[Fic] Come Here To Me - Part I (Arthur/Merlin; NC-17)

[merlinmusesmod]

Author/Artist: myashke
Title: Come Here To Me
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Merlin/Arthur, Gaius, Gwen
Rating: NC-17
Summary: When Merlin accidentally brings home a magical creature, his relationship with Arthur is forever changed.
Warnings (if any): none
Total word count: ~20,000
Original prompt number: 133 - Submitted by lippykid
Disclaimer: This story/artwork is based on characters and situations created and owned by the BBC and Shine TV. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Beta(s): This story could not have been written without the beta and cheerleading support of prplhez8, gwylliondream, sabriel75, winterstorrm and ella_bane! Goddesses, all.

Come Here To Me - Part I

**

It'd been another weary day out on hunt with Arthur, one of those early Fall days that wasn't quite hot anymore, but wasn't chilly yet, either, so everyone soaked through their shirts in the first candlemark, anyway.

Thank the Gods his tower room was nice and cool. Merlin grimaced as he stripped off his tunic, dropping it in the overlarge basket meant for the laundress. It was full and he'd have to run it down on his way to the kitchen in the morning, but not tonight.

Tonight his feet throbbed, his shoulders burned and his eyelids drooped. He leant back against the blessedly chilly stone wall and he yanked off his boots, inhaling sharply at the stinging pain of blood rushing back to his toes.

He reached into the pockets of his breeches and emptied the day's treasures onto the upturned crate beside his bed. He hadn't found much that day. All afternoon, his hands had been full of gear that Arthur never ended up using, of course, and Arthur didn't allow him an abundance of time to explore.

When they'd stopped to water the horses, Merlin had jerked his boots off and waded in up to his ankles, his toes curling into the streambed as the water soothed them. He'd found a few sparkly rocks there. They'd glinted up at him from the shallow, clear water, the sunlight filtering down through the canopy of trees just in the right spot for the stones to glitter and catch his eye. He'd also found a four-leaf clover as he'd set out their lunch in a clearing and a strange bud he meant to ask Gaius about, which he plucked from a tree whilst still ahorse.

Pockets empty of the day's loot, Merlin peeled off his still-soggy socks and unlaced his breeches with forefinger and thumb, touching the damp cloth as little as possible. Everything was drenched with sweat, clammy against his skin now. He stripped off his breeches and smalls, stepping out of them with a sigh of relief. He'd never been so glad to be naked in all his life. His skin was actually still a bit wet with sweat, and it felt disgusting. For once he longed for a soak in a tub like Arthur's.

Leaving his clothing in a heap by the door, he went to the pitcher and bowl that served as a washstand for him and splashed water over his face and under his arms, patting dry on a scrap of cloth. He lay down on his cot, hands pushing against the stone wall behind his head. Stretching every muscle at once, he groaned with the delicious pull and sag that followed it, heels shifting to feel the softness of the pelt Arthur had given him the winter before. He didn't curl onto his side as usual, but laid there a while, the cool breeze from the window trailing over his bare skin.

**

Merlin rolled onto his side, absently pulling the thin blanket over his body, moaning softly as fur brushed his naked skin. The bear-pelt was too hot for autumn, but it felt wonderful against his thighs and bottom. He was just dreaming of Arthur, actually, and it'd been one of his favourite dreams again tonight, the one with the cleansing ritual.

Merlin rolled onto his belly, pressed his face to the pillow and moaned as he rocked his hips, dragging his cock along the soft fur.

Behind his eyelids, Merlin stripped Arthur very slowly, solemnly, folding each piece of clothing and laying them to the side, one by one. Arthur stood before him, absolutely still, for once saying nothing as Merlin took his time. He caught Merlin's eye and held his gaze, almost as if searching for companionship for the task ahead, but knowing he was forbidden from asking for it, or even accepting it if Merlin offered.

The ritual was meant to be a purposeful isolation, but Merlin felt Arthur's need for reassurance, for encouragement. Merlin had done what he could within the ritual's parameters.

His touch lingered on Arthur's smooth skin as he bared each tempting inch, stopping altogether when he reached Arthur's hips. He held on, fingers spread over Arthur's sides, thumbs brushing daringly over his hipbones in a way he hoped was comforting, reassuring. He looked Arthur in the eye, letting him know every touch was intentional.

Arthur needed that from him.

When this had happened in life and not his dream, Merlin had lost his nerve and stripped Arthur with his eyes respectfully, cowardly averted. The dressing and cleansing was meant to be sacred, he'd reasoned with himself. So instead of giving in to temptation and ruining the entire ritual (not to mention their friendship), Merlin had stepped around Arthur, reached both arms around his body and stripped off his breeches from behind. He'd held up the full white cloak as Arthur performed the ablutions and dried himself afterward, allowing him a modicum of privacy.

Then he'd quickly dressed Arthur in the thin white linen and draped the cloak on his shoulders. The single consolation Merlin had offered either of them was a slow, firm touch along Arthur's back as he'd stepped away into the hall.

Now, though, safe in his half-wakeful dream, Merlin found his courage and kissed Arthur's shoulder as he'd wanted to during the real ritual.

Arthur didn't make a sound - he couldn't or they'd have to begin again - but he tipped his forehead down for just a moment, resting it on Merlin's chest and exhaling shakily. Smiling against his bare, sun-warm skin, Merlin slipped his fingers into Arthur's breeches and drew them down over his thighs. He wore no smalls and his cock fell out, full and heavy in Merlin's hand.

As nice as the dream was, Merlin knew it was probably nothing in comparison to the real thing. Feeling Arthur's cock in his palm would be... unbearably seductive.

Merlin opened his eyes, bit his lip and rubbed against the fur beneath him, forehead pressed to the pillow as he lifted his arse and looked down his body. He took himself in hand, stroking slowly, spreading his legs in a blatant invitation. He could almost feel Arthur's broad, bare chest against his back. Merlin's arse clenched as he imagined Arthur's kneeling between his legs, lying slick and hot and thick between the rounds of his arse, sliding up and back there and then finding his hole and pushing, pressing him open. The stretch- the burn- Gods.

'Arthur,' he gasped, the name warm honey on his tongue. 'Fuck... fuck me. Please,' he whispered, moaning into his pillow, knees sliding a bit further apart as he rocked his hips encouragingly. He pushed his forehead into the pillow, sucked two fingers wetly and reached back, seeking out that delicious burn just inside his body.

He squeezed his eyes closed again and imagined Arthur's face, jaw set in determination but desire plain in his heated gaze.

