Merlin FanFic

Choices

Merlin looked around him in the deadly silence. Everybody had their eyes on him and Morgana. Merlin looked at Arthur and saw the rage at Morgana beginning to rise. Merlin had to protect his wife. Merlin struggled to his feet with the help of Morgana and leaned against the pillar, still breathless. Arthur took a step forward and looked between Merlin and Morgana. Arthur couldn't believe that they were together after everything. Arthur felt rage against Morgana and knew she must have Merlin under a spell. He took another step forward and looked at Merlin, hoping the spell would break if he recognized Arthur.
"Merlin." He said softly. Merlin was watching him with cautious eyes. Merlin didn't know what Arthur would do, but he hoped that Arthur would see that he was finally happy and would let them go. Merlin realized that the king hadn't arrived yet and knew he should have come by now. Uther never missed anything. Especially when it had to do with magic. Merlin took Morgana's hand gently and looked at her fondly. She gazed back into his eyes, and he smiled. This was his happiness, and Arthur would not destroy it. Merlin would not let it happen. He stood up straighter and looked Arthur directly into his eyes.
"Arthur, let us go." Arthur was shocked. Merlin wanted to leave with Morgana. Arthur glared at their joined hands, and he felt sad and rage. He couldn't bear to lose Merlin again after getting him back.
"Merlin, you can't leave. You belong here." Arthur said, taking a step forward, and Merlin staggered back and pushed Morgana behind him. He didn't want Arthur anywhere near her. He looked at Arthur, and he began to soften. Arthur looked so sad and hurt, and Merlin missed him terribly. He wanted to stay, but he knew that he didn't belong. Not anymore.
"Arthur. You know that I don't belong here. Your farther has banned magic. I don't want to die because of who I am. I love Morgana, and we are going to leave. I hope that you won't stop me. We will use magic, and I don't want to hurt you." Merlin could feel his hurt rise again and felt awful for doing this. He didn't want to leave Camelot but knew he had no choice. It was leave and not be killed or stay and be killed. Merlin knew which one that he would rather have.
"What are you talking about Merlin? I have become king. My farther died shortly after you left and I have been trying to find you to tell you that you could return to Camelot. I don't care if you have magic, Merlin. You are my best friend, and I need you here. You saved my life, and I am still in great debt to you." Merlin was shocked even further when Arthur bowed to him. Merlin looked around the room and watched everyone follow suit of the king. Merlin was speechless and didn't know what to say. He glanced at Morgana who was also shocked and she couldn't believe what was happening. Morgana watched them bow before them in awe. She had always wanted to fit in, but Uther had made that impossible, and now Arthur was standing before her, offering her the life she always wanted. She looked at Merlin and saw that he was watching her. He watched for her reaction and saw that she wanted to be here. He had known that she dreamed to have this life as they had talked about it one night by the fire and he had watched her dream about this life. Merlin squeezed Morgana's hand, smiled at her, then leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
"This is the life that we have dreamed about." He whispered and Morgana nodded. Merlin was going to say yes and Morgana was happy. She wouldn't have to worry about living out in the woods with the family and bandits coming to attack them. She could raise her children with Merlin in a safe environment. It was everything they ever wanted. Merlin limped foreword and touched Arthur's shoulder. Arthur stood up and looked down at Merlin and willed him to stay. Merlin smiled and patted his shoulder.
"As long as I don't have to go on the stake and burn, I will be happy to stay here with my family." Arthur could have done a happy dance then and there but he knew that it wasn't the right behavior of the king. Arthur settled for smiling broadly and punching Merlin's shoulder lightly.
"It is great to have you back Merlin." Merlin grinned and then turned to Morgana, who was beaming.
"It looks as if we are moving back home," Merlin told her. Morgana ran to him and hugged him tight. Her dream was coming true, and she even got to share it with Merlin and her children. Arthur was horrified. Morgana living here? Arthur cleared his throat and looked at Merlin.
"Can I talk to you alone?" Merlin nodded happily, and Arthur called for everyone to leave the room. Morgana was the last person and lingered hoping to stay with Merlin as she didn't trust anyone else. Arthur looked her and sighed.
"That includes you, too, Morgana." Morgana finally nodded slowly and placed a kiss on Merlin's cheek before leaving the room. Merlin looked at Arthur and frowned. He could tell that Arthur was going to deliver some bad news. He didn't like the look of it.
"What's wrong Arthur?" Merlin finally asked when Arthur didn't speak. Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his golden hair and looked at Merlin who was full of worry. He noticed Merlin looked deathly pale and exhausted, so he offered him a chair. Merlin knew that Arthur was trying to stall whatever he would say by offering him the chair, but Merlin took it willingly as he didn't know how long he could stand up. Merlin fell into the chair and looked up at Arthur.
"Just say what you must, Arthur, and stop being such a clot pole." Arthur laughed at the name. He remembered how Merlin would call him that. Arthur knew he couldn't put it off any longer and looked at Merlin.
"It's Morgana, " he said, feeling his body go cold. This was his worst nightmare, but he had to be strong.
"What about her?"
"She can't be here." Merlin sighed, looked out the window and watched Camelot winding down for the evening. He watched the sun for an immeasurable moment and then glanced back at Arthur who looked troubled.
"Then I have to leave with her, Arthur."
"No you don't Mer-"
"Yes, I do, Arthur. I love her with everything that I have. She is my heart and soul and she feels the same way as I do. I will stand by my wife and children." Arthur gasped. He never knew that Merlin had children. He looked at Merlin in disbelief.
"You have children?" Merlin nodded.
"Yes Arthur. I have two children with Morgana and I am happy with her. If you can't accept Morgana and my children, then you can't fully accept me and I will leave." Arthur turned away, at war with himself. He wanted Merlin to stay more than anything but he didn't want Morgana here. He didn't trust her. He knew that he would have to decide very soon as he knew Merlin wouldn't wait for Arthur. He could see that Merlin loved her and he didn't want to leave her. Arthur would have to decide between his hate for Morgana and the care he had for Merlin.