Duty
Title: Duty
Author: Alcetis
Rating: PG
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, brief reference to Arthur/Gwen
Summary: Five short vignettes based on Merlin's observations of Arthur and his devotion to his country. "For Merlin this is a relief. Privately, he thinks that it is his personal job to make sure that Arthur does not lose all humanity. The Prince needs to be his country at times, needs the majesty and the power. But Merlin knows that Arthur can so easily get lost in it, and he needs to make sure that while Arthur is kingly he is also happy."
Warnings/Spoilers: Angst. Slash. Slight reference to the last episode (that this Canadian was too impatient to wait for and watched online).
Author's Note: This is my first Full, intentional Merlin fic! That is to say, not comment fic. So crit is appreciated. I'm never sure that I've kept the boys in character. Also, I'm terrified that it seems scattered... They do each relate in a way, I swear.
I
"She loves the King in me," Arthur tells him one night, and Merlin can hear the weariness in his voice. "And I can see the Queen in her."
II
When Arthur is being diplomatic he uses "we" instead of "I". For some reason, Merlin can feel the power behind those words. Arthur is no longer Arthur, clotpole extraordinaire, or even Arthur, Crown Prince. Instead he becomes Arthur, the soul of Camelot, embodying the land itself. And his speech is the speech of his people.
During these moments Merlin finds himself enthralled. He searches for the Arthur he knows inside of this great King, and sometimes he finds him, in the little uncertain glances or that one moment of hesitation.
For Merlin this is a relief. Privately, he thinks that it is his personal job to make sure that Arthur does not lose all humanity. The Prince needs to be his country at times, needs the majesty and the power. But Merlin knows that Arthur can so easily get lost in it, and he needs to make sure that while Arthur is kingly he is also happy.
III
"That's not fair!" Merlin says, grinding his teeth, "What about you? What about your choice? What about love?"
Arthur shrugs. "It's not an issue, I do what's best for Camelot."
"But marriage? That's... That's awful!"
Arthur's eyes flash. "Merlin, we don't all have the liberties that peasants do."
Merlin opens his mouth to protest, but Arthur cuts him off.
"Listen, look around you. I have all of this, all of these riches. I get servants to wait on me, I have horses and clothing and food when others have none. But, Merlin, it comes with responsibility. I get this because I am not a peasant. I do not get to take a wife on a whim, and when I do marry eventually it not just a union of love. It is an alliance. I will not be marrying a woman, I will be marrying a country, uniting it, for peace. My marriage can save lives." He sighs. "But I wouldn't expect you to understand. Your life is yours and yours alone."
When Arthur leaves Merlin is left, staring a little absently at his palm, thinking of what exactly it can do.
"No, sire," he whispers, "it is quite possible that I understand better than anyone."
IV
Merlin's breath is coming in gasps as he tries his very best not to giggle.
He fails. Arthur's fingers work mercilessly on his stomach, and Merlin pants and pleads and wriggles on the ground because it's such a dirty trick and he wouldn't expect the Crown Prince to stoop so low as to tickle the information out of him.
Arthur is laughing too, eyes wrinkled with mirth. "Now, Merlin, if you are good and ready, will you please inform me what the Lady Morgana has purchased for my birthday?"
"Arthur I... hee... I don't... hahahaha... I don't know, I told you already!" Tears spring to his eyes as he tries his best to get away, but Arthur is practically on top of him, and the combination of his weight and iron grip make it impossible for Merlin to move. He's pinned heavily to the cold stone floor, guffawing like a moron.
"Nonsense, I saw you speaking to her in the hallways. You're an awful liar, Merlin. She was asking your advice!"
"Y-you're mad, you prat," giggle, "you think that every time... every time we talk," snort, "it's about you..."
"Of course it's about me. What else would you have that's interesting to discuss with Morgana?" He asks, and increases the fierceness of his attack.
"Fine... fine... I relent!" Merlin cries, "I surrender! I'll tell you everything!"
Arthur stops, but still holds Merlin down, a hand on each of his wrists. "What, then?"
"A shield!" Merlin says. "Real nice, real fancy."
"A shield!" Arthur grins. "Fantastic!"
He still doesn't let go and Merlin shuffles a little under him.
Arthur blushes, and they suddenly realize exactly how compromising this is. Merlin's heart thumps in his chest, and his breath catches in anticipation. Because Arthur is looking at him strangely, and Merlin can't say that he exactly objects to whatever it is that's in his eyes.
"Merlin, I-" Arthur begins, and then there is a knock at the door.
Arthur is standing up and straightened out again in a matter of seconds, and Merlin is left on the ground, reaching for the tray that he dropped when originally assaulted.
It's Uther, and any traces of joy vanish from Arthur's face. He's royalty again, distant and formal.
Not proper, Merlin's mind whispers. He knows that, but it doesn't stop the twinge of regret he feels when the King leaves. The Arthur that tickles secrets out of his manservant is gone, and the Arthur that will unite a nation remains.
"Get out my formal wear," he snaps.
Merlin bows his head in a rare show of obedience. "Yes sire."
V
They never give him time to mourn for his father.
And when they place the crown on his head Arthur acts as if he is happy.
Merlin thinks that he is the only one who can see that the smile he wears is for his people, not for himself.
Most of the subjects can't even tell the difference.
