Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Merlin.

A/N: Terribly sorry for the late update. I got swamped with other fanfictions and real life generally. Also, I admittedly had a hard time writing the last scenes for this story.

Also, thank you for all those who favorited, followed, and reviewed this short fic. I know the concept is not exactly popular in the Merlin category, but I'm still very grateful some even gave it a try.

Anyway, here's the last chapter for this three-shot. Enjoy!

WARNING: More smuuuuuuuuut! Oh, and major character death. You've been sufficiently warned.

Part III

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed.

"Following you, obviously," Arthur said, casually flipping her braided hair over her shoulders.

Merlin scowled and jumped onto his feet, stalking angrily towards the haughty princess. "You're not supposed to be here!" he snapped, his eyes wildly looking around the dark forest to see if any suspicious person were lurking about. "How did you even - " He paused as his eyes narrowed. "Gwen."

"Yes, Gwen." Arthur crossed her arms against her chest and glared. "At least Gwen was smart enough to inform me that my… my manservant is stupid enough to venture back to his hometown and get himself killed."

"Nobody is getting killed," he insisted. "Not on my watch."

Two days ago, a letter from Ealdor came, stating that they were under attack by foreign mercenaries. Merlin's mother begged for help, seeing that their own king was incompetent to even help his people. Merlin bravely called an audience with King Uther, but the king predictably refused to send any help. Ealdor wasn't under Camelot and thus wasn't his responsibility.

Merlin then decided that if no knights of Camelot were to aid him, he'd travel back home and help them himself. These mercenaries were no match with Emrys, after all.

He bid his goodbye to Gaius and Gwen. Merlin opted not to tell his plans to Arthur because the princess would surely insist to come. King Uther would kill him if he discovered he recruited his daughter to fight off the bad men. Merlin specifically told Gwen not to tell Arthur, but who was he really kidding? Gwen was quite fond of Arthur and she didn't want to lie to the princess.

"You should go back," Merlin sternly ordered when Arthur started preparing her makeshift cot for the night. "This isn't your mission, Arthur."

"How dare you order around your future queen!" she exclaimed in reply, her eyes blazing with anger. "You don't get to tell what I should and should not do, Merlin."

The manservant sighed and slowly approached the fuming princess. He crouched down to level his eyes with hers. Reaching forward, he traced a finger against her cheek until she was mollified and brooding. "My hometown isn't currently safe, my Arianna," he said. "I can't… I can't go there with you, knowing I'd put your life in jeopardy."

Arthur made a huge show of rolling her eyes. "I'm not some weak damsel that needs protecting, Merlin," she protested. "I can help you. I'm good with a sword. I strategize well. You need me in this mission because you never think things through."

"That's not true!"

She fondly shook her head and placed a kiss under his chin. "Protest all you want, you idiot, but I'm still not leaving."

When he and Arthur arrived in Ealdor, Hunith was surprised. She instantly recognized the Crown Princess and hastily tried to bow down, but Arthur held on her arms and shook her head.

"It's best if people didn't know who I am," she gently ordered.

Hunith shot a curious look at her son, who resolutely refused to meet her gaze. "I received news that King Uther refused to help us," she started. "May I inquire why you are here, Princess Arthur?"

Her cheeks reddened while Merlin nervously coughed his throat. "Mother," the sorcerer said, saving Arthur further from embarrassing them both, "Lady Arthur is tired and hungry."

Ever the hospitable host, Hunith quickly excused herself and whipped up a simple, warm meal for her son and their visitor.

"You have your mother's eyes," Arthur commented as soon as they were settled on the small table.

"Well, yes." He petulantly tugged at his big ears and frowned. "I got this from my father, though."

The princess grinned and fondly tugged them, too. "They suit you, Merlin," she said.

Warmth flooded his cheeks at her tender smile and he felt his heart thudding in delight. Ever since their intimate encounter back in their secret field, things had been wonderful between the two of them. Merlin decided that they should stop getting too intimate, lest they got caught by the knights – or worse – King Uther. But he didn't forbid secret touches and kisses in hidden alcoves, or secretive glances when they knew no one was looking.

His feelings for her grew like a mighty oak tree as the days flew by. He doubted that anything could stop these feelings anymore.

A soft cough from behind jolted them out from their little world. Arthur hastily retrieved her hands back and folded them primly on her lap.

"We do not have much," Hunith slowly started, curiously darting a glance between Merlin and the princess, "but I hope you accept this meal."

Arthur thanked her nonetheless and they ate their meal in peace.

Once they finished supper, Hunith and Merlin offered the only makeshift cot in the hut. Arthur fervently refused, reasoning that she was intruding and she was merely a guest, but the mother and son insisted. Although terribly uncomfortable, her heart warmed at the genuine kindness they showed to her. As sleep finally visited Arthur, she wished that Uther would be just like Hunith.

The following days after their arrival, Merlin witnessed firsthand the brutality his people were suffering under these foreign mercenaries. He was furious as he tried to secretly blast them away while Arthur slashed her shiny sword around, managing to injure as many mercenaries as she could.

It was almost three days when the mercenaries finally stopped coming. Ealdor was thankfully peaceful once more, but she also had her own share of casualties. Hunith, as the village physician, opted to stay in a neighbor's hut to nurse him back to health. Merlin assured his mother that he didn't mind, that he'd take care of the princess.

As he prepared for bed, Arthur came to him.

"Are you insane?" Merlin breathlessly whispered when he felt Arthur embracing him from behind. The only light they had was from the moon, and Merlin couldn't clearly see her, but he knew she was grinning broadly.

"Your mother won't be coming back," she said.

