out of his mouth, as if he had no brain to mouth filter as he tried isolating Merlin from people who actually wanted to be around him! Arthur had tried it many times in the past with Gwen, trying to enforce her 'servant status' as a reason for the two of them not being friends. Had tried it with Gaius, because he thought that Merlin had been bothering him to learn about medical facts when according to Arthur, he didn't need to waste his time learning what interested him! And now he was doing it with Lancelot…Merlin had to draw a line there. Arthur couldn't keep doing this. Poking and prodding at his few friends, trying to keep Merlin to himself like the possessive bastard Merlin knew he wouldn't always be once the boredom set it…

But then Lancelot had shown up…

'Is everything alright over here?'

That's what Lancelot had said, showing up so suddenly that Merlin had to stop walking before he walked right into him. Appearing out of nowhere like he was already a soldier, ready to jump straight into the fray. Lancelot was glancing to Merlin and back to Arthur, conflict in his eyes as if he didn't know what exactly was going on. But his hand was risen, resting on the hilt of his sword as if he's ready to draw it out on a second's notice…draw it out on Arthur if he proved to be a threat. Merlin's heart leaped right into his throat, glancing over Lancelot's shoulder to where Gwen had followed, clenching at the folds of her skirt, she's fearful though, Merlin could tell. Not knowing where this was going to go. Now the consort would admit he didn't really know much of anything about knights or how one became a knight, but he was pretty sure drawing a blade onto the one that decided that, wasn't how one did it. Lancelot was going to miss such a major opportunity, and all because he was coming rushing to the defense of Merlin…he couldn't allow the warrior to throw everything away just because he was a good man. He didn't deserve that…

"I really don't think anything that's going on here is any of your business. This is sorely a family dispute, and Merlin and I are having it without your interference in our business. Sir Eldred." Arthur spoke before Merlin had the chance, voice changing into something that was colder and hard, clearly disliking the way he was interrupting their oh, so very important discussion. And then he was there all of a sudden…Arthur. Merlin didn't look, nor did he dare breathe, but he was standing too close, Merlin could feel the heat from his body seeping straight in his own through their clothing and armor. There was a brief touch on the base of Merlin's spine, as if a hand -his hand-was being placed there. Before it was taken away when Merlin's back went ramrod straight. "Perhaps I hit you much harder than I thought I had. Because aren't you forgetting that you are meant to be at the stables right about now? Shoveling horse manure in order to earn your place around here? Not sniffing around Merlin as if you are some kind of dog in heat."

Gwen yelped horrified from somewhere behind them, but Merlin's entire face went red, his jaw dropping open in utter horror…a dog? The consort thought in an equal amount of horror…a dog in heat? What the ever loving fuck! He could not believe those words had actually left Arthur's mouth, couldn't believe he'd actually accused Lancelot of…fuck. That didn't even make sense! A dog that's in heat had this intense urge to fuck anything and anyone…to get together with another dog to thump those urges out. But that…why would Arthur even say a thing like that! Was he really so jealous and possessive and just plain…WEIRD! That he would bloody well forget that he and Lancelot were two MEN! Next, he would be accusing Lancelot of trying to fuck Merlin! As if he didn't know such a thing wasn't even possible, but madness could erupt in strange forms. And it appeared as if Arthur's madness was something else entirely…when Merlin was whipping his head around to immediately yell at Arthur for being so rude to his new friend, yell at him for making up stories and impossible tales…he stopped at seeing Arthur's face. It was…the strangest expression Merlin had seen him wear yet. He wasn't looking at Merlin, his icy cold expression focused sorely on Lancelot, though his body was slightly angled…as if he was trying to place himself between Merlin and Lancelot. Trying to separate them? Keep the two of them apart if Lancelot tried taking his hand and walking off from him…this was a stance that reeked of protectiveness. And yet, all Merlin could see was the possessiveness rearing its ugly head…Arthur no doubt thinking that he was going to disappear with Lancelot so they could go on a date, most likely. A date that Merlin might've actually liked compared to Arthur's piss poor attempt…if that very same man wasn't currently wearing his best friend's favor.

"What…that's not…I can assure you that nothing like that is going on, sire. I'd only wanted to make sure that Merlin here was alright. He didn't look like he's …enjoying your conversation very much." Lancelot spoke, sounding like he was a gallant knight coming in to rescue somebody he thought was in distress, but at least he was smart enough to find Arthur's 'dog in heat' suggestion just as ridiculous as Merlin thought it was. But Merlin whipped his head between the two men. This was bad…very bad. Merlin would be the first to admit that he didn't always get the idea, could be slow on the uptake, but even Merlin could feel the tensions rising in the air. Arthur and Lancelot…Lancelot and Arthur…both extremely skilled fighters, and it would be a mystery as to whoever would win an actual fight between them. But this, this was not the kind of fight the two should be having. A fight on the training field, a test so Arthur could see Lancelot was worthy…that was the only reason they should be pulling swords out on the other. Not because of Merlin… "I just…you will have to forgive me sire, if I don't believe that everything is as fine as you've said it was. I would like for Merlin to tell me he's alright. I wouldn't want to just leave him with somebody who is clearly making him uncomfortable. So, Merlin …are you alright?"

Merlin's head jolted up when he was suddenly addressed, his heart skipping a beat in his chest…Lancelot's eyes were focused sorely on him, gentle and kind when compared to the stony expression he had been sharing with Arthur. The consort opened his mouth to answer…yes, he was fine. It would be a cold day in hell before he allowed Arthur to ruin the progress he's made within the last few weeks, but…no sound came out. Only this pitiful horrible sound that made Merlin want to shrink down into a hole that opened up beneath him just so it'd swallow him whole…Arthur was bristling at his side. Clearly pissed to hell with the insinuation Lancelot had made…practically saying Merlin wasn't safe with Arthur. He wasn't wrong, Merlin wasn't safe with the prince around. But he has never been safe before, so it wasn't his main concern. No, his main concern is how…how this was going to go. It was one thing for Lancelot and Arthur to talk when they had just been discussing Lancelot's enrollment into the knights. But this conversation could go anywhere, to anyplace…he had to get Lancelot out of here. Before Arthur said or did something stupid…the way he said 'my consort', as if he had a stick buried up his arse…it was going to get him caught.

"He's fine." Arthur interrupted sharp and hard, forcing Lancelot's attention on him, and Merlin could almost feel the ground starting to disappear from below him. Arthur had already called what they were doing a…family dispute…as if a single one of their famous fights could really be reduced to something as small and simple as that. And while Lancelot had hardly seemed to blink an eye, too focused on Merlin's safety against a man who clearly didn't want him to leave, how many pieces of the puzzle was going to be laid out before him before the message finally sunk in. How many strange words or phrases was Arthur going to unknowingly use, before Lancelot realized 'family dispute' literally meant he was Part of Arthur's family. "Merlin-" Merlin's heart welled up in fear when the blonde spoke his name, as if Arthur had said 'Consort Merlin' instead of the far more familiar phrase. "Probably doesn't want to talk to you. Trust me, he does not keep himself quiet easily. If he's not going to bother answering you, then it means he doesn't want you around. So again, go down to the stables. And get your job done. Unless you want me to toss your royal seal into the fires before dismissing you from my lands."

Merlin couldn't have stopped the horrified gasp from erupting from his lips with Arthur's words…no. This was the exact thing he had been fearing. Arthur being ruled by his anger instead of his brain…dismissing the best knight this city had seen in decades just because he dared to go against him…Merlin had been just so selfish! For thinking about his secret, for wanting to get Lancelot from here before Arthur could spill the beans…for worrying about himself when Lancelot had been the one putting everything on the line. When Lancelot had gone and trusted Merlin, probably the only one he knew who hadn't tried protesting and putting up a fight, to get him this far! And Merlin could see Lancelot now…his indecision as he flicked his eyes between Arthur and Merlin, weighing all the choices that were being put out in front of him. Should he submit to what the prince wanted and do what he said, leaving Merlin behind to fend for himself as he buried himself in horse manure. Or should he give up on a decade worth of dreaming and training to help somebody he hardly even knew…Merlin could see when Lancelot made his decision. His hand tightening slightly around the handle of the blade…

"NO!" Merlin blurted out loudly, his voice finally coming back to him, before Lancelot could do something stupid like pull his sword out on Arthur. Arthur had once tried putting Merlin in the cells for trying to hit him, Merlin couldn't imagine what the penalty for going after Arthur with a sword would be. Was it an assassination attempt…treason…? Merlin didn't know, and he didn't want to find out. He absolutely refused to be the reason another one of his new friends got sent down to the cells. He refused to allow this to be another Gwen kind of situation. "You cannot do something that extreme Arthur just because he has disagreed with you! He…he is simply worried about my safety. And isn't it what you have wanted all this time…my safety? Doesn't that make him an admirable knight already, if he is willing to go against the prince himself in order to make it so?"

