Part 26: link
Gwen watches as Arthur rides off on his horse towards the forest.
“I’m going to take a ride. Clear my head,” he had कहा after picking at his breakfast.
She turns quickly from the window and rushes out of the room in खोजिए of Merlin.
Arthur slows his horse to a stop near a stream. They both need a rest and a drink. He leads the horse to the water’s edge and the animal dips his head, lapping up the cool clear water.
He gives the horse a pat and crouches down himself, cupping some water in his hands and lifting them to his lips, drinking.
“How’s the water?”
Arthur lifts another handful, splashing his face this time. “I told आप I would send for आप when I was ready to deal with you.” He sits on a rock nearby, looking out over the stream.
Merlin sits on another, opposite Arthur. “I’m tired of waiting.”
Arthur finally turns his head to look at him. When did he get to be so insubordinate? “I don’t know what to do with you,” he admits.
“I know.”
“I’m not going to execute you.”
“I know. आप would have done द्वारा now if आप were going to.”
Arthur laughs once, humorlessly. He knows me too well. One of the main reasons why I need to keep him close.
“I understand what you’re struggling with, Arthur.”
“Do you? Do you?” he yells, the pain clear in his voice. “You understand that I feel betrayed द्वारा you, after all these years, that… that आप deceived me innumerable times, lying to me? Making Gaius lie to me? आप understand that my दिल is breaking to discover that the man who is quite likely my best friend has been secretly using magic behind my back? Magic that is banned in this kingdom?” Arthur looks at Merlin, his eyes pained and glassy. Swallowing, he continues. “It has been drilled into me my entire life that magic is evil, Merlin, and that those that practice it are also evil! But I know आप are not evil. आप don’t have an evil bone in your body, and I cannot reconcile those two concepts! So that forces me to change my entire way of thinking, forces me to face the fact that my father made a colossal mistake, that he… killed people unnecessarily. Innocent people. That he may well have been the tyrant that many people saw.”
Merlin sniffles, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yes, Arthur. That’s exactly how I understand it to be. आप feel like you’re dishonoring his memory if आप forgive me.”
Arthur looks up, surprised. “Yes.” I didn’t even realize it myself until just now.
“But can आप understand what I’m struggling with? What I have been struggling with since I first arrived here? My entire life, in fact?”
Arthur’s eyebrows furrow. Never thought of it that way. I’ve been too busy brooding on my own problem. “I…” he starts, and gives up.
“Go ahead. Give it a try. I dare you.”
Arthur is quiet. He looks at Merlin, studying this strange young man whom he now sees in a completely different light. He is no longer the bumbling servant, the fool that Arthur so often called him. It was all a ruse. He had to hide behind that front.
“You… आप feel like आप don’t belong anywhere,” Arthur starts, gazing out over the stream again. He sees Merlin nod out of the corner of his eyes.
“That’s a good start.”
“And… you’ve been scared every day. Scared that someone may find आप out and turn आप in.”
“Not so much any more. When your father was alive, yes.”
“You didn’t want to deceive me.”
“Of course not.”
“But… आप didn’t know how I would react if I found out. If I would tell my father.”
He nods glumly.
“Then why did आप stay? Why do आप continue to stay?” Confused, he raises his voice slightly, throwing his hands in the air.
“I have to. For you. My destiny is woven with yours, Arthur. It is my duty to help you, to protect you. I’ve कहा this before, and आप always laughed it off. I know it sounds strange. But I was telling the truth every time. I let आप call me an idiot and otherwise abuse me because it served my purpose. If I could—”
“Hide behind a mask of foolishness, no one would suspect that आप are a sorcerer,” Arthur finishes.
“Yes. I’m not always the most graceful person in the world, so it wasn’t very difficult,” Merlin admits, and Arthur laughs a little.
They sit quietly, pitching small rocks into the stream, listening to the plink of the stones as they plop into the water.
“So. Explain yourself.”
“How much do आप want to know?”
“Everything.”
“I don’t think you’re quite ready for everything just yet, Arthur.” Plink.
“Oh?”
“No. There’s quite a lot. You’ve already लॉस्ट it, I’ll not be tipping आप further over the edge.”
Arthur sighs. “Well?” Plink.
Merlin sighs. “I was born like this. My mother कहा I used to make my toys levitate when I was a toddler.”
“Were आप born of magic?”
“No. My mother never married, but I was conceived in the, um, traditional way.” He blushes, not really wanting to think about that.
“Sorry. I just thought—”
“I know. Since I was born with it, perhaps I was born of it. No. My father had magic as well. I get this from him.” Plink.
“Did आप know him?”
Careful, Merlin. Do not tell him about the dragon yet. “I met him later in life. He… he’s dead now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” Plink. He sighs. “Arthur, I want आप to understand something. My being a wizard is no different than आप being king. आप were born a prince. I was born a wizard. Neither of us asked for it. We both wish from time to time that we were something other than what we are. Something… normal. Ordinary. But we can’t. All we can do is do the best we can with what we were given.” He pauses and looks at Arthur. “That is what makes me different from Morgana. I try to take what I have and get the good from it. She feels it is a curse and since she is miserable, she wants everyone else to be as well.”
Arthur nods. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to आप like this.” Plink.
“What, magical?”
“No, intelligent.” Arthur flings a rock at Merlin and, on a whim, Merlin flashes his eyes at the rock, stopping it in mid-air. He blinks and it drops.
He watches Arthur’s reaction. “Huh,” he half-laughs. “I thought आप कहा आप never used your magic for evil.”
Merlin smirks. “Was that a joke?”
“Of course not.” Plink. “So. आप claim आप have a destiny, too, then.”
“Yep. It’s to help आप become a great king, like I said. Camelot is your responsibility. You are my responsibility. Mine and Gwen’s, actually.”
“Saw आप talking with her in the courtyard yesterday.”
“Yeah. She’s really special, Arthur. आप know that. She wanted to thank me again for saving her and the baby. Mostly the baby.”
