(no subject)
Title : Untitled yet
Author : dark_kana
Fandom : Merlin
Character / Pairing : Merlin, Arthur, Gaius, Uther, Leon, Knights / ArthurMerlin
Warnings : Yaoi, Angst, Magic discovery
Rating : R?
Author’s Note : Written for inkweaver/lullabylily at fic_promptly. Her prompt was : “Merlin is being accused of the worst crime of all: that of being a warlock”
It's dark again and he's nearly falling asleep once more when he hears a soft thud just outside his cell.
Within a second Merlin is on his feet, held back by the shackles around his wrists, but ready for whatever happens out there.
"Merlin."
Of course he recognizes the voice. Sir Leon. One of Arthur's knights.
The clinging of the keys doesn't even surprise the young warlock. Just seeing Leon stand there, before his cell. Having heard the guard fall down on the ground, unconscious. He's smart enough to figure it all out. And suddenly Gaius' words make sense.
"There isn't much time."
Without another word Leon opens the cell. Urging Merlin to hold out his hands so he can free him from his shackles. It only takes the Knight a second to free the boy before him.
There are many questions in Merlin's eyes when he looks up. But Leon only shakes his head. Now is not the time for questions and answers. Nodding once Merlin tells him he understands. Looking closer to the knight he notices how his eyes are shielded. Surely Leon must have some questions himself.
Silently they run out of the dungeons. Not once encountering someone on their way out.
The cold night air greets them, and Merlin takes some deep breaths. Letting the fresh air go 'till the bottom of his lungs. Enjoying, embracing this chance. Looking up he knows the stars are reflecting in his deep blue eyes.
The sudden nudge against his arm nearly makes him jump. Until he sees Leon coming to stand right next to him, leading 2 horses by their reigns.
"Let's go."
Together they mount the horses and they drive off in the night.
It takes them 1 hour to reach one of the hunting cabins in the forest. Outside of it stands another horse. The moment they arrive, the door opens, revealing Arthur.
Without a word Leon nods and turns his horse back around. Merlin knows though that he will stay in the neighborhood. He'd never leave Arthur's side when he might be needed.
Slowly Merlin gets off his horse. Not knowing what to expect now he's face to face with the Crown Prince. He trusts Arthur. He really does. With his life, no matter how cliché it may sound. But he doesn't know what's going on in his head right now. He can't figure out what the Prince is thinking, feeling.
"Get inside Merlin."
There is a harsh tone in the Prince's voice. And he avoids Merlin's gaze.
Sighing Merlin follows Arthur inside the hut. He won't resist. Not even if Arthur wants to kill him for deceiving him so long. Personal revenge...
"So, Leon managed to get you out."
There is no need to reply.
"So, are the accusations true?"
For the first time since he got arrested, their eyes lock. And Merlin pales visibly when he sees the look on Arthur's face.
He shakes his head in defeat. He has lied long enough.
"Yes. They are true."
He turns his head away when he sees Arthur's eyes widen. A familiar fear rises. What if Arthur hates him...?
"You are ... a warlock."
The words of the Dragon rings through his head.
Most powerful. Destiny. Two sides of a coin.
"I'm sorry Arthur."
"Whatever are you sorry for? You saved my life..."
Shocked Merlin turns around. Wide eyes locking with the blue ones of Arthur. There is so much he wants to say, ask. But there are no words leaving his lips. He just stands there. Facing the man he has come to look up to. Facing the man he has dedicated his life, his magic, to.
Yes, he had saved Arthur. Again. And because of that he was thrown in the dungeons. Someone had clearly seen it. But he had never expected Arthur to have noticed as well.
A deep sigh escapes Arthur and suddenly he looks tired. And scared. And small.
"It's not fair. Why can't he see that not all magic is evil?"
It should have surprised Merlin. It really should have. But instead he just stands there. Staying silent. Just watching how Arthur paces the room.
"You saved my life more than once, didn't you?"
For a second Merlin narrows his eyes, before closing them and sighing softly. It is all the answer the Crown Prince needs.
"Can't you make them forget?"
The words surprise Merlin just as hard as the hand that is being placed on his shoulder does. When he opens his eyes again, he has to swallow because of the sudden proximity of the Prince.
"Forget?"
