FIC: Fealty (14/14) - Merlin/Arthur, PG-13
TITLE: Fealty - part fourteen: epilogue
AUTHOR: Demon Faith
CATEGORY: Hurt/Comfort, Drama
PAIRING: Merlin/Arthur
SPOILERS: Up to 1x04
RATING: PG-13
WORDS: 757
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.
With special thanks to the other members of The Coven of Camelot, without whom this wouldn't have been possible.
Epilogue
He stared at the ceiling and grinned. Their ceiling.
Merlin was tucked into his side, half-sprawled over his chest and drooling. Arthur placed a kiss on his hair and returned his gaze to the roof. It had taken hours, even with the subtle bursts of magic, but he was proud of it. He had made something - no, they had made something, together.
And now he had to leave it.
"You know you have to go," Merlin mumbled sleepily and Arthur smiled.
"I could…forget."
Merlin laughed against his bare shoulder. "And have your father's guards in our village? I don't think so."
Our village. Arthur grinned again and kissed Merlin soundly. "Hmm…go to Camelot and play prince, or stay here with you?"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "It's only two weeks, Arthur. And then you'll be back to your stews and potages and hogging the oven at all hours."
"Merlin, my bread is the envy of the village."
"Only because all the young wives think they're in with a chance."
Arthur put his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Beatrice is pretty…"
Merlin hit him with the pillow. Arthur took vengeance by pinning him to the mattress and kissing him - this inevitably led to a conclusive victory and so was a sound campaign strategy.
There was a knock at the door.
"Don't answer it," Arthur growled, but Merlin was already up and pulling on his leggings.
"I'll be right back," he said and opened the door. "Thomas. What are you doing here?"
Arthur glared at the small boy from his position on the bed, but Thomas was used to him by now. "Merlin, the pig is sick."
"Merlin…" Arthur said warningly, but he was already putting on his cloak and fetching his medicine box.
"An hour at most. Promise."
Arthur waved him away as Merlin hurried off to his physician duties. At least that would keep them in vegetables another week - he really needed to work on the garden.
After, of course, he'd adopted the guise of a prince for two weeks and tried to remember that nobles did not talk about the wheat harvest and the fine art of cheese.
With a long-suffering sigh, Arthur pulled on his clothes and started to pack.
~
"What about milk?"
"Adam brought it yesterday."
"And the pie?"
"Emma brought it straight from the oven, with the flatbread. I'll be fine."
Arthur gave him a frustrated look and finished sweeping under the table. "We barely know these people."
"They like me. I mean, what's not to like?"
"Anything that leaves your mouth, really." Arthur's voice was light, but Merlin could see the concern in his eyes.
"Do you have the presents?"
Arthur carefully placed the three bundles in his saddlebag. "I do now."
"And you won't go by the stream?"
"Through the valley, due south. I have ridden to Camelot before, you know."
"Well, we both know you're lost without me," Merlin said jokingly, and rolled his eyes at Arthur's serious expression. "It's a few days!"
"Maybe I just…well…I might…miss you." The prince's cheeks burned red, and Merlin sighed.
"You'll have Morgana, and Gwen and Gaius. I'll have Mr Jones' pregnant heifer and Margery's bunions."
Arthur's face lit up. "More jam?"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "I'll save you some. Now, get a move on, or you won't reach the tree house before nightfall."
"Going, going!" Arthur gathered his saddlebags and stepped out into the square.
A couple of the children were admiring his horse and Arthur lifted Thomas and swung him up into the saddle, where he giggled and grabbed the reins. Persephone suffered the whole thing with quiet dignity and Merlin fed her an apple while Arthur finished removing children from the vicinity.
Once mounted, Arthur strapped his pack behind him and looked down at Merlin with big, blue eyes. "Be careful."
"Aren't I meant to say that to you?"
Arthur smiled. "Don't do anything…stupid."
"So, if an arrogant prince stumbles into danger-"
"Let the prat die," Arthur said, with an affectionate grin. Merlin quickly kissed his hand and offered a shy smile.
"I'll miss you too."
Arthur laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Keep out of trouble. If an upstart knight challenges you to a duel-"
"'Think it through', I know." Arthur grinned and forced Persephone to rear up, casting a striking figure in the morning light. "Don't wait up!"
He cantered out of the square in a flurry of dust. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Prat," he muttered and went inside.