“Did you… did आप really put a protective charm over the baby?” Arthur asks, turning to face Merlin fully.
“Of course I did!” Merlin sounds offended.
“I didn’t mean it to sound like that, Merlin. I know आप wouldn’t hurt the baby. Him.” Arthur smiles a small smile. “Definitely him?”
Merlin nods.
“How do आप know? Wait, I don’t think I want to know.” He holds up his hand. “I… I guess… this is just all so strange. I told आप it would take a while.”
“I understand.”
“Who else knows?”
“About my magic?”
Arthur nods.
“My mother, of course. Gaius.” He hesitates. Best not mention Lancelot. “Gwaine found out just recently.”
“Gwaine? आप trusted him to keep this secret?” Arthur is incredulous.
“I do trust him, but I didn’t intend for him to find out. I was actually trying to दिखाना you, if आप can believe it.”
“When?”
“You know the branch that mysteriously fell on Bertrand’s head?”
“You did that,” Arthur says, putting the pieces together. Have I really been so unobservant?
“Yes. I wanted आप to know. I’ve wanted to tell आप for a long time now. And I thought the best way would be if I used my magic to save Gwen somehow. The hard part was waiting for an opportunity. या so I thought.”
“And Gwaine saw instead of me.”
“Yep. He confronted me in Caerleon, and I told him. It felt good to unload some of the burden, actually.”
“That’s why he was quiet.”
“Yep.”
“And obviously that’s why आप wouldn’t answer about becoming my advisor.”
“Yep. I couldn’t accept the post and still keep this secret from you. It would have killed me; eaten at me from the inside out और than it already was. And it would have destroyed आप if आप had found out after.”
He nods, then straightens up. “Morgana doesn’t know?”
“God, no, that would be catastrophic.”
“I talked to Gaius yesterday, and he कहा she didn’t know. But I wanted to hear it from you.”
“She knows there is a wizard out there called Emrys. She’s petrified of him, but I’m not certain why.” Do I tell him? या is this too much.
“Do आप know this Emrys?”
“I do.” He looks Arthur straight in the eye.
“You’re Emrys, aren’t you?” Arthur asks.
Merlin nods.
Arthur and Merlin ride back into Camelot together. Gwen smiles as she sees them ride into the courtyard. Merlin is still alive. And they’re talking to each other.
“So I’m your best friend, then,” Merlin says with a grin, remembering Arthur’s earlier statement.
“Never कहा that,” Arthur deadpans.
“I distinctly remember…”
“Your memory is clouded by… the… stress of the moment. Yes. Stress.”
Merlin laughs. “We both know आप कहा it.”
“Shut up.”
“Arthur?”
“What?”
“I feel the same way.”
“Thank you. Now never mention it again.”
“Yes, Sire.”
They dismount, and Elyan strides quickly forward. “My lord, a word, please?”
“Yes, Elyan, what is it?” Arthur says, walking towards the knight.
“It’s about Gwen’s birthday,” he says, glancing at Merlin.
“That’s right, it’s coming up,” Merlin says.
Arthur looks at him. “You knew her birthday was coming up and आप didn’t tell me?”
“Sorry, been a bit preoccupied with other things, आप know.”
“Hmm,” he scowls. Then, under his breath, “Some best friend आप are.”
Merlin laughs and shoves Arthur lightly on the arm. Arthur reaches up and pushes his head to the side.
Elyan stares.
“Yes, Elyan, what do आप have for me?” Arthur says, turning back to the stunned knight.
“A सूची of flowers. Mostly purple, some white, some yellow.”
“Yellow?”
“She likes yellow ones, too. Says… what was it? They contrast the purple? Something like that. I can’t discern रंग very well, so they all look alike to me,” he shrugs.
Arthur looks at the list. The names mean nothing to him. He hands it back to Elyan. “I’ve decided that this gift will be from both of us, Brother. आप know where?”
Elyan nods. “I looked in on her this morning, and snuck a peek. I’m glad her dizziness is gone, Sire. I was worried.”
“We have Merlin to thank for that, actually,” Arthur says, nodding in Merlin’s direction. “But that’s for later. Take your सूची to the royal gardeners and give them the instructions. We only have a week, so they’ll need to work swiftly. And…” he sighs. “How are we going to do this without her seeing?”
“Break the window,” Merlin suggests.
“What?”
“Well, perhaps not break. But I could arrange it so the window, um, can’t be opened. Temporarily. She won’t be able to see through that stained glass.”
Arthur raises an eyebrow at Merlin, who nods.
“All right, then. Elyan, off आप go.”
“Speaking of my lovely wife, I think we need to go see her,” Arthur suggests as the two men climb the stairs into the castle.
“Do we?”
“We have some decisions to make. And we’ll need to thank her for sending आप out after me this morning.”
“She didn’t send… oh, I can’t even say it with a straight face,” Merlin laughs.
The अगला morning. Council chambers.
Arthur sits at the head of the table, with Guinevere at his left and Merlin seated at his right. Many of the council members are grumbling about this unexpected change.
Gwen is listening, and she can distinctly hear टिप्पणियाँ of “only a servant” and “place of honor” and “what is he doing there?”
Arthur holds his hand up, and a hush falls.
“My friends: Much has happened in this last महीना in our great kingdom. First and foremost, क्वीन Guinevere and I wish to thank the people for the tokens of प्यार and appreciation they have bestowed on the Queen. She was truly, deeply touched and offers her most humble thanks. I have written notices of thanks signed द्वारा the क्वीन that will be पोस्टेड द्वारा pages following this meeting.”
“Second, our long state of unrest with Odin has finally come to an end. He agreed to meet with me in Caerleon, courtesy of our friend क्वीन Annis, and we have mended our hurts. King Odin is now our ally, and both he and क्वीन Annis have agreed to offer their aid should the Lady Morgana rise again.”
There are some confused rumblings among the council.
