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!

24. Chapter 24

Arthur felt all of his muscles relax, the tension he'd had since Merlin had shown back up just easing out of his body. Good, good, this was good. He'd managed to placate Merlin, which would hopefully buy him some more time. Any time, actually, would be a godsend.

"Now," Arthur said, clearing his throat before his features shifted into a strangely blank face, especially when compared to how he had been just moments before. "I do believe that we're done here." God, he hoped that they were done. He didn't think he could handle another conversation like this, not when Merlin was involved with it.

"Oh! There is one more thing!" Merlin blurted out loudly before Arthur could step around him and leave their alcove.

Arthur expressionless face seemed to crack, "...Is it important?" He said quietly, bringing his hand up to rub tiredly at his face. Merlin was being very difficult, making things much harder for him then they had to be.

He was just so close to finally pulling all of this off. All he had left to do was somehow convince Gaius it was alright to lie when his father approached him about having Merlin's virginity status checked.

And it couldn't be that hard to convince the court physician that it was a good idea to lie to his king...right?

Merlin opened his mouth, with every intention of starting up a whole new conversation. Although this one would be opening a whole other can of worms between them. It was actually probably even more important than what they'd just discuss, and they honestly should have had this conversation before.

If Arthur hadn't been avoiding him, even if he refused to admit that he had been, Merlin knew that was exactly what he'd been doing.

But Merlin needed to know what he could expect from Arthur in the future. He couldn't live who knows how long without knowing. Would Arthur even be willing to try something between them? Or maybe Merlin really was just kidding himself.

But either way, this was definitely a conversation that they needed to have.

"I just wanted to-" Merlin cut himself off when Arthur turned to him. He saw the weary expression on his face, the slump to his shoulders...the tired eyes just watching him exhaustedly. Merlin's expression dimmed down until it was almost nothing, and he cleared his throat, "Oh, it uh...never mind. It can wait till later."

Merlin could wait a little bit longer, until Arthur was in a better mood, if he was ever did have a good mood. He knew he'd find out one way or the other, although he could barely stand not knowing Arthur's thoughts on what he wanted from their relationship.

But he supposed he could give Arthur this one break, just this once though.

Merlin certainly wouldn't be going easy on him once Arthur didn't have that expression on his face any longer.

"Good." Arthur grunted his one word syllable. And then he was storming off with a flourish, leaving Merlin behind in the alcove. And of course, that would happen to be the time that Merlin remembered something else.

Merlin practically threw himself out of the alcove, gripping onto the edge of the castle wall as to hold his balance as he stuck his head out. "Hey, Arthur!" He shouted after the retreating blonde.

Arthur had only taken a few large strides away when he heard the brat shouting his name again. The blonde went stiff, freezing in mid-step. He didn't dare turn back to Merlin, positive that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from actually hitting the brat at this point.

"Just one more thing!" Merlin called, doing absolutely nothing to lower his voice as he shouted to Arthur. "Don't call me a gold digger anymore!" Sure, Merlin had thought this conversation would be more of a 'we need to talk' kind of conversation. But this worked to.

And hopefully, Arthur got the message.

Merlin wouldn't be accused of marrying Arthur for his money.

Arthur didn't look back, feeling his brows furrowed in confusion. Had he called Merlin a gold digger? When had he done that?

While he was trying to figure out when he'd done that, it was just Arthur's luck that three serving girl's rounded the corner. Each one was about fourteen, and they were all carrying large wash baskets filled to the brim with dirty sheets. The three girl's hadn't noticed him at first, to busy discussing the latest teen gossip. But when they did notice, all three girl's froze in mid-step.

Arthur felt himself freeze up as well, a flush working its way up the back of his neck. He knew he'd just been caught leaving an alcove by the three serving girl's, one that had Merlin half hanging out of it. Oh god, he could already see the rumor mill spinning.

The town would be talking all about how Arthur had been caught sneaking away for some 'alone time' with his new consort. Or something similar that would be just as mortifying and repulsive.

And Merlin didn't help matters at all, not when he shouted after Arthur again when the prince never answered him, "Hey, Arthur! Arthur! Did you hear me! I said-" never paying any attention to the three serving girl's.

And since the girl's eyes were now as wide as dinner plates, Arthur could see the dots connecting in their eyes as they noticed Merlin. But then again, who wouldn't notice Merlin?

"I heard what you said!" Arthur practically snarled, shooting a look of pure scathing over his shoulder towards Merlin. He'd interrupted as fast as he could before Merlin could finish his sentence, but he knew that it was hopeless. The damage was already done.

Merlin's teeth snapped shut with a clank and he shot Arthur a disgruntled look, letting out a little huff of irritation to himself. Arthur was being stupid again, having his stupid mood swings, once again causing more problems for Merlin to deal with.

Arthur turned his back to Merlin again, and under the watchful eyes of the serving girl's, he started straightening the chainmail that covered his chest. Although it was obviously just so he'd have something to do with his hands, because the chainmail hadn't been out of place at all.

Ignoring everybody, Arthur strode forward as if he wasn't the center of attention. The three serving girl's practically dove to the side before he could run them down, when it was clear that he had no intention of stopping.

Arthur rounded the corner of the sandstone wall, already thinking of the worst punishments he could have given Merlin. If only the boy wasn't his consort and he could have gotten away with it if he'd been nothing more than a serving boy.

Punishments like being put in the stocks, or mucking out the stables, or even just spending a night in the dungeons. And that wasn't all he could think of, Arthur had a dozen more fitting punishments that flitted through his head. Each one better than the last, perfectly tailored with one specific, troublesome brat in mind.

And the idea didn't stop coming until he finally made it across the training field to reach Morris, who had been impatiently waiting for his return.

Merlin watched the prince after he disappeared around the corner, frowning as his attention was drawn to the three serving girls. The girls who had broke into giggles as soon as the prince was no longer in hearing range. It was only after they noticed that Merlin was now watching them, did they hush.

Each girl threw themselves into a bow, each looking more flushed than the last as they whispered their apologies to 'Sir Consort Merlin', for interrupting. And then they were gone, rushing pass him in a flurry of childlike giggles.

Merlin watched them leaving with a baffled expression, not understanding what had been so funny. But when he couldn't figure it out, Merlin turned back to the direction that Arthur had vanished in.

But of course, the prince was long gone, no longer in Merlin's view on the side of the castle wall. It was only as he stood there for a moment longer, did a thought suddenly occur to the Consort.

"Hey!" Merlin exclaimed loudly, head shooting up as a look of shock emerged on his features. Not that there was anybody around to see it, as Merlin was entirely by himself at this point. Merlin thought back over the conversation he'd just had with Arthur, and it became clear to him.

Arthur had somehow managed to escape without answering a single one of his questions. Merlin had them by what seemed like the dozen, but Arthur had somehow managed to scrape by then, even when Merlin practically had him cornered.

His biggest question, what were they supposed to do that night, Arthur had somehow convinced him that he would explain later. And Merlin had agreed, but that was before he realized that Arthur hadn't answered anything else.

He still hasn't gotten his answer for what two men could do together. But then again, that was obviously some kind of joke that Gaius had been making, so it wasn't his biggest concern right now. Although why Arthur hadn't laughed it off was a mystery to him. And now Merlin was wondering why Arthur had been so serious, grabbing him like that and telling him to never ask that again...

And Merlin hadn't even been able to ask what kind of relationship they were going to have together.

And to think, the only reason that Merlin hadn't asked that last one, was because he thought Arthur could use a break. That prat didn't deserve one! The only thing he'd done was side step all of Merlin's questions, without him even realizing he'd done it until he had already escaped Merlin's questioning.

He probably thought he was so clever, tricking Merlin like he had. He was probably over there right now, laughing it up with his knight friend's like Markus, telling them what an idiot Merlin was. He couldn't believe he'd been such an idiot!

Well Merlin wasn't going to stand for this.

"That fucking, arrogant prat!" Merlin hissed under his breath, practically seething as he felt his hands curling up into fists.

Merlin started taking large strides along the castle wall, with every intent on chasing Arthur down and forcing him to answer all of his questions. Just like he should have done right from the start.

And to think, Merlin had thought he'd been showing Arthur some kind of mercy. When all along, Arthur had just been playing him like some kind of cheep fiddle.

He should have realized it sooner. Arthur was a prince, he probably had all kinds of tricks up his sleeve. Hell, he'd probably been trained from birth to so what he just did. Arthur had spoken almost diplomatically, using his words to make Merlin relax.