His breath hitched when she pressed warm kisses on his neck. "Arthur," he growled. "Stop this."

Arthur sighed against his neck and walked in front of him. In the darkness, her blue eyes were shining; he felt his throat dry.

"Merlin," she said, placing a gentle hand against his neck.

He didn't let her speak as he pulled away. "The past few days had been glorious," he started, "but we should stop this… this madness before we're in too deep, Arthur."

Her eyes glinted in the dark and a shadow of a small, sad smile graced her face. "Oh, Merlin, you idiot," she fondly said, reaching forward for him despite his earlier rejection. "Isn't that a little too late now?" She gingerly stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. Since he was impossibly taller than her, she was on her tiptoes until she finally placed a kiss on his lips. "I'm in too deep already." Her lips brushed lightly against his. "Nothing can pull me out from this anymore."

In spite of himself, he laughed because gods, he felt exactly the same way. He didn't fight back anymore when she pressed more kisses, her soft hands roaming everywhere. She allowed him to tug her tunic and undergarments away, until she was half-naked and beautiful under the glow of the moonlight.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, pressing kisses on the hollow of her neck. "So beautiful."

She hastily removed her breeches as she pushed him back until he was sprawled on the cot. He had already seen her naked twice, but Merlin still felt his breath leaving him at the sight of her form.

Arthur tried to remove his tunic, but Merlin batted her hand away. "No," he sternly said, prompting her to lightly glare.

"You get to see me like this, Merlin," she drawled. "I think it's just fair that you let me see you without your clothes, too."

He wasn't really embarrassed with his body. Win once told him that despite his lean body, he was, for lack of a better word, handsome. He just knew that once he was undressed, he might do something more – something he didn't want to steal away from Arthur.

"Arthur - "

"As your princess, I order you to remove your clothes," she haughtily said. Merlin warily glared at the smile on her face.

"Dollophead," Merlin grumbled, crumpling the hem of his tunic and ripping it away. "You know that your words are absolute."

Her eyes twinkled as she took in his bare torso. Merlin flinched when her cold hands explored the expanse of his chest, tracing every scar and every mole she could see in the dark. He rumbled when her lips replaced her finger and had kissed his chest until he was intoxicatingly aroused.

Arthur's fingers fumbled with his breeches but he jerked her hand away. "Don't," he hissed as she unintentionally rubbed her crotch against his bulge.

"Why not?" she asked, complete with a small pout.

"I might… I might do something improper."

A disbelieving laugh escaped from her lips. "We're already doing something improper," she pointed out. "Might as well go all the way now, Merlin."

He pushed her away and sat up, refusing to meet Arthur's suddenly confused eyes. "You don't understand," he said. "Your… your gift must be presented to your future husband. I cannot -" He paused and swallowed down his emotions. "I cannot defile the future Queen of Camelot."

Arthur answered his words with silence and Merlin was afraid he had offended her. But he spoke the truth. Doing improper things with her in the first place would be frowned upon. Merlin was afraid that when her future husband knew of their tryst, he wouldn't be able to live this down. Merlin would forever blame himself if Arthur was stuck in a loveless marriage because of his stupid desires.

"You are filled with rubbish today, Merlin," Arthur finally said.

His eyes widened at her words and he glared. Arthur, on the other hand, was grinning widely at him like a madwoman.

"Why do you talk about me like I'm some precious little princess?" she said, shaking her head. "You've known me for months, Merlin. Months! How can you still not understand that I am strong, that I don't break easy… that I do what I want."

"Those exactly aren't traits of a princess," he pointed out, the corners of his mouth twitching. He wasn't surprised when Arthur swatted his arm.

"Yes, well, I don't bloody care about being a proper princess," she snapped. She placed both of her hands against his cheek and forced him to meet her gaze. "I told you before, Merlin. I want… I want you. I don't think you realized the magnitude of what I said." She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his chin. "I want all of you. Your… your body, your smile, your tears, your mind, your soul, your…" She paused and caught his gaze. "I want your heart. Oh, especially your heart."

Merlin knew he was stupidly grinning when Arthur captured his lips once more. His heart thudded with glee, knowing that they had the same sentiments. He was afraid at first that he was just a curious little experiment for Arthur, which he didn't mind. He loved her so much he'd do whatever she wanted.

He didn't stop her when she finally removed his breeches. His prick stood proud and erect with arousal and he watched in amusement as Arthur's eyes almost bulged out from their sockets.

"I've never seen…" The words died down from her lips as she gingerly wrapped her fingers around his shaft.

Merlin groaned at the feel of her fingers. "D-don't," he said, latching onto her wrist. "I might not last long enough."

He pushed her until he was hovering above her body. Merlin worked his fingers until Arthur was a whimpering mess and very much ready for him. Then, he slowly lowered himself, a question in his eyes.

"What do you want, Merlin?" she asked instead, reaching out her hand to place it against his cheek.

"You," he instantly said. "All of you."

Arthur grinned and lightly nodded. Merlin finally inserted himself inside her, slowly and gently, watching the princess' face to see if he'd hurt her. She gasped and clamped down a whimper, prompting him to stop.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked, madly distracted by her warmth and wetness.

"A bit," she confessed.

"Stop me if it becomes unbearable," he managed to choke out. "Truthfully, though, I'm not going to last long."

Arthur nodded her head and Merlin wasted no time. She released a soft cry again, but didn't tell him to stop.

As he fully inserted himself inside her, Merlin started to thrust forward. They were slow and cautious, afraid that he'd surprise her and hurt her. He was unable to bite back his groans though, marveling at how she was snuggly wrapped around his cock. When he thrusted again, Arthur this time released a moan.

