proffrankly | Evil Author Day 2: What Arthur Knows

This started as as series of dribbles
===

Arthur Knows
T
Merlin/Arthur

For what seemed like the millionth time, Merlin questioned his sanity.

Why, he thought to himself, was he going out of his way to make sure Arthur had everything he needed for the day? It wasn’t like the big pillock would notice.

Well, maybe he would. Notice, that is. If something wasn’t quite right.

And really, it was Merlin’s job to see that all his clothing was in good condition, his chain mail and armor in good working order, and his weapons polished and sharpened.

That last bit was a necessity, really, in case of attack at any time.

Still, as Merlin worked the last bit of polish into breastplate of Arthur’s armor, he yawned and grumbled to himself. He’d have to be up early, again, to get Arthur out of bed and ready for his day.

A day which, Merlin knew, would be just as long and activity-filled as Merlin’s own. For all that Merlin whinged about the list of tasks Arthur had him complete in a given day, Merlin well knew that the Prince’s own day didn’t revolve around eating grapes in sunshine.

Merlin got Arthur up and dressed, but then Arthur spent his morning in training, his afternoon in court, and many moments in between seeing to the details of running Camelot. It wasn’t mucking out stables, but it was definitely work.

The last bit polished, Merlin manhandled the armor into its place, hung on the rack in the armory, ready for Arthur to don before training in the early morning hours. He rolled his shoulders to clear the tenseness that had built up while he finished polishing the armor, and stretched his arms and legs out. He’d put Arthur to bed an hour ago, and it was time for Merlin to find his own. But it was time for his own favorite ritual.

Merlin crept back to Arthur’s room, silently slipping into his space, to make sure Arthur slept.

Arthur sprawled over his massive bed, limbs askew and lax in sleep, hair mussed, eyes shuttered. A full day of training in preparation for tomorrow’s visiting dignitaries had kept him up and working, wearing that full set of armor that Merlin had just finished polishing, its weight forcing Arthur to work harder than if he’d just worn chain mail.

In sleep, Arthur’s battered muscles could heal, strengthen, and rest, getting ready for more abuse the next day.

Merlin looked at Arthur, and realized he had another reason to keep going.

He cared. He cared that Arthur had the right equipment, and that it was taken care of properly. His prince needed to be ready at a moment’s notice to do his duty to the kingdom.

By keeping his armor in good working order, Merlin made sure his prince would be well protected during those days when protecting the kingdom meant dealing in blood. He protected Arthur from the potential consequences of his role as the kingdom’s protector. He cared that Arthur would stay safe.

And if in his caring, Merlin added a little magical protection to armor itself, no one need ever know.

xxx

Arthur waited for the warm glow of magic to fade, and for the soft click of the door behind Merlin’s leaving, to open his eyes.

Of course he knew that Merlin peeked in on him every night. And of course he knew that Merlin added a bit of his magic to shield and protect his prince.

Eventually, Arthur knew he and Merlin would have to lay bare all the secrets between them.

But in the Camelot that now existed, Merlin could not be safe from the law if his magic was revealed.

Arthur snorted. Merlin somehow thought that he, Arthur, wouldn’t notice the soft gold glow of Merlin’s eyes when he used magic, or that he, Arthur, remained oblivious to the machinations of Gaius, Merlin, and the others who occasionally wandered into the kingdom, lost, and in need of assistance. Magical or otherwise.

Arthur had known, from the moment Merlin saved his life for the first time, that there was more to young man than was evident on the surface. Arthur watched, silently observing Merlin’s struggles to balance his new work as Arthur’s manservant with his covert study and his need to help others. When Arthur realized that Merlin was gifted with magic, he had, indeed, struggled to accept that the brave, kind, occasionally snarky, and--it must be said--truly beautiful man had the power to bring down Camelot, if he so chose.

But Arthur also saw that within Merlin lay great compassion and strength, strength that Arthur relied upon more than Merlin himself knew.

Together, eventually, they could build Camelot into a worthy place for all.

But as long as Uther lived, Arthur was stuck, hiding his true self, his true motivations, and his true feelings for the manservant who so quietly went about his duty.

Arthur turned over, muscles aching, and closed his eyes. Tomorrow would be another full day of protecting his people. And though Merlin might not have known it, it was he who gave Arthur the strength to get up and face another day wearing the mask of Uther’s son.

xxx

Weeks passed, and it seemed to Arthur that Camelot herself was being stalked by beings of magic. He acted, reacted, fought, rested, and fought some more as his future kingdom was threatened.

He watched as Merlin fought with spellcraft and instinct to help Arthur keep the kingdom together. And he watched as Merlin started to lose control, the pressure of his lonely secret consuming him.

The situation -- lack of understanding and trust -- was becoming too dangerous.

It was time.

"Merlin," Arthur panted out, barely conscious in the wake of the Great Dragon's "slaying." "Don't be an idiot. I know very well that I did not kill the dragon."

Merlin paled. "What do you mean?"

Arthur heaved himself up. "I know that you have magic, Merlin, and you've been using it to protect me and Camelot almost from the very beginning of our acquaintance. It was rather obvious to me, actually, and the only reason I haven't said anything to this point is it was safer for you--and me--if I didn't let on."

Merlin stumbled, half falling on to the ground. "What?"

Arthur shook his head. "We need have no secrets between us, Merlin. I'm not blind. I'm also not my father. And this--unleashing the Great Dragon? This just proves that we need to start working together." He drew closer to Merlin, and held out his hand. "Come up. And tell me what really happened."

Tears shone in Merlin's eyes. "I don't know what to say."

Arthur snorted. "Start at the beginning. It's a long way back to Camelot. And you and I? We have time."

Merlin took his hand, let himself be hauled up, and drew a shaky breath. "This is not how I imagined you would finally know about...about my magic."

"I expect not," Arthur said softly. "But it's too dangerous now for me not to know, and to let you know that I know, given that ... well, that I think we're probably stronger as a team than we are separated into these boxes we've slotted ourselves into." He drew Merlin in closer, letting go of his hand to press him gently into his arms. "We will be a formidable team, Merlin. If you'd let us be."

The tears Merlin had been holding back started to fall, and Arthur tightened his grip. "Let it all go, Merlin," he crooned softly. "We'll face whatever comes together."

And Merlin let himself be comforted.