As if Merlin was some foreign ruler that Arthur had no choice but to speak diplomatically with. As if Merlin wasn't his husband, with whom he should be honest with.

The way Arthur had acted to gentle, that strangely vulnerable look Merlin had seen reflecting in his eyes when the prince had asked him to keep following Gaius advice...it had all been a trick! Some kind of carefully crafted ploy that Arthur had done, just so Merlin would relent.

Well, Arthur was going to regret trying to pull this. He was about to learn very quickly, that Merlin didn't relent to anything.

Merlin's strides picked up just the slightest bit faster, but only as he realized that he was nearing the corner of the castle wall.

Merlin was muttering curses under his breath the closer he got, all of them directed towards Arthur. If the prince thought that he was going to go away just because of a few pretty words, than he had another thing coming.

Merlin didn't know what it was that made it all click together, but that was the moment that he made his vow. He vowed to find the answers to all of his questions, rather Arthur was a willing participator or not.

Merlin needed to know what they were supposed to do that night. And why everyone was so shocked when it was clear that he didn't know. He needed to know what his relation with Arthur was going to become in the years of their marriage that would follow from this moment on.

He'd even find out the punchline to that silly question, what could two men do together. Just for the hell of his curiosity, even if that question didn't really matter in the long run. It was just the principle of the matter.

Merlin finally rounded the corner of the stone wall, stopping and hovering right on the edge of the corner. He looked across the grassy plains of the training ground, ignoring everybody that was out there if they weren't the one that he was looking for. His head was already swerving this way and that, trying to track down that one blonde haired prat that constantly drove him up the wall.

Merlin's eyes flitted from person to person, his indignation growing the longer the seconds passed. The training ground was particularly overcrowded today, Merlin assumed as this was the first time he had really been here.

The field was filled to the brim with knights, or the servants they had brought from their homes to assist them. With the tournament starting soon, it seemed as if everybody had tried finding a spare spot on the training grounds, trying to get in some last minute practice.

Everybody except for the one man that Merlin was looking fo-nope, there he was.

Merlin could just see through the gaps of people that were walking this way and that, al the way to the other side of the field. Arthur had his back to Merlin, so he didn't notice the dark haired boy watching him.

Arthur wasn't laughing about Merlin's idiocy with Markus. In fact, Markus wasn't one of the knights practicing on the field at all. Instead, Arthur was conversing with Morris, waving his arm. The prince was gesturing down to his armor at their feet, giving Morris orders it looked like.

Merlin let out a little huff, narrowing his eyes on Arthur's broad back. The sorcerer paid no intention as people started passing him by, leaving the field for the day. Most of them were heading into the castle, intent on having a quick rest before everything started.

Merlin lifted his hand up on the dark sandstone of the castle wall. He used it to keep his balance as he leaned against it, never taking his eyes away from the blonde. The blonde who just waved his arm more and more, looking agitated from what Merlin could see.

Merlin didn't know what was stopping him from storming out there right this minute. He had every right to do it and very loudly demand some answers from Arthur. It might cause a scene in the process but hell, when had Merlin ever cared about that?

And feeling all of the growing fury that his scrawny body could hold, Merlin was fully prepared to storm across the yard screaming Arthur's name. But he'd barely taken a step when he saw something that froze the blood in his veins. All of his questions and grievances were pushed to the side, until they were all but forgotten.

It was Morris, who was standing a little to close to Arthur for Merlin's taste. And normally, that may not have been a big deal, or something that Merlin would have noticed.

But it became a very big deal when Morris reached out and put a hand on Arthur's bicep, looking as if he was trying to calm the aggravated prince. The dark haired boy went stiff, the fury on his features easing away as a different kind of irritation appeared in his eyes. There was an almost dark, and very ugly feeling, forming in the pit of his gut before he could even process that it had happened.

His eyes were narrowing down to where Morris was cupping Arthur's bicep, almost as if it were the only thing in the world that Merlin could see in the moment. It felt as if everything had faded away, except for those two men in front of him.

Was there a reason that Morris was touching Arthur so casually? Did manservants always touch their masters like that, or was Merlin missing something here. And why exactly, was Arthur allowing Morris to touch him like that?

Not even Merlin had touched Arthur like that. And the only times Arthur touched him was when he was manhandling him. Like the night Arthur had thrown him out of his room. Or when the blonde had half-beaten him under the disguise of 'training'.

Arthur shouldn't be having others touch him so casually! Wasn't Arthur his husband? Weren't the two of them supposed to share casual touches? The only touch the two had shared together, had been that one very disappointing and lackluster kiss that had happened when they married. And Merlin was all to eager to forget what a disaster that had been.

And even though Arthur wretched his bicep out of Morris hold and stormed away from the training grounds seconds later, it didn't matter. It was already to late, the damage had already been done. That ugly feeling in the pit of Merlin's stomach appeared to be as stubborn as he was, refusing to leave.

Merlin was to caught up by what was happening, that he never noticed his manservant approaching him. Not until he started taking at least.

"Sir Merlin? Is everything okay?" George asked, having seen the lock on Merlin's face, looking to Merlin as if he had suddenly materialized there out of nowhere. Merlin probably would have flinched, jumped, or something. But he was to caught up in still watching Morris, who had just started conversing with one of the other servants, turning his back in Merlin's direction.

The manservant still completely unaware that he was being watched so intensely.

Merlin ignored his manservant's question, already asking his own. "Is it often that manservants are so close to their masters?" He was scowling, his arms crossed over his chest in an almost agitated manner. Even though he was talking to George, his eyes never left Morris.

George followed Merlin's gaze across the field, and actually looked disgruntled himself, having seen Morris' earlier behavior. "Not at all." The manservant answered, looking as if he greatly disapproved of Morris' lack of professionalism. "He does take more liberties than most manservants. I have seen that he often does the same when dressing the Prince in his armor."

Merlin's scowl seemed to deepen, his expression made all the worse because he was now trying to bite a hole into his bottom lip. "Does he now?" He finally asked, letting his bottom lip pull free from his teeth.

"Sir Merlin, if you don't mind me taking liberties and asking, why aren't you helping the prince with his armor?" George asked him.

The question brought Merlin up short, and he had to drag his eyes away from Morris so that he could look at George. The expression on Merlin's face was nothing less than completely baffled.

"...Excuse me?" Merlin asked, having to stop just to make sure that he had heard his manservant correctly. "Why exactly, would I help Arthur with his armor?"

George looked back at his master, with an equal expression of confusion etched on his face. "...Because it's tradition." He said slowly, as if he thought that Merlin was just playing games with him, and did know exactly what he was talking about.

But clearly, George hadn't realized just how little Merlin knew. What would Merlin know about the traditions of Camelot? He barely knew his own kingdom's, being that he lived so far away from the inner city. Were things more different in Camelot then he thought?

George suddenly seemed to pale, as if he was just now realizing that this could be seen as him questioning his master. The manservant nearly threw himself almost to the ground in a deep bow, rapidly giving Merlin apology after apology. Almost as if he feared that he had somehow insulted Merlin.

But at some point, Merlin just had to interrupt his groveling. "George!" He called loudly, having to shout over the manservant's raid apologies.

George's mouth snapped shut so fast, his teeth made a clashing sound as they banged against the other. And almost fearfully, the manservant peeked his head up, only to duck it back down just as quickly.

One of the first rules that George had ever learned in his training as a manservant, was to never look his master in the eyes. It could be constructed as a sign of disrespect towards his master, something that no self-respecting manservant would want. George didn't even think he could stomach something so horrific, knowing that he so utterly failed his new master. Someone as high up and as important as the prince's new consort.

If his master thought that George had the nerve to disrespect him like that, then it would bring great shame and the highest dishonor upon George and even his family. Nobody would want to work him again, if they new Camelot's consort was disappointed with him.

Seeing his expression, Merlin had to force his tone to be much calmer. After taking a breath, he finally said, "George." The manservant tensed up, almost expecting his master who had been so kind to him in the short time he'd worked for him, to *gasp* reprimand him. "I would like for you to tell me this tradition of yours."

George's head perked up, looking startled by this sudden command. He almost couldn't believe his ears, now knowing that his master still had need of him. "...Really, Sir Merlin?" He asked, the upmost caution in his voice, as if he was expecting Merlin to laugh and fire him on the spot.

Merlin cast another look towards Morris, who was still chatting away with the other serving boy. A different one this time, as this boy had a serving tray of refreshments balanced in his hands.