Her eyes were wide with surprise and pleasure, prompting him to grin and pick up his pace. Arthur buried her cries against his neck, her nails dragging lines on his back. He could already feel his impending release and grew frantic, incoherent blubbers escaping from his lips as he placed sloppy kisses on her face. Arthur reached her orgasm once more, but Merlin was too distracted by his own impending release.

With a final thrust, he reached his orgasm. Merlin immediately withdrew his cock away and made a sticky mess on her thighs instead.

"Oh gods," he groaned, heavily plopping on top of Arthur's sweaty body. He was tired and spent, but marvelously sated. This was officially one of the best days he ever had.

"I can't breathe," she squeaked, weakly trying to push him off her.

Merlin chuckled and rolled down beside her. The cot was small and he felt a little shamefaced for doing it on his mother's bed. Merlin took a mental note to banish any signs of their lovemaking on this bed before Hunith came back tomorrow.

Arthur turned to face him and wrapped an arm around his chest. She snuggled against his neck and sighed, prompting him to smile.

"That was… that was…"

"I know."

Arthur grinned and looked up at him. "We should probably get dressed before your mother comes back, though," she pointed out.

Begrudgingly, she had a point, and Merlin sat them both up from the cot. He grabbed her clothes and helped her with it. Arthur did the same and helped him with his tunics and breeches. Merlin's heart couldn't bear with the intimacy of her touches. Their lovemaking might have ended, but her hands and her glances were still speaking to his heart.

She had been right. Frightfully so. They were too far in too deep in this twisted relationship. Merlin had a feeling this wouldn't end happily, but at least right now, he was happy.

When they returned to Camelot, their secret trysts continued. Princess Arthur always made an excuse to send Merlin to her bedchambers, pouncing onto him as soon as the footsteps of the knights were long gone. Try as he might, he couldn't resist her anymore. Lonely nights in his own room were filled with frustrated thoughts of her.

Merlin insisted that she should stop sending knights for him after a week. He could hear them talk, after all. Rumors spread around Camelot like wildfire and Merlin didn't want to drag the Future Queen of Camelot's name with him. He promised that they'd make a schedule, one that would not arouse suspicion. He even suggested that they continued their rendezvous in their secret little field; at least there, they were alone. It wasn't uncalled for when the princess and her manservant rode on their horses for an adventure, therefore they would arouse less suspicion.

Despite their intoxicating lovemaking, Merlin knew that they were confronted with another possible problem – an unwanted pregnancy. Merlin knew that there were spells for contraception, but he was too afraid to try it onto Arthur, lest he'd magically make her barren instead.

"Gaius has a supply of contraceptive potions," Arthur offered as the best solution.

He eyed her suspiciously. "How did you know that?" he asked.

Arthur nonchalantly shrugged. "The maidservants talk. I listen."

Thus, Merlin always snooped around Gaius' cabinets before meeting Arthur. These potions were abundant and Merlin believed Gaius wouldn't even notice that his supply was dwindling. Merlin made it a point to reverently help Gaius in making potions for his work, especially the contraceptive potions, just so he would not make the Court Physician suspicious.

But then, of course, Merlin had forgotten this was Gaius. His mentor was always impeccable; he'd instantly know if a potion was misplaced or the timing of the ingredients were wrong. Merlin should have known Gaius would catch him one of these days.

"Gaius, let me explain," the manservant said, quickly pocketing the contraceptive potion inside his trousers. "It's not… it's not what you think."

Merlin mentally groaned and kicked himself. He sounded too guilty, making Gaius more suspicious.

The Court Physician lifted an eyebrow and stared him down for a long while. Merlin was already growing nervous under his scrutinizing gaze. He was helpless when Gaius swiftly fished out the contraceptive potion from his pockets.

The old physician's eyes widened in disbelief, before fury fully appeared on his face.

"Gaius…"

"Silence," he ordered. Merlin instantly clamped his lips shut and warily eyed Gaius' white knuckles around the neck of the bottle.

The manservant held his breath as Gaius slowly stalked forward. He stopped when he was merely a few inches away from his ward. "Do you know what this is for, Merlin?" he asked, lifting the red potion and swishing it slightly.

"Y-yes," he said, refusing to meet his gaze.

"What?" When Merlin still had not answered, Gaius repeated his question with a stronger force.

"A… a potion, to prevent contraception," Merlin finally said. He suddenly felt exhausted, slumping his shoulders forward and bowing his head. He wanted to make up a lie, to pretend that this potion was for a friend, but Gaius would see through him. Merlin was a terrible liar after all. It was still a wonder to him how he was able to hide his magic from Uther.

Merlin slowly lifted his head to look back at Gaius. The Court Physician had a strange expression on his face and Merlin had this strange urge to apologize. He knew he was wrong for letting his desires consume him. He knew that as the servant, he had no place in the princess' heart. But it was hard, to let Arthur go, to let these feelings go.

He was suddenly emboldened by his feelings and stood at his fullest height. "Gaius, I - "

"This will not end well, lad."

The younger of the two blinked in surprise, his jaw still half-open from his disrupted speech. Gaius gave him a meaningful glance, prompting his eyes to widen.

"You… you know?"

In spite of himself, Gaius smiled. "Of you and Arthur?" Merlin flinched at the mention of the princess' name. "Merlin, I've known you for years. You hold your heart out for the world to see. The princess isn't exactly discreet with her feelings, too."

His cheeks warmed and shamefully looked at his feet. "I know what we're doing is wrong, Gaius," he whispered. "I know… I-I'm sorry."

