Revelations {Merthur} - DISCONTINUED

Chapter 4; Eric & Ludwig

The knights and I stood with dumbfounded expressions, unknowing of what to do. We were like pieces of an abandonned board game. We all had different theories about the inexpliquable short circuit our king had had, most of these assumptions revolving around Gwen, but not mine.

"I guess I'll go, then...?" Leon stated quizzically. The rest of the knights, excluding Gwaine, nodded in unison and parted ways to their various posts. Once we were out of ear shot Gwaine intensely gazed at me.

"What about you, Merlin?" he said with an unreadable emotion plastered onto his face.

"Go watch over the royal prat again, I guess." I forcibly chuckled. Gwaine didn't seem to believe me too much, but pat me on the back and nodded with a tight-lipped smile before running in the direction in which Percival left.

I dragged my feet and took my time, I didn't think Arthur needed any urgent assistance. On the way, I encountered a few palace co-workers, but I wasn't up for much of a chat so I blew it off saying that I wasn't feeling too well, which they seemed to believe, and I was so thankful for that. Confrontations and public speakings weren't in my best interest at the moment.

The throne room came into view and I knew that I would have to face Arthur sooner or later. I felt my chest tighten, my stomach clench and my heart numb, I craved him, I needed him, yet he was dependant and didn't want me at all. That night wasn't Arthur, it was a desperate, morose version of him that craved attention and love for at least a night. I just wish that I wouldn't of lived that moment so that maybe my heart wouldn't ache as much.

I heard his powerful voice from the hall, commanding one of the workers to "do a proper job, next time!" I guess he really was having a bad day...

"Merlin." He acknowledged as I entered the room. I couldn't bring myself to look any higher than his clothed chest. The air was thick with an awkward atmosphere.

"Is there anything you need, Sire?" I asked, voice more timid than I would have liked. I felt weak and submissive, like he had all control of me.

"My sheets need cleaning," he stated simply, I was unsure of how to reply therefore, I just turned and started to walk, but before I could leave the room, Arthur's familiar voice called out to me.

"Wait, Merlin. Would you like to take a ride with me?" My eyes widened for a second, it was hard to comprehend him, but before I could make any assumptions he explained his reasoning. "My horse needs to be excercised and I can't go alone considering some people may be after me. Everyone else is busy and you don't really have much to do today..." A red hue covered his face, but I was simply oblivious to it.

"Okay." I replied soberly. He forced an evidently fake smile and told me to meet him in front of the castle in no longer than ten minutes.

Ten minutes wasn't enough time for me to go hide and let out the heart-wrenching emotions I felt, so I got to the stables and got to work and soon enough we were slowly making our way to the forest and to the closest village. We galloped in silence, barely looking at one another. The silence was deafening. I could barely take it anymore, but I kept my frustrations to myself and silently trudged.

Once we had entered the outskirts of the town, we heard a few shouts and whimpers around a street corner. Arthur immediately turned in the direction and demanded answers. Two boys were getting beaten up by three other men around the same age, they were fairly young still. Only a few years younger then Arthur and I. The three boys trembled at the sight of Arthur's tough exterior and rambled their ratiocination.

"Well it-it's bec-cause they're- they're a disgrace to h-humanity" the tan skinned boy answered.

"What have they done to be treated as a disgrace, tell me." Arthur asked calmly with a ferocious undertone.

"Well, they're fags...." Mumbled the boy in the middle. Red anger burned deep inside of me, I turned to look at Arthur, his eyes faded to a sadder shade.

"Scurry off and never do this again, or else we'll have to see each other once more." he said softly while they scoffed.

"No!" I said. Everyone turned to me, including the bloodied up boys on the floor, with wide eyes. 

"They're not a disgrace to humanity, all they do is love one another. What's disgusting is people like you playing god and deciding what's inhumane and not while acting out an inhumane deed yourself. I don't care if you don't support it, keep your mouth shut and endure it. It is far from okay to hurt someone in any way just because they love." My anger was going to explode, I had probably spit in their face from all this anger, but it didn't matter, they had this coming to them. I didn't want to get carried away so I had to stop myself before I became uncontrolable. "Now f**k off!" They ran away and I got up off of my horse to help the young boys.

"Are you guys okay?" I asked with a softer voice. One boy nodded.

"I've only got a bloddy nose, probably a few bruises and a cracked rib, nothing too bad this time." He smiled genuinely.

"Wait, this time?" Arthur asked, still on his horse.

"Yeah," the green eyed boy replied. He had a softer voice, "This is a reoccuring event, we have lots of great people who love us, but lots of people who don't, mainly those three..."

"Well if this happens again, do you think that a trip to Camelot would be a problem?" Arthur asked.

"Camelot? Why Camel- oh... Oh my... You're King Arthur." They bowed.

"No need for bowing, please. Just call me Arthur, this is Merlin."

"I'm Eric, and he's Ludwig." Green eyes intoduced with a loving smile as soon as  he mentionned his lover. 

"If they bother you again, come to me and I shall take proper care of them. Can you boys get home on your own or do you need help?" Arthur asked regaining confidence.

"Well, we wouldn't want to bother you both..." Ludwig trailed off.

"It's no problem really." I smiled, I'd like to befriend these boys, they seem nice and maybe they could have tips for me... Eric smiled and thanked us before helping Ludwig onto Arthur's horse and getting onto mine.

Once we had dropped them off, we head back to the forest, heading for the castle. 

"That was very brave and noble of you, Merlin. I don't give you enough credit sometimes." Hearing these words from Arthur really made me feel better. I looked at him and felt strange emotions bubbling into my chest. I was at a loss. 

"Is it really that much of a disgrace to love men if you are one? Can you not love men and women?" Arthur asked a few moments later.

"Of course not, that's ridiculous. Why would it be bad to love someone for who they are and not for their genitals? If you love someone then it should never be a disgrace, love is what people live for..." I trailed off.

"Merlin... Do you love men?" I pulled on the horse's reign accidentally, making it stop. Arthur stopped beside me and looked into my eyes. My whole body froze, I couldn't swallow my own saliva, I couldn't make myself breathe, all that was functioning was my heart, and if it kept going like it did, I fear it might stop itself.

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I am so sorry for the long wait, I've been sick for over a month now and I'm very weak, plus I've been having loads of problems and interferences at School, not making enough time to write. I fear that this chapter will never be enough for you guys, but I have to remember that it is impossible for my content to please everyone. Sorry for the grammar errors... Thank you all for sticking with me up until now!

I dedicated this chapter to @tallbookworm because she always votes and comments on every chapter and makes me feel like I could actually finish a book for the first time in my life. I have a few more dedications to come in the next chapters. Anyways! Thank you all for being there for me and encouraging me! I love you all!

-Steff xx