Merlin's scowl of disdain returned to the forefront of his face in an instant. "Yes." He said firmly, feeling a lot more certain than he had been before. The consort turned back to George, "I want you to tell me all about this tradition of yours."

George cautiously started to ease himself back into a standing position, almost expecting Merlin to still say something to reprimand him for his earlier misconduct. But when Merlin said nothing, George felt himself brightening up considerably.

"Of course, Sir Merlin." George said, feeling himself get excited. If there was one thing that excited him more so than a good brass joke, it was Camelot's outstanding history, customs, and traditions. "It's a custom really, more than a tradition. In a relationship, if one of them is a knight, then it's the duty of the other to assist than in putting on and taking off their armor." He rattled off easily. And he could have rattled on with more details if his master asked for them. George knew practically everything there was to know about the great kingdom in which he lived in.

Merlin looked at him with a dumbstruck expression on his face. "That's an actual custom around here?" He asked, having never heard of anything so silly in all his life. Why was it his job to help Arthur with his armor just because they were married? Wasn't that what Morris was getting paid to do?

But then again, that was the problem right there. Did Merlin really want Morris to have more unoccupied time with Arthur? The prince's manservant was already taking more liberties than Merlin was comfortable with.

George started talking, ready to give his master any information he wanted at a second's notice. "I'm honestly surprised that Morris is still doing it. The duty should fall to you, as the prince's consort, as soon as you wedded. And with the tournament coming up, it would be the perfect time for you to start filling in your role as consort."

Merlin looked down at the ground, a frown forming on his face. "Maybe nobody told me because they didn't want me to know." He said quietly. Did they think that he couldn't do it? That he wasn't right for the job? Okay, maybe he wasn't the best person Uther could have chosen to be Arthur's consort, but even he could help the prat get into his damn armor. It couldn't be that hard! And it was what consorts did, so he had every right to be the one standing that close to Arthur as he buckled everything into place.

George frowned, "I don't know why you weren't informed of this, Sir Merlin. Surely it must have just been an oversight."

Merlin scoffed, shaking his head. He was smart enough to know that there had been no 'oversight'. It probably hadn't been mentioned simply because it was Merlin that was the consort. He bet if he had been this beautiful and wealthy princess that everyone had thought he was at first, there would have been no oversight at all. In fact, he probably would have already been expected to know all of the traditions done within Camelot's borders. And able to follow them to the letter.

George kept on talking, rattling off more. "Well either way, it is your right to take over for Morris now. It was perfectly acceptable for Prince Arthur's manservant to do it before, the prince was single then. But now that the prince is married, it's an entirely different story. Morris should have stepped aside the second Arthur needed to put his armor on after you wedded."

Merlin had a feeling he knew why Morris hadn't just 'stepped aside'. Morris probably really did have some kind of misplaced crush on Arthur. But now that Arthur was married, Morris should back off of Merlin's husband!

Clearing his mind of those thoughts, Merlin asked, "So everyone follows this tradition?" The question he was getting at though, was did Arthur know about this tradition? And still hadn't thought to mention it to Merlin.

George nodded happily, proud to be of assistance to his master. "Yes, it's one of the longest standing traditions that Camelot has. It was original used as a way for people in arranged marriages, like yourself and the prince, as a way to bond and get used to being in close proximity."

Merlin frowned at that, and turned his head to look at the pieces of armor heaped into a pile behind Morris. So Arthur did know all about it, the consort narrowed his eyes with a hint of irritation gleaming in them. "Is that right?" He asked, talking mainly himself. He could just see Arthur's face if Merlin himself showed up to get him into his damn armor. A slow smirk started to spread across his face, now wouldn't that be a sight he wanted to see.

It would definitely serve that arse right, thinking that he could keep something like that from Merlin.

George didn't seem to notice Merlin's 'diabolical' thoughts. The manservant just smiled brightly, nodding his head as he started to recite Camelot's proud history. "Although it's not always done nowadays, it's still commonplace among the more traditional families in the kingdom."

Merlin turned back to George, "And do the Pendragon's fall under these 'traditional families'?" He asked.

George nodded, "Oh, most definitely. It will probably please the king, and the other more traditional noble families as well, to see you following the traditions in which Camelot stands on."

Merlin paid no attention to how it would 'please' the many noble families. He was more concerned with how he was going to do this. He'd already decided why not, if this was the job of a consort, than he would give it a shot. Even if the only thing he succeeded in doing was riling Arthur up, it would definitely be worth it.

And another reason that Merlin didn't even want to admit out loud, it would at least stop Morris from touching all over Arthur's biceps.

Merlin looked back across the field to make sure that Morris was still talking to the other servant, none the wiser that he was there. And the armor was still sitting untouched behind the manservant. Merlin himself, was half hidden by the black sandstone wall, standing there with George at his side. And, to Merlin's relief, the training ground had been steadily emptying as the tournament drew nearer. If he was going to do this, now would probably be the best time.

But there was just one thing he needed to know first. "George," Merlin started, his lips curling into an easy going smile that looked just the tiniest bit off to be natural. "Do you happen to know where Gwen lives?" And then adding on to that at the last second, just in case George didn't know he was talking about, he said quickly, "Lady Morgana's maid."

But Merlin didn't have to worry about George not knowing. As soon as he heard the name, George's face lit up with recognition, even as he said, "Miss Guinevere?"

Of course George knew Miss Guinevere, all of the servants did because of how well liked she was among them. The lady had absolutely no problem helping other servants when she could, even when she had mountains of duties she had to see to herself.

And George wouldn't admit this because it wasn't proper of his station to have his own opinion, but he did like Miss Guinevere way more than he liked Morris. At least the young woman knew what her duties as a maidservant were, and always did them to the best of her abilities.

And yes, George mildly disapproved of how Miss Guinevere seemed to carry a certain friendliness towards her mistress, but it was also no secret that the Lady Morgana was fond of her maidservant. But George could admire that Miss Guinevere at least behaved in an approaches manner towards those who paid her wage, unlike Morris who George feared would only grow more bold with his master in the upcoming day's.

The manservant was already touching the prince when there was no need to, and right in front of Sir Merlin, no less! Whether Morris had noticed that Sir Merlin was standing there or not was irrelevant. It was like Morris had been deliberately trying to spit in Sir Merlin's face! The nerve on that boy, inappropriately touching a married man, a royal one on top of that.

How he hadn't been fired yet would forever remain a mystery to George.

But no matter, it wasn't George's place to get involved in those matters. Which was why George was all to happy to give Merlin directions to Gwen's home, located near the dead center of the lower town. He'd been there himself once or twice to help delivery something to her home when it was to much for her to carry herself.

He didn't dare ask why Sir Merlin wanted to know his way to the home of a maidservant. Unlike some servants who spoke out of turn or acted without thought, George knew his place, and it wasn't to question his master.

Merlin's smile started to grow, showing off just a hint of teeth as he took in the directions. "Thank you, George." And the manservant practically glowed at the praise, his face couldn't have been lit up more. But then Merlin cleared his throat, forcing himself to sound more guttural in a way that was probably more exaggerated than he meant it to be, "Would you mind getting me some more juice? I'm feeling particularly parched right now..."

George's glowing expression dropped in an instant, looking at his master with an odd mixture of horrified and mortified. The manservant had never felt so embarrassed! Knowing that his master had actually had to ask for something. It was all George's fault, he should have been better prepared! He had already been Merlin's manservant for an entire morning, he should have already started anticipating his master's needs!

George practically threw himself back down into a frantic bow, "Absolutely, sir! Absolutely! I will return to you momentarily! Please, accept my apologies." And then he took off running, rounding the corner so that he could take a side entrance. It would be the fastest and easiest way for him to get to the kitchen's. His master shouldn't have to wait the extra time that it would take for George to go to the main entrance.

Merlin watched as George disappeared, frowning confused. He had absolutely no idea what George had been apologizing for. But no matter, he could think more on the strangeness of his manservant later. He had something to do, and it was time sensitive. Merlin had no idea how much longer Morris would be talking, but it couldn't be for to much longer. The tournament was coming closer, and he still had Arthur's armor to tend to.

George had barely been gone for a moment before Merlin's head was snapping around to focus on the scene before him. Trying to make himself as small as possible, and less likely to be seen, Merlin pressed himself up against the rough stone wall. Hidden by the shadows that the wall cast, the only thing people would have seen if they'd been looking in his direction, was the briefest glimmer of gold as his eyes shifted color before they fading back to normal.

On the training grounds, there was only a handful of people left. And those that were seemed to be servants, packing up whatever their masters had left behind during their training. But there were one or two knights on the far end of the yard, casually conversing as they headed up to the castle, their back's to Merlin.