“Yes, that is the one dark spot in our news this morning. The Lady Morgana lives. We have seen her and have seen evidence of her hand at work again. क्वीन Annis, King Odin, and I have dispatched खोजिए parties in the hopes of finding where she has hidden herself away. I am confident that we will defeat her again if need be, hopefully for good.”
Some positive chatter mixes with skeptical rumblings.
“My अगला announcement is perhaps the most important and most grave. It is good news, but not to be taken lightly.”
Murmuring.
“Magic has been banned in Camelot for over twenty-five years now. Many people have been put to death, many of them innocent. I wish to make amends for this; I wish to right my father’s wrongs. If I could undo the unjust acts, I would.”
He clears his throat, दिल pounding. Gwen reaches over and takes his hand.
“Second, I hereby proclaim that magic is no longer banned in Camelot.”
There is a collective gasp from the council.
“However, those caught using magic for unscrupulous purposes या with evil intent will be dealt with most severely. My newly-appointed Royal Advisor, Lord Merlin,” Arthur motions toward his former servant, now decked out in finer garb than his usual tunic, trousers, and neck scarf, “will be personally reviewing any reports we receive of suspicious magic use. He has a wide knowledge base on these matters and will be our trusted ally as well as our most powerful weapon against those who practice black magic.”
All eyes turn towards Merlin, sitting tall beside the king. His face is serious, proud without being haughty. He does not look like the clumsy servant to which they had become accustomed. Merlin nods solemnly, though his stomach feels like it’s ready to expel his breakfast.
“Okay, Merlin, here’s the deal: आप can stay. आप can still be my advisor. I won’t have आप executed. Yet. But what this means is that your, ah, special gift will now be used to my advantage. Our advantage. The kingdom’s advantage,” Arthur had said, correcting himself twice due to the looks Gwen was shooting at him. “I’ll lift the ban on magic, but आप are responsible for helping me deal with any reports of suspicious activity.”
“This is a big responsibility, Merlin. An honor, really,” Gwen added.
“I know. I won’t disappoint you. Thank you, Arthur, Gwen.”
“Two और things,” Arthur says, almost as an afterthought.
“Hmm?”
“Find me a new servant. Not George. Until आप get me a decent replacement that I won’t want to throttle, you’re still it, as well as my advisor.”
Merlin laughs. “Okay. And the other?”
“Get yourself some decent clothes, will you? You’re a noble now, and my personal advisor. Dress the part.”
“Um, forgive me, my lord,” a council member speaks up.
“Yes, Lord Owen?”
“Are आप telling us that your servant—”
“Former servant,” Arthur corrects.
“Former servant has magic?”
Arthur looks at Merlin, who nods.
“Yes, essentially, I am.”
“And he’s been दिया a pass?” Lord Owen does not look pleased.
“No. He’s been दिया a promotion. One with a very large responsibility. He is expected to single-handedly prove me wrong about the practice of magic being evil. Lord Merlin is now not only my personal advisor, but his is the royal representative of the magical community. If there are any people left to constitute a community, that is. If anyone is found practicing dark magic, he is expected to deal with them.”
“Sire?”
“Lord Merlin has proven himself time and again to be a trustworthy ally. He has saved both the queen’s and my lives और than once, and he has my complete trust. I would not have anyone else perform this duty for me.”
“But he’s just a servant; a commoner…” Owen protests, running out of cards to play.
Gwen’s head turns sharply towards the lord, eyebrows raised. Arthur looks at him with आग in his eyes.
Wrong thing to say, Owen, Merlin thinks, trying not to smile.
“Out.”
“My lord?”
“You heard me. Out.”
“But…”
“Guards,” he says tiredly, waving his hand in Lord Owen’s direction.
“Forgive me, Sire, I did not mean…” Owen starts to grovel as two guards approach. He stands before they reach him. “There’s no need, Sirs.”
“It is not my forgiveness आप require, Owen,” Arthur says, picking up a piece of parchment, pretending to read it as Owen backs out of the room.
“Accept my apologies, Lord Merlin, क्वीन Guinevere, I assure आप I meant no disrespect…” he says. The guards close the door behind him.
“And, finally,” Arthur says, putting down the parchment.
There’s more? Gwen thinks.
“Finally, अगला week is क्वीन Guinevere’s birthday,” he says, reaching his hand back for hers.
Oh, no.
“We will be having a celebration and feast in her honor, and all will be welcome,” he announces, lifting her hand to his lips, चुंबन it gently.
“Um, about yesterday…” Arthur starts while he and Guinevere have a late रात का खाना in their chambers.
“What about yesterday?” Gwen asks, knowing full well what he’s talking about. I just want to torture him.
“When I came and got you?” he ventures.
“You mean when आप rudely kidnapped me from my discussion with the cook about your dinners?”
He smiles sheepishly. “Sorry. I… I was, um, a little…”
“Anxious? Demanding? Randy?”
“Agitated is the word, I think you’ll find,” he scowls at her over the edge of his goblet.
“Oh, don’t be cross,” she says. “Arthur, love, I know exactly where your head was. आप don’t need to explain anything to me.”
“Oh,” he smiles a little, then scowls again. “So आप were just messing with me just now. Just to watch me squirm.”
“Me? Heavens, no,” she says innocently, making doe eyes at him across her own goblet.
It is late, and they go to बिस्तर almost immediately after dinner. Gwen is tired and kisses Arthur gently, but he gets no further, though not for lack of trying.
She drifts off to sleep with a sly smile playing about her lips, curled into Arthur’s arms.
Gwen wakes up. It is dark still, the small hours of the morning. Arthur is sprawled on his back, sleeping a very deep sleep, one hand raised over his head, taking up और than his fair share of the bed. Her eyes rove over his sleeping form. She notices a bulge beneath the covers, and she smiles, ready to put her fiendish little plan into action.
Her eyes drift back to the arm above his head, close to the bedpost. Grinning, she reaches for the बेल्ट of her dressing gown, pulling it free. Long enough.
