I'm sorry but I had to remove the explicit scenes of this chapter. :-( Hope you'll still like it.

Later. Much-much later, they are liying on their sides, curled around one another in the dark when Arthur says, "Merlin."

"Mmmm." The moan that emerges is sleepy and sated and Arthur loves the sound of it.

''Are you ever going to tell me about?''

'' Tell about what?''

Arthur takes a deep, steady breath. Hands closing tighter around Merlin '' About your magic.''

Merlin's body jerks then goes rigid and he flinches away, but Arthur expected this and his arms fasten around Merlin's back and throwing his left tights around his waist he crushes him into his body. Dropping kisses on the top of his head he just holds him close until he feels some of the tension melts away.

After long minutes, Merlin sighs defeated, ''How long?'' he murmurs into Arthur's neck.

''For a while. I mean I undertand you couldn't tell me while my Father lived, but you have had plenty of time since.''

He's silent for a long time, and Arthur swallows silently and gathers him even closer.

''I always wanted to tell you Arthur but somehow there never has been a right time for that.'' Merlin's voice is sad and broken on his chest.

''You could have told me anytime since my father died.'' He answered and couldn't quite keep the resentment out of his voice.

Merlin tenses again and he could feel as his pulse jump up, a clear indicator of his temper rising.

Defensive. Ready.

Merlin snaps back his head and for the first time since this conservation began blue, angry eyes burn into his. '' Explain me your concept of proper time. Before or after your coronation, or your marriage or during breakfast. Good morning Arthur. How would you like your breakfast. Luke warm or magic warmed?''

Arthur just nods. His mouth twitches. Then he chuckles. '' That's fair.'' The tightness in his chest loosens and he tugs on Merlin head and kisses him slowly and thoroughly. Because as he came to realize that's the most efficient ( and enjoyable and… ) way to silence him.

Merlin smiles against his mouth, "Hmm, I should still throw you off, maybe with magic, for not telling me that you knew."

Arthur makes a face at him, hands stroking over Merlin's back. '' I should have you thrown into the dungeon for lying to your King.''

''Maybe after all, I turn you into a frog.''

''And right after you going to kiss me, to turn me back.''

Arching an eyebrow, ''I'm not sure about that.'' Merlin says with false consideration. '' Though you are lucky I like your ass.'' His hands drifting down to slide them over his naked flesh and Arthur's breath catches and his muscles clench under Merlin's fingers.

"It is a pretty good ass," He states simply enjoying the way Merlin rolls his eyes. '' But you would because you like my face, you find me handsome... and my mouth…-'' He opens his mouth against Merlin's neck, lets his tongue taste and suck a mark and hears the hitch in Merlin's breathing….''And my hands.'' He reaches around to palm Merlin's rapidly growing erection and is rewarded with an open-mouthed gasp from Merlin.

'' What makes you think so? I've never said that.'' Merlin retorts with a catching breath.

But the now rock hardness inside Arthur's hand, around his fingers and Merlin's sharp pants doesn't bode well for his words... and Arthur is going to prove what a big, fat lie it is for the next hour or so.

…...

Arthur lied awake for a while staring into the night, wondering.

''Merlin,'' he began ''tell me something about what you have done with using your magic.''

Merlin stuttered out a painful growl, sounding like '' Now?!''

''Yes.''

So he told some. Oh, there was plenty he was skimming over, Arthur thought. Miles of road he didn't take him with. But for now he was satisfied with mere detours. There is time a plenty to join him on that route.

A big, proud smile spread on his face even as he shook his head in awe and his chests filled with a warm glow of a pride. He smiled for the thought what they might together achieve.

…..

Arthur avoke with a moan and flung his arm over his eyes to shield from the blast of sunlight. He felt the strengths beaming through the spring leaves, and the chill of the early breeze. His eyes still shielded, he stretched and his body felt as though he'd ridden a wild horse over a rocky mountain.

And then he remembered he'd pretty much done just that.

His lips curved as the night reeled through his mind. Now in the daylight he found it hard to believe what he had done to Merlin, what Merlin allowed him to do– and what Merlin had done to him and he had allowed for him to do in return. Yet, Oddly enough this kind of openness came completely natural with Merlin. He remembered how he had ached and trembled and hungered. He had Merlin two more times that night, and Merlin had him once because he wanted to be filled by him and never felt more complete in his life than when Merlin entered him. It wasn't only that they had to make up for lost time: He'd proved to be insatiable where Merlin was concerned.

He had lovers before Gwen- some had passed through, some had stirred his blood.

He loved Gwen and adored and desired her body… But never had he felt he such outrageous, insatiable hunger what churned through him for Merlin.

It was a wonderful shock to realize he had a bottomless well of passion if it came to him. Like his libido had been nothing more than a dry timber set to the torch with the slightest touch of him, flaming out everything but pulsing, grappling need. He never knew such intimacy and mindless hunger, never knew what he was capable of with the right… partner. He had never imagined himself be so dazed, so weak-kneed as Merlin made him from just by looking at his face. He never was so exposed, never allowed himself to be so completely naked, body and soul before anyone.

Yet he'd never felt more safe.

''Good morning.'' Merlin's sleepy rumble drew him back from his thoughts.

Arthur made a long, contented sound and last opened his eyes.

Merlin was stretching beside him lazily, looking like a cat waiting to be stroked. So Arthur sat up and pleasured himself with a long study, and a slow stroke of his hands over Merlin's long, lean body in the sunlight.

His blood was already heating.

He looked away into Merlin's face, and was shaken all over again.

He couldn't help the unfurl of warmth in his chest, the bubble of heat that worked up his throat. He felt his mouth curving up in a small, fond smile as he reached out and ruffled his fingers through Merlin's messy hair.

