Everyone Love's Merlin

The cold breeze whipped through the small hovel set under a great oak, the tattered drapes that hung across the windows blew slightly, occasionally revealing the flickering candlelight from within.

"Tor'sep Kor, Fallasham sortos. Let thy rival be burned by passion, Let thy rival be destroyed by love. Let thy rival fall to jealousy" Morgana intoned. Her eyes glowed briefly and a moment later the candle snuffed out.

"Its done?" asked Sardor from where he was sitting by the table with his boot on it as he watched Morgana's spell at work. Morgana smiled and turned to him.

"It is. Gwen is not going to know what's hit her in the morning" she said.

"I hope you did the spell right Morgana, those things are notorious for doing the unexpected" Sardor cautioned her.

"Do not worry my Prince, everything will be fine" she promised.

Camelot slept peacefully, oblivious to the cold wind that whipped around outside. This night however there was something else on the breeze. Something that enveloped the entire city like a blanket. Settled in the homes of the people and the rooms of the nobles, the knights, the King and his Wife, and, of course, his Servant.

Merlin frowned in his sleep as he turned over, dreaming of his earlier, simpler life. Little did Morgana realise however, was that the spell had sought out her rival within the city. It just wasn't even close to who she would have thought.

"Good Morning!" Merlin said cheerfully the next morning as he opened the drapes in the King and Queen's chambers. Merlin was happier than normal this morning because as soon as he'd woken he'd found Gaius had made him some breakfast, which he hardly ever did, and also on his way here everyone had seemed happy to see him. Even the guards had nodded at him in greeting as he passed. If only every morning were like this. In the bed Arthur and Gwen both groaned and turned over, Merlin chuckled, despite himself. Who'd have figured Gwen was a lousy a morning person as Arthur.

"Rise and shine!" Merlin called as he pulled out the chairs by the table, loudly. Slowly the pair sat up both blinking and looking at him.

"Good Morning Merlin" Arthur said as he climbed out of bed.

"Merlin" Gwen said by way of greeting and with a smile.

"What? No veiled insults?" asked Merlin, eyeing Arthur. "Not even an object thrown at me?" he asked.

"Why would I want to do that?" Arthur asked. Merlin shrugged.

"no reason, just I must have done something to make everyone happy" he said.

"Maybe it's your kind nature and enthusiasm" Gwen said. Merlin smiled at the compliment.

"Face it, Merlin's rubbing off on us" Arthur said. Merlin blinked, but put the comment right out of his mind, instead he poured them both a drink before setting about getting Arthur's clothing ready while Sally, Gwen's handmaiden arrived. She greeted the King and Queen respectfully, then smiled warmly at Merlin, who returned it, Sally turning away blushing. It was of course, an open secret that Sally and Merlin were 'close friends' as Arthur termed it, because he couldn't imagine his servant doing anything but what he did every day, a fact Gwen and Merlin both teased him about in private. Still, that was usually held back unless Arthur was being a total prat about Merlin's status.

"Is everything ready for the council meeting?" Arthur asked as he went behind the dresser, Merlin handing him some clothing.

"It is, you can begin as soon as we get there" Merlin told him. Arthur peered out and smiled.

"Thank you Merlin" he said. Merlin nodded, becoming aware that Gwen and Sally were both looking at him.

"Ok, what's going on?" he suddenly asked.

"What? What do you mean what's going on?" asked Gwen.

"nothing's going on Merlin" Sally assured him.

"Look everyone is being far to nice to me today" Merlin. "ergo, something is going on" he said. Arthur stepped out dressed and patted him affectionately on the back.

"See, that's what I love about you Merlin, always making sure everything is safe" Arthur said. "I don't think I ever expressed how much I appreciate it" he said, then with a kiss to Gwen he left an open mouthed Merlin standing there.

"Merlin" prompted Gwen. Merlin looked at her, then closing his mouth quickly moved after Arthur. Sally and Gwen looked at each other as the door closed.

"Don't even contemplate it" Sally warned her.

"I'm contemplating. Maybe I should only use Merlin as a servant" Gwen said.

"You touch him and queen or not I'll slap you down" Sally warned her.

"oh I'd love to see what Arthur would do to you if you did that" Gwen hissed. "Now don't you have work to do?" she asked.

Merlin was becoming more and more concerned as he stood just off to Arthur's side in the meeting hall, the council were sat out either side of the table with Arthur at its head. However the council members were all looking at Merlin and smiling at him, even gods forbid, Gaius. Still Merlin was determined he would not show Arthur up by making excuses to leave, so it was with an audible sigh when the meeting finally ended. The council stood and left the room, Merlin practically falling into one of the vacant seats.

