Chapter - 3

The persistent pounding on his door finally shredded Arthur's nerves and he opened only to be met with an angry Gwaine and a somewhat desolate Lancelot.

Arthur went to shut the door back but Gwaine wedged his foot in and came into the royal chambers giving Arthur no time he swung his fist and struck a blow to Arthur's jaw.

Arthur's neck turned with the force of the impact and his fury at Merlin and the entire situation came back all at once as he regained his balance and went for Gwaine who stood in a fighting stance ready for Arthur.

However Lancelot got in the way and held Arthur tight and in an uncharacteristic way for him bellowed "STOP IT! The both of you, we're not here to have a tavern brawl!"

"Shut up Lance, I'm going to pound his face into the ground! How dare you accuse Merlin of working for Morgana? After everything that he's done for you! You arrogant bastard!" screamed Gwaine and Arthur fell silent not protesting against Lance's hold of him now.

"You knew?" Arthur's voice broke, "He told you but he didn't tell me?"

Lancelot intervened before Gwaine could turn the situation even worse, "No Arthur, he didn't tell us. I found out on my own and so did Gwaine."

Arthur turned away then needing to process this for awhile, it seemed everyone around him was more aware of Merlin than he was despite Merlin spending most of his time with Arthur and Arthur could not believe how he couldn't have caught Merlin at it.

"Arthur you must know that he's always been on your side, he's always used it to protect you and us on many occasions…."

And Arthur thought he had been protecting Merlin for so long, he was a warrior, a Prince, he shouldn't need the protection of a sorcerer but it seemed all the battles he'd won and all the pickles he'd come out of in the years since he'd known Merlin hadn't been on his own, even when the odds were stacked so high against them they'd come out alive and victorious and Arthur had thought foolishly that the victory had been his, not solely of course but that of his knights and his. He'd never even thought that the peasant serving boy had been anything but devout when he followed Arthur everywhere, even into peril without a thought for himself or his own neck.

Arthur had once thought that Merlin must be under some ridiculous adoration of Arthur to follow him into danger back when Arthur had not really discerned his own feelings for Merlin. How foolish he must seem to Merlin now? How much of his victory was owed to Merlin?

Things came to him in bits and pieces, all the times when he must have been surely dead, the immortal army, the Great Dragon, the knife that was meant for him all those years ago when Merlin had first saved him.

"I need time Lancelot, I'm…."

"Overwhelmed?" quipped Gwaine, he seemed to have calmed down now that he'd gotten his initial anger out of the way.

Arthur didn't say anything except to glare at Gwaine.

"Of course…you're not….I'm sorry I have to ask sire but Merlin is…"

"What he wants to ask is if you're going to execute Merlin now that you know because we'd be smuggling Merlin out somewhere you can never see him again…" Gwaine was all to gleeful about the idea of Merlin being far away from Arthur where he wouldn't have to take the Prince's shit all the time.

Arthur turned and clenched his fists, his eyes shining with determination he said, "Don't you dare and tell him I will find him wherever he runs to if he ever plans to leave Camelot!"

"So you will not…" it was Lancelot's quiet voice this time.

However Arthur had had enough, "I'll die myself than to kill him."

Arthur had his head slumped and he was leaning on the table top with one of his hands, his posture spoke of defeat and pain but when he looked up his eyes were sincere, "Merlin…I…I'd never hurt him, I couldn't bear it if he came to some harm."

Gwaine and Lancelot decided that for now Arthur's assurance will have to do, both of them knew however that things were going to be hard between the Prince and Merlin from now on, and they dreaded at the thought of what this revelation would do to Arthur and Merlin's relationship.

It had been two weeks since Arthur had talked to or even been in Merlin's presence. Merlin was still living with his head firmly on his shoulders so Merlin was thankful about that atleast, he was still in Camelot which was also equally confounding for Merlin was all set for beating a hasty retreat to Ealdor if things got dangerous for him or his child in Camelot, and Arthur's brat was still growing happily and healthily inside him, never mind that Merlin felt wretched and heartbroken so Merlin had taken to calling it Arthur's brat again because how can it be so happy when he felt downright miserable? Only Arthur would disrespect Merlin's emotions so thoroughly by being ecstatic when Merlin was gloomy, no wonder Arthur's brat was the same really.

Arthur's brat was so happy in fact that Merlin's magic that was still haywire had taken to playing happy musical tunes out of nothing whenever the baby felt a whim for listening to something dreadfully cheery. Today it was playing Mozart's Eine Klein Nachtmusik and Merlin's ears were going to bleed if he had to keep listening to the tune for hours long, never mind Mozart would be offended with Merlin's thoughts.

Even though Arthur was not talking to him or seeing him now the palace maids still delivered sumptuous food for him and Gaius, only Arthur was not there to take part in it.

Recently with all of Arthur's attention being focused on him Merlin had gotten rather used to it and even liked it when Arthur was around berating Merlin to eat more, or stopping him from doing something unbelievably stupid as he said.

Merlin missed Arthur, he missed Arthur like he missed a torn limb. Gwaine, Lancelot and Gwen came to see him regularly and he wrote to his mother frequently finally telling her about his pregnancy. Hunith wrote back saying she was delighted to finally have a grand child but also apprehensive for Merlin's sake.

Still nothing could fill the gaping hole where Arthur had been present and Merlin wondered if he'd ruined it all for good now.

And since Arthur was never around anymore his magic had gotten so out of control that at night time Gaius had his hands chained in cold iron to stop his magic from accidentally setting his bed on fire with Merlin in it.

