Merthur - Love in the Time of War

Chapter 30 - Champions

Merlin's POV

I take in a deep breath, bracing myself for what I will see when I turn the corner. Would I find Arthur angry? Sad? Will I find him standing in his cell with his hands clenched at his sides, a disgusted sneer on his face or will I find him looking back at me with tears in his eyes? I guess there's only one way to find out.

I take one last shuddering breath before continuing through the rows of cells. I come to a stop outside one I have frequented far too often now. I look down to find Arthur seated on the ground with his back against the cell. His head is bowed, legs are sprawled out in front of him while his hands rest on his lap. I can't see his face, but I'm sure I would be able to find tear stains.

I approach the bars slowly and cautiously, as though Arthur were some wild animal that could lash out at any moment. I crouch down until I was eye level with the back of Arthur's head. He gives no indication at having noticed my presence.

"I'm sorry..." I say, keeping my voice quiet.

He doesn't respond. He doesn't even flinch.

"Arthur, please..."

Still nothing.

I sigh, knowing Arthur would need his time to mourn as I had. I stand, turning and heading back down the hall from where I came.

-----

Arthur's POV

I hear the shuffling of footsteps behind me. Someone crouches down, leaning close to the bars until I could almost feel their breath on the back of my head. I don't check to see who it is because I already have a good guess on whose behind me. After all, who else could it be?

"I'm sorry..." I can feel a shiver shoot up my spine at the sound of his voice. Except this time it wasn't one of pleasure or comfort as it used to be. This time it was one of rage. Anger at the owner of the voice that had condemned my father to his demise. I don't respond.

"Arthur, please..." the voice pesters on.

Still I say nothing, but not because I don't want to. It's because I'm afraid of what I'll say if I do. The fury inside me churns with excitement, egging me on to turn around and strangle the boy behind me, but I hold myself back. I hold myself back because it was Merlin standing behind me. If it were anyone else, I would have succumbed to my rage.

I hear a quiet sigh behind me and the receding sound of footsteps as Merlin stands and leaves. I turn, watching as he rounds the corner before letting out a breath of relief. I turn back around, staring out the tiny, barred window that leads to the courtyard, knowing that I could never step foot into the area again without my heart constricting painfully.

I look away, choosing to examine the cracks that line the stone walls beside me. The king is dead. My father is dead. How fitting it is for him to die at the hands of a sorcerer. I know he deserved it but I still can't help the tears that continue to fall. No matter how terrible he was, he was still my father and I loved him.

I let out a sigh, curling myself tighter into a ball as I try to quench my anger.

-----

"Arthur?" I hear Merlin's voice again the next day.

I open my eyes and look up to find Merlin standing outside the gate, seeming surprised I had moved from my spot in front of the bars in favour of the one facing the door of the cell.

His voice sends a jolt through my body. I look away. My shoulders tense from its previously slumped position. My hands begin to clench as anger rises in my gut.