That Ship Has Sailed

Merlin & Arthur II

Arthur slept that night after having had several arguments with his peers and his father. He was angry that Merlin was being accused, but he couldn't change it.

Suddenly, he couldn't breathe. His eyes shot open and he looked through the dark to see Merlin standing above him, covering his mouth. His finger crossed his lips before he let go of Arthur's face.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur whispered.

"I told you I'd get out and kidnap you. That's what I'm doing."

"Merlin, you can't. There has to be another way."

"There isn't, Arthur. As long as Uther rules, nothing is going to change."

Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm before he could move to do anything else, "We'll think of a way. If we leave now, my father will never let me come back."

"Arthur," Merlin said, anger flashing into his eyes, "He will never change. No one will. I will always be an outcast for who I am."

"You know I don't feel that way--"

"Arthur?" a sudden voice startled the two. Arthur called out to it to wait a minute before telling Merlin to hide under the bed. Merlin gave Arthur a look, but he pointed and Merlin obeyed, sliding under the bed quietly.

Arthur then allowed the person in.

"I heard voices," Morgana said as she entered, "Can't you sleep, either?"

Arthur was relieved upon learning it was only Morgana and rubbed his eyes, "I keep waking up," he admitted.

"You're worried about him, aren't you?" Morgana asked, sitting on the end of Arthur's bed.

Arthur nodded.

"He's going to be okay. Uther was only angry about what he claimed, he isn't angry with you. He just needs to consult a few people before he can decide what to do with him."

Arthur nodded slowly, "I just don't see what's so bad about it."

"I don't either," Morgana said, "But if Uther thinks it needs reprimanding--"

"Wait," Arthur interrupted, "You don't think it's wrong? Or--against the knight's code or anything?"

Morgana laughed lightly, "Of course not. Why do you ask?"

Arthur breathed a sigh, "You don't know how much I needed to hear that."

"Arthur, what's gotten in to you recently? Ever since this whole thing started, you've been angry with everyone and you've hardly eaten..."

Arthur wanted to stop her so Merlin didn't hear, but he couldn't without giving away the fact that he was hiding a fugitive under his bed. So he let her continue.

"...you clearly can't sleep, either. I know he's your manservant, but are you really that loyal to him that you can't just accept this and get a new one?"

Arthur grew angry again, but when Morgana saw the look in his eyes, she interrupted, "There you go again, getting angry. Arthur, I don't know what's wrong, but if there's anyone in this god-forsaken kingdom you can trust, it's me. You're like a brother to me, aren't you? And I, like your sister? I won't tell Uther."

Arthur calmed slightly, then shook his head, "No."

"No--what?" Morgana asked.

"I can't--There's nothing to tell."

"It doesn't seem like it," Morgana tested.

"Well that's it," Arthur snapped, "There's nothing to it, so just go."

"Arthur, I want to help--"

"Go!"