Merlin's Son: A Tale old as Time • Merthur

9- The Darkest Hour

      Merlin was in a good mood early morning as he rushed around to complete the tasks Arthur had set for him. As he practically jogged into the kitchen, he took a sausage from one of the platters but it didnt go unnoticed by the Cook. "What are you doing in here?" She asked, threatening him with a wooden spoon. Merlin hid the half eaten sausage as he replied "The Prince's shirt!"

As he got said shirt, he noticed a thin wire and looked up, grinning as he saw Gwaine and Percival trying to steal a piece of chicken. He quickly helped them out and ran out of the kitchen before the Cook could notice.

He annoyingly bumped into one of the other servants, spilling wine all over Arthur's clean shirt. He swore inwardly. "Let's see?" Lancelot said with a grin, stopping when he saw Merlin's face and the shirt. "It's never going to be ready in time!" Merlin complained with a pout and Lancelot chuckled.

"You've faced far worse, Merlin." He said patting Merlin on the back. "But he needs it for tonight!"

"I'm sure a man of your talents can think of something," Lancelot responded, walking backwards with a bright smile and a knowing look. Merlin looked around before casting magic. He grinned once he was done and showed Lancelot the shirt with a satisfied look on his face.  Once he got to Arthur's room he was amazed and slightly impressed that the Prince was actually dressed. He got dressed by himself. Merlin thought this day would never come. "You're dressed!" He stated with a grin.

"Yes Merlin, I can dress myself." Arthur stated, busy looking at a sheet of parchment. He turned around and Merlin scoffed as Arthur's shirt wasn't tucked in at the back. "Are you sure about that?" Merlin questioned as Arthur sat down.

"Merlin, can't you see I'm busy trying to prepare a speech?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "So you won't want this one then?" He asked Arthur, handing him the speech he wrote last night. Arthur raised an eyebrow as he read the script and looked at Merlin with a warm smile.

"So you're not as dumb as you look?" Arthur teased and Merlin rolled his eyes playfully. "Apparently not." He replied, also smiling.

"Merlin.... I need to talk to you." Merlin frowned, what could Arthur have to talk to him about? Surely he had to do his speech soon? What couldn't wait? "Is everything okay, Sire?"

"I... I don't think I can trust anyone else, Merlin. But, I have Magic." Merlin blinked not once, not twice but three times. He was completely frozen on the spot. What? But of course ... Arthur was born of magic so it only made sense. But why now? "You don't seem surprised." Arthur stated after a few minutes, wondering what Merlin was going to say. He found out a few years ago when he dropped something and the item paused in thin air. After that... He tried to control it. When Merlin spoke through his mind the first time, he was sure it meant Merlin too had magic. But he couldn't be certain. Not until Merlin let it slip. Which surprisingly never happened. He heard Merlin sigh deeply.

"When Morgause told you how your Mother died... You were too set in killing your Father that if you had, you would have regretted it, more than you would know. I only lied to protect you, Arthur." Merlin spoke softly, closing his eyes and bracing himself for Arthur's shouting, for anything. But it never came. He felt Arthur hugging him and Merlin opened his eyes as he hugged Arthur back tightly. In the moment, Arthur leant closer to Merlin and closed the gap between them. Merlin couldn't quite believe it as he kissed back. It was a lovingly sweet kiss that lasted just a few moments, a rememberable first kiss. But Merlin would never forget how he felt, how much love Arthur was giving him. When they broke apart, Arthur spoke.

"Thank you, Merls."

        Meanwhile, Morgana was struggling with a carriage containing the only person that still truly cared for her, Morgause. She was nearly there... Nearly at the Isle of the Blessed. But it would take a good few hours and Morgana was running out of strength. She had to stay strong, for her sister.