The iron felt wrong and heavy draining him of all his magic but there was no other way to stop his magic from becoming too harmful to himself, the baby or the castle so it just had to be done.

Merlin had been taking a stroll of the castle wearing Arthur's fur coat, the castle's servants were all gossiping about what seemed to be the tiff between Arthur and Merlin this time around. The only other time they'd both completely ignored each other was right after they'd slept together and even then their silence had not had been so ominous.

Arthur's brat was rather active for winter time, Merlin thought harshly as there was another fluttery sensation in his belly which meant the babe was probably flipping inside his womb. Merlin put a hand on his belly automatically looking down and scowling not seeing Arthur who'd just turned in Merlin's direction and was walking with Leon and Elyan towards him, Merlin was too preoccupied with berating Arthur's brat to take notice and hide or run.

Arthur himself was seeing Merlin for the first time since two weeks, he'd ignored all his urges making him want to go to Merlin and see him, make sure he was fine, that the babe was fine, he'd not gotten any good at curbing the longing in the two longest weeks of his life trying to distance himself from Merlin and the babe. He'd thought long and hard about the implications of Merlin having magic, Merlin having hidden such an integral part of his person for so long from Arthur, Merlin lying to him for years, he wanted to be angry and he was for a while before he realized that he'd never given Merlin any reason to confide in him.

He'd proclaimed sorcery was evil in front of Merlin day in and day out, stood to witness execution of innocent sorcerers with his father, told Merlin that they could not be friends because he was a Prince, sat in council silently while his father gave death sentence to all sorcerers who happen to get caught in Camelot, and all the while Merlin had stayed. Merlin had stayed in Camelot to protect him and Arthur had thought himself invincible to come out so victorious in every endeavor.

How must have Merlin felt? Having done so much for Camelot, for Arthur and then to be so overshadowed, to be ridiculed by Arthur and his knights, to bear every insult thrown his way by Arthur over the years, Arthur had treated Merlin downright horribly and cruelly at times, how then could he ever expect Merlin to be forthcoming to him? He'd simply never given Merlin any reason to believe in him.

Merlin could have been caught any time and under Uther's law he would have been burnt at the pyre and nothing Arthur or anyone else said would have changed Uther's mind. Arthur imagined Merlin being taken away to be burnt at the pyre and his chest constricted with the agony of such pain ever befalling Merlin, whatever Arthur might seem to his knights Arthur had meant it when he said he'd die before he'd let anything kill Merlin and that included himself, his father and even Morgana. Arthur would cut anyone down without a thought if they meant harm to Merlin because unwittingly and amazingly Arthur was completely and ardently in love with his idiot manservant and the revelation of his magic did nothing to change it.

So it was understandable really that Arthur could not ignore Merlin when he was clutching his belly and looking like he was in pain, it was instinct really. Arthur tried to take measured steps as was befitting of a Prince and not like some common harridan who was panicking and hurrying and obviously showing they were hurrying, judging by the alarmed expressions on Leon and Elyans faces though, Arthur was not so successful.

When he reached nearer though all Arthur heard was, "You must have gotten the naughty half of your genes from him little brat! Can't you stop moving for awhile? Let me live in peace?"

Arthur had had a discrete round table conference to let his closest knights know about Merlin's condition the last week after Merlin had consented to inform them all, well Lancelot said Merlin consented so Arthur assumed it meant he'd talked to Merlin when Arthur couldn't yet.

So Leon and Elyan understood what Merlin was on about and started sniggering behind Arthur's back the traitors and Arthur cleared his throat and said "Figures you'd blame me for everything bad he inherits….Merlin."

Merlin looked up shocked at being addressed by Arthur, and Arthur's tone was normal like when they bantered back and forth and Merlin couldn't bring himself to quip back as his mind was still stuck on, 'ARTHUR IS TALKING TO ME!' and then all the longing and pain he'd felt came at him all at once and Merlin teared up because hey stupid hormones making him a mess all the time.

Arthur looked bewildered, "What….Merlin?"

Tears fell and Arthur came closer as Leon and Elyan distanced themselves and walked away from them.

"Merlin" Arthur whispered close to Merlin like he hadn't been in so long. His tone was so cautious like he was talking to a very startled and frightened rabbit and Merlin crumbled clutching Arthur close and crying into his tunic.

They were outside in the castle's corridors where anyone could see them and Arthur having fully capable mental faculties slowly pulled Merlin along into an unoccupied room close by.

Merlin was still burrowing close to Arthur and Arthur who'd been all too starved of touch let his hands wander along Merlin's sides, along his back and finally brushing aside his tunic to touch Merlin's bare abdomen swollen with his child. He felt a jolt in his hands and looked up startled to see Merlin smiling teary eyed and all, "Your brat recognizes you… he likes that you're close."

"Don't call him a brat!"

Merlin sighed and leaned his head onto Arthur's broad shoulders, "Missed you"

"Gods Merlin…." Arthur laid a barely there kiss on the crown of Merlin's head before he said "I can't stay away from you even if I wanted to"

"Don't…don't stay away"

Arthur pushed Merlin back gently but firmly now and then looked at Merlin for a long moment, "I need time Merlin…I…I'm still confounded so much."

"I understand Arthur" said Merlin immediately; nodding his head to convince Arthur of the same even though he knew he needed Arthur with him now more than ever.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for hiding from you, for lying to you…."

Arthur was still close enough that Merlin heard him when he whispered "I understand why you did Merlin…I never gave you any reason to believe I was any different than my father."

