Darkness

Guard Arrangements

Merlin went straight to his chambers in search of his family. Walking down the hall many courtiers and servants nodded to him as if he were a noble that deserved their reverence. He was only slightly annoyed. It was his fault, he knew, for not remembering to change clothes before departing the camp. When he entered his room, he opened the door only a crack before shutting it quickly behind him and locking it. He leaned his head against the door and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. As he turned around, he found Gwaine watching him with careful eyes. Merlin smiled. He and Gwaine were alone, Merlin's magic told him as much.

"My Lord." Gwaine said grinning, giving him a slight mock bow.

"Mmm. Only you can call me that." Merlin said, biting his lip as he walked forward to where his lover stood. "Do we have long?" he asked, putting his hands in Gwaine's hair and pulling back slightly.

"Maybe an hour." Gwaine answered in a gasp.

"Then we have no time to lose." Merlin growled, as he shoved Gwaine toward their bed. Merlin barely remembered to soundproof their room before he focused on his love. Gwaine removed his clothes carefully, setting each piece on the back of a chair while his own were strewn across the floor. Gwaine didn't know what got Merlin in such a mood, but he was more than happy to resolve the tension. They had only barely just finished enjoying each other when there was a knock on the door. Merlin groaned, not wanting to move. Gwaine tossed a blanket over him and pulled his trousers and a tunic on quickly before answering the door. Merlin had been sure it would be Gwen or the nursemaid she'd assigned, Katherine, with William. When Gwaine opened the door Percival, Elyan, and Leon all walked in. Merlin scowled and narrowed his eyes at them.

"Don't give us that look. You knew we would eventually come by to set up the guard schedule. Be happy we're consulting you at least instead of just assigning it." Elyan stated.

"It isn't necessary." Merlin growled. Gwaine raised an eyebrow at the interaction.

"Have I missed something?" Gwaine asked, looking between his love and the knights.

"Merlin? Care to answer?" Percival dared. Merlin only glowered more.

"We are setting up a guard schedule to ensure the safety of the visiting royal family." Elyan announced. Gwaine blinked.

"What?"

"Merlin is the king of the Druids. Which is why he was so nicely dressed when he came in. King Arthur has ordered that the visiting royal family receive every amenity that normally accompanies." Percival said matter of factly. Gwaine's jaw visibly dropped. He stared at his friends and, very slowly, turned to face his love.

"Merlin. Was this a distraction so you wouldn't have to tell me any of this?" Gwaine asked, trying to sound exasperated but sounded more impressed.

"No. We haven't seen each other in a long while, it was a normal reunion. I'm sure I would have told you." Merlin cleared his throat looking towards the fireplace. "Eventually."

"Merlin! This is not just some random piece of news! It's not like when you said 'oh, by the way, I'm a dragonlord'! You're a king?" Gwaine was running his hands through his hair.

"Maybe...maybe we should come back in a little while. Once you've had time to...discuss...things." Leon suggested, looking desperate to leave.

"No. You will stay here and set up your guard with his highness. Though he should probably get dressed first. I'm going to go get William." Gwaine grumbled and left the room. Merlin flopped back on the bed covering his face with the nearest pillow.

"You couldn't give me a few hours? Just a few hours to enjoy myself and maybe eventually break the tension?" Merlin said, grumpily.

"We couldn't risk you finding ways to get out of it." Elyan replied.

"Fine. Unless you want to see me naked you should step outside so I can get dressed." Merlin told them. They all chuckled and stepped into the corridor. He quickly wiped himself down with a rag and dressed in his usual brown trousers and a red tunic. Once he was done and mostly presentable, he opened the door and had the knights come back in and sit around the table. Someone had gotten a tray of food and set it on the table near Merlin.

"So, my lord, our original arrangement for you and the princeling is being adjusted. The nursemaid will be moved to your antechamber so that she can care for him within the rooms until he is old enough to have his own." Leon held up a hand seeing Merlin's dark expression, ready to protest. "I know that there is every chance that you will not be here permanently after the next year, I was made aware of the estimated time table. However, rooms will be designated for you for when you visit and for Gwaine while he continues to serve as a Knight. If you prefer to keep the current accommodations, that can be arranged as well." Leon glanced up at Merlin from the documents he had brought in, and, if he didn't know any better, he'd say the look on Merlin's face was a pout. Merlin. Was pouting. Just then, Gwaine came in carrying a newly awakened and grumpy infant. The pout melted off of Merlin's face as he caught sight of his family. Gwaine handed off William to his father, who seemed to cause an instant calm effect. Gwaine frowned.

"Did my eyes deceive me, or were you pouting when I came in?" Gwaine asked, still frowning, taking a seat at the table.

"He most certainly was." Percival chuckled. Merlin tried to scowl in their direction, but was distracted by a chubby hand reaching up and grabbing a handful of his hair.

"Alright. Well, let's go over your plan then. Or the King's plan, I guess." Gwaine encouraged, munching on some fruit. So Leon started again and they worked to hash out the details while Merlin pretended to sulk in his chair but his heart wasn't in it. Cradling his little one, he started to drift off to sleep. It had been a very long few months, and he was still exhausted from the many nights of insomnia and nightmares. The sound of the conversation around him lulled him to sleep as he rubbed circles in William's back. Gwaine eventually ushered everyone out with the assurance they'd finalize the finer details later in the week. When Gwaine tried to pull William from Merlin to put him in his bed, Merlin tensed and his eyes shot open. Gwaine shushed him and reassured him they were in their rooms and it was time to go to bed. Merlin had been sleeping with William in the bed with him since Gwaine had gone. Gwaine just smiled at them once Merlin was curled up around the infant on the bed. He hadn't realized how much he missed them. Gwaine curled around Merlin and breathed him in before falling into sleep.