AUTHOR'S NOTES:

If your reviews for Glitter in the Air were any indication, you were all hoping that there would be a sequel! Well, start celebrating my adoring fans, because here is the first chapter for The Climb, the sequel to Glitter. Just like Glitter in the Air, this story will be based on the song lyrics from my chosen song, which in this case is The Climb by Miley Cyrus.

A huge thank you to Cori (aka Riventhorn) who has been my beta for this chapter! She has been absolutely fabulous and well, without her, you would all have a whole load of rambling thoughts rather than an actual story!

This story DOES contain slash, so please don't read if this makes you uncomfortable!

As always, please spend a few minutes to review at the end! It'll be interesting to see what you all think will happen! So enjoy the story and get ready for a rollercoaster!

SEEKING UTHER'S APPROVAL

For the best part of two hours, Arthur and Merlin rode side by side in comfortable silence. The sun had begun its climb in the sky and by mid-morning, Merlin spotted a stream under large oak trees. He took the lead and trotted Blazer to the water, dismounted and twiddled the reins so that Blazer could drink and eat. Turning around at the sound of a thud, Merlin smiled over at Arthur who was taking his pack off Midnight to let the horse wander freely. Arthur walked over to an oak tree and began to rummage through the pack. Stretching languidly, Merlin walked over to where his partner was and placed his hands over Arthur's eyes, at which Arthur took hold of the hands and pulled Merlin around for a chaste kiss. With a smile on his lips, Merlin sat down on the grass with the oak trunk behind his back so that he could look at Arthur.

"Your mother packed some of the leftover bread and cheese," Arthur stated and continued to rummage for a moment while Merlin poked him with his foot. Arthur stopped and looked up at Merlin. "What?"

"We need to talk about your father," Merlin told him and noticed Arthur roll his eyes. "It's all right for you. The most he'll do to you is to make you clean out the stable. For me? He'll make the stocks a permanent fixture in my life if he finds out that I'm the object of your affection."

Arthur didn't reply, turning away to continue searching through the pack. Merlin started to speak, but then Arthur pulled out a small bundle and tossed it to him. As Merlin unwrapped it, he opened his mouth again to talk, but Arthur interrupted him.

"I told you in Ealdor that I wouldn't let my father do anything to you," Arthur began, and his blue eyes sought Merlin's. "And I mean to keep my word. When we get back, he'll expect a debriefing of what happened in Ealdor, and I'll tell him the truth. I'll also tell him about us, and he will just have to accept it."

"But he's the king, Arthur. He doesn't have to do anything," Merlin countered and handed Arthur a chunk of bread and cheese. Merlin bit into the bread and felt Arthur sit beside him as he continued. "I don't think we should tell him so abruptly. And you certainly shouldn't tell him what the festival is about, either.. We... I mean you, should tell him gradually and bit by bit, so that if he plans on killing me, I've got a few days head start."

Arthur chuckled and ruffled Merlin's hair with his hand. "My father will not kill you for simply being my partner."

Merlin squirmed away and poked his tongue out at Arthur. "The reason we have that gathering in Ealdor is because although same-sex relationships are known and grudgingly accepted, they're not something most people want to see take place in the open. It would be bad enough if I was to fall in love with a noble, but you're the prince, Arthur. Your father has always wanted you to marry and have children to continue the Pendragon bloodline..."

"So that's why you think my father will despise you?" Arthur asked, and Merlin made sure his face reflected the concern that he felt. Arthur twisted himself around to look at Merlin directly. "Of course my father has always believed that I'll fall in love with a queen or princess, and have lots of children so that I have an heir. But I know him, Merlin. He'll disagree at first, even put us both in the stocks for good measure, but he'll understand that I'll never take anyone to my bed who isn't you."

Merlin leaned in close to Arthur, hand finding Arthur's in the process. "So you'll never..." Merlin leant in closer, his breath mingling with Arthur's. "Ever..." Their noses touched and Merlin slid his hand to cup Arthur's cheek. "Take another person to your bed?"

"Never."

Their lips joined, and Arthur moved to straddle Merlin for the second time that day. Merlin pushed him backwards, and Arthur couldn't help but let out a growl of annoyance. He pulled away from Merlin and looked at him pointedly.

"Why did you stop? I know you were up for it," Arthur stated as he looked down at the tented breeches that Merlin was now trying to rearrange.

"It's not that I'm not aroused with you just being near me," Merlin began. "It's just that, well, I'm sort of, you know, sore? So until tonight, do you think that maybe we could, you know, not?"

Merlin waited as Arthur processed the information and wondered if he had done the right thing, pushing Arthur away like that.

"Why didn't you tell me that I'd hurt you?"

"Oh, Arthur. It wasn't you, exactly. I mean, you're the first guy to have ever... and well, it's natural to be sore for a little while," Merlin reassured him. Arthur looked at him doubtfully. Merlin shimmied closer to Arthur and rubbed the inside of his thigh before adding, "It's not your fault you're extremely well...developed, down there. I mean, you left me feeling incredibly filled last night and this morning."