Merlin gripped Arthur's hand in his at that and shook his head vehemently, "I never thought you were like your father….I didn't….I didn't want to put you in a position to choose between me and your father, I didn't want you to hate me."

Arthur clutched Merlin's face with both his hands bringing Merlin close despite telling Merlin he needed time, "I don't hate you, I never will."

It hurt Arthur to think Merlin had thought he'd hate him, he could never bring himself to hate Merlin, not even immediately after he'd revealed himself unwittingly and Arthur felt his heart torn apart with betrayal worse than Morgana's or his father's could ever be, kind, loyal and stupidly brave Merlin with his bright eyes and tempting mouth, Arthur could never even conceive of hating him.

Arthur was aware they were too close now and even though all he wanted was to pull Merlin closer and kiss those tempting lips he refrained, they hadn't resolved everything today and there was so much Arthur didn't know about Merlin.

He pulled himself away and said "Go to your chambers Merlin, it's too cold to be outside."

Merlin didn't backtalk and tell Arthur to bugger off this time but the eyeroll he gave Arthur said everything he meant to convey and Arthur turned away before smiling and walking away resolutely, they were not so damaged that they had become irreparable and for now that was enough.

What was very frustrating about his second trimester as Gaius called it now was that Merlin felt very very horny. He'd take care of himself with his hand well enough but it was getting difficult to stretch his hand out across his swelling mid section and all his dirty fantasies involved Arthur being there to take him properly so for once he'd feel sated instead of desolate and churlish.

Ever since that conversation with Arthur two days ago Merlin had hoped that now that they had talked about it Arthur would come to see him.

But Arthur was still keeping his distance and Merlin was trying to be patient about it and not succeeding hence his excessive griping to Gwen, Lancelot had told Gwen about Merlin's special abilities after feeling too guilty with hiding it when Gwen and him were becoming closer and Gwen, amazing Gwen had taken it all in stride and forgiven Merlin entirely.

They were back to being thick as a pair of thieves these days.

"I mean I get that he needs time, I do….he's reacting far better than I'd ever imagined but would it kill him to come see me? Just once in a day…."

"He's a Prince Merlin, he has duties you know, when I was with him we'd gone without seeing each other for months…."

Merlin frowned wondering if Gwen was still hurt over Merlin having ruined everything between Arthur and her.

He needn't have worried however as Gwen said, "I must have seen right then though that we were not meant to be….I mean even when he was with me he was always bringing you into the conversation."

Merlin didn't know how to respond to that except to say, "Lancelot always talks about you when he talks to me…"

"Oh Merlin….I'm not holding any grudges where Arthur is concerned alright, his heart was never mine and mine was never his, it's really very good that we came to realize this sooner than later believe me…"

Merlin grinned then, "It's not fair, you get to walk away with the better man!"

"Now I know you don't mean that"

"I do too; you've dumped me with Arthur!" Merlin said very put upon.

"Like you would ever think any man is a better man than Arthur!" Gwen said giving him a shrewd glare.

"I do too think Lancelot is a better man!"

"You hold him in high regards maybe, but I'm willing to bet on my first born you'd never have let him tumble you."

Merlin's cheeks reddened and he couldn't quite retort to that, as it was true and he really didn't want Gwen to think he'd sleep with Lancelot of all people.

"So….." Gwen dragged the words and Merlin could see a faint blush on her cheeks as well as she hesitantly asked, "How is he…you know…."

"What?" Merlin feigned confusion hoping to escape the conversation all together.

"Merlin!" Gwen sighed, "If you don't want to tell fine but don't pretend you don't know what I'm asking about, how is Arthur in bed?"

"Ehmmm, I don't think I should say it….I mean….it isn't…very chivalrous to discuss such things right?"

Gwen looked incredulous before saying "I'm sure the reality was far less vulgar than some of the scenario's the castle's maids and cook have come up with."

"The castle maids and cook gossip about me and Arthur having sex?"

"Wild sex Merlin, wild…."

"Well there surely wasn't anything wild going on!" Merlin said with a heated glare in Gwen's direction.

"Oh" said Gwen and then asked "So you were disappointed?"

"WHAT? NO!"

"How many times did you do it anyway?"

"Gweeennn!" Merlin whined.

"That many and you still weren't satisfied you nymph?"

"NO! We did it three times alright! Just three and nothing wild! So shut up!"

Gwen giggled and said "Fine, fine you prudish creature."

"I'm pregnant Gwen, out of wedlock; I'm the last person in the castle who should be called prudish."

Gwen conceded "You do have a point there"

Merlin's sexual frustration was not being helped by his talk with Gwen that afternoon and he desperately wished Arthur to be there for him now, he burnt with lust hot and bright and his hand was entirely too unsatisfactory.

Arthur was hearing a dispute between two farmers when the Knights he sent out to scout the north in search of Morgana came in looking well enough thankfully but still with consternation.

He settled the dispute by dividing the harvest equally between the two families and said that the farmer who owned the land must do the labor himself if he wished to have the full harvest for his family.

He then summoned Bedivere who bowed before addressing him, "Sire, we've come to report of our discovery."

Arthur had sent two knights Bedivere and Kay just to scout the area and keep an eye on anything unusual, he'd known sending a large party of knights would be conspicuous and he did not need to loose more able men to Morgana and her war.

"What have you found Sir Bedivere?"

"Sire, we saw the Lady Morgana and her accomplice Morgause heading towards the Isle of the Blessed, we followed and Lady Morgana sacrificed her sister's life to tear the veils between the mortal world and the underworld."

