Aredian was on his way. Merlin knew, Arthur told her that he was waiting for the tournament to end before he arrived. Something about wanting Uthers full attention.

And as much as she did not want for him to come, she was excited about that. It seemed that every time her and Uther were in the same room, he was the only thing she could look at. It got so bad that other people had started to notice.

The tournament was to celebrate the anniversary of King Uthers coronation. Arthur, as always, was fighting in the tournament.

At the moment however their entire group was practicing.

Leon and Ewan were in the middle of a one on one, while Arthur and Lancelot were jousting.

Merlin, Morgana, and Gwen sitting on the side lines cheering their boys on, and mostly talking.

"I can't sit with you two. I have to help Arthur get ready." Merlin explained as the other girls shook their heads.

"Screw Arthur. We're much better. Wouldn't you say so Gwen?" Morgana looked to her best friend.

"Definitely. Maybe get George to do it. He'd be happy too." Gwen suggested.

"You could even tell Arthur it's because you want to watch him play." Morgana said loving the idea.

Merlin smiled but shook her head. "As crazy as it sounds. I like to help Arthur get ready. It's when I wish him luck."

The other two girls shared a look. Then Gwen flung her arm around Merlin's shoulder. "Fine. But don't be sad when during the tournament you are all alone."

"Why didn't you take the shot? It was wide open?" The girls turned to see Arthur walk up to Lance.

Lance looked to the other two knights for help. Leon and Ewan only shrugged. "You're the prince. I could have severely hurt you."

Arthur's jaw dropped. "How long has that been going on?"

He turned to Ewan and Leon. "Who made that rule?"

"It's sort of an unspoken rule. Don't harm the prince. If we hurt you your father would be furious." Leon explained and Arthur turned red.

"That should not matter. When I am on this feild I am not your prince, I am a knight. Just as we all are. If you see an opening do not hesitate to take it. My father be damned." Arthur yelled. The three knights just looked to the floor. Angry with his friends Arthur stormed towards the castle.

"I should follow him." Merlin said waving to her friends running to catch up.

——

"I can't believe it! This entire time I thought I was truly a good knight. To be told that everyone's been going easy on me!" Arthur ranted as he tore off his armor.

Merlin poked her head out the door and called for a maid passing by. "Could you get some water for the prince, he's request a bath."

Merlin then hurried back inside and started getting the room ready.

"Think of all the tournaments I've won. Every melle. How do I know that any of that was real?" He watched from a chair as Merlin pulled out the screen for him to bathe behind.

Merlin walked over to where the tub was kept but Arthur got up. "I can carry that." He said softly knowing it was a little too heavy for her.

"Maybe I shouldn't compete this time. I'd hate to take away someone else's glory." He said as he placed the tub down behind the screen.

"But you've been so excited for the tournament." Merlin said as the two of them took a seat at his table, waiting for the water to arrive.

"Well, think of every time they let me win. Someone else should have won. Should have been honored at the banquets. Won the money, that I certainly don't need. It's not fair." He said and looked up at Merlin with a sad smile. "Maybe we should just watch it this year, if you'd watch t with me?"

"If that's what you really want, of course I would. But I think you should compete." Merlin placed a hand on his and smiled.

"If only they didn't know it was me." He said and stood as someone knocked on the door.

Merlin walked over and opened to let the servants in, each with a bucket of warm water.

"Thank you." She said as they were leaving.

"Wait. What if they didn't know it was me?" Arthur said taking off his shirt walking behind the screen.

"What do you mean?"

"What if I entered the competition as a normal knight. Then if I win, then I win as myself. And if I lose, then I know that they have been letting me win." Arthur explained as he entered the water.

"This feels good." He mumbled to himself.

"How would you do that? Surely people would recognize you." Merlin asked sitting down at his desk, picking up her book she would leave there.

"I don't know. Maybe hire someone to pretend to be me. Then when it was time to fight, I'd leave the tent instead of him." Arthur suggested.