"You should put an end to this. Immediately." Gaius adopted that stern voice of his once more, and Merlin snapped his eyes back into his wizened face, pleading. "Stop this, or I'll be forced to send you back to Ealdor. If Hunith discovered what you're doing, she'd be furious."

"Please," Merlin cried, desperately clinging onto Gaius' sleeves. "Please, Gaius, don't send me back. I… I can't. Stop this, I mean. I…" His breath hitched as a confession started to stumble out. "I… I love her, Gaius. So much… Very much."

Gaius was gobsmacked as Merlin released a shaky sigh. He still had not voiced out his feelings to Arthur but he suspected she knew anyway.

"You are mad, Merlin," Gaius breathlessly exclaimed.

A wry grin appeared on Merlin's face as he tiredly ran a hand through his hair. "Completely, I know," he concurred.

To his surprise, concern flitted in Gaius' eyes. "Are you serious?"

"I've never felt surer in my whole life, Gaius," Merlin steadfastly replied. "I love her." Now that he was able to say it out loud, Merlin had this stupid desire to say it again and again. He couldn't wait to meet Arthur tonight; he promised himself that the first thing he'd tell her was that he loved her.

"This will not end well," Gaius repeated, wrapping strong hands around Merlin's upper arm. He tried to shake him, as if to shake those feelings away, but his feelings for Arthur clung tighter in his heart. "She is a princess and you're just… you're just a manservant."

"I know that," Merlin snarled, suddenly feeling annoyed. "I know that, Gaius. Every night as I go to sleep, I fear that we'll be discovered and I'll be forced to stay away but I cannot - " His words died down as his hand crept to his heart. "I cannot stop this. I've tried, I swear to you I really did, but… but I can't."

Horrified, he could feel tears brimming in his eyes. His feelings for the princess had overwhelmed his being; mingled with the terrified thought that their relationship wouldn't end well, Merlin couldn't handle the sudden onslaught of emotions.

Through his tears, he could see that Gaius' features softened. The Court Physician pulled him into a fatherly hug and held him until his tears had abated.

"Let me… let me at least spend more days with her, Gaius," he vowed. "I promise to be careful."

Gaius reluctantly let him go, wordlessly thrusting the contraceptive potion in his hands. Merlin was honestly surprised he had swayed Gaius so easily. He turned a blind eye when Merlin quickly slipped out of the room and went to Arthur's bedchambers.

When he burst inside her room, Arthur jumped onto her feet. She had instinctively clung to her sword, afraid that there was an intruder. But upon seeing that it was merely Merlin, she scowled and rolled her eyes.

"You idiot," she snapped. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" She fisted her hands and placed it against her hips. "What took you so long?"

Instead of answering her with words, Merlin closed the remaining space between them in three, magnificent strides. He had kissed her like he had never kissed her before, only pulling away when breathing became a necessity.

The princess' face was flushed, but her eyes were questioning. "What - "

"I love you," he blurted out before he could stop himself. Arthur's eyes widened in surprise. "I love you so much… very much."

Her mouth comically opened and closed, before a brilliant smile stretched widely on her face. She threw her arms around his neck and held him tight, unable to suppress a giddy giggle from her lips. "I love you, too," she whispered, placing a kiss on his cheek.

He happily wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. Merlin buried his nose on her golden tresses, inhaling her flowery scent he could recognize even from miles away.

"We have a problem, though," he said. "Gaius knows."

Princess Arthur gasped and pulled away. "W-what?" she thundered. "Everything?"

"Everything," Merlin echoed, pulling out the contraceptive potion for her to see. Her cheeks flushed once more, this time of pure horror and embarrassment.

"What did he say?"

"He was furious, of course," he said nonchalantly. "But… I'm here now, aren't I?"

Arthur bit her bottom lip and completely stepped away from him. "Should we be worried?" she whispered.

Merlin tried to remember the expression on Gaius' face when he revealed he loved the future Queen of Camelot. "I… I don't think so," he finally said, quite sure of himself. "I know he is strongly against our, err, intimate relationship. But…" Merlin sighed, still confused with Gaius' decision a while ago. "He did warn us to be more careful."

"You idiot," she sighed, weakly swatting him on the arm. Merlin glared and rubbed his smarting arm. "I shouldn't have trusted you to be discreet."

He made a huge show of rolling his eyes before yanking her back into his arms. "Well, I wasn't the randy one – OW! Gods, Arthur!" he cried, this time massaging his painful side.

He felt her cheeks flame up against his neck. "Shut up, Merlin," she murmured.

Merlin chuckled under his breath and placed a kiss on her forehead. "How do you suggest to do that, hmm?" he whispered against her ear.

For her reply, she playfully bit on his neck. Suffice it to say, Merlin hadn't talked that much for the rest of the night.

"Arthur, please, we should go."

Merlin tried desperately to pull the frozen princess away from the chaos. Gwen tearfully looked at Arthur and then to Merlin, before hastily gathering some last minute necessities for their flight.

Today, King Uther was murdered, and neither Merlin nor Arthur were able to do something to stop it. Merlin always thought that there was something fishy about Prince Morgan. And today, the prince finally made it clear that he wasn't on their side.

He was still reeling from Prince Morgan's betrayal, but he forced himself to focus and deliver Arthur out of Camelot. Prince Morgan killed Uther to get the throne for himself. Now that the king was gone, it was only Arthur standing between him and the throne. Arthur was therefore in danger, and Merlin and Gwen agreed that the best solution for their current predicament was to flee from Camelot.

Princess Arthur hadn't talked during the whole duration of their journey. Merlin desperately begged her to at least talk to him, but the shell-shocked princess would merely stare unseeingly ahead, tears steadily pouring from her eyes.