So nobody witnessed it when one of Arthur's glove started to give a slight shake. And then it was moving, standing up straight as if it were a person instead of a glove. The glove used its fingers as if they were leg's, casually walking itself across the yard towards the corner where Merlin was waiting for it.

The other pieces of armor followed right behind it one by one. Each piece was casually 'walking', or sliding if they didn't have something to stand on, across the yard towards Merlin.

And Morris was none the wiser, to distracted by his conversation with the servant John, to notice what was happening right behind him.

But when Merlin noticed another servant had started to turn around, to pick up the bag of his master's supplies, his eyes shifted back to molted gold again. And in an instant, all of the armor dropped where they stood.

The servant frowned, looking at the line of armor that was strewn out across the yard. Although confused, he shook it off and was quick to hurry to the castle, lest he got roped into helping out whatever careless servant had allowed his master's armor to be so horribly mistreated.

As soon as the servant was gone, disappearing up into the castle, Merlin's eyes shifted again. And then the pieces of armor were standing back up, making their way back towards him as if this was an every day occurrence for them.

This time, they were able to make it all the way.

Merlin collected each piece as it reached him, placing them into the growing heap at his side. Each time he would grab a new piece, the magic in it seemed to drain away, reducing them to nothing more than the metal that they were.

Looking at the pile as it got bigger and bigger, Merlin knew he'd been right to think that he would need some help. There was just so many straps and buckles and random pieces of metal that he couldn't even begin to understand. His training armor had been nothing like this. Arthur's armor was much more extensive, and obviously the top of the line in terms of armor.

And the first person Merlin had thought might be able to help him was Gwen. She was the only person that he could trust with this, the only person he really knew actually. He doubted that Gaius would approve of him just taking the armor, and Morgana was way to close to Arthur for him to risk dragging it up there.

Merlin could only hope that Gwen knew a thing or two about armor. Maybe he'd be lucky and she'd actually helped a knight or two in all of the years that she worked in the castle.

Merlin acted quickly, struggling to pick up everything he could in his slim arms. He had to go now, before he was caught. But it was all one bit juggling act because he almost lost everything several times. But with some luck, he was able to hold onto what he could and was quick to leave the training grounds. He had to get to the courtyard and from there, he would be able to get into the lower town and hope that Gwen was at home.

Meanwhile, Morris bid goodbye to John, rolling his eyes only after the other servant's back was to him. It was no secret to him that John was harboring some kind of crush on him. It was truly disgusting that John seriously thought he might have a shot with him. Morris was intending to set his sights much higher than another servant.

Morris wouldn't accept anything less than a certain blonde haired prince, and the golden crown that he wore.

But who knows, John might be useful in the future, so Morris wasn't above nurturing the other boy's little crush on him. It was the only reason he gave him the time of day at all.

Dismissing his thoughts on John, Morris turned to the prince's armor, already thinking of everything he needed to have done to it. He would need to polish it so that it would shine, showing off the wealth that the Pendragon's could afford. And then any of the dents buffed out, or any wear and tear on the buckles would need to be repaired.

Only the best for the prince that would give him his crown.

It was only after his eyes dropped to the empty spot on the grass where he knew the armor had been mere moments before, did he completely freak out.

"My armor! Where did my armor go!" Morris screamed, loud enough to get the attention of the last couple of servants that had been walking away. "Who stole the armor!" His scream was almost loud enough to be heard by those up at the castle.

Arthur was going to kill him. No, Arthur was going to brutalize him, then humiliate him in front of the entire kingdom, and then kill him. It Morris didn't find that armor before Arthur needed it, then all of the hard work Morris had done to get close to Arthur would have been for nothing.

In an almost mad frenzy, Morris started his frantic search through the training grounds. He made sure to stop so he could check under each and every table, hoping that he'd somehow misplaced it. Because if he hadn't misplaced it, then the only other option was that it had been stolen right out from under his nose.

But who, in all of the five kingdom's, would be dumb enough to steal the prince's armor? And for what reason? To stop him from participating in the tournament? To get him to drop out since he couldn't compete without his gear?

Morris angrily climbed out from under one of the tables, angrily slamming his hands on top of it when he once again came up empty. Fuck, Morris was going to kill the person that did this to him. They would rue the day they ever thought it was a good idea to mess with him. He would destroy them under the heel of his boot, before he danced across their ashes.

XXXXXXXXXX

Arthur knocked firmly on the door in front of him, making sure that his knocks were loud and certain. Even though his knocks had been firm, his face was strangely blank. And he could feel his stomach twisting itself into knots at what he was about to do.

Before he'd arrived here, Arthur had made sure to take his time washing up. Anything to delay this conversation just a little bit longer. It was why it had taken him so long to decide on what to wear, and not just because he wasn't used to choosing his own clothing.

Morris usually had it laid out and ready for him.

He had managed to find himself a soft pair of brown trousers, that matched with this thick skinned, dragon hide, brown boots. His thick chest was covered with the soft burn orange long sleeve shirt he dug out of the back of his wardrobe.

But eventually, he'd been presentable enough to leave his room. There was nothing else to stall himself with, so he'd ended up here far sooner than he wanted to be. But then again, if he had the option, doing it even years later would have still been far too soon for him.

But he didn't have that option. And as much as he hated it, he needed to have this conversation. Otherwise, everything would implode around him and Merlin.

The door swung open, and when Gaius saw that it was Arthur standing there, his face went strangely expressionless.

It was obvious that they both knew exactly why he was here.

"Gaius, may I come in?" Arthur asked, his voice just as void of emotion as his face was. In any other situation, Arthur wouldn't have hesitated just walking in on the physician. He didn't have the patience to stand there and wait the few seconds it would take for Gaius to open the door.

But he had opted to knock this time, if only to delay this difficult conversation for just a few seconds longer.

"You may." Gaius said, his voice holding the same emotionless tone as Arthur's did. Then he stepped to the side, holding the door opened for the prince.

Arthur stepped through the doorway, taking his time looking around the room, as if he hadn't been there dozens and dozens of time. The blonde nearly jumped out of his own skin when he heard the soft click of the door being shut behind him.

There was a moment of silence where they just stared at each other. It was clear that neither knew how to start this, but they also had no choice, knowing the dangerous secrets that they did.

"Gaius," Arthur was the first to speak, unable to take this silence any longer. Feeling his throat closing up, he had to stop to clear his throat so that he could force the words out. "I've been...informed that...I mean Merlin told me...so you know, about that night?" He felt like a fool when he finally finished.

But it wasn't a question, not really. He already knew Gaius knew, Merlin had told him as such. But for all Arthur knew, Merlin could be a liar, it's not like he knew much about the brat.

"He did." Gaius said simply, not giving anything away. He just kept looking at Arthur with accessing eyes, as if he was trying to find out what Arthur's end game was in all of this.

"So you know that he's..." Arthur waved a hand around, trying to think of the right word to use. But only one came to mind, "Hopelessly naive." And even before the words left his mouth, Arthur was once again cursing over his luck at being married off to such a person.

Gaius smirked, "Don't let him hear you say that's. He'll rain hell down on you, even when he has no idea just how...'helplessly naive' he is." And Gaius doubted that Arthur's royal status would be enough to stop Merlin, it's not like it ever had before.

Arthur snorted, "I'll like to see him try." Arthur could have pinned him down with one hand behind his back, if he so wished it.

There was another moment of silence between them, before Gaius broke it. "You didn't go through with it, that night...you didn't take him, why?" That was what had been bothering him, why would Arthur risk everything? He'd never known the prince to show mercy to someone he considered less than him. And Merlin with his peasant upbringing, would definitely quality.

"Take him?" Arthur repeated, looking indignant. "You know why I didn't take him!" He exclaimed. Merlin must have all but admitted that he was a virgin, and that wasn't the only problem. There was a multitude of reasons that Arthur hadn't laid his husband out on his bed and taken him that night.

Merlin was stupidly naive, he had no idea what was supposed to happen. Arthur was a lot of things, even he could admit that, but he wasn't going to force somebody to lay with him. And he hadn't wanted to force himself as well.

Sex was supposed to be between two consenting adults, and Merlin couldn't exactly give him consent.

"I want to hear you say it." Gaius said firmly, wanting-needing, to hear it. To know that he and Arthur were on the same page, that they both wanted the same thing.

"Because I couldn't take his virginity!" Arthur exclaimed, loud enough that anybody could have heard had they been passing by in that moment.