Everybody had frozen when Merlin's first outburst had startled them, but now all of the attention was on him. And Merlin couldn't believe that he was once again being…reduced…to the needy and begging thing he had never wanted to be. If this had been any other situation, if this had been away from Lancelot so he wasn't watching how they interacted together…Merlin probably would have been a lot more violent in his delivery. A lot more threatening and pissed…how fucking dare Arthur try and dangle Lancelot's dream in front of him, expecting the man to jump like a fish trying to get the bait on a hook. But Merlin couldn't allow his temper to tip the scales…Arthur had always been so fanatical about his protection, from anybody that wasn't him, of course. How many times had Merlin had to sneak out of his home because Arthur had set guards to keep an eye on him. How many knights had the guards stayed stationed outside of his home in the last few weeks to keep an eye over Merlin…Merlin had hated all of it with every fiber of his being. He wasn't used to being watched, and wasn't used to being questioned on his whereabouts, or accompanied by much larger men wielding a sword everytime he wanted to go somewhere. But it was also something that Merlin might be able to use now…if Arthur wanted to keep him under lock and key. Then he needed Arthur to see that Lancelot was the actual answer he had been searching for. Maybe Merlin wouldn't mind being watched so much, if it was Lancelot doing the watching. Not because of that brief little crush on him, but just because…it was simply easier when it felt like he had a friend next to him. Then an armed soldier only there because Arthur had told him to be.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with your safety! Especially not enough for a strange man to jump in and try to save it! I haven't even done anything! You are perfectly safe with me-" Arthur cut himself off abruptly, clearly reading the look on Merlin's face that said….safe? With him? It was such a ridiculous thing for Arthur to claim…to say Merlin would be safe with him? Arthur was the main reason for why Merlin was still wading through his issues…why he was actually stunned because Lancelot chose to protect a human life over his decade long dream! That was exactly the kind of decision a true knight would make, but the consort still had so many self esteem issues he was working through…it was hard to actually believe Lancelot would've made that choice. Would've chosen MERLIN instead of becoming a knight…he wasn't used to being the one that was chosen. Even seeing it with his own eyes, seeing what Lancelot had been about to do…wasn't enough for him to stop thinking…he wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it to show Merlin that kind of devotion…he was only going to end up disappointing the warrior…one way or the other. "Merlin-" Arthur repeated himself with a less frantic tone, taking a deep breath as if he was trying to calm himself down just a bit before he said something he regretted. "I know that you seem under the impression that you know this man, but honestly, you've only known him for a few days! How could you possibly trust that he knows what's best for you? Or are you really so naive that you'd go off with him? You might be spending my money to…to give him favors and claim him as yours, but that certainly doesn't mean you know him enough to trust him!"

Merlin sucked in a sharp breath as silence over fell the group, Gwen bringing up a hand to bite nervously at her nails…at first, Merlin had been wanting to try and protest. Insist that Lancelot had shown him more protection in the last few days than Arthur had shown in the last four months. Explode on the prince that he would rather follow Lancelot into the mouth of hell simply because he just knew the warrior would have his back, when he couldn't even trust that Arthur wouldn't toss him straight to the demons that ruled hell in order to protect his own skin…but then Arthur had to go and mention the bloody favor. And it took every ounce of strength Merlin had to not look back and see the confusion all over Lancelot's face. The muscles in Merlin's shoulder blades tightened before they loosened…this was it then. The moment where everything started to fall apart. Arthur knew about the favor…knew that Merlin had the thing made, and knew Merlin had used his money to do it, but…Arthur seemed to be under the delusion that…Merlin?…had given it to Lancelot. That…that was bad. Merlin'd been expecting some kind of confrontation about this from Arthur, whenever he received the bill for the favor, but he hadn't expected for it to happen just so fast. And not in front of Lancelot. Things were starting to slip from him far faster than he could catch up, slipping through his fingers no matter how tight he scrambled to hold onto his lies.

"I'm sorry, sire. But there seems to be some kind of misunderstanding going on here. Merlin didn't give me a favor at all. Not that Merlin isn't lovely, and I'll accept if it was a gift from a friend-" Arthur's jaw tightened at what Lancelot is saying, and maybe the warrior seemed to sense how…offended?…that he was, because he quickly peddled on, being his hand up to cover the little scrap of bright blue cloth covering his arm. "But I was given this favor by a really good and interesting woman that I hope to get to know more. Right Guinevere?" and Lancelot turned his gaze back around to look at the lovely handmaiden by his side, but it seemed as if Gwen's voice was failing her again. Merlin felt a pang in his chest when he saw her stressed expression, glancing between the three of them wildly as she took a hesitant step back…Merlin wouldn't be surprised if she tried to run, just in case Arthur turned his ire onto her next. He'd want to make a break for it too, if he wasn't forced to stay here and do some serious damage control. "…Guinevere?"

Lancelot's voice came out worried and uncertain, reaching out a hand as if he was about to try and confront her. But Gwen had once been grabbed by men much larger and stronger than her, and she immediately leaned away from his touch before he could place a hand on her shoulder. Lancelot looked hurt and dropped his hand back limply by his side without pushing for more…and Merlin noticed all of this. He could feel the wet sheen starting to build up within both of his eyes…bad enough that Arthur had to ruin whatever relationship, whether it be romantic or otherwise, Merlin tried to develop. But now he was only mere seconds away from completely shattering the fragile beginning's of Gwen and Lancelot's flexing romance. Sure, Merlin having paid for the favor to be made wasn't exactly the most earth shattering news, anybody could figure out that Gwen couldn't have paid for it if they thought about it. But the stirrings of the spark between them was still so new and fresh…Merlin wasn't entirely sure it could survive their little…unofficial lie by omission. And poor Gwen…she most likely thought she was going to end up arrested for 'stealing from the prince' or something like that…she was already starting to shake.

"You don't have to make up such ridiculous lies! I know for a fact that Gwen is not the one that gave you that horrific thing on your arm." Arthur snapped with a disgusting sniff of disdain, completely ignoring Gwen who only seemed to be shaking harder from the thundering of the prince's voice. Merlin would've been offended…he had worked a great deal on that favor with Madame Teresa thank you very much! He had spent ages trying to decide if Gwen would've chosen a butterfly or beautiful firelight slashed diagonally across the fabric…if he didn't care enough about Gwen for her shaking to be a real worry for him. "I saw with my own eyes, Merlin walking out of our Royal seamstresses quarters just a few hours ago! And he was holding that bloody thing on your arm! And then when I see it again next, it's not because it's in Merlin's hand. It's on your bloody arm! So just go ahead and try telling me GWEN got it for you. When she can't even afford a single stitching that the cloth is made out of!"

A single stitching on the cloth…Merlin had been trying so bloody hard to keep himself together. Had been trying so bloody hard to…appeal to whatever that dratted prince wanted before things got out of hand and Lancelot ended up losing everything just for caring about him. Nobody else had ever bloody tried to step in when Arthur was in one of his moods in public…Merlin was still able to vividly remember the day Arthur had slapped him across the face. And how half the town had been watching, and not one person had stepped up to try to help him. No, they had all been content to watch the 'Prince' disciplining what they thought was a cheating Consort. But Lancelot was a kinder man who did not tolerate bullies and arrogant toerag's like Arthur, and Gwen was starting to shake more and more. And Arthur didn't even bloody care how he was starting to drag her name through the mud…it might be obvious that Gwen couldn't be able to afford something like a favor. But speaking of her money situation felt like Arthur was spitting at her feet, dehumanizing her because what little coin she received as Morgana's maid, paid higher than the other servants but that didn't mean she could spend as freely as she may like, went toward the normal human necessities like food and clothing. Just because somebody didn't have the money to waste on silk fabric and elegant designs didn't mean they should not be treated with the respect they damn well deserved. Merlin himself could not afford it! And yet, Arthur wouldn't stop sniffing around him. So what made him so bloody different from Gwen…what made Arthur curse Gwen's situation while constantly pushing Merlin to accept what was being given to him.