"What about your father?" She asked opening to the page she left off at.

"Well, that's where you come in." He said, and Merlin could hear the smirk.

"Oh? I'm part of this plan of yours?" Merlin looked up from her book.

"Of course. Aren't you always?" The two laughed.

"I'll think of something. Only if you find the guy to be your figure head." She said and Arthur agreed.

The two fell into a comfortable silence. Merlin reading her book and Arthur washing himself.

"What are you reading?"

"I'm rereading that book I said you'd like. 'The Battle Of Olympus'." She said and turned a page.

"You never reread books." Arthur mumbled as he washed the soap of his body.

"This book is just that good. I really think you should read it." Merlin suggested for the hundredth time.

"I'm not a big reader." Arthur claimed as he stood in the bath. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around himself.

He walked out behind the screen to see Merlin engrossed in her book. He smiled at her.

"Merlin." He said and she looked up.

"Right, Sorry." She places her book down and ran to grab his clothes. She handed him his stuff and he nodded in thanks.

A few moments later he walked back out to see Merlin once again reading her book. "Must be good."

"One of the best I've ever read." She replied smiling. She placed the book down and stood up from his desk. "I have to go do some chores, staring with your...."

She looked around at the things she needed to do and settled by his basket of clothes. "Laundry."

She picked up the basket and walked towards the door. "I'll see you later."

Arthur watched her leave and turned back to his desk. The book just sitting there.

"Oh what the hell." He whispered to himself. Merlin would be happy that he tried to read it, even if he ended up not liking it. She would be over the moon if he did.

He picked up the book and opened to the first page, careful to not let Merlin's bookmark fall out.

'A long time ago, long before humans walked the earth, there were the titans. Kronos, the king of the titans, and the titan of time, was a cruel man. Him and his wife and sister, Rhea, the titan of motherhood, had six children, gods.'

Arthur felt himself become more engrossed with the book as he read.

——

Merlin paced the main room of her and Gaius's chambers.

"Coin for your thoughts?" Gaius said setting their dinner on the table.

"Oh it's nothing. Just something Arthur and I talked about." She said sitting across from her mentor. She smiled and started to eat. "Arthur is not sure he wants to compete this year."

"Why not? He loves the tournaments, has since he was a boy." Gaius questioned.

"Apparently the knights have been going easy on him in practice, because he's the prince. So Arthur's confidence is shattered." She explained.

"Well, I hope he does. It would be sad to see Arthur not compete. I remember when he was young, he would stand in the royal box and pretend fight with Morgana with little wooden swords." Gaius smiled at the memories. The two ate in a silence for a while after that.

Until Gaius remembered, "Oh! I nearly forgot. I am leaving tomorrow to assist Lady Braylon in her labor."

"How long will you be gone?" Merlin asked.

"No less than two weeks no more than a month." Gaius estimated.

Merlin nodded, that is a long time she would be alone. As sad as it would be for Gaius to be gone, a moment completely by herself would be nice.

Maybe Arthur could hide in here during the tournament. Merlin thought to herself.

——

Arthur walked up to Gwen's house nervously. He could not believe that he was actually doing this.

He knocked on the door and heard talking behind the door.

Lancelot opened the door. Both men looked quite surprised to see each other. "Sire."

Arthur nodded in greeting. "Lance. Is Guinevere home?"

Gwen's head popped up behind her lovers body. "Sire. What can I do for you?"

"I need to ask a favor, in private." He said looking at Lance, who nodded and went back into the house.

"What can I do for you?" Gwen asked with a smile.

"I know that you made Lancelot clothing for when he tried out for the knights." Gwen nodded. "I need a knights clothes, for myself. To wear under my armor so that people do not know it's me."

"Why would you not want people to know it's you?" She asked.

"I am going to fight under the name of another knight. To know if I can win, as myself." He admitted quietly.