Author: Alcetis
Rating: PG
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, brief reference to Arthur/Gwen
Summary: Five short vignettes based on Merlin's observations of Arthur and his devotion to his country. "For Merlin this is a relief. Privately, he thinks that it is his personal job to make sure that Arthur does not lose all humanity. The Prince needs to be his country at times, needs the majesty and the power. But Merlin knows that Arthur can so easily get lost in it, and he needs to make sure that while Arthur is kingly he is also happy."
Warnings/Spoilers: Angst. Slash. Slight reference to the last episode (that this Canadian was too impatient to wait for and watched online).
Author's Note: This is my first Full, intentional Merlin fic! That is to say, not comment fic. So crit is appreciated. I'm never sure that I've kept the boys in character. Also, I'm terrified that it seems scattered... They do each relate in a way, I swear.
I
"She loves the King in me," Arthur tells him one night, and Merlin can hear the weariness in his voice. "And I can see the Queen in her."
II
When Arthur is being diplomatic he uses "we" instead of "I". For some reason, Merlin can feel the power behind those words. Arthur is no longer Arthur, clotpole extraordinaire, or even Arthur, Crown Prince. Instead he becomes Arthur, the soul of Camelot, embodying the land itself. And his speech is the speech of his people.
During these moments Merlin finds himself enthralled. He searches for the Arthur he knows inside of this great King, and sometimes he finds him, in the little uncertain glances or that one moment of hesitation.
For Merlin this is a relief. Privately, he thinks that it is his personal job to make sure that Arthur does not lose all humanity. The Prince needs to be his country at times, needs the majesty and the power. But Merlin knows that Arthur can so easily get lost in it, and he needs to make sure that while Arthur is kingly he is also happy.
III
"That's not fair!" Merlin says, grinding his teeth, "What about you? What about your choice? What about love?"
Arthur shrugs. "It's not an issue, I do what's best for Camelot."
"But marriage? That's... That's awful!"
Arthur's eyes flash. "Merlin, we don't all have the liberties that peasants do."
Merlin opens his mouth to protest, but Arthur cuts him off.
"Listen, look around you. I have all of this, all of these riches. I get servants to wait on me, I have horses and clothing and food when others have none. But, Merlin, it comes with responsibility. I get this because I am not a peasant. I do not get to take a wife on a whim, and when I do marry eventually it not just a union of love. It is an alliance. I will not be marrying a woman, I will be marrying a country, uniting it, for peace. My marriage can save lives." He sighs. "But I wouldn't expect you to understand. Your life is yours and yours alone."
When Arthur leaves Merlin is left, staring a little absently at his palm, thinking of what exactly it can do.
"No, sire," he whispers, "it is quite possible that I understand better than anyone."
IV
Merlin's breath is coming in gasps as he tries his very best not to giggle.
He fails. Arthur's fingers work mercilessly on his stomach, and Merlin pants and pleads and wriggles on the ground because it's such a dirty trick and he wouldn't expect the Crown Prince to stoop so low as to tickle the information out of him.
Arthur is laughing too, eyes wrinkled with mirth. "Now, Merlin, if you are good and ready, will you please inform me what the Lady Morgana has purchased for my birthday?"
"Arthur I... hee... I don't... hahahaha... I don't know, I told you already!" Tears spring to his eyes as he tries his best to get away, but Arthur is practically on top of him, and the combination of his weight and iron grip make it impossible for Merlin to move. He's pinned heavily to the cold stone floor, guffawing like a moron.
"Nonsense, I saw you speaking to her in the hallways. You're an awful liar, Merlin. She was asking your advice!"
"Y-you're mad, you prat," giggle, "you think that every time... every time we talk," snort, "it's about you..."
"Of course it's about me. What else would you have that's interesting to discuss with Morgana?" He asks, and increases the fierceness of his attack.
"Fine... fine... I relent!" Merlin cries, "I surrender! I'll tell you everything!"
Arthur stops, but still holds Merlin down, a hand on each of his wrists. "What, then?"
"A shield!" Merlin says. "Real nice, real fancy."
"A shield!" Arthur grins. "Fantastic!"
He still doesn't let go and Merlin shuffles a little under him.
Arthur blushes, and they suddenly realize exactly how compromising this is. Merlin's heart thumps in his chest, and his breath catches in anticipation. Because Arthur is looking at him strangely, and Merlin can't say that he exactly objects to whatever it is that's in his eyes.
"Merlin, I-" Arthur begins, and then there is a knock at the door.
Arthur is standing up and straightened out again in a matter of seconds, and Merlin is left on the ground, reaching for the tray that he dropped when originally assaulted.
It's Uther, and any traces of joy vanish from Arthur's face. He's royalty again, distant and formal.
Not proper, Merlin's mind whispers. He knows that, but it doesn't stop the twinge of regret he feels when the King leaves. The Arthur that tickles secrets out of his manservant is gone, and the Arthur that will unite a nation remains.
"Get out my formal wear," he snaps.
Merlin bows his head in a rare show of obedience. "Yes sire."
V
They never give him time to mourn for his father.
And when they place the crown on his head Arthur acts as if he is happy.
Merlin thinks that he is the only one who can see that the smile he wears is for his people, not for himself.
Most of the subjects can't even tell the difference.