She walks on silent feet around to the other side of the bed, near his head, and wraps the बेल्ट around his wrist. Thankful that he is a heavy sleeper, she gently lifts the other hand, bringing it up with the other. She wraps the बेल्ट around this wrist, crossing it over the other. He continues snoring. She ties his wrists to the bedpost securely with a satisfied smirk.
She climbs back into बिस्तर and gently pulls the covers down, exposing his erection. Taking it in her hand, she holds it gently for a moment and watches him. He stops snoring and makes a whimpering noise in his throat.
Leaning forward, she takes him in her mouth, dropping her hand to hold him beneath, and she squeezes gently as she begins to हटाइए her mouth on him, sucking and licking.
“Ohhh…” Arthur is waking up. He lifts his head and sees his wife’s dark curls as she does amazing things with her mouth. Why can’t I हटाइए my arms?
“Guinevere,” he chokes out, “you are cruel.”
She hums in agreement, her mouth full of him. Leaning over, she plunges his entire length into her mouth, and her fingers tease his sensitive inner thighs.
“Oh, God!” he shouts hoarsely, writhing.
She sucks forcefully, driving him out of his mind as she raises and drops her head again and again, not seeming to need air.
Gwen swirls her tongue around the head of his cock before she bites it lightly, causing him to jerk.
“Guinevere…” he rasps, his hands clenching and unclenching uselessly, overcome with the need to touch her. Need to touch her…
She places him fully in her mouth again, licks the length of him with the tip of her tongue, and then takes him all in again. She sucks and licks and rubs and teases until he can take no more, and he comes forcefully, his seed washing down her throat, hot and sticky.
She kisses her way up his stomach to his chest, where she licks and nips playfully at his skin, tickling his hair, teasing his nipples with her teeth and tongue, making him groan. She makes her way to his neck, sucking at the sensitive skin there a bit. Whoops. That’s going to leave a mark, she thinks, stifling a giggle. I think I’ll let him discover that later. She finally reaches his lips, where he greedily claims hers, frantic for some contact. He pulls at the bedpost again, and the wood groans slightly.
“Behave, Arthur, आप don’t want to break the bed,” she chastises, moving to dip her tongue into his ear, sending a shiver down his body.
“Untie me, woman,” he demands.
“No.”
She scoots further up, straddling him, and places a breast in his mouth, which he takes greedily, suckling at her nipple, slicking his tongue across its already-stiff nub. He can feel the wetness between her legs on his stomach, and he bites her nipple, causing her to cry out. She pulls away for a moment, shifting.
“I want to touch you. Let me touch you,” he begs, just before her other breast is dropped into his mouth. He moans into it and does as he is told, lavishing the same attention on this nipple, swirling his tongue around it, biting, kissing.
Gwen pulls away and slides down his torso, reaching behind her, finding him hard again. She continues to slide downward and spears herself on him with a sigh. He grunts as she rocks atop him, angling her body just right to maximize her own pleasure.
“You realize you’re only denying yourself, आप know,” he tries again.
“And आप realize that आप have issues when it comes to being in control.” She deliberately stops moving.
“What?”
“Trust me, Arthur,” she coos, looking at him levelly before leaning down, pressing her breasts against him, moving her hips just slightly, teasing him.
“Oh, God, untie me,” he begs.
“Shut up,” she says sternly, but she smiles and grants him a kiss.
“Yes, ma’am.” Yes. I think I actually प्यार it when she’s forceful.
She grinds on him, sliding up and down on him, rubbing her breasts against his chest, as he groans and writhes, his hands still clutching empty air.
Veins stick out on his neck as he strains against the soft बेल्ट wrapped around his wrists, and Gwen increases her speed, close to her own climax. Suddenly she pulls herself off of him, and his body jerks in surprise. She reaches up and unties him, unable to take it herself anymore.
“Ah,” he grins, flexing his shoulders, his wrists for just a moment before tackling her, his hungry palms reaching for every part of her at once. He rubs his hands over her breasts, down her stomach. He presses the heel of his hand against her and she pushes against it, moaning as he slips a finger inside.
“More,” she tells him, and he adds a सेकंड finger to the first, slipping in and out of her as she presses against him.
“I want you… inside me… now,” she demands, and he obediently complies once again, removing his hand and replacing it with his manhood, slowly, deliberately tormenting her, pushing himself as deep as he can. She somehow manages to spread her legs even wider to allow him in further still.
Gwen wraps her legs around his waist, pushing him, making it clear that she is still in control though he is on top. She takes his hand and places it on her breast, and with the other hand she pulls his head down to hers where she kisses him forcefully, her tongue thrusting into his mouth just as he is thrusting into her below.
Her fingers tighten on his hair, pulling just hard enough.
“Oh—” he gasps, lifting his head.
“Faster,” she orders.
“Yes.”
A few सेकंड्स later, “Harder, Arthur.”
“Yes.” He जवाब fervently, finding he is relishing her control. She can order me around like this any day.
Gwen grabs his face in her hands and locks her lips onto his again, hungry for him as he carries her over the edge. She tightens her legs around him as she pulls her lips away, crying out a hoarse shout of passion as she lets herself be carried away द्वारा the sweetness of her release.
“Oh…” she breathes, pulling him closer, pressing her face into his warm muscular neck just as he pushes in deep with his own climax, flooding into her with a strangled cry. She holds him tightly and he relaxes over her, collapsing breathless over her, into her arms.
Guinevere holds him, gently stroking his hair and चुंबन his ear. She caresses his back, fingers soft and loving.
“My beautiful husband,” she whispers, चुंबन the चोटी, शीर्ष of his head. He smiles and snuggles into her.
They lay together, entwined, for a time, until finally Arthur realizes that he’s probably crushing his pregnant wife and rolls them over so she is cradled in his arms.
“Wow,” Arthur finally says. “You were…” he pauses, and, unable to come up with a better word, settles once again on, “wow.”
She chuckles against his chest. “See, it’s not so bad letting someone else be in charge, is it?”
“Love, आप are welcome to take control any time आप like.”