Arthur licked his parted lips as he stared down at Merlin's open, offered body. Strong hands closed on the round rise of Merlin's arse, thumbs pressing into the small of his back, fingers curling down over his sides, holding him steady. As Arthur's cock slipped inside, one hand let go to rub down Merlin's spine, the light touch trailing around his hungry opening, tracing the place where their bodies joined together.

Inching deeper, as deep as he could reach, Merlin canted his hips and crooked his fingertips and stripped his fist over his cock, calling Arthur's name into the hot, close space beneath his body. He squeezed his eyes so tight he saw stars and twisted his fingers, groaning into the pillow as he came, pulsing again and again into the bedclothes. He panted, rocking his hips to savour the final thrumming beats of his orgasm, whispering Arthur's name. He let his lips drag against his pillow, the imagined touch of Arthur's kiss languid and lazy. He wanted to believe the illusion, held fast to it as long as he could.

'Hello?' a small voice asked tentatively. 'Is there someone there?'

Merlin jumped and slid his fingers away with a hiss, clutching the blankets around his waist, face flushing hotly. He raised his head and glanced around quickly, letting out his panicked breath in relief as he saw no one in the room with him. Gods bless!

'Are you still there?' The shy voice was inside his head and, he realized with a shock, speaking the Draconian tongue, not the King's English.

Merlin knelt up on the bed and took a deep breath, the last wisps of pleasure deserting him entirely, though his head still swam with post-orgasmic dizzyness.

That wasn't Kilgharrah - the voice was much too young and high, but it was calling out to him for help.

It could be a wyvern, he reasoned, though the ones he'd run into at the Castle of the Fisher King hadn't spoken back to him. What if it really was another dragon? Kilgharrah was the last dragon in Camelot, he knew, but he'd often wondered if there could be others out there beyond the city, where there weren't people, perhaps. The idea that he might another dragon had found him was thrilling.

'Who are you?' he thought quickly with a push of magic, trying not to sound over-eager.

'Arthur?' the voice questioned. 'I think?' There was a small grunt as if the owner of the voice was struggling and then, 'Could you help, my Lord, please? I really am stuck.'

'Arthur?' he asked through the mindlink, brow furrowing in confusion. Hearing a more frantic, distressed cry, Merlin quickly added, 'Of course I'll help you. I'm in the citadel at Camelot. Where are you?'

Merlin got to his feet and stumbled to the wardrobe, pulling out a clean set of clothes as he waited for an answer.

'I'm just over here,' the small voice called, aloud this time and clearly in his room.

Merlin whirled, holding his tunic and breeches over his bare crotch, mortified as he thought of what the dragon must've overheard.

'Um... over where? I can't see you.' Merlin said, peering around the room, wondering how a dragon could have found him here in the castle. He fumbled into his smalls and breeches, jerking the laces too hastily over his still-sensitive cock. He began peering behind boxes and into corners, looking for the owner of the voice.

'Behind you, my Lord!'

Merlin turned and looked over his shoulder. He stared blankly around the room for a moment, and then he saw it.

The largest of the stones he'd found during yesterday's hunt was broken, a huge crack splitting it directly down the centre. Pieces of rock crumbled to the makeshift table beside his bed and salted the floor as the stone wobbled and rolled precariously close to the edge.

Merlin darted across the room, leaping over his bed to catch the stone before it fell. 'Are you-' he began, gasping as he felt the stone wriggle in his cupped hands. 'Are you in there? Are you alright?'

'I'm stuck and not a little embarrassed, but otherwise fine, my Lord. Your hands are very warm,' it said, and the rock - the egg - moved again. 'Could you please pry that large piece off? I think I could manage the rest, then.'

Merlin nodded dumbly, eyes wide and magic pulled cautiously to the tip of his tongue as he picked at the crystals, tugging when he found a loose bit. There was a soft crack and the piece gave way, revealing a slick wad of dark, reptilian skin and one large, blinking emerald eye.

Before Merlin could so much as flinch, the rest of the egg split to pieces in his hand and the thing rolled and opened up, tiny claws digging into his palm. As soon as it was free of the stone shell, the baby dragon unfurled its wings and shook like a hound. Merlin blocked the resulting shower with his free hand, laughing.

The verdant eyes peered up at him, as wide and full of wonder as he guessed his own must be. They flared a bright amber, then faded back to the emerald green that took his breath away.

The dragon's mottled skin was the deepest blue Merlin had ever seen - like a clear nighttime sky over Ealdor, only darker still. Swirls of a lighter blue-green shone on its head and shoulders. There were hints of ridges along his spine and thin tail, which it flicked against Merlin's wrist as it spread and stretched the most delicate-looking wings Merlin had ever seen.

'Hello, my Lord,' the dragon said, bowing its head low.

**

'You know, surely, that you cannot keep it,' Gaius quietly admonished, a smile threatening at the corner of his mouth. He was obviously trying very hard to hide his fascination in the little dragon. 'I've never seen one so tiny, though even if it's a miniature of the species as I suspect, it'll still eat its weight in meat every day. It'll grow rapidly and we'd be hard-pressed to find food enough for it and us both before long.'

'It's a boy,' Merlin said, running a finger down the dozing dragon's back. 'I know he can't stay forever - King Uther would have his hide for a throw rug.'

Gaius shifted a stack of books over with the toe of his slipper and bent to retrieve the tome he'd been looking for, bringing it to Merlin at the table. 'You say you found him by happenstance? He didn't speak to you or summon you?' Gaius asked, flipping through the pages of the book.

'Not a word as far as I remember,' Merlin said, shaking his head. 'I can't even remember exactly where I picked up the egg. It looked like some of the other stones I found - plain grey with crystals on one bit of it. But you know what I am, Gaius. Maybe I was just... drawn to him?'

'What does he call himself?' Gaius peered at the dragon as it pulled first one wing and then the other down to clean it with his forelegs and long tongue. Gaius raised an eyebrow impatiently as Merlin hesitated.

'He thought his name was Arthur,' Merlin admitted, grinning shyly as he tried not to blush. 'I apparently... uh... talked a bit in my sleep and he heard me say Arthur's name, as far as I can figure.'

'Well, that won't do, obviously,' Gaius scoffed and steepled his fingers together into lecture position. 'Best not to name him at all. You'll have to take it outside of Camelot immediately. Whether you remain in contact or no, he'll have to learn to survive on his own. I'll make your excuses for you if you wish. I'll tell Arthur your mother's come down with a malady and you're taking her medicine.'