Merlin had not slept a wink during their journey to Ealdor. Gwen urged him to at least rest, promising to wake him up immediately when something happened with Arthur. But how could he rest when he worried too much for Arthur?

He reverently stayed by her side, letting her fitfully sleep beside him and kissing her tears away. Gwen, who still had no idea of the extent of the relationship between her friends, had thankfully stayed silent.

They arrived in Ealdor on the third day of their travel. Hunith, already receiving the news of Uther's demise, tearfully welcomed Arthur with open arms. Merlin was stunned when Arthur suddenly broke down, loud, guttural sobs escaping from her lips, as she desperately clung to Hunith.

Hunith held Arthur in her sleep during their first night of stay. As the two most important women in his life slept, Gwen sat down beside him and comfortingly held his hand.

"There's something going on between you and Arthur, isn't it?"

Judging from the look on her face, she already knew the answer anyway. Nonetheless, Merlin wryly smiled and nodded his head.

"She will be all right," she reassured. "Arthur always becomes better."

Merlin was unable to reply anything in return, highly doubting Gwen's words. With Uther gone, Arthur was in distress. Morgan was currently sitting on the throne, seizing the power over Camelot for himself. He wasn't sure when things started to spiral downward.

He knew that Arthur would insist to save his people from Camelot. Merlin would be honestly surprised if she didn't attempt to. The crown and throne were rightfully hers, after all. King Uther wouldn't want it any other way.

Merlin tried to devise a plan to help her reclaim Camelot if it meant taking his mind off the possibility that once Arthur was finally on the throne, things between them would never be the same. As now the rightful Queen of Camelot, Arthur was bound to her duties and her people.

Merlin highly doubted he still had a place in her life after all this madness ended.

Arthur breathed a huge sigh of relief when she didn't hear Merlin's telltale footsteps. She loved him very much and she appreciated his concern, but she really needed some time alone to contemplate.

As she ventured into the forest near Ealdor, Arthur let her mind wander. Now that Uther was dead, as Crown Princess, the law stated that she was the rightful owner of the throne. The thought of Prince Morgan made her blood boil. She had trusted him with all her heart and had cared for him like they were blood-related. She was admittedly jealous of him as they grew up together; Uther seemed to always favor him more than her. But she never expected that he was capable of murder.

Tears pricked her eyes as she heavily plopped on a fallen log. Arthur hated feeling hopeless like this. Merlin promised her that they would reclaim Camelot back; with him, a powerful sorcerer, as her ally, Prince Morgan did not stand a chance. Merlin sounded as if he was so sure of himself, and Arthur might have loved him a little more.

The idea of finally becoming queen was daunting. Uther ruled over Camelot when he was her age, too, but Arthur still didn't think she was ready. She still had a lot to learn and feared she would never live up to her past ancestors' legacy. She somehow regretted her youthful years, stubbornly refusing to adhere to the laws and listen to her tutors. Arthur now understood why her father was stricter to her – as king, Uther's life was constantly in danger, and he wanted his daughter to be ready when the time finally came.

'It's too soon, Father,' she mentally cried, swiping her face. 'I'm not ready. It's too soon.'

Panic seized her whole but Arthur tried to take deep breaths to calm her tumultuous heart. Uther would want her to be strong despite the situation and she didn't want to disappoint her father.

Sudden rustling from a bush nearby brought her quickly onto her feet. She cursed herself for forgetting to bring her sword with her. Arthur was ready to bound back to Ealdor when a peasant boy suddenly stumbled out from the rustling bush.

He looked young and unimposing, but Arthur didn't want to become too complacent. He bore the Pendragon seal and Arthur stiffened, warily watching as the boy slowly strode forward the princess.

"I bring tidings from King Morgan, my lady," he said, bowing deeply as greeting.

Arthur's eyes flashed in anger. How dare he call himself king! The throne was rightfully hers! "What tidings?" she snapped.

The boy hastily rummaged inside his pockets and pulled out an official letter. He immediately handed it to Arthur and ran away.

The parchment felt ominous; Arthur did not have a good feeling about this. Slowly, she unrolled the parchment and read its contents.

If you do not show yourself in three days, everything you hold dear will die. The people of Camelot will perish under my reign, and it will be all your fault.

The letter was neither addressed nor signed, but Morgan's handwriting was familiar. Arthur angrily crumpled the parchment and threw it away. How dare this murderer threaten her! She was still the rightful Crown Princess of Camelot. Arthur couldn't wait to slash the sword against this traitor like how he did with her father.

"Oh thank the gods! I thought something already happened to you!"

Before she could react, Arthur was suddenly engulfed in Merlin's arms. Most of her anger melted away and she sagged against him, the realization of what she had to do finally weighing down on her shoulders.

"You dollophead," Merlin angrily growled as he pulled her away from him. His eyes were blazing and Arthur actually felt a little shamefaced for running away without their permission. "What if something happened to you?"

"I needed some time to think, Merlin," she explained with a sigh. She threw a withering glare at him and shook her head. "Honestly, you smother. I needed to get away."

"I do not smother!" he cried in reply. Arthur, however, was able to detect the humongous relief in his eyes. She knew she hadn't been herself these past few days and had immensely worried this wonderful man. For her to start teasing him relieved him that at least she was back.

Suddenly overwhelmed with emotions, Arthur wrapped her arms around him once more. She tried to suppress her tears, but they wouldn't stop.

"Arthur?" he tentatively whispered, comfortingly rubbing her back.

The princess knew what must be done. She still had a duty to her people and Camelot. She wouldn't rest until she knew that Prince Morgan was overthrown and the throne finally had its rightful ruler. And she knew that Merlin would follow, even up to the ends of the earth.

