Puissance: Chapter Sixteen
Title: Puissance: Chapter Sixteen
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 Sixteen
The news came through the following day that the submarine which had attacked them had been found and sunk, and was indeed from the Russian navy. The news had caused a media frenzy, especially as President Bennett made good on his promise and declared war against Mordred.
It was reported in Britain’s newspapers that Mordred’s reaction to the declaration was: “they have declared war against me, not against Russia but against me; they dignify me by making me a nation.”
Arthur walked into his office in Number 10 looking considerably more relaxed than he had of late. The entrance of the American’s into the war meant thousands of fresh troops would soon be arriving in Britain and France. In response, Russian forces had slowed their advance into Austria and Prussia, and instead were attempting to consolidate their hold on the lands they had already conquered; banking on the allies not being willing to push into occupied land.
Merlin walked into the office with a considerably more glum look on his face. Arthur walked over to him and rubbed his arm gently; “what’s wrong?”
It never ceased to amaze Merlin just how affectionate Arthur could be, especially as he was still legally married to Gwen. He offered Arthur a weak smile, and then moved them over to the desk.
When they were sat down, and Arthur was looking suitably worried, Merlin spoke; “we know how the Russians tracked us in the ocean.”
“Go on.”
“They were tipped off. There was a leak.”
Arthur processed that piece of information. It was impossible! Security had been so tight; only the Cabinet and Admiral Young were aware of the meeting. How could there have possibly been a leak?!
“And we know who the culprit is,” Merlin said, and looked down at his hands in his lap.
For a split-second the terrible thought that Merlin as responsible flashed through Arthur’s mind, before being dismissed as madness given that Merlin was on board when the attack occurred.
“It was Agravaine.”
Merlin was shocked by how quiet Arthur was after hearing that news; he merely nodded his head slowly and tapped his fingers on the desk. Merlin stood still, unwilling to say anything else until Arthur showed some sort of reaction.
That reaction came after a few moments, when Merlin spotted a tear escaping Arthur’s eye and rolling down his cheek. That was all it took for Merlin to fall to his knees by Arthur’s side and bundle the PM into his arms.
“Why do they keep betraying me, Merlin? First Gwen, now Agravaine!”
Merlin shushed him and carded his hands through the blonde’s hair.
“How long before you betray me?”
“Never, Arthur! I’ll never betray you!” Merlin swore fiercely, pulling Arthur even closer. He hated how Arthur’s trust had been ravaged, and that he felt he had to keep it to himself. Gwen’s departure had hurt Arthur more than he had admitted; somewhere deep inside Merlin had known that and had been waiting for this moment. He just didn’t realise that it would involve the revelation of a second, and far more significant betrayal; for Agravaine’s meant lives were at stake, if he was truly working as a double-agent for Mordred.
Arthur continued to weep even as he had allowed himself to fall forward out of his chair and was now kneeling on the floor with Merlin. The younger man kept his arms around Arthur, gently rubbing circles into the other man’s body.
Arthur pulled back slightly and looked into Merlin’s eyes with his own watery ones. Merlin’s mouth opened slightly in wonder at the ethereal blue he saw in those eyes; made only more spectacular with the refractions caused by the tears welling up there. Arthur took his open mouth as an invitation and gently, sweetly pressed his lips to Merlin’s.
Merlin groaned and opened his mouth yet further, allowing Arthur better access. The older man held Merlin’s face on either side and tilted his head slightly to push his tongue inside even further. Merlin had never felt as electrically alive as he did at that moment; completely connected to Arthur in a way that transcended words. In his life he had been kissed many times, but never had he felt quite like this. If heaven is like this, Merlin thought, then he would do everything to make sure he ended up there. In this moment, he couldn’t distinguish where he finished and Arthur began; they melted into each other as he allowed Arthur to push him to the floor.
When the need for air became desperate, Arthur pulled his head back and smiled warmly at the man beneath him. He cupped Merlin’s face, and said with his voice raspy with emotion: “I love you.”
The two men stared into each other’s eyes after that admission, and something extraordinary happened; time itself seemed to stop. The world fell away, and all that existed was the two of them. Their two souls soared above the clouds of this world and tasted the vast unchanging bliss of eternity. Priorities slotted into their proper places; this world is passing, but love is everlasting, and that love would sustain them through any of the transient trials of life; even war.
“Marry me,” Merlin whispered, when he regained the use of his voice.
“Yes,” Arthur replied, leaning back down to kiss his lover’s swollen lips.
...
Chapter Seventeen