All Hail King Merlin

Arthur

A/N: I JUST HAD A TERRIBLE THOUGHT~~~

"'Dear people of Camelot' No that's too formal. 'My people of Camelot' No that's too possessive. Wait should I be possessive? Would that make them more receptive of this change then?" I rambled on to myself as I sat alone in his room.

Merlin had excused himself earlier to do some tasks from Gaius which utterly annoyed me. Why did he have to go and do some menial task when I wanted him here? Though it's probably for the best so this speech can remain a secret. I know Merlin would probably like to be prepared for magic to be allowed in Camelot but I wanted so badly for this to be for him.

I continued with my speech. "'My people of Camelot, I come to you today with change in my heart.'"

"A change in your heart, eh?" A voice interrupted my thinking and I turned only to find Sir Gwaine leaning through the door.

"I am the king you cannot just barge into my room without warning. I could have your head for this. " Truthfully I just found his intrusion annoying, which unfortunately he knew as it was his drive in life to be the death of my peace.

"Just wanted to stop by and see if you were gonna eat lunch or something, Princess. It's like two hours past your usual feast." He grinned smartly.

"I can eat later this is serious." Gwaine sobered at my words.

"You never push off your food. Wait did someone die or something? Is someone getting executed?" His brows were tense and I had half a mind to toy with him for him barging in.

"No nothing like that." I eased him. "I'm retracting something." I said gently. I didn't really know how to word it without giving away Merlin's secret.

"Wait a second," he breathed and it felt like life was flowing through him for the first time. "Magic." He whispered the word almost fragiley.

"No, no what are you talking about?!" I was terrified. I don't think he'd try to start an issue with the courts but I couldn't risk it. This was Merlin's life on the line and no one could jeopardize that for. I needed him safe before anything else could happen.

"Arthur please tell me. Are you allowing magic in Camelot, please this is important to me?" He was pale and it looked like a ghost had flown through him.

"Gwaine." A terrible thought filled my head. " Do you know?" An even worse thought filled me. "How long have you known?"

A guilty look crosses his face and my fate is sealed. He knows. He's known long before I ever did. Merlin trusted him enough to let him in but not me. And it shouldn't hurt but it does. I shouldn't feel so betrayed by the simple fact that he let someone other than me in.

"Princess listen. I swore I wouldn't say anything."

"No you knew. He told you."

"Princess." He tried once more to calm me but it didn't help. How could it?

"Get out I'm busy." The tone of my voice was final and Gwaine's shoulders slumped as he took his leave.

I sat at at my desk staring at the wood below me feeling utterly empty.

I'd still give the address I decided. This was something I had to do. But maybe I wouldn't tell Merlin how I felt. He clearly trusted Gwaine more than me so maybe he liked him more too. That thought made my stomach turn. I hated the idea that he wanted someone other than me. But maybe he'd be happier. He'd be safer at the very least. Being the king of Camelot brought danger to my loved ones.

Maybe the best thing I could do for Merlin... was to let him go.

A/N: that's it that was the terrible thought