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Merlin fic: Nothing Has Changed (4/?)
Author: dk323
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Spoilers:
Merlin ~ Tag to season 1 finale, “Le Morte D'Arthur”
Disclaimer: The show Merlin is property of the BBC. No money being made.
Summary: Fearing losing control of his magic, Merlin gives his magic up. But then Arthur gets involved...
Part 4: “I’m doing this to protect you, Merlin.”
A/N: This is a short chapter that sets up the next part of the story. An interlude chapter, more like it. I don't know if I'll be able to finish this by Sept. 19, but we'll see... Thanks to all who are reading this fic. :)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7a | Part 7b | Part 8a
~ * ~
Merlin woke up slowly to the sound of hushed voices.
“…send him away?”
“He needed some rest. Someone had to talk some sense into him.”
“…waking up, look.”
“You can go, Gwen. I need to speak to him privately. Thank you for coming along.”
“It was no trouble. Merlin is a good friend to me; I would do it in a heartbeat.”
Merlin looked to see Gwen quietly leaving his room and Morgana seated in the chair by his bed.
Merlin sat up, rubbing his head tiredly. “What – what happened? Last I remember Arthur was here and--”
Morgana shook her head, touching his shoulder. He turned to properly look at her.
“We need to talk, Merlin. About Arthur.”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“In a manner of speaking. You can’t trust him.”
“I – I don’t understand, Morgana. You said everything would be all right. You said--”
“Yes, while that may be true from your end that might not be the case on Arthur’s end. He’ll betray you to Uther, I know it.”
Merlin’s eyes widened at her words. He couldn’t believe it. No, no, no…why was Morgana saying all this?
“Listen, Merlin. Arthur didn’t get a chance to sort out how he feels about you being magic. He had no time. You don’t even know if he’ll change his tune once your magic leaves him. Right now, do you really think Arthur would risk telling his father when he could be incriminating himself as he has magic inside of him? Arthur wouldn’t be that stupid, Merlin. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”
Merlin spoke slowly as realization set in. “Once he’s not risking himself, he could tell on me…” But then he shook his head quickly. “No, no, that won’t happen. My magic wouldn’t have gone inside of him – wouldn’t have trusted Arthur if there was even the chance he’d betray me. No, I don’t believe it.”
“Merlin, who would you trust more if it came down to it? Someone who was raised to despise magic and those who wield it or someone who bears the same burden as you? I have as much to risk as you do. I’m only trying to help you.”
Merlin didn’t know how to answer that. Morgana had a point…she was a Seer, she had magical abilities like him and she faced the pyre just like him if either were found out…
The question now was, 'How strong was his trust in Arthur?'
“Arthur told me about you and the girl. What was that about?” Morgana changed the subject, sensing Merlin’s need to consider the matter some more.
“I was trying to get my mind off of getting my magic back from Arthur. I didn’t want to hurt him trying to get the magic back… so, I thought – uh, I needed an effective distraction.”
Merlin would rather not say the word, “sex” in front of Morgana. It just seemed like too vulgar a word to say in front of a noblewoman, even though Morgana definitely wasn’t a typical, “pretty to look at but no substance behind the fancy dress and painted face” lady of the court. Merlin could attest to that. It still felt improper nevertheless.
Morgana looked at him carefully, thoughtfully. “Right. You haven’t had much success with that method, have you?”
Merlin muttered. “No, I just thought of the idea. Arthur interrupted me before I got anywhere. I need to try it again…”
“Would you like me to help?” She asked softly.
“No, no! That’s – I couldn’t – Morgana, honestly! No.”
“You’re not making any sense, Merlin.”
He tried to get his point across again. “But you’re not supposed to – you’re you know and I’m – and if the king found out -- !”
Morgana only sighed, thinking it best to talk about something else. Merlin was blushing terribly and she honestly wasn’t sure that he had a coherent thought in him at the moment.
“I don’t just see the future now. I’ve been practicing,” Morgana informed him lightly. Her eyes seemed to glow a brighter green.
“What?” Merlin breathed out, wondering what in the world she meant by that.
She shook her head. “First, will you consider what I just told you about Arthur?”
“I don’t know, Morgana. Arthur has proven himself--”
“Has he, Merlin? Really think about it.”
Morgana placed her hand under his chin and jerked it so that he was facing her. So that he was looking right into her eyes.
“Take all your magic back when you see the sorceress again. All of it, all at once. And run, run away. You’ll be in danger. Do you understand what I’m telling you, Merlin?”
Merlin couldn’t look away even if he tried. But he really didn’t want to, truth be told. There was something about her eyes, they were –
He couldn’t think anymore.
“Merlin?” She said softly.
“Yes. I’ll do it. I understand,” he answered her.
“I’m doing this to protect you, Merlin.”
He nodded and didn’t even notice when she threw the sheet covering him aside and began to undo his breeches.
~ * ~
Arthur woke up the next morning to someone shuffling about his room. He wished they weren’t so loud about it.
“Good morning, Arthur,” Merlin’s voice greeted him cheerfully. He set down the prince’s breakfast tray on the table.
Wait -- Merlin? Arthur, needing to see it to believe it, hastily opened the curtains enclosing his bed.
“Merlin?” He said, surprised. “I thought you had to stay away from me.”
Merlin looked at him oddly. “Why do you mean by that?”
Arthur glared at him, shifting his position so his feet were dangling over the edge of the bed. He was facing Merlin.
“Don’t pretend, Merlin. You know what I mean.”
“Umm…I don’t think I do.”
Now Arthur was puzzled and just a bit alarmed. Taking a good look at Merlin, his manservant did actually appear to be honestly confused as to what Arthur was referring to.
“Merlin, don’t you remember? I have your magic inside of me – that sorceress gave it to me to keep for you.”
Merlin looked at him as if he were frightened of him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You would never do that. What the king might think! And, well, you have it wrong. You don’t have my magic – the sorceress--” Then Merlin’s eyes widened and he shut his mouth as if he had said too much. After a moment, he continued on with renewed determination. “I don’t know where you got the idea that – and since when do you know about who I am?”
He backed away from Arthur. Merlin continued speaking when Arthur just stared at him. “What are you playing at? She told me I should bring you when I see her again, but this – I wasn’t expecting this.”
Arthur stood up, wanting to approach Merlin, but deciding against it when he looked like a skittish animal ready to make a quick escape.
And Arthur didn’t want him to leave just yet.
“Merlin, what is going on with you? Something is wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong! Maybe you just have it all wrong! I have to go. Morgana needed to see me.”
Arthur stepped forward, Merlin walked backwards until he hit the wall. “Are you afraid of me, Merlin?” He questioned.
What had brought this on? Arthur wondered. Something must have happened since he had seen Merlin last night and this morning. Something had been done to him…
Arthur knew he needed a closer look at his manservant.
So with that in mind, Arthur walked slowly toward him, noticing how Merlin kept glancing at the door.
When he was directly in front of him, Arthur found something peculiar…
“Merlin, what color are your eyes again?”
“Blue,” He said in a small voice, trying to move away from Arthur.
“Stand still. I’m not going to hurt you. You should get that thought out of your head.”
Merlin nodded. “Can I go?”
Arthur sighed and he nodded. “Yes, you may go.”
After Merlin had left his room, Arthur just stood there staring at the wall.
If Merlin’s eyes were blue, then why, just now, were his eyes an odd sort of green color?
The only answer that came to mind was magic. But Arthur decided it was too soon to tell for certain.
He needed to do more investigating. With that decision, he went on to dress himself and eat breakfast.
~ * ~
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