Silently praying to the gods above, Arthur wished that things would soon get better.

"Do you know a place where we can be alone?"

Merlin lifted an eyebrow at the blushing princess. He darted a quick glance at his mother and Guinevere, who were both immersed in a conversation he didn't bother to know. "Why?" he whispered in reply, smirking at her exasperated look.

"You know why," she insisted.

Oh, he most certainly knew why, but it was terribly easy to rile her up. "I don't," he simply replied.

Arthur blew a frustrated breath and gave him a glare. "You know what? Never mind. I'll just - "

A low chuckle escaped from his lips as he latched onto her wrist under the table. "I know a place," he then said, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb through her knuckles. "We can, err, sneak out once they're both asleep."

Her cheeks reddened once more and nodded her head.

Once night came, Merlin made sure that both Hunith and Gwen were fast asleep before reaching for Arthur's hand and dragging her away. The princess still had remnants of sleep on her face, occasionally yawning until they finally reached a small abandoned hut just at the outskirts of Ealdor. Merlin was pleasantly surprised that it still looked the same after all these years.

"How'd you know about this place?" Arthur asked, glancing curiously around the small hut. There was a makeshift cot that had seen better days. Rusting pans were scattered around a rickety table. The whole place smelled of soil and mold, but it was almost comfortable.

Lightly blushing at her question, Merlin refused to look at her eyes. "Erm," he started, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. How was he supposed to tell her this was the place he first lost his virginity? "I used to play here all the time." Well, that wasn't far from the truth.

Arthur narrowed her eyes at his fumbling, but had thankfully accepted his reason. She shivered slightly and hugged herself as a cold breeze blew inside the dilapidated hut. Merlin instantly waved his hand to warm the walls and floor. Arthur tugged his hand appreciatively and pulled him down on the makeshift cot.

For a while, they lied down on the cot and wrapped themselves in each other's arms. Although Merlin always looked forward to their lovemaking, he liked it the most when he was merely holding her like this. Arthur yawned widely against his neck, prompting him to smile. "I think it's best if we just go back and sleep, Arianna," he murmured against her hair.

"Stop calling me that," she softly whined. "I'm Arthur."

"Everybody calls you that," he pointed out. "I want to at least call you something that's mine."

Instead of answering, Arthur sighed against his skin and started to press lazy kisses on his neck. She languidly slipped a hand underneath his tunic and rubbed a particularly sensitive spot on his abdomen. Merlin groaned and captured her lips, sleep now fully forgotten.

It didn't take long for their clothes to be haphazardly discarded on the floor. Merlin charmed the moth-eaten blanket clean and warm and draped it over their writhing bodies.

There was something different about Arthur's touches and kisses tonight, though. A few times, he thought she was crying, but then she'd do something and he'd be distracted with the pleasurable sensations coursing through him. His worry was soon forgotten at the height of his release, murmuring her name – her real name – again and again like it was a prayer. A promise.

Merlin worked on Arthur's own orgasm, which didn't take too long. Arthur now lay curled against him, spent and sated, once again lazily pressing kisses on his neck.

As the throes of ecstasy simmered, the previous worry he had felt once again settled in his chest. "Arthur," he started, raising a hand to brush away her fringes from her face, "is something bothering you?"

He lifted an eyebrow in amusement when she snorted. "Of course something's bothering me, you idiot," she whispered, weakly hitting him on his bare chest. "Morgan is sitting on the throne, my throne, while I'm hiding away in this village like a coward."

Merlin immediately regretted his question, hearing the bitterness in Arthur's voice. "We already have a sound plan," he reminded her. "And we'll go back to Camelot soon. Just… just don't act too rashly and put yourself in danger."

"I can take care of myself," she protested.

He smiled and dropped a kiss on her nose. "I know that," he said. "You can't stop me from worrying about you, though."

She shifted in his arms and pressed herself closer to him. The feel of her breasts pressed against his chest made his now flaccid cock twitch in pleasure. Merlin couldn't help but roll his eyes at his stupid body for reacting stupidly at her small ministrations. If they didn't return soon, he had this feeling he'd take her once more until they were utterly spent and tired. Hunith and Gwen might grow suspicious, which wouldn't bode well for him.

"Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask a question?"

Merlin frowned, curious. "Go on," he urged.

Arthur buried her face against the crook of his neck and sighed. "If… If perhaps I made you my king, will you agree?"

His breath hitched in surprise. "W-what?" he gasped, yanking her away to look her directly in the eyes. Arthur's cheeks were dark but her eyes were hard with determination. Merlin swallowed down his shock and nervously looked away from her ocean eyes. "I… I haven't really thought of becoming one. I've always been Merlin. Just Merlin, and I've never wished for more."

He balked at the idea of him sitting on a throne, a shiny crown sitting on top of his hair. But then, his imagination included Arthur, now as a queen, sitting on the throne beside him, looking beautiful in a rich burgundy dress and an equally shiny crown on her golden hair.

For a fleeting moment, Merlin thought that idea wasn't so bad at all.

"With my Father gone, it is my obligation to become Queen," she pointed out, snapping him off from his thoughts. Arthur pulled away from him and slowly sat up. Merlin peered up at her and felt his heart skip a beat at how the moonlight wonderfully bathed her form. "And as Queen, I need a King beside me."

"And you think I'm suited for that role?" he asked, bewildered. He also sat up from the cot to look her squarely in her eyes. "Arthur, I think you are quite forgetting that I'm a sorcerer. Camelot is still too blinded with hatred to accept the likes of me. And me? A king? HA!"

