Between Us

Chapter Three: Advice From a Knight

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.