~A Dirty Secret~ (( WolfDog12 & Alexia))

[alexia__]

As soon as Merlin left a world of air left Arthur's lungs, air he didn't know he'd been holding in. Looking down he removes his boots, and belt letting his pants drop to come across his pain "How the hell" he wonders at the most un-welcomed erection of life.

First he awkwardly looks around, then begins working on it.

'This stress' he tells himself.

 

The morning sun hit his face as Merlin's annoying little voice jumped from wall to wall in the bed chamber, slightly grunting he rolled to the other side and closed his eyes again. It was all nice until Merlin continued pestering his sleep.

"Fine" he said letting the covers fall and quickly jumping when he remembered his lower body wasn't clothed "close your eyes Merlin" he tells the boy wrapping the covers around himself.

'annoying days like these are the worse'

[WolfDog12]

"Don't be such a baby Arthur! It's not like I haven't seen it before and besides it's your own fault for kicking me out last night before I could help you get dressed." Merlin was nearly out the door anyway but remembered that he had to help Arthur get dressed and moved to his closet to start pulling out his clothes. He didn't listen to the order of getting out and just moved about his business getting ready to help Arthur get dressed as soon as he ate something.

 

"Come on Arthur, get up. YOu don't want to be late and put on a bad example in front of the knights do you? Plus you need to eat, you know how you are without food." He gave that quirky smile again while at the same time being ready to run just in case something was thrown at him.

[alexia__]

Now a bit annoyed that Merlin wouldn't leave, caused Arthur to have a complete rush of adrenaline and anger. Not a very healthy mixture. He stood from the bed letting the covers fall, his body being embraced by the glorious light from the window. Slowly he walked over to the closet as Merlin searched for clothing, his mind in full predator mode.

'Fine don't leave' he says to himself now standing behind Merlin hands crossed. The soft air of the room hit Arthur's naked chest but he remained there waiting for the other to turn around.

 

"I'll have you know I am never late, everyone else is there too early, what have you chosen for me today?"

[WolfDog12]

'He's such a child.' Merlin turned and nearly jumped out of his skin feeling something really strange… a kind of heat, rushed through him as he stared back at Arthur. The teen quickly shook it off and tried to focus on what he had in his hands. He was clumsy and stuttered a few times trying to explain that he picked out pants and a shirt to go under his armor and then a red, leather jacket to go over his regular clothes after the training was done and the armor came off.

 

"Come on then, let's get you dressed." Merlin hurried to get his back away from the dresser and out in open space where he could get away easier. There was something strange and Merlin's mind seemed to keep going back to the strange question Arthur asked the other day about his hair. The teen tried to push it aside for now as he moved about laying the clothes out before getting ready to put them on the prince.

[alexia__]

His eyebrows shot up at the reaction on Merlins face. The mixture of surprise, and something else was a new awakening for the two of them. Although Arthur did not reflect anything on his face, he too was less composed that before.

"Nice convination" he says preparing to get dressed, he had to admit it was so awkward to walk around the room naked, but so completely worth it; the look on Merlin's face was delicious.

'Delicious?.... What the hell is wrong with you??!' He asked himself now growing in shame for having been reminded of the perverted thoughts he had had of the boy the previous night.

Quickly he ate and excited the room.

 

The day was so disgustingly hot that it made Arthur want to jump in a river. Training was slow and boring, except for a new recruit, Lancelot who was giving far more than expected. Arthur's hopes went for the boy.

[WolfDog12]

Merlin was proud and happy to see Lancelot doing so well. He could put up a fight, despite not being able to beat Arthur of course. The teen wished he could talk to the new recruit again but had to follow Arthur back inside so he could get ready for the dinner. While arthur was getting dressed, Merlin quickly looked out the window and watched as everyone began arriving for the signing tonight.

 

The two managed to get down stairs while the other king and his men were still busy with introductions and formalities. Merlin stood off the the side and simply watched as the festivities began. Not long after, the other king brought out too cups, one for Uther and the other for Arthur. The serving girl that came with this group pulled merlin to the side and tried to warn him of the poisoned cup. The teen had to hurried and ran in yelling for them to stop. He snatched the cup from Arthur's hand and warned everyone that it was poisonous. Everyone in the room drew their blades and the other king tried to say he was innocent, even almost drinking from the cup himself. Uther said he wanted to be the one to kill him if the cup was poisonous so he instead gave it to Merlin.