'Oh, I think we could put it off until this afternoon,' Merlin said, looking down as the dragon finished cleaning itself and yawned widely. When he looked up, Gaius was shaking his head. 'Gaius, you know that Arthur wouldn't be pleased if I disappeared so suddenly. But then again, when is he ever pleased of a morning?'

Merlin laughed softly as the dragon reared back and pounced on his finger. The little fellow rolled as if tackling a great foe, gnawing on Merlin's fingernail. Merlin wriggled the captured digit around, tickling the dragon's soft underbelly as it squirmed.

'I might be pleased of a morning if you could trouble yourself to be on time with my breakfast,' Arthur said, walking through the door to the workroom without so much as a by-your-leave. 'Why would you be disappearing suddenly, Merlin?'

Merlin scooped the dragon up and tucked it into his pocket before Arthur could see it, whispering assurances in his mind. 'It's only my friend, little one. Be very still, alright? He mustn't know you're here.'

The dragon rubbed against Merlin's hand then stilled, sending a feeling of wary curiosity sweeping over Merlin.

He took a deep breath and smiled at Arthur. 'I'm not late, am I?' Merlin asked, looking toward the window where the morning fog hung heavily over the city. It was impossible to be certain, but he'd discovered the dragon around dawn and was sure it hadn't been long before he'd been waking Gaius.

'Since I'm standing here already dressed and fed, it seems the question needs no answer. What were you two talking about?' Arthur asked, picking up an odd instrument Gaius used to gauge the approximate birthing date of expectant mothers. Merlin stifled a chuckle as Arthur held it up to his arm, measuring the girth of his bicep.

'We were discussing Merlin's mother, Sire,' Gaius answered before Merlin could speak. 'We've gotten word that she's fallen ill and requires a special medicine immediately.'

'Send it by our fastest courier, then,' Arthur said, dropping the tool on the table and looking genuinely concerned. 'He'll be faster than Merlin by half. Have you already prepared it?'

Gaius mumbled something about needing to collect it, then ducked into his storeroom, turning to glare a firm warning in Merlin's direction as he went.

Merlin nodded quickly and took a deep breath, smiling brightly at Arthur. 'Thank you so much. My mother doesn't have the money for medicine and well-' he trailed off, biting his tongue to keep from saying too much. He was babbling and Arthur was staring at him with a look of tolerant amusement as usual.

'Don't you want to know why I've come?' Arthur asked, the tacked-on 'idiot' so obvious it was a wonder he didn't just go ahead and say it. As Merlin hesitated, Arthur cocked his head to the side and looked Merlin over. 'Why aren't you dressed?'

'Um, I...' Merlin flushed and pushed up from the bench, pointing at the door to his room, suddenly acutely aware of his bare torso and the warm little lump of magical creature hidden in his pocket. 'Gaius was tending an old wound of mine. I'll just fetch my tunic and boots and then you can tell me why you're here.'

'What old wound?' Arthur called after him, but Merlin didn't answer.

He turned and ran into his room, shutting the door with more force than he'd intended. The dragon in his pocket started, claws digging right through Merlin's breeches and into his leg. He yelped in pain before he could clap a hand over his mouth, then reached into his pocket and gently pried the dragon from his leg.

'It was just the door. You're safe, I promise,' Merlin whispered soothingly, stroking his fingertip over the dragon's spine and smiling as it rubbed its head into his palm.

'That was Arthur?' it asked, looking up at Merlin and stretching its wings to full span - about the length of Merlin's forearm.

'It was. Arthur is the Prince of this land and my friend. I'm sorry, but he wants me to attend him, so I have to go. You'll have to stay here,' he told it, making his voice firm and strong. 'He mustn't see you. No one but Gaius and myself should see you. You'll be in danger if they do. Do you understand?'

'Of course,' the dragon said, lifting his chin in childish pride, then slowly lowering its eyes. 'Will you be gone long?'

'Chin up, little one,' Merlin said, smiling encouragingly. 'I'll be back before you know it. And you have work to do. We still haven't found a name for you! I can't go on calling you 'little one,' now can I? And we're certainly not calling you Arthur. One Arthur in Camelot is plenty!' Merlin laughed lightly to show he was joking.

The little dragon hunched its shoulders as he laughed softly, the sound like chimes in the wind. 'I want you to choose my name,' he said, taking Merlin's thumb in his front claws and rubbing his cheek against it. 'I wish you didn't have to go away now.'

'Merlin! How long does it take to put on a tunic?' Arthur called from the outer chamber, and Merlin sighed, lifting the dragon to look straight into its beautiful amber eyes.

'Tending Arthur is my job. He is very important and he needs my help. I'll come back as soon as I can, and I'll bring more food, I promise.' Merlin gently urged the youngling from his hand onto the bed, pushing the blankets up in a circle around him. The dragon turned around and around like a pup, then settled into the nest of bedding, his eyelids already falling closed.

Merlin drew the lightest blanket up over it and opened the door, stopping short as he saw Arthur, fist in the air as if about to knock on Merlin's forehead.

'I thought you were getting dressed!' Arthur said, looking at Merlin's bare chest with raised eyebrows. 'What's wrong with you this morning?' Arthur asked, sighing loudly as Merlin shut the door in his face.

'Um, sorry!' he shouted, wincing as the dragon stirred beneath the covers. He tiptoed over and got a tunic from the wardrobe, pulling it on over his head then yanking on his socks and boots. He grabbed his scarf on the way to the door. When he opened it again, Arthur was waiting impatiently on the other side.

'Ready!' Merlin said cheerfully, shutting his door firmly behind himself, jumping down the steps past Arthur and glancing back. 'Are you coming or not?' he teased, nervousness melting away as Arthur grinned and tried to cuff him upside the head.

**

Arthur stood at his chamber window, watching the sun descend slowly below Camelot's rooftops, spreading gold and then cool blue over the courtyard below. Despite being excited over the prospect of visiting nobles, the day had been tedious and he was more than ready for it to be over. The nobles had brought none of the knights he knew with them and he'd been trapped in the driest, dullest council imaginable for most of the morning.

Merlin was polishing armour at the table, humming softly. Arthur leaned against the wall and turned his gaze on his servant. As quickly as Merlin was rushing through the job, he'd likely never notice that Arthur was staring. No, not staring. Observing.

Because Merlin was his manservant, not someone to stare at.