"Are you alright Merlin?" Arthur asked concerned. Merlin looked at him.

"Please, stop this. Call me a prat, a dollop head, even a girl if you want but just stop smiling at me!" Merlin yelled, then realised just who he'd shouted at. However instead of the dressing down he should have got, Arthur instead looked even more concerned.

"Merlin?" he asked gently. Merlin stood and backed away form him.

"Look Arthur I have chores to do, I'll see you later" he said quickly and ran out of the room.

"Merlin?"

Merlin looked up as Gwaine walked over to him while Merlin carefully put Arthur's combat armour back.

"Afternoon" Merlin greeted him. He had come to the armoury as it was probably the one place in the entire kingdom he'd be able to get some time alone, away from those unnerving stares.

"Are you okay? You look a little pale" Gwaine asked him. Merlin nodded at him.

"Gwaine, have you noticed anything… strange happening this morning?" Merlin asked him. Gwaine thought for a moment then shook his head

"No, should I have?" he asked. Merlin sighed and shook his head.

"No, I guess I'm just seeing things" he said.

"Seeing what?" Gwaine asked him as he leant up against the wall, arms folded. Merlin looked at him then shrugged.

"People"

"You've seen people this morning? My god Merlin those are extinct!" Gwaine joked, the corners of Merlin's mouth going up a notch.

"No, I mean People, they've been looking at me strangely all morning, or being really nice to me" Merlin said.

"Well maybe its because you're a nice person" Gwaine pointed out.

"No Gwaine, its more than that. I mean they look at me like they want something" Merlin told him.

"Maybe its those come to bed eyes of yours, or that little smile you give now and then" Gwaine said.

"Funny Gwaine" Merlin said without an ounce of humour. Gwaine however moved towards him, regarding him as he would an exquisite lady. Or expensive ale.

"Oh I'm not joking Merlin" Gwaine whispered as he approached. Merlin began to back up, eyes widening.

"No, your really not are you" he agreed as he stumbled back into the doorway. He quickly recovered and ran from the room.

Gaius looked up as Merlin ran in slamming the door closed behind him.

"Merlin? Whatever have you done this time?" Gaius asked.

"Why is it when I run in here like this you assume its something I've done?" Merlin asked him. Gaius raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, I didn't this time" Merlin said.

"Then what's wrong?" Gaius asked gently. Merlin shook his head.

"Everyone seems to be going mental is what's wrong" Merlin told him. Gaius blinked.

"Explain everyone and going mental" he said.

"Arthur, being extra nice to me, everyone in the castle smiling at me, Gwaine.."

"What did Gwaine do?" asked Gaius.

"Nothing"

"Merlin"

"Promise you won't laugh" he said.

"Merlin what do you take me for?" asked Gaius. Merlin nodded and then took a deep breath.

"Gwaine came on to me" he said. Gaius blinked, then burst out laughing. "Gaius! you promised!" Merlin shouted.

"Oh, I'm sorry Merlin, but you have to admit that is pretty funny" Gaius said. Merlin watched his mentor then began to chuckle himself.

"Yeah, I guess so" he admitted.

"Of course, we all know you love me" Gaius told him. Merlin's face fell.

"Oh not you too" he muttered, grabbing the door handle and running out.

"Merlin!" Gaius called.

Merlin ran across the castle, not knowing where he was heading until finally he reached Gwen's personal chambers. Knocking he opened the door and entered, seeing Gwen sitting by the window looking out. Slowly she turned to regard him.

"Merlin?" she asked as he shakily gripped the back of a chair.

"Gwen, something is going very wrong in Camelot" he told her.

"What is?" she asked him.

"Everyone seems… infatuated with me. Gwaine, Gaius, everyone else smiling at me and now I wonder what they're thinking why they're smiling" he said. Gwen moved forwards and gently sat him down on the chair before moving to the counter and pouring him some water, Merlin took it gratefully.

"Gwaine and Gaius?" she asked gently. Merlin nodded as she moved behind him. "Don't worry my love, I'll have them taken care of" she said sweetly. Merlin blinked then thudded his head on the table.

"You as well" he guessed.

"Merlin, don't be coy, you know you were always my first true love" she whispered as she began to stroke his ear.

"What about Arthur?" he asked.

"Well if he tries anything with you I'll have to deal with him as well" she said. Merlin slowly stood.

"Yeah, about that, maybe I should.. you know go and make sure he's… not doing something he shouldn't be" Merlin stammered. Gwen smiled at him.

"I'll be waiting here" she said softly. "Don't be too long"

"Oh, I might be awhile, need to be careful.. yep.. careful" he said as he left the room.

