FIC: Fealty (13/14) - Merlin/Arthur, PG-13
TITLE: Fealty - part thirteen
AUTHOR: Demon Faith
CATEGORY: Hurt/Comfort, Drama
PAIRING: Merlin/Arthur
SPOILERS: Up to 1x04
RATING: PG-13
WORDS: 2,069
SUMMARY: A faithful and good servant is a real godsend; but truly 't is a rare bird in the land - Martin Luther
DISCLAIMER: I own not the boys, nor the show. Thankfully, they’re doing just fine.
NOTES: I made the fatal mistake of telling openskies that I was being harassed by a plot bunny. She then made me write on pain of capslock. ;) But give her lots of praise, because she also made my stunning banner!
Previous parts here.
This is the last "real" part of Fealty - the epilogue will follow.
He left Merlin with Gwen and hurried to his father's rooms. He didn't care about the hour - it needed to be done now.
"Father?"
The king smiled as he entered and beckoned him to sit beside him, nudging the plate of sweetmeats towards him. "Eat - you'll need your strength for the hunt tomorrow."
Arthur shook his head and took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you about something important, father."
His smile faded slightly. "Merlin."
"How did you-"
"Gaius said the boy was…ill. I will replace him with another servant until he recovers."
Arthur held up a hand. "I don't want to replace him, father. I want to make him well."
The king's eyes narrowed. "If this involves another foolish quest-"
"It doesn't. But it may be…difficult to explain."
"I'm listening."
Arthur stood up and started to pace. "Merlin's magic is part of him. Without it, he will die."
The goblet hit the table, spilling the mead over the edge. "Magic brings only death! Whatever lies he-"
"You only have to see him to know it's the truth! I can't let him die, father."
The king turned his back on him. "And what do you expect me to do? Magic is banned - I cannot change the law for one man. I will not let this kingdom fall for your…friend."
Arthur closed his eyes. "I know. That's why I'm asking to leave."
He felt his shoulder gripped hard. "Camelot needs an heir."
"It's not forever," he said softly. "And I will return when you need me."
"He could go alone. There is no need for you to accompany him."
Arthur met his father's eyes, saw the fear lurking there and looked away. "I…can't. I-"
"Don't." He stepped away and returned to his mead. "Those words are not for me to hear. Let me keep my…ignorance."
Arthur bowed his head. He had no other weapon, nothing else to offer in explanation. "Father, please."
"Go."
He turned in shock, but his father had already looked away. "I…don't know what to say."
"Tell me…you understand."
Arthur's breath caught in his throat. "I do."
"Good." His father smiled and Arthur realised this was an embrace. But it wasn't enough and Arthur moved into his father's space, drawing him close without words. After a moment's tension, he relaxed and, for the first time in years, they shared this simple act of affection.
Finally, they parted and Arthur quickly looked away - his weakness always showed in his treacherous eyes. "We will be staying in Garthmadrun. It's only three days ride."
"The Mercia feast is next month."
"I will be there," he promised, knowing what his father was really saying: you are my heir, always.
"There will be celebration - to wish you well on your diplomatic mission."
"And we shall attend. Without Merlin's restraints."
Another moment of tension. "As you wish."
"Thank you." Arthur bowed slightly before leaving the king alone, his thoughts turning and twisting.
They were free.
~
Arthur had told him to wait, to hold on, but with every passing minute, he felt it all slipping away. The black and white and grey was winning - he couldn't remember Arthur's eyes.
"I have to go."
"Merlin, wait!"
Down and away and fast! If he kept moving, they couldn't catch him - Death couldn't catch him. He was a warlock, powerful and great and…not yet, not yet, shut up Destiny, SHUT UP!
He would tell Destiny, and he would win, and live, and see Arthur's eyes again. Please, just once - the blue. He couldn't remember blue.
They didn't see him - they could never see him - and he ran with the fire in his hand, blazing ahead in dancing white, stumbling and falling and kneeling at the feet of Destiny.
"Help me…please…help me."
"It is not I you seek, young warlock. The Pendragon is coming."
"I can't die! He needs me - I have to protect him! Don't let me die!"
"It is not in my power, Merlin. But do not despair!"
"I can't…I can't…I can't…"
"Merlin!"
Hands took hold of his arms and he fought them, trying to get away. He had to survive - Arthur would die without him! "Don't let me die, please…"
"I need to take these off. Merlin, keep still!"
Warmth flooded his right hand and the world stopped spinning.
"Better. Now the other."
He opened his eyes to colour and light. And there was the dragon, smiling down on him, as he rested in the arms of his prince.
"It's back," he murmured, and Arthur sighed, holding him tightly.
"What part of 'stay with Gwen' did you not understand?"
"It was fading. I was going to…lose it."
He sat up and composed himself, taking a deep breath before holding out his hands to Arthur. "Okay - I'm ready."
Arthur frowned. "Ready?"
"Put them back on."
He grinned then, wild and idiotic. "No - it's over! We're…we're leaving."
"Leaving? You can't just leave! You're the prince!"
"My father let me go," he said softly, taking Merlin's hands in his own and touching their heads together. "We are going to our village in Garthmadrun, where we will build a hut and heal and bake pies."
"Bake pies?" Merlin said, considerably bemused.
Arthur sat up then, indignant. "I could bake a pie!"
Merlin laughed. "I don't doubt it!"
They stood together and faced the dragon, who had been watching them with interest. "This is only a temporary respite, young ones. Soon you must return to the battle against the many that would prevent your Destiny."
"But not now?" Merlin said hopefully. The dragon smiled.
"Not now. Rest together a while and I will see you upon your return. Fare well."
Arthur led him out of the caves, a hand resting on his shoulder. "We're leaving tomorrow. My father wants to hold a banquet."
