Chapter Text
The trees above let the evening light dance through their branches. The leaves flew in the air, under Arthur’s feet as he kicked them up.
The beginning of Autumn had started, Arthur didn’t mind it, it just meant the beginning of the hunting season, but Arthur knew it was Merlin’s favourite season. So, Arthur dragged his manservant out into the forest for a couple of days, to get away from his princely duties and to get Merlin out of the castle.
Arthur had a proud and confident smile, he had caught several rabbits, now under his arm, and he looked forward to what Merlin would cook with them. The man always seemed to make some of the most delicious food when they were under the sky and stars. At the thought of food, Arthur began to think of rabbit stews and soups, really any of his favourites that Merlin knew how to make, which was all of them.
As the faint crackle of the fire reached Arthur’s ears, he slowed his face and tried to muffle his steps. If anyone was watching, they would think Arthur was a creep. He isn’t, and he has a good excuse for doing this. You see, Merlin gets frightened easily by Arthur, and only Arthur. Arthur has no clue why, only that when the other knights try to do it, they get an annoyed look. But when Arthur does it, Merlin jumps six feet in the air. Arthur loves it.
So, as he rounded a tree, peering over a bush, he was the one who got frightened. Merlin sat by the fire, his eyes glowing gold, figures and shapes danced in the flames.
Dogs and horses made of red pranced around the small camp Merlin had set up, Arthur watched in conflict at the situation. His head and his heart bickering and fighting about what is right, what he should do.
His head told him to kill the sorcerer and leave the body for the crows.
His heart told him to watch and think about this. Merlin, silly, clumsy Merlin, had magic, and seemed pretty good at it too, even if it seemed a bit weak.
Arthur had a hundred questions and wanted a hundred more answers, but before he could make any move, Merlin gasping pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Not again!” Merlin cursed, looking annoyed at the sight around him. Arthur looked carefully, not wanting to miss a single thing.
A new figure was in the flames and looked all too familiar. A knight in armour sparred in the flames, parrying and blocking with grace, the knight was what Arthur aimed to look like. The knight changed into someone riding a horse, and then Arthur realised. It was him. He was the figure Merlin was making in the fire.
Why? Arthur had no clue.
But all around Merlin and the fire, small bundles of lavender were growing around the place. From the distance between him and Merlin, he couldn’t tell what Merlin was grumbling about, but he caught the odd word or phrase.
“Stupid magic... Dumb prince... Bloody reactions...” This made less sense to Arthur.
Merlin stepped away from the fire, figures and shapes vanishing, to go prepare for Arthurs inevitable return. Arthur was still dumbstruck at what he witnessed, and then decided he would think further about this once he had four falls and a room over his head. The outside can only do you so much good.
Arthur stood up and walked through the bush. “Merlin?”
Merlin poked his head from behind a tree and was carrying a small pan full of vegetables, cutlery and other things you need for a meal. “I’m here,” Merlin paused, frowning at Arthur. “You were going to scare me again, weren't you?”
Arthur didn’t know what to say, in a way - yes - but his words had gotten stuck in his throat.
When the prince just stood there, Merlin grew worried, he set the pan down and moved over to the blond.
“Are you alright? You haven't been cursed again?” Arthur almost laughed at the irony of it, swatting a fussing Merlin’s hand away from his forehead. Arthur rolled his eyes, Merlin was still the same, still a strange man Arthur couldn’t properly understand.
“You caught me, but I caught rabbits.” Arthur admitted with a small smile, holding up the fury bodies. Merlin frowned again; Arthur really was getting sick of this frowning thing.
“I hope you were humane about it,” Merlin continued his fussing as he bustled about the place, chopping vegetables and boiling water. Arthur sat against a fallen tree watching it all in sweet domesticity. He half listened to the ramblings of his manservant, his mind wandering back to the elephant in the room, or forest.
Merlin had magic, but it wasn't bad. He never believed in what his father preached about sorcery. That had long stopped since he was a child, he was no longer gullible and didn't do everything he was told to do by his father. Arthur was always against the burnings and drownings of the innocent people, what did they do to earn this death? Help their crops grow? Is that so bad?