Part 28: link
Gwen watches as Arthur rides off on his horse towards the forest.
“I’m going to take a ride. Clear my head,” he had कहा after picking at his breakfast.
She turns quickly from the window and rushes out of the room in खोजिए of Merlin.
Arthur slows his horse to a stop near a stream. They both need a rest and a drink. He leads the horse to the water’s edge and the animal dips his head, lapping up the cool clear water.
He gives the horse a pat and crouches down himself, cupping some water in his hands and lifting them to his lips, drinking.
“How’s the water?”
Arthur lifts another handful, splashing his face this time. “I told आप I would send for आप when I was ready to deal with you.” He sits on a rock nearby, looking out over the stream.
Merlin sits on another, opposite Arthur. “I’m tired of waiting.”
Arthur finally turns his head to look at him. When did he get to be so insubordinate? “I don’t know what to do with you,” he admits.
“I know.”
“I’m not going to execute you.”
“I know. आप would have done द्वारा now if आप were going to.”
Arthur laughs once, humorlessly. He knows me too well. One of the main reasons why I need to keep him close.
“I understand what you’re struggling with, Arthur.”
“Do you? Do you?” he yells, the pain clear in his voice. “You understand that I feel betrayed द्वारा you, after all these years, that… that आप deceived me innumerable times, lying to me? Making Gaius lie to me? आप understand that my दिल is breaking to discover that the man who is quite likely my best friend has been secretly using magic behind my back? Magic that is banned in this kingdom?” Arthur looks at Merlin, his eyes pained and glassy. Swallowing, he continues. “It has been drilled into me my entire life that magic is evil, Merlin, and that those that practice it are also evil! But I know आप are not evil. आप don’t have an evil bone in your body, and I cannot reconcile those two concepts! So that forces me to change my entire way of thinking, forces me to face the fact that my father made a colossal mistake, that he… killed people unnecessarily. Innocent people. That he may well have been the tyrant that many people saw.”
Merlin sniffles, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yes, Arthur. That’s exactly how I understand it to be. आप feel like you’re dishonoring his memory if आप forgive me.”
Arthur looks up, surprised. “Yes.” I didn’t even realize it myself until just now.
“But can आप understand what I’m struggling with? What I have been struggling with since I first arrived here? My entire life, in fact?”
Arthur’s eyebrows furrow. Never thought of it that way. I’ve been too busy brooding on my own problem. “I…” he starts, and gives up.
“Go ahead. Give it a try. I dare you.”
Arthur is quiet. He looks at Merlin, studying this strange young man whom he now sees in a completely different light. He is no longer the bumbling servant, the fool that Arthur so often called him. It was all a ruse. He had to hide behind that front.
“You… आप feel like आप don’t belong anywhere,” Arthur starts, gazing out over the stream again. He sees Merlin nod out of the corner of his eyes.
“That’s a good start.”
“And… you’ve been scared every day. Scared that someone may find आप out and turn आप in.”
“Not so much any more. When your father was alive, yes.”
“You didn’t want to deceive me.”
“Of course not.”
“But… आप didn’t know how I would react if I found out. If I would tell my father.”
He nods glumly.
“Then why did आप stay? Why do आप continue to stay?” Confused, he raises his voice slightly, throwing his hands in the air.
“I have to. For you. My destiny is woven with yours, Arthur. It is my duty to help you, to protect you. I’ve कहा this before, and आप always laughed it off. I know it sounds strange. But I was telling the truth every time. I let आप call me an idiot and otherwise abuse me because it served my purpose. If I could—”
“Hide behind a mask of foolishness, no one would suspect that आप are a sorcerer,” Arthur finishes.
“Yes. I’m not always the most graceful person in the world, so it wasn’t very difficult,” Merlin admits, and Arthur laughs a little.
They sit quietly, pitching small rocks into the stream, listening to the plink of the stones as they plop into the water.
“So. Explain yourself.”
“How much do आप want to know?”
“Everything.”
“I don’t think you’re quite ready for everything just yet, Arthur.” Plink.
“Oh?”
“No. There’s quite a lot. You’ve already लॉस्ट it, I’ll not be tipping आप further over the edge.”
Arthur sighs. “Well?” Plink.
Merlin sighs. “I was born like this. My mother कहा I used to make my toys levitate when I was a toddler.”
“Were आप born of magic?”
“No. My mother never married, but I was conceived in the, um, traditional way.” He blushes, not really wanting to think about that.
“Sorry. I just thought—”
“I know. Since I was born with it, perhaps I was born of it. No. My father had magic as well. I get this from him.” Plink.
“Did आप know him?”
Careful, Merlin. Do not tell him about the dragon yet. “I met him later in life. He… he’s dead now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” Plink. He sighs. “Arthur, I want आप to understand something. My being a wizard is no different than आप being king. आप were born a prince. I was born a wizard. Neither of us asked for it. We both wish from time to time that we were something other than what we are. Something… normal. Ordinary. But we can’t. All we can do is do the best we can with what we were given.” He pauses and looks at Arthur. “That is what makes me different from Morgana. I try to take what I have and get the good from it. She feels it is a curse and since she is miserable, she wants everyone else to be as well.”
Arthur nods. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to आप like this.” Plink.
“What, magical?”
“No, intelligent.” Arthur flings a rock at Merlin and, on a whim, Merlin flashes his eyes at the rock, stopping it in mid-air. He blinks and it drops.
He watches Arthur’s reaction. “Huh,” he half-laughs. “I thought आप कहा आप never used your magic for evil.”
Merlin smirks. “Was that a joke?”
“Of course not.” Plink. “So. आप claim आप have a destiny, too, then.”
“Yep. It’s to help आप become a great king, like I said. Camelot is your responsibility. You are my responsibility. Mine and Gwen’s, actually.”
“Saw आप talking with her in the courtyard yesterday.”
“Yeah. She’s really special, Arthur. आप know that. She wanted to thank me again for saving her and the baby. Mostly the baby.”