"A banquet? For us? No one's ever thrown a banquet for me."
His prince's laughter echoed in the tunnel. "No, I don't suppose they have."
Gwen met them at the door. "Where did you go? We were worried!"
"Can't keep themselves out of trouble for five minutes!" Morgana took Merlin by the shoulders and looked him over. "No scrapes? No bruises?"
"I'm not completely incompetent," Arthur huffed, dragging Merlin to a seat by the window. The sun was beginning to rise and warmed him, calling to the magic inside him, writing poetry on his skin and in his eyes and on his tongue.
"There you are! Where have you been, Merlin?"
He turned to Gaius, knowing the sun was alive in his eyes and not caring who saw. "With the dragon."
Arthur looked between them. "My father has…allowed us to leave Camelot. I will return a few times a year, but Merlin will be safe in Garthmadrun."
"And the bracelets are gone," he said, waving his bare wrists around. Gaius looked horrified and Gwen covered her mouth; Morgana looked away. Arthur took hold of his arms at the elbow and stared at his wrists - there were black marks seared into his skin, a woven chain of burned flesh. He had been branded.
"It doesn't hurt," he said quietly, but Gaius was already applying balm and Gwen had a roll of bandage in her hands. Arthur still hadn't let go of his arms.
"When do you leave?" Morgana said, hovering at Gwen's shoulder.
"Father wishes to hold a feast to see us off," Arthur said with a roll of his eyes.
"It's what any father would do, Arthur. Don't begrudge him a proper farewell."
"You'll be there, won't you, Gaius?" Merlin said, this information suddenly very important to him. It might be years before he saw Gaius again - and why hadn't that sunk in last time?
"Of course! And you won't escape that easily, young man - we will be coming to visit you!"
"Garthmadrun is only three days ride," Morgana said off-handedly and Gwen grinned.
He wasn't losing them. Any of them.
"I think Merlin needs some rest," Arthur said, his voice thick, and Merlin knew he was trying to orchestrate their escape before they both lost their dignity. He was shepherded back to his room and tucked into bed with more vigour than was strictly necessary.
"I'll attend you tonight," he muttered sleepily, and Arthur laughed as he kissed his forehead.
"No, Merlin, you'll accompany me tonight. You were a lousy manservant anyway."
"Your manservant," he said defiantly and Arthur kissed his lips.
"Yes, mine. Always. Get some rest."
Merlin fell asleep grinning.
~
"He's late."
Arthur looked around the hall one more time, scowling. Morgana smiled and passed him a fresh goblet. "He won't be long."
"He's late to his own feast, Morgana! There's idiocy and then there's just…"
He was dressed in blue, the dark jacket perfectly matching his eyes. The breeches were tight, fitted, and Arthur felt his mouth go dry.
"Quite a catch, isn't he?"
"Shut up, Morgana."
She laughed, as he crossed the hall and took hold of Merlin's arm. He grinned. "Hello."
"You're late," he said, but instead of the stern reprimand he was going for, a pathetically gentle tone escaped his lips.
"But worth it?" Merlin inquired innocently, spreading his arms and turning. Damn, those breeches were fitted.
"Yes," he said, with a long vacant pause. "Quickly - we have to find you someone to escort to dinner."
His father had spared no expense in this feast and Arthur regretted his still-diminished appetite. Merlin was supervising his plate, making sure he received the best cuts and largest helpings, and Morgana made sure his goblet remained full.
Still, he survived the clucking on both sides and then it was time for his father's speech. They stood solemnly and he felt Merlin's hand snag the hem of his jacket; he smiled at him and leaned close: "Don't worry."
"It is with great regret that I send my son as a diplomatic envoy to Garthmadrun, to be parted from the court for…many months. However, with the support of his…closest advisors, I know he will bring great honour to the land of Camelot. A toast to Arthur!"
Arthur nodded to his father and then looked away - he did not want to see the sorrow in his father's eyes. They had parted well the night before, and he could not bear it again.
He took the first dance with Morgana, and saw Merlin attempt to do something coordinated with Gwen across the room. He just couldn't keep his eyes off him - the blue was startling, an assault on the senses, and he needed to…touch.
As the music ended, he excused himself quickly, striding over to Merlin and dragging him out onto the balcony. "Do you do these things to drive me mad, Merlin?"
He had the nerve to grin. "So, you like it then? Gwen said it was a-"
Arthur kissed him, seizing the jacket to pull Merlin close to him, hands crushing the rich velvet without care. They were going away tomorrow, far from this castle and its trappings. Far from prying eyes.
He pulled away, breathless, enjoying the flush on Merlin's cheeks and his kiss-swollen lips. "You look positively wanton."
"I think I love you."
And then the words were out there, floating between them like a melody on the air, and Arthur knew they were his and Merlin's and theirs.
"I love you," he said, and Merlin's eyes shone with the sun, and everything was right.
~
Gwen had packed provisions and she placed them carefully in the saddlebags. Gaius watched her work, as Morgana straightened Arthur's jacket and told him to be responsible. Merlin smiled at the exchange before lifting Gwen off her feet and twirling her round as they both laughed.
His boys were leaving again, but this time with joy. It still caused his heart to ache.
"Gaius."
Arthur shook his hand warmly and then embraced him. "I'll take care of him," he said.
And then he hugged Merlin, and felt his heart break a little, but he would not cry. The boys needed him to be strong - they needed to stand alone.
"I will be back for Samhain and the Mercia feast."
"And we shall visit two weeks after."
It was not so very long. Time for the boys to find their feet and then he could see them, as young men. As partners.
He watched them mount the horses and, with an old man's foolishness, allowed himself a tear as they cantered into the dawn.