A/N: Here is a new Merlin fanfic for you. It just came to me, while I was trying to fall asleep! It has some malexmale love scenes in it, so I hope you enjoy. If not, scenes are marked, as to skip if you so wish.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, BBC does unfortunately. I only own some OCs and of course the plot!

Warning: Language, male on male sex, violence, sexual assault (attempted-rape/rape).

A Bad Feeling Should Be Heeded

Chapter One: It Started Out Fine!

The day started like any other. Merlin got up, and sped through the castle. Of course he was late again. Late to bring Arthur…King Arthur his breakfast. He was down in the kitchens, receiving the tray within minutes. Just minutes later, he was stumbling through the King's bedchamber doors.

He sat the tray down on the table, and went over to the bed. He was about to wake the King up when he saw that Arthur was bare chested and the covers were at his waist. Merlin knew he should probably not stare, but he didn't often get a chance to look at his secret…well secret crush, for lack of a better term. Damn, he really is pretty hot! Man I could…No Merlin…No… He averted his eyes and bent down to shake the King from his slumber.

"Wake up, Lazy Daisy!" He said in a loud sing-song voice. Arthur didn't stir, so Merlin did the only thing he knew to do in this stupid situation. He reached down and pulled the pillows from underneath the sleeping man's head. The sudden decrease in height for his head, jolted the King awake. He sat up quickly, looking around for some sort of threat.

"It's about time, Arthur!" Merlin said, not realizing that again he was staring at Arthur's chest. But now, the covers had slipped to below Arthur's waist and revealed a little of Arthur's manhood. Merlin was unaware that he was staring until Arthur shifted and brought his legs out to get out of bed to get dressed. He quickly looked away and thanked the gods that Arthur did not notice his obvious perusal of his body.

I am glad that Arthur is oblivious to my…whatever you call it. I might as well just admit it, my love for him. Yes, he is sexy but I love more than his body. I love the King, no, the person he has become. His heart is compassionate for his people…and he's brave, although, he can be a bit of a prat. Merlin was thinking to himself and didn't realize that Arthur was calling him until the man's voice was loud enough to cut through his personal confession.

"MERLIN!" Arthur called. He was seriously frustrated at his idiotic manservant. He had already called him three times, and he was just standing there dazing into space. What is wrong with him? He has been like this for a little while now. I need to find out what wrong. Wait….what? Why do I care about him? He's just my servant and he's….well, he is my friend as well. It's a friend's job to help a friend in need. Arthur thought this while he watched Merlin snap out of his own mind.

"Yes, sire?" Merlin asked the king, voice a little high in tone.

Arthur looked at him confusedly for a minute and then answer his servant. "UH, hello? I need my clothes!"

Merlin nodded and headed over to the wardrobe. He was about to pick out the daily wear when Arthur's voice stopped him. "I need my royal ceremony clothes. Actually, to be more specific for your intelligence sake; I need the ones for welcoming royal guests to the castle."

Merlin shook his head in amusement. "I am not unintelligent as some prat would think, Arthur. At least I can use my head instead of just my fists and sword!" He chuckled at his comeback. He also waited for Arthur to return it in full strength.

"Well, Merlin," Arthur stated, he himself was smiling behind the dressing screen. He would never admit it to others, but he enjoyed this banter with Merlin. It was a constant. It showed both of their affections for each other. Arthur just continued to smile, thinking of a comeback. "It would seem that even if you do use that head of yours, it must be the reason you are always tripping over your own two feet. I always told you that thinking and walking is too difficult for a lazy dollophead like you." He knew that was a good one. He waited, amused.

Merlin just looked at the screen, before turning, smiling, and continuing to get the clothes for the said day. But before he came back with his own insult, he realized what the King had said he needed to wear. "Um, Arthur?" He asked hesitantly.

"What Merlin?" Arthur asked from behind the screen. He was a little confused at the sudden stop in the bantering and then surprised by the hesitancy in his servant's voice.

