Making Windows Where There Were Once Walls

Courting Merlin (involves a lot of groveling)

The first thing Arthur saw when he woke up was George's face looming over his own. For a split second Arthur was confused. Why was George waking him up and not Merlin? Then the memories of the previous day washed over him, and the utter shame that came along with them.

He buried his head into the pillows as he heard George bustle around the room. "You need to get up sire if you want to make it to your meeting with Lord Griffiths," the servant prodded. At that, Arthur shot up in bed.

"Tell Lord Griffiths that I'm moving the meeting back so that I can attend knight training today," Arthur commanded as he started throwing on his clothes. At George's attempts to try and help him, he shooed him away, "Go now, I don't need your help, go find Lord Griffiths and convey that we will convene at one. Afterwards I'd appreciate it if you could have my armor prepared, I have another matter to see to before training."

Arthur would let Lord Griffiths know that the treaty was called off, but first he needed to get revenge on Merlin's behalf. As he strode out of his chambers, he told the guard standing by to release Gwaine from the dungeons, and to tell the knight that he was expected on the training field in an hour.

He then briskly walked up to Gaius' chambers. He wanted to see Merlin again. He had spent so much time pushing Merlin away in an attempt to hide his hurt and feelings, that Arthur didn't want to be separated from him again.

He had spent several hours with Merlin last night, talking through his reasonings for his recent actions while Merlin looked nonplussed, not letting Arthur get away with simply spouting his excuses. "I appreciate knowing what you were thinking Arthur, but just because you've managed to justify your actions to yourself doesn't mean you didn't hurt me," he had said with a quiet sternness. Merlin never yelled, but that did not mean that Arthur wasn't cowed.

"I know Merlin." Arthur had tried to sound as sincere as he possibly could, "And I know that you may never forgive me, you probably shouldn't, but I will work as hard as I can to prove to you that I'm sorry." A tense silence surrounded the two of them.

Merlin was the one who broke the silence, "I think it would be best if you were to leave now. I have a lot to think about and I'm tired."

Arthur looked like he was about to argue, but thought better of it. His shoulders slumped, he nodded his head. "Of course. I'll follow your lead when it comes to our relationship, whether it is simply friendship, or... or more. By all rights, you shouldn't want to ever see or speak to me again, so the fact that you are giving me a second chance is more than I deserve."

As he turned to leave, Merlin grabbed his arm. "I would like to see you tomorrow morning if you have time," Merlin's tone was a mixture of sadness, hopefulness, and longing.

"If that is what you want, I'll be here," Arthur smiled kindly. "And goodnight Merlin, I hope you're able to sleep."

"You too," Merlin spoke, and at that Arthur had turned and left the room.

Now that the morning had come around, Arthur hoped Merlin hadn't changed his mind about wanting to see him. Even though it wasn't that early, Arthur tried to open the door to Gaius' chambers as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Merlin if he was still sleeping. However, when he entered, he found Merlin propped up in bed eating something that looked like brown mush from a bowl.

Merlin raised the bowl of questionable looking slop and wryly said, "Gaius says that it's better if I stay on soft foods for a few days."

"I hope it tastes better than it looks."

"Ugh, unfortunately not." Arthur winced in sympathy at Merlin's grimace.

Arthur sat down, looking at Merlin with cautious optimism, before asking, "How are you feeling this morning?"