 

The young warlock stopped arthur when he tried to take the cup. "No, no. I'll drink it." He glared at the man "trying to poison arthur" and drank the whole thing. "It's fine," he shrugged. As everyone began relaxing a little, Merlin drew a hand under his chin and began making small choking sounds. 'What's happening...? It's getting harder to breathe.... Oh no.... it really was poison.....' He tried to think of a way out of it but soon collapsed, passed out, and dropped the cup to the floor.

[alexia__]

His body turned cold as he heard Merlin speak of the poison cup, such thing would be detrimental to Camelot and the other king. Everyone in the crowd watched, swords in hand and ready for a sudden attack the tension filled the cold air. The cup did not leave Arthur's hand but he grew curious as the other king insisted desperately that he was not intending on such a thing, and in fact said he'd drink himself.

 

'This doesn't make any sense' he said but could not elaborate anymore because Merlin stepped in Arthur's vision. The cup was taken from his hand and handed to Merlin to drink and prove the Kings loyalty.

"If he drinks from it he'll die" said Arthur growing desperate for Merlin who did not refuse.

"Apologize Merln this is a mistake!!" Said Arthur reaching for the cup that was moved away.

For a second he heard his breath as he watched the smaller boy drink, he grew nervous but nothing happened and he let out the air that he'd held.

And then the boy came crashing to the floor.

'Merlin !' Arthur came running to the boy and carried him over his shoulder before rushing out of the room with Gaius

[WolfDog12]

"Quickly, place him on the bed," Gaius instructed Arthur before turning to Gwen who'd followed them with the cup in her hand. "Let me see that." The physician took the cup and pulled what looked like a flower petal out of it. He examined the petal carefully and then quickly turned to his nearby books, flipping through the pages to find something. As he searched, he began explaining what he had and told them he knew the flower that this particular petal came from. Finally, Gaius found the flower and began explaining that the only known cure was in the leaves of this very flower.

 

"The flower only lies deep in caves like the one not far from here, however, no one has ever been able to get out of that cave alive. We also have very little time. It seems the cup was also laced with magic, increasing the poison's killing speed. I fear Merlin does not have much time if we don't get that flower." It was pretty clear that Gaius was speaking more towards Arthur then anyone else because he was the only one who stood a chance of retrieving the cure.

[alexia__]

His eyes remained focused on the older physician as he spoke. Taking in every bit on information and the worse news of them all. If there was cure Merlin would die.

With one last glance at the boy, he reached for the book and took a mental picture of the flower.

'The caves'

Without hesitation or second thought Arthur rushed out of the room and quickly headed to the stables. It was more than obvious how dangerous everything was , not to mention who he was and what his own death would mean.

He curses under his breath as he gathers a horse and fighting instruments.

 

The trip to the caves did not take too long for they were conveniently close to Camelot. The entry was dark, covered by humid tree branches and a large amount of fog. "How deep do I have to go in exactly" questioned Arthur as he walked in.

He tried to gain speed inside the cave, but due to humidity and darkness there was only a certain pace he could keep.

'Merlin'

[WolfDog12]

Back home, Gwen was working to keep Merlin's temperature down however it was rising way too quickly for her to keep up with nothing but a bucket of water and a cloth. He was panting and sweating like crazy from the increased heat but despite that, Gaius had placed a thin blanket over his body. Everyone could do nothing but worry and wait. Uther was also growing agitated when he learned that Arthur had left despite his orders not to.

 

It wasn't too much longer before Arthur made it into the large opening where a rock jutted out over a huge whole that seemed to go down forever into the pure darkness. On the other side of the large gap, several feet above Arthur's head, sticking out of the wall that was there was the flower he had been looking for. Before he could think of a way across however, a sorceress appeared behind him wearing a slight smile. "Hello, Arthur Pendragon," she said.

[alexia__]

The flower was so far up it gave Arthur a small chill. And the fact that the bottom was a dead end fall did not encourage him any greater. The feminine voice from behind him startled him and he quickly turned around, his hand at the base of the sword

"Who are you?" he demands keeping a close eye on the woman.

 

The woman's voice soon began to recite from an unknown language, and it did not take long for Arthur to figure it was magic.