"Oh. Well, I can have your clothes done by the tournament." She said already doing mental measurements.

"Thank you Guinevere." Arthur said and left.

"What did he want?" Lancelot asked putting his head in her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Some clothes for a knight. The seamstress is overloaded with work." She said leaning back into his touch. She kissed his cheek and smiled.

——

Arthur and Merlin sat across from each other, both thinking.

"Well, what if there is a bandit?" Arthur suggested.

Merlin shook her head. "Uther would want you to take other knights with you."

His face lit up. "What if I'm sick?"

Merlin shook her head again. But Arthur started explaining before she could even open her mouth. "No, it would explain why I would stay with you in Gaius's chambers."

Merlin thought for a moment. "That could work."

"I should go. Gaius is leaving soon and I want to wish him off." She said standing. "I'll be back with a tonic to make you appear sick."

Arthur watched her go. He then turned and grabbed the book of his desk and opened to the page he left off on.

'Zeus stood tall, the sky rumbling behind him. "Let then free father!"

Kronos watched his son. Fear clear in his eyes, but he did not give in.  Instead he drew his scythe. Zeus drew his lightning bolt. The two charges each other.'

——

Once Gaius was out of sight Merlin ran back up to her chambers. She grabbed the tonic that would cause a small fever, but not for long. In three maybe four hours, the effects will have died off.

On the way back to Arthur's chambers, Morgana stopped her in the hall.

"Morgana I have to get this to-"

"I know but I needed to talk to you. There's something odd about one of the knights." Morgana started and pulled Merlin into her room.

"Which knight?" Merlin questioned.

"Sir Marcus." Morgana lowered her voice, even though the two were in the complete privacy. "I don't know what, but he just seems..."

She trailed off not knowing the correct word, until Merlin offered one. "Stalkery?"

"Yes! Stalkery, you've noticed too." Morgana noted.

"He just seems to be watching everything, almost a little too closely or something like that." Merlin tried to explain, not exactly knowing how to voice her thoughts.

"I know what you mean." Morgana agreed. "I just wanted you to know, maybe keep an extra eye on him. He seems suspicious."

Merlin nodded and continued to Arthur's chambers.

She entered the room quietly. Her jaw dropped as she watch Arthur reading her book. Her smile grew wide.

"Arthur!" She said almost running over to him in her excitement. "You're reading the book!"

Arthur blushed and mumbled out a soft, "Yeah."

"How far along are you? Do you like it?" Merlin bounced waiting his response.

"I just reached the battle between Zeus and Kronos. And yes. I do like it." He said and closed his eyes bracing for the impact of her squeal.

"EEEEEEEK!" There it was. "I knew you would love it!"

Arthur chuckled and placed his bookmark back into the book. He looked up at Merlin and smiled. "And I do. Did you bring the tonic?"

Merlin nodded and placed the tonic on his desk. "This will have you feeling sick for the next couple of hours, so your father will have no choice but to keep you locked in my chambers for the next couple of days while you heal."

Merlin gave Arthur a knowing smile as he grabbed the bottle. He pulled the cork and took a deep breath. He raised his glass to Merlin, who laughed at the formality, and downed the small amount of liquid in one go.

Once he was done he placed the tonic down on the desk. He chuckled. "I think that was the first tonic, that Gaius has ever made, that actually tasted good."

Merlin smiled once more. "Come on. Let's get you to my chambers."

——

Uther was watching over the decorations as they were being set up when a guard walked up to him.

"Sire, Merlin requests your presence in Gaius's chambers. She says it is urgent." The guard said with a bow.

Uther nodded and started towards the Eastern tower. As he got closer and closer to Gaius's chambers his stomach felt more and more sick.

Merlin. Sweet, smart, brave, loyal Merlin. Someone Uther never would have thought as a sorceress.

But there were things that just made sense. Too many things to count.

He knew of her stance on magic. Gaius had told her that.