There was nothing particularly striking about Merlin's looks anyway - well, apart from his over-large ears. Still, he had... well, not an obvious appeal, certainly. But there was something about him that drew Arthur to him - something that Arthur couldn't pinpoint. His dark hair and pale skin might have been striking if he'd played either to their best effect, but Arthur guessed Merlin wasn't even aware of the qualities, let alone interested in showing them off.

There were days when every chore seemed like an impossible task for Merlin, and days like today when he breezed quickly through every order as though the majority of his mind and attention were elsewhere and his job - his chores - required very little of his attention to complete.

Merlin had been with Arthur all day long, but Arthur had the distinct impression Merlin hadn't once actually looked at him.

It was unsettling to think that Merlin was so distracted that he didn't even see Arthur.

If he had, he surely would have noticed how sullen Arthur was, how out of sorts. Arthur prided himself on being very capable and self-sufficient, but on days like this one, he depended on Merlin to carry him with inane babbling interspersed with sound advice.

Arthur forced himself to listen through the rubbish and picked out the useful advice or opinions. He took them to heart now. Years ago, he would have scoffed - did scoff, actually, many times - at Merlin's contempt for Camelot's sometimes-arcane laws. Now Arthur could see there was another more tolerant, peaceful path open to them, a path that Merlin would welcome on a personal level.

Shock though it had been, discovering Merlin's magic had served to explain and excuse all sorts of behaviour Arthur had never been able to reconcile with his lanky manservant. Merlin believed himself to be indestructible at times and before Arthur knew about his abilities, it had seemed pure folly. Refusing armour and weapons, always pushing to be just at Arthur's side when they rode into any dangerous situation - it all made little sense to him before.

More than once Arthur had gotten the distinct impression that Merlin's willingness to sacrifice his life for Arthur was based more on emotional attachment than any duty Merlin might feel towards Camelot. He wasn't even a citizen, technically, and there he was, time and again, ready to drink poison, ready to take a punishment, stepping in front of swordpoints and daggers and arrows - all to save Arthur.

And truly, even with the strength of magic at his fingertips, Merlin couldn't have known he would survive any of those threats. He nearly hadn't, several times.

Merlin reached for a gauntlet and knocked the scabbard to the flagstones with a clatter, wincing up at Arthur, who pushed off the wall and reached for the it before Merlin could rise from the table.

Arthur handed him the scabbard and gestured at the remaining armour spread out on the table. 'You may leave this until morning if you'd like. You seem as though you're not quite here anyway.'

Merlin shook his head and began polishing again. 'No, no. I'm here. Did you want to talk?'

Taking a seat across from Merlin, Arthur sighed. 'Are you thinking about your mother?'

Merlin gave him a surprised little smile and shook his head. 'I'm sure she'll be fine once she has Gaius' medicine. No, I was thinking of someone else, actually. A... friend who's leaving Camelot soon.'

The regret in Merlin's voice struck a chord in Arthur. Was he speaking of a lover? Surely not. He'd guessed that Merlin's inclinations were skewed toward men, but he hadn't noticed Merlin being overly friendly with any one man in particular. He would know if Merlin were seeing someone. Wouldn't he? And where would Merlin have found someone, anyway?

'An old friend from Ealdor?' Arthur ventured, casually examining the already-gleaming armour in front of him.

'No, he's from here. He's barely a friend, actually. We've not known one another long, but I was hoping... well, he seems very nice, and I think he could use my help.' Merlin shook his head, his smile not reaching his eyes. 'Never mind, I'm sure it will all work out for the best.'

Arthur's gut twisted at the hope in Merlin's voice. He wanted to ask more about this mystery man, but Merlin stood abruptly, setting down the armour and polishing rag.

'I think I'll take you up on that offer and finish this in the morning. See if I can't convince my friend to stay, or else at least see him out of the city.'

Arthur nodded once and kept his eyes on the table as Merlin left. It took everything in him not to go back to his window and watch anxiously for Merlin and his friend to ride out of the gates together.

**

'How is he?' Merlin asked as he walked into the workroom, glancing around. He didn't see the dragon anywhere. 'Where is he?'

'Sleeping,' Gaius answered, nodding at the closed door to Merlin's room. 'He's been eating and sleeping by turns all day. When he wasn't asking for you, that is.'

'He said my name?' Merlin grinned and started for his door, but Gaius caught him by the elbow.

'I'm afraid he's already forming a bond with you, Merlin. For all we know, it may already be too late to sever it. You must take him outside the city as soon as it's full-dark.' There was no hint of compassion in Gaius' tone.

'He's just a baby, Gaius. He'd be breakfast for a boar, as little as he is.' Merlin sighed and took hold of Gaius' arms, looking into his mentor's eyes. 'You know what I am. I have a duty to him. He asked for my help and you know I cannot refuse, just as he cannot refuse if I ask it of him one day.'

Gaius shook his head and then took a deep breath. 'He cannot be kept inside the citadel for long. It's too dangerous. Your duty may very well be to let him go, Merlin, not to keep him.'

'I know.' Merlin nodded, then went to his room to check on his little charge.

'Well, look at you!' he exclaimed, bouncing onto the bed and falling back on his pillow as the dragon crawled up his arm and tucked his head under Merlin's chin. 'Aww, good to see you, too, little one!'

'You were gone so long; I thought you'd never come back!' the dragon said, winding into a warm ball against his shoulder. 'Will you stay now?'

'Until tomorrow morning, yes, but...' Merlin sighed. How was he supposed to tell this sweet little creature that he couldn't stay? 'Let's find you a name, alright?'

Merlin set him down on the bed and hurried to the workroom, looking through the haphazard spill of books on the table.

'Gaius, where did you put the dragon manuscript?' Merlin asked, looking up and seeing Gaius' disapproving expression. 'What? I'm just going to help him find a name. He needs a name even if he's not staying, doesn't he?'

Gaius raised his eyebrows in warning and looked pointedly above Merlin's head. 'I believe he understands you.'

Merlin turned and saw the floating - flying - baby dragon hovering just behind him, his brow ridge furrowing in obvious distress.

'Can't I stay with you, Merlin?' he asked, his large eyes swimming with tears. 'I'll behave, I promise.'

Gaius sighed heavily and waved Merlin - and by extension, the dragon - over. When Merlin was seated, the dragon lit on his shoulder.

'You can understand us, and fly? Already?' Merlin reached up to stroke lightly at the dragon's thin wings, marveling that such filmy structures could support even the tiny dragon.