"What are you doing?" he screamed and looked down realizing his own grown was soon to fall. Quickly he jumps to the near stones grabbing on to the edge of the rocky path.

"I expected much from you" she replies before she looks up and smiles "enjoy your visitor"

Arthur's eyes meet that of a large spider that surrounded the caves and now directed itself at him.

[WolfDog12]

Gwen rushed out to get more water as soon as merlin started to squirm and pant heavily. She'd left the room only a minute when merlin began to mumble something. "Arthur, come on.... follow the light." Gaius walked over and moved the blanket down a bit to see a small ball of light in the palm of the young warlock. "What are you doing?" Gaius questioned quietly.

 

Back in the cave, a larger ball of light floated above Arthur's head. It stayed for a moment before floating upward and lighting the dark cave. It circled and tried to show Arthur the way. Merlin's voice seemed to seep through like a distant dream, pleading for Arthur to get himself out of there while he still could.

 

"Hurry Arthur. Hurry! Get yourself out while you can....."

[alexia__]

Quickly he ripped the flower from its roots and held it tightly in his hand when a blue illuminant light appeared. Arthur was alarmed at first, but then saw what its intents were. Quickly he began to climb the slimy rocks, his muscles burning terribly as he forced himself up. It might have just been his imagination but he could've sworn more of those things had appeared, yet Arthur did not dare look back.

The blue light was so comforting that he wondered if there was a second meaning, and who was creating it. It couldn't have been that woman? ...

'no she set me here to die, who is this?'

[WolfDog12]

The light soon began circling the opening, the way for Arthur to get out. When he got close to it, it floated away from the wall to help him see into the hole in the wall before going out once the prince was safely inside. At the exact moment the large ball of light vanished, so did the smaller one in the servant's hand before it fell limp. Just then, the teen grew weaker and stopped mumbling and squirming. Gaius worked to the best of his ability to keep the teen holding on but he was losing strength.

 

Gwen soon returned with the water and continued to cool Merlin's burning forehead. Everyone was left playing the waiting game, begging for Arthur to return safe and quickly. The magic was working hard to kill the boy but he continued to cling to life, he had more left for this world.

[alexia__]

The light had been a question that would remain unanswered for the rest of Arthur's life. He didn't know what it had been just glad enough he was not dead. His horse ran down the hills, Arthur rushing it ever so slightly, the flowers in his hand.

His heart began to beat faster when he saw the castle in view. Camelot was not far from where he found himself now and he hurried afraid to arrive late.

 

The door slammed as he rushed into the room throwing the flower into Gaius' hand "quickly" he says. But before anything could begin a line of soldiers appeared at the door. Gaius hid the flower in his robes.

"Under the order of King Uther you are to be arrested and place in the dungeons Prince Arthur" astonished at the mans words Arthur struggles against the soldiers but was soon taken away , his eyes remained on the bedded Merlin who was far too pale.

[WolfDog12]

Gaius knew not to let Arthur's efforts go to waste so as soon as the guards were gone, he got right to work on the antidote. Gwen felt caught; wanting to go after Arthur but also wanting to stay by Merlin's side. She ended up staying to help Gaius with the antidote. As soon as it was administered, Merlin seemed to relax and not too long after, woke up. He laughed a little at his situation before Gwen grabbed his face and kissed him. Everyone was shocked, including Gwen who excused herself and hurried out.

 

Merlin got himself up and running and cleaned up before he hurried off to the dungeons. Something weird happened... He didn't feel anything when Gwen kissed him and for some reason all he could think about was Arthur. He was told by Gaius where to find the prince and after distracting the guards with a light magic spell, he hurried in where Arthur was locked up.

 

"Hey. Thanks for saving me. Gaius wants me to rest but for some reason, I felt this was where I needed to be."

[alexia__]

"Guards!...GUARDS!" screamed Arthur before slamming his hands against the metal bars and sitting on a bucket he'd take for a chair.

'what the hell is my father thinking, not to mention this war that will start for nothing'

Aside from Merlin being poisoned there was another manner at hand, the neighboring king was getting blamed for this and Uther would not rest to think about his innocence.

"If he dies Camelot goes to war" murmurs Arthur to himself before placing his head in his hands. But he could at least get credit for saving Merlins life.

"Merlin..."