What if she was for magic because she studied it? Because she used it?

But she was Merlin! There was no way she studied magic!

Was there?

When Uther walked into Gaius's chambers his worries were immediately replaced when he saw Arthur.

"Arthur?" He called and rushed over to his bed side.

"Sire," Merlin greeted. "He walked in around an hour ago."

Arthur was pale. Pale and sweaty. He looked half dead, and in pain. If the way he was groaning said anything.

"Will he be alright?" Uther questioned thinking back to the questing beast.

"He will be fine. It's only a mere flu. Give him a couple of days and he'll be good as new." She responded and Uther sighed in relief.

But his smile turned into a frown. "But he will miss the tournament."

"I'm afraid so. But maybe if he feels better by the end of the week he can watch some of it with you and Morgana." Merlin suggested, though had a feeling Arthur would be too 'sick' to.

"Maybe." Uther muttered. He stood once more. "You're sure he'll be fine?"

"I'd never let anything happen to him." She responded seriously.

Uther nodded, he could feel the other meaning of what she said. Uther shook his head.

Surely he was just batty. There was no way she was a sorceress.

Uther then smiled at Merlin. "I'll get out of your hair then."

With that Uther left.

——

"Is he gone?" Arthur asked sitting up.

"Yeah." Merlin said closing the door. Once closed she leaned against it and smiled. "We did it!"

"Can I have the antidote now or something?" Arthur groaned as he held his head.

"Oh yeah. Sorry." She ram over to the shelves on his wall and came back out with a vial.

"Thank god." He drank it faster than he ever drank anything before in his life.

He removed the vial from his lips and gagged. "And back comes the gross stuff."

Merlin smiled amused. "Well. Who's the guy you got?"

"His name is William. He's actually a decent fighter but a commoner. I've seen him fight before. If I do win and then having him as a knight of Camelot would be a great help." Arthur explained.

"Won't people notice him?" She asked.

"No, he lives in one of Camelot's outer villages." Arthur knew that no one in Camelot would know him.

"Alright. I guess that'll work. And Gwen's making the clothes." Arthur nodded once more.

"Well. That settles it. You can sleep in my room." She told him.

Arthur frowned. "Your room?"

"Yep. I cleaned it specially for you." She opened the door to see her room was close to spotless. "Actually while I'm here."

She ran in and grabbed her diary and put it in her pocket. "I don't trust you alone with that."

Arthur snorted. "I would never read a lady's diary. I happen to be a gentleman."

Now Merlin snorted, earning a glare from Arthur. "Yeah you a gentleman. I happen to spend all my time with you. And I know you're not."

"Where will you be sleeping?" Arthur asked looking back at her room.

"Gaius's room." She pointed to the other room behind the rows of shelves.

"Why don't I sleep in there and you keep your room?" Arthur looked between the two rooms.

"Well. If Gaius came back and saw that i cleaned his room, he'd be suspicious." Merlin told him and she walked into her room and grabbed her night clothes.

"I'm going to sleep." She said and started for Gaius room. "Good night Arthur."

"Goodnight." He said and watched her close the door. Arthur walked slowly back into Merlin's room and looked around.

Time to snoop.

He walked to her desk to see a drawing. A beautiful drawing of her. It was as if looking at her. Every detail was almost perfect.

She was smiling for whoever was drawing her. He picked up the paper and turned it over.

'Thank you for saving my life. Welcome to Camelot Merlin.
-Ewan'

Arthur smiled. Ewan could draw, interesting. There was a pile of books on one side, some he was sure she had already read. A quill with a gorgeous metal ink bottle.

There was also a tiara that he was sure Merlin had wore before.

He walked over to her closet. He opened it slightly to see mostly her normal outfits. Her blue or red shirts and a pair of trousers. She had two dresses. One was her formal maid dress for banquets that she never wore. And another was from Gwen.

There was a small mirror at a small table. On this table was a brush and ribbons to tie her hair.