He was fascinated by the way Merlin's dark hair was a tousled mess from sleep and from his hands, the sleepy smile in his eyes, the curve of those luscious lips.

Arthur wondered if there was any other person in the world, lucky enough to wake to such a sight.

Merlin was staring at him too, his eyes sweeping slowly over Arthur's features, '' You look good in the morning,'' he murmured sleepily, reaching out for him. "Naked and rumpled without your prattiness.''

With a little laugh Arthur looked down into those blue eyes, heavy and touched with humour. '' You love my prattiness.'' Leaning back he turned onto his side and linked his arms around Merlin's body, burying his face into the crook of Merlin's neck, his lips tasted the skin there, then they lingered.. so soft and warm.

'' How are you feeling?'' he murmured to Merlin's neck, his fingers slowly carding through his hair.

''Like I spent the night having wild sex in the woods. '' Merlin laughed. '' Repeatedly. How about you?''

'' The same here.''

''I don't suppose we could stay here forever,'' Merlin said with a sight, his arms straying around Arthur.

''No. But we can come back.'' ''Arthur said, gathering Merlin closer and he held him tight, then made a noise in his throat somewhere between a grunt and an audible sigh. ''We should go before they'll be looking for us and somebody'll find us like that.''

'' All right.'' Merlin hummed, clutching him even closer.

Arthur caught Merlin's face in his hands, drew back his head and crushed his mouth desperately over Merlin's.

''Merlin.''

''Hmm?''

''Just once more, ''he purred as he rolled over him.

…...

It didn't seem to matter that he told himself it was ridiculous. That it was stupid and sentimental.

He couldn't help it.

He reached out his hand for Merlin's on their way back to Camelot. He saw a flash of surprise in Merlin's eyes and the tiny confused frown forming between his eyes. When he brought their joined hands to his lips he enjoyed Merlin's double take.

Walking hand in hand with him through the woods, he felt aware of every beam of sunlight, every scent, every sound.

Love, Arthur mused, honed the senses.

How did he become a stary eyed, fumbling fool in the span of a single day? Here he is, behaving like a complete and total idiot, defying every picture anybody ever had of strong handed Kings, fearsome warriors and cool headed knights by clutching the hand of his manservant like his life depends on it ( which just really might) while they walk, and for some reason he couldn't care less.

He never felt happier.

And fine, maybe there's a tiny - enormous - part of Arthur that wants to whack the love of his life over the head for good measure because he keeps flicking glances at him, regarding him with an odd, careful look, asking without words. 'Have you lost your mind?' (Though Arthur was certain he had. Ten years ago in the lower market, when he looked into these ridiculously blue eyes for the first time.)

The only reason he doesn't succumb to that urge is because, well… obviously you can't smack the person on his head whom you are….

''You are being courted.'' He said it to Merlin with all the determination and sincerity of a five years old child.

''Am I?'' Merlin asked, eyebrows delicately rising, lips twitching.

''We are developing a relationship here.''

''Do we?'' and there was definitely a laugh in his voice.

At that, Arthur flexed his muscles, his expression fierce, he looked at Merlin with an expression practically challenging him to find fault with his explanation of things or not to take him seriously.

''We do.'' He stopped short on their track. ''And it means, among others of course, if I ever see somebody's else hands on you again in a more than strictly friendly way , it'll get messy when I break them in half.''

''Oh, of all your big headed… -''

''And cut them into-''

''Stop it.'' Merlin blew out a heated breath. '' I don't think that's the way you court someone you idiot,'' Merlin said with a long-suffering sigh. But a tiny smile touched the corner of his mouth even as he shook his head. '' I don't believe if there was another person ever who was courted by a lover with a snarl on his face, and eyes that threatened to murder.''

Arthur gave a huff, shifted his weight and scratched his head.

'' It's not?''

'' No. Definitely not the right way Arthur.'' Merlin huffed with exasperation. Though the way his eyes crinkled up with a badly suppressed smile and his face gone soft and tender, his visual words clearly said. 'But I wouldn't have it any other way, you idiot.'

'' Come here, you big oaf'' Merlin husked and bending his head he kissed Arthur lightly. Then picking up their still clutched hands, he kissed the back of Arthur's fingers, and Arthur felt dozens of wounds heal and he no longer felt foolish.

But nobody can say he was one to back up of a challenge, he leaned toward Merlin and said, close to his ear.

'' What about if I tell you ...'' His voice went from hesitant to low and sexy in an instant as he breathed Merlin's smell in and his lip touched the outer shell of his lovely, big ear. ''I want you every time I see you. I want you when I don't see you. I want you even after I've had you. And I wanted and will always want only you. I loose my mind when I touch you, you obsess me, make me weak and strong at the same time the way no one and nothing ever had.''

And he was rewarded with a quick quiver of Merlin's hand in his and heard the little catch in his breathing.

'' How about that for a courting.'' He asked raising one eyebrow, leaning back his head. ''You see. It's working. You just went all dreamy eyed.'' Arthur goaded, flashing a victorious, sly grin at Merlin.

A rare breath-taking smile made its own debut on Merlin's face.

The humor faded from Arthur's eyes.

He felt like some brilliant bolt of lightning blasted through him from that smile. His heart had skipped a beat and he swallowed hard.

Merlin was beautiful.

And yes, he made Arthur feel like a fumbling fool. But he was Merlin's foul and Arthur'd bring the very stars down to keep it in that way.

Love -as Merlin said once- makes you do strange things.

He'd never understood how vitally entwined the soul and body were, until now. And now, with Merlin in his arms, Arthur understands it would never be possible to separate again. Not with Merlin. And he wants and has always wanted only him.

And if Merlin was walking with a little limp on the way back, nobody should be the wiser about... and for the first time ever Arthur wasn't jealous.