"Well, um, why exactly do you need your welcoming clothes? I didn't realize that we were expecting anyone today, let alone, for a while?" Merlin asked. He should have known if someone was coming. He had things to prepare and other jobs to do, before certain guests arrived. Why didn't he tell me? He knows how important it is to be prepared for royal guests! Why does he always do this to me! I think he enjoys seeing me panicking and….

"Well, actually, Merlin, it has just come to my attention that Lord Valediar is coming to court as of tomorrow morning. I am sorry, I did not notify you sooner. I myself was not notified until last night, when a messenger from Valediar's caravan came to announce him." The King apologized. Merlin was stunned just a bit about this certain piece of information.

(clarification: Valediar = Val – i- dare)

"What do you mean, just last night?" He asked suddenly, a little annoyed at the way things were done. "Doesn't this… what's his name…Valediar, know the right way to notify a King of his upcoming arrival? He should have sent earlier notice. He should have been polite enough to give us time to prepare to receive him properly. How impolite can a guy get? Lord or no. I mean…"

He suddenly stopped talking when he noticed that Arthur's head was out from behind the screen, looking at him with a look of amusement and some anger? He didn't know what Arthur would be angry about. All he said was what was supposed to be said in this sort of situation. He kept looking at Arthur for a few seconds before asking, "What?"

Arthur just sighed. "You know Merlin, you're right. But as for this certain Lord, all exceptions apply to this situation. He is a dear friend to me. He was my best friend growing up. I mean, a real friend. Kind of like you are, well, except for the servant part." He paused a minute to take in Merlin's reaction. He felt a thread of guilt filter through his heart when he saw the slight flinch and sadness filter in Merlin's eyes from the undeserved degrade on his servant's status. He sighed and continued, "And so please, try not to bring that up around him. I don't want to make things difficult while he is here. And another thing…Bring me my clothes, Merlin."

Merlin sighed, and when he saw Arthur's head disappear behind the screen once more, he let down his façade for a moment and frowned and let his thoughts run in his mind. Kind of like me? I can't be his real friend because I am a servant? How dare he? Arthur how could you? Don't you know that I would do anything for you? I told you didn't I, that I would even die for you? How could you just put our friendship off like that? I thought…

"Merlin! I'm waiting!" Arthur's voice came from behind the screen. Merlin just shook his head, clearing his head and straightening once more, putting his smile back in place. He had been plastering that fake smile on his face for the last couple of weeks. He couldn't understand or accept the feelings he had developed for his King. He didn't want Arthur to find out and think him a freak. Especially, just since Gwen had just been banished. He saw how much that effected Arthur. He didn't want to add on to his troubles with his stupid love. He wasn't worthy of his King's love. He wouldn't let Arthur know.

He walked over to the changing screen and held the clothes behind the screen for the King. When Arthur didn't grab them, he cleared his throat, trying to let the man know his clothes were there.

After Arthur had returned his head to behind the screen, he snuck a view from in between the crevices of the screen to look at Merlin. He didn't understand the sudden feeling of sadness that came into the servant's eyes, so he wanted to see him. He also didn't understand why he would care so much about the feelings of Merlin. Well, I basically did just tell him that he wasn't a real friend because he was a servant. I didn't mean it like that… I really didn't. It's just different with Valediar. It always has been. He was my best friend growing up in the castle. Though, hell, I don't know. He stopped his thoughts when he saw the sudden change in Merlin, when said man thought that he wasn't looking.

The grin slid off Merlin's face, and the straight man slumped, a saddening frown came onto the usual cheery man's face. Arthur was shocked by it, he didn't know that, that comment could make the servant so sad. He had noticed that the man's usual smile was being forced for a little while now, and he had no idea why. It was like Merlin was putting on a strong front for him. He also noted that the frown did not suit Merlin's elven face at all. He wanted a smile to be on his friend's lips at all time. He never liked it when Merlin was sad or depressed. It happened when Lancelot died, both times, and when that man Balinor died. He didn't know the reason, but it scared Arthur that such a cheery person as Merlin would be quiet and distant. He didn't want that to happen now, even though he didn't know the cause of this sudden emotion coming from Merlin.

