#merlinxreader

[reader-who-writes]

The Beginning of Something part III

@the-ducks-umbrella @heyrobinstuff .... it's here with three parts left to go. As for everyone else, you can catch the first two parts as well as the rest of my writing here.

Your life in Camelot was beginning to fall into a welcomed routine. You would wake up early in the morning and beat Merlin down to the kitchens to fetch breakfast for the King and Queen. Just about the time that you laid everything out on the table, Merlin would come through the door, a small sense of relief evident as his eyes met yours. Some friendly banter would soon follow, which inevitably woke both Arthur and Gwen. Gwen would get up and you would help her prepare for the day and Arthur would threaten Merlin for waking him before begrudgingly allowing him to help prepare him for the day. The two would sit down for breakfast as you and Merlin began busying yourself with some of your chores about the room. You made the bed as Merlin collected the laundry. Sometimes you would shoot glances at each other, Merlin would mock Arthur under his breath, and you would try miserably not to laugh.

Throughout the day you would see each other in passing. Sometimes Merlin would go out of his way to seek you out and check in on you. Anytime that you had free time you would check in with Gaius or some of the knights that Merlin introduced you to to see if there was anything that you could do to help. Gaius took advantage of the fact that you were far more knowledgeable than Merlin when it came to healing magic and enchantments for his poultices. Even on the slow and “uneventful” days in Camelot, you found a way to stay busy.

It was the evenings that you looked forward to the most though. After you and Merlin had both completed the daily tasks and both Arthur and Gwen dismissed you for the night, he would take you out for a while. He used the fact that you were new to the castle at first, then it was that he wanted to introduce you to some more of the knights, to show you different places in Camelot that may have changed since the last time you were there, etc. Your favorite times were when you were released early and able to go beyond the citadel. That was when both you and Merlin could be completely free with each other, not having to worry about using magic or speaking freely. Though to be completely honest any time spent with Merlin was something you would not trade for anything else.

Being around him eased your mind and made your heart swell. You loved to make him smile or laugh, to have him be so carefree if even for a moment in the face of everything that was coming. Having someone to share your burden and the dangers that fate had determined you should carry was unreal. The two of you understood each other in a way that no one else had before. If things were different, maybe the two of you… But that didn’t matter, not really, you felt lucky to even know Merlin, if friendship was all that was in the cards for you that would be enough. Though that didn’t mean that you wouldn’t let your mind wander through the possibilities.

“Y/n? Did you hear me?” Gwen asked.

“No, sorry M’lady I got caught up in my head again.”

“No need to apologize, I just asked if you wanted to accompany Arthur, Merlin, and I on a ride for lunch.”

“I would love to accompany you. Do you need me to prepare anything? I can help you change into riding clothes if you would prefer?”

“That won’t be necessary, Merlin is arranging everything and I plan to wear this. You can take the time to change if you wish, I have nothing else for you to do this morning.”

“Thank you, your highness, I will come up and accompany you to the stables when it is time,” you bowed your head before moving towards the door.

“Y/n-” she called as you neared the door.

“Yes?”

“First of all, call me Gwen, I was once in your position and the titles and formalities are not necessary, especially not in here, not between friends. And I would like to think in the past weeks that you would come to think of me as such?”

“Of course M’- Gwen, you are one of the few friends that I have in Camelot.”

“I’m glad to be your friend, and as your friend, I want to assure you that he feels the same way,” Gwen said with a smile relaxing.

“I’m sorry?” you replied confused as to who she was speaking about.

“Merlin. I see the way that the two of you look at each other when you think no one is looking. He has become more productive just to ensure that he will have spare time to spend with you. With you, he acts lighter, truly more himself than he has in a long time. Arthur says that Merlin denies it, but it is clear as day to both of us. As he played an instrumental part in Arthur and I getting together, I figured I would return the favor,” she revealed.

“Do you honestly believe that?” you said trying to hide the rising heat in your cheeks.

“I do. Now go on and get ready for our double date” she laughed before giving you a friendly shove out of the door.

As you made your way to your quarters you could not contain the smile that was lighting up your face. The thought of you and Merlin actually being together was more than you could ever have dreamt of, the fact that you were not the only one who considered it made it more real.

As you prepared for lunch you felt childish, putting different styles in your hair getting worked up the way a child would with a crush. Out of all of the men in Camelot, Merlin was the least likely to care about that sort of thing and it was not like he didn’t already see you every day. Still…

As you walked with Gwen out to the horses, you were not surprised to hear Merlin and Arthur bantering back and forth.

“Sometimes the two of them act more like a married couple than you and Arthur,” you whispered to Gwen as you rounded the corner.

“You don’t know the half of it,” she replied laughing.

Hearing this, both Merlin and Arthur turned to face the two of you.

“You look lovely as always Guinevere, may I help you on your horse?” Arthur asked, taking her hand and smiling widely.

“Why of course,” she feigned being a wooed princess.

“Merlin, would you like me to help you on your horse?” you joked earning a laugh from the group.

The ride was short and ended in one of the lesser-known parts of the woods that Merlin had taken you during your second or third week in Camelot. Merlin had you set up the blanket and food as he took care of the horses.

“Y/n - I forgot to fill up the water, would you mind-”

“Say no more,” you answered, taking the empty pouches from him.

When you made your way back you were more than surprised to see that Merlin had set up a second picnic just in earshot of Arthur and Gwen. The fact that he’d gone through all of the extra trouble just for you…

“I’m sorry, it’s too much. I just thought… and then Arthur. But it doesn’t have to be, if it's too soon I mean if you don’t feel, I can just…” he fumbled around clearly upset that he had ever thought this was a good idea.

“Merlin,” you interrupted him forcing him to meet your eyes, “it’s absolutely lovely, and I do feel the same way, so let’s have a seat, yeah?”

Any nervousness or doubt was lost as a smile overtook his face and he sat across from you. Everything there on out went pretty smoothly, the two of you talked as you always did while enjoying the food that he had prepared. Afterward, you laid side by side looking up at the clouds and soaking in the nature that was thriving around you. Merlin ventured to take your hand in his and you just relished in the togetherness. Such an innocent act, but it felt more somehow. You honestly had no idea how long you stayed like that before you heard Arthur calling out of Merlin.

As all good things must, it was time for the picnic to come to an end. You started packing up your picnic as Merlin went over to pack up Arthur and Gwen’s. Arthur was teasing him and threw one of the water canvases beyond him.

“I think that my dog can catch better than you,” he jested.

“Perhaps that’s because you treat him better,” Merlin returned.

He went and retrieved the canvas, but was distracted by a tree that was radiating dark magic. He got closer and found a sigil lying on the ground. He was going to call for you to come check it out when Arthur interrupted his thoughts,

“Come along Merlin, your King and Queen await,” he called.

Merlin looked up to see that you had packed everything up and that Arthur and Gwen were on their horses. You sent him a questioning glance, but he knew that he would be best off to explain later. So he stood up and made his way over to you and his friends.

“Did you find it?” Arthur asked.

“What?” he replied clearly confused.

“The canvas! I swear Merlin if your head wasn’t attached…”

“Oh yes, of course, here it is,” he said showing the water container to Arthur.

Arthur nodded approvingly before turning his attention back to Gwen. You and Merlin mount your horsed and the four of you head back towards the castle.

“Everything okay Merlin?” you ask.

“Yeah of course,” he said out loud before mouthing ‘I’ll tell you later’ nodding towards Arthur and Gwen.

“Or you could tell me now” you spoke through the connection in your minds.

“I didn’t even think of using telepathy,” he replied.

“So, what happened back there?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest. All I know is that there was dark and powerful magic involved. I found this,” he answered showing you the sigil.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Maybe Gaius will know something about it. We-” you were going to continue but were cut off.

“Are you two love birds okay back there? You’ve hardly said a word since we left,” Arthur observed.

“Arthur!” Gwen chastised, leaning over to punch him in the arm.

“We are doing well, just taking in the rare peace and quiet,” you answer sending Merlin a wink.

Merlin and you picked up the pace to come in closer to the king and queen and the four of you carried on a conversation until you rode into the citadel. There were villagers being helped by the knights.

“What happened?” Arthur questioned Leon.

“They have come to seek refuge from Helva.”

Arthur and Gwen immediately dismounted to help the refugees, and you and Merlin quickly took care of the horses and provisions. When you made it inside the castle, you made your way to the throne room where Arthur was learning the rest of what had happened.

“The city of Helva was attacked two days ago. Only the handful of villagers that you saw today were able to survive,” Leon explained.

“Who was responsible?” Arthur asked.

“We assumed the Saxons, but the villagers claim that magic was involved.”

“Morgana” both Merlin and I said at the same time a little too loudly causing Arthur to glance in your direction.

“Do you suspect my sister's involvement?” he returned his attention to Leon.

“The evidence would suggest so, Sire.”

“Strengthen the garrison, double the patrol at the border, and see that the refugees are well taken care of,” Arthur ordered. The knights nodded in understanding before filing out.

It was soon only you, Arthur, Gwen, and Merlin left.

“It makes no sense for Morgana to attack Helva,” Merlin spoke up.

“She must have her reasons,” Gwen replied.

“Why does it strike you as odd?” Arthur asked, his entire demeanor changed now that his knights had left.

“Helva is one of the few places where Magic is practiced freely. Why would she attack her own?”

“Perhaps she was looking for something? Maybe someone? Either way, her being this close to our borders is not good news. We should go talk to some of the villagers, come along Merlin.”

Arthur and Merlin left. And you accompanied Gwen upstairs and drew her a bath before going downstairs to arrange dinner with the kitchen staff. An uneasy feeling accompanied you for the rest of the day. And not even seeing Merlin and Arthur upon returning with the food was enough for it to subside.

After the two of you were dismissed, you went down to speak to Gaius about the sigil. He knew little more than that it was of fine workmanship that no one would part with willingly. You and Merlin decided that you would need to go back at first light to see if you could learn anything else about what happened. Knowing that you had a long day ahead of you tomorrow, you both decided to call it an early night. Merlin walked you to your quarters.

“Is everything alright? You’ve seemed off since we returned,” Merlin asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Y/n…”

“It’s nothing important Merlin, I promise.”

“Okay, as long as you’re sure.”

“I appreciate your concern.”

The two of you had made it to your door, so you decided to take the opportunity to change the subject.

“Thank you for today, the picnic was amazing,” you say trying not to blush.

“I am just glad that we finally have our feelings out in the open,” he replied venturing to take your hands in his.

“So am I,” you smiled this time completely failing to keep the heat from your cheeks.

The two of you stood like that for a moment staring at each other. You studied Merlin’s face before speaking up softly, “This is usually the part where you are supposed to say goodnight.”

He glanced down at your lips and back up to your eyes. He was trying to decide whether or not he should take the leap. A good night kiss but was it too soon. He must’ve decided that it was as he started to pull away nervously before you stepped forward and caught his lips with yours. It was short and sweet.

“Goodnight Merlin,” you said quickly before turning away and entering your quarters.

You missed the ear-to-ear grin that Merlin wore all the way from your door to his own. He was glad that Gaius was already asleep upon his return as he didn’t know if he could utter coherent words at the moment.

You laid down and stared at the ceiling, replaying the moment in your head and waiting for the butterflies in your stomach to calm down. Knowing that sleep would not be your friend for some time, you decided to be productive and sneak down to the kitchen to gather some breakfast for your early morning trip.

Your concerns of earlier began once again to plague your mind. What if the who Morgana had been searching for was Emrys? Worse yet, what if it were you? You couldn’t stand the thought of more people getting hurt because of you. The alternative was not much better, if she was looking for something it was most likely something that would soon put Merlin or Arthur in danger. Knowing that your mind was troubled was enough to lead you to check in on Arthur, so you proceeded to the lookout where you were not surprised to find him.

He was however completely taken by surprise to be disturbed and nearly took your head off.

“Woah there your majesty, it’s just me,” you said.

“Y/n? What are you doing here at this hour?”

“Merlin told me this is where you go to think when something is troubling you-”

“I should have him in the stocks for revealing my private affairs. It’s surely a form of treason,” he joked half-heartedly.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“About what?”

“Whatever is troubling you. I know I am only a servant, but my ear listens as well as any other.”

“You know you are not ‘only a servant’, I value your counsel as well as your friendship, I am just not sure that you would understand.”

“Well, if I had to guess, I would say that you are feeling torn and a bit guilty. You have your duties as a king to protect your people and Camelot. You know to do so will inevitably put you against Morgana who you want more than anything to believe is still able to be saved/redeemed. So now you are here wondering where it all went wrong, wondering if in the moment you will have what it takes if you are still the king you always promised yourself you would be. Am I close?”

