Only For You

Chapter 3

"Surprise!" 

Merlin strides through the doors to Arthur's chambers, carrying a carefully wrapped box hidden behind his back.

Arthur looks up at him from his desk where he'd been pouring over several large books. He arcs an eyebrow, giving Merlin a once over. "As always I'm pleased to see you, Merlin," his voice is tired and slightly aggrivated. "But I do believe I'd sent you away." He laces his fingers and places his hands on the desk. "What is it?"

Some of Merlin's enthusiasm is drained away by the cold welcome from Arthur. But, he keeps up the smile and crosses over to Arthur's desk, removing the box from behind his back and setting it down on top of one of the books. "Happy birthday!"

Surprise floods Arthur's expression, followed by a tiny bit of regret that he'd been rather harsh with Merlin. He looks up at Merlin, his lips parted slightly. "Thank you, Merlin." He turns his attention to the box, peeling back the wrapping and gently opening the lid. His eyes widen slightly at the sight of the contents of the box. Slowly, he reaches a hand inside and removes the elegant dagger from within. He unsheathes it, holding it up to the light shining in from the window. "Merlin..." he shakes his head slightly, at a loss for words as he turns the dagger about in his hand.

"You're welcome?" Merlin suggests, biting his lip subconsciously. Despite what he hoped was an outwardly calm appearance, he was really quite nervous as to whether Arthur would truly like his gift.

Arthur looks up at him, smiling slightly. "This...." he looks down at the dagger again, then back to Merlin. "This is a fine dagger. Thank you, Merlin." He reaches up and squeezes Merlin's shoulder. "You didn't have to get me anything."

Merlin smiles, trying to ignore the way his stomach did a little flip when Arthur squeezed his shoulder. "Well, I paid good money for that, so you've got to keep it now."

Arthur's smile falters at Merlin's words. He hadn't even thought about what Merlin must have had to pay for such a fine gift... He knew that Merlin didn't have much money, even though he was manservant to the Prince of Camelot. He purses his lips. He'd have to find some way to make up for it.

Merlin notices the slipping of Arthur's smile, and his smile fades. "Do you not like it?" He asks fearfully.

Arthur blinks. "What? No. No! I like it a lot, of course I do." He forces a smile. "I'm just not looking forward to the banquet." He rises up from his seat, sheathing the dagger and placing it carefully back inside the box. "Come on, Merlin. Help me get dressed." Anything to distract his mind from the way his heart had swelled with an unfamiliar emotion each time Merlin walked in the room.