Arthur sat straighter in attention not needing to hear to know that whatever Morgana had done it could not mean well for Camelot or himself.

"However she failed in her task. Morgause died but the price of her life was not enough to tear this veil."

"Did you learn why she failed?" asked Arthur, he couldn't imagine Morgana wanting to sacrifice Morgause's life for anything, she was fiercely protective and loyal to Morgause but then again she'd been protective of him too before everything went to the dogs.

"No sire…she was very mad that it did not work, she screamed and everything around her crumbled to dust, we made our escape then."

Arthur nodded, he would have wanted them to save themselves anyway, he had commanded them to return at the first sight of trouble, that they had went this far and spied on Morgana and Morgause was in and of itself a great feet.

"Well done Sir Bedivere and Sir Kay, I bid you both a good rest, you can join training after two days from now."

"Thankyou sire" Bedivere bowed and Kay did as well, Kay had stood silent and behind Bedivere this whole time. He was the youngest knight in Camelot at present and he was still a little shy of talking to Arthur directly.

Arthur wished Merlin were here now so that he could ask for his council, after all he must have an idea about what these tearing veils was all about, even the sound of it was ominous to Arthur. Though he wanted to see Merlin constantly ever since they'd ran into each other three days ago Arthur asked Lancelot to deliver the message to Merlin and Gaius and decided to wait in his chambers to know what they thought of this whole tearing veils business.

Someone knocked on his door and Arthur was shocked when the door opened to admit Guinevere inside. They'd not talked to each other ever since they'd called their relationship to an end and Arthur was nervous about what Gwen wanted to talk to him about now. He wasn't proud of the fact that he'd for all intents and purposes cheated on Gwen with Merlin.

"Guinevere….hello, how are you?" Arthur asked remembering his manners, managing to school his face into a hopefully polite expression.

"Hello Arthur, I'm fine…..and uhh how are you faring?"

Arthur hesitated wondering why Gwen was here for, but even so he replied, "I'm well"

"What have you been doing lately?"

Gwen winced after that escaped out of her mouth and Arthur smiled indulgent with her ways, "Council meetings, training, you know the usual lot…." Arthur humored her anyway though he knew that was not what Gwen wanted to talk to him about at all.

Gwen looked at him then and sighed before rolling her eyes, "Oh to hell with this! Okay, I didn't exactly come here to talk pleasantries."

"I guessed as much" said Arthur before he invited her to sit.

Arthur sat himself on one of his dining chairs before broaching, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

Gwen looked hesitant again but once she'd made up her mind about something there was no stopping Gwen so Arthur waited.

He was entirely unprepared however when she said "Stop avoiding Merlin"

"What?" he asked though he knew it must make him look astute.

"I said stop avoiding Merlin"

"Gwen….I really don't think it's wise for either of us to be in each other's presence right now."

"Arthur it's been hard on him, he needs you now, more than ever. He's willing to suffer through it but please don't make him! Don't shut yourself away from him, not now!"

Arthur was surprised at the passion with which Gwen spoke and before thinking he snapped, "If he's crying and making a scene it's only because he's a great girl about it! I said to him quite clearly that I needed time…."

Gwen stood up and the creaking of the chair was all the warning Arthur got before Gwen shouted "Arthur you're such an arrogant ignoramus!"

Arthur's eyes widened and he held his hands out in a placating gesture, Merlin had called him all manner of things under the sun but Gwen, kind and polite Gwen was never ever not courteous to Arthur.

"His magic is out of control all the time now; it's become so much of a problem that Gaius has to lock his hands in iron cuffs before he sleeps every night. He doesn't eat as much, and I'm sure he's not sleeping well either. He misses you; he misses you so much that you're all he can talk about to any of us! And let's not forget that he is pregnant, how can you call it as him being a 'girl' about it!"

Arthur had not known that particular information about Merlin needing iron cuffs to control his magic and he rose from his chair too, "Gaius has to lock him in iron cuffs?"

Gwen calmed down once she was done with her rant, she hoped atleast some of it had pierced Arthur's rather thick skull.

"Yes, to control his wild magic, his magic keeps setting things on fire or breaking anything in sight, Gaius fears it might set Merlin's room on fire if he sleeps in it without the cuffs."

"Why didn't he tell me about this?" Arthur was incensed, another damn thing about Merlin being kept from him, this is all he needed.

"Why would he tell you? You told him to give you space and he's been nothing but complying!"

"I meant Gaius, not Merlin."

Gwen frowned, "Oh…well Gaius is rather angry at you I believe….he didn't like it that you accused Merlin of siding with Morgana."

"Still I deserve to know what's going on with Merlin! I am the child's father!"

"Well you could know all of this if you stopped avoiding Merlin already; you're only hurting yourself along with hurting Merlin."

Arthur dipped his head in recognition of the truth in Gwen's words. Gwen left after they'd shared their dinner together and Arthur ruminated on her words and on where Morgana was right now as he fell into an uneasy sleep that night.

The next morning Merlin was surprised when the maids delivered breakfast and in came Arthur following them.

Gaius shot Arthur a pointed glare but Arthur ignored it and instead sat next to Merlin. Merlin was wide eyed in shocked amazement and Arthur said in his customary derogatory tone "Close your mouth Merlin, you'll catch flies."