The room screened Merlin.

Gorgeous, but never really cares about her appearance, Merlin.

He smiled as he started to undress himself.

He blushed at that thought. He was getting undressed in Merlin's room.

He shook his head and continued to take off his shirts. Leaving him only in his trousers.

He laid down to find the bed was softer than he imagined. Nothing like his bed, but it was better than the floor.

Arthur fell asleep with a smile on his face. He would show them.

He was going to win this.

——

The next morning when Merlin woke up she sat up confused. Why was she in Gaius's room?

Oh yeah. Arthur.

She stood and decided to start making something to eat. As she was starving.

She was still in her nightie, not that she cared. She was still out of it.

The ruckus in the kitchen caused Arthur to wake up. He looked around confused as to what woke him up.

He slowly walked out of Merlin's room, not being an energetic person in the morning either, to see Merlin.

In her nightie. A thin nightie. A very revealing nightie.

Arthur gulped.

"Morning Arthur." She mumbled as she gave herself a bowl of the porridge. She sat and then looked up at Arthur, who was looking at everything but her.

She sighed and grabbed him a bowl and put some porridge. "Here."

She placed it at the seat across from her. Arthur sat down and stared at his porridge.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked him and Arthur squeaked, surprised by the words.

"Nothing." His voice was an octave higher than normal.

Merlin raised an eyebrow at him. "Alright."

Arthur forced his eyes back to his bowl and sighed. How was a he going to last a week, when he could barley get through breakfast without getting a hard one.

Not to say he was getting one. No because that would be rude and insensitive and.... and...

By god she looked sexy in her nightie.

"I'm going to get ready. You keep eating." Merlin stood and walked into her room. And yes, Arthur may have watched her go.

He is a man after all. A man in love. With the woman he loves in her bloody NIGHTIE!

Arthur groaned as he put his head in his hands.

This was going to be some week.

——

By the time Merlin had come back out of her room Arthur had calmed down. He was quite relieved that she was in her actual clothes.

"Alright. I'm going to get you some clothes." She smiled at him then left the chambers.

Merlin closed the door and sighed. This was going to be some week.

Arthur was acting odd though. Not that she knew the reason.

Oh well. She thought as she entered Arthur's chambers.

She grabbed a couple of shirts and trousers. Just for him to wear around Gaius's chambers. Gwen was working on his knights clothes so he only needed these.

By the time she was back at her chambers it was time for the rest of the castle, meaning the nobles to wake up.

"Alright. I've broghut you some clothes and some more for the rest of the week." She announced as she placed them in her room. "There you are. It's all yours."

Just as Arthur walked into the room Merlin stopped the door from closing. "I'm going to speak to Morgana and Gwen."

Arthur nodded and smiled. With that Merlin left.

——

"So you have Arthur, alone,  in your chambers all week?" Morgana suggested from her seat in front of her mirror.

Merlin rolled her eyes and Gwen laughed as she brushed Morgana's hair. "Come on Merlin. This is every girls ideal situation. You and the prince, alone."

"Shut it you two. It's nothing." She said but then frowned. "Though Arthur was acting odd this morning."

"How?" Morgana asked.

"He wouldn't really look at me and his voice was higher, not his normal morning voice." She told them and Gwen smirked.

"What were you wearing?"

"My night-" She froze. She was in her nightie.

In front of Arthur.

"Oh my god!" Merlin cried in horror. "I was in my nightie. My most revealing nightie!"

She fell back into the bed and groaned.

"You didn't notice?" Morgana asked though her laughs.

"No. I was too tired." She explained.

Gwen, who had calmed her laughs, turned to look at her. "If you want me and you can go get the clothes for Arthur when I'm done here."

She looked at Morgana who nodded. "You two can go now. I can handle just about everything else myself. I'm going to wear a simple dress today."

Together the two maids left the room, giving Morgana one last smile.