"Gwaine, Gaius and Gwen" he muttered.

"Merlin, there you are!" Merlin looked over to see Arthur approaching him.

"Sire" Merlin said.

"I was worried about you, are you alright?" Arthur asked him.

"Oh you know, I'm dealing" Merlin replied. Arthur tilted his head as he frowned.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Arthur.."

"I only ask out of concern Merlin. You are my friend after all" Arthur said. "And besides over the past few months I've felt we've become… close… friends" Arthur said as he placed the palms of his hands on the wall either side of Merlin, effectively trapping him.

"Arthur, think very carefully about what your... thinking right now" Merlin told him in a squeaky voice.

"Oh I'm thinking Merlin. I'm thinking of your future" Arthur told him.

"Arthur..."

"Come on Merlin, you know it feels so right, we've always been there for each other in the past, this is just a natural continuation of that" Arthur said as he leant forwards. Merlin looked around, then at Arthur.

"Okay Arthur, close your eyes" Merlin told him. Arthur wriggled his eyebrows and did so.

"don't keep me waiting too long" Arthur said.

"Oh I won't" Merlin assured him, as behind Arthur an expensive vase rose into the air. "But you'll thank me later" he said. Arthur frowned still keeping his eyes closed, then gasped as the vase shattered over his head knocking the king unconscious.

"Sorry Arthur" Merlin muttered as he ran.

He made his way quickly to the store room where he grabbed the biggest cloak he could find before wrapping it around himself, pulling the hood up to hide his face. With a quick spell he distracted the guards by the main doors before running out into the courtyard that was becoming dark as the sun set. He made his way quickly through the city and out of Camelot, running for all he was worth until he reached the familiar clearing. There, checking he was alone, he called the Dragon, then waited. A few moments later Kilgharrah swooped overhead, before landing with a thud.

"Well hello handsome" Kilgharrah said in greeting.

"Please, not you as well" Merlin said

"It's an enchantment Merlin, just because I'm a Dragon, that does not mean I do not suffer its effects" the Dragon said.

"Okay, do me one favour why we- what's wrong with your eyes?"

"These are my come back to my nest eyes, do you not like them?"

"No I do not!"

"Pity, it took me ages to perfect them" Kilgharrah said.

"Can we just get back on topic here. And stop with the eyes!"

"Can't blame a Dragon for trying"

"Look, you said it yourself, its an enchantment on me, and so far I've had to fend off four of my best friends, not to mention knock one of them out!" Merlin said. "Now what are you doing?" he asked as Kilgharrah began to sway.

"The Dragon mating dance, you like it?"

"Will you behave yourself!"

"Fine, I can see you won't be coming back to my nest" Kilgharrah said almost sadly.

"Yes, good, progress!" Merlin said exasperated. "Now what can you tell me about this enchantment?"

"It is magical in nature"

"I got that part myself thanks"

"Are you sure you don't want to come back? We could have roast cow and a nice chat by a blazing Dragonfire?"

"I'm sure"

"Tempted?"

"KILGHARRAH!"

"Fine. The enchantment itself is powerful, but to break it, you will need the kiss of your one true love. Only then can you be free of its effects"

"My one true love? Who's that?"

"Merlin, it could be anyone"

"So I'd have to kiss all the women in Camelot?" Merlin asked. Kilgharrah laughed at him.

"How simple you are sometimes, it's a good thing I'm crazy about you. No Merlin, it means you will have to kiss everyone in Camelot. Women and men"

"WHAT? I don't even think that way about men!"

"Maybe you've not met the right one, just because you do not feel that way about that person now does not mean you will not love them that way in the future"

"I am NOT Kissing them!"

"Then I suggest you settle down to enjoy your enchantment" the Dragon said.

"There must be some other way" Merlin asked.

"No Merlin. This is the only way to break this enchantment upon you" Kilgharrah said. "Now, about that roast cow-"

"I'll take a rain check" Merlin said.

"Suit yourself" the Dragon replied taking flight. "And I have such a lovely nest bed just big enough for the both of us" the Dragon said flying away. Merlin watched it go, then let out a sigh.

He stood there alone for several more moments, then turned, stopping short seeing a band of raiders watching him all of them with grins on their faces, several of them cursing as a woman pushed her way through them.

"Seriously, I make one little plan to attack Camelot and you all start acting like hormonal dogs" said Morgana. "What's so interest- Oh… Hello" her voice took on an almost sultry tone as she looked at Merlin. A moment later her parter in crime, the sorcerer Sardor pushed his way forwards as well.

"Oh Hello sexy" he said looking at Merlin.

"You have got be kidding me" Merlin said