Morgana is a character I love to hate. What about you guys? Do you like her?
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Merlin walked out the room cape in hand and heart pounding in his ears. He shut the door with a heavy sigh and made his way towards the laundry room. He couldn't help but wonder if that was Arthur's way of checking in on him or if Arthur was acting strange because of the Princess. It was all so confusing. When he had taken the role as Arthur's servant he never expected for it to be so complicated, at least not emotionally. He never expected to fall in love with the prince at most he thought he'd be gaining a new friend. Then again he never expected to be a somewhat known powerful warlock living in the shadows.
He sighed and trudged down the stone stair case. His steps echoed through the small stair case. It was the servants stair case but the status never really bothered Merlin. He reached the laundry room where the laundress had just brought a fresh bucket of river water for Merlin to use. How she was always ready amazed Merlin. He nodded her way and then went to work. Usually it would have been her job to scrub the cape but Arthur insisted Merlin do it because he "cleans exceptionally better than any meat head in this castle". Merlin shook his head at the memory and then sighed. He really wished things with Arthur weren't so complicated.
He knew he was the main reason for their relationship becoming complicated; he got his feelings involved where he shouldn't have. He wished he could have avoid how really felt but it all seemed so out of his control. No matter how hard he tried to push them down. He swallowed hard and tried to shake his thoughts of Arthur. Most of his thoughts revolves around Arthur and he wished he could just act on how he felt. It could make life so much easier and fix most of his inner turmoil. He knew it wouldn't happen anytime soon but a man could wish. He checked if the laundress was paying attention and when she wasn't he mumbled a low enchantment that instantly removed the stains from the cape.
He continued to scrub as though the stains were still there and when he looked back up she was giving him a gentle smile. She finished her bucket of laundry and stepped out leaving Merlin alone with his thoughts. He sighed and stopped scrubbing; he had no idea how he was going to maintain his sanity for this week especially if it was starting off so rocky. He pulled the cape out the water and did a drying spell on it. It looked practically brand new and he couldn't help but beam at his work. Magic was the one thing he always felt proud about especially when he did something right. He just hated he couldn't share such a major part of his life with Arthur.
He left the cape to hang and walked out the laundry room empty handed. He couldn't bring it back right away or Arthur would undoubtedly be suspicious. He made his way back up the stairs and stepped into the empty hallway. He debated for a while but decided he'd go help the knights before returning to the prince. He walked opposite of Arthur's bedroom and towards the practice arena outside.
Once he was outside he could see a majority of the knights training and laughing. He knew Arthur would not approve. He liked when the guys were focused and actually thinking about their skills instead of fighting and chatting. Merlin smiled and caught their attention as he walked up to them. They stopped fighting and placed their weapons aside. A couple of the knights greeted him with excited smiles while the rest went about their business. Merlin wasn't surprised and stayed by those who welcomed him.
"Does Arthur know you're out here?" Gwaine smirked his eyes bright with something wicked and Merlin restrained himself from rolling his eyes.
"Does it matter?" Merlin waved him off and Lancelot cleared his throat to interrupt.
"Have you seen the princess yet? He questioned.
Merlin could see that he was trying his best to keep his face neutral. The other knights shared knowing looks and Merlin felt his eyebrows knit together.
"No, is there something I should know?" Merlin huffed growing a little frustrated.
"It's just-" Lancelot started but stopped once Leon elbowed his gut.
"It's nothing." Leon sighed, "she and Arthur have known each other for a while and she may have feelings for him but Arthur has expressed none."
Merlin didn't know whether to be relieved or anxious. He looked over at Leon who looked confident in his words. He felt a small squirm of anxiety in his stomach but did his best to push it away. He shifted from one foot to another and did his best to keep his face neutral.
"Why would I worry about something like that?" Merlin wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or them.
"It's just we know you two have a-" Percival started, "well a bond of some sort."
"We're friends." Merlin shook his head, "I care about Arthur and he cares about me because we're friends."