By the look on Arthur's face, you could see that you were, so you continued, “Morgana made her choices and there is nothing that you can do to change that. There is nothing wrong about wanting to save the sister you grew up with and loved. You just have to find a way to come to terms with the fact that she is no longer that person. She has allowed fear and hatred to corrupt her. You are protecting Camelot and the people you love from a sorcerer who has every intention of ending life as you know it through whatever means necessary. If you have to face her, you will do the right thing without hesitation, because that is who you are, Arthur Pendragon. You are the greatest king to rule Camelot. You will bring peace to the land, and unite Albion. Your friends believe in you, your people believe in you, now it is time for you to believe in yourself.”

There was something about the way you spoke that made Arthur feel as though every word was true. It was like you had already seen everything play out and came back to give him the courage he needed. His doubts faded away and he felt more sure of himself than he had in a long time. “Thank you,” he replied at a loss for better words as he was still taking in the weight of yours.

“There is no need for thanks Sire,” you replied bowing in sincere respect before taking your leave. By the time you made it back to your quarters, you were exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

It did not feel like long before Merlin was gently shaking you awake. You retrieved the pack of food that you retrieved the night before and made your way to the horses Merlin had readied. You both rode quickly to where you had picnicked only the day before. The tree stump, the sigil, and the feeling that accompanied it, there was something to be said about it. And if that something would in any way help you in the fight against Morgana, or to protect Arthur and Camelot then you had to see it out. You didn’t know exactly what Merlin was looking for, but you were pretty sure that he was not expecting what he found.

It was just as he was beginning to search the area that the first of Morgana’s men came with his sword barrelling down at Merlin. Behind him at least seven more who managed to scare off your horses. That was not an issue, as you and Merlin were easily able to fight them off with your magic. The problem was that one of them had stayed behind and had a crossbow. You managed to take him out, but not before Merlin was shot. You immediately whipped around and took out the man behind the crossbow. Using your magic to make sure that there was no one else before turning back to Merlin whose face was already paling as he stumbled forward towards you.

“Hey there, take it easy, just lie back,” you said as you guided him to the ground. His only response was painful groaning.

“Okay Merlin, I’m going to pull this out. But we have to keep moving, those men won’t be alone, Morgana may even be nearby. But for now, we at least have the advantage of the fact that no one alive besides us knows that we were here.”

Without warning, you clasped one hand over his mouth and pulled out the arrow. Merlin’s muffled yells broke your heart but you didn’t have time, not right now, not if you were going to save him.

“I’m sorry, I really am, but we have to get going, as soon as we are far enough away I can heal you.”

“Where will we go?” Merlin asked, already noticeably weaker.

“To the watchtower just past the ridge. We can take shelter there long enough for me to heal you and for Morgana and her men to leave.”

Merlin nodded before using his sword to help him stand.

“Can you walk?” you asked as you helped him up.

“Yeah, I think so,” he said, voice strained.

“Okay, here we go,” you said as you put his arm over your shoulder and helped support his weight. The walk took you nearly twice as long as it should have. You found Merlin some cover to rest in while you went ahead to make sure it was safe. You returned and hoisted him up, “We are almost there, and then everything will be okay I promise.”

When the two of you made it inside you were faced with a new problem...the winding staircase. You made it about halfway up before Merlin stumbled. You tried to help him up but he refused.

“Come on Merlin, we can’t stop here. Morgana’s men will be here shortly.”

“I just - I just need a minute,” he decided before asking, “How do you know this place anyways?”

“It is one of the places I stayed after what happened to my father.”

You could tell that Merlin was going to say something else, but the dogs heard in the distance were enough to still his tongue.

“Okay, minute over. We have to get up to the roof,” you said as you helped Merlin up.

By the time you got Merlin up to the roof, he was all but unconscious. You worried that through your journey his injury became worse, or maybe you had misjudged it initially. You wanted to heal him, but you had a bigger problem to deal with first. Morgana and her men had entered the tower. Knowing that they would see Merlin’s blood, Morgana was unlikely to leave until she searched every inch of it herself. You could try to seal her out, but you didn’t want to test whose power was stronger today. Especially when Merlin was unable to defend himself if you failed. Instead, you held a concealment spell, which took a significant amount of effort with two people.

“They were here! Emerys or Phúlax, maybe even both of them, and you let them slip away!” Morgana raged. You were beginning to get lightheaded and prayed that they would exit the roof.

“They couldn’t have gone far, maybe they saw us coming and took off again. We can search the surrounding areas, M’lady,” a brave knight suggested. That was all it took for Morgana to order all of her men back to their horses and into the woods to continue their search.

As soon as she was out of earshot you released the concealment. The sudden relief almost caused you to pass out, but you forced yourself over to Merlin. In the entirety of your life, you had never remembered feeling as drained as you did at that moment. But that didn’t matter, you were going to save him. As you said the healing enchantments, your power was leaving you. It was getting harder and harder to keep your eyes open, but you pushed on knowing that if you allowed yours to close before you were done that his would never open again. As the last words left your mouth, you collapsed in exhaustion praying to any and everything that it had worked.

You vaguely remembered being picked up. You were scared and preparing yourself for the worst until you heard Merlin’s voice. It was distant and muffled, but you could tell that it was his. You were brought comfort in the fact that no matter what happened to you that he was going to be okay. The next thing you remembered was feeling weightless and then another voice, one much more powerful and wise speaking. There was then a sensation, unlike anything that you’d ever felt before.

“She will be okay, though she will need time to recover fully. What she did was no small feat, something I am not even sure you could have survived young Warlock.”

“Thank you, I don’t know how I would have got her back here without your help,” Merlin replied.

You were finally able to force your eyes open only to see the most magnificent dragon standing before you.

“Ahhh, our friend is finally awake. It is a pleasure to meet you Phúlax.”

“You must be Kilgarrah,” you replied, trying to sit up before gasping in pain.

“Lie still young one, your body is weak and my magic works slowly.”

“Thank you for saving us,” you nod towards the dragon.

“You are the one I should thank for without you I would be without a dragon lord. But I should go, Courage and Strength are nearly here. Be warned young warlock the great war is nearly upon us. And Phúlax, your time is nearing,” he said before flying away.

“Wait! What does that mean?” Merlin called out, but it was to know avail.

His attention was redirected to you as you started coughing. He was by your side in an instant. “Hey, take it easy everything is going to be fine.” He squeezed your hand reassuringly, trying to ignore the fact that it was freezing. He trusted that Kilgarah was right and that his friends were on their way. And if on cue, familiar voices came into earshot.

“Merlin? Y/n?” you heard Gwaine call out.

“How many times are you going to call for them?” Arthur asked, slightly amused.

“Until they answer,” Gwaine said, his bravado attempting to hide his concern, “Merlin? Y/n?”

“We’re here,” Merlin called.

Gwaine and Arthur dismounted their horses and came down to where Merlin and you were situated, at this point you were practically unconscious again.

“What happened?” Arthur asked at once.

“Gaius sent Y/n and I out to get herbs before breakfast and we were caught by Morgana’s men. We escaped, but Y/n was hit by a direct blast from Morgana. We need to get her back to Gaius,” Merlin lied.

Luckily Arthur bought it no questions asked, any doubts he had overtaken by concern for you.

The next thing you knew, you were waking up in your bed. You glanced around and decided that it had to be at least midday. You would be lying if you said that you were a little disappointed not to see Merlin first thing when you woke up. But you pushed that feeling aside and prepared yourself for the day. You made your way downstairs to see if Gaius had any idea where your favorite Warlock was, but as soon as you opened the door your question was answered.

Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine, Leon, and Gaius were all there standing around the body of a knight. The skin on his face had grown over his face until he would have suffocated.

“In the old days this was a punishment known as Ragaid, it came only from the high priestess herself, an ultimate warning to her enemies,” Gaius explained.

“What does it mean?” Arthur asked.

“It means that Morgana has declared war,” you said, alerting everyone in the room of your presence for the first time.

[writings-of-a-hufflepuff]

Favourite Smile

Fandom: BBC Merlin

Pairing: Merlin x Reader

Warning: N/A

Writer: @imaginesofeveryfandom aka @hufflepuffing-all-day-long

Summary/Request: Requested by @a-ghost-in-the-tardis​: Hello! Could I request a Merlin X reader, where they have been a couple for a while and she is feeling sad about something, so to help her cheer up they go camping at the woods and he does something fun with his magic because he knows it will cheer her up? 

Notes: Probably out of character because I haven’t watched Merlin in yearssssss, but I tried for you!

Gender Neutral

You’d been sad and grumpy for the last week and you knew you’d been bringing Merlin’s own mood down a great deal. It wasn’t his fault or anything to do with him really, being a servant at the castle was usually perfectly fine...but the visiting nobles that had arrived were rude and horrible. They were constantly complaining and pointing out flaws in your work that weren’t even there. It was exhausting and upsetting. One thing you valued was your ability to do your work well. 

“I’m sorry...” You look over at your sweetheart from where you’d been sat together near the well. He’d come to visit you as he usually did and you felt bad for not being in a more chipper mood. 

“About what?”

“I’ve been sad a lot lately...it’s just these nobles! They’re so horrible and all i’m trying to do is make sure the rooms are clean and they have what they need, but they’re so horrible, Merlin!” You press your cheek into his shoulder with a sigh. 

“Love, it’s alright, you’re allowed to be sad.”

“Still...” 

The two of you fall into a brief silence. It makes you feel worse for being so grumpy, but Merlin was right, you couldn’t help being sad and you were allowed to be so. 

“How about we go camping on the edge of the woods? You don’t have to work for the next few days and neither do I...maybe it’ll cheer you up? Getting away for a bit?” He bumps your shoulder with his. 

“Is it safe?”

“If we stay near the road and near the walls of Camelot. I know a thing or two as well.” He says it with a twinkle, the one that means he’s referring to his magic without referring to his magic because he shouldn’t be mentioning it. 

Merlin stands and with a tug on your hand the two of you are walking towards your home. You know that you have an old tent, your fathers, hidden away, and some spare blankets. Your suspicions that Merlin was indeed intent on going camping that very evening appear correct as you spent the next few minutes rummaging around your house for all you need before setting off outside the walls. 

“Here should do!” Its a little spot near the road and Camelot but still private enough that you don’t feel uncomfortable about camping there. Together you set up the tent, after much confusion and a few attempts which end in you being twisted in tarp, and the blankets before sitting down together.

You lie down, with your head in his lap and for the first time in the last week you feel yourself relax just a little bit. You look up at the sky and smile as you recognise the sparkles and shapes of Merlin’s magic, as he creates a little story in magic before your eyes. There has never been anything in your life that has compared with the beauty of Merlin’s magic, the beauty it had the potential to be. You knew it could be dangerous as well, everyone in Camelot did, but moments like this proved that magic was not all bad and that Merlin indeed could be trusted with it. 

“There’s my favourite smile”

“Thank you for bringing it back for me...you always know how to cheer me up.”

[agent-absinthe]

Honeyed Pt.5

I heard it was Kinktober so uuuhhhh here ya go, take a fucking sip babes.

Eggsy and Elise sat inside a small café in the mall, bags sitting around the table as the two choked on their coffee from laughing at each other.  After brunch they were going to head back to the house to look through everything and then take the dogs for a run.

“Fuck, you are the best.  Merlin couldn’t have picked a better baby.  Seriously!  Ya gotta tell me though, mate- how is he?  Ya know…”

She giggled, “so good.  Fuck, Eggsy I mean this morning he made me finish without touching me.  I’ve got a bruise on my ass that still kinda hurts but it’ll fade.”

“Spanking?”  He raised an eyebrow and sipped on his coffee.

“Ya, I uh, took another shift and wasn’t able to talk to him a lot the other day.  I guess that meant I needed to be ‘punished’?  I don’t know, I mean I kind of enjoyed it.”  

Elise pushed the eggs she was eating around her plate, heat rising to her cheeks as she suddenly felt out of her element.  She still wasn’t sure how she felt about the bruise yet, how she felt about being ‘punished’ because sexually it was amazing- all in good fun- but, that had not been his intention when he did it.  Hamish wanted it to hurt her while it happened, the sudden realization that she had actually been disciplined like a child made something curl in Elise’s stomach that she loathed.  Shame.

“Does he- does he hit you?”  Eggsy said it dead serious, now looking at her more intently.

“What?  No!  He just-” she sighed and decided to show him instead of saying anything, sitting her phone down on the table instead of typing on it.

“What?”

“Just wait.”

As they finished up their brunch 15 minutes had passed and Elise’s phone had gone off at least 9 times.  It made Eggsy roll his eyes.