"ARTHUR! Perhaps if you learned to listen and maybe ask me things, then just maybe you wouldn't sound like a total idiot every time you open your mouth. If you did, you might actually get some real answers instead of flying completely off the handle at what you 'think' might have happened." Merlin exploded in a loud tone, his anger rearing its ugly head, and he was sure Lancelot had turned from Gwen to look at him startled. It wasn't every day that a 'peasant boy' like Lancelot thought, his secret consort lifestyle barely hanging on by the thinnest of threads but still holding together, could get away with calling Arthur the idiot that he was. But Merlin had called Arthur far worse lately, and to his face. This wasn't nearly the worse. And Arthur could bloody well fuss to Merlin, but that same Prince would NEVER make Gwen feel small about herself. Or ashamed of her life just because she hadn't been born into the same wealth and privilege that came with the Pendragon family. "Have you ever considered…maybe I did have that favor made? For GWEN. I used your money, something that you have wanted me to do multiple times, do I need to mention that one time you tried to convince me golden floors for my room was a good idea, in order to give my best friend a gift. Something I very well knew that you would never approve of, which you just proved now when you freaked out over Gwen not being able to afford it! Heheh forbid your money be used to make a 'peasant girl's' day a little brighter. So yes, Lancelot was very well telling the truth since I passed it over to Gwen when I got here. And SHE gave it to him. Because it was HER favor to give. Paid for by the crown, something I think she surely deserves considering she never actually received any monetary compensation for the things YOU'VE put her through. Don't you agree…it's the least Camelot can do for her."

Merlin twisted his final words with a sarcastic lilt to his voice, arching his brow high across his face. He could practically read Arthur's face…and how exactly, was it fucking real that Merlin had somehow gotten so good at reading all the minute expressions on Arthur's face? It had probably done him some good the times he had thought his life was in danger because of Arthur. And honestly…he was still holding out for a murder attempt at some point. But he knew that Arthur knew he was talking about Gwen's imprisonment two months before…Arthur's eyes darted back and forth amongst the group. To Merlin, and Gwen, and the favor, and a frowning Lancelot…Merlin bit down on his lip. All of this is probably very confusing to Lancelot, he was probably struggling to completely understand what was going on. Merlin just knew the questions that would spill from Lancelot's lips…why could Merlin call Arthur an idiot without ending up in the stocks for it? Because Merlin, as consort, couldn't be seen in something as common as the stocks, a device meant to contain fools for a short period. Not again. Why did Merlin get to decide what to spend the crown's gold on? Because Arthur'd given him permission many times to use the royal coffers as he wished, and he was just finally taking him up on that offer. Why did Merlin decide to have such a nice favor made? Because Gwen was his friend, and she deserved to get the very best for once. All questions Merlin would have a difficult time answering…all questions that would lead to Lancelot finding out Merlin's status. God, the consort could almost taste the truth lingering on the tip of his tongue. And this could hardly go on for another minute more before the truth everybody else in the group knew…hit Lancelot like a strike of lightning through the chest.

X

"You…and her…what did you…you actually…gave to Gwen…" the words fell from Arthur Pendragon's tongue in a mix of syllables that didn't make sense to any other but him…his head was reeling as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard. But it was like he couldn't connect it to his brain…this entire time, he'd been stuck with Merlin's favor mocking him. Stuck staring at the tiny little cloth as if it was the beginning and the end of his universe. Physical proof that Merlin was getting action elsewhere. Physical proof that Merlin was no longer caring to even lie to him about it. But then Merlin had to go and say what he'd really done, and…it was such a Merlin thing to do. To hand over money, money that Arthur had earned in his own coffers…on the peasant girl that had kissed him. He wasn't sure what to think…on one hand…they'd KISSED! So did it really matter if he had gotten the favor for Lancelot or for Gwen, he still had the brief romantic entanglement with both of them. But on the other hand…he probably should just be bloody relieved that LANCELOT wasn't his lover, but he still was not entirely sure he wasn't. Arthur raised a brow at his consort, his voice going tight and strained, "Of course…I suppose that Gwen does deserve something nice after that…tragic event that happened a few months ago. And if a favor is the one thing that she requested, I'd hardly stand in the way of that. I simply wished that you had bothered informing me from the start. We could have avoided making a scene if I was aware that the favor wasn't for m-I mean. Was for your…friend here."

Arthur waved a hand down towards Gwen, trying to keep his expression from breaking character. He could feel the dark flush building along the back of his neck…he knew he had almost revealed what he had truly thought…that Merlin had crafted that favor for him. He only hoped that nobody had caught it, there was only so much Arthur's poor heart could actually take. And this was already pushing the limits to the very end of his rope. He needed to keep his muscles as neutral as possible, and hope nobody else realized what was actually going on. It really was a bad look, Camelot's Consort just handing the girl coins from their coffers…all kinds of unseemly rumors could start from that. And as Merlin had already admitted once that he might be willing to 'try' being with a girl-he was pretty sure Merlin had only been riling him up, but he didn't want to take a chance that Merlin might actually be open to it-he didn't want any new rumors giving Merlin any ideas. But none of this revelation made Arthur trust Lancelot in the least…there were still many questions about the stranger that he could see wasn't lining up. Like why a nobleman would entertain any peasant girl for more than a night…this could just be some kind of trick. Lancelot using Gwen, as Merlin's best friend, in order to get closer to him. And Lancelot might even be Merlin's type, for all Arthur knew! All silky hair and from a strong family and a knight…such a conundrum all of this was. Merlin both sleeping with knights and being harmed by them…which category was Lancelot going to fall into, if Merlin hadn't already taken a piece of Lancelot as his own…

"Well, Arthur. When somebody has constantly been trying to give you gold, it does make one a bit more inclined to think you wouldn't be so upset when it's finally being put to good use. You…aren't upset, right, Arthur? Not when it was for a good cause." Merlin spoke slowly, darkly…Arthur just knew that the other boy was trying to catch him in a lie. Was trying to make him withdraw all of the times he had offered up his storerooms for Merlin's use, but the prince didn't play that game. What was his was Merlin's…what was Merlin's was his…that's the way a marriage was supposed to work, yes? Both of them placing forth the possessions they owned and combining them into one…Arthur pressed tightly at his lips, making them thin. He refused to answer Merlin, lest he make him more upset by going off about something like 'propriety' and the proper place of servants that liked to kiss their betters. Merlin wouldn't like that… "Besides, you and I both know that I don't have nearly enough money on my own to help Gwen. Which actually, now that I think about it…perhaps you should grant her an apology? I mean, you did come here and upset her, humiliated her because you couldn't let this whole matter go, and started something over absolutely nothing in front of her new beau. And you called her favor horrific! I thought princes were meant to be having some form of manners. But you seem to be lacking any. I mean, you do not like Gwen's, nor did you like the one I gave you all those months ago…is there anything that you do like?"

Merlin's sharp reprimand was like the lash of a whip against Arthur's back, as this was not how any of this was meant to go. Lancelot was supposed to drop down onto his knees and beg for mercy for trying to seduce his consort. And Merlin was supposed to admit he had been wrong to trust a stranger and the prince had been right to believe Lancelot wasn't worth his time. And Gwen was not even meant to be in his consort's vicinity, but…none of that had happened at all. And Arthur had already apologized to Gwen once for the trouble that he had caused her…because he had admired the fierceness she had shown when she had stood up for Merlin against him after his poisoning. But now…the word got caught thickly in his throat…he just could not handle apologizing to such a simple girl, who had overstepped her bounds the moment she pressed lips on Merlin's. He didn't care if Gwen had 'thought he was dead', it still wasn't right for her to do. And then to have Merlin demand his apologies while Lancelot is still standing there, silently watching what was going on…would this make him less of a man? If he submitted to Merlin and gave him what he wanted…would he not lose the respect of his men if they knew Merlin could control him like a dog being whipped. Arthur WANTED to do what Merlin wanted, because it was something that would please him, but Arthur was still a coward with pressure from other's eyes on him…he bowed his head and ignored Merlin's demands for a proper apology, even as the shame struck him down.