There was silence between them in the wake of Arthur's exclamation. It was so strangely quiet, that even the air seemed to freeze around them.

Arthur had been offended. It had also hurt, more than he would have thought. Did Gaius have such a low opinion of him, that he thought he would take somebody who was unwilling.

But at the same time, Arthur hadn't meant to make his statement sound so...flowery? So he had to clarify what he meant to say.

Arthur took in a large, shaking breath, having to put his hand on one of the nearby tables to steady himself. In a quieter tone, he said, "I know my duty to my kingdom, I know I was supposed to make our marriage binding and the only way to do that is to consummate it."

"And yet, you did not take him." Gaius said quietly, as if musing this over to himself. "Surely you know the consequences if this gets out."

"I know them well." Arthur said, he vividly remembered the hours spent before Merlin had arrived, reading over that dreaded contract. If word got out that they hadn't consummated, that the marriage wasn't legally binding, then some people might try to claim that they weren't really married. That the agreement between their two families hadn't been honored.

Arthur would lose his kingdom, his crown, his people, his home, and everything in between. Merlin, Merlin would lose whatever little he owned. As much as it pained him, Arthur knew that Merlin held all of the cards. If Merlin knew any of this, if it was proven to be sorely Arthur's fault which it was, Merlin could have Arthur stripped to nothing in a heartbeat.

Merlin didn't have much to worried about, he had gained what most people wished for their entire lives and never got close to. But Arthur, he had everything to lose.

Gaius frowned, looking contemplative. Only Gaius and the King had seen the small print claim in the contract that said if Merlin didn't follow his end of the agreement, than Hunith, who didn't have much to give in the first place, would forfeit her own life. The king, if he found out, would no doubt lay all of the blame on Merlin's feet. And Merlin would have nobody that could fight on his behalf other than an old physician. Their family didn't have the wealth and power the Pendragon's have to fight it.

And if the king declared that it was Merlin's fault, the king would have every right to demand Hunith's life for penance.

Gaius had to force away those troublesome thoughts before he could ask his next question, "And you would be okay with the consequences that you yourself would face?" Gaius asked. As cruel as Arthur could be, which Gaius contributed towards youth and a spoiled childhood, even the physician knew the prince dreamed of being a great king someday.

Just like his father before him.

And it would all disappear in a heartbeat if Arthur lost his kingdom because of this.

"Of course not!" Arthur exclaimed, reaching up his other hand to roughly scrape at his scalp. He sighed heavily, "Call me selfish for not doing it for my people's sake, but how was I supposed to take him? I have absolutely no attraction towards men in the first place."

It was just yet another reason for why he hadn't done his duty. Arthur knew he wouldn't have been able to stomach doing the deed.

Not with a man.

Merlin wasn't anything special, Arthur would have never been able to 'get it up' at the sight of a man spread naked upon his bedsheets.

Gaius frowned, only somebody noble would call not taking somebody they weren't attracted to as 'selfish'. "And, is that the only reason?" Gaius asked the young man. "Because you aren't attracted to him?"

Arthur turned away, feeling almost shameful at what he was about to admit. If any of this got out, he could practically see the look of shame that would no doubt be on his father's face. Just the thought of disappointing his father was enough to almost cripple him.

"How could I take it from him?" Arthur asked quietly, feeling the shame coursing though every one of his veins. "When he had no idea what was happening?"

Arthur couldn't have taken Merlin like that even if he had tried, not if Merlin wasn't able to freely give it.

Gaius nodded, that was what he had been wanting to hear. That even after being raised by a man like Uther, Arthur did have some kind of soul in there, some kind of sense of what was right and wrong. Even if it was buried deep under all of his arrogance, it was a comfort to know that it was there at all.

Even if it had taken Merlin to bring it out in him.

Arthur's head snapped up so suddenly that it almost took Gaius by surprise, "You haven't told my father, have you?" He asked, almost urgently. But no, surely if Gaius had told him, Arthur would know about it by now. His father would have called for him in the privacy of his chambers, just so he could demand to know what Arthur had been thinking by not doing his husbandly duty.

"I haven't." Gaius said simply, not taking his eyes away from Arthur's.

Arthur felt the relief in his muscles, nearly slumping over as he let out a breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding. After a moment of silence, Arthur asked, "Why not?"

Gaius pursed his lips, thinking over his answer. "I have grown...fond, over Merlin in the short time I've known him. I don't want him forced into things simply because your father commanded it." It didn't matter that this might be considered treason, not informing his king of something this important as soon as he was aware of it. He was already harboring the location of a sorcerer, what was another treason? "And I also know that even if I did tell him that the two of you were supposed to consummate that night, he is in no way ready to actually go through with it."

Arthur nodded, thinking that over. Well he was right about one thing, Merlin definitely wouldn't have been ready that night. And Arthur would have been a mess himself, and wouldn't have cared to take the time easing the boy into things. He would have felt guilty afterwards, realizing that he'd forced the boy, even if many people would have said that it was necessary due to their circumstances.

Arthur would be the first to admit he didn't like Merlin, but he also didn't want to traumatize him either.

And while he wasn't so sure how he felt about his physician being fond over his consort, if it kept Gaius from talking, he wasn't going to complain.

Arthur turned away from Gaius, absentmindedly fiddling with one of his potions on the table. "You tried to tell him? About our consummation?" Arthur asked in an almost awkward manner, acting as if he really wasn't paying attention. But inside, he was veering into a desperation to know what had happened between the physician and his consort.

"I did." Gaius said bluntly, not looking away from Arthur's stiff form. "When I realized he lacked any knowledge on the subject, I felt as a physician, it was my duty to inform him on the subject."

"But," Arthur finally looked up. "He still doesn't know anything?"

"He does not, sire." Gaius agreed quietly. "We were interrupted just before we could get in-depth about the subject. I had barely started when the interruption occurred. But what little I did say, I think freaked him out because he left before I could stop him."

Arthur thought back to Merlin's question, 'what could men do together?' That had to be where he had gotten it from. Arthur vividly remembered his own 'talk' given to him by Gaius when he was ten, as instructed by his father. He'd been half-traumatized himself by the experience, seeing as he hadn't even realized girl's existed at that point in time.

"So it is true?" Arthur asked, just to get some kind of confirmation. He would not be played the fool of it came out later that this was all some kind of trick concocted by Merlin. "He really doesn't know anything? It's not some kind of trick or ploy he's trying to pull? He really is just that stupid?"

Gaius huffed at the word 'stupid'. It was hardly Merlin's fault that nobody had thought to inform him of these things. "He really has no idea. He seems to understand the concept when it comes to a man and a woman. But seems to be under the delusion that two men are unable to do the same. Oh," Gaius let out a wry smirk. "And you won't have to worry about Merlin coming on to you. He seems to be under the delusion that people only do it in the first place to have children, and since neither one of you can bare one..."

Arthur felt the intense need to just start banging his head on the table. He honestly wasn't sure if that was better or worse. On one hand, he didn't have to worry about Merlin trying to sneak into his bed one night. But then again, on the other hand, how was anybody that stupid?

Letting out a huff of irritated breath, Arthur moved on to something else. "So, you advised him not to tell anyone of that night?"

"I did." Gaius nodded. "I thought it was best for everyone that he not spread around what happened. If word of this got to the wrong people, it was only a matter of time before your father caught wind of it."

Arthur nodded, looking distracted as he said, "Good, good." Arthur didn't usually keep secrets from his father, at least not things of this magnitude. But Arthur also didn't want to see the disappointment on his father's face if he found out, or the anger that the blonde had put all of his people in jeopardy if his actions lost them the kingdom. And even if it was to make this right, Arthur didn't want to take Merlin to his bed after all of this, just so his mistake wouldn't be leaked to the public.

Arthur wondered for the very first time, if some secrets were just necessary to keep.

"You still have something on your mind, sire?" Gaius asked, seeing the contemplative look on his prince's face.

Arthur looked up, not at all surprised. Gaius was wise beyond his aged years, the physician could always tell when something was on his mind. Sometimes more than his own father could.

"Gaius," Arthur stepped away from the table so that he was closer to Gaius, speaking slow and deliberate as if to make sure the physician knew how serious he was being in that moment. "If I asked you to do something, if I asked you to lie straight to your king...would you?"

Gaius stiffened, his eyes darting between Arthur's own, as if he was questioning whether this was some kind of trick or not. But either way, Gaius already knew the answer before the prince had even asked it. Gaius would never lie to his king, not unless the situation called for it. Uther was a ruthless man, and Gaius knew the king wouldn't hesitate to strike Merlin where he stood. Not if he thought Merlin had a leg to stand on, not if he thought Merlin could legally take his kingdom.