“Oi, he’s one a those kind then ain’t he?  The needy kind.  Never pegged him as that sort.  Oh well, but as long as he don’t treat you bad.  Don’t matter how much money someone offers you, babe don’t ever let ‘em make ya feel shitty.”  

She grinned at him.  Oh, they were going to be best friends.

~

“Hamish, she’s perfect for you, really and so diligent.  Keep helping her pay tuition and maybe she could come work for the company.  She’d make an excellent analyst.”  Harry and Hamish were sitting at the table enjoying some after dinner drinks and watching their young lovers have fun.

They were in an upscale nightclub, Harry and Eggsy had flown over to celebrate another win for the company and six months of Hamish and Elise’s arrangement.  Everything was going so well, Elise looking happier and feeling better than she had in years, Hamish much the same.  He couldn’t help but smile watching them drunkenly spin around the dance floor.

Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowin’ what it was.  I will not give you up this time~

Eggsy and Elise were cheek to cheek and singing along as best they could.

We are still kids, but we’re so in love.  Fighting against all odds, I know we’ll be alright this time~

“They’re cute, aren’t they?”  Hamish asked, his voice sounding wistful like he was thinking out loud instead of asking Harry a question.  

Harry noticed the way he was staring at Elise.  Remembering the night he met Eggsy in a club much like this, the same dazed expression on his face as Hamish had on his now.  His friend was getting attached quickly and he knew before long Hamish was going to give in to his emotions and ask her to be in a relationship rather than this kind of arrangement, he only prayed that Elise felt the same.  

“Quite cute.  I think Eggsy is going to start getting sick rather soon, so we should get going back to the hotel.  I hope you two make it home safely, give the dogs my love.”

It was also time for them to go and as soon as they were in the car Elise had her head against the window, humming and on the verge of sleep.  Hamish reached over and rubbed his hand up her thigh to get her attention, when she turned and smiled at him the streetlights caught her face and lit up her eyes even more- it made his breath catch.  She had him wrapped around her finger, he wondered if she would use that to her advantage if she knew just how far he would go to make sure she was happy.

“So, did ye have fun?”

“Oh my gosh!  So much fun!  Eggsy said they would be back in a few weeks for some kind of company dinner, I can’t wait to see him again.”  

Hamish licked his lips and took her hand in his, trying to steady himself- “Speaking of the company dinner-“

“Hmm?”

“It’s more of a Gala.  Posh, upper class- ye know all the things ye hate… I want ye to be my date for it.  It’s very relaxed, great food you’ll love it.”

The happy, drunk haze that she was in suddenly cleared and Elise bit at her lip in worry.  God, she knew this would happen eventually, it was practically part of the checklist for being a SB:  Arm Candy.  The problem was that Elise didn’t feel like arm candy material, she was just a good fuck and entertaining company.  How the fuck did he expect her to make him look good at a GALA?

“Are you sure?  I mean you don’t want someone a little more, I don’t know- polished?”

Merlin laughed at her reaction and brought her hand up to his lips, “no, I want ye there with me, it’ll be fine.  We can go dress shoppin’ tomorrow, get some shoes and jewelry while we’re at it.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa that’s a lot.  Like, jewelry is a bit much don’t you think?  I don’t want you spending a lot on me, especially if I’ll only wear it once.”

“Come now, doll.  If ye say yes I’ll let ye top tonight when we get home.”

A small gasp, “Really?”

“Yes.”

There was the sound giddy anticipation and a seat belt clicking off followed shortly by a hand undoing his belt.  Wet kisses pressed along his jawline until the grip on the steering wheel tightened, when her hand wrapped around his cock the grip turned white knuckled.  Getting to ride was a rare treat since Hamish liked being in control most of the time, but in her current haze Elise felt her brattiness rising and it made her hellbent on getting what she wanted.  And she wanted to ride him in the car, now.  She adored doing things in this expensive fucking car, especially when she was in an intoxicated state, much like now, and the leather of the seats felt even more luxurious than they already were.

“I don’t want to wait until we’re home.”

“Stop bein’ a brat.  It’s f-five more minutes- fuck, love if you don’t stop I won’t make it till we get home.”

A whine, “just pull over.  We can make it fun, pretend I’m a hitchhiker you picked up at the bar and I can give you a sloppy blowjob outside of the car...on my knees...in the dirt.”

“Jesus-” Hamish let out a shaky breath and peeled one hand off the wheel to wrap in her hair and pull her from his neck, “you certainly are in a filthy mood tonight, but ye don’t have ta be outside on yer knees to do that, dove.”

Elise practically buzzed with excitement as she repositioned herself- knees on the seat and ass up so she could lean over the console and take him into her mouth with such vigor it made Hamish laugh. “Poor thing, you act like I don’t let ye suck my cock as much as ye want.  Then again maybe that is all ye really want to be, a cute little cock warmer.”    

The only response was a deep moan that vibrated in her throat and it was all Hamish needed to take one hand off the wheel and peel up her dress, thankful now that she had worn it despite his objection that it was too short and tight and that people would be all over her.  Which they were, but he was the only one taking her home to fuck her senseless so they could stare all they wanted.  How wet and warm she was already only made him go faster, her lips slick with it as he rubbed them through the thong, pushing it aside to slide a finger along the slit and then delve into her so agonizingly slow that Elise came up for air and almost sobbed.

“Daddy-”

“Ye have better things to do with that mouth than speak.”  He snapped hooking his fingers inside her and giving a hard tug for emphasis.

A small giggle at his breathless anger before she went back to doing something useful with her mouth, working harder to make it extra sloppy how she knew he liked it but will never admit because he’s still somewhat of a gentleman in bed.  Elise planned on breaking him of that if it was the last thing she did.  Spit was running out of the corners of her mouth to roll down his balls and soak into the pants and the noises- absolutely fucking obscene.  

“Finally.”  Hamish took a sharp turn into the drive way and pulled Elise off him by the hair to put the car in park.

He threw open the door to get out when Elise gripped his shirt and yanked him back into his seat so she could climb onto him.  And with one leg propped outside the Jag for stability and the other folded against his thigh she slid down with a satisfied, loud moan.

“Dirty girl, what will the neighbors think if they hear us out here?”

“We can get out and you can bend me over the hood if you’d rather they be able to see us too.”

“God, I love it when ye get like this.”

Hamish anchored his hands on her ass, but let her stay in control with the riding as she went harder, coming down on him with a distinct and wet clap that echoed in the night.  There would be indents in the leather of the headrest from her nails after.

“I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum-” Elise broke down into a mess when her orgasm hit her and instead of letting her ride it out on her own Hamish took the opportunity to regain control.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed onto the top of the steering wheel with the other for leverage as he thrust into her sharply.  His own peak approaching far more quickly than he would have liked, maybe the roadhead hadn’t been such a great idea.  

“Oh god, Elise fuck-”

“Do it, do it, do it.  Cum for me daddy, please.  Please.”

With his face buried in her to muffle his moans that came out far louder than hers Hamish pressed against her harder while he finished, incidentally also pressing her against the horn.  The shouts of several angry neighbors were the only things that brought them down from their highs as they laughed.  Elise wrapped her arms arounds around him as he did her, face still nuzzled into her chest.  He kissed the bare skin there tasting salt and sex, and muffling his words as he whispered them.

“I love you.”

“Hmm?”  Aw there was his Elise, sweet and sleepy after getting all of that filth out of her system.

“Nothin’ lass.  Now come on, le’s get ye inta bed- we have a big day of shoppin’ to do tomorrow.”  

The next morning Elise found herself extremely out of her element in a high end dress shop sporting Vera Wang posters and no price tags- never a good sign.  The clerk knew, she had to have known what they were because she gave Elise that all too familiar pretentious look of ‘fucking sugar baby’ immediately followed by ‘God, we don’t even have your size here’.  Never the less she met them with a smile and eagerness that could only come from commission based pay.

“Good morning!  How are you doing today?  What are we shopping for?  Anything special?”

Elise opened her mouth to-

“We’re attending a gala in a few weeks.  She needs somethin’ black and flattering with heels to match.”  He looked down at her with a smile, “right?”

“Yes?”

“Good, now I have ta go next door to the jewelers, take care of her please.”

“Oh of course, let’s see what we can find!”  

Elise was turned around looking at some obnoxious mermaid fit gowns when she heard Hamish lean down and whisper to the attendant something along the lines of “don’t tell her how much anything costs, if she leaves here happy I’ll give ye a 20% tip”.  Holy shit did that change things because before she knew what was happening the attendant was complimenting her hips.

“You have such a lovely frame!  Although it isn’t one we see often in here… but I think an A-Frame cocktail dress would fit nicely...you can walk in heels, right?”

“Yes, I can.  Uh, how much does one of these usually go for though-”

“Oh, look at this one with lace accents!”

Four dresses and maybe one too many mimosas and mini quiches later Elise felt like she was going to have a nervous breakdown.  The dresses were all gorgeous, flirty, and young- exactly what Hamish had wanted, yet not what she felt comfortable in.  She didn’t want that.  Didn’t want to show up to a Gala as a pretty, dumb armpiece and be stared at like the play thing that everyone would think of her as.  Eggsy would be there, thank goodness, but without him what was she supposed to do?  Stand around with Hamish, just smile and nod like a good little girl being shown off?  How did she let herself get sold into this-

“Are you ok, Elise?  Do you not like this one?  Not what you want?”

Elise blinked and looked at the reflection, “No, no it’s gorgeous.  I just- I don’t want to look the part, I wanna look like I belong there, ya know?”

She made desperate eye contact, praying that the attendant would understand what she meant.  To her relief, “Danielle” according to her name tag, nodded slowly.

“We can do that.  We just got some lovely gowns in and I know a sheer one that will make your…date forget about the cocktail dress.” And then softer as she took hold of Elise’s hand, “I see a lot of other girls much less polite than you come in here with the same type of man as yours, going to even bigger events.  Trust me, you’re gonna do fine.”

She smiled and squeezed, “Thank you.”

The look on Merlin’s face was…surprised when she showed him the floor length dress in the box, but the smile on Elise’s and her approval of the jewelry made him forget he had ever suggested a cocktail dress.  That was it.  The hard part was over and as far as Elise was concerned she now had a few weeks to learn as much about the company as she could.  Stocks, ethical business practices, taxes, heads of departments- if she was going to do this, she was going to do it right.    

~

“What do you think about the current state of the Kingsman stocks and the company outlook?”  Percival asked, his gin and tonic lying forgotten in his hand as he and several others looked to Elise for her answer.

“Well, considering the fact that it’s been over six months since the company began its partnership with Microsoft I think it may be hitting that plateau of investing interest.  The stocks will probably fall a little, but I think Kingsman is in good enough health to afford to pay off some extra dividends and get that enticement back up.  Maybe offer a special deal to college students, they already love the brand and any promise of growth in their lives is always a welcome one.  I mean just by getting out there and talking about it on campuses could generate more cash flow than we have coming in from current holders.”

Elise took another drink of her cocktail and smiled at the sharply dressed business men, who nodded their approval and drank with her.  Hamish had deposited her at the bar and went off to deal with some formal business matters, his colleagues becoming very curious about who Merlin was carrying around on his arm.  Percival had not expected an actual answer out of her, then again if anyone was going to bring in a gorgeous girl that knew her shit it was Merlin.  He was currently leaning against a table talking about quarterly results with several of their biggest stockholders including Joseph Hesketh, who was quick to ask about his date.

“She’s a cute little thing isn’t she?  Looks a bit young too, Hamish I didn’t take you as the uh, cradle robbing type.  Not following in Hart’s footsteps are you?”  Joseph’s eyes locked on to Eggsy across the showroom floor, the sugar baby brat was in line for a promotion that his son should be getting instead.

Merlin was on his fourth dram of good scotch so the insult didn’t sting as much as it should have, “She’s 23, tha’s not exactly a cradle robbing age.”

“My apologies, where did you find her?  She looks like she’s getting comfortable over there with Percival, seems quite friendly.”  He said it with a laugh, nodding to the bar where Elise had her hand over her mouth giggling at something the Software Developer said.

Hamish immediately scowled, his buzz turning his own insecurities to irrational anger in seconds, he huffed and turned back to Joseph downing the last bit of his drink before answering the question.

“Elise just likes to please, probably laughing at one of his fucking computer puns-“

He watched them talk excitedly to one another for several more minutes until Percival excused himself and Elise put a hand on his forearm as they said goodbye- an innocent gesture of friendliness.  Merlin took it as anything but.    

Elise was back at square one of sipping her drink alone when a younger man who didn’t seem so impressed with her knowledge slid across the bar to her side.  He was handsome- curly hair, sharp cheekbones, a jaw of marble- and apparently didn’t realize who she walked in with.