Gaius tapped the table to get his attention and Merlin sent a thread of reassurance via mindlink to the dragon. 'Dragons are born knowing how to fly, Merlin. They pick up things like speech in a matter of hours, usually whilst still in the egg. Your ignorance of those facts is proof enough that you aren't prepared to take on the task of raising a fingerling, Dragonlord or no.'

'If not me, then who? I'm the only one left - there is no one else! He clearly has no parent that we know of, and I'm not handing him over to Kilgharrah, so don't even suggest it. What isn't instinctive, I'll just have to learn as we go.'

'Don't you like dragons?' the little one asked Gaius, reverting to the Draconian language, but Gaius didn't understand and Merlin couldn't bring himself to translate.

'Listen, I will read everything I can find, talk to anyone I have to. I can do this, Gaius.'

'Who is Kilgharrah? And why is Sir Gaius so upset? Have I done something wrong?' the dragon whispered shakily in Merlin's mind.

'Shh, my friend,' Merlin soothed, reaching up to give the dragon a reassuring pat. 'He doesn't speak your tongue so he doesn't understand you. He isn't angry; he's just concerned about your safety. Speak our language as best you can and he will listen.'

Gaius sighed again, this time with the air of resignation that told Merlin Gaius was going to let him make his own mistakes once again.

'I'll be discreet,' Merlin promised. 'There's a cave out beyond the old practice field that will serve until he outgrows it. By then he'll be ready to be on his own.'

'Why can't I stay in the castle with you?' The dragon's voice was thin and shaky, every emotion just at the surface.

'There are men here who believe dragons are dangerous,' Merlin explained, scratching under the dragon's chin. He sighed and decided an image would serve better than words. He showed the dragon his memory of Kilgharrah raining fire down on Camelot.

'Yes, I saw that,' the dragon said softly, a tendril of thought telling Merlin that he had been listening to the thoughts of the people in the citadel all day while Merlin was gone.

'You are very rare in Camelot, little one. Very precious. I fear that many mistakes were made in the past, but I have hope that you will someday fly free in Camelot as you wish. In the meantime, we cannot risk anyone hurting you because they fear you.'

The little dragon furrowed his tiny brow ridge. 'Why would they fear me? I don't want to hurt anyone!'

Merlin had to suppress a smile as the dragon lifted his forearms in an innocent shrug.

'I know you wouldn't, but...' Merlin imagined himself being set-upon by a group of angry men with clubs. The dragon gasped, sharp claws digging into Merlin's wrist as he tensed, ready to battle the imagined threat with his life. 'See? There could come a time when hurting someone would make sense to you.'

'I see,' the fingerling said, nodding its solemn understanding and shifting its wings as if shrugging off the rage and fear it had just experienced.

'I am a Dragonlord - that means that you and I are bound by powerful, ancient magic. We can speak to one another with our minds, we share the Dragon language. We will always be connected, no matter how far apart we are. No one can take that from us, but we must be careful not to let anyone see you, alright?'

'Alright. You'll be nearby, though? And visit me every day?'

The little dragon was putting up a brave front, but Merlin could feel his despair at the idea of being alone again. The length of time he'd spent alone in his egg must've seemed to stretch out for eons. Even if the dragon was viewing his loneliness with the eyes of a youngling, it must've been a very long time.

'You can stay here with me in the castle for a little while longer. We'll find you a safe place where I can visit you after that,' Merlin said brightly, lifting his arm and dropping it quickly so the little dragon had to flutter to keep its balance. He did it again and again, seeing how much the dragon liked it. His laughter was high and light, and Merlin let the joy pass along the mind-link between them.

'Will you name me, Merlin? I want you to name me.'

'How about Pen?' Merlin asked, laughing at his own cleverness. 'You're a dragon and the rulers of Camelot are called Pendragon.'

'Like Arthur, you mean?' the little dragon asked, his eyes going wide and the corners of his mouth lifting in a hesitant smile. When Merlin nodded, Pen nodded, too. 'I like that very much!'

**

Merlin woke at dawn again the next day to Pen's cold nose nudging beneath his jaw.

'Can we fly and fall before you have to go see Arthur?'

'Fly and fall?' Merlin asked, confused for a moment before Pen showed him a thought of their little game the night before. 'Oh, sure! We can play while I get dressed and have breakfast.'

Merlin raised his arm and Pen scrambled, half-flying, half-climbing to get to his hand. As Merlin tried to unseat him with quick, zigzagging motions, he watched Pen in awe. The dragon was already growing in both strength and speed.

'Here, try to catch this while I change,' Merlin told him, picking up the roundest of stones from his collection and rolling it across the room. It bounced off the far wall and rolled under the bed. Merlin expected Pen to land and chase after it, but instead he flattened his wings against his sides and shot like an arrow into the tight space beneath the bed.

Before Merlin could blink, Pen zoomed up and dropped the stone into his palm.

'Wow! You're really fast, you know that? Try again, but this time, try to catch it before it hits the ground, alright?' Merlin threw the stone as high into the tower rafters as he could, laughing as the dragon snatched it out of the air before it could even begin to fall again.

'This is fun! Can we play more when you're done playing with Arthur?' Pen asked, darting across the room as Merlin threw the stone again.

'I don't play with Arthur,' Merlin said with a laugh. 'I work for him.'

Merlin opened the mildlink between himself and Pen and thought of all of the chores that were lined up for the day; the washing, carrying and fetching and all of the boring audiences they'd have to stand through. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, remembering suddenly that he was meant to have brought the bathing tub to Arthur's chamber the night before. He'd have to hurry if he was going to get it set up and filled before Arthur woke.

He'd much rather spend the day playing fetch with his dragon than fetching books and food and clean clothing for Arthur. Still, there were times when serving Arthur was his greatest joy. He thought of Arthur in his finest moments � glorious on the battlefield and resplendent on the throne. Before he could stop himself, he imagined Arthur peacefully sleeping, smiling over his shoulder at Merlin, his strong arm wrapping around Merlin's shoulder.

Pen landed on his shoulder, nosing in beneath his ear, a light trill like a purr soothing Merlin's nerves. 'Go on, Merlin; I understand. You want to make him happy. I'll play with Gaius until you return.'

Merlin laughed softly, stroking the dragon's chin. 'Gaius has work to do, as well, Pen! Don't interrupt him, alright? And keep in mind that he can't understand your language. I'll be back midday to check on you.'

By the time he was dressed and ready to go, Gaius and Pen were sharing half a ham and a thick loaf of bread at the table. It looked like the dragon was getting the lion's share, so to speak.

