A/N: Sorry it took so long guys! Things got crazy this year, a car accident, moving, changes at my job. ALL SORTS OF CRAZY STUFF! Anyway, things are starting to pick up in this chapter, sorry it jumps around a lot! This chapter takes place during an actual episode so I was trying to only write what changes and not worry about anything in the episode that did not change. After this we will have a major break from canon stuff so hopefully it won't be so jumpy. Alright, time for the chapter!

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Chapter 5: A Queen to Produce an Heir

Arthur was upset, why? Clearly it is because Merlin abandoned his duties, he didn't assist with getting the Princess settled in the previous day, he didn't bring the King his breakfast that morning, in fact he hadn't seen the servant sense he took off from the welcome when Mithian arrived. This is why Arthur was upset, well, that is at least what he was trying to tell himself as he worried about his clearly hurt servant who had proclaimed his feelings for his King in the most inappropriate dangerous way possible with not so much as a slap on the wrist. Arthur grumbled to himself as he made his way to Merlin and Gaius' quarters planning on giving his idiot manservant a piece of his mind. When he made it to the door he was about to give a brief knock but hesitated as he heard Merlin's voice on the other side of the thin door.

"Is this Arthur's fate? To marry this… Princess?" Merlin asked hesitantly. Arthur frowned, he found it rather annoying that Merlin had a habit of talking about fate and destiny as if it had any real power.

"I can't say." Gaius spoke.

"Is it his fate to marry Gwen?" Arthur wanted to break the door when he heard that woman's name, especially when Merlin spoke it.

"If it is, then it will find a way to happen."

"Am I supposed to do anything? What about me?" Arthur's hand finally fell to his side, simply listening to the conversing men.

"What about you?"

"I have sacrificed everything for Arthur, I work as his servant, I stay in a Kingdom that condemns everything I am." Arthur felt a little burned by that statement, what about Merlin could possibly be condemnable? His status? His feelings for Arthur? Or something worse? "I bend over backwards to keep him happy and alive and for what!? So I can live miserably in fear!?"

"Merlin!"

"I don't know how long I can do this Gaius."

"This isn't really about Gwen, is it?" Arthur seriously considered walking away, not listening anymore, but he wanted to know the answer.

There was a short tense pause before Merlin finally answered. "Of course it's about Gwen." Arthur actually felt his heart sink a little.

"Merlin." Gaius sounded disappointed, he paused for a moment, perhaps waiting for Merlin to say something. "This is about you."

"No." Arthur could almost see the shake of Merlin's head.

"Merlin, Arthur needs a Queen to produce an heir. A union with Princess Mithian is ideal."

"I know." Arthur was so focused on the conversation he didn't notice Leon walking toward the door, nor his hesitation as he saw the King standing outside Gaius' rooms.

"You must push any feeling you might have aside, this is for the best."

"I don't have any… feelings." Arthur rolled his eyes at that blatant lie.

"You don't honestly think I'll believe that?"

There was a pause, Arthur straining to listen to what Merlin would say as Leon finally came up behind Arthur. "I… I lo-"

"My lord," Leon said loud enough to stop Merlin mid sentence on the other side of the door. "what are you doing here?"

Arthur turned to the man, hiding the annoyance and slight blush on his cheeks rather well. "Leon, I… I came too… too... why are you here?" Leon eyed the man suspiciously but answered nonetheless.

"I needed to see Gaius. A message from Lord Agravaine."

Arthur nods before stepping aside so that the knight could enter the room he had been standing outside of. Leon entered with the King on his heels, Gaius looked rather concerned, probably having figured out that Arthur had been outside the whole time. Merlin would not even look up from his food.

"Lord Agravaine requires your presence." Leon addressed Gaius.

The elder man immediately got to his feet. "Of course."

"Is my Uncle alright?" Arthur questioned the knight with concern.

Leon nodded. "He is fine my lord. I boy was found dead today, Agravaine wishes for Gaius to examine the body."

Arthur returns the nod. "Alright, keep me informed." Arthur waved his arm dismissing the knight and physician who left immediately. Once alone the silence between the King and his servant was suffocating. Both had much to say yet neither could find their voice. Merlin finally broke the silence as he stood.

"I should see to my duties sire."

Merlin attempted to walk past the King but Arthur stopped him, grabbing his arm as he tried to pass rather hard.

"In what way does Camelot condemn you Merlin?" Arthur questioned critically, trying to ignore the tightness in his chest. Merlin still refused to meet Arthur's eyes.

"Sire please, I must work."

Arthur gritted his teeth, only Merlin would have the insolence to ignore a question from his King. Arthur let go of the arm, turning and walking out in front of Merlin, not looking at him as he spoke. "Fine, the stables need cleaning, my chamber floor scrubbed, and my laundry done." Arthur suddenly halted, turning around and rather pleased to find Merlin had not been far behind. "And tonight dinner will be a feast with the Knights and Princess Mithian, I expect you to be at the Princess's service as well as mine. After I will need a bath and my armor polished."

