"What will you do, Merlin? If I marry another..."
The next morning, Arthur sits on the edge of Merlin's bed, holding Merlin's hand in both of his. He'd just informed Merlin of Uther's plan to marry him off. His shoulders are slumped, his posture defeated as his eyes search Merlin's face, anxious for an answer.
Merlin is quiet for a moment, his lips pursed in thought. "I'll continue to be your servant," he says eventually, gazing up at Arthur with a sad sort of smile on his face. "I'm happy to be your servant, until the day I die."
Arthur makes a noise of protest. "You're more than my servant, Merlin, you know tha-"
"I know." Merlin interrupts him gently, giving Arthur's hand a squeeze. "But the others can't, can they? We'll just continue to...keep it a secret."
Arthur nods, raising Merlin's hand in his and pressing it to his lips, kissing the back of Merlin's hand. He stays like this for a few moment, his eyes closed. Worry gnaws at his stomach. If he were married to another, how could he continue to see Merlin? How could they keep their relationship secret from the woman who'd share Arthur's bed?
"It'll be all right," Merlin says softly, causing Arthur to open his eyes. "We'll be fine."
Arthur smiles slightly. No use telling Merlin of his worries. He was sure Merlin had already thought of the same things. "You're right," he murmurs, leaning down and capturing Merlin's lips in a brief kiss. "We'll be fine."
The sound of running footsteps in the corridor nearing the physician's chambers alerts Arthur into dropping Merlin's hand and rising to his feet. He's halway across the room when the door bursts open, revealing Gwaine standing at the enterance.
"Sire," he begins, then stops. His face is grim, his eyes worried.
"What is it?" Arthur asks, perhaps more sharply than he'd intended.
"It's the King, sire... He's...dead."
All of the colour drains from Arthur's face at Gwaine's words. He stands motionless for a few seconds, the pounding of his heart the only thing he could hear. Then, without so much as a glance back towards Merlin, he dashes from the room, sprinting as fast as he can down the corridors towards his father's chambers.
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter is so short, hopefully I'll update soon within the next couple of days!!
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Only For You
FanficMerlin, from day one, has had to hide his magic. How could he be himself, if admitting to practising sorcery would get him killed? Arthur has always been fond of his manservant. But how could he truly come to terms with his feelings for him, if by d...