"I suppose that I simply do not understand why you would have gone through so much trouble for all of this. You went out of your way to…craft this thing for Guinevere…perhaps horrid was a bit harsh of a word to use. It…isn't as bad as I made it sound." Arthur fumbled over his words in an uncharacteristic way…but it had to be done. His father would have a heart attack if he ever heard that his son had actually contemplated apologizing to Gwen again just to win a point or two in Merlin's books. He hoped saying the favor Merlin had made wasn't bad would hide the fact that he was refusing Merlin's order, though from the harsh glare Merlin was sending his way, he was pretty sure Merlin had noticed what it was he was doing. Fuck, he really was screwing this all up, wasn't he? "I would just like to know why you went through such lengths to make one for her while you didn't extend nearly as much of an effort when you gave me yours. And as I know you liked me back then, it seems as if you would've extended an equal amount of thought…"

Arthur didn't mean to sound as…jealous…as he did, but if Merlin was going to start handing out gifts like this, then Arthur thought he had the right to know a few details. It was kinda bittersweet knowing Merlin first helping himself to his gold was for GWEN, instead of buying himself something nice or pretty that'd make him happy. But it was equally bittersweet to know, even during the height of Merlin's once crush on him, that he hadn't put in as much effort as he had put into Gwen. Don't get Arthur wrong, he had clung onto Merlin's neckerchief with a grip that wouldn't be relinquished. It had helped get him through such a difficult time in those caves, when he'd hung from the wall and struggled with getting to the flowers, and feeling the cloth tied around his elbow. He wouldn't have traded it in for anything…Merlin had gifted it to him. The one, only gift he had ever been gifted from Merlin. But why did Gwen deserve Merlin's attention to detail and picking colors and designs, and all for somebody else! As it had turned out to be.

"Are you fucking serious right now! Of course I bloody well went through all of the trouble for Gwen! She's my friend! And somebody had to make up for the way you've treated her!" Merlin exclaimed loudly, his face turning a bright and vivid way when Arthur had casually-too casually-mentioned his crush, as if he was embarrassed for ever liking Arthur. Which Arthur would've found insulting, though…he had no right to be insulted. "And just for the record, I did think on what I wanted to give you! I thought long and hard about what I could've given you! Do you really think that I am so crass that I would use your own money in order to gift you something! I couldn't buy you something that I hadn't earned for myself! I know for a fact that it's wrong to use somebody else's money to buy them a gift that's supposed to be romantic. I'm pretty sure I told you once upon a time actually, that my neckerchief-which I'm still bloody pissed about you losing, by the way-was literally the only thing I have. When somebody has came here with nothing more than what they could carry, parting with one of those items have a lot more meaning compared to somebody who has never had to go without! Some people actually have to improvise with what they do have!"

It seemed as if both Arthur and Merlin had finally forgotten they were currently being watched by their audience…Arthur looked pained as he squeezed closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath to settle himself. Yes…Merlin had told him all those months ago, when Merlin had first confronted him about switching out a neckerchief for purple silk, that the red cloth was the only thing he had to give him. Merlin had looked so vibrant and angry that day, so vicious and disgusted with Arthur…the prince had truly believed the neckerchief had been lost at that point. But anyway, Arthur had truly believed Merlin had been overreacting with his claims on having nothing. It would be many weeks later before he ended up in Merlin's new bed chambers, searching through his belongings to find items that might be the cause for the plague, that he had truly seen how little Merlin had owned. It almost made him feel guilty for keeping Merlin's neckerchief all to himself, for holding onto it for all these months after it had been found, and not returning it. But…Arthur couldn't imagine letting that red cloth go. And he couldn't imagine even returning it would sway Merlin's temper toward him, not when Merlin figured out he had been fussing over it like this and Arthur hadn't admitted he still had it. But…Merlin was right. Arthur had so many clothes and fabrics and silks, he could hardly count them all. Practically a new wardrobe to wear every season, tossing out clothing that barely had a scuff mark because he couldn't be bothered looking at it any longer. And then Merlin had gone and sacrificed his comfort, his favorite…just for Arthur…Arthur's head whipped up to look at Merlin with slight wonder in his eyes.

"I-"

Arthur started to stutter, but he could feel himself starting to get choked up…he thought he was finally starting to understand. Finally starting to understand what he had been missing all this time…Arthur blinked rapidly. God, he wasn't going to start crying here, was he? Princes didn't cry. They didn't dare show a weakness like that, show vulnerability. But how could Arthur not be affected by all of this? Merlin was right…the red neckerchief had held so much meaning if one compared it to the blue silk on Lancelot's arm. It suddenly made the cloth hidden away in Arthur's drawer so much more precious than he had thought it was, something to cherish and hold onto because it was probably going to end up the Last thing Merlin had ever given him. There was this…childish urge…he had that made him want to wave the cloth in Lancelot's face. Taunt him by the knowledge that Merlin had sacrificed something…for him. Instead of giving him some generic thing that anybody could've crafted. But then the other part of Arthur won out…he wanted to keep the neckerchief to himself. Something that was just for him…something no other person had…Merlin's neckerchief.

"Excuse me, I don't really mean to interrupt whatever that's…going on here, but I don't think I quite understand. You are speaking as if Merlin has access to the royal coffers. But despite whatever…relationship you have got going on here, I didn't think Camelot's Prince would be so…freely with allowing access like that." Lancelot was cutting into their conversation, interrupting Arthur as he struggled to convey to Merlin how much that neckerchief meant to him…it took Arthur a second too long to register what Lancelot was saying. But that was enough time for Merlin to go rigid, catching Arthur's eye immediately, he was suddenly on guard as Lancelot turned to his consort. Because it was that dratted man that was making Merlin upset. "Merlin…? You don't have to tell me anything that you don't want to, but I'm just…very confused right now…"

Merlin didn't say anything, and a low growl was starting to rumble from within the depths of Arthur's throat…look at Lancelot, the prince thought. Trying so very hard to get onto Merlin's good side, and acting as if he was some kind of good guy…being 'gentle' and 'sweet', telling Merlin he didn't have to say one word he didn't want too. What an utter load of crap! Lancelot was obviously just trying to manipulate Merlin, trying to sweet talk him into taking his side of things when it became clear Merlin and Arthur's relationship…wasn't as good as it should've been. But for a man plotting to get close to his consort, Arthur would've thought the man would come up with a better line of questioning his Merlin. Because seriously? Asking why Merlin would be allowed to spend the gold of the prince? That was like asking why Arthur was allowed to spend the gold of the king until he was old enough to maintain an account of his own. It's clearly expected for a kingly father to provide for his princely son, just as it's clearly expected for a princely husband to provide for his consort. But none of it really mattered because none of this was Lancelot's business! He didn't get to just go and ask what their financial situation was! It was…the word Merlin had used before…crass. Why the bloody hell would Lancelot even ask something that is so stupid! Did he honestly think Arthur was withholding any funds from Merlin?

"I…I-"

Merlin started to stutter restlessly at his side, the words failing him, and Arthur glanced over to him. His Merlin didn't usually stutter or not know what to say…not when he wasn't going through the shit Arthur had put him through. Though now it's clear that this…this hesitance…was Lancelot's doing. Lancelot was the reason Merlin's skin had turned a pasty white color, paler then the freshest of milk's. Arthur could feel his ribcage rattling around in his chest as this burst of anger struck through him. Who the bloody hell did Lancelot think he was…did he think he was allowed to get into Merlin's head like this? Maybe the man was subtly trying to tell Merlin he shouldn't be 'allowed' to have Arthur's money as a 'peasant' wasn't good enough…just like all those knights that had hurt Merlin would probably say. Or maybe he was upset because Arthur would freely give HIS consort what he desired because he was HIS consort, which would leave Merlin with a claim on him. A claim that Lancelot could never replicate or try to take away, a claim in which Lancelot was being forced to see right in front of him, showing that Merlin wouldn't be nearly as easy to take away like he had been thinking he would be. Or maybe…Arthur stopped in mid-thought as this strange and sudden thought came to mind. One that was so outrageous, and was so out there, and so…insane, that it couldn't possibly be right.