She fondly rolled her eyes as the corners of her mouth twitched. "You really think that is too farfetched?" she asked.

"Arthur," he grounded out, "you're a princess and I'm a mere servant. Of course that is too farfetched."

"I may be a princess but I'm a servant to my people," she replied with that dazzling grin of hers. "Aren't we a perfect match?"

In spite of himself, Merlin chuckled and shook his head. "The council will pressure you to search for a strategic husband," he continued. "You said it yourself before. As the Crown Princess, it is also your duty to search for a rightful king to give you the rightful heir."

Arthur sighed and placed a hand against his cheek. "But Merlin, you sweet and wonderful idiot, I am in love with you," she proclaimed. He was unable to suppress a grin at her passionate declaration. "I don't need a strategic husband who needs a perfect little wife. I will be a terrible wife, but you already knew that, and you love me nonetheless. It would be such a bother to search for another and force him to accept me as me."

The thought of marrying her and giving her beautiful children made him giddy all of a sudden. He pictured blond children with impossibly large ears, running amok around the castle and giving their poor mother a headache. He even wished that at least one of them would share his gift of magic, and Merlin would secretly teach him or her to become a powerful sorcerer or sorceress like him.

"As the rightful Queen, my first official decree is to severely punish those who questioned your ability as King."

"You're not even on the throne but you're already abusing your power," he pointed out with a grin.

Arthur leaned closer and gave him a sweet kiss. "For my second official decree, I will rebuke the law against persons of magic," she whispered.

His heart swelled and his eyes felt warm. "What?" he breathlessly asked.

"You heard me, Merlin," she laughed. "I'll bribe you with whatever just to make you my King. Please, I beseech you, just accept my offer."

Nerves clotted in his throat but his eyes already spoke volumes of his answer. Arthur grinned beautifully and gave him another kiss.

Merlin couldn't wait for their future together.

His heart was constricting as he held Arthur's injured form in his arms. "You idiot," he sobbed, burying his face at her dirtied, matted, golden hair. It smelled of blood and smoke, but he was still able to inhale the sweet, flowery scent that was distinctively her. "You idiot."

Both Arthur and Merlin believed that they had the upper hand when they finally returned to Camelot. After all, as a powerful sorcerer against Morgan's mere mortal knights, Merlin would have been unstoppable. What they didn't anticipate was that Morgan recruited the help of the High Priestess, Morgause, who also shared Morgan's deep hatred for Uther. Morgause had enchanted undead soldiers from the grave and they could not be defeated by mere swords.

The Knights of the Round Table, although ever faithful to the true Queen of Camelot, were no match to these knights. Merlin watched Arthur despairing over the death of her loyal soldiers as he tried to blast them off with his magic.

It was in the middle of the battle when Merlin was separated from Arthur. Panic rose in his chest like a great beast and he desperately tore through the red-soaked stone floors of the castle in search for his love. A heavy feeling already settled in his heart, fearing for the worst.

When he arrived in the Throne Room, he was already too late. Morgan had stabbed Arthur with an enchanted sword. His beloved was bleeding all over the floor, barely clinging to life, and Merlin saw red. In a fit of rage, he had blasted Morgan with as much force as he could muster. The sickening crunch of his limp body filled him with a sick sense of satisfaction and regret.

His battle with Morgause went in a blur. All Merlin could think about was Arthur's dying form. He didn't bother checking if the unconscious Morgause was still alive. He snatched Arthur's limp body in his arms and brought him to the Isle of the Blessed.

He was surprised when Kilgharrah was there, seemingly expecting their arrival.

"Kilgharrah, please, I beg you," he had cried, placing Arthur's dying form on the ground. "Do something."

"The young Pendragon's time has come to an end," the Great Dragon solemnly replied.

But Merlin could not accept this. "She hasn't been Queen for a day yet," Merlin insisted. "How can you… how can you say that?"

The dragon's eyes glinted with sorrow. "It has been written ages ago, even before you have walked this very earth, Merlin," he continued. "You are destined for greatness. You are destined to bring about the unification of the Five Kingdoms. Arianna Pendragon is but a means for you to achieve your destiny."

Merlin's heart clenched as more tears slipped down from his eyes. "Without her, I am nothing." He gingerly touched her cold cheek and bowed his head down. "Without her, I don't care about greatness."

Before the dragon could speak, Arthur suddenly took a deep, shuddering breath and opened her eyes. Her expression was pained as her gaze fell on his. "M-Merlin?" she asked. She cried in pain and pressed a hand against her wound. Merlin had tried to desperately cure her, muttering healing incantations, but they were all for naught. This was a mortal wound and Merlin could not do anything about it.

"Arthur, I'm here, I'm here," he sobbed, gingerly pressing her closer to his chest.

"Merlin," she called once more, placing a pale hand against his face. "Listen to me. There's… there's something I want to say."

"No, you're not going to say goodbye."

She wryly smiled as tears now streamed down from her eyes. "No," she said. "I - " She gasped as pain shot through her once more. "Merlin, I love you and I've truly wished we could rule over Camelot together."

"We can still do that," he insisted. "Please, Arthur… Arianna. Please."

It scared him how there was only resignation in her eyes. "I've…" Her breathing turned ragged and her ocean eyes shone bright. "I've always hated it when you call me that."

Her eyes started closing and Merlin desperately shook her awake. "No, no, Arthur." He wildly looked at the silent Great Dragon. "Kilgharrah, I beseech you."

"I am sorry, Merlin."

Arthur then pulled out her ring that bore the Pendragon crest and placed it on his shaking hand. "I've made you king once I am gone," she faintly continued. "I've written the council a letter and if… if anyone of them protests, I'll" – wry smile appeared on her face – "I'll come back from my grave and haunt them all."

