Of Chores and Crowns (A Merlin Fanfiction) ✔

Chapter Fifteen

"What are you talking about?" Merlin demanded, leaping to his feet and turning his back to me.

I scoffed, "Oh, please. I'm not stupid. I should have hit that rock when I fell, but you saved me."

"Dawn, I don't have magic. It's been outlawed, remember?" He said.

"Is that why Arthur does not know that you're a sorcerer?" I asked.

Merlin didn't say anything for a long time. We sat there in silence, listening to the clatter of the Knights training in the courtyard. Finally Merlin said, "I don't have magic, Dawn."

I didn't reply. Both of us knew he was a sorcerer, but it was his business and I respected that. He seemed a little disoriented, so I pulled myself to my feet, wincing only slightly.

"I'll leave you be." I told him, moving towards the door.

I reached for the door handle, but Merlin's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Do you have magic?"

I turned to look at him. His eyes were hopeful and I couldn't help but sigh. I knew I was only going to disappoint him.

"No, Merlin, I don't." I told him.

He nodded and gave me a lonely smile. I turned back around, opening the door into the hallway. I looked over my shoulder one last time. Merlin looked like the most weary man, in that moment.
I turned back around and shut the door quietly behind me. When I turned to walk down the hall, I almost ran straight into Arthur. He was leaning against the wall next to my door, with his eyes closed.

"Sire?" I asked, bewildered.

He jolted upwards, his eyes flashing open. He turned to look at me, seemingly shocked to see me, even though he had been standing outside my door.

"Dawn!" He exclaimed.

I bowed quickly, getting past my shock. When I stood back up, his eyes perused my body, as if looking for any injuries.

"What are you doing here, sire?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I..." His eyes flickered up to meet my eyes, "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

I gaped at him. I could see him grow flustered under my gaze, his neck flushing. Finally I snapped out of my reverie.

"I am just a lowly servent, sire." I said bowing. "There is no need for you to concern yourself with my health. I will be as okay as I always am."

He looked at me, with an unreadable expression, his eyes flashing violently. He looked as if he wanted to reach out and grab me. I couldn't help the shiver that went up my spine.

We stood there staring at each other, but he didn't answer. We seemed to gravitate towards each other, the rest of the world disappearing around us. It was as if it was just the two of us in the whole castle.

"Dawn..." Arthur murmured, reaching up as if to cup my face.

The movement snapped both of us out of our trance, and we jolted apart from each other.

I cleared my throat and said, "I need to get going."

I moved to walk past him, but he continued talking, so I stopped walking away.

"Where do you need to be going at this time of day?" He asked.

"The kitchens."

"Why?"

"I need to get to work." I told him, avoiding his eyes.

"You're not working."

I turned to look at him, narrowing my eyes. I propped my hands on my hips, glaring up at him angrily.

"Yes, I am."

"You just reopened your wound! You are in no position to work." He protested.

I huffed, gritting my teeth. I couldn't argue with him, seeing as he was the crowned prince, but I wanted nothing more than to hit him.

It was a huge change from the attraction I felt towards him just a minute ago.

I preferred the anger.

I bowed again so I wouldn't have to look at him as I said, "As you wish, sire."

I put all of my anger and frustration with him into that one word. Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the sheer intensity of my tone. I glared up at him through my lashes, but I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face.

I straightened, keeping my eyes off his face.

"I will not go to work now, but I will be working by the end of the week." I announced.

"You're bold, standing up to me like that." He teased, "I am the crowned princess after all."

It felt wrong to joke around like this, when he was engaged to Faye, but I couldn't seem to help myself. There was just something about Arthur that made me want to be next to him all the time.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

"I'm a bold woman."

"Ah, finally something we agree on." He said, smirking.

I smiled back at him, a thrill going through me. I loved when he smiled.

I froze at that thought, berating myself. I shouldn't have these thoughts about the man engaged to Faye.

"I must go, sire." I said, eager to escape both him and my own emotions.

"Not to work, I hope." He smirked.

"Of course not." I giggled.

He turned serious and said, "I do hope you're okay, Dawn."

I didn't answer, and he nodded before stepping out of the way. I started past him, but paused.

"Sire?"

"Yes, Dawn?"

"Why do you care so much?"

There was a long silence. It was so long, I thought he wasn't going to answer. He seemed distracfed, so I started walking past him again, but, finally, his voice brought me to a halt once again.

"I don't know."