Merlin said nothing, he simply nodded. Arthur felt himself becoming angry, he wanted to yell at the man to say SOMETHING, but his pride was to strong for that, so he simply turned his back to Merlin and left.

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Arthur entered the room just as Merlin had finished preparing the bath for the King. The man took immediate notice of the warlock. "Ah, Merlin. I will need you to prepare a picnic with breakfast for two in the morning."

"Of course sire." Arthur paused for a moment as he was reaching to remove his chainmail. Yes sire, of course sire, sire… these were the only words Arthur had heard from Merlin all day, if he spoke at all that is. The mans spark seemed absent. Arthur jumped a little when he felt Merlin's hands on him, pulling at his chainmail to remove it for the King. Arthur looked away, definitely not to hide the heat that was certainly not in his cheeks. Once Merlin had the King down to his under shirt and pants he left him to finish undressing, gathering the armor to be polished.

Arthur tried to focus on anything besides Merlin, the man infuriated him, however, a million questions were circling the Kings mind, all wanting an answer. After undressing and climbing into the perfectly heated bath Arthur finally gave in and asked his first question just as Merlin was about to leave with the armor.

"How long?" Merlin paused, turning to Arthur.

"Sire, I need to take your armor to be polished." Arthur gritted his teeth, fed up with Merlin's evasions.

"Polish it here." It was not a request but an order, one Merlin knew better than to refuse. The servant set the armor down on the table before grabbing the polish from a cabinet in the room and sitting down to do his work. "Merlin, how long?" Arthur repeated the question.

"How long what?" Merlin didn't need to read minds to know what the King was asking, but he hoped he could at least stall his answer.

Arthur, still with his back to the other man, placed his hand against his lips as if in thought.

"Don't play dumb Merlin and answer the question."

A heavy sigh sounded from the servant as he worked, moving so his back was to the King. "If you are looking for a specific moment that my feelings surfaced, I don't have an answer. I realized them when you were bit by the Questing Beast." Merlin didn't see it but he could hear the waters movement as Arthur looked at him in shock.

"For so long…" it was a whisper but Merlin heard it.

"I thought I was going to lose you, I knew at that moment that I didn't care what happened to me, I would live through a life of torture if it meant bringing you back." Merlin was saying too much, he didn't care, Arthur had asked so it was time he knew the truth.

"You never said anything, not until now... why?"

"At first I was scared to say anything, then you were in love." Arthur turned away at that, thinking back to all the times Merlin had helped Arthur and Guinevere sneak around, how many times Merlin encouraged Arthur to do what was best for his heart, even if his father would be furious. Merlin had done all of it while forcing his own feelings aside. "When you decided to marry I knew it was for love, I just wanted you to be happy. Then it all fell apart and now…"

"I am to marry for country…" Arthur finished his servants words, now understanding why it was NOW of all times Merlin would reveal the truth, he was willing to give him up to be happy, but not to someone he did not love. "Merlin, I…" Arthur wasn't sure what he was going to say, the more he thought about it the more he realized that he, just maybe, had feelings for Merlin. As this realization made its way through the mind of the King Gaius' words quickly followed. "a Queen to produce on heir" and just like that, Arthur felt his heart break for the second time. He was King, he could never be with someone who could not bare children. "I'm sorry," he kept his back to the man, listening as the sound of armor being polished halted. "this… it changes nothing, I will be marrying Princess Mithian… if… if you wish to leave my service, I would not blame you…" At first there was no sound, then he heard the oddly light foot falls of Merlin getting closer, a hand touched his shoulder, reassuring him.

"I will remain by your side Arthur, if this is what you want, I will be as faithful as I was when you were to marry Gwen." Arthur felt relieved, he could never love Merlin, but to lose him completely might have taken him to his breaking point. Arthur placed his hand on Merlin's in gratitude, he felt droplets running down his hand and turned his head just enough to make out the shininess on Merlin's face, his tears. Merlin pulled away as if burned when he realized he was crying. "If it is alright sire, I will finish my chores in the armory." Arthur gave a dismissive nod and Merlin quickly gathered the armor and left.

Arthur tried to find any discomfort in himself, whether caused by his feeling, Merlin's feelings, or even all the times Merlin saw him naked, but he could only find discomfort in the fact that he caused Merlin's tears. Arthur himself tried to push away the twisting in his stomach, the lump in his throat, the water in his eyes but he couldn't. The King splashed himself in the face so he might pretend that his eyes were wet from the bath and not the salty tears mixing with the water.

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Despite the hope that everything would return to normal between them, Arthur and Merlin found themselves unable to do so. Merlin was overly polite and to the point, while Arthur could not bring himself to be harsh to the clearly wounded man in anyway. This change did not go unnoticed by the knights who watched as Arthur, Merlin and Mithian were preparing to leave for a breakfast picnic. Merlin was securing the basket of food to his horse as Arthur helped Mithian onto her horse. His eyes glanced at Merlin as he strapped the last pillow to his horse, wondering if he would have helped Merlin onto his horse if Arthur had not been a King. He was brought from his thoughts as Merlin's eyes met his, Arthur could choke on the tension between them.

"Sire, do you require assistance?" Merlin asked, it took Arthur a moment to realize Merlin was offering to help him onto his own horse.

"That won't be necessary Merlin." Arthur said as he grabbed onto his saddle and climbed on. He watched as Merlin, with a blank expression, climbed onto his own horse. With that Arthur led the trio out of the court yard.

Gwain, Leon and Elyan exchanged glances before Gwain's eyes settled on Leon.

"Have you any idea what's happened there?"

"Arthur did something foolish again?" Elyan offered still staring after the King and his servant as if he could still see them.

Leon shook his head, his thoughts turning to when he had found the King standing outside Gaius' door listening to Merlin talk. "I believe it is more complicated than that." Now Elyan looked at Leon curiously, wondering what Leon knew that he and Gwain did not. Leon leaned in close as to keep passers-by from hearing. "I think Arthur has feelings for Merlin."

Gwain looked unimpressed while Elyan looked completely shocked.

"This is old news my friend." Gwain said patting Leon on the back.

"What!?" Elyan said much louder than he had intended.

"It's clear as day." Gwain shrugged watching Elyan gawk.

Leon ignored Elyan's shock and started walking toward the training grounds with Gwain. "Honestly I feel rather foolish for not having seen it sooner. When did you notice?"

Gwain barked a laugh bringing Elyan back to the present, the knight quickly followed after his friends.

"I've known of Merlin's feelings sense I first met him and the Princess." Leon tried to ignore the odd nickname Gwain had given Arthur. "As for Arthur, I was never completely sure, his relationship with Gwen left little room for question."

"So then, Arthur was going to marry my sister, when he had feelings for… Merlin?" Something seemed to click in Elyan's mind, suddenly everything made sense. Arthur and Merlin's relationship had always seemed so odd, and Gwen and Merlin were also very similar. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm relieved Gwen isn't here for this."

"Well, what are we going to do about it?" Gwain asked.

Leon had a deep frown thinking over the situation. "It would not be wise to get involved in the King's affairs."

Gwain threw an arm over Leon shoulders with a chuckle. "Yes, but when has that ever stopped us."

"It would be bad if Arthur married while in love with another, it could lead to a scandal." Elyan finally gave his opinion, shocking the other two.

"What about Guinevere?" Leon questioned him. After all, Gwen was Elyan's sister, surely he would put her before Merlin.

"It's for the best, she's better off not married to a man who loves another."

"That settles it! Let's help out the love birds!" Gwain said ecstatically.

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Merlin had managed to pick a perfect spot with a perfect view to set up the picnic, and Arthur simply could not bring himself to torment the man as he set up. He could see the effort it was taking Merlin to adjust to the changes in their relationship, he saw no point in kicking him while he was down. As he and Mithian enjoyed their breakfast, Merlin sat on the other side of a nearby tree, trying not to listen to the conversation.

"Is something the matter?" Mithian asked with a sweet smile. Arthur looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Everything is splendid."

Mithian's smile turned teasing as she looked behind her where the tree Merlin sat at was. "You seem distracted my lord." She looked back at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Arthur examined Mithian carefully, she really was a wonderful woman, kind, funny and very honest, really she was a perfect woman. Despite all this, Arthur could not find any feelings for the woman beyond a fond friendship. Would that be enough?

Arthur's eyes briefly glanced at Merlin again, catching a glimpse of the man peeking around the tree at them. Looking to Mithian, Arthur frowned.

"Forgive me Princess, I have a lot on my mind." Mithian placed a comforting hand on Arthur's.

"Is it anything I can assist you with?"

Arthur found a great deal of comfort in the Princess, perhaps she would be able to bring him comfort in this time of confusion. "I friend of mine is troubled by my choice to enter into our arrangement," Arthur said trying to be as careful as he could with his words. "They are worried for my happiness."

Mithian seemed pleased with the honesty Arthur was using with her, normally a betrothed would keep that to themselves in an effort to avoid insult. "You were engaged before, yes?" Arthur gave a simple nod. "You lost someone you had cared deeply for, even wanted to marry. It can be a little scary to enter into an… arrangement like ours after that." Arthur had not missed the pause, nor did he miss the bit of disappointment in Mithian at the use of arrangement over engagement.

When Mithian continued she spoke a little louder and confidant in Hope's that Merlin might her hear. "My Lord, would it perhaps help your friend if they knew that I would do my utmost to help you find happiness again?" Arthur was taken back, he saw Merlin glance over his shoulder at them, an ever so slight up turn to his lips. Mithian truly was a kind woman, she had already taken a liking to Merlin, Arthur could see it, she could tell the King was close to Merlin and therefore wanted to help ease his worries. Yes, she would make a wonderful Queen, yet Arthur still couldn't find so much as an ounce of emotion beyond fondness for her.

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Arthur stood in his chambers flipping his mother's ring between his fingers as he stared at it as if in a trance. Everything had been going so smoothly, he and Merlin started to feel a little normal around each other and the hunt with Mithian had started out splendid. However, finding his mother's ring, the ring he had given Guinevere, had shaken everything. Arthur had locked himself in his chambers upon arrival back to the castle and ordered that no one disturb him, not even Merlin.

He felt lost, confused, he had been so sure that Guinevere was to be the perfect companion but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that his favorite things about the woman were in fact the things that reminded him of Merlin and it felt wrong. Not because of his feelings for Merlin, because he was realizing his feeling for Guinevere simply weren't as deep, he loved her, but Arthur was now coming to the understanding that he in fact loved Merlin more.

As the King continued to stare at the ring, pondering if it really should have been Merlin's hand it sat on, he heard the sound of frantic foot falls before the very man that plagued his mind came bursting into the room.

"Sire, I need to talk to you-"

"I told you I don't want to be disturbed." Arthur interrupted the other man not daring to look at him.

Merlin bit his lip before speaking again. "Sire it is of great importance."

Arthur sighed and looked up at the man, seeing the distress and concern in Merlin's eyes he gave in. "What is so important Merlin?"

Merlin stopped, seeming somewhat surprised at how easy it was for Arthur to listen. "I have reason to believe Agravaine is working for Morgana and they are planning on attacking us using the plans for the siege tunnels." Merlin watched as Arthur stared at him with disbelief, they waited in silence as Arthur processed what had been said to him. First he felt angry at Merlin for even thinking such a thing, but then he felt fear creeping up his spine. What reason would Merlin have to make up such accusations, especially with their relationship strained as it was. Despite this, Arthur did not want to believe that his uncle, his last piece of family, would ever betray him like this.

"Merlin, what you are suggesting is a serious accusation," Arthur finally spoke stepping around the table, as he closed in on Merlin the man quickly backed away from him in an effort to keep distance from the King. Arthur groaned, he trusted Merlin, but if he was to believe this he needed proof. The King left the room with Merlin hot on his heels, he hastily walked through the castle to the archives, he said nothing to Merlin as they walked but he knew he was following. The guards opened the room for their King and stepped aside so he and the servant could enter. Arthur, having memorized the organization of the archives by heart, immediately walked to the cabinet with the siege tunnel plans, unlocking it. After feeling around for only a few moments he found the scrolls and pulled them out for Merlin to see, shock clear in the man's eyes before panic seemed to set in. Arthur put them away slamming the cabinet shut.

"You make an accusation without proof." He advanced on Merlin until the servants back came in contact with a set of cabinets, Arthur had him trapped. "What are you playing at?"

"Arthur, please. Why would I lie about this? What would I gain?" Arthur pondered that for a moment. What would be gained by purposely accusing a noble for something they hadn't done? Nothing, especially in Merlin's position.

"Alright, I will look into the matter," The King said, once again shocking Merlin with his lack of stubbornness.

"You will?" Merlin tried to lean into the cabinets to get some distance from Arthur who was so close at this point he could feel his breath on his cheek.

"Merlin, you are a loyal servant, I do not believe you would make such a serious accusation against a member of my family unless you were sure it was true."

"You don't?"

"No. However, should you prove wrong you are never to speak ill of my uncle again, is that clear?" Merlin nodded as much as he could with Arthur's face as close as it was to him. He tried to look at anything other than Arthur's eyes or lips, worried about what he would do if he did. Arthur seemed less concerned, he just got closer, his lips faintly touching Merlin's. Before the King could fully press his lips to Merlin's, the warlock jumped, he nimbly pushed past Arthur and bolted for the door.

"I will return to my duties now sire, I will bring your dinner later." Merlin bowed before bursting out of the room.

Arthur stood alone among the papers and cabinets staring at the spot Merlin had been standing in. As he thought about his ever changing relationship with the other man and how he couldn't seem to keep a physical distance even in this situation, Arthur had a crushing realization. Now that he knew of his feeling for Merlin, he would not be able to stay faithful to Mithian, he didn't care enough for her to let the other man go.

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A/N: Well, there you have it, I don't know about you but the next chapter has me excited! Let me know your thoughts! I'm also always open to suggestions so if you have an idea for where this fanfic goes please share, I won't promise it will happen but I aim to please my readers as much as I can. See you guys next time!