“Did you… did आप really put a protective charm over the baby?” Arthur asks, turning to face Merlin fully.
“Of course I did!” Merlin sounds offended.
“I didn’t mean it to sound like that, Merlin. I know आप wouldn’t hurt the baby. Him.” Arthur smiles a small smile. “Definitely him?”
Merlin nods.
“How do आप know? Wait, I don’t think I want to know.” He holds up his hand. “I… I guess… this is just all so strange. I told आप it would take a while.”
“I understand.”
“Who else knows?”
“About my magic?”
Arthur nods.
“My mother, of course. Gaius.” He hesitates. Best not mention Lancelot. “Gwaine found out just recently.”
“Gwaine? आप trusted him to keep this secret?” Arthur is incredulous.
“I do trust him, but I didn’t intend for him to find out. I was actually trying to दिखाना you, if आप can believe it.”
“When?”
“You know the branch that mysteriously fell on Bertrand’s head?”
“You did that,” Arthur says, putting the pieces together. Have I really been so unobservant?
“Yes. I wanted आप to know. I’ve wanted to tell आप for a long time now. And I thought the best way would be if I used my magic to save Gwen somehow. The hard part was waiting for an opportunity. या so I thought.”
“And Gwaine saw instead of me.”
“Yep. He confronted me in Caerleon, and I told him. It felt good to unload some of the burden, actually.”
“That’s why he was quiet.”
“Yep.”
“And obviously that’s why आप wouldn’t answer about becoming my advisor.”
“Yep. I couldn’t accept the post and still keep this secret from you. It would have killed me; eaten at me from the inside out और than it already was. And it would have destroyed आप if आप had found out after.”
He nods, then straightens up. “Morgana doesn’t know?”
“God, no, that would be catastrophic.”
“I talked to Gaius yesterday, and he कहा she didn’t know. But I wanted to hear it from you.”
“She knows there is a wizard out there called Emrys. She’s petrified of him, but I’m not certain why.” Do I tell him? या is this too much.
“Do आप know this Emrys?”
“I do.” He looks Arthur straight in the eye.
“You’re Emrys, aren’t you?” Arthur asks.
Merlin nods.
Arthur and Merlin ride back into Camelot together. Gwen smiles as she sees them ride into the courtyard. Merlin is still alive. And they’re talking to each other.
“So I’m your best friend, then,” Merlin says with a grin, remembering Arthur’s earlier statement.
“Never कहा that,” Arthur deadpans.
“I distinctly remember…”
“Your memory is clouded by… the… stress of the moment. Yes. Stress.”
Merlin laughs. “We both know आप कहा it.”
“Shut up.”
“Arthur?”
“What?”
“I feel the same way.”
“Thank you. Now never mention it again.”
“Yes, Sire.”
They dismount, and Elyan strides quickly forward. “My lord, a word, please?”
“Yes, Elyan, what is it?” Arthur says, walking towards the knight.
“It’s about Gwen’s birthday,” he says, glancing at Merlin.
“That’s right, it’s coming up,” Merlin says.
Arthur looks at him. “You knew her birthday was coming up and आप didn’t tell me?”
“Sorry, been a bit preoccupied with other things, आप know.”
“Hmm,” he scowls. Then, under his breath, “Some best friend आप are.”
Merlin laughs and shoves Arthur lightly on the arm. Arthur reaches up and pushes his head to the side.
Elyan stares.
“Yes, Elyan, what do आप have for me?” Arthur says, turning back to the stunned knight.
“A सूची of flowers. Mostly purple, some white, some yellow.”
“Yellow?”
“She likes yellow ones, too. Says… what was it? They contrast the purple? Something like that. I can’t discern रंग very well, so they all look alike to me,” he shrugs.
Arthur looks at the list. The names mean nothing to him. He hands it back to Elyan. “I’ve decided that this gift will be from both of us, Brother. आप know where?”
Elyan nods. “I looked in on her this morning, and snuck a peek. I’m glad her dizziness is gone, Sire. I was worried.”
“We have Merlin to thank for that, actually,” Arthur says, nodding in Merlin’s direction. “But that’s for later. Take your सूची to the royal gardeners and give them the instructions. We only have a week, so they’ll need to work swiftly. And…” he sighs. “How are we going to do this without her seeing?”
“Break the window,” Merlin suggests.
“What?”
“Well, perhaps not break. But I could arrange it so the window, um, can’t be opened. Temporarily. She won’t be able to see through that stained glass.”
Arthur raises an eyebrow at Merlin, who nods.
“All right, then. Elyan, off आप go.”
“Speaking of my lovely wife, I think we need to go see her,” Arthur suggests as the two men climb the stairs into the castle.
“Do we?”
“We have some decisions to make. And we’ll need to thank her for sending आप out after me this morning.”
“She didn’t send… oh, I can’t even say it with a straight face,” Merlin laughs.
The अगला morning. Council chambers.
Arthur sits at the head of the table, with Guinevere at his left and Merlin seated at his right. Many of the council members are grumbling about this unexpected change.
Gwen is listening, and she can distinctly hear टिप्पणियाँ of “only a servant” and “place of honor” and “what is he doing there?”
Arthur holds his hand up, and a hush falls.
“My friends: Much has happened in this last महीना in our great kingdom. First and foremost, क्वीन Guinevere and I wish to thank the people for the tokens of प्यार and appreciation they have bestowed on the Queen. She was truly, deeply touched and offers her most humble thanks. I have written notices of thanks signed द्वारा the क्वीन that will be पोस्टेड द्वारा pages following this meeting.”
“Second, our long state of unrest with Odin has finally come to an end. He agreed to meet with me in Caerleon, courtesy of our friend क्वीन Annis, and we have mended our hurts. King Odin is now our ally, and both he and क्वीन Annis have agreed to offer their aid should the Lady Morgana rise again.”
There are some confused rumblings among the council.