He released a strangled sound of a sob and a chuckle. "I am no king."

Arthur fondly squeezed his hand. "You are destined for greatness," she said. "Camelot is lucky to have you."

He tried more incantations to heal her wound. Frustrated tears spilled down from his eyes when none had worked. Arthur weakly lifted her hands and held his, stopping him from doing more. "Thank you, Merlin." Her voice had gone quieter, the smile on her face faltering. "My time with you was my… my happiest."

Her breathing turned quiet and soft. Merlin, defeated, merely rocked her in his arms and held her close.

Arthur finally expelled a slow, deep breath and none had followed.

"I knew you'd be here."

Merlin didn't bother opening his eyes to greet his friend; he already knew what he would see on Guinevere's face, anyway.

"My lord, you are needed back in the castle," Gwen beseeched. Merlin felt the grass shift as the maidservant settled beside him.

"Don't call me that," he snarled, voice a little muffled against his arms across his face. "Not even a day has passed, Gwen."

"And yet, you are still crowned King, Merlin," she murmured. He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and try as he might, he could not bring himself to shake it off him. He was tired, so tired, and the feel of her warm hand slightly comforted his weary heart. "Camelot needs you back, my lord."

Merlin sighed and peeked one eye. As what he had predicted, worry lines etched Gwen's lovely face. "I didn't ask to be king," he softly declared.

She gave him a sad, little smile. "Arthur wanted this and you know it." She almost felt apologetic at how he flinched at the mention of his beloved's name, but Gwen's eyes were hard and steadfast. "And you know she wouldn't want… this." She gestured at his pitiful appearance, prompting him to scowl. Merlin might be dressed in the riches fabrics in the whole Five Kingdoms, proudly bearing the Pendragon colors and seal, but underneath all these extravagance, he was still a lonely man with a broken heart.

Pitiful indeed.

"Merlin, please, you should do this to yourself."

He resolutely looked away as tears gathered in his eyes. Princess – no – Queen Arthur's funeral was still fresh in his mind. The time between her death to her funeral were all a blur to Merlin. All he knew was that Kilgharrah had brought him and the corpse of Arthur back into Camelot so that Merlin could finally be crowned King and fulfill his destiny. The whole council were predictably skeptical and hesitant to pass on the crown to a peasant, but the rightful Queen of Camelot's words were absolute. Despite her passing, the council still wanted to honor Queen Arthur's last wishes.

A week had passed before Merlin was crowned king. The whole kingdom mourned for the death of their beloved Pendragon Queen, yes, but the throne could not be left vacant for a very long time. Surprisingly, Merlin was welcomed with open arms, the stories about his undying love for their wonderful queen touching their very souls. To see a peasant on the throne won the hearts of almost all the citizens of Camelot; nobles had no choice but to concede and accept Merlin as the new King of Camelot.

He wanted to desperately say no, to give away the crown to someone who would be more knowledgeable about ruling a wonderful kingdom. But Kilgharrah's words, the prophecy, and Arthur's absolute faith in him stopped him from stepping down and now, Merlin had no choice but to accept his destiny.

"I miss Arthur too," Gwen whispered, a forlorn tear streaming down her cheek. "Desperately so, if I were honest with myself."

"Why did she have to - " A choked sob escaped from his mouth, but a wry smile was gracing his face.

"I know," she knowingly replied.

Merlin released a deep, shaky sigh and haphazardly wiped his right hand across his wet face. "The people of Camelot will forever remember that Queen Arianna had died valiantly for them."

Despite her tears, Gwen chuckled. "Arthur will surely haunt you from the grave after you revealed to the whole kingdom of her best-kept secret," she lightly scolded.

Mournfully, he replied, "It was… it was the best revenge I could think of for leaving me alone in… in this world." His face crumpled as his heart throbbed once more in misery. Merlin let Gwen gather him into her arms, and the two friends silently wept for their lost friend and love.

"I miss her," he cried, tightly clinging onto her arms as if they were his lifeline. "I-I miss her so much and I d-don't think this feeling will ever go away."

"I know, Merlin," Gwen soothingly whispered as her tears slipped down onto the top of his black, messy hair. "I know."

They stayed for a few moments, lost in their grief for the death of Arthur, before Gwen reluctantly pulled away first and cajoled Merlin to come back to the kingdom with her.

Night was already falling and the moon was making its way up into the sky. It would undoubtedly be a nice night, and Merlin thought it was unfair how the outside world could continue to still go on while all he wanted was for everything to stay still and mourn.

Sighing, thinking nothing was ever fair in this world, he let Gwen direct him towards the horses tied near the lake. But then, he suddenly stopped her with a silent plea.

Merlin slowly walked towards the lake. He peered into the water and could almost see Arthur's ocean eyes staring back at him, could almost hear her laughter ringing delightfully against his ears, and could almost feel her loving touch leaving burning trails on his flesh. He tightly closed his eyes as more tears fell, then whispered a soft spell towards his fisted hand.

Opening his hand, a daisy sat and gingerly, Merlin placed it on the water and watched the waves wash it away from the shore.

FIN

A/N: End of fic! Please tell me what you think in your reviews.

Although short, I honestly had a hard time writing the last chapter. Oh well, I hope more people will explore this concept of Female!Arthur. Female!Merlin is actually becoming quite popular these days, and I find myself enjoying reading them as much as reading Merthur slash. I think it will be interesting if more writers tried to create fanfic Female!Arthurs in the future.

That's it for now. Once again, thank you for giving this fic a try.

With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe