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Chapter 14

Arthur walked into Gaius's chambers and grunted. Besides Gaius and himself, no one in the castle seemed to have noticed Merlin's condition that day. No one had heard the awful, ear splitting screams that Merlin had let out save for the two men in the room. It was hard to understand how a castle with guards patrolling constantly could have ignored it. Gaius suspected the statue's spell had kept them virtually soundproof to the rest of the castle. Since no other explanation was available, that's what they went with.

As for Merlin, he'd stopped screaming as soon as Arthur's sword stabbed the statue. However, he seemed to have had all his strength zapped by the statue and hardly seemed able to breathe for the first hour. When Arthur left that night, he had felt like air. Just before Gaius had told Arthur to leave so they could all rest, Merlin had managed to crack his eyes open as a show of life. As soon as he'd spotted Arthur sitting by him, Merlin had smiled weakly and then promptly fell asleep. The crowned prince wouldn't admit to feeling joyous because of this, but there was no real denying it. Even Morgana and Gwen had noticed his mood when he showed up to give them the good news on Merlin's health.

So this morning, standing in the doorway, Arthur was rather shocked and disappointed. Merlin was still lying in the bed, but Gaius was gone again. Honestly, how could anyone go about their real work when Merlin was in such need of attention! Arthur would need to have a word with the physician.

Arthur pulled a chair up to the bed and sat down calmly. He looked over Merlin's body, smiling at the way it looked. His clothes had been changed due to how much sweat they had collected those last few moments. Now Merlin was wearing fresh linens, and his hair had been brushed but was still rumpled. Merlin's position had changed overnight. He now lay halfway turned toward his side, and his arms were both on the right side of his body, toward Arthur. This meant Merlin had found the energy to roll in his sleep, which was fantastic by the way.

"Merlin," Arthur called softly. The sound was like a crashing waterfall in the silent room. Merlin twitched and then stirred.

His eyes slid open the tiniest of degrees and he scanned the view he had. When he noticed the red of Arthur's jacket, he seemed to recall where he was and who had called him, but he didn't have the energy to jump in shock. Instead, Merlin tried to push himself up, failed miserably, sighed, and groaned as he straightened out his position. He looked up at Arthur and settled for an awkward smile as though saying 'sorry, highness, I can't get up for your royal prat-ness. Please forgive me.'

"Morning," and Merlin's voice was slightly raspy. "It is morning, right?"

"Yep. No worries there, Merlin. You can still tell time," Arthur teased. Then his face fell into a serious expression. "Merlin, I want you to be honest with me… I want you to swear you'll speak only the truth to me."

There was a brief silence before Merlin realized he was supposed to respond. Then he took a deep breath and nodded. His gaze met Arthur's and did not fall.

"I swear to tell you the truth," he murmured out as best he could. Arthur nodded and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and then looked back into Merlin's deep, piercing blue gaze.

"Merlin, are you a sorcerer?" he asked. Merlin slowly nodded. "Then how did you fall into such a dangerous enchantment?" Merlin snorted and Arthur leaned a bit closer to hear his answer.

"Just because I know magic… doesn't mean I'm perfect," Merlin retorted. Arthur smirked.

"Well this is true. You're still the clumsiest servant I've ever had. No wonder no one knows your secret," he jabbed. "But I suppose that's for the best… but Merlin, next time I want you to tell me when you think something is wrong. I don't want anything like this to happen again – to anyone, but definitely not to you."

Merlin cocked a confused eyebrow and regarded Arthur curiously. He opened his mouth to say 'what?' or 'why?' but Arthur leaned down and encompassed his vision. Then he felt the soft, perfect lips of the crowned prince pressing against his own. Merlin let out a slightly shocked sound and then a soft sigh through his nose. Arthur pulled back shortly thereafter and gave Merlin a steady, determined stare.

"Don't you ever scare me like this again. That's an order," Arthur growled out in a way only Arthur can, that way that made it sound like a smooth order while also putting that rough half to it that made you understand you couldn't deny him. That was the voice of the once and future king of Camelot. Merlin smiled.

"Yes, Sire," he replied. Then he lifted his head up a half an inch and managed to get his lips to brush Arthur's before he had to drop his head back again. Arthur got the hint and returned his lips to Merlin's.

Arthur placed his hands on either side of Merlin's body and dropped off his chair to kneel on the floor. He moved Merlin's lips to open and slipped his tongue inside. Merlin was helpless to resist, but he didn't want to stop it anyway.

"Arthur," Merlin murmured a few moments later when Arthur pulled back to toy with Merlin's lower lip. "Arthur, what about your duties?" he asked.

"They can wait," Arthur whispered, trying to claim Merlin's mouth again. However, the magician moved his face away.

"No… You have to go. I'll be here when you get done, so you have to go. What kind of king skirts his duties like this?" Merlin jeered. Arthur pouted. It was an odd and strangely attractive look for Arthur.

"Why do you have to be so moral?" he asked. "You never like me to have any fun."

"Heh," Merlin laughed and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he sighed. "No, Arthur. I just know a rather interesting prophecy that told me I'm supposed to keep you on track."

"Prophecy? You really are a magician," Arthur chuckled and tried again to kiss Merlin. He got their lips to touch before a force pushed him back and onto his chair. Then the chair slid back into the table but didn't cause Arthur to get hurt. Arthur's eyes widened. "You really are a magician," he murmured in awe. Merlin chuckled.

"I hope so. Now go. I'm not going anywhere," Merlin promised. Arthur stood and looked down at his manservant.

"Okay," he said after a long pause. "But no matter who's here later, I'm getting a hello and a goodbye kiss. Why? Because I'm the prince and I said so."

Without letting Merlin even get the air to laugh with, Arthur strolled from the room. Merlin sighed contently. Well this was a nice turn of events… but he got the feeling Arthur was going to be a possessive lover… if that's what they were now.

A/N: And that's THE END….. Sad face. :'( I'll miss you! But keep an eye out for more Merlin stories coming from my sister and me!