——

As they both walked into Gaius's chambers with the clothes in hand they stopped at the sight of another man in the main room.

"Can I help you?" Merlin asked placing the clothes on her table, which she noticed with a smile, had been cleaned off by Arthur.

The man turned around and smiled at her. "You must be Merlin. I'm William. The one who will stand in place of the prince."

"Oh!" She said and shook his hand. "Wonderful to meet you William."

Arthur then walked out from behind the shelves. "Thanks Gwen for the clothes."

Gwen only smiled. "Of course my lord." With a small bow she left the room. Not before giving Merlin a look.

Merlin rolled her eyes and both boys gave her a confused look. "It's a girl thing."

They nodded slowly, still not understanding.

"Come on. Let's get you ready."

——

Later that day was the first rounds of the tournament.

In his tent both Arthur and Merlin were putting his armor on. "Are you nervous?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "How many times must I tell you? I don't get nervous."

Though this time Arthur looked out the tent door and frowned. "I'm a little nervous. What if I'm really terrible at fighting?"

Merlin laughed and Arthur flared at her. "I'm serious."

"I know you are. But I promise you. You'll be fine. I've seen some really good fighters, and your definitely one of them. I am one hundred percent confident that you will win." Merlin told him as she finished his armor. "Now. Go out there and win."

A guard from the outside called for him.

"Good luck."

Arthur smiled at her and left the room.

——

Arthur won. He won as Arthur not prince Arthur. He walked back into the tent with a huge smile. William nodded on congratulations as he walked out to address the crowd.

Merlin stood by a table and turned hearing him enter. She hugged him. "See! I told you!"

Arthur smiled and hugged her back. "Only one round won. But I still won it."

He gave her a huge smile and Merlin smiled back. "I'm proud of you."

The two continued to stare at each other for a moment before William walked back in.

The two separated and went to taking off his armor.

——

That's how the rest of the tournament went. To the surprise of no one, other than Arthur, he was winning.

Each fight he was becoming more and more confident. When suddenly it was the final.

It was him against a knight from Pryborne. A kingdoms to the east.

The night before the final Arthur was pacing the room.

Merlin watched him with an amused smirk. "Oh stop it."

"Stop what?" Arthur questioned confused.

"Being all worried. You're going for win tomorrow. I know it." She told him and Arthur smiled softly at her.

"Thanks. But I'm just... I want to prove it to myself that I can do it, without being a prince." He said and turned to Merlin. She smiled and nodded.

"I know you do. And you will." Merlin said standing and started to clean up from the dinner they had eaten.

Arthur came next to her to help and Merlin snorted. "How come you only help me now but not when I'm doing chores for you?"

"I'm your guest. It would be rude to not help." He told her with a push into her side. "I happen to be a gentleman."

She laughed. "I happen to spend al my time with you. And you are not a gentleman."

The both continued to do the dishes in silence.

When they were done Arthur turned to speak to her. "Merlin can I tell you something?"

Merlin turned to him and gave him a soft smile. "You can tell me anything."

"Yeah." He breathes out and cleared his throat. "Merlin spending this past week with you has been a lot of fun. But as fun as its been. It's made me think. About how much I wan-"

He was cut off by Morgana walking in. "Hey. Merlin I need you for a moment."

Merlin looked back at Arthur and gave him an apologetic smile. "I'll be right back."

Arthur nodded and sighed.

'About how much I want to do this with you everyday. I love you Merlin.'

Oh well. He could tell her tomorrow. If he could work up the courage too.

——

Merlin and Morgana walked into her chambers and Morgana sat Merlin down.

"Tomorrow's banquet. The blue or the purple." She held up two dresses.

"You should wear the purple so I can wear the blue." Merlin joked and though Morgana nodded and placed the purple on her slider and the blue one on her closet door.

"You can totally wear that one." Morgana told her and Merlin's jaw dropped.

"I was joking!" She said and walked over to the beautiful blue dress.