“And who’s date are you then?  Must have cost him a fortune to have you all dressed up, although I will say the company knowledge is a very good touch.”

“Pardon me?”  Elise prayed she heard him wrong, her heart beginning to beat faster.

“Oh, drop the act.  Half of these old bastards in here have an escort or a whore on their arms instead of their wives.  You look far too uncomfortable in those diamonds and dress to be used to anything and I don’t see a name tag on you which means you are not part of the American sales team, obviously.  So the question still stands; are you an escort or are you a whore?”

She was caught in the headlights.  Eyes wide, heart hammering.  Was it that obvious that she didn’t fucking belong in here in these clothes?  Was she that much of a low class fuck up?  

“Oi!  Charlie, how ‘bout you back the fuck up there, bruv.  Maybe try not to be such a posh fuckin’ prat, ya?”  Oh, Eggsy.  Thank fuck Eggsy.

This only made Charlie laugh, “Ah!  A sugar baby!  That was my next choice.  Ugh, do you lot just run in packs now?  God, I have to know who’s willing to pay to try and pull a Pretty Woman on you though.  Is it Bors?  I bet it’s Bors-”  

Eggsy was aggressively protective of Elise, he remembered his first time being thrown to these wolves and dammit if he was going to let Charlie fucking Hesketh ruin Elise’s night.  He was prepared to make an absolute scene and embarrass the fuck outta Charlie, luckily there was no need for that because right at that time Hamish was making his way to them.  The look on his face less than pleased.  Elise didn’t notice it though all she knew was that he was coming for her and she wouldn’t have to stand around like a lost puppy.  

“Hamish!  Honey, Eggsy was just introducing me to one of the other U.K agents!”

The sudden terror on Hesketh’s face was enough to make Eggsy put a hand to his mouth to try and stifle the laugh that was going to bubble up.    

“Hesketh, your father’s asking for ye, best go see to it.  And Eggsy, Harry is around here somewhere, go keep him out of trouble, please.”    

“Of course!  Lovely meeting your date, sir!”  Charlie turned sharply and drug his feeble date along with him.

“Thank goodness you came back, I missed you.  I was starting to get really uncomfortable, these people are vultures- ah!  Hamish stop, Hamish that hurts.”

He had a possessive hand around her upper arm, blunt nails biting into her skin as they paced across the room, Merlin’s long and now quick gait made Elise have to hold up the front of her dress so that she wouldn’t tread on it.

“I do not appreciate you disrespecting me like that.”

“Disrespecting you? How?”  Elise felt like she had somehow been dropped into a nightmare.  What the fuck was happening?  

“Y’ were flirting.

Ah, Percival.  She rolled her eyes, "How? How was I flirting? I was trying to make a good impression!”  

The hand around her arm tightens, nails now cutting into the skin.  Hamish would wake up tomorrow with dried blood under his nail and have no memory of where it came from.  He pulled her closer to him and fixed his gaze on her, eyes heavy and dark with rage.  Fear now joined the growing shame as she looked up at him suddenly painfully aware of how small she was despite the heels that nearly put them on fair ground, but anger was also making its way into her system.

"Why are you acting like this?!"  

"ME? You're the one soliciting with everyone else here!"  

"Soliciting?! Hamish, you told me to socialize! What's wrong? Did you not know I was fucking smart? Did you not think I'd be able to talk to people here? I'm trying to look like someone who belongs here with you and not-" she huff and look down embarrassed, Charlie’s words still echoing in her head.

"Like what? Oh like a paid date?  A whore?"  

"... ya.”  

He tosses her arm down and seethes, "Well that's all you are. I paid for everything on ye and I paid for you.  That makes you mine so, fuckin’ act like it.  Keep your mouth shut, stop flirtin’, and for fuck sake keep your hands to yourself.”

Elise turned her head away and blinked, fuck don’t cry don’t cry it’ll make the scene worse.   Bile was at the back of her throat, chest suddenly so tight she felt like she couldn’t fucking breathe.  Even though no one was watching them, Elise had never felt more humiliated in her life.  No one made her feel more humiliated than Merlin had just now, the whole relationship of trust and intimacy now broken down into labels.  The power dynamic more clear now than ever.

“I need a fuckin’ drink.  When I get back, ye better have lost that attitude.”  Another scotch was definitely not what he needed, but at this rate nothing mattered.

“You’re not who I thought you were.”  Her voice was small and strained from trying not to cry.

Hamish didn’t respond and instead stormed off leaving Elise on her own again.  She couldn’t stay here, not after that- he made it perfectly clear what he thought about their arrangement.  Made it clear that there was not a mutual respect, she was just some young piece of ass he could pay to carry around on his arm when it was convenient.  A panic attack was blooming in her throat, mascara already starting to run and blur her vision.  Elise was able to slip out the patio door before any of her sobs became vocal, how could she have been so fucking stupid?

“Somethin’s wrong.”  Eggsy had seen some of the exchange, saw Elise slip out.  His stomach was in knots.

“Darling, I’m sure everything is fine-“

“No, it ain’t.  Go stall Merlin, I need to make sure that El’s ok.”  

He handed Harry his martini and made for the door leaving the accountant looking a little bewildered.  It was easy enough to find her.  Elise was sitting on the steps leading to the gardens, it was a chilly night and most of the drunk crowd was happy to stay inside where it was warm.  To try and quell her sobs Elise was biting her fist, anything to keep the pathetic sounds from coming up.

“Elise?”  Eggsy knelt beside her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she instantly leaned into him and he held her, “What ‘appened?  Is this about what Charlie said- don’t listen to him!  He’s just a posh snob, don’t know what he’s talkin’ about.”

All of his words of comfort fell short as soon as she spoke, “Hamish called me paid for.  Basically said I was just his whore.  Eggsy, I-“

More sobs came up from her lips, but Eggsy already had his phone out to grab her an Uber, one arm still protectively around her shoulders.  

“Shhh, I’ve got ya a ride, they’ll take ya back to Merlin’s so you can get your car.  Go home, take a shower, don’t think about him, love.”

“If I leave-”  Panic showed plainly on her face.  Panic and fear.

“Hey, ‘arry and I will handle him.  He’s gonna have a lot to answer for tomorrow, what he did was fucked and ya don’t deserve to be treated like that.  Now come on, they should be pullin’ up front soon.”

The poor Uber tried talking to her but eventually just handed her a box of tissues and turned up the music, it was a merciful gesture and she made sure to tip them well.  Once inside Elise could feel the exhaustion and shame seep into her, filling every fiber like she had been infected by something.  After the dress, jewelry, shoes, and lingerie lay neatly folded on a chair in his bedroom she pulled on some spare clothes she kept at the house and left, wanting nothing more than to curl up in the shower at home and finish crying.

~

Hamish awoke with the faint taste of vomit in his mouth and more churning in his stomach that drove him to the bathroom, a headache soon following.  It was the smell of coffee that finally gave him the strength to get downstairs, expecting to see Elise standing in the kitchen in one of his t-shirts, only to find Harry there instead looking just as hungover and feeding the dogs bacon.  Eggsy was hunched over the table with his phone in his hand looking uncharacteristically sullen.

“God, I feel like shit.  Where’s Elise?”  Hamish blindly took the cup Harry offered him and searched his pockets for his phone.

“How about you drink your coffee and sit down.”  

“Somethin’ wrong?”

“No, no just sit down please.”  Harry’s reply was brisk and he gave a worried glance to Eggsy who looked ready to explode.

After a few minutes of muteness with only the sound of Eggsy’s rapid texting and Harry cooking, Merlin took the bait, “Ye alright, Eggsy?  Ye seem more quiet than normal.”

He didn’t look up from the phone and shrugged, “oh m’fine.  Why would I talk though when Harry just pays me to be here and fuck him?”

“What?  What are ye-“ Hamish started, but then the previous night came hurdling back to him and he realized why Eggsy was being such a brat, “oh, fuck.”

“Oh fuck is right.”

He began scrambling for his phone, panic of the stupid shit he said adding to the knots in his stomach.  Whore he had called her a whore, a paid date, the blood under his nails was hers he-

“I have ta call her, what the fuck have I done?  We need to go to her house now, Harry ye have to help me please, please I fuckin’ love her I don’t know what I’ll do-”

Harry slammed the wooden spoon he was using down and leaned against the counter to gather his rage before looking at Hamish, the look in his eyes not as intense as Eggsy’s but enough to get the Scot’s attention and shut him up.

“No.  If you want to make up with Elise so she doesn’t leave you, which she has every right to after the absolutely barbaric way you acted towards her last night, then you are going to listen to every word I say.  First, you are not going to blow up her phone like a fucking psychopath as I know you have been doing.  Second, if she wants to see you it will be on her terms, and for God sake Merlin do not tell her you love her.”

“Ok, ok.”  He accepted the terms without argument and looked again to Eggsy, “lad I am so sorry-”

An apology was the last straw.

“Do you have any idea what you did?  She was bein’ harassed by Hesketh after you just left her at the bar and then you go and get all fuckin’ pissy because she was talkin’ to some other bloke about company statistics.  I found her cryin’ on the steps outside and when I told her to leave she freaked out like ya were gonna find out and hurt her.  She was terrified, Merlin.  Save your fuckin’ apologies for her.”

Meanwhile Elise was still curled up in bed with swollen eyes and her phone pressed to her chest waiting for Eggsy to text back.

Egg:  U ok babe?

E:  No.  I feel like I’m fucking dying if that’s not too dramatic

Egg:  I know its hard harry and I had a few falling out moments too.... he never called me a whore tho so hamish has a lot more to answer too hes up now by the way and really fuckin hungover lmao  

E:  lmao good.  Has he said anything?

Eggsy looked up from the phone for a moment as Harry sat down their plates to see Hamish blatantly staring at him because he just knew who the boy was textinig and it made his thumbs itch.

Egg:  Honestly?  he cried and said how stupid he was and tha harry and i HAVE to help him because he loves you

She rolled her eyes.  Of course he would wait until he fucked up bad enough to pull that card.  It did bring on a fresh batch of tears because god she wanted him to be telling the truth.

E:  Pft.  Ofc he waits till now to say it.

Egg:  Do you want to try to work this out with him babe?  cause I wont try to make you and I can tell him right now to piss off

Elise sniffed and wiped her eyes trying to steady her breathing before she replied:  I want to try and work it out, but I need a few days.  Can you be there when we meet?

Egg:  ya ya of course

~

Elise had agreed to meet in three days on her terms and turf.  She figured that would be long enough for him to calm down and realize that he could get a better piece of ass and that he didn’t really love her.  She expected, even hoped that on the day they were supposed to come to her home he would cancel.  It made her heart ache, but her mother had not raised a woman easily crushed so she wiped away her tears and began to pick up the pieces of her life and look for a second job again.

Hamish was doing very poorly to say the least.  And it showed in everything he did, even coworkers asking him what was wrong.  After his hang over faded the memories came back of what he had said and done, how angry he felt over something so stupid.  He couldn’t think of enough words to describe how sorry he was, how would he ever be able to reconcile it?  How could she ever look at him the same after he broke all of that trust they developed?

“Are you ready?”  Harry asked as he killed the engine.

Hamish nodded, remembering the first time he came here to pick her up, he realized he’d never actually been inside and it made him feel more like an ass.  It would just be them in the house, her roommates gone for the day as promised and Elise was not as nervous as she thought she would be, after all she wasn’t the one that had to apologize.  Never the less when Eggsy knocked she still took a few moments to compose herself before answering.

“Hello, love.”  Eggsy’s smiling face was the first one she saw and thank goodness for that because it staved the tears for a little longer.  

Eggsy sat with Elise on an old leather love seat while Harry and Hamish were across the small living room on a futon.  It was silent and awkward as everyone waited for Hamish to begin, to apologize.

“I-” he tried starting, but looked down at his hands in sadness and frustration.

“Why don’t we go make some tea.  Elise you don’t mind do you?  Come on Eggsy, let’s leave them be.”

Eggsy looked ready to rebuff but Elise put a hand on his shoulder and smiled, “go.  I’ll be fine.”

When they were out of sight she refocused her attention on him with a scowl trying to hide her quivering lip and to her surprise he made eye contact with her.  His eyes were more red rimmed than normal, bags under them to suggest he hadn’t slept, even suggested that he’d been crying.  Which made Elise feel nauseous, there was something about the thought and sound of a grown man sobbing that activated her fight or flight instinct.  

“I know nothin’ I say can change the way I treated ye that night, but if I could take it back I would and I dinnae mean any of it I was drunk- which is a piss poor excuse I know, but I was and as many times as we’ve gotten drunk together ye know M’not a mean drunk, I jus...I felt angry about my own insecurites and I never never should have spoken to ye like tha’.”  His voiced cracked on the last word and he paused, trying not to start looking like an absolute mess this soon.