Arthur chuckled and tilted his head down, blonde hair hanging down to cover the top of his face. "So you'll be all right?"

"As long as I can keep your hands off me."

Merlin leaned over and quickly ruffled Arthur's hair, to which Arthur laughed and tried to grab hold of him. Merlin swatted the hand away and picked up his cheese and bread again before packing them away. Arthur took a big bite from each and handed them back to Merlin, who was silently hoping that Arthur had been reassured. Merlin watched as Arthur walked over to Midnight and Blazer, wishing that the two of them could just stay there without having to go back to Camelot. Maybe we could come back here for a day trip or something? When we get some time to ourselves?

"Come on, you. It's another three hours ride to Camelot, and I want to get there within two. That way, father will be sitting down for a late afternoon meal, and he'll be more amenable with a full stomach," Arthur called over, and Merlin stood up with a frown. "What is it? Is the horse riding making you feel worse?"

"It's not that. You need to let me decide when we tell your father, Arthur. I really don't want to be in the stocks tonight," Merlin informed him, and Arthur nodded, apparently agreeing with the statement. "I mean it. We'll tell him together once we've worked it all out."

"Fine. Now will you please get on Blazer before he decides to eat the rest of the forest?"

Merlin smirked and quickly mounted Blazer before making sure the pack was securely attached to the saddle. Arthur had already started trotting ahead, and Merlin kicked Blazer into a trot. As Merlin neared Arthur, he felt a curious surge in his magic, and for a moment, Merlin saw a hazy white light surround Arthur. A frown crept across Merlin's face as an electric blue light seemed to come from Merlin's chest and weave itself to join with the white aura. Merlin blinked and both auras were gone, vanished, as though they had never been there. What was that? Shaking his head, Merlin brought Blazer to a gentle trot and rode beside Arthur.

After an hour or so, Merlin saw glimpses of the white marbled turrets of Camelot, and he could see Arthur urging Midnight on, obviously eager to get home. He couldn't blame Arthur — he was just as eager to see Gaius as Arthur was to see his father. Uther. I really have no idea how we're going to be able to tell him without me being in the stocks, dungeon, or both. But there was no reason to dwell on the matter, because Arthur had agreed to tell Uther only when they were both ready to do so.

As they meandered through the forest along the trail, a few wagons loaded with items trundled down slowly from Camelot. The occupants all bowed and spluttered out greetings to the prince, and Merlin watched as Arthur wooed his subjects with that radiant smile and good looks. Some of the men in the wagons gave Arthur a lecherous look and when Merlin was sure that no one was watching, flicked his fingers with a flaring of golden eyes. The men would suddenly get a muscle cramp in their lower leg, and although Merlin berated himself after, he couldn't have stopped those moments even if he tried. It was like something deep within him was intent on making sure that everyone around them knew that Arthur was his, and that under no circumstance would some other man come to claim the prince's heart. I wonder if this has anything to do with those aura things I saw?

"It's Prince Arthur! Alert the king of his return!"

Merlin looked around him and saw that they had reached the very base of the towering wall that surrounded the whole of archers, standing on the battlements, relayed the message the entire length of the wall. Merlin noticed Arthur flash him a bright smile, and Merlin suddenly felt ill at ease. He's up to something, Merlin thought and just as he was about to question Arthur, his eyes caught movement up by the draw bridge. Stable hands were there, ready and waiting, along with Gaius and some of Arthur's knights. Quite a homecoming. Arthur dismounted from Midnight once they reached the drawbridge and quickly handed the reins to one of the stable hands. Merlin was about to swing his leg and dismount as gracefully as he could before his heart stopped in his mouth. Arthur had come around and had slipped his hands up to steady him in the dismount, Merlin in complete shock and unable to find the words to tell Arthur to stop. As he slid down, Arthur's hands slid up the length of his body, and he gave Merlin a flirtatious wink before turning around and walking off towards the castle.

Merlin quickly regained his senses and jogged after Arthur, who had stopped in the middle of the main square. When he reached the other man, he noticed what had caught Arthur's attention and was filled with a mixture of repulsion and satisfaction at the sight of Owen still in the stocks. The fiery red headed man was covered in putrid tomato juices, and rotting pieces of cabbage hung from various parts of his body. The green eyes that stared out at the crowd focused in on Merlin and Arthur, narrowing with hatred. As though sensing it, Merlin watched Arthur straighten his back and glare right back. For a few moments, the glaring match looked as though it was going to carry on indefinitely, but then Owen looked away. Arthur continued to glare at him, and Merlin wondered why Arthur was still staring until he turned and walked towards the steps leading into the castle. Merlin followed and soon caught Arthur up at the main staircase. For a moment, Arthur took hold of Merlin's hand and squeezed it before walking up the stairs towards the great hall. He's probably nervous about keeping a secret from his father, especially if I'm that secret.

