Merlin One Shots

My Future King

"He's back?!" I exclaim as Merlin stands in the doorway of my small room. He smiles as I check my hair in the mirror and smooth the creases out of my dress. I know I'll end up doing it again when I'm outside the door. I mess around until I'm satisfied that I look presentable, not that Arthur would even care. He always reminds me that I'm 'beautiful no matter what', but I always like to make an effort. 

I have always been close with Arthur. Before Merlin came along, I served him his meals in his rooms. My mother is the cook and she trusted me to do this. I will never forget the first time we met. I fell in love with his eyes more than anything. I felt like I could get lost in them. So much so, I nearly spilt water over him the first time. He wasn't even angry at me. I kept apologising no matter what. I'll never forget the way he put his hand on my cheek and told me stop saying sorry. He told me to keep serving him, so I did. And that was three years ago.

I hold those few snatched moments with Arthur close. Those minutes where he would eat and I would stand by and wait. I made sure I served him at feasts just to be close to him, keeping his cup full, and maybe once or twice helping him back to his room when he's drunk far too much. 

Eventually we ended up in a relationship. It was real. It still is, but we can't be properly together. He's the prince and I'm a servant. It can never happen. But the times when we can be together, we kiss and he holds me close. We know we can't be physical in case somebody catches us. Arthur would be humiliated and I'd probably be executed. We know it's a dangerous choice, but it makes our moments together feel more exhilarating. 

I run up the stairs, pushing servants aside if I must, to get to my love's room. I smooth out my dress again and knock three times. 

"Enter," he shouts from the other side. I open the door and turn to shut it. I see Arthur's head turn around and a huge smile covers his face. He's stood in his armour, the sun reflecting off of it and hitting the wall to my left. Another servant stands in the corner trying to help Arthur take off his armour as he moves towards me. I stand there silently as Arthur dismisses him. I never take my eyes off of the servant until he leaves the room. I check the door to make sure he's gone before I do anything with Arthur.

I turn and run into his arms, the metal cold against my cheek. I have to stand on my tiptoes to kiss him properly, but I find him pushing me back down as he leans down to my level. 

"I'm glad you're back, Arthur."

"I'm glad to be back. It means I get to see you again, (Y/n)."

He smiles as I pull him towards a chair and make him sit down. 

"Tell me about it."

"What do I get?" he replies playfully. I lean in from behind and kiss him from his ear to his mouth non-stop. 

"That's good enough," he laughs. "There's not much to tell. We found some slave-traders not far from the western border. That's about it really. Not much action at all." 

"At least you're back," I say gratefully. "I changed your sheets whilst you were away too. They looked dirty."

"I can always count on you to be relia-" Arthur is interrupted by a loud knock at the door. I stand up and make it look like I'm working to avoid questions being asked. A guard enters and tells Arthur that his father wants to see him immediately in the council chambers. He sighs as he stands and begins to walk down to the door. I follow, only because Arthur lets me stand with Merlin in the hall. 

As Arthur walks to face his father on his throne, I run over to Merlin and stands quietly. 

"You two okay?" He asks.