“You called me a whore if you don’t remember, said that you bought everything I was in and that you practically owned me.  No one has ever made me feel more humiliated and ashamed than you did.”

“I know, but ye were talkin’ ta Percival.”

“Oh no, no no no you are not turning this around and trying to justify what you said-”

“I’m not tryin’ to if ye would let me finish-”

Elise suddenly shot up off the love seat, “No!  You let ME finish!”

Hamish sat back against the futon looking genuinely frightened.  She laughed sarcastically and lifted her arms to let them drop back down at her side in a sign of exasperation.

“Are you actually going to sit there and try to act like I brought that upon myself?  That what I did constituted you digging your nails into my arm and shaking me so hard I bled?  All you have ever seen me as is a young piece of ass to fuck around with, a piece of property like another fucking piece of your company that you can do whatever you want to.”

“Elise, that is not true.  I’ve always seen ye as an equal, as a person, I am sorry.  I- I love you, I do more than I have ever loved anythin’, and if I could just prove it to you, please.”

“You don’t even know what I’m studying in school do you?  Or what I like to do?  Or what I’m scared of, who my family is, you don’t know anything about me personally because all we talk about when I’m with you is you.”  Her face started to break but she stood firm, “I liked you so much that I wanted to make sure I made a great first impression to the people you work with so you would take me out more, I learned as much about the company as I could so that if anyone asked me anything I’d know what to say.”

It had worked too now that he thought about it.  Percival and Lance were raving about her at the board meeting and suggested they follow her ideas- start getting tech into more schools, fund scholarships, get stock awareness up.  

“Did you not know I was fucking smart?  Did you think I wouldnt be able to talk to people here?”  

He felt sick when he realized she was right and then he watched her start to cry, he’d never seen her genuinely cry before and it was too much.  His instinct to protect her overruled his shame and he got up, walking to her slowly with his hands outstretched to cradle her face which she recoiled from.  

“No, please don’t cry, dove.  Ok, it’s true I don’ know what yer studying or what ye like outside of taste.” he finally managed to get his hands around her cheeks and jaw gently and continued- voice thick with tears, “but I want so badly ta learn.  I don’ want to continue this as we have either.  I want ye with me as an equal, as a partner in a relationship.”

“It would make me look s-s-so pathetic to crawl back to you after that.  I’ve seen too many women in my family go back to shitty men over and over and over and I can’t repeat that cycle.”  Elise was sobbing now, but holding his wrists and pressing her face into his hands.

“No, no, no.  You could never be pathetic, ok?  I am crawlin back to you and I know jus’ an apology will not make up for it, but I want to start over at the beginnin’ as I should have done in the first place.”

Hamish leaned down to be at eye level with her, he needed her to see how he felt.  The pain and shame reflecting in her eyes only made him more desperate to make her feel better.

“Elise Crofter, I have loved you since we got dinner at tha’ little pizza place down town when ye smiled and thanked the waitress and ye still had chocolate on yer neck and caramel on yer nose.”  He laughed through the tears and to his relief she did too before crying harder.

“D-D-don't make me laught, that’s not fair.”

“I felt somethin’ sittin’ there bullshitting with you that I had never felt anywhere else with anyone. Comfortable, no doubts about what I was doin’ or needed ta do.  I felt like everythin’ I had ever done in my life had been right because at that moment it led to me sitting there with you.”

He took a chance and pressed his forehead to hers, noses rubbing together despite the tears and snot, “and I pray that maybe ye feel the same and if not I understand and I understand if ye don’ want ta see me again, but I hope that you’ll give me a chance, let me prove it to you.”

Elise wiggled her face out of his grasp and fell into him, face pressed so hard into his chest her nose hurt.  Hands making fists in his shirt like a child would who was begging for comfort and he gave it to her.

“I love ye so much and I’m so sorry.  I’ll do whatever I can ta make up for the way I treated ye.  Therapy or I can give ye space or leave ye the hell alone, whatever ye need.”

“Just hold me, ok?  Just hold me.”

He squeezed harder and kissed the top of her head, sighing into her hair with relief.  This was only the beginning to a long road of regaining trust and establishing a relationship other than a sugar one, Elise knew that and so did he, but there was something so sweet about laying everything bare and getting to see one another at their most vulnerable.  Small sniffles from the doorway finally pulled them out of their little world as they turned to see Eggsy crying with Harry trying to make it look like he hadn’t been.

“We wasn’t snooping or anything but fuck that was so fucking sweet I couldn’t help it.”

Harry smiled and put on his best daddy voice, “Well, thanks to you two he’s going to be like this all day, how do you plan on helping me fix it?”

“How about dinner?”  Hamish offered letting Elise go to soothe Eggsy.

“Ah, yes show up at a nice restaurant with two crying young adults we’ll look like kidnappers.  Wonderful.”

The mood lightened and soon Elise found herself again riding shot gun with Hamish’s hand laced in hers. His thumb rubbing shyly against her wrist and the sun streaming through window thick and bright as honey.  

tag list:   @reformedkingsmanagent @downtherabbithole-darlings@miss-m-and-her-blog @dragonfairy1030 @withlove-karen@dancinguponastar @kt-the-destroyer @sarai-ibn-la-ahad@kenobislittlepadawan @fishofmordor @starscobe @cyber-nya@whirlybirbs @thatdamnokie @murderingyourdarlings @the-palace-of-nasty @veggie2meggie @fangirlfreakingout @fangirlandnerd @sus-rain @utterbillandezratrash @sarasxe @kosmoficlibrary @sweetangelfan @twattingbollocks @murderingyourdarlings @babyfacedadult @dancinguponastar

[evenstarwarrior]

Imagine: Merlin teaching you magic.

I promise as soon as I figure out what I’m doing, I’ll be posting more writing.

[deimagines]

Love in The Time of Dragons: (A Merlin x Reader AU Imagine)

Imagine being Merlin’s old sweetheart and fiancé, back when he was still in Ealdor, and that you couldn’t marry him for you were going to travel across Cenred’s borders with your family because one of your siblings suddenly got really sick and your father has heard of a physician from overseas.You were devastated by the news and it broke your heart when you had to tell Merlin about it.

Of course, he was devastated, both of you were planning to get married. But he understands and was sadden to let you go.

One day, you wrote a letter to him that you will arrive in the lower town of Camelot, studying to be a herbalist.

(This takes place in season 4 and is an AU episode of Love In The Time of Dragons. Basically, there's no Alice or Freya, and their episodes didn't exist. Even though I love them both. But I feel like Merlin needed a backstory with a childhood sweetheart or something, other than his strong friendship with Will. ~God bless his soul~) Plus, it isn't fair that Merlin had to spend the rest of the series without a girlfriend or wife.

- Also, I don’t own any Merlin or any BBC related things. Including the actors and actresses. The gifs. EVERYTHING

Out in the night, at the borders of Camelot and Essetir. A hooded horseman appeared out from the shadows of the forest, a small wagon was being pulled by their horse.

The horseman stops his horse when he notices the castle of Camelot came to his view. The moonlight brightens the castle to the shade of white, making the town brittle in the darkness.

The stranger reaches up to let down their cloak and Y/H/C curls were dropped into their shoulders. It was a young woman.

She looks at the castle in awe and had an immense feeling of hope in her thumping heart. She was here, and she was going to see . . . him.

"I'm here. . ," She whispered. "I'm here Merlin."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MERLIN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a beautiful and sunny day in Camelot. Merlin was a having a busy day, as usual. After bringing Arthur's breakfast and assisting him in dressing. He was given a list of the young King's errands and was going back home to retrieve the sword that he spent last night polishing.

He got in and found Gaius grounding up some herbs. "You're back early." Gaius comment in surprise.

"I just need to get Arthur's sword to the armory." Merlin said.

"Oh, well you came in good timing too. After you left, a messenger came in this morning with a letter. He said it was for you."

Gaius showed him the sealed parchment and handed to him.

"Did he say who's it from?" Merlin asked.

"No, but he did say it came from all the way from Essetir."

"Must be from mother." Merlin states happily, wanting to know if there were any updates in Ealdor from his caring mother.

He opened the letter and began to read. But as soon as he did, his smile slowly disappears and his face showed a grim look. 

Gaius notices this and began to feel concern for the young warlock. "Merlin?" He asked and Merlin turns to him. "Is everything alright?"

Merlin coughs. "It's-it's nothing. . . um. . . I'm gonna go now. I'll see you at supper." He folds the letter and places it in his pocket jacket.

And as he was about to leave. Gaius calls out to him. "Merlin!"

Merlin turned. "What?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Gaius said with a still concerned look on his face whilst Merlin gave him a clueless look.

"Arthur's sword." Gaius exclaimed.

Merlin ohed in realization. "Right!" He said and rushes into his room.

Gaius began to wonder what was written in that letter that made Merlin acting so strangely. He decided to talk to him about it at supper and continued his work.

 ~Later that day~

 Something was wrong.

Merlin seemed to be a bit less. . . well. .  Merlin.

For the whole day, Arthur had noticed that his manservant hasn't been making his usual small jokes about his common life or remarks against his insults.

Plus, he's been polishing the same gauntlet for the last half hour.

Arthur decides to make sure that his idiot of a servant was still at home of what he calls a brain.

"So I decided to visit Guinevere tonight." Arthur states casually.

"Mhm." Merlin hummed in response.

"But I can't since I have to make preparations for the upcoming war with Mercia."

"Mhm."

"Oh, I almost forgot. Have you gotten the chance to feed my invisible hunting dogs?"

"Yeah. Just fed them this morning." Merlin says, still in a distracted state as he continued to polish the gauntlet.

"Merlin!" Arthur had enough of his servant's inexplicable state. Merlin lifted his head, snapping out of his tired phase.

"Sorry? What did you say?"

Arthur lets out a sigh of annoyance. "Honestly, what is wrong with you today? You've been polishing the same piece of armor for a while now and you haven't been you're. . . gullible self lately."

"Sorry." Merlin said in embarrassed. "It's just. . . I haven't gotten any sleep last night."

"You were just chipper this morning. Screaming 'rise and shine!' while banging a pot with a wooden spoon. Which reminds me, never do that again."

Merlin shrugged lazily and just replied. "I guess I didn't have much energy than I thought I did."

Arthur then stares at Merlin with a real sense of concern. Something was definitely wrong.

"Merlin," Arthur said in a slight manner voice. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine." Merlin lied. He didn't want Arthur to be involved in his situation. "You know. . ." He starts out slowly. "I-I think I'll finish polishing these back at home." He gestures the unfinished polish armor and began to grab them and placed them in a sack that was placed next aside.

"Alright." Arthur says. Still concerned for his friend. "Night then."

"Night." Merlin called as he went out with the heavy armor.

But as he closes the door. Arthur stood up and went to his wardrobe to get his cloak.

Whatever was bothering Merlin he was going to find out. One way or another.

But first, he needs to make a quick visit to the love of his life, Gwen.

 Merlin and Gaius were at the table having supper together. The young warlock swallowed and then looks up at his guardian with a quick thought.

"I need to be somewhere tonight." He announces casually.

"Tonight? Where?" Gaius asked.

"Arthur needs me to retrieve something from a dealer that'll make his armor more presentable."

"Hm, and how long will you be gone?" Gaius asked.

"Possibly at curfew or after." Merlin said.

"Alright then," Gaius says with a slight suspicion growing. "Merlin. . ." He started out slowly. "Earlier today."

"What about it?" Merlin asked in a fake innocent act.

"What was written in the letter?"

Merlin looks at him with this look that Gaius couldn't place. It was like. . . someone else was staring at him.

"Just umm. . . it was just an update from my mother that a friend of her’s is feeling ill, very ill."

"Is that why she wrote to you? Does she needs a physician?"

"No! Uh . . . no, no" Merlin stuttered out but manages to speak clearly again." Uhm. . . she says that he's getting better now and that it was just a minor flu."

Gaius was a bit bothered by Merlin’s words, it felt like something was off. He must be lying, but even himself cannot tell if his ward was lying or not.

So without saying another word, they continued to eat the rest of their supper. When Merlin finishes, he quickly offered to wash the dishes so that Gaius can retire to bed early.

(Arthur’s POV)

I was walking on the road that leads to Gwen’s home. Once I reached to her door I knocked it quietly, hoping that no one in the neighborhood would hear it.

The door opens and Gwen appeared with a smile that made my heart flutter.

“Arthur.” She breathed.

“Guinevere.” Arthur nodded.

