Puissance: Chapter Eleven
Title: Puissance: Chapter Eleven
Author: ArthurMerlin
Artist: blood_songs90
Pairings/characters: Arthur/Merlin (minor: OC/OC, Gwen/Lancelot)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 30,798
Warnings: None
Summary:The turbulent times of Prime Minister Arthur Pendragon, in which war looms, betrayal waits in the wings, and unexpected love blossoms.
Disclaimer: Neither ArthurMerlin nor blood_songs90 owns any aspect of Merlin. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Chapter Eleven
“We’re going to have to ask you to remain on the aircraft, your Majesty,” the flight lieutenant said, gesturing for King Johan to sit back down.
“Stay on the plane?” Merlin asked, coming up to stand with them.
“Number 10 has requested that we take off for Heathrow as soon as we have refuelled,” the pilot explained.
King Johan looked up at that; “for what reason?”
“We have reason to believe that an invasion of Bavaria is imminent, sir.”
King Johan shot out of his seat and made his way to the cabin door, “then all the more reason for me to stay with my people!”
“Sir, I really must ask you to…”
“Lieutenant, I will not leave my people to face invasion on their own. I am their King - their anointed Sovereign - and I will not abandon them, is that clear? You’re welcome to take off for Heathrow, by all means do so, but I shall not be on the plane when you do.”
“I’ll stay with you, your Majesty,” Merlin offered.
“Mr. Emrys, your offer is noted, but I’m sure you are much needed by the Prime Minister,” and with that he opened the cabin door and descended the steps that had been prepared for him.
Merlin hung back, and took out his blackberry. He dialled Arthur and waited for him to answer the phone.
“Merlin? Are you alright? What’s happening?” Arthur asked.
“Which question would you like me to ask first?” Merlin joked, trying to lighten the mood and get Arthur to calm down.
“All of them… any of them!”
“Alright then… yes… yes… I’ve decided to stay here with the King.”
“You’ve what?!” Arthur bellowed, “You’ll do no such thing! I want you both on that plane and back in London by 3 this afternoon.”
“King Johan’s already decided to stay, he won’t leave while Bavaria is threatened. I should stay with him; it doesn’t feel right running back to Britain, I should support him.”
“But what about supporting me?! Please come back, Merlin, I need you. Please, come home,” Arthur asked, his voice dropping.
“Arthur, please, you’re making this really difficult for me,” Merlin said, matching Arthur’s near whisper.
“Merlin, I need you. I love you.”
Merlin’s heart nearly stopped, and it felt natural - inevitable even - to say, “I love you, too.”
“Then prove it, Merlin. Come home,” Arthur begged.
Merlin paused and thought about it. He wanted to go home to Arthur, of course he did. After confessing what they just had, he wanted to be with him; hold him if he would let him, tell him just how much he had come to love him. But how could he leave the King? How could he up and leave just because the going was getting tough.
“Merlin?” Arthur asked, worried at Merlin’s silence.
“Alright,” Merlin gave in, “I’ll come back.”
First and foremost, he was Arthur’s private secretary. King Johan had royal equerries, and a household staff. Maybe Merlin was of more use back in London, with Arthur.
“Thank you, thank you!” Arthur said, with a laugh of relief, “thank you, Merlin. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d have stayed there.”
“What about Johan?”
It was Arthur’s turn to be quiet as he thought; “we’ll send the Guards division to Bavaria to bolster their defences. We’re looking at sending troops to Austria to try to halt the Russian invasion there; diverting the Guards there shouldn’t be a problem. They’re the Sovereign’s own personal guardsmen anyway, I’m sure King Edward would want them protecting Johan.”
“I’ll let them know. Arthur?”
“Yes, Merlin?”
“Thank you, for caring for me.”
“Just come home,” Arthur said, trying to save face, “soon. I’ll speak to you soon.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone, and Merlin took his seat once again on the plane, watching out of the window as King Johan was whisked away to his main residence in Munich.
...
Chapter Twelve