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Arthur waited in glee, talking to Merek, one of the knights from Mercia, seemingly on his best princely behavior. In reality he was watching for the moment when Merlin would enter the room. He could barely contain his grin at the thought of the outfit he forced his manservant to wear to the banquet. Just then he heard the door open, and a few seconds later the whispers started. He forced himself to keep his eyes on Merek until he broke off mid-sentence and turned to look at the combination of servants from Camelot and Mercia. Arthur finally permitted himself to look over as well and had to contain a laugh at the spectacle Merlin made. He was covered head to foot in Camelot’s red garments.
Arthur had to turn away for a moment to control his features again. When he looked back at Merlin, he could see that Merlin had looked around and realized he was the only servant dressed differently than usual. Even the King’s own servant was dressed less decadently than Merlin. Arthur met Merlin’s eyes and saw the annoyance present that only one who knew Merlin would recognize. He grinned at him to show he saw through Merlin’s act of indifference.
He looked away at the reactions of Mercia’s knights. The knight nearest Arthur was looking Merlin up and down lustfully as if he was undressing him with his eyes. As Arthur looked around the room at other knights and royalty from both Camelot and Mercia, he noticed the same look in many of their eyes. When Arthur looked to his father to share his incredulousness, he saw a look of appraisal in his father’s eyes as well. He shuddered and walked away to where a servant was standing with drinks. Barely had he grabbed one before his father came up next to him sending the servant scurrying away.
“You’re manservant looks quite good cleaned up and in Camelot’s colors, does he not?” The King commented, eyes still on Merlin.
Arthur made a strangled noise in the back of his throat that drew the King’s attention away from the man in question.
“Surely you noticed how he looks tonight? He looks quite delectable, in fact. I may have to request his presence tonight after the feast.”
“No!” Arthur said harshly. When the King looked at him again, he said quickly, “I mean I think I will require my manservant’s services myself tonight.”
“Ah, yes, of course. You would want to partake in his services yourself.” The King said with a knowing smirk.
Arthur blushed furiously. “No…I-I just mean I will need help getting to bed tonight…” Uther smiled wickedly again, “I mean after all the drinking tonight.”
“Of course.” The King said unconvincingly, before walking away.
Completely flustered now, Arthur looked back at Merlin. A knight from Mercia had just walked up to Merlin and leaned in to whisper something that made the young man blush bright red. The knight squeezed Merlin’s arse, before pulling back with a smirk and walking away.
Arthur felt something hot flare in his stomach and anger flushed his face. He began heading to where the knight was now laughing with several others. He saw Merlin leaving the room with a servant girl from Mercia and vaguely noticed something else twist in his stomach. He set down his untouched drink as he neared the knight, but before he could do anything rash, his father called the hall to attention. Arthur joined him while he made a welcoming speech and smiled in perfect princely fashion. Before the speech had concluded, Merlin re-entered the hall and as Arthur scrutinized him, he noticed that his manservant really did look delectable. Bringing his focus back to reality, Arthur tried to sneak Merlin from the hall, but Uther was already demanding Merlin tell him how he knew this.
“He is mistaken…” Arthur said.
“No Arthur, let him prove it…drink.” Uther commanded, looking at Merlin with none of his earlier appraisal.
Arthur tried to insist he drink it himself, but Merlin quickly took the goblet back. He looked so stricken that Arthur froze in place with the knowledge that poison was in the cup. By the time he could move again, Merlin was already drinking. Arthur looked into his eyes, but instead of seeing fear, there was only determination and relief and when it was finally gone, confusion.
“I’m sorry…I was wrong.” Merlin said softly.
Arthur felt a surge of relief, and turned to Uther, already composing arguments that would keep Merlin from being given to Mercia as punishment and from any punishment Uther might want to inflict. Then he heard the sounds of choking behind him and turned to see Merlin clutching his throat, before falling to the ground and passing out.
Arthur was immediately by his side and already had Merlin in his arms when Gaius said to bring him. The walk back to Gaius’ chambers was a blur and Arthur remembered none of it, only that Gwen had followed them with the goblet. He laid Merlin gently on the bed and grinned wryly thinking that the only reason his feet knew where to go was the many times he had to wake Merlin in the morning instead of the other way around.
He sat down next to Merlin and grabbed his hand gently. “Is he going to be alright, Gaius?”
Gaius looked up from the book he was reading. “Sire, he has been poisoned. It is a slow acting poison, which will take 4-5 days, with much pain. At the end of that time, he WILL die.”
“Is there nothing you can do? Is there no cure?”
“There is one thing, a flower, but…it’s not possible.”
“What is it Gaius? What do you need?”
“There is a flower, found only in one place, in a cave, but it is dangerous…too dangerous.”