Merlin may be alive, but it was only because Uther allowed it. And Uther only allowed it because he was honor bound to follow a piece of parchment he signed over twenty years ago.

But if Merlin was actually able to take his kingdom, then it would be game over for the young sorcerer.

As Gaius thought over his answer, Arthur was watching him closely, trying to deduce if he'd made the right choice to approach Gaius about this. Or if he'd made a huge mistake, and Arthur was asking to much. If he had, Gaius would probably have the king informed within the hour.

"Tell me, Arthur. What would I have to lie about?" Gaius asked, giving no definite yes or no. In all of his years, he'd learned the hard way to never agree to anything before he knew what he was agreeing to.

Gaius hadn't answered his question, and Arthur wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. If Gaius had answered yes, that would have brought about the question, had Gaius ever lied to his father before? And if he'd answered with a no, than Arthur was screwed before he even got into the bigger problem with Gaius.

But he had no choice but to put his faith in Gaius.

"My father," Arthur started, making sure to keep firm eye contact with Gaius. "He wants to invoke the old law, to check one's virginity to make sure that I consummated the marriage."

Gaius went stiff again, feeling the horror of what Arthur had just told him, sinking into his very bones. And the realization of what this could mean for Merlin.

That dreadful law was an absolute horrid one in his opinion. It was so old that only a handful of families actually still did it. In all of his forty years of being an apprentice, and then a physician himself, he'd only performed it once or twice himself.

"I tried telling him it wasn't necessary, that I had done my duty." Arthur kept talking. "But he wouldn't listen to reason. He insisted that it be done. He's planning to ask you to check Merlin sometime soon."

"And does he have reason to doubt you?" Gaius asked urgently, eyes furrowing together as his face flickering into concern for the young boy he'd come to know. This would have to be handled with careful fingers, and probably every trick in the book would have to be used to keep this from Uther.

The only good thing about any of this was the Gaius was the court physician. If it had been anybody else, Gaius doubted that Arthur would have been able to trust them to keep this a secret, not from the king.

Gaius could have the inspection done in private, nobody would have to know rather he had done it or not. But what if Uther asked to sit in on the proceedings? It had happened before, where somebody asked to sit in because they didn't trust it was done unless they saw it themselves. If Uther asked to sit in...

Gaius would have to go about this very carefully, because if Uther even suspected that he was lying about Merlin's virginity status, there was a good chance that he would call for another physician to double check. And if the king did that, then it would be game over for all three of them.

Arthur and Merlin would be forced to consummate under duress, or they'd be forced to face the consequences of Arthur's actions. The prince would lose his kingdom, and Merlin would lose his mother.

Gaius himself, would most likely be sacked for daring to lie to the crown about something of this upmost important. All of his years working to get to where he was now would have been for nothing.

"I'm uncertain if I managed to convince him." Arthur admitted. "But even if he did believe me, he wants there to be no doubt among the people. If somebody tries to question it, tries to claim our marriage has no legality, he wants to be able to say their claim is for naught."

Gaius turned away, facing his back to Arthur, looking as if he hadn't already made his mind up the second that Arthur had stepped into his chambers. "And you ask this of me? To lie to your father, despite knowing that it will cost myself everything if it's found out."

But Gaius already knew, in the pit of his stomach, that if anything was worth losing everything for, it would be Merlin. The boy reminded him so much of himself when he was young and just discovering how to use magic himself. Only Merlin was so much different as well, because he had the burden of his secret resting heavily on his shoulders. A secret that he could never share with anyone outside of family, for fear that they would turn on him without a second thought.

Not even Arthur, with the weight of the crown resting heavily on him, would have been able to understand the strain that Merlin had lived his entire life with.

Arthur stepped forward, almost as if he was trying to follow the older man. To chase him down and demand he follow the orders of his prince. But Arthur was smart enough to know that he was just a prince, that he wasn't a king and Gaius wouldn't hesitate going to his father if he thought he should.

He couldn't handle this with the arrogance and command that he would force upon the common people. This had to be handled a lot more delicately than that, especially if he was going to convince Gaius to keep something of this magnitude.

So Arthur stopped in his step, and took a large breath before trying again. "I know that this is a big ask," he said quietly. "I know the consequences, to you especially. But please, Gaius, I beg of you to do this for me, for Merlin." He added the boy's name at the last second, if only because Gaius was apparently fond of the boy.

Though he couldn't exactly see why, but if it helped them now, Arthur wasn't going to question it.

"If I do this, if we get away with this," Gaius started, his tone sounding surprisingly even, despite the troubles they found themselves in. "Then you and Merlin will never have to consummate-"

"Merlin will never have to know that we were even supposed to." Arthur interrupted, sounding firm in his decision.

Gaius turned back to him sharply, "You don't intend to tell him?" He asked. "But Merlin is apart of this, he deserves to know!"

"And do you want to have that particular conversation with him?" Arthur asked dryly. He may have agreed to tell Merlin someday, but that didn't mean he couldn't hold off until it was no longer a relevant issue in their lives.

Gaius hesitated, before signing heavily. "I admit, it won't be my fondest moment, but somebody has to tell him. Just so he understands how much danger he could be in if this got out. Not to mention, he is a young man. He should know exactly what two men can do together, even just so he can prepare himself if the day comes when this doesn't work. If the two of you will have to consummate just to get out of the consequences."

Gaius worried because he knew without a doubt, even if Merlin wasn't ready for such a large step, he would force himself to go through with him. Especially since it would be his mother's life on the line here.

Arthur took a heavy breath, leaning forward to plant his hands on the table situated between them. "I told him that I would tell him all about it myself." He admitted, looking far to world weary in that moment.

Gaius raised an eyebrow, "You did?" He asked doubtfully. Arthur wasn't exactly the kind of man that he would have chosen for that job.

"Well he just kept talking and talking." Arthur grumbled, looking far more annoyed with Merlin than he should, no doubt blaming Merlin for the situation they'd found themselves in. "It was the only way to shut him up. By agreeing to tell him everything he wanted to know, if he just gave me some time."

Gaius looked like he wasn't sure if he should believe Arthur or not. "And you really are planning on telling him? You are going to be the one to give him 'the talk?'"

Arthur felt his face flush, wishing Gaius hadn't asked it quite like that. He looked away, not giving away the feeling of discomfort he was experiencing. "Well I'm hoping if I can push this back far enough, he'll forget all about it." He admitted grudgingly.

Gaius actually had the nerve to look at him with an expression that resembled disappointment. "So, you're just going to brush him aside when he starts asking questions again?" He asked, shaking his head as he gave Arthur a stern look. The prince shouldn't be making promises that he had no intentions of keeping.

Arthur huffed, "Well, could you blame me? When he starts asking questions again, all of this will have hopefully passed. If he won't let it go, I can just send him to you, and you can do it."

But Gaius gave him a stern look, "Arthur, you did tell him that you would do it. I believe it's only right that you keep your word."

Arthur stiffened up at that, the color on his face paling, practically draining away to nothing. "Gaius," he said weakly, sounding like he nearly choked to get the words out. "I don't believe that I'm really the best man for the job."

"And yet, you gave him your word." Gaius said bluntly, not allowing Arthur to talk himself out of this one.

"Well I mean, I wouldn't really call it my word, I mean-" Arthur tried to protest, but he was failing miserably. When he'd told Merlin he'd tell him, he honestly hadn't expected Gaius to not give in and just tell him for him.

"Did you or did you not tell him that you would answer all of the questions that he had?" Gaius asked, in the kind of firm tone that Arthur had only ever heard from his own father.

It was the only reason that Arthur's protests died on his lips. "Yes." He grudgingly admitted when Gaius kept staring him down.

Gaius nodded, giving the young blond a meaningful look, "And a prince keeps his word. It wouldn't do for people to think a prince's word is meaningless. Something like that carries over into when he becomes king."

If there had been any color left in Arthur's face at all, it practically vanished completely at that. Biting back the expletive he wanted to throw out there, he said, "Of course, Gaius."

He couldn't have his people thinking that he wasn't a man of his word, that he didn't honor his agreements. Nobody would want a king who had a history of going back on his word. But still...telling Merlin about things that were done in the privacy of a bedroom, things he should have learned years ago? Arthur would never understand how he found himself in this very intense situation.

But he did know that it was all Merlin's fault...somehow.

