The Man: A Merthur Fanfic

Chapter 2

The door slams, and as soon as Merlin's footsteps faded, Arthur let out a cry, and collapsed on his bed. He was angry with himself, for yelling at Merlin. He had panicked...Merlin had been staring at him. At him. Arthur growled in frustration, tugging at his golden locks. He had freaked out under Merlin's stare. Those eyes. So...dark. So strange. So full of secrets. "No!" Arthur flung his pillow at the wall, his father's words echoing in his head. A king is strong, Arthur. Be strong. Be a man. A loud scream interrupted his thoughts, and Arthur was out into the halls quicker than he could realize who the scream belonged to. Merlin.

Merlin cried out as Connor Bowen shoved him to the ground, bashing his head on the stall door. The knight was well respected, and a fantastic warrior, but he was a bully nonetheless. His band of dimwitted followers drew their swords, poking at the servant boy bleeding out on the hay floor. "HEY!" Arthur Pendragon felt a rush of adrenaline, and a feeling of confusion as he charged at the five knights.

He stuck his sword into a wooden shield, knocking one to the ground, head butting another. He slashed at a third, and kicked him into a hay bale. The fourth, a coward, ran away, but not before Arthur bashed his face in with his sheild. Connor Bowen stood before him, shocked. "A-Arthur...it was just a joke.." Arthur glared at the knight, then at Merlin, who lay unconscious at his feet. He looked lifeless, and the sight filled him with a bubbling rage that he couldn't control.

His eyes glowed with hatred as he turned back to Connor. Deciding he wasn't worth it, Arthur scooped up Merlin and turned away. "A coward, Eh? Be a man, and fight me, Ya pansy!" Arthur froze. He looked at Merlin in his arms, and broke down. He fell to his knees, tears pouring from his eyes. "I-I can't!" Connor smirked, getting cocky.

He twirled his sword, enjoying the attention that he was getting. Villagers were gathering around them, and Connor laughed. "And why not?" Arthur ignored the gasps of the crowd as he sobbed. "Because," He stood, looking around. "I'M GAY!" He ran off, Merlin's wound leaving a trail of blood.