“Come in.” She opens the door widely. Arthur quickly went in and Gwen looks side to side outside to make sure that no one was watching.

Once they were inside, Arthur took a seat at the table and began to tell Gwen of how strange, well stranger, Merlin was acting. Gwen was preparing tea at the fire.

“He even continued to polish until I had to bring his brain back to where it belongs. If there is a brain in that head.”

Gwen slaps his arm and snorts. “Careful what you say, he’s our friend.”

Arthur smiles and nodded. “You’re right. It’s just, I never seen him this state before. It’s almost as if he looks. . .” Arthur trails off.

Gwen frowns. “What?”

“Sad.” Arthur finishes softly with a gaze.

Gwen looks her lover with a worried look. Arthur and Merlin were both some of the most important people in her life. She couldn’t bear the thought of them suffering.

She went to Arthur behind where he sat and placed her arms around his shoulders. “Maybe he’s just feeling down, or having a bad day.” 

Arthur sighs. “Probably. I just need a proper day with him being. . . him.”

“Are you worried about him?” Gwen teases softly.

“N-no.” Arthur stutters out. “I’m just. . . I’m just concerned about my armor getting rusty.”

“Mhmm.” Gwen gave him a coy smile. 

Arthur just continues on after releasing a stressed sigh.”What am I going to do with him?”

“Talk to him.” Gwen says simply. “If he’s ready to reveal of whatever it is bothering him, he’ll tell you. For now, just talk to him. Make him feel like he can tell you anything.”

“I don’t think I want to know everything, but I’ll do it. For you.” He kissed the back of Gwen’s hand which causes her to smile.

After a wonderful evening with Guinevere. Arthur bid her a kiss goodnight and begins to walk back to the castle. But as after passing the guards at the gates, he notices a shadow from the corner of his eyes. 

It was Merlin.

Arthur frowns in surprise and slowly finds himself following his manservant. Maybe he can finally figure out why Merlin has been acting so down. 

(Merlin’s POV)

I sneaked past the guards that were patrolling the lower town. 

I can’t believe that she was here. After all these years.

The letter this morning was from a very dear friend of mine, of more than a friend I would say. 

It was from my fiancée. Y/N.

Back before I came to Camelot. I was engaged to be married to my beloved Y/N. She was the daughter of an old farmer, who is a friend of my mother. She was the second person to know about my magic. The first was Will.

We all grew up together. And for as long as I can remember, I found myself slowly falling in love with during the years of my and Y/N”s friendship. It wasn’t until after I had turned 15 and Y/N turned 14 that I had confessed to her about how I really felt.

She was surprised, of course. But what was really surprising was that she returned my feelings, with hers. 

For the past few years, we had been courting. And when I knew that I couldn’t imagine my life without Y/N, I decided to ask her for her hand in marriage.

And she said yes.

I was ecstatic by her answer. My engagement ring to her was a necklace, the charm was carved out of a fallen branch from our favorite willow tree, into a shape of a sparrow bird tied with a thin leather rope. 

Despite of it, Y/N loved it. And wore it every day.

I can even memorize the letter she sent to me by heart.

‘Dear Merlin,

I know that will come to a shock to you. But I have returned to Ealdor. Your mother told me that you left a year after my leave. I am happy to say that Adrien was healed. My family and I were in debt to the physician.

But I was saddened, to know that you left and didn’t bother to wait for me. But after a long conversation with Hunith, I understand. I couldn’t help but feel so guilty for the pain that I had l given you when we called off the engagement. 

I just wish I could’ve just said no to father. But you must understand that I couldn’t. I couldn’t say no to my family when they needed me the most. But still, I just wish I could’ve stayed in Ealdor long enough to say our wedding vows.

By the time you read this, I have already arrived at Camelot. Living in a small home in the lower town, You’ll know which door it is. I have given a position to be a Herbalist’s apprentice. If you ever wish to contact me or pay a visit. Please do. I would really like to see you again, my Beloved.

                                                                                                                       Forever yours,                                                                                                                                                    

                                                             Y/N.’

The reason why I couldn’t tell anyone about Y/N was because I wanted to see her for myself. I wanted to make sure that it washer and not some stranger who could be either threatening Arthur or worse.

But I pray to the Gods that it was her. There were so many things that I wanted to tell her in my time at Camelot. Even the bad ones.

Finally, I arrived at the lower town and tried to find the home that could possibly have any trace of Y/N. And then, as if the Gods had answered my prayers, I noticed a dried bouquet of flowers hanging on a door of a small and cozy home.

‘You’ll know which door it is.’ I thought about the words in the letter and immediately thought of Y/N.

I at the road on each side to see if there were any guards around. When there was none, I quickly strode to the door were the flowers hang.

I curled my hand into a fist and slowly raise it in hesitation. 

‘Can I really do this?’

‘Can I really see my beloved Y/N again?’

‘After all these years?’

I decided to take the risk and softly knocked on the hard splintered wood.

I felt my heart stop when I heard soft creaking wood caused by small footsteps. And when the door opened, my breath hitched.

It was her. The candlelight inside her new home shines behind her. Making her look like she came out from heaven’s door. 

Her hair was longer, that’s for sure. But I didn’t mind, it made her even more beautiful than before. And her eyes. They were as beautiful as they were when I dreamed of her.

The moment she opened the door and saw me, I heard her gasped softly as her eyes widened. She was shocked as I was.

“Merlin?” She says in her melodic voice that I missed so much. 

“Y/N.” I smiled tearfully.

She smiled back and before I knew it, her arms were suddenly wrapped around my neck as mines held tightly around her waist. 

I buried my nose in her hair, the familiar scent of lavender and forest rain welcomes me. I inhaled it for a while and suddenly felt her pulled away, which sadden me a bit.

She places her hands gently on my face. Oh, how I missed her touch. “You came.” She whispers happily.

I let out a breath of pure joy as I copied her movements and place my own hands on her face. “Did you ever doubt I would?”

She laughs quietly. And I couldn’t help myself as I leaned down swiftly to press my lips against hers.

The kiss was short, yet passionate. She tasted like wild berries, sweet and sour just like how I remembered.

I couldn’t help but feel as if this was a dream. I fear to open my eyes, only to see her vanished like before. Bur as much as I hope it wasn’t, I don’t care. 

I want to treasure this moment for as long as I can. Unfortunately, I heard loud footsteps coming from down the street that made me pull away from Y/N and I’s kiss. 

It was the patrol guards. 

“Quick!” Y/N whispers as she pulls my arm, ushering me inside. “Get in.”

I obliged happily and went into the home of my Beloved.

(3rd’s POV)

Arthur was staring at the embers from the fire that Merlin had made before he left and stares at it as numerous thoughts came to his mind.

He couldn’t believe it. He just couldn’t believe it. 

He thought back to what happened tonight, in the lower town. Where he followed Merlin.

                                                               -

He followed the dark-haired manservant for a while now, until finally, Merlin stops in front of a door with flowers on it.

Arthur finds the opportunity to hide behind a large wagon nearby, but not too close to where Merlin was. His neck stretch to an approvable angle, he frowned slightly when he sees Merlin hesitating to knock.

‘Who was he seeing?’ Arthur thought. ‘And why is he hesitating?’

The suspension died down when Merlin finally knocks on the door of the cozy looking home. The door opens and to Arthur, he was imagining that his manservant was in some sort of dept that he couldn’t afford and was being threatened or worse. He only thought of this because he never expected for Merlin to sneak past the guards in curfew. 

But what he wasn’t expecting, was the person who opened the door. 

It was a girl.

Arthur now stares with wide-eyes at the unexpected pai and questions started going through his mind.

Who is she? And how does she fit in with whatever Merlin is going through?

Arthur then has the impression that she must’ve been a friend and he sees her hugging Merlin tightly. ‘She must be a friend.’ He thinks.

But then all of those thoughts immediately crashed down when he sees his idiot, weak, and fragile of a manservant. Kissing, the girl.

At first, Arthur thought that the girl might’ve slapped Merlin for kissing her without consent. But she didn’t. Instead, she responded the kiss by returning it.

Arthur expression then turns into a slight frown on the corner of his lips curved. He didn’t know whether to feel confused or amused. 

Suddenly, he heard several heavy footsteps that were getting louder every second.

‘Damn!’ Arthur thoughts and looks to see if Merlin and the girl would be caught but found no one in sight. They must be inside already.

Without a second thought. Arthur’s legs had a mind of its own and quickly runs to escape the guards. 

                                                              -

He found himself out of his thoughts and looks around the room with a still disbelief look. Questions were stills popping out into his thoughts. And finally decided that he should have a proper talk with Merlin.

“Make yourself at home.” Y/N says as Merlin walks around in her home. It wasn’t much, but it was lovely. 

A wooden bowl was on the table in the room with herbs and flowers sprawled around, along with some scrolls and books.

“How long have you been here?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Not long, just a few days.” Y/N says as she continued to crush some dried leaves in a bowl.

Merlin simply smiles. ”I can’t I remember the last time I have seen you in your natural habitat.”

Y/N giggled. ”Well, it’s not every day that I get to do this. When I heard that someone needed an apprentice for Herbalist. I was excited.” She turns to Merlin. “But. . . I was mostly excited to see you again.”

Merlin look saddened a bit but manages to smile for her. “Well, for what is worth. I’m glad you came.” He steps forward to place his hands on her biceps. “I really missed you Y/N”

Y/N smiled. “As did I.” 

Merlin then leans down and gave her a soft kiss. He wanted to treasure these moments with her, fearing that it would be his last. But he knew that they would just be a beginning for them.

“Lavender.” Merlin husked against her lips.

“What?” Y/N asked in bemused.

“Dried lavender was hanging from your door outside. That’s the first flower I gave you when we were children.” Merlin says with a loving gaze.

Y/N gave a laughing breath as she cups his face. Her eyes filled with happiness. “I thought that you might’ve forgotten.” 

Merlin pulls her into a hug and kissed her forehead.”Never.” 

Y/N cupped his cheek with her gentle hand as she gave him a light pleading look. “Won’t you stay here for the night?” She looks up at him.”Please?”

“I wish I could.” He pulls a strand of her hair and tucks it behind her ear.”But I have to get back home or else Gauis will get worried.”

Y/N raised a brow.”Who’s Gaius?”

“My guardian. He took me in when I arrived at Camelot.” Merlin explained. “I can’t for you to meet him. It’s going to be a while though.”

“Why?” Y/N asked.

Merlin looks down in hesitant and looks back up at her. “I may not have told him or the others about you.”

“Can’t say I’m pleased about that.” Y/N says in slight sadness but hides it and gave him an assuring look. “But I understand. Truly.” She said when she saw Merlin’s troubled look.

Merlin nodded. “I’m glad. I just. . .  I don’t want to insult you in any way. The reason why I didn’t want to tell anyone about you was because I wanted to have something that’s mine alone. Aside from my magic.”

“I don’t know if I can understand completely.” Y/N confessed after looking at him in silence. “But I can learn to.”

“That’s all I could ever ask.” Merlin says as he stroked her face. 

Y/N smiled and takes his hand to kiss his palm. “If there was a right time. I would like to meet him and the rest of your new friends.”

“It won’t be long, I promise. You’ll love them, Gwen, Gaius, the knights. All of them.” Merlin was beginning to get excited for his friends to meet his only true love.

“Yes.” Y/N says in agreement. “And what’s this about your mother saying you are the manservant of the now King Arthur?”

Merlin chuckles nervously as he rubs the back of his neck. “It’s a long story really.” 

Y/N point a chair on the table. “We have time.”

~20 minutes later~

“Wow.” Y/N said.

After Merlin explained how he became Arthur’s manservant and telling her half of the terrible events in the past years he’s in Camelot. Y/N was shocked. She knew that Merlin wanted a change of scenery, but she didn’t know that it would’ve changed that much. 

“Arthur’s father was a fool for rewarding you with a position in the castle as a manservant instead of rewarding you with a pouch of gold, or anything really.”

Merlin laughed. “It’s not that bad. I mean, despite cleaning his highness’s dirty laundry and mucking up the stables. But other than that! He’s a good man at heart. . . When you get to know him at least.”  Merlin says quickly when Y/N looks at him in concern. 

Y/N sighed. “I just can’t help but think about the danger it would bring by just being a servant at the castle.”

“It’s not just by being a servant I would say.” Merlin stated.

“Yes. Who would’ve thought that you, my Merlin, the all-powerful warlock in all the existence in history, Emrys.” She teased making Merlin laugh again.

“You don't believe?” Merlin asked her with mischief eyes. 

“Yes.” Y/N says simply with a smile on her face.

“Well then.” Merlin stands from his seat and places his hands behind his back as Y/N looks at him in slight confuse as she stands up from her chair cautiously. “I guess I’m going have to show you!”

