Oh dear again by happy-rea

Chapter 10

(*_*) (*_*) (*_*) Chapter 10 (*_*) (*_*) (*_*)

"Merlin" Gwen sighed in relief, "are you ok?"

"Yeah," He murmured, ignoring how weak he felt and his pounding head ache "I'm fine, I was just out of energy, I was relying on my magic to keep me going for the last five minutes. I'm surprised I lasted so long." He was holding her hand, as tight as he could not wanting to even think about letting her go, Arthur coughed and Merlin stopped looking at Gwen and turned to face him.

"Sire. Are you and your father ok? No problems? You both got to the castle in time? Did any Death Eaters find you?" He spoke quickly not giving time for Arthur to speak.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, finally shutting Merlin up

"Yes?"

"Shut. Up. My father and I are both fine. There were no problems. We both got there in time. And no, if the death eaters are the people in black cloaks and white masks then none of them found us. My father is rounding them all up at the moment I think. Oh and Merlin?"

"Yes what?" Merlin was scared now. Arthur had answered all of his questions, was he now getting to the magic bit, oh well maybe he could defend himself before Arthur finished speaking.

"If this is about my magic sire. I really am sorry, I didn't want to keep it from you but it was the safest thing to do. What with the stance you father takes on magic, it wouldn't be fair on you. I can wipe everyone's memory of this incident and then I will take myself to the dungeons, before your father decides how best to kill me."

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At this last statement, Gwen grabbed Merlin's hand again and stood in a position that said 'you'll have to get through me first' Merlin gently pushed her away.

"Love, Uther has to kill me, I broke his law and you've known that for some time. Please don't do something stupid that will get you hurt as well"

Arthur was confused. "How long has Gwen known?"

"Since September, two weeks before you spotted me in the armoury." Merlin grinned.

"Ah yes, well, I still need to speak to you about that. Anyway Merlin that wasn't what I was going to say." Merlin looked at his future king confusion evident on his face, "I was going to say…"

Here Arthur paused from dramatic effect before continuing "I would be honoured to be your best man Merlin, if you will have me."

"You will really be my best man?" Merlin asked not really sure if he'd heard correctly

"Of course I will you idiot. Did you really think I was going to say no?" Arthur replied shaking his head, at the idiocy of his best friend.

"Well… I had thought that maybe because of my magic…" Merlin trailed off not wanting to continue that sentence.

"And they same I'm the prat" Arthur joked, Gwen laughed with him at this statement.

"Oi" Merlin joked back "You can laugh at me Arthur – I don't care about that I'm used to it – but you can not make my betrothed laugh at me, hours after we got engaged." Gwen kissed him and Arthur smiled his best friend was happy, was going to get married, and he was going to be the best man.

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Merlin felt hot and weak but he didn't say anything not wanting to worry Gwen or Arthur.

They talked for a bit longer, about matters of little convenience, enjoying each others company. Arthur brought them back to reality.

"Where did you take the children Gwen?" He spoke thoughtfully,

"To the druids," she replied.

"And they didn't object to looking after them?" Arthur was curious the druids never did anything to help Camelot, but that may be because his father killed every one he could. "How did you persuade them to help you?"

"I told them that Emrys asked for them to. Which reminds me" Here she turned and faced Merlin. "They want to speak to Emrys. I'm right in guessing that's you?"

Merlin nodded.

"I have had many names. Boy-who-lived, Man-who-fought, Harry James Potter, Gryffindor golden boy, The Chosen One, Merlin, Emrys, Freak, Boy, Prongslet, friend, manservant. These are just some of them." He shrugged, he hated all his different names.

Arthur and Gwen looked at him, it was the crown prince who regained use of his voice first.

"One day Merlin, I will sit you down and you will explain the story of each and every one you have just listed and all the others which I know you probably have. But not today. For I fear it will take to long."

Merlin grinned and nodded, if he was going to tell the story behind every name he had ever been given, it would take a very long time. Arthur continued,

"Today, you sleep."

Merlin disagreed and said so getting up off the bed, even though he felt his body complain,

"No Arthur. You heard Gwen. The druids want to see me, I have to go."

"Maybe" Arthur agreed, "but not now. Like I said now you sleep. You've just been in a long fight for you life and for Camelot. You're asleep on your feet and quite frankly you look terrible." As he spoke he pushed Merlin back to the bed.

His point was proven as Merlin was too tired and weak to fight Arthur as he was pushed back to his bed. When his head hit the cool pillow, his eyes closed almost instantly. Gwen smiled at this and stayed by his side. They sat in companionable silence before the door was opened by Uther.

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They both gave him their respect before Arthur gave one last look at Merlin and followed his father out of the physician's rooms.

"Father…" Arthur spoke first

"You know what I must do don't you Arthur?" His father interrupted,

"You can't kill him. He said he would train me. He saved everyone Father, you can't kill him"

"He said I could himself Arthur" the king spoke calmly trying not to show that he was in two minds about it.

"Well he thought he was going to die. Of course he would say that." Arthur retorted

"You know that he didn't think he would die. He went to fight that sorcerer, he didn't even think about dying."

"But, that was because he wanted to protect Camelot." Arthur was grasping at straws trying to think of a reason why Merlin should not be killed that would appeal to the king.

"I can not have one rule for him and one rule for everyone else. He said himself that I was allowed to kill him after he had fought the sorcerer. He expected me to."

"What if…" Arthur stopped mid-sentence because an ear splitting scream was heard from the other side of the door. Not thinking about the conversation he was having with his father he turned around, opened the door and ran like an arrow to Merlin's side.

(*_*) (*_*) (*_*) End of Chapter 10 (*_*) (*_*) (*_*)