[WolfDog12]

Merlin came skidding to a stop in front of Arthur's cell. He panted a bit from sprinting to the dungeons and from only just recovering from the poisoning. He smiled towards the prince before suddenly pausing at seeing his face. Merlin felt his heart skip a beat but he once again brushed it off and smiled again.

 

"Hey. Thanks for saving me. Gaius wants me to rest but for some reason, I felt this was where I needed to be," he said to the prince. Merlin's face was still quite a bit red from what happened but he really wanted to see Arthur so badly, he ignored the order to rest. Merlin felt so strange as he looked at Arthur but it was a happiness stronger then he'd felt. "Arthur, we have to stop your father!"

[alexia__]

"Merlin!" says Arthur far louder than he'd expected. His body shot up and he stood there frozen watching the other, slightly he chuckled he ran his hand through his hair

"I'm so happy to see you" he says, anxiously waiting for the other to open the door.

 

Arthur's emotions ran wild and he hugged Merlin tightly "thank you so much" he dug his face by Merlin's neck his breath hitting the others skin. But the hug did not last long before Arthur released him and ran for a sword

"Lets go!"

[WolfDog12]

Merlin quickly opened the door only to find Arthur's arms wrap around him. His face burned and turned an even darker red as he felt the prince's breath press against his neck. The servant wanted to push Arthur away but also wanted to hug him back tightly. Luckily, before he had to make the choice, the prince pulled away to grab a sword and off they went. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief before he hurried after the other.

 

When they made it to the throne room, Merlin followed one step behind Arthur. He really just stayed to prove that he was alive and to support Arthur. The teen stayed quiet mostly because he really didn't know what was happening next. This became something between Arthur and Uther.

[alexia__]

"If you proceed with this there will be war!" He says. Everyone in the throne room kept their gazes on Arthur and Merlin, it almost felt like a burn but he knew he had changed. Arthur couldn't explain it but he knew that his position was no longer to remain the locked up Prince.

"This was no his doing, it was magic" a dead silence rose from everyone in the crowd. Uther's face was blank but dark nevertheless.

 

Lastly he turned towards the other King "this is a misunderstanding, you have been blamed for someone else's actions"

[WolfDog12]

Merlin stood behind Arthur and half glanced around the room at everyone staring at them. He tried to stay calm but was a bit nervous that Uther wouldn't believe them or worse, believe the other king was the sorcerer. Luckily, Gaius came in and explained that it was a Sorceress, a powerful witch who tricked everyone into believing she was nothing but a serving girl. Nymway (Not sure if spelled right) was the one to blame and her not being around just made it easier to prove. Of course, at the sound of her name, Uther cringed and looked truly petrified.

 

It wasn't much longer before the king agreed that they'd all been victims of magic and the treaty was still able to be signed. After, Uther had gone to Arthur and congratulated him on finding the truth and for once against stopping magic from plaguing the kingdom and threatening it. Before the happy feeling was able to fully set of course, Uther then complained and warned Arthur not to defy him again.

[alexia__]

Quickly Arthur spied the look of his father face. It was like nothing else before, but it was a hideous mix of hatred and fear. It appeared to Arthur then that perhaps his father wasn't as open as he initially though, and that the kingdom of Camelot had more than a few secrets hidden.

'How does he know her?' He asked himself.

 

He let his father scowl him, but nothing could take Arthur's inner growing pride. He knew what he'd done was foolish but he didn't think twice to save his servant boy. At that point he had stopped listening to his fathers words and began to think.

Saving Merlin sounded easier said than done, not to mention that he'd never had any care for a manservant in his life!

He felt a change of heart as he glances over to Merlin.

[WolfDog12]

Merlin noticed Arthur staring at him and he just sort of stared back like a deer in the headlights. Merlin's face was still a bit red but it was getting worse with the staring. As soon as they were dismissed, the male let out a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding. Merlin walked out with the prince quickly before saying, " I should probably go rest or Gaius will get angry at me...." Merlin paused there half expecting something to happen.

 

The teen began to walk off at a slow pace still wondering if Arthur would stop him for... well anything.

[alexia__]

His thoughts were still running making him feel different urges and emotions. He watched the other turn around before he called for him.

"I-I'm actually going to sleep early" he says adding under his breath "very early" his gaze was on the other "I need your help changing from the armor" he adds in.

The excuse was poorly made but he did need help changing, but had he called to the other, truly?