He lunges at her playfully and Y/N squeaks in laughter as he started chasing her around the room. When he finally caught her by grabbing her from behind. 

Y/N giggled when she felt him nipping at the back of her neck. She turns and wraps her hands around his neck. She looks up at him with a studied look.

“What is it?” Merlin asked, amused by her actions. 

“Do you think it will ever be the same between us?” She asked suddenly. Making Merlin falter a bit. 

He hadn’t thought about it before. When they both called off their engagement, he didn’t think about what would happen if Y/N returns from her journey or if they would want to renounce their engagement. 

“To be honest. I have no clue.” Merlin confesses and Y/N gave him a worried look. It pains her to put Merlin in such a position. 

“But for now, I think we should take things slow. See what destiny holds for us. But I need to make sure if you truly want to be with me again.”

“What?” She asked, slowly filling scared of his proclamation.

Merlin exhaled a breath with a worried look.”As Emrys, I have to fulfill my destiny to make sure that Arthur unites the kingdoms of Avalon. And for that to happen, I need to make Arthur’s safety my first priority. Of course, my second is my family and the people of Camelot, you. But Arthur will always be my first. I need you to understand that.”

Y/N smiles tearfully. Of course, she understands. It was like back when they were still engaged and that she explained to Merlin why she needed to leave. 

“I can live with that.” She placed her hand on his cheek like before and he leans into her touch.”Merlin, the day I discovered that I love you was the day that I knew that I will follow you to the ends of the earth. I will support you in every way I can.” She sniffs a bit. “But just promise me one thing.”

“What is it?” Merlin whispered.

“Never forget how much I love you.”

Merlin nods slowly as a single tear escaped from his eye. He caressed her face lovingly and says. “I promise.”

Without saying anything else, they both lean in and shred a kiss, filled with pure love. It was meant to be a soft one but their minds had other plans as the kiss grew more and more passionate.

They continued on for a bit until finally, Merlin was the first one to pull away. “Maybe we should calm it down a bit.” He exhaled, trying to get his breath back.

Despite being breathless, Y/N manages to giggle. Merlin would always have a way to make her smile. “You should go. I don’t want you to be in more trouble than you already are.”

Merlin nodded, but half smiled. He really didn’t want to leave, but he didn’t have a choice. Gaius will get worried and he needs to wake early to served Arthur his breakfast.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” Merlin asked hopefully. 

Y/N nods and said. “I hope so. I didn’t travel to Camelot just to become a Herbalist.” Merlin smiles widely and kisses her again.

As he went to the door with Y/N following behind he turns around and looks at her again with his loving look as he takes her hands in his. “Meet me at the gates tomorrow before sunset. I should be done with work at that time.”

“I will.” She gave him one last kiss. 

And when she pulled away. Merlin whispered. “Goodnight, my Fair Lady.”

Y/N smiled softly, warmed by his words. “Goodnight, my Beloved Emrys.”

And without another word. Merlin left Y/N’s home and sneaks past the lower town filled guards. With a rapid heart thumping against his chest.

Arthur looks at Merlin with arms crossed as he leaned on the post of his bed. His frowned and studied look targets the back of an occupied Merlin, who was polishing the last bit of Arthur’s armor.

“Did you went out last night?” He asked with a fake questioning manner in his voice.

Merlin looks back at him for a second and continues to clean the armor. “Uuh. .  Yeah. How did you know?” He tries not to give out anything. Arthur knows how much of a bad liar he was.

“Well,” Arthur began as he purposely stroke the bit of his chin. “it’s just that I decided to visit Guinevere last night and I just happen to see you past the gates after I left.”

Merlin mid stops polishing but then continues and simply answers. “Uh, yes, I had to get some herbs.”

“Herbs?” Arthur asked in a fake questioning voice.

Merlin glances at him from behind for a moment that said. “Uh, a-a new supplier just arrived. Gaius sent me to fetch the herbs he needed.”

“Right.” Arthur trails a bit, then decided to pop the question. “Do Gaius’s suppliers normally kiss you?”

Merlin drops the sword that he was holding in surprise and slowly looks back at Arthur with wide and accusing eyes. “You followed me. How dare you!”

Arthur rolled his eyes and steps away from his comfy position. “Merlin it was the middle of the night, you went out past curfew. And as much as I hate to say it, I feared that something might’ve happened to you that made you so distracted yesterday.”

Merlin couldn’t help but smile a bit.”You were worried about me?” 

“No! I just. . . I just don’t want to have George to replace you if you died.”

Merlin shakes his head and smiled as he went to pick up the sword he dropped. “Whatever you say.”

As Merlin continues his small work, Arthur smirks as he fiddles with one of the quills on his desk. “What’s her name.” He asked in a slight singing voice.

Merlin stops for a moment and couldn’t help but feel the corners of his mouth curved up when he said. “Y/N.” Even the name gave him chills of happiness. “She’s an . . . old friend- Well. . . more than an old friend if truth be told.”

“What do you mean?” Arthur asked with a smile, even though he knew the answer already.

Merlin hesitated but then continues on to answer the King’s questions. 

“We were once engaged to be married.”

Arthur looks at him in shock and disbelief. Maybe he didn’t know everything after all. “When was this?!” He asked as if Merlin had done something wrong.

Merlin sighs. “A year before I came to Camelot.” He stops his work and urns to look at Arthur properly. “We’ve known each other since we were children, grew up together along with Will. We were inseparable.”

Arthur listens to Merlin’s words carefully. Not wanting to miss a single one. 

“But weeks later, after the announcement of our engagement to our friends in Ealdor. Y/N ‘s younger brother, Adrien, had suddenly fallen ill. A sickness that not even Gaius can cure.”

Merlin plays the ends of the rag he was holding. “Y/N’s father heard of physician that’s lives somewhere from overseas. And since Y/N as the only one with the knowledge of treating her brother properly. She needed to go with them.”

Arthur’s eyes softened. “Then why come to Camelot? Why come here when you needed to wait for your supposed soon-to-be wife?”

Merlin’s mouth twitched a bit then said. “It wasn’t my decision really. But I was devastated. And my mother and thought that I needed a fresh new start. Only enough to return when Y/N comes back.”

“And yet you stayed.” Arthur points out. “Why?” 

Merlin gave him a blank look then smirks. “Because, who’s going to take care of you when I’m gone?”

Arthur scoffs and rolled his eyes. “Don’t make me laugh. You’re no worse than George.” Merlin chuckled at that.

“But still, yesterday, why didn’t you say anything?” Arthur asked with a still puzzled look.

Merlin hesitated and looks at Arthur with a solemn look. “For once, I just wanted to keep something that’s my mine and mine alone.”

“That isn’t an answer,” Arthur stated. “Come on, out with it. What makes this so personal to you?”

Merlin didn’t know what to say. His love life is practically like the secret of his magic that he kept from one of his closest friends for years. But Arthur does have a point, he owes a debt to him.

“Y/N was the only woman that I could ever love. When she left, I felt this unimaginable pain inside of me that I couldn’t heal on my own.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. Merlin was indeed in pain when Y/N left. But he also needed to find a way to learn to control his magic at that time. But he felt guilty for leaving Ealdor before Y/N can return. Coming to Camelot was the both the best and worse decision he ever made. 

“But now she’s here. And, I don’t why, but I feel like we’ve been given a second chance. Does that make sense?” He asked the King who was consuming every word that his manservant was saying.

Arthur was, to say the least, fascinated by Merlin’s past. One with a girl none the less. He didn’t know what to say, other than wanting to clobber him for lying. But he kept on his serious manner and claps his hand on Merlin’s shoulder.

“If there’s one thing that I learned from Gwen and I’s relationship. I would say that you’ve been given a chance of a lifetime. Besides, if it’s meant to be. It’ll find a way.”

Merlin smiled and then frowns a bit. “Since when did you become an expert in love?”

Arthur points at him. “You should be grateful I’m giving you these kinds of advice. Not every man knows this, especially not Gwaine.”

Merlin nods.“True.” And turns to the almost polished armor. “But that still doesn’t mean that you know everything for every man.” He mutters.

“What was that?” Arthur asked.

“Nothing!”

For the past few days, Merlin had been visiting Y/N more frequently after work. She would wait by the gates, or at home making remedies for the sick and injure.

She even got the chance to meet Gaius. Gaius was shocked at first, slightly hurt that Merlin didn’t confess about his reason for why he was being so down lately. But when Merlin and Y/N both explain their story, he forgave the young warlock and his love.

One day, on patrol for any suspicions of Saxons or the Lady Morgana. The knights had noticed that Merlin was smiling more than usual. Even caught him smiling to himself from time to time. 

When they reached to a small clearing, Arthur announced for a resting. And when Merlin left to get the fire to start lunch. Gwaine decided to take charge and ask Arthur the same question that’s been running around his fellow knights’ mind. What in the world is wrong with their friend?

“Tell us ’Princess’, what’s wrong with him?” He asked.

“What’s wrong with who?” Arthur asked.

“Merlin.” Percival states. “He’s been acting weird lately for the past few days.”

“I have with agree with Percival on this one, my Lord.” Leon said. “Yesterday I noticed Merlin practically running through the gates one evening. It’s like he was in a hurry for something.”

Arthur couldn’t help himself and chuckles. Which made the hem all confused by the King’s reaction. 

“What is it, Arthur?” Elyan asked. “Do you know what’s wrong with Merlin?”

Arthur chuckles again. “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with Merlin.” He looks at his knights carefully. “On the contrary, he’s been doing well for the past few days. But I guess that’s one of the many perks.”

“What do you mean?” Percival asked.

Arthur shot them a smug look and said.“He‘s courting a girl.”

The curious expression of the knights immediately turned to bewilderment, to disbelief.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that please?” Gwaine said and slowly smiles. “Merlin founds himself a lady friend?”

“I found a what?” A voice called out from afar.

Arthur and the Knights turned to see a confused Merlin, struggling to hold the wood he’s carrying.

“What?” He asked as he noticed the weird looks that the Knights giving him.

“Well,” Gwaine says and walks slowly to Merlin. As if he was stalking a prey. “our dear King here says that you, my friend, have a lady love?” He raised a brow in hope. 

Merlin looks at him in surprise and then looks at Arthur in deadpan. Knowing that he is the only one who knew of his courting towards his ex-fiancée. And Arthur just shrugged in fake apologetic.

“You told them?” He said.

“They were going to find out eventually.” Arthur stated with a shrug.

Merlin gave him an emotionless look “I hate you.” 

“Nothing new that I’ve heard.” Arthur comments as Merlin ignores him and went to go to start the fire.

“Merlin, do you deny this?” Elyan asked with a teasing smile plastered on his face. 

Merlin kept quiet as he crouches downs and places the wood beside him.

“Merlin you’ve been asked a question by a knight of Camelot.” Arthur says in a teasing authority tone. “Besides, I believe my knights deserves to know about the lovely Y/N.”

Merlin throws a glare at him, telling him wordlessly to ‘shut up’. But he simply just smiles innocently as if he had done nothing wrong.

Meanwhile, the knights smiled in fascination and a few of them either oohed or chuckles along with some small whistles. 

“Y/N.” Gwaine emphasized the name carefully.”Is that the name of your Lady Love Merlin?”

“Yes, why don’t you tell us all about her Merlin?” Percival asked with an amused smile.

The knights encouraged Merlin with questions. Wanting to know the mysterious maiden that captures their friend’s heart.

“Who is she?” Elyan asked.

“Is it someone we know ?” Leon asked.

“Does she have a freind?” Gwaine asked which earned him a stern look from the mainservant.

Merlin stops his task and raised his hand to signal them to quiet down. “Alright, alright calm down or no lunch for either of you.”

But Gwaine only groans mentally. “Come on mate! We just found out that you finally found a girl and you expect us not to ask any questions?”

“Truthfully. Yes.” Merlin answers honestly, which made the knights groan in disappointment and muttered in complain.

“But we need details!” Gwaine exclaims.”Merlin, I swear to you, I will find out one way or another. And you know how persistent I am. So either you tell us, or we’ll just have to follow you until we see your sweetheart.”

The others nodded in agreement as Merlin exhaled slowly and calmly looks at the knights with emotionless eyes.

“One question.” He said in a dull tone as he did a gesture with his index finger.

Gwaine grinned in satisfaction. “What does she look like?”

The Knights’ grin in bemused. “Gwaine, the Romantic.” Elyan commented, making the men chuckle.

“Don’t interrupt this!” Gwaine points at him. “Merlin. Answer.”

Merlin chewed the inside of his cheek and sighed. They were going to meet her at the gates anyway.