**

'Forget the tub. I'll bathe tonight,' Arthur said by way of greeting, his tone sharper than he truly meant it. It was true he didn't particularly feel like bathing now. Besides, the idea of soaking away the day's aches in an evening bath - when the castle was settled and no one would interrupt them - greatly appealed to him. He couldn't bring himself to be annoyed when Merlin's mistake would likely lead to the best part of his day.

Merlin dropped the edge of the tub with a thunk and sighed heavily. 'You could have said before I dragged it from the storeroom.'

'What fun would that have been?' Arthur smirked until Merlin's lips quirked in an answering smile. 'I've only just changed my mind, Merlin. Leave it. Hand me my clothes.'

Arthur stepped behind the dressing screen and stripped off his nightclothes. Seeing that Merlin was in the perfect mood for teasing, Arthur had half a mind to strip right out in the open and gauge Merlin's reaction, but even after all these years, he still wasn't sure that Merlin wouldn't run from the room. The council of nobles was to convene in a candlemark, and Arthur needed Merlin there to keep him awake with cool cups of water and the occasional touch to his shoulder, not make him suffer through it alone.

Strictly speaking, Merlin wasn't meant to touch him at all in public, but Merlin had adopted the tactic for keeping Arthur alert one day after a particularly sleepless night and it had stuck. Several other servants used it now, too, discreetly tapping their masters on the arm or back under the pretence of asking if they needed food or drink. It worked a charm and Merlin's frequent touches lingered on his skin and distracted him enough to keep him alert, at least.

Arthur rubbed his bicep in anticipation and smiled, stepping halfway out from behind the screen, relishing the way Merlin's eyes raked over his bare body before lowering to the floor.

Merlin held his clothing out to him without looking at him a second time and Arthur took it, clasping Merlin's wrist for a brief moment. There. He'd got Merlin's eyes on him again.

'You'll have to keep me from snoring through this meeting, Merlin. We're in negotiations with two outlying lands. If we sway both of them into annexing into Camelot, we'll have a clear trade route to the western coast of Albion. It's down to tariffs and taxes and I couldn't be less interested.'

Merlin whistled low and shook his head. 'I don't know, it sounds riveting if you ask me, Sire,' Merlin said, his gaze unnaturally locked on Arthur's face.

Merlin only ever called him 'Sire' anymore when they weren't alone or when he thought he was in trouble. It was definitely proof that Merlin was nervous.

'Well I didn't ask, did I?' Arthur teased, releasing Merlin's wrist and tossing the clothing over the top of the screen, shaking out his smallclothes and stepping into them, grinning as he caught Merlin's eyes on him. 'Are you going to watch?'

Merlin turned away, busying himself with straightening the bedclothes, fluffing the pillows and pretending he hadn't heard and wasn't beet-red.

'Doesn't matter to me. You've seen it all before,' Arthur taunted, unrelenting. How could Merlin still be so shy with him? During the course of his duties, Merlin had seen - and touched - just about every inch of him.

Merlin made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat.

Arthur had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. Suddenly, he frowned, wondering just how much of this new friend Merlin had seen, and if the man was gone from Camelot now. 'Did you see your friend off last night?'

Merlin looked up sharply, confusion quickly hidden beneath a false smile. 'Oh, well, he decided to stay in Camelot for a while.'

'Really?' Arthur asked, feigning disinterest. He swallowed hard and gathered his control, not sure why he was feeling so possessive about his manservant. The last thing he wanted was for Merlin to catch on to his jealousy. 'Is he staying with you in the tower, then? I'm sure we could scrounge up a servant's bunk for him since you aren't using one.'

'That's very kind, but he...' Merlin dropped the pillow he was arranging and he bent to pick it up, banging his head on the headboard. 'Um, he's staying with Gaius and I for the time being.'

Arthur froze, stepping quickly behind the screen to hide the shock and anger he knew would otherwise be obvious. This man was living with Merlin, and they'd only just met?

Had Arthur completely misjudged the signals Merlin had given him now and again, the long looks and unnecessary touches? The absolute and unshakable devotion and willingness to forfeit everything to save Arthur's life? Merlin had shown that from the very beginning. Were they just the traits of an uncommonly-loyal manservant and nothing more?

He hadn't thought so, but...

'First Lancelot, then Gwaine. Now this... man. You're like a mother hen, adopting all of the stray chicks when their mums get taken to the kitchens,' he said, stepping from the screen and leaving his laces for Merlin to do up. 'Come here.'

Merlin obeyed, his long fingers straightening Arthur's tunic across his shoulders before tying the laces, the backs of his knuckles brushing Arthur's chest as he took his time making them even and tying them carefully. As he reached for Arthur's breeches, Arthur held his breath and closed his eyes.

Despite his earlier embarrassment, Merlin didn't shy away in this - he never did. He hitched the breeches around Arthur's waist, fingertips curling just inside to smooth along the waistband from back to front. For a brief moment, Merlin's arms were around him, the soft, worn fabric of his tunic brushing along Arthur's sides.

It felt wonderful, almost tingly, everywhere Merlin touched him. Arthur wondered if it was Merlin's magic seeping out through his fingertips or if it was just the thrill of being touched by Merlin. He very stoically willed down the arousal that thickened his cock, though he couldn't stave it off completely. He didn't have the will or desire to deny himself at least this small indulgence.

He hadn't been touched by anyone but Merlin in a very long time now. The knights were known for carousing in the lower town at times, but Arthur rarely accompanied them, in no small part because of Merlin's icy glare and distance the inevitable morning after. It was hardly worth that price when Arthur never really found much satisfaction in the taverns anyway.

His inclinations weren't unheard-of in Camelot. There were plenty of people in the court who had dalliances with the same sex, even a few who unabashedly made their preferences known, but the kinds of establishments the knights frequented didn't cater to Arthur's preferences.

He was twenty-one now, far past the age when he should be married and have started a family. He'd honestly tried when his father had brought Elena and the other young women to Camelot. He'd even thought perhaps there was something between he and Gwen, but the first time he saw her and Sir Lancelot look at one another, he'd known that he'd never feel the way Lancelot did about her. He'd released her and given them his blessing, surprised at the relief that washed over him when it was done.

The simple truth was that he preferred the strength and companionship of men. He wasn't ashamed, but he also didn't feel the need to make a spectacle of himself at court or amongst the knights. If he made a consort of a man someday, he could appoint an heir. But for now, there weren't any nobles who drew his eye.