It was gorgeous.

"Well I wasn't." Morgana smiled as she sat down.

"Thanks! I should get back to Arthur though. Don't want him alone there for too long. He'll end up taking some random potion out of boredom." She joked and ran out of the room.

——

The next morning Merlin and Arthur were getting ready in the tent while William was getting them some water.

Arthur, still feeling like an idiot from the night before, was frowning.

"Stop frowning. You'll do great." She told him and he looked up at her.

God, she was beautiful. Her blue eyes staring into his. He gave her a soft smile.

"I hope so." He told her honestly.

She looked down nervously. "Alright now don't laugh at me." She told him and walked over to her bag.

She pulled out a handkerchief. "I'm no princess. I'm no lady. But I saw this in the market yesterday and wanted to give it to you."

She held it out to him. When Arthur grabbed it they both stood staring at each other, still holding on to both sides of the handkerchief.

Arthur looked down at her lips and took in a shaky breath. He leaned in slightly and Merlin did the same.

Their lips were basically touching when William came back in.

The two jumped apart, Arthur still holding onto the handkerchief.

"It's time Sire." William said to Arthur who nodded lost in thought.

They almost kissed. Their lips were practically touching. They almost kissed!

Arthur looked at Merlin too see she was busying herself with looking in her bag, her face as red as Arthur's felt.

"Yeah." He said looking back at William. "Alright."

He left the tent and went to fight.

——

He won. He won!

He walked into the tent to see Gwen standing in Merlin's place, and his smile was gone.

"Where's Merlin?" He asked and Gwen gave him a funny look.

"She went to help the knight. Since she's the closest thing to a physician we have at the moment." Gwen explained as if it were obvious.

So she was not avoiding him. Good. Really good.

"Congratulations by the way." Gwen said as she helped Arthur out of his armor.

"Thank you." Arthur said and the two were in silence the rest of the time.

"I should head up to Gaius's chambers. Incase someone visits me." Arthur threw on his cloak and ran off.

——

When he entered Gaius's chambers he was happy to see Merlin was still helping the other knight.

He had no idea what he was going to say to her.

He quickly got changed into casual clothes and he sat down at the table. His father walked in excitedly.

"Arthur! How are you feeling?" His father asked and sat across from him.

"Much better than I was this morning. I was hoping to go to the banquet tonight to meet the winner." Arthur lied.

"That's good." Uther started and sighed. "It's a shame that you missed the tournament. It was a good one. This knight from Pryborne won and he's even agreed to become a knight here in Camelot. I think you'll like him and his style. It was much like yours."

"I look forward to meeting him." Arthur told his father.

Merlin walked in and smiled at the two of them. "Sire."

"Merlin. I'll leave you. Feel better. I don't know if I can sit through another council meeting without you." With that Uther left leaving the two alone.

"Are you going tonight?" Merlin questioned as she put her medical supplies away.

Arthur nodded but then realized she was behind the shelves. "Yes. I was hoping to. But only if I have my physicians permission."

Merlin smiled. "Of course."

The two fell into a silence. And for the first time it was an awkward one.

"Merlin I wanted to apo-" He started but Gwen cut him off.

"Come one we have to start getting ready." Gwen was pulling her out of the room. "George agreed to help Arthur."

With that she was gone.

Arthur made his way up to his chambers to meet George.

——

Merlin honestly looked amazing. It was a teal blue dress that had a silk around her sleeves and around her waist.

It truly was gorgeous.

And Gwen had somehow managed to get her hair up into a complicated updo that she could never do.

She looked amazing.

She smiled at herself and watched as both Morgana and Gwen stood next to her.

"Aren't we three of the most sexy women you've ever seen?" Morgana asked and both Merlin and Gwen blushed.

"What? Too blunt?" Morgana asked and the three laughed.

"Come on. We need to go." Merlin said as she pulled the two out of the room.