Merlin closed his mouth only to grim his wide goofy utterly ridiculous grin and Arthur refrained from smiling back like a fool in love before he loaded Merlin's plate himself piling the sweetmeats he'd asked the cooks to prepare especially for Merlin, it was all the apology he could give for now and Merlin seemed all too happy to stuff his face with them.

After they'd eaten their fill and after he'd forced Merlin to eat another bowl of the delicious stew Arthur took Merlin's hands in his and pulled him to Merlin's room away from Gaius' unwarranted glares.

He dropped Merlin's hands once they were inside feeling the loss immediately when Merlin went and sat on his small cot leaning with difficulty against the headboard which was too short to support him properly.

Arthur frowned, now that he was inside he felt the coldness seep into his skin despite wearing his winter coat and Merlin had his old coat now but the cot and the room must still not be comfortable enough for Merlin to sleep in if the way he was struggling to find a comfortable position to sit was any indication.

"Why aren't you wearing your coat?" he asked, Merlin was clad in a thin shirt which showed his belly, Arthur had gathered he was five months along right now and the thin shirt was entirely insufficient to keep the cold away in this horrid squalor of a room.

"It was itchy" Merlin answered dismayed at Arthur's look of pure disgust in his direction. "You can go now if you want to….I can see you don't want to be here."

"I certainly don't" said Arthur too quickly and it was only Merlin's sharp breath intake that alerted him to the fact that Merlin seemed completely upset, it was only then that Arthur realized how Merlin might have perceived his answer.

Arthur quickly went and sat near Merlin holding his face to make him look up at his eyes, "Merlin I did not mean that I don't want to be here with you….it's just this room is the worst in the castle I've seen and you deserve better…"

Merlin breathed out a happy sigh of relief and touched his hand to Arthur's which were cupping his face, Arthur had become more touchy ever since he'd learned of Merlin's pregnancy and Merlin only welcomed Arthur's affections all too wantonly.

"That's because you've never seen the cook's quarters, and my house in Ealdor is a lot worse than this during the winter."

"Well this place is unacceptable as a living abode when you're carrying my heir, I'll arrange for a room to be prepared for you today."

Merlin dropped his hand and the mad expression on his face was enough for Arthur to know that Merlin was going to protest, "Arthur! I'm not changing my rooms just because you think it's not grand enough for your heir!"

"You're not comfortable in this cot, you're sitting oddly right now, don't protest just for the sake of protesting me Merlin."

"Well I'm not going to be comfortable being cuffed up to any bed now, am I? Atleast the short headboard on this one means I don't have to stretch my arms till they hurt."

"About that….why is your ehhh" Arthur waved two fingers and Merlin snorted, "Yes very funny Merlin, you know saying the word in this Kingdom could mean death so excuse me for being cautious!"

Merlin stopped laughing then and looked solemn as Arthur continued, "Why is it malfunctioning now? Is it something to do with the babe?"

"I think so yes, I mean sometimes my magic makes music to entertain the babe. I just don't understand why it would set things on fire though….or break things at a random, I can't imagine the baby wanting to set itself on fire…."

"Maybe the babe just wants warmth, it is awfully nippy here Merlin."

Merlin hadn't thought about that but it still didn't explain all the random things that kept happening around him these days. In fact this morning and the times when Arthur was near him during those months before he came to know of Merlin's magic was the only time he felt his magic settle into his skin.

Merlin didn't know whether Arthur would appreciate him saying that Arthur's presence calmed his magic though.

"Is it…does it want to do something now?"

Well that settled that he supposed, it was Arthur who asked so Merlin replied, "Uhmm….no, no, you…you being here actually calms it, it's why there was never any untoward happenings when I was around you….well except for that one time with the armor."

Arthur remembered that night clearly even now, he still remembered how Merlin had desperately pulled Arthur close and how much he'd wanted to take Merlin to bed that night and then the armor had fallen, Arthur wondered how much of Merlin's desperation was about distracting Arthur from the truth.

"Well…you should have told me sooner Merlin that settles it….from today you'll sleep with me in my chambers, that way you don't have to be locked in cuffs like an animal."

Merlin could feel the blood rushing up to bloom in his face as he snapped "I'm not sleeping with you in your chambers."

Arthur gave him a look, his Princely look that more or less said 'Thou must honor me and abide me because I am your uppity sovereign' and said "Yes you are!"

"No I am not; I don't want to sleep in your chambers! I like mine just fine." Merlin was resolute on this; he was going to embarrass himself if he was that close to Arthur, sleeping with Arthur in the same bed would be pure torture having him so close and yet so far away.

"Damn it Merlin! This place is a squalor, I'll not have you sickening and dying on me like my mother did when she gave birth so suck it up! You are moving to my chambers today, you can either get your skinny arse there by yourself or I'll carry you myself!" Arthur got up and left, and Merlin's deafening scream of 'Arthur, you prat' made him grit his teeth as he walked towards the practice arena.

Merlin had just plain refused to come stay with Arthur and Arthur being Arthur knocked on Merlin's door at half past ten and Merlin rolled his eyes when he saw that Arthur was holding a bedroll in his arms now and just behind him there was George who was carrying a few pillows and two blankets, poor George looked weighed down by the stuff and Merlin huffed putting his hands on his hips.

"Arthur no!"

"Yes Merlin, leave it be or come to my chambers, you're choice."

Gaius had agreed that if Arthur could make Merlin's magic settle it would be best at the time being for Merlin to stay close to Arthur.

Arthur had naturally taken that to mean that Merlin must not be left out of his sight for longer than an hour at most, and Merlin almost missed the weeks of freedom where he didn't have Arthur breathing down his neck, almost.