Gaius slid into a bench seat at one of his tables, looking remarkably calm despite this very strange conversation, "And you should probably tell him soon." Gaius commented, casually.

Arthur went stiff all over, feeling queasy at the thought. "Why exactly, would I tell him soon?" Arthur demanded. Even if it was up to him to do it, blast his dreaded word, he still wanted to hold it off for as long as he could.

"Because," Gaius said, as if it were obvious, giving Arthur a look as if he thought that he was being particularly obtuse on purpose. "What happens if he meets somebody?"

Arthur frowned, looking baffled by this response. "What do you mean by, if he meets somebody?"

"It's a big city, Arthur." Gaius said dryly. "And with all of these newcomers coming in from the tournament, Merlin will surely be meeting a lot of new people. He doesn't meet a stranger, that's for sure. It's entirely possible that he might develop an interest in one of these people."

Arthur looked at him in disbelief, feeling something deep and dark briefly light up in the pit of his stomach before it faded to smoldering embers. Clenching his jaw, Arthur hissed out a very dark sounding, "He wouldn't dare."

But Gaius just looked at him, decidingly unimpressed. "And pray tell me, why he wouldn't dare?" He drawled out.

Arthur wanted to smash something, but he wasn't so spoiled as to think that he could get away with doing it to Gaius' potions. He settled for the next best thing, which was to slam his hands down harshly on the wooden table Gaius was sitting at.

"I'm his husband." Arthur bit out, looking at the physician with a righteous fury in his eyes. As if that meant anything to the prince, or his consort. And as if responding to his words, the ring on his finger seemed to shine brighter under the flickering flames of the candlelight.

Gaius just gave him one of his looks, the kind that had Arthur forcing his growing rage into just a shimmer that flickered behind the surface of his eyes.

Swallowing hard, Arthur found it surprisingly difficult to keep the top down on his rage. But he tried anyway, practically spitting out his words. "I will not have my husband being seen hanging off the arm of anybody who so much as looks his way."

Gaius shook his head, "I somehow doubt that Merlin will jump for the first person he meets." He said dryly. Merlin may be open and put on a happy face, but his secrets forced him to be more guarded than most. He wouldn't risk that for a brief infatuation, he had a lot to lose if the wrong person discovered him.

"He better not." Arthur said, sounding dark and ominous, his features half hidden in the shadows that were cast by Gaius' candlelight.

Gaius looked at the young blonde curiously, "And here I was, thinking you didn't like him." The physician said blandly.

That seemed to spark something in the dark cloud that seemed to surround Arthur in that moment. He looked at the physician with an almost outrageous expression. "Like him?" He demanded, his tone harsh. "What do you mean by, like him?"

"Well," Gaius said bluntly. "You seem to have a lot of rage over Merlin meeting somebody else." The last time he'd seen that kind of dark anger in somebody, well it was actually Uther. Back when he'd been courting Ygraine and had to fight for her affections against other competitors.

The kind of fight that wasn't in a tournament like setting with an audience. The king had actually had to put his sword down and do a different kind of fighting, in order to win the fair queen's attention.

But that didn't seem to be the case for Arthur. In fact, the young man almost looked mutinous at the insinuation. "I will not be made a fool of." The prince said with an almost dark undertone. "I will not have my people thinking I'm lacking in some way. That my own consort would rather find company in another."

Hell would burn around them all before Arthur allowed Merlin to humiliate him like that. Before he allowed Merlin to ruin the reputation that he'd built for himself.

Gaius almost looked disappointed by this response, but shook his head. He probably shouldn't be, he knew full well what Arthur's views on his marriage was.

Taking a deep breath, Gaius said, "He may be your husband, Arthur. But you and I both know, as well as him, that this is all an arrangement decided by your parents long before either of you were born."

Arthur looked away, still feeling that thrum of anger in his veins, but doing a better job at holding it back then he had been moments before. "What's your point?" He grunted, feeling his nails digging into the wood of the table under his fists.

"It means," Gaius said bluntly. "That there is no love between you." And before Arthur could interrupt and say something that would probably make the physician disappointed in him again, he kept talking. "He is also a teenage boy, much like yourself barely two years ago. Do you remember yourself at nineteen? I don't believe you've changed terribly much in the last two years."

Arthur felt his heart stutter a bit in his chest. Oh, he definitely remembered himself at nineteen, it had only been two years before after all. Gaius was right, he hadn't changed much in the last couple of years.

Gaius kept talking, looking far to contemplative for Arthur's taste. "And if his husband," he started, giving the blonde a meaningful look. "Will give him no affection, then he will seek it elsewhere."

Arthur felt another stutter in his chest, only this time there was a sliver a darkness to go along with it. He spoke with a forceful tone, "He. Will. Not." Arthur was nobody's fool, he was nobody's bitch. If Merlin thought he could marry a prince and then run around on him, than Arthur would rein hellfire down on him in a heartbeat.

"It probably won't happen anytime soon." Gaius said calmly, as if being in the face of Arthur's rage didn't effect him. "But give it time. Sooner or later, he'll want something more than what you can give him."

Arthur scoffed, who out there could give Merlin more than what a prince could? Arthur had gold, a crown, a castle, an army of loyal knights, and a city full of people who waited till the day he became king.

If Arthur had any desire to do it, he could have given Merlin the world in a heartbeat. Who else could give him that?

It brought up the question, what more could Merlin want?

Arthur would be the first to say he wished he'd never married Merlin, but he'd also be the first to say he'd be damned if he let anybody else have him. Simply because Merlin was His Consort.

Arthur had so much rage flowing through him, that he didn't even realize that his thoughts made him sound like some kind of petulant child. The kind that was to spoiled to realize it wasn't nice to keep people just so nobody else could have them.

"Arthur," Gaius said, breaking through the fog of anger that Arthur had dissolved into. "You do realize that will be another problem, won't you? Merlin grew up almost isolated in his small village, he won't care about what others think. If he does meet somebody, I believe the only thing that would stop him from going after them is because he's married. But if you detest him so much, it will only be a matter of time before he no longer cares."

"So what do you want me to do about it?" Arthur demanded, throwing out a hand wildly in front of him. "Would you have me pretend to have affections for him? Just on the off chance he's dumb enough to think he can get away with stepping out on me?"

Gains narrowed his eyes at the prince, "Don't you dare, Arthur Pendragon." He snapped, almost making the prince flinch back, surprised by the sudden hostility. "I will not have you make that boy believe you care for him when you feel nothing of the sort."

Arthur looked away, almost shamefaced. Even if he hadn't actually been contemplating doing it, had thought that was what Gaius had been suggesting, he still felt the shame for having said it.

Feeling a muscle twitch in his jaw, Arthur shifted his gaze to the floor before he said quietly, "All of this is irrelevant. Merlin's not going to meet somebody and then ride off in the sunset. He's going to stay right here for the rest of our lives, being a constant thorn in my side."

Gaius nodded solemnly, turning his gaze onto the table in front of him. "As he should be." He said, his voice just as quiet as Arthur's was, even as he felt his pity for Merlin growing. It was bad enough that the boy had been born wielding abilities that no man ever had before, in a world that would see him dead for it. But he was also married to a man that would clearly not allow him to find a spark of happiness in the terrifying life he was living.

Arthur cleared his throat, pulling his eyes away from the ground, "This wasn't the conversation I came here for. I came here asking for you help, Gaius. I came here asking if you would be willing to lie to my father when he approached you."

Gaius nodded, "And it developed into you telling me you had no intention of keeping your word to Merlin." He said bluntly, unwilling to let that bit of their conversation go. "That you were just going to brush him off and never intended to answer any of his questions."

Arthur had taken the responsibility of telling Merlin, Gaius wanted to make sure that he would follow through.

Arthur felt the frustration in him starting to snap, "Why does he even need to know?" Arthur demanded in a harsh tone. "Ever!" He couldn't imagine a scenario in which Merlin would ever be in the position where he had to know those things.

"Because Arthur," Gaius said sternly, trying to drill it into the blonde's thick skull. "Everybody needs to know those things. It's a fundamental part of life, rather you like it or not."

Arthur scoffed, because even though he'd only done it a few times, he liked sex. Love it even, it was only a shame he rarely got to partake in more of it. And now that he was married, he wondered if he'd ever be able to do it again.

"And why does he need to know?" Arthur demanded, trying to explain his reasonings to the stubborn physician. "The only reason he would need to know was if I planned on doing it with him myself." He felt that shiver of distaste go through him. "And trust me when I say, I will not be touching him anytime soon."