——

Arthur had entered with his father and sat down at the two chairs in the front for them. Uther and Arthur watched as the people talked and joked before many men became quite.

Just as they had every other banquet when Morgana, Merlin, and Gwen walked in. But they always had a reason too.

They always looked beautiful. All three of them.

But Arthur only thought one looked gorgeous.

There she was in a blue dress with her hair up in another beautiful bun. How she managed to look like a goddess? Arthur would never know but... she did.

Arthur excused himself and walked up from his chair to Merlin.

"Merlin." He started awkwardly.

"Arthur." She said with a smile that seemed a little forced.

"I wanted to apologize, for today in the tent. I-" He began but Merlin stopped him.

"No I get it. You were nervous and not thinking clearly. I completely understand. And nothing happened so, no hard feelings?" She held out her hand.

Arthur sighed in relief. "No hard feelings." They shook hands.

——

Later that night, Merlin finally in her own bed that she truly thought about what had happened in the tent.

Their lips were practically touching! And then stupid William had to walk in.

When Merlin told him their were no hard feelings he saw Arthur's face. He looked both disappointed and relieved.

There was a knock on her chamber doors. She slowly stood and grabbed a robe.

When she opened it, she saw Arthur standing there. No shirt on, only his trousers. Not even wearing shoes. Like he did when he slept.

She looked at him and confused. She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when she saw him looking at her lips. She froze and looked at his lips.

They were pressed together, as if he was thinking.

She looked back at his eyes and he was looking back. He put his hand on her cheek and the other on her waist pulling her closer to him. Waiting for her to stop him.

She never did.

He pulled her lips onto his and the world exploded.

His lips were rougher than hers.  But she was expecting that.

She had her hands on his chest and they slowly made their way to his neck as his hand on her check made its way to her waist like the other one.

He pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss.

It was the most intense kiss of her life. She felt so many emotions and tried to return them all.

Arthur slowly pushed her back but still held onto her. They made their way to her dinner table. Arthur picked her up and placed her on it. His arms supporting himself on the table and her hands now running through his hair.

Arthur pulled away so they could breath.

Arthur stared at her for a moment. Merlin stared at him too.

Merlin opened her mouth and tried to say something but all that came out was air.

Arthur smiled at her. "Merlin. I love you." Merlin's jaw dropped. "I love you. And I have loved you for the longest time and today- I can't keep it to myself. I love you so so much. Spending the past week with you made me realize that I can't keep it to myself anymore."

Merlin only continued to stare at him. "You are the most kind, smart, funny, perfect person I have ever met. You have taught me so many things about life and living and I love you. I love you."

Arthur looked at her and Merlin had never seen him look so vulnerable. "I love you too."

Arthur smiled and kissed her again. It was much shorter this time. When he pulled away he placed his forehead on Merlin's.

"I love you." He whispered and pecked her lips.

Merlin giggled. "This is really happening." She hugged him tight and wrapped her legs around this waist.

He picked her up and held her tighter. "I sure hope so."

They both laughed.

"I should get back to my chambers." Arthur said and put her down. "Don't want to worry anyone."

Merlin nodded but then frowned. "What about your father?"

"My father be damned. This is true love. Do you think this happens everyday? Nothing can stop us. Nothing." He told her softly. He kissed her shortly once more and held her hands.

"I'll see you in the morning." He kissed her hands and left.

Merlin stood there and smiled. "Holy shit." She whispered to herself as she went to sleep.

————
OH MY GODDDDDDDDDD THEY DID IT! THEY CONFESSED THEIR LOVE TO EACH OTHER!

Can you tell I'm happy?

I wasn't sure how to do it but as I was writing this chapter just having a kiss then going back to normal felt odd for them. So I had them confess their feelings.

Next chapter is Aredian and I'm pumped! I don't really know what the chapters gonna be about but Aredian's coming so there's that.

If you have any suggestions about it be free to tell me. Other than that, bye! I'll see you for the next update!