Merlin Imagines

Arthur x Reader: Sweetheart, Come Home

You'd been kept in that dingy dungeon so long that the hours bled together and you had no idea if you'd been gone for a few days or a few months. You weren't even sure how you got here. The last thing you remembered was someone tapping your shoulder and blowing something into your face. Then everything went black.

You were worried about your brother. You hoped Merlin wasn't running himself into the ground. Although it wasn't like you had much room to talk. You knew if it was the other way around, you wouldn't rest until you found your brother.
A key turning in a lock snapped you out of your trance, and you looked up as two figures raced into the room. "Merlin?" You whispered. He whipped around and spotted you huddled in the corner.

"Y/N!" He ran to you and pulled at your chains, cursing in frustration.

"Hold the chains tight." Merlin looked up at the man with him, before nodding and grabbing a handful of links, holding them taut. The man withdrew a long sword and held it over his head, before swinging it down on your chains. They split apart and your brother hauled you up. As soon as you were standing, you were wrapped in the other man's arms. He had his chin resting on the top of your head as you felt him sigh in relief. He was slightly trembling. "Thank God you're safe." You heard him murmur. Your head was suddenly tilted back, and before you could say anything the man's lips were on yours. You reflexively pushed him back, taking a couple steps away from him. He looked at you in confusion. "Y/N?"

"How do you know my name?" You asked. The blood drained from his face. "Did you tell him?" You looked at Merlin, whose eyebrows were furrowed in confusion.

"Y/N," The man tried again. "It's me." He said softly. "It's Arthur." Your eyes widened and his did too. You recognized the name.

"Your Majesty," You curtsied. "My brother shouldn't have burdened you with this. I apologize." His shoulders slumped.

"No," He waved your apology off, sounding hollow. "It's my duty to protect citizens of Camelot." He looked like he wanted to say something else, but a look from Merlin silenced him.

"Come on," Your brother gently led you out of the cell. "Let's get you home." You let him guide you, confused about how the King reacted.

...

As soon as you were back in Camelot and resting, Arthur had stormed off to his chambers. He made a beeline for the table covered in maps and reports, angrily sweeping it to the ground. He sat down and rested his head in his hands.
You didn't remember him. When you'd first been abducted, he was up all day and all night, trying to figure out exactly where you were and how to get you back.

But it still wasn't enough. In the end, he'd still lost you. He was grateful you were safe.

But at the same time, it still felt like you weren't home yet.
...

"Merlin?" You asked your brother as he fussed, fluffing your pillow and giving you water. He looked up. "Why did you bring the King with you?" He sighed, before reluctantly sitting down next to you.

"I didn't. He insisted on coming."

"What? Why?" You were bewildered. You were just a serving girl! Merlin sighed again.

"You'd have to talk to him." With that, he left you to rest, with more questions than ever.
...

As soon as you felt up to it, you wandered through the castle looking for Arthur. You needed answers, and you knew that he would be the one to give them to you. You knocked on the door.

"What?" Came a vicious reply. You hesitated, wondering if this was still a good idea.

"Your Majesty?" You called softly. "I was wondering if I could speak with you."
You heard some muffled curses, and a couple crashes before the door was wrenched open. Arthur looked haggard to say the least. Looking past him, you could see that the room was in total chaos.

"Y/N," He said softly. After an awkward silence, he cleared his throat. "Uh, come in," He motioned for you to come in. You stepped in, thanking him softly as you passed. You looked around the room. If it weren't for the mess, the room would've been lovely. There was a large four poster bed, but it looked like he'd only slept on the one side. There was a chest sitting at the foot of the bed, with a vase full of wildflowers sitting on top, along with Arthur's chainmail and a couple books. It was clear that there was more than one person living in the room. "Is there anything I can help you with?" He asked.

"Um, sort of. I'm just sort of confused about everything." There was no turning back now. "Why did you come for me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" He asked in confusion.

"Well, I don't know." You shrugged. "I'm just a serving girl."

"Just a serving girl?" He echoed. "No, you're more than that." He reached out and stroked your hair. "You're so much more than that, sweetheart."

Sweetheart.

Your hands flew up to your head with a pained gasp. You heard Arthur say something, but he sounded too far away.

...

"Arthur, stop!" You shrieked as Arthur's arms were locked around you, holding you in place against his firm chest. He was pressing kisses all over your face and you giggled and tried to squirm away. "That tickles!" He chuckled against your skin, and pressed a kiss to your nose.

"But then I couldn't hear your laugh."

...

You woke up to feel a hand gently stroking your hair. Your eyes fluttered open, and you smiled sleepily at Arthur. He was propped up next to you, and he pulled you closer, rubbing your noses together with a smile.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

...

"I told you this would happen," You reprimanded him as you felt this forehead with your hand. He rolled his eyes as he stared up at you from his bed.

"Yes, but you were sick, and I wasn't just going to leave you."

"But who says I won't leave you?" His eyes widened and you laughed.

"You're joking."

"How do you know?"

...

You could tell from the way Arthur came in that he had had a rough day. You closed the book you were reading and got up. Arthur took off his chainmail, and just collapsed into your arms. You walked him over to the bed and sat down. He wordlessly laid his head on your lap, sighing as you stroked his hair.

"Bad day?"

"Mmhmm."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Mmm." You nodded. After a moment, Arthur mumbled something into your stomach.

"What?"

"I'll always protect you. I promise."

"I know you will."

...

"I love you sweetheart."

"I love you too."

...

"Sweetheart."
...

Sweetheart.

Your eyes flew open, and the first thing you noticed was that you were laying in Arthur's arms.

"Arthur?" He looked down at you in concern.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?"

"Wow," You laughed softly. "You really let the room go while I was gone, didn't you?" He stiffened. He opened his mouth and closed it again a couple times, before he managed to choke a word out.

"Sweetheart?" You smiled as he pulled you closer, and a grin slowly started to stretch across his face.

"I missed you." He kissed you and held you tightly. You sat together on the floor, laughing and kissing and crying.