That Ship Has Sailed

Merlin & Arthur III

Arthur sat on his bed, hating himself as Merlin stood, staring at him angrily, for several minutes. Finally, Merlin said, "You clotpole. You absolute, royal prat. You--"

"Merlin," Arthur interrupted, "Any louder and the village guards will hear you."

"I trust her," Merlin said, finally, "Why don't you? Are you ashamed? Embarrassed?"

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't feel like being put to death, thank you."

"Arthur, I told you I won't let that happen."

"How can you ensure that? You keep saying you won't let it happen, but you're nothing but a servant, Merlin, what can you do to stop anything?"

Merlin looked at Arthur, anger in his eyes. Then, he turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to my cell - or maybe I'll leave and never come back."

"Merlin, don't go, we can figure this out."

"Why don't you tell me the real reason you're doing this? Are you scared?"

Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. Merlin walked closer again, pointing an accusing finger at Arthur, his voice cracking as he spoke, "I knew it. Arthur, don't you think I'm not terrified, too. Uther could kill me, or torture me, or hurt you for what I've done. Or Gaius. He's supported me, taught me, and housed me all these years and he could die for doing that--"

"He wouldn't die for this. He isn't a homosexual, Merlin. You are."

"Well so are you!" Merlin shouted. "I'm just as terrified, if not more so than you are, but I'm willing to fight for this. If you aren't, then I'm going to leave and never see you again."

"Don't go, Merlin--"

"I knew it!" a sudden voice said before Morgana quickly entered the room again, closing the door behind her. Arthur and Merlin stood there in horror as she entered, staring them both down. She smiled, "I knew it," she repeated, "Why didn't you tell me before, Arthur?"

Arthur couldn't find any words, but Merlin spoke, "Because he's a coward."

"Merlin--" Arthur said, reaching for him, then recoiling after remembering Morgana was in the room.

"So you're not even going to touch me or grab my arm to stop me from leaving?" Merlin challenged, "Just because she's here?"

Arthur ran his fingers through his hair and mumbled things under his breath as he paced across his room a few times. Morgana walked past him to Merlin and said, "How did you get out?"

"I have my ways," Merlin replied, glaring at Arthur who still paced.

"Like what? Did you use your--"

Merlin covered her mouth quickly, but she tore his hand away and whispered, "He doesn't know?"

"No," Merlin whispered, "And he isn't going to know."

"Why not? You love him, don't you? You can trust him like you trusted me."

"Not with this. He's to be king some day. I shouldn't have ever told him I love him. I should go right now and never turn back."

"Merlin--" Morgana tried to stop him, but he pushed past her. She turned to Arthur, "Aren't you going to do anything about this?"

"If I do, we will both surely be put to death. If I don't, and he goes back to his cell, I can think of a way, a fake ceremony or something, so I can 'cure' him and he can stay while also pleasing father."

Morgana looked angrily at Arthur, "He's right, you are a coward."

"I'm not a coward," Arthur said.

"Then go after him, or he'll be gone forever and you will never get him back!"

Arthur looked toward the window where Merlin had just disappeared from and paused before running to it just in time to see Merlin running toward the gates. Suddenly, a guard came out of no where and grabbed him.

"Merlin!" Arthur called out and Merlin froze, looking up at him. He then had no choice but to surrender, knowing that if he used his magic in front of Arthur, he really would lose him forever. Morgana ran to the window just in time to see Merlin being dragged back toward the dungeons.