Arthur wasn't sure why, but he had a feeling that things should appear normal between him and Merlin so without waiting any longer, and not allowing Merlin to continue to be sad he yelled, "Merlin! I'm waiting!" He watched as he saw Merlin straighten up and plaster on that fake smile. It saddened Arthur that Merlin had to force himself to smile around him. He wanted Merlin to be able to be free around him, to be able to feel anything and say anything around him. He loved Merlin, and didn't want to…Whoa! What? Wait….what did I just? Arthur tried to shake his head clear, but found that it was somersaulting with this new piece of information his head had just provided. He was so consumed in these new thoughts that he didn't see the clothes being handed to him. After a little while, he heard the clearing of a throat and looked to see that Merlin's hand was behind the screen with his clothes.

Arthur shook his head once more and reached for the clothes. He took them and said, "Thanks Merlin, now if you don't mind, go and make sure that suitable room arrangements are made for our visiting Lord. And one more thing. I need you on the front steps in about an hour to be there with me while I welcome Lord Valediar." He snuck another look between the cracks and saw that the smile was still in place and that Merlin was listening.

He saw Merlin nodding, before replying. "Yes, sire. I will make sure as not to be late. Where would you like his rooms to be?"

Merlin didn't know that he was being watched but he still kept the smile on, he was used to having it on for no reason now a days. He didn't want to let Arthur know that he was sad or troubled by anything, so he kept up the façade. He waited patiently for Arthur's response to his question. After a few minutes of obvious deliberation from the King he was rewarded with a quick response.

"You need to have the chambers to the left of mine readied for him, and if you can manage that, then make sure to polish my armor! I still have training today, and I know that Valediar will want to spar, so make sure they are shining properly, alright Merlin?"

Arthur wasn't sure why, but he knew he should let Merlin keep his mask on for a little while. He didn't want to make Merlin uncomfortable, not right now anyways. He would talk to Merlin soon. He knew he needed to. He wanted to, actually. But right then, there was no time, and he had a feeling that if he were to push for answers that it would just make Merlin become distant with him. So he just kept up the normal routine of the day.

Arthur heard Merlin sigh, although this time, it seemed to be more out of frustration and amusement. "Really, Arthur?" Merlin cried out. "I can't do all that it one hour! You've got to be kidding me! I cannot get the rooms and your armor done by myself in that amount of time!" He was really starting to panic. This just enforcing what Merlin had suspected about Arthur liking to see him this way. He was however dissuaded from that thought just a little by the King's next statement.

"Alright then, Merlin. Since it seems that the time frame is a little too short, why don't you ask one of the head maids to look after the rooms and you can get to the polishing? Does that sound alright with you?" Arthur made sure not to add any sarcasm to his voice. And he was rewarded with another sigh, this time one of relief and a response that made his day.

"Thank you, Arthur. I really do appreciate that! Although, I wonder why you would lessen my load, when just a few moments ago, you were being a right royal prat!"

Arthur smirked behind the screen. "Merlin?!"

"Yes, Arthur?"

"Shut up!"

"Yes, sire!"

Merlin chuckled and for a moment a real smile was on his face. He chose to let it be real for a while and took off to leave the chambers and to go find a maid. He found one easily enough, told her what Arthur's wishes for the Lord would be and then set off toward the armory. He was going to make sure that Arthur looked perfect for his friend.

He has never heard of this Valediar before, and was actually anticipating to find out what kind of friend this man was to Arthur. He was not aware though just how things could go wrong on this day. After all, it started out fine!

A/N: Hey again guys! I hope you liked the first chapter of my new story! I didn't want to do a cliff hanger like my other stories. I need to get better at that. However, as you can see, there was no scenes of sex, violence, or much language. But be prepared for a big blowout in the next chapter! I hope you will continue to read my story! It might seem drawn out, but trust me, it will get more fast paced from here on out, so please just stay with me. Thanks again! BTW, I would appreciate any reviews you guys could leave for me!

MysticRose