"…Merlin…this man does know who you are right? You introduced yourself to him and everything when you first met…properly…didn't you?" Arthur asked in a slow and overly cautioned tone. Lancelot's brows were furrowing together in his never ending confusion, and Merlin was whipping his head back and forth between them, taking a small step back as all the pieces fell into place. Earlier, Merlin had told Arthur that there was no chance that Lancelot had planned the meeting between them because he hadn't known who he was. Arthur assumed that meant Lancelot was pretending to be naive about Merlin's identity, or that Merlin had introduced himself later on once the danger was clear. But if none of that had happened…could it be true…could Lancelot really be so clueless as to who Merlin was? Could Lancelot really have not known he was spending his time in the presence of royalty. Merlin wasn't answering him though and Arthur spoke up in a high pitched tone that verged on freaking out, "Merlin! Please do tell me that this man knows who you are! Tell me that you aren't trying to hide your identity from this stranger! Please tell me you aren't-"

Arthur's voice cracked before he could finish his sentence, but Merlin looking away was all the answer he needed. His knees were feeling weak, as if he was about to collapse on the floor. Now, Arthur knew fully well that sometimes the hiding of an identity was actually something necessary. He has traveled across Camelot and knew if he ever needed to go into enemy territory, it would be far easier to get around if he didn't go by the name Prince Arthur. But here, in his homeland…Arthur had never had to hide who he was. Had never had to ignore his name or pretend he was somebody else, so why…why didn't Merlin tell his new friend who he was? What, had Merlin just said…hi, my name is Merlin and it's nice to meet you, when they first met? He probably did, Arthur thought as his heart squeezed painfully in his chest, it…hurt…thinking Merlin was trying to hide who he was. It hurt more than Arthur had thought it would. As if he'd got burned by a thousand different suns all at once. Merlin was denying his name, was denying his connection to Arthur, was denying…being the consort of this kingdom. Something that should've struck pride in his consort, felt as if Merlin only looked at his lot in life with contempt. And Arthur knew why…knew that he was to blame for Merlin's secrecy. Was to blame for why Merlin wanted to keep the whole bloody thing a secret, Arthur hadn't exactly made Merlin's time here as consort a happy memory, and Arthur's lips went thin in thought, and made a decision on behalf of his consort.

"If you aren't going to tell Lancelot what your true name is, then I am going to have to simply tell him myself. I cannot have you going around pretending that you are anything less than you are." Arthur said firmly, watching when Merlin looked at him with wide, pleading eyes, begging him with a look to stay silent and keep his secret. But….there was a multitude of things Arthur would have been willing to keep secret for Merlin if he asked…his favorite dessert. Where he liked to go when he got out of the castle. His secret hobby that he felt was embarrassing, everybody had one of those, right? Even the color of Merlin's underwear was something Arthur would've kept as a closely guarded secret. But this…this was the one thing that Arthur couldn't allow him to hide from. He was Camelot's Consort, and there was only so long that Merlin could keep that a secret while inside the kingdom itself. Arthur needed to do this…for Merlin's own good. For him to…finally connect and start seeing his new consort title as a part of himself, and not something he should hide from. Consort, was clearly a title so tightly wound with Merlin, that it matched Prince with Arthur. There's no Consort without Merlin, no Prince without Arthur…Arthur tore his eyes from Merlin, knowing he needed to be strong and not give into the whims that came with staring into Merlin's big, blue eyes. Arthur Pendragon stood at attention in front of Lancelot, and told him exactly who Merlin was, "I suggest that you will need to learn how to conduct yourself in a proper manner. You've stood in the presence of royalty for much too long without giving him the proper respect he deserves. Might I introduce you to Merlin," Arthur waved this gracious hand in the direction of his consort, as if he was introducing the king himself. "Or as all the others know him…Consort Merlin. My husband, the Consort of the entirety of Camelot Kingdom. Bringer of treaties and defender of the peace. And you're more than welcomed to bow down before your better now."

Arthur had made up those titles on the spot…bringer of treaties and defender of the peace…because it made Merlin sound more impressive then simply 'my consort'. Saying 'my consort' made Merlin sound as if he simply belonged with Arthur, an extension of the prince but with no real purpose. But while he might see Merlin as his, others needed to know how lucky they were to be graced by his consort's mere presence in their vicinity. Others needed to be marveled by the sharpness of Merlin's tongue, the quickness of his brain, the bravery that he continued exhibiting in order to stay standing after everything that he has lived through. And while Arthur may have made up the actual titles, Merlin had earned both of them through his own blood, sweat, and tears. He wasn't going to allow those facts be diminished or forgotten by his marriage to Arthur. The prince knew that it took actually very little to walk into a room and proclaim to marry a stranger, despite the trauma that came with marrying a stranger. But everything else Merlin had done…it had been all him. And Lancelot needed to know more than ever, that he couldn't treat Merlin like a friend. Merlin was the Consort first and foremost, and Arthur expected him to be treated as such.

Most especially after hearing about the reasons for why his knights would try and target his consort…

"That is…that isn't…but…you've got to be mistaken. I've known Merlin for a few days now and I've seen nothing that would indicate that he…is this some kind of joke, sire?" was Lancelot's reply, his face a touch paler as his eyes started to dart around their small group. Clearly waiting for somebody to declare that the prince had a strange sense of humor and this was his version of 'pranking the new guy.' But when Lancelot locked eyes onto Gwen, the woman lowered her eyes without saying a word. And when he locked eyes on Merlin, pleading with his eyes for answers to what was going on, practically begging for Merlin to tell him it wasn't true, but Merlin seemed to close in on himself. Flinching as his arms folded around himself as if he was trying to protect himself, muscles bunching beneath his clothes as if he was fighting the natural 'fight or flight' reflex that all people were born with. To Arthur…it looked as if Merlin could be a Venus fly trap, a plant known for being able to eat and swallow small insects and bugs that were unfortunate enough to land on its soft exterior. Merlin may come in a pretty package, but he was more than capable of going down with a tussle of limbs, bringing down whoever was unfortunate enough to come after him. And that seemed to be all the answer that Lancelot needed, he took half a step backwards with his mouth opened. As if he didn't quite know what he was meant to say, eyes roving over Merlin's slim bodies with a hurt…disbelief in his eyes. And Lancelot shook his head, raising a hand to grasp at his hair, "But he doesn't, I mean you don't…I mean…Merlin is…but he doesn't live at the castle, does he? He lives with his uncle! Physician Gaius! Surely he would live back in the main castle with you if he was consort, wouldn't he?"

Lancelot finally tore his eyes away from Merlin when the boy curled tighter in on himself, his eyes flying back to Arthur as if he was hoping for some kind of reasonable answer to what was going on. But there was no reasonable answer to offer, only the truth of the matter, Arthur thought with a cold frown. Maybe this was a worse situation that he had thought…bad enough this Lancelot had probably thought he could get away with treating his consort like any common man he met off the street, but it appeared that he knew where Merlin had been sleeping all this time. How the fuck did Lancelot know where Merlin laid down his head at night…was this further proof that he and Merlin had been sleeping together, and what was Gwen's involvement in all of that…Merlin wouldn't be the type to allow his friend to romanticize after somebody he was already with between the sheets…but that was the least of his problems. Something that he would revisit at another time. Right now, Arthur was faced with two much more larger issues. One…Lancelot knew where Merlin slept. And apparently wasn't all that shy about sharing that information. There weren't people surrounding them, so nobody was near enough to hear them, but that was information that couldn't be spread about so willingly. Merlin and him had made that deal many months ago, unofficial as it had been, but Arthur would hold true to his words. He would allow Merlin to live with his uncle, but only if his father never actually found out about this deception. While Arthur would love nothing more then for Merlin to move back into his royal suite, if only because he would sleep easier knowing he could get to Merlin faster if anything happened, Merlin obviously wasn't ready for that. And two…Merlin was in one of the most honorable and sought out positions of the court, and it was about time he was treated like he was.

"I can assure you that I have better things to do with my time than joke on who my consort really is. Consort Merlin has been my husband for four months and I expect for you as a…visiting noble in my city, to remember that. Which means Consort Merlin requires as much privacy as possible. I suggest you not spread gossip and lies about my consort. He likes to spend time with his uncle, and I'll hardly deny him wanting to sleep there if his visits last too long." Arthur said in an even colder tone, verbally slapping Lancelot across the face after he's been forced to remind this other noble that his behavior towards his consort is less than desirable and completely unacceptable. While going the extra mile to get it to sound like Merlin only visited his uncle, instead of living there full time. "I personally find it quite hard for you to not have realized who you have been hanging around all this time. I mean, I understand my consort has a love for his normal attire, you won't even begin to believe how difficult getting him to be dressed properly, but surely you would've questioned how a man of his status was wearing a ring as expensive as the one I gave to him on our wedding day."

Perhaps Arthur was bragging a little, but there were so very few items that he could say he had given to Merlin. Yes…he had given Merlin an entire kingdom that would someday adore him, Arthur would see to that. But his kingdom had not been accepted by Merlin. Not yet. Not fully. Not if he was denying what his role and status in that kingdom was. And he hardly dared to count the very few items of clothing Merlin had squirreled away for a rainy day considering Merlin hardly ever wore them except when necessary…golden nipples flashed briefly in his mind before he chased the thought away with a self important sniff. But the ring…the ring was something else entirely. It was the one item that Merlin wore daily, the silver band wrapped around Merlin's finger being the one and only physical symbol of Merlin's status…of the bond they shared that matched equal to Arthur's own ring. Arthur couldn't understand how Lancelot missed such a thing. If Arthur had came across a boy who dressed in peasant garbs like Merlin preferred, but wore a ring his great-grandchildren wouldn't be able to afford paying off, he would've definitely had some questions. Perhaps have even stopped to question the boy just to make sure he hadn't stolen a family heirloom from some other important noble family, though the red dragon that was carved into the metal would've been a major hint on which family this ring in particular belonged too.

"Merlin, go ahead and show him your ring. I do not want Lancelot here to leave still doubting my claims. He should know without a doubt that my consort has, for some reason beyond my comprehension, decided to give him a second of your time." Arthur said, the self imposed swagger that had been lacking from his voice in the last month, when he'd been stressing over figuring things out and trying to decide where he was meant to go after everything Merlin ended up revealing to him after his poisoning, returning with a sentence. And Arthur even brought his hands up to his hips that gave off the impression of just how cocky he was…Lancelot could keep the ruddy favor Arthur had paid for. Under the disguise of compensation for Gwen's suffering. But he was going to get a solid glance at the wealth tied into the Pendragon family name. But when his consort didn't immediately come forward to bare his left hand, the hand Merlin had given to him upon their wedding day, Arthur tilted his head, "Merlin, now is not the time to be shy. Show Lancelot your wedding ring-it bares the crest of my family, don't you know-so we can be done with this whole facade."

Maybe Arthur was being a bit pushy about this, because let's be real, Merlin's never been shy a day in his life. But he truly didn't see anything wrong about showing off a little, or letting Merlin wave his long and gangly fingers about in the air so that the ring sparkled in the sun, showing off Arthur's possession of him. Nobody would doubt Merlin's identity as consort as long as he wore that ring bearing Arthur's crest. But, still…Merlin didn't come forward, and Arthur straightened up. He turned to look back, surprised to see that his consort had gone and moved back a few steps. Exiting the little bubble the four of them had somehow created, entangling with the other as the outside world kept on going by without them. Arthur frowned heavily, his brows furrowing together in the middle of his forehead…why was Merlin moving away from them? He knew that Merlin liked to make things difficult, it was half what kept Arthur on the tip of his toes just trying to keep up, but surely this one ask wasn't as difficult as anything else Arthur had demanded of him.

"…Merlin…"

Arthur was starting to get worried now, he had been so busy with his stand off against Lancelot, that he had hardly noticed Merlin wasn't looking good. Was he sick…should Arthur bring him to his uncle and have him checked out. Or…his eyes fell down to where he could subtly see Merlin was slowly sliding his hand behind his back. His left hand in particular…Arthur's throat dried up. The way Merlin was trying to hide his hand, only seemed to draw more attention onto it. And though Merlin tucked it behind him, he hadn't been quick enough for him not to see. To see Merlin's bare and naked finger. No sign of Arthur's claim on him. No silver glint of metal around pale skin. Arthur's stomach churned as if he was going to be sick…why wasn't Merlin wearing his ring? Why would Merlin take his ring off? Why would…Arthur's head pounded as his heart dropped like a stone to his feet. There was no denying what he had seen…Merlin was more than just not saying who he was. He was going out of his way to pretend that he actually wasn't married to Arthur.

"…Don't look at me like that Arthur Pendragon! You have absolutely no right to pretend as if you're upset about me not wearing my ring! It's not as if keeping that thing is something I would be proud to have!" Merlin shouted after silence drew on for longer than it should, and he could no longer handle it. But Arthur wished there was silence, where he couldn't hear anything but the pounding of his heart. He would, once again, never dream of asking Merlin to keep himself silent just for Arthur's own comfort. He just didn't know how long he was able to stand here with his heart being torn out of his chest, too stunned by Merlin and his lack of ring to hide the sorrow on his face behind his princely mask. "I am sure you know very well how expensive that ring is. Maybe I decided it was better off being sold so I can buy my way out of this kingdom, then keeping it as nothing more than a placeholder for when you need me!"

Merlin's words had been violent and rash, hitting Arthur with the same shock a bucket of freezing cold water dropping on his head from the sky above. Arthur had his mouth drop open, staring at Merlin with undignified grace. He couldn't understand Merlin…surely he wouldn't have actually SOLD that ring. That ring that was only one half of a whole, expensive on its own but not nearly as much as it would've been without the set. People would die and kill in order to own a ring like theirs, to strut around with it gracing their finger. To have it GIVEN to them meant so much more than some fool buying it from some tiny little shop whose owner wouldn't be smart enough to realize what they had. No…not even Merlin was outrageous enough to sell a priceless Camelot artifact. Not even he would risk the fallout of what might occur should Uther learn the fate that had become that ring's…but this was Merlin. The same Merlin that had tried to take his ring off once before, before Arthur had forcibly made him keep it. The very same Merlin who had been so violent and angry and furious at Arthur not that long ago…it wouldn't be completely out of the realm of possibility that he may have sold it. Perhaps not to leave Camelot or he would've already been gone by now, but perhaps to get revenge on Arthur. Make him panic and stress and go searching through all the shops in the city on the off chance that he might find the one Merlin had sold it too only to realize later on that the ring hadn't made it that far…

"Oooh! The ring…" came the low murmur from beside them, and Arthur latched onto it with the same intensity that a bloodhound might. Lancelot's skin kept a pale tint to it, but his expression looked as if he had just realized something in his head. Just thought of something that Arthur wouldn't be privy to, but he'd mentioned the ring. And Arthur felt something in his chest loosening, a breath traveling down to his lungs a bit easier. Lancelot may not have known Merlin's true title, but he had clearly seen the ring at one point…Merlin had mentioned the man had been injured saving his life? Perhaps that was how he and Merlin had bonded so strongly in the last few days…maybe Merlin had it lying around Gaius' downstairs somewhere and Lancelot had caught sight of it. He wasn't wearing it, but…he still had it. Which meant he could still put it back onto his finger, but…Arthur's heart stuttered in his chest again. Would Merlin even want to put the ring back on? He had taken it off for a reason…would he wear the bit of metal if Arthur asked him too? If he got down on his knees and begged for it to be worn again. But Lancelot seemed to have finally realized his mistake, his eyes going back to Merlin's…the warrior cleared his throat. Before he bowed to the consort, low enough that he was nearly bent all the way at the waist, "I do apologize…Consort Merlin…for not…realizing who you were sooner. Please, I'll ask that you accept my humblest of apologies for anything I've done that may have offended you. Or anything I've done that may have been…asking far too much of you."