Merlin quickly followed suit and in a matter of minutes, they were standing inside the great hall.

*****

Arthur smiled warmly at his father as he walked further into the hall, which had new drapes hanging from the ceiling and new candles in the candelabras. Gaius was sitting with the king at the long table which was filled with food, still steaming hot. Arthur bowed his head to Uther first, who returned it with a smile, and then to Gaius, who nodded but looked towards Merlin. With a glance over his shoulder, Arthur smiled at his significant other which caused Merlin to beam back his own bright smile. Let's see what happens when I... Arthur walked to Merlin and guided him to the chair beside Gaius's, pushing it into the back of his legs like he would for a lady or queen. Merlin fell into the chair with a start and flashed a look at Arthur, and for a moment, Arthur had to do a double take because he could have sworn that Merlin's eyes had been golden orbs just then. Yet there Merlin was, with an annoyed look on his face and stormy blue eyes. I must be seeing things, Arthur thought as he walked to his own chair by his father's side. He didn't miss the questioning look that his father gave to him.

"What did you discover, Arthur?" Uther asked and Arthur took two plates, one for himself and Merlin, and filled them with food.

"The gathering that had been troubling you, father, was nothing more than a meeting for people with similar interests and tastes," Arthur began and handed a plate to Merlin, who was going bright red in the face as he took the food from Arthur. Uther looked from Arthur to Merlin, and then back to Arthur. "It won't have any ill effects for Camelot."

"What exactly did you see and discover, Arthur?" Uther asked again ,and Arthur fidgeted slightly at the demand for more precise details.

"The gathering is actually a festival, which the locals call the Festival of Innocence. It's a time for young people to search for — and perhaps discover — love. Completely harmless," Arthur clarified and Uther nodded slowly, considering. Arthur chewed a mouthful of food, swallowed, and then continued. "Whilst I was there, I saw nothing that poses a threat to Camelot, father. It was just a time when our loyal subjects could be happy."

Arthur looked across the table at Merlin, who was still sitting in stunned silence with the food untouched in front of him. Gaius looked at his young charge and then back at the prince. Why do I get the feeling that they know about Merlin and I already? Arthur pondered before hearing his inner voice screech, Because you took Merlin, your servant as far as they know, to the table and then gave him food from the table that your father is eating off of!

"You're sure?"

"Yes, father," Arthur tried his best not to sound exasperated at Uther's attempt to make sure that Arthur was being truthful, but a look of annoyance flickered over his face before he quickly relaxed. Uther, however, had noticed the annoyed look.

"I'm sorry if it sounds as though I doubt you, Arthur. A king needs to know that his kingdom and subjects are safe from any and all threats," Uther chided, and Arthur slumped a little in his seat, his appetite for the food suddenly disappearing. Uther sighed and leant towards him. "Arthur, you will be king one day, and I need to make sure that you will be ready for that time. So forgive me if I sound patronising, but well, I'm your father and king, and at times I get the balance wrong. Tell me, what did the people do at this festival?"

Arthur looked at his father and saw the sincerity there in the older man's eyes. Maybe he'll be fine with Merlin being my partner, if he's in this sort of mood?

"Well, during the day, there were games and food, with plenty of wine and ale. In the evening, the couples went off with alone and had some highly intimate enjoyment. I made some new friends whilst I was there, and I found love," Arthur answered and watched Uther's eyebrows rise at the last statement. Arthur risked a quick glance over at Merlin who was trying his best to shake his head without drawing any attention to himself.

"You found love, sire?" Gaius asked as Uther leant back, his hands pressed together under his chin. His father's expression was unreadable, but at least that was better than a look of anger. Wasn't it?

"Yes, Gaius. I did," Arthur announced, and he watched Merlin shrink in his chair, but not without shooting a warning glare at Arthur, who was unknowingly digging his own grave.

Arthur stood up from his place and pushed his chair in, eyes never leaving Merlin's as he made a rash decision. I know I said that I wouldn't, but well, I have to tell him tonight otherwise I never will. Arthur walked around the table and stood behind Merlin's chair, his hands gripping the top of the chair. With a deep breath, Arthur looked at Gaius and then at Uther, who hadn't moved an inch in his chair at the head of the table.

"Father. I'm in love with a man, and I love him with all my being. I'm in love with Merlin."

A sharp intake of breath could be heard, and Merlin sat bolt upright in his chair, slender hands gripping the arms so tightly that Arthur saw the skin turn white. He rested his hands on Merlin's shoulders and kept his eyes on his father. Without a word, Uther stood up and walked from the great hall. Gaius quickly followed, leaving Arthur and Merlin in the hall.

"Well, at least you're not in the stocks."

With an exasperated sigh and sharp smack on the arm, Merlin stalked off, leaving Arthur in the hall on his own. Picking up an apple from the table, Arthur bit into it.

"Could have been worse."

With that, Arthur walked off in search of Merlin.

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