“Yes, that is the one dark spot in our news this morning. The Lady Morgana lives. We have seen her and have seen evidence of her hand at work again. क्वीन Annis, King Odin, and I have dispatched खोजिए parties in the hopes of finding where she has hidden herself away. I am confident that we will defeat her again if need be, hopefully for good.”
Some positive chatter mixes with skeptical rumblings.
“My अगला announcement is perhaps the most important and most grave. It is good news, but not to be taken lightly.”
Murmuring.
“Magic has been banned in Camelot for over twenty-five years now. Many people have been put to death, many of them innocent. I wish to make amends for this; I wish to right my father’s wrongs. If I could undo the unjust acts, I would.”
He clears his throat, दिल pounding. Gwen reaches over and takes his hand.
“Second, I hereby proclaim that magic is no longer banned in Camelot.”
There is a collective gasp from the council.
“However, those caught using magic for unscrupulous purposes या with evil intent will be dealt with most severely. My newly-appointed Royal Advisor, Lord Merlin,” Arthur motions toward his former servant, now decked out in finer garb than his usual tunic, trousers, and neck scarf, “will be personally reviewing any reports we receive of suspicious magic use. He has a wide knowledge base on these matters and will be our trusted ally as well as our most powerful weapon against those who practice black magic.”
All eyes turn towards Merlin, sitting tall beside the king. His face is serious, proud without being haughty. He does not look like the clumsy servant to which they had become accustomed. Merlin nods solemnly, though his stomach feels like it’s ready to expel his breakfast.
“Okay, Merlin, here’s the deal: आप can stay. आप can still be my advisor. I won’t have आप executed. Yet. But what this means is that your, ah, special gift will now be used to my advantage. Our advantage. The kingdom’s advantage,” Arthur had said, correcting himself twice due to the looks Gwen was shooting at him. “I’ll lift the ban on magic, but आप are responsible for helping me deal with any reports of suspicious activity.”
“This is a big responsibility, Merlin. An honor, really,” Gwen added.
“I know. I won’t disappoint you. Thank you, Arthur, Gwen.”
“Two और things,” Arthur says, almost as an afterthought.
“Hmm?”
“Find me a new servant. Not George. Until आप get me a decent replacement that I won’t want to throttle, you’re still it, as well as my advisor.”
Merlin laughs. “Okay. And the other?”
“Get yourself some decent clothes, will you? You’re a noble now, and my personal advisor. Dress the part.”
“Um, forgive me, my lord,” a council member speaks up.
“Yes, Lord Owen?”
“Are आप telling us that your servant—”
“Former servant,” Arthur corrects.
“Former servant has magic?”
Arthur looks at Merlin, who nods.
“Yes, essentially, I am.”
“And he’s been दिया a pass?” Lord Owen does not look pleased.
“No. He’s been दिया a promotion. One with a very large responsibility. He is expected to single-handedly prove me wrong about the practice of magic being evil. Lord Merlin is now not only my personal advisor, but his is the royal representative of the magical community. If there are any people left to constitute a community, that is. If anyone is found practicing dark magic, he is expected to deal with them.”
“Sire?”
“Lord Merlin has proven himself time and again to be a trustworthy ally. He has saved both the queen’s and my lives और than once, and he has my complete trust. I would not have anyone else perform this duty for me.”
“But he’s just a servant; a commoner…” Owen protests, running out of cards to play.
Gwen’s head turns sharply towards the lord, eyebrows raised. Arthur looks at him with आग in his eyes.
Wrong thing to say, Owen, Merlin thinks, trying not to smile.
“Out.”
“My lord?”
“You heard me. Out.”
“But…”
“Guards,” he says tiredly, waving his hand in Lord Owen’s direction.
“Forgive me, Sire, I did not mean…” Owen starts to grovel as two guards approach. He stands before they reach him. “There’s no need, Sirs.”
“It is not my forgiveness आप require, Owen,” Arthur says, picking up a piece of parchment, pretending to read it as Owen backs out of the room.
“Accept my apologies, Lord Merlin, क्वीन Guinevere, I assure आप I meant no disrespect…” he says. The guards close the door behind him.
“And, finally,” Arthur says, putting down the parchment.
There’s more? Gwen thinks.
“Finally, अगला week is क्वीन Guinevere’s birthday,” he says, reaching his hand back for hers.
Oh, no.
“We will be having a celebration and feast in her honor, and all will be welcome,” he announces, lifting her hand to his lips, चुंबन it gently.
“Um, about yesterday…” Arthur starts while he and Guinevere have a late रात का खाना in their chambers.
“What about yesterday?” Gwen asks, knowing full well what he’s talking about. I just want to torture him.
“When I came and got you?” he ventures.
“You mean when आप rudely kidnapped me from my discussion with the cook about your dinners?”
He smiles sheepishly. “Sorry. I… I was, um, a little…”
“Anxious? Demanding? Randy?”
“Agitated is the word, I think you’ll find,” he scowls at her over the edge of his goblet.
“Oh, don’t be cross,” she says. “Arthur, love, I know exactly where your head was. आप don’t need to explain anything to me.”
“Oh,” he smiles a little, then scowls again. “So आप were just messing with me just now. Just to watch me squirm.”
“Me? Heavens, no,” she says innocently, making doe eyes at him across her own goblet.
It is late, and they go to बिस्तर almost immediately after dinner. Gwen is tired and kisses Arthur gently, but he gets no further, though not for lack of trying.
She drifts off to sleep with a sly smile playing about her lips, curled into Arthur’s arms.
Gwen wakes up. It is dark still, the small hours of the morning. Arthur is sprawled on his back, sleeping a very deep sleep, one hand raised over his head, taking up और than his fair share of the bed. Her eyes rove over his sleeping form. She notices a bulge beneath the covers, and she smiles, ready to put her fiendish little plan into action.
Her eyes drift back to the arm above his head, close to the bedpost. Grinning, she reaches for the बेल्ट of her dressing gown, pulling it free. Long enough.