He wasn't lonely - far from it. He had Merlin at his side through every day. So far, he'd only ever had to share Merlin's attention with Gwaine and Lancelot, and though he was still a bit perturbed by the ease of Merlin's friendships with them - not to mention Gwaine's freely-roaming hands, he knew neither of the knights wished to take Merlin away from him.

The thought brought Arthur up short. Merlin wasn't his. He was... well, in point of fact, he was very likely someone else's already. And Arthur wouldn't begrudge Merlin a bit of happiness if he thought he could find it elsewhere. If Merlin was too shy or frightened to act on his obvious feelings for Arthur, then there was nothing for it but to let Merlin do as he wished.

'You should bring him round sometime,' Arthur found himself saying as Merlin strapped on his scabbard. He wanted to bite his tongue and his stomach churned as he imagined watching Merlin look at someone else the way he usually looked at Arthur, but still he went on. 'Does he hunt?'

Merlin snorted out a little laugh, giving Arthur a wary look when he realized Arthur was serious. 'A bit, but he's... young. He doesn't have much experience. You um... wouldn't want him along on a hunt.'

'I take you, don't I?' Arthur grinned teasingly and went to pull on his boots. 'Well, he's welcome to come to the practice field with you and watch, as long as you don't shirk your duties while he's there.'

'Thank you. He's a bit shy, but I'll let him know you said he's welcome.'

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek, mentally flogging himself. Why on earth would he want to see this man? Merlin was supposed to be beneath his notice and therefore as unavailable to him as a Prince could be to a servant.

But somehow Arthur just didn't think of Merlin as impossibly out of his reach.

Later, after an unbearably long council session, Arthur found himself changing again, this time to head down to the knights' afternoon exercises and a bit of mindless physical activity. As Merlin passed his kit around the screen, Arthur reminded him of his invitation, encouraging Merlin to go get his friend and meet him at the field. Arthur would do his blindfolded trick and impress the hell out of the man stealing all of Merlin's attention away.

Merlin shook his head and politely refused.

Then down at the paddock, Merlin was unusually clumsy, which was to say, stunningly clumsy. There were more dings in his armour from Merlin's dropping it than from sword blows at the end of practice, and Arthur had a fresh slice on his palm from when Merlin fumbled his sword as he'd passed it to him.

'What's wrong with you?' Arthur asked as they made their way back up to the castle, bumping his shoulder into Merlin's.

Merlin shrugged, looking at the ground and biting his lip.

Arthur took a deep breath, clapping his uninjured hand on Merlin's shoulder and halting his steps. 'Is it your mother? Have you had news?'

Merlin glanced up and shook his head, then turned to begin walking again, but Arthur stopped him.

'Have you lost your voice? Because your silence is nearly as annoying as your usual prattling,' he teased, hoping to provoke something, some reaction.

'I'm just a bit preoccupied lately. Pen - my friend, the one that I told you about-' Merlin shook his head, avoiding Arthur's eye. 'Never mind.'

Arthur began walking again. He was curious, of course, but he wasn't sure he could stand to hear about Merlin's love life. Arthur smiled and knocked his shoulder into Merlin's. 'Thanks for sparing me. I have no desire to hear the sordid details.'

They walked the rest of the way in silence, and when they reached the courtyard, Arthur sent Merlin away for the remainder of the day.

The look of relief on Merlin's face was proof enough that Merlin was thinking only about one thing: Pen.

**

Stifling a yawn behind his fist, Merlin trudged down the tower stairs to the palace kitchen to fetch Arthur's breakfast. Pen had had him up at the crack of dawn again.

He balanced the breakfast tray on one arm, nibbling a sausage roll as he walked through the empty corridors of the castle, enjoying the quiet. He opened the door to Arthur's rooms and went about setting Arthur's table quietly, hoping he'd be able to sneak a precious few minutes to watch Arthur sleep.

Sure enough, the Prince lay sprawled across his bed, one knee bent and his arms around his pillow. There was just enough room for Merlin to slip in beside him, he thought, smiling at the idea. He crept closer, careful to keep his footsteps light.

Arthur's breathing was measured and deep, a lulling constant rhythm that soon had Merlin's eyelids feeling very heavy. He leant very carefully against the bedpost, wrapping his arm around it and resting his cheek against the cool, smooth wood.

He closed his eyes and listened to Arthur as he slept, sending his magic out to light the fireplace and fetch Arthur's clothes.

A small, soft moan interrupted the stillness and Merlin's eyes snapped open.

Arthur slept on, his arms tightening around his pillow and his hips shifting up and back against the soft, smooth sheets. He moaned again on the next breath.

Merlin's heart felt like it would pound through his chest, but he stayed where he was. He didn't cast again, just in case, but when another moment passed and Arthur didn't wake, Merlin drew in a deep breath and relaxed again.

Matching his breaths to Arthur's, Merlin let himself imagine what Arthur might be seeing behind his closed eyelids. Was Arthur dreaming that someone was in bed with him, caressing him, kissing him? Heat pooled in Merlin's chest and sank, spreading through his groin, his thighs, up into his throat.

In his dream, was Arthur making love with a Lady, or one of his Knights? Percival got his fair share of Arthur's admiration, but Merlin couldn't imagine that much brawn in one bed. They'd come away bruised and that- Oh, Gods. Merlin lowered his free hand, rubbing the heel of his palm over his thickening cock, knowing full well it would do no good.

What if it was Gwaine?

Merlin felt his face flush, the heat blazing across his skin as he imagined Gwaine lying there beside Arthur in a well-fucked sprawl, his hair fanned out over the pillow, Arthur tucked up against Gwaine's warm skin as they slept.

Swallowing hard, clutching the bedpost with both hands to keep from touching, Merlin shook his head, willing his mind to let go of the image. It did, but unhelpfully replaced Gwaine with himself. Suddenly he was lying there, Arthur's heavy arm pinning him down, possessive even in sleep.

And Merlin didn't only imagine it, he could also feel it as clearly as if it were really happening.

Arthur's breath was warm against Merlin's neck, his hair tickling Merlin's ear, his body pressed all along Merlin's so they touched from head to toe. It would feel wonderful, wouldn't it? All of that strength wrapped around him, holding him, protecting him.

Arthur's hips rocked against the bed again, but Merlin imagined them pushing against him instead, rocking over him, pressing up behind him. Merlin shifted, pressing the smooth wood of the post against his arousal. He stared at Arthur's closed eyes, his lips, so red and parted just a little bit as if about to kiss.