It was perhaps a strange turn of phrase, Arthur noted, but he was pleased by Lancelot's apology nonetheless. The status quo started to return to normal as the warrior backed away. He had even bowed low enough that he was bent at the waist almost completely…it was far lower than the way he had bowed down to Arthur when he had been handing over his royal seal. But he couldn't find it in himself to care that his consort was receiving more respect than he did…a prince was only as powerful as the people they surrounded themselves by. So if the people saw Merlin as a man worth respecting, worth lowering their nose to the dirt for, then that was one less man he had to worry about. He would be keeping a close eye on this…Lancelot…though, as the warrior quickly stormed away from them, just in case that respect slipped some…Arthur himself would find it extremely disrespectful if he caught that man's hands trying to slip their way back down Merlin's pants. But at least for now, he was gone. And the only thing Arthur needed to worry about was…where Merlin had put his ring. And what this meant, for them, if he wasn't wearing it…

"Um, well, this…this has been…quite different from how I expected for things to go today, with the training test and all. But I'm sure that Morgana will start looking for me if I don't return to her soon." Gwen stuttered, glancing after the warrior disappearing around the corner as if she wished she could follow after him like a puppy looking for belly rubs from its master. Arthur scrunched nose was all the answer she needed to know that she wasn't wanted here, her being friend's with Merlin was the only reason Arthur didn't shoot her some harshly intended remark that would basically be telling her to scram. He didn't have to like her, to not outright scorn her in Merlin's presence. But Gwen managed to surprise him when she stepped up to Merlin's side, speaking lowly to him as if Arthur wasn't there… "Unless you want me to stay, Merlin. I can stay here and walk you back to Gaius' if you don't feel safe by yourself. I'll be happy to do it, and Morgana will understand once I explain why I'm running behind today…"

Arthur couldn't help but feel as if he was the interloper here, the one that was unwanted and unnecessary and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, as Merlin waved her off without a word. He wasn't used to feeling like the one on the outside looking in, the one kept in the dark as others conversed. The one that was the 'third wheel', instead of being the center of attention. It made his stomach clench up oddly, this feeling of…animosity that was welling up against him from all sides of the field. From Gaius, and Morgana, and Lancelot, Merlin too…and even from a simple handmaiden. Who should've known to keep what her feelings were for him in check. Who should've known better than to show her dislike in front of a prince. But Arthur didn't say anything as he waited for the girl to leave them, his impatience and disgruntlement showing when Gwen squeezed Merlin's elbow in fair well. Merlin had already told her to go! So she should just go away so Arthur could speak to his consort without an audience. And try to forget how Merlin had eased into the chocolate colored hand that had cupped his elbow, no violence in the boy at the gentle touch against him…so different from the way he snatched himself back if Arthur even so much as graze a finger against him. And then finally, Gwen was gone, casting nervous glances over her shoulder all the way across the field as if she wasn't sure she should really leave them here together. But Arthur wasn't going to do a thing to Merlin! He wasn't going to touch him or hurt him or…he just needed to get some peace of mind. But Arthur had a feeling his peace of mind wasn't going to come for many years to come…

"Do you really have to fucking ruin everything! I cannot believe that you…you just went and bloody told him who I fucking was! Are you absolutely mad! You have done a lot of shit Arthur, but this…I think this is probably the worse that you could've done!" Merlin was suddenly screaming at him now that Gwen was no longer there to bare witness to him going off the deep end, his face so pure white that it might as well have been bloodless, and then he was there. All but on top of Arthur, throwing his face into Arthur's like a mad lunatic. His mouth fell open wordlessly, shocked by Merlin's sudden anger, and having no idea as for why he was so angry. All Arthur had done was told Lancelot the truth…the prince was the one that should've been bloody mad here! Merlin had taken his ring off, it was the height of an insult, cutting to the core…Merlin could've said he hated him and it would've hurt less. "Do you not understand what you did right now! Ugh! There was a bloody reason I never told him who I was! And you have gone and ruined it!"

Arthur, for the first time in his life, wasn't quick enough to react when Merlin was suddenly shoving at him. Hard pushes against Arthur's shoulders to force him backwards…Arthur could've easily knocked Merlin on his arse to stop this violent assault against his person. But he didn't…he didn't even have a excuse, like when he'd been kissing Merlin and had been distracted enough for Merlin to punch him in the face after the consort had bit his tongue. His only excuse now was…this was the first time Merlin was voluntarily touching him. The first time in…who knows how long. And Arthur couldn't even feel the sting of Merlin and his fingertips through the armor plates on his shoulders…fuck. He really is a weird man, wanting to stop Merlin only long enough for him to take off those metal pieces on his shoulders so he could feel Merlin more clearly. Knowing it could very well be weeks, or months, or even years before Merlin would touch him again without flinching, even with violent touches such as these.

"I only did what I felt was necessary. Lancelot was going to find out who you were sooner or later. He was going to find out who you were and you were still going to end up upset about it. At least when I did it, I made sure he knew just how important you are to the kingdom. And that's exactly what you would want right? Some respect around here? For my men to treat you better than how the traitors who have scorned you have been treating you." Arthur said after Merlin stopped shoving him, yanking his arms away from Arthur as ragged breath and wild eyes met his. Arthur wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around Merlin's elbows like Gwen had done, and calm him down. Let him know that all of this was for his own good, and he would see it someday too. But the prince knew those advances were not welcome, and while they mainly had privacy at the moment, that was subject to change in the open field they were in. He did not want Merlin's reputation to take a hit if it was spread that he was attacking their prince. Arthur was surprisingly calm and stable considering everything he had discovered in the last hour alone, but he was sure he would be feeling the collapsing blow of everything once Merlin wasn't in front of him and he got the time to process things properly. "Lancelot couldn't go around treating you like you were…"

Here was where Arthur faltered, waving his hand around as he searched for the right word. Arthur didn't want to say Lancelot had treated Merlin like he was a whore…even if they had shared a bed, the warrior hadn't behaved as if he had some kind of claim on Merlin that Arthur didn't have. He hadn't tried to touch Merlin or lingered his eyes anywhere inappropriate. But Lancelot wasn't an alright guy, there was just something about him-more than just most likely sleeping with his consort despite Merlin claiming there was nothing there-that rubbed Arthur the wrong way. Something that told him there was something so off about Lancelot, and he just needed to see it for what it was. Maybe Arthur was just upset because Lancelot was relying on his consort to get him a spot among the ranks of his knight, instead of being a man and approaching Arthur for himself. Arthur probably wouldn't have been so harsh and violent if he had not known about Lancelot's connection to his violently sweet consort.

Yes…he knew what an oxymoron that last statement was…

"As if I was what?!" Merlin demanded in the sharpest voice Arthur had heard from him…it reminded him of that night. The fighting and the screaming and the hit against his temple as the taste of Merlin lingered on his lips…and the prince realized then just how furious Merlin was. This was more than the last few fights they've gotten into these last few days. This was the white hot fury that Merlin exhibited when he had finally had enough of Arthur's crap. It was these fights that left Arthur feeling like shit afterwards, desperate to do just a bit better the next time they met, and somehow still managing to screw it up all over again. "As if I was a bloody human being? As if I was a person that he could talk to? Do you know how heard it is to meet somebody that will talk to me as if we could be friends? I love Morgana, and Gwen, and Uncle Gaius. But excuse me if I was opening up the possibility to have a new friend. And then I bring him here and you completely ruin it! And all because you had to one up him and prove something! Don't think I didn't see how fucking smug you were looking when you saw his face after you told him my bloody title!"

Arthur winced with each word spoken, knowing Merlin would've probably been jabbing his long finger into Arthur's chest plate to emphasize his point had he not already exceeded his willingness to touch Arthur with the pushes against his chest…Arthur treated him like a person! Or at least he was trying to treat him as more of a person than he had been. Trying to talk to him more, seeking him out when they came across each other, sending him nice things that were only sent back to him…those were all things people did when they knew they'd epically screwed up. But the point was…Merlin didn't need somebody like that man in his life. He had everything he needed! Hell, even if Merlin didn't realize it yet, he had Arthur too. And Arthur could do anything for him…what could his stupid fucking warrior do that Arthur couldn't do. Other than…Arthur clenched his jaw a little. Yeah, there was one thing Lancelot could probably do that he'd not be able to do. And that involved sinking his fucking dick into the tight hole carefully hidden beneath Merlin's fluffy cheeks.