So as Merlin handed him a bowl full of stew, he decided he would delve further into this mystery when they returned to Camelot.
Why were things never easy?
Why couldn't they go home safely and talk it out like the adults they were?
But no, no they couldn't all because he was a stupid, bloody prince!
What had happened was; Merlin had woken the prince up to a tidied camp, horses readied and some bacon and bread. They had set out on the horses and began their way to Camelot. Neither were paying attention to their surroundings, too busy joking and teasing each other, so they didn't notice when the forest had grown too quiet and had barely noticed they were surrounded by bandits before it was too late.
Arthur blames Merlin for this, his laugh was too infectious.
They were surrounded on all sides, Merlin was just in the corner of Arthur’s eyes. Something he later realised was a big save.
As Arthur swung his sword, parrying and blocking, he could see Merlin dodging about the place. And if he thought he saw a random branch fall, he didn't say anything. Just like he didn't say anything about the bandits tripping over nothing.
When the last attacker fell to the ground, he and Merlin mounted their horses and rode off in silence.
“Are you alright?” Arthur asked, breaking the silence.
“What? Uh, yeah. Yeah I’m fine, just got caught on the arm, that's all.” Merlin played off.
“It’s not serious is it?” Concerned Arthur tried to look at Merlins arms for bleeding.
“It’s just a scratch, sire. Nothing gaius can’t help with,” Merlin looked at the worried prince. “Didn’t know you cared so much, my lord.”
Arthur huffed, rolled his eyes and galloped off knowing Merlin would be at his side.
And that later they would sit down and talk about all of this.
The turrets of the castle peaked over the horizon, the sun smiled high in above and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. By the time they reached the lower towns everyone and everything was in full swing, people and animals alike bustled about the place, busy with their own lives. Some stopped to pay respects to the prince and others to briefly catch a word with Merlin. As they arrived in the courtyard stable hands quickly hurried to their sides, taking the horses away. Gaius stood by the doors that were off to the side, Merlin walked off to the old man but quickly turned around when he saw that Arthur wasn't following.
“Aren’t you coming, sire?”
“No, I have to give the king my report.” Arthur said, shaking his head lightly.
“What about your injuries?” Merlin questioned.
“It’s just a few light bruises, I'll be fine. And if it makes you feel better, I'll come down later for something. Now you go and sort out your own wound.” At that Merlin rolled his eyes, Arthur was clearly teasing him for his tiny injury.
“I’ll see you soon sire.” Merlin smiled and then joined Gaius at the door, disappearing into the castle walls.
Arthur knew how fussy his servant could be about wounds, so instead of going and doing whatever menial task his father had asked for him to do, he went to Gaius’ infirmary. The door was open by a small crack and Arthur quietly pushed it open.
But before he could say anything to announce his presence, his words were caught in his throat, he looked across the room and saw Merlin and Gaius talking in soft words with their backs turned away from the door.
“I can't be sure, but I'm certain that Arthur didn't see me.” Merlin whispered.
Gaius sighed and shook his head. “It would be easier for the both of you if you told him about your magic.”
Ah, so Gaius knew. Of course he would know. But why can’t Arthur know? Why not him?
“Gaius, we’ve been over this. Arthur is my friend but he is the prince. If I tell him about my magic, he would have to choose between me and his father and the law. I don't know which one he would pick. But if I can, he won't have to make that decision. Not yet at least.” Merlin sighed and leant back into his chair.
For what was probably the first time, Arthur saw Merlin. He saw the weight the man was carrying of heavy burdens and dark secrets. Merlin was still a book he had many pages missing, and Arthur was ready to start looking for them.
“Are you sure you can wait that long?” Gaius asked.
“Just until I can be safe, when magic is legal I’ll tell him,” Merlin looked up to the ceiling. “I just hope he doesn't think I’ve betrayed him.”
Arthur stepped out of the door and back into the corridor, he walked back to his chambers and decided.
He decided that he would make things better for Merlin.
He decided that he would shoulder the burden with Merlin.
He decided that he would give the man no reason to not trust him, he would turn a blind eye at innocent uses of magic, he would protect those who needed him.
From that day on, Arthur made a promise to be a king Merlin could be proud of.