“I will go.”
“No sire, it is too dangerous. Your life is more important.”
Arthur looked straight at Gaius, but said nothing. Instead he let his eyes speak for him, telling Gaius that he could not beat the thought of life without Merlin; that Merlin had become more than a manservant to him, more than a friend even. He let his eyes say what he had not said in words yet, not even to Merlin.
Gaius just nodded his understanding. “Do what you think is right, sire.” He turned to Gwen. “I need your help for preparations. Come with me.”
When they left, Arthur moved closer to Merlin, so he was on the bed with him. He put his hands on either side of Merlin’s face and leaned close.
“Merlin, you have to fight. Stay with us; I promise I will not let you die. I will get that flower and Gaius will cure you. You will be back to frustrating me in no time. You just have to hold on.”
He leaned even closer and whispered in his ear, “I love you, Merlin. You have to be okay.” Then he leaned down and kissed him before getting up and going to the door.
The next thing Arthur knew he was riding out of Camelot in search of the flower that would save Merlin’s life. He remembered hazily that he and Uther had fought, that his father said he should not risk his life for a servant. Her remembered the anger he felt at his father saying that Merlin was not important. He had barely contained his fury. He also remembered his talk with Morgana vaguely. But most of all, the entire time, he had been thinking with dread that he would be too late and that was unacceptable. Merlin couldn’t die.
From then on time passes in flashed. First he was just out of Camelot, then he had met that strange girl, and before he knew it she had betrayed him. His clarity came back to him then, when he was looking for the flower again. He knew he was running out of time and thought, if only Merlin was here. He knew it was a stupid wish, because what help could Merlin possibly be?
Suddenly it felt as though Merlin was there with him, just a step behind him. He looked back, but nobody was there. Still it felt as though he wasn’t alone, and he felt confident somehow. It was dark and he could barely see in front of him; he couldn’t find the flower like this and he could hear the many creatures below him scurrying upwards. Just as he was feeling desperate again, he though he heard Merlin’s voice saying, “No…no, just go. Save yourself.”
Arthur felt shocked, but continued searching as best as he could. He knew he would not give up on Merlin, would keep going until he either found it or died. The next thing he knew there was a light in front of him. Somehow he knew that it wasn’t Merlin’s doing without even thinking about it. With the small part of his mind not focused on getting the flower, getting out and returning to Camelot, he focused on what this meant. He knew without a doubt that this meant Merlin was a warlock. Surprisingly, this did not upset him, other than making him worry further about his manservant. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. All the strange occurrences surrounding Merlin since the day they met suddenly made sense. He knew that Merlin being a warlock should upset him or worry him, but he knew Merlin would never hurt him and had in fact used it to help him.
By this time, he had arrived back in Camelot to be jailed on his father’s orders. He knew his father was stubborn, but to leave Arthur imprisoned to prove a point. And to let Merlin die! None of this was Merlin’s fault, but Uther was determined to make him pay for Arthur’s disobedience.
Just then Gwen entered, and Arthur had never been more thrilled to see her as he was right then. And she played her part perfectly. When she left again with the flower Arthur felt so relieved that he would happily wait in the cell until Uther was content.
When Arthur was finally released he was itching to see Merlin. Unfortunately, he had to see Uther and pretend to be contrite, when all he wanted to do was tell him to stuff it and scream at him for needlessly putting Merlin’s life in danger in the first place. Unfortunately, he was the prince and had to at least be civil to his idiot of a father.
Finally Uther stopped babbling about responsibility and how proud he was, and Arthur nearly ran to Merlin’s chamber. When he got there and saw Merlin sitting up eating a bowl of soup, he stopped breathing and something warm filled his heart.
“Merlin.” He breathed.
Merlin turned around and smiled his dorky smile at Arthur, which melted his heart even further. He thought, thank God, with a sigh and he looks beautiful even after nearly dying.
Gaius interrupted his thoughts saying, “Gwen, now that Merlin is well again, I think it is time you return to your Lady. I will accompany you on my way to see the King.” Gaius bowed to Arthur.
“Sire.” Gaius and Gwen said together.
When Arthur and Merlin were alone, an awkward silence fell before Arthur walked closer. He sat down, then immediately stood again while Merlin watched in confusion.
“Merlin, I am very glad you are okay.”
“Thank you…sire. I would not be without you, so thank you.”
“I could not just let you die, even with all the frustration you cause me. Besides, it’s only fair I save your life for all the times you have saved mine.”
“What do you—?” Merlin said, trying and failing not to look terrified.