Since Arthur sleeping in his room was a better alternative to the other option of having to essentially move into Arthur's chambers and to Arthur's bed where they'd had sex Merlin allowed Arthur to arrange the bedroll comfortably on the floor.

It was rather fluffy and comfy looking for a bedroll, like it was made out of goosefeathers and Merlin shook his head, no wonder at all, Arthur always was a bit too spoiled.

George arranged three pillows on the bed and laid one on top of Merlin's bed along with the blankets before leaving.

As soon as Merlin's back was turned to close the door Arthur sat himself down comfortably on Merlin's cot and sat leaning against the new pillow.

Gaius had decided to forego the cuffs just for tonight to see if Arthur's closeness would really settle Merlin's wild magic.

When Merlin turned back it was to see Arthur sitting comfortably on his hard cot giving him an odd look.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

"No" stated Arthur, inside Arthur was just feeling the situations intimacy a bit too keenly. He was aware that this would be the first night they'd spend together after their coupling all those months ago and his heart was filled to the brim with a longing to hold Merlin close while he slept.

Merlin gave Arthur an expectant look and when Arthur just looked confused Merlin said "I'm rather tired."

"Mhmm, it's to be expected, I hear pregnant women are tired all the time."

"Arthur I want to sleep."

"So sleep" said Arthur not understanding why Merlin seemed so irritated with him.

"You are sitting on my bed, get out of it." Merlin said finally when nothing seemed to make Arthur move from his spot.

Arthur huffed then leaned back against the pillows more as he proclaimed, "The bedroll is for you Merlin, since you're too damned hair brained to have appreciation for a good bedding I took it upon myself to purchase it for you, now…." Arthur gestured with his hands for Merlin to get on the bedroll.

"I want my cot!" Merlin was mutinous even though he knew the bed roll would probably be far more comfortable than his little cot.

"Well tough luck, you're not getting it" stated Arthur before he laid down on Merlin's cot with all the grace of a Prince and arranged his pillows to support his head.

Merlin was too tired to argue his case, he'd just have to steal Arthur's place on his cot, tomorrow he decided, tomorrow he would not be fooled.

Those thoughts vanished however when he finally deigned to lay on the bedroll and found it as soft as the ones in Arthur's rooms. It felt like he was laying on clouds and Merlin slept soundly with no cuffs to restrain him and no wild magic to worry about.

Unbestknown to him Arthur observed the whole time and only snuffed out the candle long after Merlin's soft snores stopped being adorable and were just starting to grate and serve to remember Arthur how tired he was too.

That morning Arthur woke up with his back sore and a crick in his neck and when he finally deigned to sit up it was to feel his back aching in protest. He was disoriented for a minute before Merlin's chipper, "Good morning…" made him realize where he was at once.

The thing he'd slept on was not even legible to be called a cot, Arthur had slept on forest floors which were more comfortable than it and he said as much to Merlin.

"Stop whining, I didn't ask you to sleep here."

Arthur looked down to see Merlin's head peaking out from under the blankets, his raven hair ruffled every which way and his mouth pouting pink.

"And yet there seems to be nothing on fire, except my back of course. Gods Merlin, would it have killed you to get a proper bed? It's not like I don't pay you."

Merlin was quiet for awhile before he said "I send most of it to mom."

Arthur turned away then and cleared his throat, "Well I'm chucking this thing out today and getting another new one. I can't even turn my neck Merlin."

"God, you're a nag Arthur, even Gwaine and Lancelot didn't have this much to complain about!" Merlin was in that state of half sleep and half wakefulness, so he didn't realize the fatal error of saying what he'd said.

"What?" said Arthur in a contained whisper before the implications became too much and his morning wood didn't help his brain from not going completely caveman before he asked in a guarded tone, "Gwaine and Lancelot were here in your bed?"

Merlin must have atleast sensed the danger in Arthur's tone, after all Arthur only ever spoke that way right before he was about to do something absolutely frightening. Merlin only hummed in reply to Arthur's question and snuggled deeper into the blankets not realizing what he'd set in motion.

"Gwaine and Lancelot were here in your bed?" Arthur shouted now, not caring if he woke up Gaius or even the rest of the bloody castle.

Merlin winced annoyed at the pitch of Arthur's voice, "Arthur shush! It's too early to be screaming."

"Don't you sush me Merlin! Don't you fucking dare!" Arthur was out of Merlin's thrice damned cot and pulling away Merlin's blankets as he muttered, "fucking letting every knight I know of….damn you Merlin! Damn you!" Merlin batted inefficiently at Arthur's hands that stripped him of the amazingly warm blankets and then glared at Arthur who glared back.

Unfortunately for Merlin Arthur didn't stop there, he sat on top of Merlin taking care to not squish his belly but locking Merlin's thighs with his own and stretching Merlin's arms up and above him, Arthur's expression was one of a furious focus, his fury entirely directed on Merlin and poor Merlin didn't even know what this was about, yet. So much for no handcuffs, Arthur was gripping him rather painfully now.

"Why did you have Lancelot and Gwaine in your bed? Why?" Arthur demanded his eyes holding Merlin's with a scary intensity that made Merlin want to cower.

Merlin however snapped out of it in a moment, and retorted, "Why do you think?" he was cold and sleepy and Arthur was being entirely unreasonable for no good reason.

"Wrong answer Merlin!" Arthur said before he grinded down and brushed Merlin's neglected and very interested cock with his own hardness.