"Right." Elyon scoffed but said no more.
Merlin knew that Elyon and Guinevere knew how he felt about Arthur though he never explicitly said anything to them. He gave Elyon a look which only made the knight shrug. The others nodded though Leon didn't look convinced either.
"I came to ask if any of you needed to have anything washed before the ball tonight." Merlin lied. He had come down to have fun but with the sudden questions his mood shifted.
They all murmured a "no" and Merlin gave them a curt smile and walked off. He knew he was acting strange but with the flurry of emotions he was feeling he wasn't sure how to act normal. He didn't look back as he walked into the castle. His shoulders slouched as he shut the door and let out a heavy sigh.
He made his way back up the stone steps and with every step he found his heart hammering harder and harder. He knew that his words had been a lie and that seeing Arthur with anyone would devastate him. Arthur was his destiny and though he was the only person that knows that he certainly wished everyone else did too. He wanted to love Arthur loudly and peacefully. He knew with his magic and Uther that would never be a possibility. Or the fact that he was sure Arthur liked women. He reached the top of the steps and could spot Arthur down the hall kissing the back of the princess's hand. Merlin felt bile rise to his throat but sucked in his breath and kept himself steady.
She let out a beautiful laugh and Merlin wanted to do anything but watch this transaction between the two. Arthur dropped her hand and started to speak and Merlin took this as his chance to rush by without going noticed. He quickly slipped into a hall that came up just before he would have to run into Arthur. He started to rush through it when he heard someone shout his name. He paused and quietly cursed to himself.
"Merlin!" Arthur called and Merlin turned to face him.
"Yes?" Merlin watched as the prince approached.
His hair looked perfect and his eyes gleamed with curiosity. Merlin felt his breath hitch and he tried his best to remain calm. Arthur stopped in front of him and let out a sigh. Merlin watched him carefully trying his best not be obvious.
"Why are you trying to hide?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, "I saw you the second you made your way to the top of those stairs."
Merlin felt the tips of his ears burn red, "I wanted to give you your privacy."
"Since when have you ever cared about my privacy?" Arthur scoffed, "you've seen more of me then I'd like to admit."
Another wave of a blush found it's way onto Merlin's cheeks and he let out a soft laugh. Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to tell me why you're acting so strange." Arthur's eyes softened and his tone went soft; it made Merlin's stomach erupt with butterflies.
"I'm sorry, I'm just not sure how to act around you and the princess." Merlin admitted though he wasn't sure if Arthur took it the way he meant it.
"Act the same." Arthur rolled his eyes, "nothing is changing, Merlin."
Merlin nodded though he wasn't sure if it was convincing or not.
"You may change your mind, Arthur." Merlin searched the other man's eyes, "when people get married they-"
"Marriage?" Arthur stepped back some, "I'm not getting married."
"But it could happen." Merlin shook his head.
"It won't." Arthur reassured him and took two steps forward, "I do not love the princess."
Merlin looked back up and met Arthur's eyes. They were sincere and loving and Merlin could melt just being watched by them. Arthur leaned down practically in Merlin's bubble. Merlin let out a small gasp. Arthur was still looking at him as though he was the only person that mattered and Merlin wasn't sure how to feel. Arthur opened his mouth to speak when the two were interrupted.
"Boys!" Uther boomed.
Both men jumped and Arthur's entire face burned red. Uther looked between the two with a slight frown on his face. Arthur took a couple steps away from Merlin and they both looked over at Uther hoping he hadn't heard the conversation.
"You both need to start getting ready for the ball." He reminded them, "Merlin why don't you run and get his clothes ready."
Merlin could tell they had did something wrong by the way Uther was eyeing Arthur. He nodded and walked off leaving Arthur to speak with his father alone. Arthur sighed and looked down at his feet. Merlin hated how Arthur was with his father but he understood it completely. He just wished he didn't. He wished they could be more simple and happy, but with the way things are going Merlin isn't sure that will ever happen.