“Relax, Merlin.” Arthur said, finally sitting down again. “It’s okay Merlin you don’t have to hide this from me anymore. I know you’re a warlock. I figured it out when you helped me in the cave. I knew it was you; I could feel your presence.” At this Arthur paused and blushed before clearing his throat and going on. “You don’t have to fear anything from me. I know you, and I know you would never hurt me or anyone else, except to help me.”
“I—thank you. I mean…you’re not going to tell your father and have me executed?”
“Did you want me to?” Arthur asked with a smirk.
“No! Of course not, sire, I—“
“Oh knock it off Merlin!”
“W-what…?”
“All the sire’s and respect. It’s just irritating coming from you.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted; for me to behave as a normal servant.”
“Ugh! I knew this wouldn’t be easy with an idiot like you!” Somehow he made the word idiot sound more affectionate than anything else.
Arthur paused and took a deep, steadying breath. “I want you to know that I have come to care about you a great deal.”
“Well that much is obvious.” Merlin said cheekily. “Why else would you risk your life for me—a mere servant.”
“Perhaps it is too much trouble to train another halfway decent servant.”
“Unlikely.” Merlin said with a grin.
Arthur sighed. “Must you always interrupt me? Wait, don’t answer that.” Arthur said when Merlin opened his mouth. “Just listen…please.”
Arthur quirked an eyebrow and Merlin nodded to show he was listening. Arthur took another deep breath and swallowed before beginning.
“You know I care about you and I know you care for me. You did save my life several times after all. The entire time you were ill I was terrified I was going to lose you. I am the crowned prince, I do not get scared when my manservant falls ill…or at least I am not supposed to. I realized that my feelings for you are more than that of a master and his servant, or even that of a friend. I think…no, I know…I love you, Merlin.”
Arthur looked down as he blushed deep red and held his breath. He looked up a moment later to see Merlin opening and closing his mouth like a fish and his eyes so wide it looked painful.
“Merlin?”
“I-I didn’t…I mean, you can’t…I-I…” Merlin took a breath to steady him and with eyes filled with hope whispered, “I care about you too.”
Arthur let out a breath he had been holding. He leaned closer and laid his hand on Merlin’s face, and looked into his eyes for permission before gently brushing their lips together. He pulled back slightly and when Merlin gasped, he leaned forward again to take advantage of Merlin’s parted lips and deepened the kiss. It quickly intensified, with both of them pouring all of the passion, fear, despair, regret, love and hope they had ever felt for each other into the kiss. Arthur left his seat and moved over Merlin before lowering himself onto Merlin and grinding his hips down, eliciting a moan from the dark haired young man beneath him. He moved one hand into Merlin’s hair to bring them closer, while the other hand began moving. He first brought it up to feel Merlin’s pulse, then drifted down to his chest to stop over his heart and rubbing softly in little circles. Meanwhile, Merlin was making little noises in the back of his throat of pleasure. He fisted one hand in Arthur’s shirt and brought the other one around Arthur’s neck, to bring their bodies in as much contact as possible.
Finally, they had to pull apart to breathe, and they rested their foreheads together.
“Much better when you’re actually conscious.” Arthur murmured.
“Huh?” Merlin said.
“Well, I kissed you before I left to find the flower. You know…when you were unconscious.”
“Wait, you kissed me for the first time when I was passed out and couldn’t enjoy it?!?”
“Well yeah.” Arthur said flushing. “I thought you were going to die from the poison or I was going to die getting the cure, and I finally knew how I felt about you…”
“I know, Sire, thank you.”
“Call me Arthur when we’re not in public.”
“Arthur” Merlin said softly as he leaned up to kiss him quickly, before sitting back, exhausted.
“Oh Gods, look at you…you’re just recovering and I’ve put too much stress on you.”
“I’m fine Arthur, just a little tired.”
“Come on.” Arthur said, getting up and helping Merlin to his feet as well. “Time to sleep now.”
Arthur rested a hand on Merlin’s back gently and guided him into Merlin’s bedroom. He closed the door and helped Merlin undress for bed, before helping him in. Then he did the same for himself, before climbing in after Merlin.
“Aren’t I supposed to do that for you?” Merlin asked in a bemused voice.
“Oh, hush, I’m the prince and I can do whatever I want; even helping you to bed. Now just go to sleep. I’m going to look after you tonight.”
Arthur brushed the hair out of Merlin’s face and guided Merlin so he was half draped over Arthur’s body. Then he wove their fingers together and placed their joined hands on his chest.
“Arthur?”
“Hmm…”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Merlin.”
Merlin leaned up and gave Arthur a sweet, loving and slightly lingering, but chaste kiss before laying his head back down.
“Just go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Arthur said carding his fingers through Merlin’s hair.
The last thought both young men had was that they were lucky to have found this and they couldn’t wait to see where this led them. With that in mind they both drifted into a peaceful sleep, together.