Merlin had been overloaded with hormones and wanting this for ages so at the first touch he moaned out Arthur's name and tried to buck up so that he could feel that amazing friction again.

Arthur however didn't seem to want to act in accordance with Merlin's wishes and restrained Merlin effectively with his bigger bulk.

"Did you sleep with Gwaine or Lancelot?" Arthur asked holding Merlin's gaze tightening his hold warningly when Merlin tried to move and then finally Merlin understood what this was all about. He wanted to immediately deny the accusation but then some corner of his mind rejoiced at seeing Arthur so obviously jealous and holding him so possessively tight, it made him want to melt in Arthur's arms.

So instead of giving Arthur an answer right away Merlin said "Well….hmmm….I have to think."

"MERLIN" Arthur gritted his teeth, he knew of course that he had no right to demand Merlin's loyalty before he was even Arthur's, if he was even Arthur's now but the thought of Gwaine or Lancelot or anyone for that matter putting their hands on Merlin sent Arthur's blood surging with need to take apart any man who dared put his hand on Merlin.

"So impatient sire…." Merlin said huskily and Arthur's eyes widened before dropping down to Merlin's enticing lips, "I didn't believe it when Lancelot told me and I can hardly believe it now…..you're jealous."

Arthur's eyes narrowed in a sharp glare and Merlin murmured "You have no reason to be Arthur, I've not lain with Gwaine or Lance."

"Why were they in your bed then?"

"For the same reason you are, to sleep, and they were both too hurt at the time to do anything but sleep so…."

"I'm going to burn that bed Merlin."

Merlin snorted, he couldn't help it, "You're such a prat, are you going to let go of me now? You're hurting my wrists…."

Arthur's eyes were alight with guilt and he immediately moved off of Merlin and stood. Merlin felt bereft all too soon and yet he refrained from teasing Arthur back into his arms.

"I'll go get breakfast" said Arthur before striding out of the room with hurried steps making Merlin frown in frustration as he jammed his hand into his trousers, yet again.

As promised Arthur removed the loathsome mattress in Merlin's room and set it on fire. Merlin didn't see the point of protesting, it took way too much of energy to fight with Arthur and these days pregnancy gave him no leniency to do so.

Arthur after his temper had cooled and the irrational jealousy about Merlin had simmered to a low banked fire in the pits of his stomach was completely mortified with his behavior earlier to Merlin. Arthur had behaved like a man with no control of his senses and if anything his father had tried to instill in him had gotten through it was to learn that as a Leader one must never ever loose control of their emotions.

And Arthur had been so good at that too, he knew he was a bully sometimes before Merlin came along with his coltish gait and too wide smiles, but even then Arthur had possessed a level head in battle and in practice, but now when he sparred with Lancelot or Gwaine his anger and jealousy got the better of him all the time and he lashed out even knowing how loyal his men were to him.

And then there was that moment when he'd shamelessly rutted against Merlin that morning, his skin flushed at the memory of it and at Merlin's wanton moan. Arthur had gone straight back to his chambers to relieve his desires like a sixteen year old lad discovering the wonders of his body for the first time. It was scary to him that Merlin had such power over him.

The day dragged too much and Arthur had not shown his face since that morning so Merlin instead of wallowing in his frustration did some errands for Gaius stealthily slipping past the guards and into the forest to collect some much needed supplies despite Gaius having told him to stay put and read something if he was so bored.

In the forests he let his wild magic mix with that of the earth, and the trees and the animals and made himself a quiet mossy spot to lay on clearing away the ice that had covered the ground. He was asleep in minutes as his magic enveloped him in a bubble of heat and prevented the dreadful cold from giving him a frostbite.

When he woke up again it was dark and the pile of herbs he'd gathered for Gaius in a pouch was sitting crushed under elbows as he'd turned over in his sleep to get comfortable. His bladder was protesting even the slightest movement and Merlin groaned before he leaned with his hands on the ground to give himself enough leverage to stand up without falling off with all the extra weight of the baby.

He relieved himself and then picked up the herbs before setting on his way to Camelot, Gaius was not going to be pleased about this, and he could only hope Arthur was in his 'let's avoid Merlin' phase now to have noticed his absence. His magic had made sure that he would not die being out in such cold weather but now the cold was biting into his skin and he couldn't call up his magic to warm him up.

He wasn't even that far from his moseyed cozy spot when he heard hoofbeats and his eyes widened in alarm as he hid himself behind a tree. He was not that far away from Camelot but even so he couldn't just dismiss the idea of savage bandits now that Morgana was on the loose.

Merlin peeked from his spot behind the tree and found his vision being assaulted by red capes and chainmail glinting in the weak moonlight.

'It was only Camelot's men' Merlin thought breathing a sigh of relief before he came out of his hiding spot to find that Arthur had accompanied his men on the patrol, strange as Merlin was sure Arthur had no patrol duties on this side of the forests tonight. He may not be his servant now but Merlin was still privy to Arthur's schedule, no temporary replacement could ever hide Arthur's various duties from him.

Merlin had not thought to conceal his arrival and had not really masked all the noise of snow crunching under his feet. Arthur turned to face him and for a second his eyes roved all over Merlin's person making sure, making sure everything was alright with him before he became furious.

Gwaine, Leon and Percival were right behind Arthur and Gwaine gave him a sympathetic look before Arthur erupted.

"MERLIN!"

Arthur's shout had enough temperament in it to make Merlin shrink back in his spot.

Arthur swiftly came to him, pulled Merlin's wrist into his in a tight grip and dragged him away in a very undignified manner.