Arthur drew in a breath and stretched, wiping his eyes as he looked up and saw Merlin.

'Oh, Merlin...' he murmured, the plaintive tone of Merlin's name sounding as though Merlin was lying beside him in the luxurious bed, not standing at the foot of it. He yawned and smirked as if, without saying a word, Merlin was already being ridiculous. 'What are you staring at?'

'I wasn't-' Merlin stammered, realizing he still had hold of the bedpost and was gripping it so tightly his fingers were going a bit numb, his groin pushed tightly against the wood. He straightened, letting go and stepping back. 'I was just about to wake you.'

'You're too late,' Arthur said with a little smile, rolling onto his back and stretching again, this time kicking the bedclothes down and reaching up above his head to hold onto the headboard.

Merlin stared as he stretched, unable to look away.

The long lines along the muscles of Arthur's arms and legs seemed even more beautiful in the soft morning light that filtered in through the curtains. Arthur wore only the bottom half of his nightclothes, and Merlin couldn't help but notice the prominent bulge at the front of them.

Merlin drew the curtains of the nearest window, pushing open the pane, letting in the cool morning air. 'It's a bit stuffy in here, don't you think?' he asked, going to the fireplace and knocking one of the logs from the grate.

'Feels fine to me.' Arthur got out of bed and went to the table, leaning down to sniff at his breakfast. 'I'm starving. Oh, is your mum better? Have you heard?'

Merlin looked over his shoulder at Arthur with a smile, his chest full of emotion. That Arthur would not only remember but would be kind enough to ask after his mother meant that Arthur cared. He cared. All of the looks that passed between them, all of the things they'd been through - their connection, hidden away though it might be, was real.

'Yes, she's much improved, thank you,' he said, standing and watching as Arthur devoured his breakfast. 'It looks to be a fine day out. Is there any chance of escaping the council room this afternoon?'

Arthur looked up, a conspiratorial grin spreading on his lips. 'I'm sure if there was some sort of... urgent need for me down at the training field, my father would excuse me.'

Merlin put his hands on his hips and nodded seriously. 'If the knights truly needed your expertise, the King would surely understand.'

'Or if one of them was injured... not seriously, of course.'

Merlin nodded. 'They might need both of us, then - you for the knight and me to assist Gaius,' Merlin crouched back down to sweep up the ashes he'd scattered when he moved the log, grinning conspiratorially.

Just as he knelt down, something caught his eye.

Beneath the table, just by Arthur's bare feet, Merlin saw a flash of emerald and deep blue. He gasped, eyes going wide as he realized what - who - it was. He shook his head minutely, then opened his mind and called to Pen, telling him to be perfectly still and silent.

'You shouldn't be here, Pen! What if Arthur sees you! He mustn't see you, remember?' Merlin shouted through their mindlink, mentally hissing a command for Pen to stay out of sight.

'I won't let him see me, my Lord!' Pen's voice trilled in his mind, as careless as you please.

But Pen was only inches away from Arthur's toes. As Merlin watched in horror, Pen scurried from under the table, ran to the wardrobe and snatched a pair of balled-up socks from the shelf, rolling them about with his nose.

Merlin dropped the fire poker in its holder with a clatter, drawing Arthur's attention away from the direction Pen was heading. Clearly Pen wasn't in the mood to obey orders. Merlin would just have to distract Arthur long enough to save Pen.

'How is your breakfast? Everything alright?' Merlin asked, dusting his breeches as he stood and leaning casually against the mantle.

'Good. You should have brought some for yourself,' Arthur said around a mouthful.

Had Arthur just asked him to breakfast with him? Merlin clenched his jaw and schooled his features into a small smile and shook his head, shouting for Pen to get back under the table.

But you said I shouldn't be there!' Pen said, confused. 'Do you have any of these? They're really fun! Watch me!' he said, batting the ball of socks across the floor. He raced after them, chasing them clear across the room and under the bed.

Merlin dove for the four-poster, stripping off the sheets and gathering up the blankets as fast as he could, a sudden idea forming in his mind. He could still feel Arthur's warmth on the sheets as he pulled them into his arms and balled them up.

'You're awfully quiet this morning,' Arthur said, looking over his shoulder at Merlin. 'Just how long were you watching me sleep?'

Merlin choked, tried to laugh to cover it up, then choked again as he saw Pen's tail flipping excitedly out from under the bed skirt.

'I uh... I wasn't watching you! I was just waiting to wake you,' Merlin said a little breathlessly, pushing Pen's tail under the bed with his foot. He really, really needed to stop talking and figure out a way to save Pen.

If he could lure Arthur away, he could hide Pen and hopefully sneak him back to the tower.

'Sounds like the same thing to me. Well, next time, wake me. We'll get in some extra sword drills.'

Nodding and smiling, trying to keep up a steady stream of commands to Pen and praying he'd stay put under the bed, Merlin sent three quick bursts of magic to knock at the far chamber door. 'Could you get that?' Merlin asked casually, as if he had any right to ask the Prince of Camelot to answer his own chamber door. 'I'm sure it's for you,' he added, smiling and shrugging.

'I'm sure it is. Why don't you put all of that down and see who's there?' Arthur asked with false patience, pointing his knife at Merlin.

'Um...' Merlin looked around as if searching for a place to lay the pile of bedding, then dropped it on the floor by the bed and went to the door. He opened it, made a show of sticking his head out and closed it again. 'Nobody there.'

Arthur was eyeing the pile of sheets as though they weren't something he'd just spent a night happily snuggled up in. Merlin could feel Arthur's gaze following him as he went to the cupboard and got out fresh linens, making up the bed as quickly as he could, all the while ordering Pen to stay hidden.

He finished arranging and smoothing the blanket and sheets, then turned them down for Arthur and sent a warning along the mindlink to Pen.

'Right, well, I'm off to the laundry with these,' he said casually. 'Your clothes are all laid out,' Merlin said, bending to scoop the pile of bedding - and Pen along with it - up into his arms. He made sure there wasn't a nose or tail sticking out of the bundle as he stuffed it more gently than he usually did into a large basket with handles. "I'll just take this down and go speak with Gwaine about our plan of escape for this afternoon, alright?"

'Go on,' Arthur said, sounding annoyed that Merlin was leaving so soon. 'But I expect you to be on time for council, Merlin. If I have to suffer through it, then so do you!' Arthur called after him as he dashed out the door and headed for the tower, laundry bin held tightly to his chest.

**

PART II