Silently he curses how rough his voice suddenly sounds. Silently he curses the effect Arthur has on him.
"Yeah, so my father won't remember what has been told. Can't you make him forget that he has sentenced you to dead?"
The Prince's voice sounds pleading. Even though he tries desperately to hide it. And suddenly Merlin knows perfectly well what is going on in Arthur's head.
I can't let you die. I can't lose you.
There is a lot going through the young warlock's head. But the most nagging one is to take Arthur's face in his hands and kiss him senseless.
Swallowing once more he tries to even out his voice.
"I don't know. I've never tried before. Perhaps 1 person. Perhaps I can manage that. But I'd need to make the entire court forget. I don't think it's possible Arthur.”
Arthur opens his mouth, to reply, to argue, to … But at that exact moment the door of the hut swings open, Leon storming in, not even looking the least bit surprised when he sees Arthur and Merlin standing so close to each other. The Prince’s hand still resting on the warlock’s shoulder.
“Sire, your father. The King. And his Knights…”
For a second Arthur tenses before he nods. The only sign for the loyal knight that he is dismissed. Without a sound Leon walks back outside. Jumping on his horse and riding off. There is no doubt he is going to warn the other Knights loyal to the Crown Prince.
Without a second of hesitation Arthur turns around, taking Merlin’s hand is his, leading him to the door.
“Arthur, wait.”
For a moment the Prince stops in his movements. It is enough for Merlin to stand his ground.
“We can’t do this. I can’t let you do this. Your father will kill you as well if he finds out you’ve been helping me.”
Slowly Arthur turns around, facing the other boy.
“Look Merlin. I didn’t help you escape only to let them capture you again right under my nose.”
A soft sigh before he continues, his eyes allowing no contradiction.
“We will go out now. We’ll find you a hiding place. My father doesn’t have to know a single thing. You can live here, in the forest. Or you can go to any place you want. I can arrange for protection. Though I have no doubt that somehow you’ll manage to protect yourself. No matter how clumsy you seemingly pretend to be. I know it will mean a life of hiding, but I can’t bear to see you die. Not because of this. Because of the magic you saved me with. I won’t let you die.”
Once again the Prince reaches out for Merlin’s hand. This time though the young warlock pulls back in time.
“No Arthur. I can’t let you do this. Your father will find out. If he hasn’t already. Do you honestly think he will not have noticed most of your Knights to have suddenly disappeared? And you as well? Why do you think he is nearly here already? Because he knew you’d come here, bring me here. I won’t let you get hurt and punished for this, for me. I should have been more careful. Gaius always tells me. I guess he can say ‘I told you so’ now.”
This time it is Merlin who sighs, his eyes pleading Arthur not to interfere and to let him finish, no matter how close the danger.
“Beside. I cannot live a life on the run. A life of hiding. I’d die anyway. And another thing Arthur. I have to be at your side. Not for destiny or whatever else people would say. But because I need to be by your side. I need you.”
Another deep sigh, though neither of them averts their gaze. Eyes locked and vaguely both of them can here the riders getting closer. They can hear Uther yell his commands.
“I am sorry Arthur. For everything…”
And before the Prince can question the other guy, Merlin’s hand reaches up. His fingers gently traces Arthur’s face. Before he leans closer, eyes asking permission. And Arthur’s arm that curl around his waste is all he needs.
Their lips meet, and for a moment Merlin fears he’s going to faint, not quite believing Arthur is actually kissing him back.
He can feel the arms of Arthur tighten around his waist, while he lets his own arms sneak around the Prince’s neck. Pulling their bodies close against one other. A soft moan escapes, though neither can tell who it came from. Perhaps it were both of them.
They ignore the loud bang of the door that is being opened full force. And the shout that escapes Uther when he sees the two of them like that.
Merlin can feel Arthur’s grip on his, as well as his kiss, intensifying. He can feel raw panic surging through the Prince’s body. He can hear Leon and the other Knights arrive. He hears Uther shout his orders to arrest the warlock and save his son from the evil magic.
And then he feels said magic stir inside. He can hear the his mother’s voice, and the Dragon’s voice, and Gaius’ voice. All these voices melting into one.
“You are more powerful than you can even begin to imagine.”