"He does need to know." Gaius said. "And not because you have no plans for taking him." Arthur shivered in discomfort at those words. Here they were, once again talking about Arthur 'taking Merlin'.

"Okay," Arthur snapped. "If I have no intention of 'taking him?'" He stopped just long enough to roll his eyes at those words. "Then explain to me why I would ever actually have to tell him?"

Gaius gave him a very dry look, making Arthur feel as if he'd said something very stupid.

"Even if you have no interest in Merlin," Gaius said in a bland tone. "That doesn't mean that others won't." Arthur's eyes narrowed and his lips were thinning, looking as if he wanted to pummel something, even as something dark churned in the pit of his belly.

"Didn't we already have that discussion?" Arthur hissed through his teeth. "Literally just now? Merlin Will Not be stepping out on me."

Gaius signed, looking far to world weary for this conversation. "And what happens if somebody approaches him? If they ask him up to their chambers and Merlin follows, thinking they were just going to hang out or something. What if Merlin doesn't realize what this person means, and agrees to something without realizing the extent of it."

Arthur felt a coldness wash over him, feeling his throat tighten up for a moment. Arthur wasn't a rapist, he wasn't going to force anything onto Merlin. But that didn't mean that there wasn't people out there who would be more than happy to take advantage over a rarity that was Merlin.

"Who would be dumb enough to proposition my consort?" Arthur demanded, almost as if he thought Gaius had a list of names somewhere that he was about to pull out.

Gaius sighed again, "I'm only saying, it would be prudent to warn Merlin before somebody tries to make advances towards him."

Arthur looked away, not wanting to admit that his chest had tightened painfully at the thought of Merlin being taken advantage of like that.

Feeling that muscle in his jaw twitching again, he said, "I'll just keep an eye on him then. And I'll tell him if I see somebody showing interest."

He just had to hope that nobody would show that level of interest towards somebody like Merlin. The brat didn't seem all that interesting to capture somebody else's attention anyway.

Even if Merlin spoke to Arthur as if he were any other guy and not a prince. Even if Merlin had no reservations about calling Arthur an arse, and doesn't back down when they've fought. Even if Merlin always had some kind of stupid comment at the ready no matter what Arthur told him.

How Merlin couldn't hide a damn thing, because his face seemed to reflect every emotion he was feeling.

Those weren't desirable traits...not really...

Gaius just nodded, looking more solemn than ever. He supposed that this was going to be the best they could do. "So, I won't tell him, because you'll tell him."

He was sure that Merlin would be pleased by that. The boy probably thought Gaius was waiting to ambush him and try restarting up their earlier conversation.

"Only if someone shows him interest." Arthur said quickly, just so Gaius couldn't come back later and claim that the blonde had promised to tell Merlin far earlier than he actually wanted to.

"Only if someone shows him interest." Gaius agreed quietly. If Arthur had no interest in taking him, then was there really any reason to tell Merlin? At least at this point in time. Yes, he deserved to know, every young person needed to know about those things. But Merlin also didn't have any other suitors, if Arthur could even be considered a suitor. And Merlin had made it this far in life without it being a problem.

What was wrong with them waiting just a little bit longer?

"So we're in agreement." Arthur said bluntly, leaning forward to plant his hands back on the table and leaning over it. "I'll answer every question Merlin has on the subject when the time is right. And you'll make sure that my father never finds out that Merlin and I never consummated our marriage."

Gaius hadn't even known that they'd been making deals and such. He'd thought they'd just been having a conversation. But if this was how Arthur wanted to handle it, then he would go along with it.

Gaius grumbled as he lumbered up to his feet, before stretching out his hand to Arthur. If this was going to be a deal, than they better make it official, hand shake and all.

"You have a deal, Arthur." Gaius murmured, almost under his breath. He only hoped that he wasn't making the wrong decision here, that everything would turn out alright. For Merlin and Arthur both.

Arthur looked down at the aged hand in front of him almost hesitantly. Although he didn't know why, it was exactly what he wanted after all. Okay, so he didn't want to tell Merlin what they were supposed to do that night, and everything that was involved with it. But he didn't want his father knowing that he hadn't gone through with it even more.

So forcing all of his concerns to the back of his mind, and ignoring what the consequences this deal might bring him later down the road, Arthur reached out and grasped Gaius by the hand.

And for a second, just a second, it felt as if they had just shaken hands with the devil. Because neither one of them knew what the future would bring, or if the other one could be trusted.

But it was to late, their agreement had been struck.

They started to pull their hands away, and the entire time, Gaius was thinking. He was thinking that maybe, just maybe, this was Arthur's strange way of protecting Merlin. He doubted it really, but it was a nice thought nonetheless.

"You are a good man, Arthur Pendragon." Gaius said, in a murmur that was so quiet, Arthur had to strain to hear it. "When you want to be."

Arthur couldn't say a word to that statement, feeling almost guilty. In that moment, he sure didn't feel like a good man. He wondered if Gaius would still say that if he knew the endless circling of thoughts Arthur had about Merlin.

All of his anger, and the hatred, and then there was the strange mix of emotions he often felt around Merlin, that he couldn't even begin to start explaining.

XXXXXXXXXX

Merlin had to use the toe of his boot to knock on the door when he finally arrived at Gwen's small little hut. It hadn't been that difficult to find, George had given him surprisingly detailed directions. It had only taken him so long because the armor he was lugging around was slowing him down.

It had never occurred to Merlin before how heavy armor could be. How Arthur was able to move in it at all would forever be a mystery to him. The helmet along had to weigh its own ton. But then again Merlin thought with a wry smirk to himself, that was probably because the size of Arthur's head had done it no favors.

When there was no answer at the door, Merlin cautiously stretched his foot out and gave it another light kick. He didn't want to attempt knocking with his fist, already knowing he'd lose everything in his hands if he tried.

But at some point, he was just gonna have to admit that Gwen probably wasn't home. Which meant he'd dragged all of this stuff over here for no reason. But luckily, before he could attempt to walk away without losing anything, the door finally swung open.

Merlin tried to look at Gwen, he really did, but it was a struggle trying to see over everything in his arms. His cheek was actually pressed against the smooth metal of something, but he wasn't sure what it was. Either a shin guard or part of a chest plate. But either way, he couldn't move his head or the whole thing would come crashing down.

"...Hello?" Gwen asked, looking uncertain at the figure on her doorstep. Frowning, she tried to see around all of the metalwork that was blocking the man's face, but it was near impossible with all of the clutter.

Was a knight here to drop off some damaged armor for her father to repair? Gwen's father, Tom, was the local blacksmith. He was often making the weaponry that the king used to arm his knights with. But from what she could see, the armor didn't seem to be damaged at all. It looked pretty pristine actually.

"Gwen?" A voice called to her from the other side of the armor. It was all to easy for her to recognize that increasingly familiar voice.

"Merlin?!" She exclaimed, with a baffled expression on her face, trying to see around the armor. But there was just to many pieces all piled up on top of each other. "What on earth are you doing?"

"I uh, I could use a little help." Merlin's voice said, wobbling on his feet under the crushing weight of the armor.

"Oh!" Gwen flushed as she seemed to realize that she had left her company on her front porch. Quickly, she stepped out of the way, waving for Merlin to come in even if he could see it. "Come in, come in!"

Merlin nearly lost his balance when he stumbled coming in through her doorway. "Where can I set this?" The dark haired boy grunted, unable to see where he was going.

Gwen quickly closed the door behind him, watching as the lock slid into place. As she was often home alone, with her father working the long hours that he did, the one thing he'd drilled into her was precaution. The blacksmith didn't want to risk anything happening to his little girl while she was home alone.

Anyway, Gwen quickly got to work, leading Merlin further into the small space. "Just follow the sound of my voice." She called to him. They had almost made it without incident, but of course, Merlin had to walk straight into the table in the middle of the corner she designated as her kitchen area. The rough edges of the table had connected roughly into his lower guy, making Gwen wince as he grunted. "Er...there is fine."

"...Thanks." Merlin groaned, more than happy to drop the armor onto the rickety old table. Although he did have to scramble to catch a shin guard before it could slide straight off the edge of the table. He wasn't sure how tough armor was, but he didn't want to risk returning it to Arthur damaged.

Even if he probably did deserve it just because he could be a jerk, Merlin wasn't going to jeopardize his place in the tournament. Besides, he was kind of curious to see how the prince did.

Crisis averted, Merlin leaned against the table, trying to catch his breath, no longer feeling the sharp edges of the armor digging into his arms.