Hiding

Chapter 15

Once Gaius and the guards had gone, Arthur carried Merlin back to the bed. They may as well get some sleep, since Arthur had no idea when his father would come for him. He didn't know what would come of Merlin, either. Would his father believe that Merlin didn't do anything? That he was merely a victim of a curse and nothing more?

If his father decided to kill Merlin, Arthur didn't know what he'd do. He'd always thought he needed to live so that he could be king one day. Now, he wasn't sure his father wouldn't just name another heir and cast Arthur aside. His father was angry and unpredictable. And Arthur was clueless as to what he might do.

Arthur crawled into the bed with Merlin, wrapping himself protectively around the other boy. If anyone wanted to get to Merlin, they'd have to go through him first. He fell into an uneasy sleep, despite Merlin being right there.

Arthur wasn't sure exactly when he woke the next day, but it was certainly day, not morning. The first thing he noticed was the lack of Merlin in his arms. He looked around wildly, afraid that Merlin had been taken in the night and he didn't stop it. His panic subsided when he saw a familiar figure slumped by the windows. He hurried out of bed to check on Merlin.

"Merlin?" He called gently, walking slowly over to the windows. "Are you alright?"

Merlin turned to face him with tears streaks down his face. He shook his head and opened his arms in a silent request. Arthur complied immediately, sitting down next to Merlin and letting him wrap himself around Arthur. Arthur held him, rocking him and murmuring softly for so long that he lost track of time. He just wanted Merlin to be alright.

They were still there much later when Gwen came in through the servant's entrance. Arthur spared her a glance, then turned away, ashamed. He felt bad about hiding his magic from her, from everyone. He hoped she wasn't afraid of him now. He knew Merlin wouldn't be, having magic of his own. But Gwen had been raised under the magic ban, taught to hate and fear magic.

Merlin had turned to look at Gwen, a question in his eyes. Had she any news? Gwen glanced a Arthur, a small frown on her face, before meeting Merlin's eyes and nodding her head. She carried with her a tray, supposedly whatever meal they were to get that day. The silence was uncomfortable. It was becoming overwhelming when Gwen finally burst.

"Oh, Arthur. Do get over yourself. I'm not afraid of you, and I don't hate you. I know why you didn't tell anyone. I understand." Her voice softened as she moved to kneel by Arthur's side, laying a hand on his shoulder.

Arthur was too caught up in the emotions of the last couple days to resist anymore. He tucked his face into her shoulder and sobbed. Merlin wanted to be there for him, but Gwen was who Arthur needed now. Merlin understood that. Arthur stayed like that, Gwen running a soothing hand up and down his back, for a few minutes, then managed to collect himself enough to pull away and mutter a quiet "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, Arthur. Nothing at all." Gwen replied softly as she sat back.

"Gwen, have you... heard anything from the king?" Merlin asked hesitantly, not wanting to upset Arthur any more than he already was.

Gwen bit her lip and seemed to weigh her options before she spoke. "Nothing official yet. It's only rumors. The king didn't make an announcement to tell everyone that Arthur had magic. He locked himself in his room, ordering no one to disturb him. Morgana and I heard about it all through Leon, who heard through the ranks of the knights and guards. We heard—" she paused and steeled herself, "—we heard that Arthur attacked his own guards unprovoked.

"Not enough people had heard about the spell for that to factor into the rumors. It's just the the prince has magic and he's gone crazy with it. There's also—this is—you must understand—" she sighed, turning to Arthur, "The guards who saw you with Merlin think that it was you causing him pain—" she ignored Arthur's indignant cry, "—and that you're keeping him captive here, with threats or magic or something."