merthur oneshots

The Crown

based on "Just Ask Merlin" fanart by lao-paperman on tumblr
3rd Person PoV(authors note at the end!!)

"Do you think it will change me?" Arthur asked suddenly one day while Merlin pinned his cape on securely.

"What do you mean? Do I think what will change you?" Merlin inquired, though he had a strong suspicion he knew what his friend was talking about. Arthur glanced subconsciously at the table where the crown sat, a sort of center piece in the middle of his weaponry.

"You know what, Merl..." When he trailed off and Merlin said nothing, he huffed and spoke up once more. "The crown! Do you think wearing the crown...being king...Will it change me?"

Merlin frowned, he knew Arthur wouldn't change just because of a change in title, but he didn't know how to make his friend realize that.

"Well, why do you think that?" He asked, and Arthur frowned like a child who had been scolded. It would have been amusing if not for the seriousness of their conversation.

"I've heard stories, from Gaius or other castle staff, of what my father was like when he was still prince. He changed...became cruel. I suppose we were similar, when he was my age. This job, taking care of this kingdom, it changed him, so who's to say it shan't change me as well?" The light from candles all around them showed clear worry and distress on Arthur's face. Merlin frowned slightly, before speaking.

"Well, tell me, are you and your father alike?"

"Well, in some ways, yes-"

"Is the kingdom the same now as it was all those years ago when your father was your age?"

"Definitely not, we've grown and prospered since then. Had downfalls here and there, but we've always gotten back up."

"Was Uther's father like him? Were you two brought up the same way?"

"Of course not, his father nurtured him to an extent... I never really had that..." He trailed off, and Merlin stopped there.

"Then who's to say you'll end up like him? You must understand, Arthur, you are not your father. You have his courage, but for different reasons. You have his passion, but for different things. You and your father are not two sides of the same coin - I'd dare to say you two are often times not on the same currency." Merlin smiled at Arthur, and stepped back, making sure his clothes were all on well and right.

"Thank you, Merlin. For someone so dim, you often know how to make me feel better." Arthur smiled back, but it didn't seem genuine. It seemed as though he had been reassured, but still needed something light and happy to make him better.

Merlin took a step towards the table, grabbing hold of the crown and placing it upon Arthur's head as he smiled.

"Let's see..." He trailed off, pretending to think and inspect Arthur now that he dawned the crown upon his head. "Hmm, I don't think I see a change... Nope!" He said finally, a big smile breaking out upon his face. "I still can see the same dollop head under this big crown!"

A moment passed, before the two men began to chuckle, until it evolved into full blown laughter and took a few minutes for them to settle down.

"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur began, placing his hand on Merlin's shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."

"Crash and burn, Arthur. You'd crash and burn."

A/N:: hello everyone!!! i'm back! terribly sorry this oneshot is so short and not that great, but at least it's something, right? i can't promise regular updates, but i can say i will try to continue updated more often now, and as i had said in my last update, i will take requests. if you'd like to request something, view the last chapter to see the "rules" to do so.
thank you all, and i hope you enjoyed this short oneshot!