"Don't you think you might be overreacting just a bit here? I mean, whatever little lie you had going on with Lancelot was never going to last. And he would have already known sooner if you had been wearing your bloody ring exactly where it's supposed to be. Then this entire thing could have been avoided and none of this would've been happening." Arthur spoke in a carefully contained voice, but Arthur could see the sharp way Merlin was narrowing his eyes, so lit with a fire that Arthur hadn't realized he missed seeing. Full of life, making the blue coloring in his eyes look brighter than before. "But perhaps you wanted to have your new boyfriend thinking you were single? Is that it? You wanted that man to think that you were single! So you took off your bloody ring. Come on, what did you do with it? I know you didn't bloody well sell it. Just like I know all of…of…THIS! Is your latest attempt at driving me absolutely mad! You know for a fact that I don't like seeing you running around with other men! And then you come here and literally wave him at me? And then expect me to just welcome him in with opened arms?"

Arthur knew that he had taken…no steps forward, but about a dozen or two steps backwards as he ranted like some kind of crazed maniac. But Merlin had that effect on him. And he tried so bloody hard to do right by him, tried to do everything he could the right way. Had gone and apologized to his uncle, even if it hadn't turned out how he wanted it too. Had arrested the men that thought they could hurt him, and had their trial pending at the moment. Had listened to Merlin very carefully as he sneered hate at Arthur and told him exactly why his men would want to hurt him. And yet, none of that had been good enough. He still had to contend with the missing ring and with that oaf running around his kingdom. He would bloody well banish the guy if he didn't have to put a reason on the reports and he couldn't very well write down: THINKS HE IS PUSHING HIS COCK UP MY CONSORT'S ARSE, without looking like a nutcase. He had spent the last FOUR weeks, keeping himself and his darker nature contained in order to benefit Merlin. And what did that get him? An unruly consort cheating his way through their marriage and now even going so far as to pretend he did not have the Pendragon name attached to him.

"Bloody hell Arthur! How many times do I have to fucking say I am not dating or doing anything else with Lancelot! He LIKES GWEN! And I'm pretty sure he doesn't even want to date men! So no, I'm not doing anything just because I'm wanting to torture your desperate need to keep me caged up less I embarrass you! I do things because I WANT TO DO THEM! Not because I think, hmm what can I do to make bloody ARTHUR PENDRAGON'S life more complicated than I have already made it!" Merlin screamed at him with even more gusto than the prince had, throwing his arms into the air as if he was physically unable to hold them down or keep them still any longer. "And just so you know, you are a real bloody peach of a husband! I haven't worn my ring since that bloody day that I woke up after drinking poison for YOU! That was about a month ago! And you just now noticed I wasn't wearing it? So no! I didn't take it off because I had to make my 'boyfriend' think I was single! I just didn't want to be bloody attached to you anymore then I very well had to be!"

Arthur sucked in a harsh and ragged breath…a month. His consort had walked around for an entire month without wearing his claim on him…and Arthur spent all this time not knowing it. It didn't matter if Merlin had spent a majority of his month in recovery, and it didn't matter that Arthur hadn't been able to see him during that time. He should've fucking known about it. He should've been able to stop him somehow, but…how would Arthur have stopped him. He wouldn't have been able to force the ring back onto him like the last time, and there was nothing stopping Merlin from taking it off later. What was worse…living his life believing Merlin still belonged to him, ignorant of the fact that Merlin took off the metal everytime he was out of sight? Or knowing that Merlin never wore it, and from the impression that he was getting…never intended to wear it again a day in his life. Arthur couldn't live like that. He couldn't live knowing that the other boy was denying him, refusing his name, his title…his own claim to each and everything that Arthur owned in the world. Merlin was like oxygen, and he was the air that made the fire in Arthur's veins burn with gusto.

"Just think, what exactly have you bloody well done to show that you are my husband? What the bloody hell have you done to prove yourself to me in any possible manner of the word that would make me want to attach myself onto you!" Merlin ripped into him with all the spite of a furious wolf racing down a mountainside after an enemy that tried to harm his pack, and he spat. Harsh and purposeful, the large glob of saliva hitting the grass between the prince's feet. Arthur's entire body shuddered with contempt and desperation, staring down at the shining spittle clinging onto the blades of grass. "I would rather do what I want and suffer through your consequences, then spend one more second pretending for the people, or your father, or even you!"

The sheer violence in Merlin's voice made Arthur's entire body shudder once again as the fire grew brighter…perhaps it was hypocritical of Arthur to be as furious as he was. Considering he hadn't worn his ring for months on end…the day of the tourney all those months ago, he had taken it off to prove to himself that he could. And he hadn't worn it again until the banquet and the situation had called for it. But that didn't seem to matter right now. How long did Merlin plan on denying him the right to wear his ring…was Merlin going to keep it up for the next few weeks? Months? Years? Was Arthur ever going to see the ring on Merlin's finger again, or was he going to be stuck with nothing but the brief memory of what it looked like. But Merlin's stubborn streak had always been a mile long…he could probably live happily never thinking about it, while Arthur's going to be stuck spending every minute of every day wallowing in his misery. Misery because he knew it was his bloody fault that Merlin was denying him.

"And yet…I'm prepared to spend every minute of every day for the rest of my entire life proving to you that there is absolutely no reason to hate me! You will probably always hate me, but ring or not, I will devote my entire existence into getting you to change your mind about me!" Arthur snarled like rapid fire, and he raised up his gloved hand without thinking twice about it. But he froze, the flinch Merlin gave as he stepped further away from him…Merlin was eyeing his hand as if it was a viper prepared to strike him. The anger was still very much present in Merlin's eyes, but his body's reaction caused an icy cold to spread out from his gut. Merlin thought he was about to hit him again…and was very much prepared to go down fighting this time. Arthur's bile nearly rose out of his lips, but he swallowed the acid back down forcefully…he hadn't even came close to hitting Merlin. Hadn't planned on it. But Merlin thinking he had, it was enough to stall Arthur's thumping temper. The prince cautiously continued to do what he had planned to do, eyeing Merlin as he moved slowly, letting Merlin know Arthur was coming from him. He rose the glove up to his lips, biting onto the fabric of the middle finger before sliding the thick leather from his hand. It dropped onto the ground by his feet, and Arthur flashed his left hand towards the consort, "And just for the record…I haven't taken my ring off since the day you drunk poison for me."

Merlin was blinking at his hand in surprise, but Arthur did nothing to hide the flash of silver on his wedding finger, the carved dragon sparking like blood in the sunlight. He had spent so long denying Merlin, so long freaking out about how their perceived marriage looked like to other people, but now…he was so done with it. But he wasn't stupid. This was the first time Merlin had seen the ring on him since he had recovered enough to leave his uncle's, each time the two of them had seen each other, Arthur had been wearing his gloves. Having gotten used to the feeling of metal against his skin, he hadn't thought twice of it. But this wasn't going to change anything…Merlin wasn't going to change his mind and accept Arthur's apologies and give him a second chance to prove he could be nicer just because he wore a ring. It was a statement to Arthur, but it meant absolutely nothing to Merlin. He needed something bigger, something a bit more grand that SHOWED Merlin he was striving to make some kind of real change to his life. And as he scanned the grounds around them, he knew what the perfect example would be.

"Let me show you I'm going about things differently."

Arthur said urgently to Merlin…his consort wanted Arthur to bloody well prove to him that he was a man worth getting along with. Prove to him that the two of them could still work together. Prove to him that Arthur was turning over a new leaf and that he could actually do something husband-like! He might not be able to kiss or touch and fuck Merlin, but he could very well defend Merlin's right to live in comfort and without fuss. By doing something that he knew he should've done months ago…and walked away from him without another word in his impatience to prove himself. Right up to Lady Clarissa Beckett who still waited for him on the sidelines of the field.