She walks on silent feet around to the other side of the bed, near his head, and wraps the बेल्ट around his wrist. Thankful that he is a heavy sleeper, she gently lifts the other hand, bringing it up with the other. She wraps the बेल्ट around this wrist, crossing it over the other. He continues snoring. She ties his wrists to the bedpost securely with a satisfied smirk.
She climbs back into बिस्तर and gently pulls the covers down, exposing his erection. Taking it in her hand, she holds it gently for a moment and watches him. He stops snoring and makes a whimpering noise in his throat.
Leaning forward, she takes him in her mouth, dropping her hand to hold him beneath, and she squeezes gently as she begins to हटाइए her mouth on him, sucking and licking.
“Ohhh…” Arthur is waking up. He lifts his head and sees his wife’s dark curls as she does amazing things with her mouth. Why can’t I हटाइए my arms?
“Guinevere,” he chokes out, “you are cruel.”
She hums in agreement, her mouth full of him. Leaning over, she plunges his entire length into her mouth, and her fingers tease his sensitive inner thighs.
“Oh, God!” he shouts hoarsely, writhing.
She sucks forcefully, driving him out of his mind as she raises and drops her head again and again, not seeming to need air.
Gwen swirls her tongue around the head of his cock before she bites it lightly, causing him to jerk.
“Guinevere…” he rasps, his hands clenching and unclenching uselessly, overcome with the need to touch her. Need to touch her…
She places him fully in her mouth again, licks the length of him with the tip of her tongue, and then takes him all in again. She sucks and licks and rubs and teases until he can take no more, and he comes forcefully, his seed washing down her throat, hot and sticky.
She kisses her way up his stomach to his chest, where she licks and nips playfully at his skin, tickling his hair, teasing his nipples with her teeth and tongue, making him groan. She makes her way to his neck, sucking at the sensitive skin there a bit. Whoops. That’s going to leave a mark, she thinks, stifling a giggle. I think I’ll let him discover that later. She finally reaches his lips, where he greedily claims hers, frantic for some contact. He pulls at the bedpost again, and the wood groans slightly.
“Behave, Arthur, आप don’t want to break the bed,” she chastises, moving to dip her tongue into his ear, sending a shiver down his body.
“Untie me, woman,” he demands.
“No.”
She scoots further up, straddling him, and places a breast in his mouth, which he takes greedily, suckling at her nipple, slicking his tongue across its already-stiff nub. He can feel the wetness between her legs on his stomach, and he bites her nipple, causing her to cry out. She pulls away for a moment, shifting.
“I want to touch you. Let me touch you,” he begs, just before her other breast is dropped into his mouth. He moans into it and does as he is told, lavishing the same attention on this nipple, swirling his tongue around it, biting, kissing.
Gwen pulls away and slides down his torso, reaching behind her, finding him hard again. She continues to slide downward and spears herself on him with a sigh. He grunts as she rocks atop him, angling her body just right to maximize her own pleasure.
“You realize you’re only denying yourself, आप know,” he tries again.
“And आप realize that आप have issues when it comes to being in control.” She deliberately stops moving.
“What?”
“Trust me, Arthur,” she coos, looking at him levelly before leaning down, pressing her breasts against him, moving her hips just slightly, teasing him.
“Oh, God, untie me,” he begs.
“Shut up,” she says sternly, but she smiles and grants him a kiss.
“Yes, ma’am.” Yes. I think I actually प्यार it when she’s forceful.
She grinds on him, sliding up and down on him, rubbing her breasts against his chest, as he groans and writhes, his hands still clutching empty air.
Veins stick out on his neck as he strains against the soft बेल्ट wrapped around his wrists, and Gwen increases her speed, close to her own climax. Suddenly she pulls herself off of him, and his body jerks in surprise. She reaches up and unties him, unable to take it herself anymore.
“Ah,” he grins, flexing his shoulders, his wrists for just a moment before tackling her, his hungry palms reaching for every part of her at once. He rubs his hands over her breasts, down her stomach. He presses the heel of his hand against her and she pushes against it, moaning as he slips a finger inside.
“More,” she tells him, and he adds a सेकंड finger to the first, slipping in and out of her as she presses against him.
“I want you… inside me… now,” she demands, and he obediently complies once again, removing his hand and replacing it with his manhood, slowly, deliberately tormenting her, pushing himself as deep as he can. She somehow manages to spread her legs even wider to allow him in further still.
Gwen wraps her legs around his waist, pushing him, making it clear that she is still in control though he is on top. She takes his hand and places it on her breast, and with the other hand she pulls his head down to hers where she kisses him forcefully, her tongue thrusting into his mouth just as he is thrusting into her below.
Her fingers tighten on his hair, pulling just hard enough.
“Oh—” he gasps, lifting his head.
“Faster,” she orders.
“Yes.”
A few सेकंड्स later, “Harder, Arthur.”
“Yes.” He जवाब fervently, finding he is relishing her control. She can order me around like this any day.
Gwen grabs his face in her hands and locks her lips onto his again, hungry for him as he carries her over the edge. She tightens her legs around him as she pulls her lips away, crying out a hoarse shout of passion as she lets herself be carried away द्वारा the sweetness of her release.
“Oh…” she breathes, pulling him closer, pressing her face into his warm muscular neck just as he pushes in deep with his own climax, flooding into her with a strangled cry. She holds him tightly and he relaxes over her, collapsing breathless over her, into her arms.
Guinevere holds him, gently stroking his hair and चुंबन his ear. She caresses his back, fingers soft and loving.
“My beautiful husband,” she whispers, चुंबन the चोटी, शीर्ष of his head. He smiles and snuggles into her.
They lay together, entwined, for a time, until finally Arthur realizes that he’s probably crushing his pregnant wife and rolls them over so she is cradled in his arms.
“Wow,” Arthur finally says. “You were…” he pauses, and, unable to come up with a better word, settles once again on, “wow.”
She chuckles against his chest. “See, it’s not so bad letting someone else be in charge, is it?”
“Love, आप are welcome to take control any time आप like.”
Part 28: link