A week had passed and Merlin's injuries were healing well, the warlock had been sharing Arthur's bed and then he would leave early in the morning. Sometimes.
Merlin woke to the noise of someone banging against the chamber door and shook the prince awake. Arthur groaned and slid out of bed to answer the door whilst Merlin hid under the bed. Arthur opened the door and Agravaine strolled into the room.
"You're late waking up today, Arthur! You have a lot of stuff to today so hurry up and get dressed!" Agravaine roared.
Arthur sighed impatiently and he got dressed before he was dragged out of the room.
Merlin let out a breath he had been holding and he was about to escape the room when he heard it lock. Merlin was about to start freaking out when he realised something… he had magic.
After escaping the room, Merlin made his way to Guias's chambers. Just as Merlin had expected, Guias did not look pleased, "Where have you been? Do you know what time it is?"
Merlin rubbed his eyes and yawned, feeling tired, "Early?", he guessed. "Arthur sent me out to get some stuff from the forest."
Guias shook his head and he raised an eyebrow, "It is noon".
Merlin took time to ponder this before his mouth made an "O" shape.
Guias could not help but to laugh, "You stupid boy, come help me with some errands. You can then go complete your chores for Arthur".
Merlin sighed and he nodded "Alright, where's the list?"
Guias handed Merlin his sactual and a piece of paper, the young warlock read through the list and he then turned to walk out of Guias's chambers. Merlin walked around the village as he delivered the medicines that Guias had made. He then made his way to the lady Morgana's chambers, to deliver her sleeping draft to her. Merlin knocked on the door to Morgana's chambers and he waited.
The door opened and Morgana looked at Merlin "Have you got it?"
Merlin pulled a small vial out of his sactual and he handed it to Morgana "Just go to Guias if your nightmares continue. You know the drill".
Morgana shut the door in Merlin's face, and she walked back over to her dressing table to brush her hair.
Merlin stood there for a moment before he sighed and he went to complete his chores.
Merlin arrived at Arthur's chambers only to find them empty. He polished the prince's armour and he cleaned the room, before he laid out a quick meal. Merlin was about to leave Arthur's chambers, when he noticed some cobwebs hanging on the wall next to Arthur's wardrobe. The warlock got a wet cloth and he wrapped it around a stick, before he used it to chase away the cobwebs. Suddenly two arms slid around Merlin's waist and familiar lips pecked at his exposed neck.
"Heh, you almost scared me", Merlin rolled his eyes as he tried to finish his job.
"How could I ever commit such a crime?" Arthur said innocently, before he showered Merlin with tender kisses.
Merlin giggled and turned around in Arthur's arms, so that they were face to face, "Stop! It tickles!"
Arthur ignored Merlin and continued the treatment.
Merlin giggled and he dropped the long stick, before he wrapped his arm around Arthur's neck. "Arthur".
Arthur moved and he started to kiss Merlin "I love you".
Merlin kissed Arthur back "I love you too".
Arthur grabbed Merlin's hands and he led Merlin to the bed, "Enough work, I want to play...", Arthur whispered seductively.
Merlin wanted nothing more than to give in to Arthur, but he knew better and he pressed a finger against the prince's lips, "Not so fast, Arthur. It's light outside and someone might catch us... let's save this till later. Okay?"
Arthur pouted but he obliged, he simply watched longingly as Merlin finished up his chores. Merlin laid the table for Arthur's dinner, but he felt hands on his hips and he smiled.
"Can I kiss you?" Arthur asked.
Merlin turned around to face Arthur and he smiled "Yes".
Arthur pulled Merlin into a kiss and they passionately kissed for a moment, before Arthur sat down to eat. The prince had a sip of water and then he looked at Merlin, he watched as the servant cleaned his boots "Stop doing that now".
Merlin looked up at Arthur and then he put the boot down, he stood up and he walked over to where the prince was sat "Do you want anything?"
Arthur grabbed Merlin's hips and he smiled up at the young man "No. Just to sit with you for a bit, that's all".
Merlin smiled and he went to sit down on a chair, but he was pulled in a different direction and he found himself on Arthur's lap "Happy?"
Arthur smiled and he put his arm around Merlin's shoulders, he kissed Merlin and then he smiled at the dark haired man "Very happy".
Merlin smiled and he cupped Arthur's cheek and he kissed the prince, he wrapped his other arm around Arthur's shoulders and he smiled when they lips separated.
Arthur wrapped his arm around Merlin's waist and he continued to eat, he shared his meal with Merlin and he loved how Merlin smiled at him and how his eyes twinkled with happiness. The prince smiled as he gazed lovingly at his Love, once they had finished eating Arthur rested his hand on Merlin's thigh and he rested his head on Merlin's shoulder.
Merlin smiled and he kissed Arthur's head, before he tilted his head to rest it against Arthur's head.
"Out of every gem in the land... you're the most valuable one to me". Arthur whispered.
Merlin smiled "And out of every star in the sky... you light up my night".
Arthur smiled and he held onto Merlin for a few minutes. But then Merlin had to leave the room to go about the rest of the day. Arthur walked over to his desk to fill out some paperwork but he missed Merlin.
Arthur was sat at his desk and he smiled as he thought about Merlin, he bit his bottom lip and he allowed himself to fantasise what a night with Merlin would be like. That put a smile on his face.
Merlin mucked out the palace stables, he went the market to get some food for his and Guias's dinner he also practiced his magic in his bedroom for an hour. Merlin had just finished all of his work when Agravaine caught him on the way to the courtyard to see the knights.
"Servant!" Agravaine said harshly.
Merlin gave Agravaine a casual bow before he continued walking, he wanted nothing to do with the pile of filth.
Agravaine stared angrily at the boy, before he walked off to pester someone else.
Gwaine and the knights were laughing as they sparred against each other. They saw Merlin and they all smiled at the boy.
"Merlin!", Perceval called out before fishing out a spare sword, "Wanna' practice?"
Merlin nodded, "Sure but I'm not very good".
The knights began to offer tips and tricks on how Merlin could defend himself. After half an hour, Merlin had become quite acquainted with the weapon, by the time he had gone back to his room to freshen up.
After dinner Merlin waited until Guias had gone to bed and he snuck out to go and see Arthur. He crept through the palace and he hid behind walls when he saw the guards. He eventually made it to Arthur's chambers after it had become completely pitch black outside.
Merlin crept through the halls of the castle and he crept into Arthur's chambers. He slowly shut the door behind himself and he locked it.
"You took your time" Arthur said in his Prince Arthur voice.
Merlin used magic to soundproof the room, so that nobody could hear anything if they walked passed. Arthur did not notice. "I had to wait until everyone was asleep".
Arthur wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist "I don't want to sleep. I want you. I need you".
Merlin smiled and he wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck "We better attend to your needs then, Sire".
Arthur smirked and he picked Merlin up. He carried the young man over to the bed as they kissed and they fell onto his bed. Arthur was kissing Merlin's neck, small gasps and groans escaped from Merlin.
"I've missed you today. I can't stop thinking about you" Arthur said as he kissed Merlin's neck.
"I've missed you too. I can't stop thinking about you as well" Merlin moaned.
Arthur moved and he started to kiss Merlin on the lips, he pulled away and he looked into Merlin's eyes "Can you stay in here tonight? I would like to wake up and see that you're in my arms."
Merlin smiled and he nodded "Okay."
Arthur smiled and then he went back to kissing Merlin, he had missed kissing his secret love and he did not waste the time that they had together.