"Arthur! Let go of me…"

"Shut up Merlin."

"Arthur!"

Before he could so much as gather his senses back to protest and shake Arthur's arm off of him, Arthur released his hands, drew out a long woolen cloak from his saddle bag and draped it all over Merlin. Arthur's hands were running all over him then checking him right down to his fingers, with no room left for any sort of protest he barked "We will discuss you're imprudence when we're back safely in the castle, now get on."

Merlin looked daggers at Arthur trying to protest anyways but Arthur's ire was not to be goaded with as Arthur threw him a withering glare and Merlin mounted the horse, not really wanting to tempt Arthur into one of his legendary temper tantrums at that time of the night in such a horribly cold weather. It also helped that the thick woolen cloak that was covering him offered warmth that he did not want to get out of if he could help it.

Arthur rode a little slowly than was normal for him and Merlin felt the heat radiate off of Arthur as he sat with his back pressed to Arthur's front. The movements of the horse just felt sensuous as it made him rub against Arthur's chest and he was aroused instantly and embarrassed about it, so much so that he sat impossibly still against Arthur's equally tense posture.

Finally after what seemed like a lifetime to Merlin they stopped at the courtyard and Merlin was not given a chance to climb down like a normal person and instead Arthur lifted him down and set him on his feet like he was some noble Lord's daughter.

Merlin tried to walk away quickly but both his arousal and his belly were making it impossible and Arthur's fingers entwined with his as Arthur hissed "Not so soon Merlin" in his ear before he was dragged once again scowling back to Arthur's chambers.

Merlin drew the cloak tighter around his person as it was the only thing that was preventing Arthur from seeing what a depraved little bastard he was being.

There was a merry fire burning in Arthur's chambers and it bestowed an ethereal glow to Arthur's frame as he stood leaning against the fireplace with his hands.

Merlin made himself comfortable by sitting on the dining chair, or as comfortable as he could get these days which wasn't much really.

A maid knocked on the door before bringing in a plate filled with food enough for the both of them and Arthur sent her away curtly before he turned back to Merlin who was still clad in the woolen coat.

"Are you still cold?" asked Arthur frowning. Arthur himself had not gotten rid of his chainmail yet but even the metal's cold was thawing as he stood close to the fire for so long, he should have bundled Merlin up into another coat and thrown him next to the fire instead thought Arthur. Instead he'd been too busy trying to control his rage.

Merlin fiddled with the sleeves of his thick cloak, "No, not really."

"Liar! I bet you're still shivering inside that thing, get it off it would have gotten wet while we were riding."

Merlin frowned and hunched himself further, his arousal had faded a little but it was nowhere near gone that Arthur wouldn't be able to see and tell.

"No, I rather like it."

"You can keep it, if you want."

Merlin nodded, anything to keep his dignity intact, "I will"

"Eat Merlin; I've forgotten you need another person to think of hassles such as feeding yourself."

"You never seemed to mind me not feeding myself when I was thinner than I am now…."

"You were not carrying my babe then Merlin." Arthur looked solemn in the firelight and his jaw was tight with the tension every line of his body betrayed, that he was trying so hard to control himself from lashing out.

Merlin took a piece of the sweet bun and bit into it as Arthur watched avidly until he finished eating it.

"I'm not made of glass Arthur" Merlin said softly meeting Arthur's eyes.

Arthur turned away from him then and looked at something on the wall closing his eyes and sighing, "You live to torment me Merlin."

"Well I'm sorry I'm being such an inconvenience" said Merlin cattily, he had had enough of Arthur treating him like he was a poor damsel, he was the most powerful sorcerer in the land and he could damn well handle himself.

"You enjoy worrying me? Worrying Gaius? You were out there all alone and you didn't tell anyone where you were going!"

"I am a warlock; I can take care of myself."

"You're not invincible, you fool! And what of the babe? Do you care so little about it that you can't even be bothered to feed yourself properly or think of its safety?"

"Don't you dare Arthur, I care enough!"

"Really Merlin?" Arthur asked nasty and skeptic, "Because your actions don't really match your words, it makes me wonder…."

Arthur paused for a long moment and when he looked at Merlin there was a strange sadness in his eyes as he asked in a whisper "Do you not want it?"

Merlin was stunned, his eyes widened and he asked "WHAT? What even gave you that idea?"

"Oh I don't know Merlin, maybe its you're blatant disregard for your own safety or the babe's, your look of abject horror when you finally knew you were carrying my babe, and your always calling it 'my brat', I can't help thinking that maybe we're all forcing you to do this when you don't want to." Arthur's eyes were uncertain and full of needless regret when he spoke to Merlin.

Merlin paused as he ruminated on Arthur's words, sure he wasn't really thrilled with being pregnant but that didn't mean he didn't want his baby, everyday hearing its heart beat knowing there was a life, a tiny little bit of him growing in his belly made him so overwhelmed with joy, how could anyone think he didn't want his baby?

"I want my baby Arthur" Merlin said decidedly and looking straight into Arthur's eyes unwaveringly. "I may not like this situation of being pregnant but I want the baby."

Arthur looked distraught for another minute looking at Merlin gauging whether he was saying the truth, in the end he must have decided that Merlin was being truthful because he proclaimed "Well in that case I'm going to have to impose some ground rules Merlin, it's become clear to me now that I can't trust you to have enough wits about yourself to not go and get yourself into some pickle or the other."

Merlin looked distressed as Arthur smirked wickedly and said "Eat Merlin, you're going to need your strength."