How long can we keep this up? Merthur

Chapter Thirteen

*Arthur's POV*

I stare aimlessly across the Round Table as Leon reports something about slight food shortages in the lower towns. I nod every once in a while to make it seem as if I'm listening.
It's been fourteen hours since Merlin has started being treated. The Druid said he had a day to live without the right herbs. Gaius admitted to me as he treated my ankle that he didn't have the herbs to heal Merlin's wounds; I've sent out a patrol to find the Druid's home and find the herbs as I can't leave, what with my injury.
I haven't checked on Merlin in three hours. What if he's... No. No thinking about that.
"Sire?" I look up, startled to see the whole of the Round Table staring at me.
"Hm?" I feel my face growing hot.
"Are you alright?" Leon asks. "You seem a bit off today,"
I narrow my eyes slightly. "I suppose I am. We will resume the meeting tomorrow morning," I nod as everyone gets up to leave, most of the knights still looking concerned.
Percival and Elyan help me up and act as crutches, which I find incredibly embarrassing. The king of Camelot, and I can't even walk on my own!
"Is something bothering you, sire?" Elyan asks as we exit the throne room.
"No, don't worry," I smile reassuringly. "Bring me to Gaius', please."
They nod, not looking any less worried about me than before. Soon, we reach the physician's room, and my friends help me sit next to Merlin's bed. I dismiss them and as soon as they leave I grab Merlin's hand tightly.
"Please wake up," I murmur. "I miss you."
He does nothing to react, just stays the same; asleep and breathing softly.
"Merlin, I need you here with me. I cannot live without you by my side," I whisper, squeezing his hand.
After a few moments of nothingness, I sigh and lean back in my chair. When I hear footsteps approaching the door, I quickly untangle my hand from Merlin's and look expectantly.
Guinevere walks in, eyes filled with worry as she approaches us. My heart sinks at the thought that maybe I should tell her now.
Now? Later? If I wait, she'll accuse me of lying to her for this long. If I tell her now, her heart will be broken. My mind scrambles with scared thoughts as Gwen pulls up a chair and sits beside me.
"How is he?" she asks, glancing at me before returning her gaze to Merlin.
"Not any better than yesterday," I respond, surprised at how calm my voice sounds compared to my thoughts.
"He'll be okay," she smiles assuringly at me. "He always gets better."
"Guinevere..." I swallow hard, avoiding eye contact. "I can't lie to you anymore."
"What?" she gives me a confused look. "What have you lied about?"
"I'm sorry," I murmur. "I meant to tell you before."
"Tell me what, Arthur?" Gwen asks, fright filling her eyes.
I sigh before turning to look at her. I take her hands and give her a sad smile. This is it. Just tell her. You can't keep lying to her, it'll just make things worse.
"Guinevere, we cannot be together any longer," I say quietly.
I watch as her eyes fill up with tears and confusion. "Wh-what?" she manages to ask, voice small and scared.
"I believed I loved you, and maybe I did," I pause. "But I have found love in the most unexpected place."
"You never... loved me, did you?" she croaks, pulling her hands away from me.
"Guinevere, believe me when I say that I did," I take a deep breath. "I really did. But I realized that I am not at my happiest being with you, and I believe that you can say the same."
She looks away and I smile, lifting her chin up so she can see my face again. "Who is it?" I ask softly.
Gwen hesitates before sniffing and wiping her face. "A childhood friend from my old hometown. I... I was staying with him the night I had said I stayed with a friend."
I nod, recalling the night when I was careless enough to forget that Guinevere might be in the room.
"I'm so sorry, Arthur," she sobs. "I went behind your back, and-"
"Guinevere," I interrupt, silencing her. "It's alright."
"Alright? How can it be alright, I loved you, I-"
"I did the same thing," I say quietly, nervous as to how she would react.
Gwen looks at me in surprise. "What... With who?"
I shake my head. "You wouldn't believe it in a second."
She thinks for a moment, still sniffing and wiping away tears. "Was it that nice young lady we ran into before?"
I laugh. "No. It doesn't matter who it was, all that matters is that you're happy and I'm happy." I pause and she nods in agreement, still emotional. "Just know that I loved you, Guinevere. I do not regret one second of our time together. We're just not meant to be."
She smiles sadly and nods before hugging me tightly. "What do we do now?"
"We arrange a divorce ceremony," I murmur as she pulls away.
Gwen nods, swallowing hard. "Thank you," she gives me a long look before standing up, walking slowly towards the door.
Suddenly, she turns. "Is it a peasant girl?"
I smile, shaking my head. "Not a girl at all, actually," I say hesitantly, staring at the ground.
Before I know it, Guinevere is kneeling in front of me. "Arthur, love is love. I do not care if the person you love is a man or a woman."
I look at her in surprise. "I thought no one would approve..."
"Most people won't," she warns, wiping a tear that slipped down my face. She pauses before glancing at Merlin and back at me quite a few times before smiling. "Merlin?"
"I couldn't believe it at first, either," At this, I receive an excited squeal and a hug. "Why are you-"
"I'm so happy for you, Arthur," Gwen smiles. "I wish you and Merlin many happy days together."
"Likewise," I say thoughtfully as she exits the room after kissing me on the cheek.
I turn back to Merlin, holding his hand once more. "Did you hear all that?" I ask softly. "That went a lot smoother than I expected."
"What did?" I turn to see Gwaine at the door with a smirk on his face.
"U-um, I-"
"No need to stutter, Arthur," he jokes, standing next to me. "I already know you two are a thing."
"Has Guinevere told the whole castle already?" I sigh.
"You told Gwen?" my knight raises his eyebrows.
"Yes... where else did you hear it?"
Gwaine chuckles. "You were holding Merlin when we found you in the woods. I saw you kiss him to wake him up," he grins. "Very romantic, I might add."
"Did any of the other knights see?" I ask worriedly.
"No, I was the only one," Gwaine informs me. "Although, I'm sure they would accept you,"
I shake my head. "Do you accept it?"
"Of course I do! You are both my friends, and what gender you prefer is just what adds to you being you."
I sigh in relief. "Thank you, Gwaine. This means a lot, really,"
He smiles and nods before looking at Merlin. As soon as he sees my lover's state, his smile fades. "Will he be alright?"
"I don't know," I admit, holding Merlin's hand tighter. "The patrol went searching for the right herbs a little while ago."
"Why didn't you go?"
I raise my eyebrows and glance at my ankle. My friend follows my gaze and nods in understanding. "I would think that a broken ankle wouldn't get in the way of saving someone you love," he hints, winking.
"What are you saying?" I smile slightly. Gwaine grins before responding.
"We're going to save Merlin."