The familiar tingling of his magic rises in force when he pours everything he still wants to say in the kiss.
The gasps of surprise and fear do not reach either of them. Too caught up in the feeling of their tongues battling, of feeling the heat of the other one’s body so close. Too scared that this is going to end way too soon and that everything will be over.
Merlin gasps in the kiss when he feels the tingling of his magic intensify. A fire spreading through him. Wanting to reach out. It feels as if he is surrounded by light. Bright light, and tentacles of it reaching out to enfold everybody present in the room.
He wants to break free from the kiss, trying to get his magic back in check. But Arthur refuses to let him go, and even if he had, Merlin knows he cannot control this surge of raw and pure magic. And somewhere deep down inside it scares him. However he is fully aware that whatever this is, it will not cause harm to anyone near him.
So he surrenders, letting Arthur’s tongue continue with exploring his mouth. Letting Arthur’s hand roam over his back. Letting Arthur’s body press itself close to his own.
“Oh Heaven’s. I love you Arthur.”
Panting he lets his forehead rest against Arthur’s. His eyes closed, he doesn’t want to see the beginning of the ending.
“Merlin.”
Arthur’s voice sounds far away and he shakes his head. He doesn’t want to face reality yet. He just wants to stay hidden in the secure embrace of the man he came to love more than he ever thought he could love somebody.
“Merlin. Look.”
Only now does he register the surprise in Arthur’s voice. Slowly he opens his eyes, turning his head, looking around the room.
Uther and some of his knights are still inside. But there is a strange look on their faces. As if they are sleeping while standing. There is a dazzled look in their eyes, and the swords they had drawn are all gone from their hands.
Slowly both boys release their hold on each other. Arthur carefully walking over to the King.
“Father?”
There is hope shimmering through in his voice. And it makes Merlin wonder if Arthur has figured something out that he himself hasn’t.
“Father?”
Gently he places a hand on his father’s arm.
Blinking once, Uther looks around, eyes finally focusing on his son at his side.
“Arthur. What? Where?”
Once more he looks around, eyes finding Merlin and lingering on the boy for a while, before moving back to his son.
“I was out hunting with some of my knights.”
At that moment Leon walks in.
“And I see you were as well.”
Mutely Arthur nods.
“Well, we can all return home together then I presume. It’s getting late already.”
Without a word Arthur, Merlin and Leon follow the King back outside. No one of the Knight making any move to come near Merlin. And it is only then that the warlock realizes.
The company travels to Camelot without much words and without any trouble. When they reach the gates however, Merlin tenses and he is ready to turn his horse and ride away. But the calming hand of Arthur on his, even if it’s only for a second, is enough to make him follow.
On the courtyard there is no sign that there was ever an execution planned. And no one seems surprised that Merlin is with them.
As soon as they can, the both of them escape from the King’s presence.
“Gaius. Arthur, I need to see Gaius.”
He doesn’t wait for an answer, knowing the Prince understands and will wait for him to return to his chambers. Turning around, he runs to the physician’s rooms. For the door he halts, suddenly scared. He doesn’t know why.
A trembling hand opens the door and carefully he walks inside.
“Gaius.”
He can hear a crash at the other end of the room, before he sees Gaius stand up.
“Merlin?”
There is surprise and fear and disbelieve.
“No, impossible. What are you doing here? Are you mad? They’ll kill you if they see you. Arthur and his Knights planned your escape. You’d be safe in the forest, or wherever you’d chose to go. What are you doing back here?”
A small smile graces the young warlock’s lips.
“I rode back home. With Arthur. And Arthur’s Knights. And Uther’s Knights. And … Uther himself.”
The look on Gaius’ face nearly makes him laugh, until he realizes.
“Wait. Why has everybody forgotten the accusations of me being a warlock. But not you. Nor Arthur. Nor Arthur’s Knights if I can read the looks on their faces.”
“You are more powerful than you think young warlock.”
A deep breath, eyes closed for a second.
“Right. I made them forget. But my magic, my heart, knows who it can trust.”
He shakes his head, and before Gaius can react, Merlin walks over to him. Hugging the older man.
“I’m alive Gaius.”
They laugh softly when they hear Merlin’s stomach rumble.
“And you definitely haven’t changed. Come over, there’s still something to eat in here.”
The end