“There are no words of how I can describe Y/N’s beauty. But I can give you the simplest version of it.”

The Knights leaned in closely to hear their friend’s description. 

“She has beautiful Y/H/C hair and Y/E/C eyes. Whenever she smiles, her eyes filled with this unexplained shine, brighter than sun and moon altogether.”

“This is simplest?” Percival whispered to Elyan who shushed him.

Merlin smiled to himself with a dreamy gaze in his eyes. “She would place a single flower behind her ear and wears it until it molts, but she wouldn’t mind. She would’ve used the old flower to brew a perfume.” 

Gwaine frowns then. “Is she a physician?”

“Herbalist.” Merlin corrected him. “She became an apprentice to one of Camelot’s finest herbalists in the lower town.”

“Well, no matter.” Gwaine states. “She sounds like an interesting woman. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“What makes you think you’re going to meet her?” Merlin chuckles.

Arthur came up to him from behind and patted his shoulder. “It will bound to happen Merlin. Just be grateful that he won’t follow you, as he said before.”

“I’m debating.” Gwaine raised his finger.

Merlin rolled his eyes and looks at each one of the Knights him a hopeful look. 

“No.” Merlin exclaimed immediately. “That’s all you’re going to get. Nothing more.”

The Knights groaned and complained at him, saying how it isn’t fair that he’s not giving any more details of his mysterious girl.

Later, they arrived back at Camelot. But unknowingly to them, Y/N had just arrived at the gates as Merlin went and put away the horses to the stables.

The Knights of Camelot were still in the courtyard. Discussing to whether they should go to the Rising Sun tavern after patrolling to lower town. 

Gwaine, being Gwaine, noticed the oblivious Y/N by the gates and was suddenly in awe by the unknown woman’s beauty.

“Well, what do we have here?” He whispers and catches the attention of his companions.

They all turn to where Gwaine was looking and knew now why their friend was in a daze.

The woman by the gates, carrying a woven basket filled with wildflowers, was perhaps the most beautiful they ever lay their eyes on. Not even Morgana can compete for her beauty. Judging by her attire, she obviously a commoner.

“A vision.” Leon mutters, practically speaking for the rest of the Knights.

“Men, I’ve met many women in my travels. But I’ve never seen such quite beauty.” Gwaine stated to them, his eyes never leaving the gorgeous woman.

“I wonder what her name is?” Percival announced without knowing he did.

The Knights all shared a look and quickly went to where the mysterious woman was. They even had to push each other, trying to be the first to speak to her before anyone did.

“Excuse me? Madam?” Gwaine was somehow the first man to speak to her, while the others groaned quietly from behind him, but watches none the less.

Y/N turns to Gwaine and smiled. “Yes?” 

Gwaine gave her his signature smile and began to speak. “Might I know why a lovely lady, such as yourself, are doing by the gates of the castle? Are you not a princess?”

“Well, sir-”

“Please.” Gwaine took her hand. “Call me Gwaine. My lady.” And kissed the back of it.

Y/N gave him a quirky smile and gently pulls her hand away from his grasp. “I am no Lady, nor a princess. And I’m only waiting for someone to come.”

“And who would that be, Love?” Gwaine asked with his still smug face.

“Me.”

A voice from behind startled the Knights and they turned to see Merlin. Smiling at them in greeting.

“Gentlemen.” He nodded at them and went in front of Y/N when Gwaine subconsciously steps aside. Merlin smiled at her with love and she sheepishly looks down fiddling with one of her flowers.

He stretches out to hold her hand and kisses the back of it. “Y/N.” He says before doing so.

“Merlin.” She nodded, smiling brightly.

He bends his arm for her to hold. “Shall we?”

Y/N nods. “We shall.”

Merlin grins and turns to his friends. They all had similar stunned looks, Percival and Gwaine with their mouths drops even.

“I’ll see you all tomorrow, yeah?” He says.”Have a good evening lads.”

And just like that, with Y/N resting her head on Merlin’s shoulder, the odd and unexpected couple left the still stunned Knights and vanished through the busy crowd outside the gates.

“Men, what just happened?” Gwaine stated suddenly as he stares to where the happy couple went off.

None the Knights responded to Gwaine’s question.

All they knew is that Merlin, the scrawny manservant.

The gentleman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

The most hardworking man in the service staff. 

Was no doubt, a very lucky man in Camelot.

[im-the-onee]

Imagine Merlin stopping mid-sentence and looking at you like this when you walk in the room

[reader-who-writes]

The Beginning of Something

This imagine is based super loosely off of Season 5, Episode 8. It can be read as a stand alone, but will definitely be continued with at least five more parts as I rewrite the ending of the show. That being said, get ready for the rollercoaster of emotions that is Merlin. Also, you can find more of my writing: Here.

Tensions had been high with Arthur as he was struggling with a decision. He had come to find out that another ruler, Sarrum, had similar aims when it came to Morgana. As much as he hated it, he knew that there could never truly be peace in Camelot, or even in Albion for that matter until she was stopped. Sarrum was known for his boundless cruelty and double-crossing nature, but Arthur was becoming desperate and you know what they say about desparate times...

As Arthur was working through this troubling decision, he took it out on the one person unlucky enough to almost always be at his side. So when Gaius told Merlin that he needed him to go get some herbs and plants, Merlin was out the door glad for an excuse to escape the castle before he killed Arthur himself and ended his destiny once and for all. He understood that Arthur was under a lot of pressure, but he didn’t have to be such a clotpole about it.

Merlin was out looking for the last of Gaius’ herbs when a young dark-haired boy all but ran into him. 

“Woah, who are you? And what are you doing out here by yourself?”

“My name is Daegal. I have been sent by the druids to find you, my sister is dying,” the boy spoke showing Merlin his mark. 

“How did you know where to find me?” 

“I could sense your presence.”

“Where is your sister?” Merlin asked.

“She is at camp just shy of the Valley of the Fallen Kings. Please, you have to hurry, she does not stand to survive past the night.”

“What exactly is wrong with her?”

“She has a terrible fever and it is something beyond our magic. Please, Merlin, you are our only hope.”

Merlin was conflicted as he knew that this was risky. He also knew that Arthur would need him by his side in order to get through the meeting with Sarrum the following day. But he couldn’t stand by and let an innocent girl die when there was a possibility that he could help. 

“We need to leave at once, I need to be back in Camelot by nightfall,” Merlin spoke. 

“Of course, thank you.”

“I can’t make any promises to save your sister, but I will do everything in my power. The druids have helped me before, they are a welcomed ally,” Merlin replied as he packed up his belongings.

The two of them walked on, spending the rest of the morning and the better part of the afternoon making their way to the place where Daegal said the druids were camped. It was as they neared the camp that Merlin heard bandits approaching and reached out to Daegal with his mind to warn him. The boy carried on as if he hadn’t heard Merlin and Merlin was forced to all but tackled him so that they were not found out.

“Did you not hear me?” Merlin asked.

“No?” Daegel replied looking at Merlin as if he were crazy, “Come on, it isn’t much further.”

Merlin brushed off an uneasy feeling that was staring to form and followed Daegel. They reached the clearing, and Merlin tossed his bag down before turning back. “There is no one here,” he stated the obvious.

Daegel opened his mouth as if to say something but could not find words. He was beginning to wonder what his choice in bringing Merlin here would mean.

“Why have you brought me here? What is this?” Merlin interrogated sternly.

“I can explain,” the boy said fearfully.

“You are not even a druid,” Merlin realized lifting up Daegel’s sleeve to confirm. 

“She told me to bring you here,” Daegel tried to explain. 

Before Merlin could confirm that the ‘she’ Daegel mentioned was indeed Morgana he was thrown back and knocked unconscious. 

“Why are you doing this?” Daegel asked. 

“Because, Merlin has meddled in my plans one too many times. I only wish I could see his face as Arthur meets his demise at my hand,” Morgana revealed as she poured a dark liquid down his throat and pushed him over the ledge. 

“Are you really going to kill the king?” 

“Bite your tongue. You have done your part here and you would be wise to forget it. Here is the antidote your sister requires, now get lost.”

And with that Morgana left to set the rest of her plan in action. Daegel took one last look at Merlin before leaving to return to his family. 

Back in Camelot:

“Gaius, you said Merlin would be back by lunch and now it is past dinner. Where is he?” Arthur asked clearly frustrated.

“I truly do not know Sire, but I am beginning to become worried.”

“Where did you send him?” 

“I sent him out just beyond the creek. It should have taken him 4 hours at the most there and back,” Gaius explained worry evident on his face.

Picking up on this, Arthur’s expression softened, “I am sure that he is fine Gaius, probably just taking advantage of the break from me. If he does not turn up tomorrow I will send out a search party for him.” 

“I hope you’re right,” Gaius said as Arthur took his leave. 

Meanwhile with Merlin:

The first time he regained consciousness, Merlin struggled to breathe through the pain he was in. He attempted to use his magic to try to heal himself, but he was too weak. The exertion proved too much for him and everything around him faded to nothing.

The next time he awoke, he was both disoriented and confused. He had clearly been found by someone as a cool rag now rested on his brow and his wounds had been treated. He had been laid near a fire, food and water were both in his reach.

He peered around for any indication of who had helped him, and realized that he recognized where he was. He had been brought back towards Camelot. Before he could deduce anything else he heard someone approaching. He forced himself to sit up, which was a task in itself. He then try to mentally prepare for whatever was coming.

But instead of bandits, Morgana’s men, dangerous creatures, or anything else that could be considered threatening, it was just you. Merlin was surprised to say the least. Not that he had really thought about it, but the idea of someone who appeared around his age who had helped him... as he looked at you, he felt safe and connected to you in some way. It was as if he had known you his entire life, and he didn’t even know your name.

“Ah, take it easy, I mean you no harm. I come baring fish,” you smiled at him.

“Are you the one who did all of this?” he asked gesturing to his bandages and the water/food.

“I am, usually you would’ve been healed by now, but the poison that Morgana used in combination with her magic was a force to be reckoned with.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend. Some know me by Phúlax, but you can call me Y/n,” you said before turning away to use your magic to cook the fish and offering it to him. 

“You have magic?” Merlin asked in awe.

“Yes, I was born with it,” you answered offering him one of the fish, “You need to eat, and then rest, you have been unconscious for over a day and we are still about an hour from the castle. Morgana and the queen intend to kill the King tomorrow and bring a great war to Camelot.”

“How do you know that?” Merlin asked.

“I know a lot of things Merlin. I promise I will answer all of your questions in time, but for now I just need you to trust me,” you answered.

“I guess I don’t really have a choice,” he joked.

“You do, Merlin, you always have a choice,” you spoke voice turned serious for a moment before you snapped out of it, “I am sorry, I am just tired, you aren’t the easiest person to keep alive,” you replied light-heartedly.

“If you think I’m bad you should try being the manservant of the king,” Merlin joked which caused you to laugh.

“Is he really that bad?”

“He can be a prat at times,” Merlin paused, “But at the end of the day, he is one of the best men I have ever met. He is fiercely loyal, believes in equality and justice, valor and honor. Camelot is lucky to have him. And it is an honor to serve him,” Merlin reflects.

“He is lucky to have such a loyal friend,” you add before taking his plate from him, “Get some rest.”

“Y/n,” he called as you began to walk away.

“Yes, Merlin?”

“Thank you.”

“Your welcome,” you smiled, turning your back once again. 

You cleared away everything and packed up your bags before walking over and covering Merlin with a blanket. You layed across from him and just watched as he slept peacefully. He had been so close to death, and to see him now you wouldn’t even know it. You were glad that he was alright. Eventually, you too drifted off to sleep.

Back in Camelot:

“I’m sorry to bother you Sire, but I wanted to inform you that Merlin has still not returned. I fear something terrible may have happened,” Gaius spoke after having been let in to Arthur’s chambers.

“I will send out a search party,” Arthur spoke growing concerned about his friend.

“What is this?” Gwen asked walking over.

“Merlin still has not returned, so I am sending some of the knights out to search for him,” Arthur explained.

“Oh dear, I knew I should’ve said something. Arthur I feel terrible, but he made me promise not to tell anyone. I know where Merlin is,” she returned.

“Where?” Gaius asked.

“He has gone to visit someone. He isn’t in any danger. He’s just seeing a girl,” Gwen explained.

“Merlin?” Arthur laughed in suprise.

“There isn’t any reason to worry, I promise,” Gwen smiled.

“Except for the poor girl,” Arthur joked.

“Thank you your highness, you’ve put a worried mind at rest,” Gaius bowed before exiting the chambers.

“Now then, it is time to begin preparing for the signing ceremony,” Arthur said relieved.

Meanwhile with Merlin:

“Merlin,” you spoke softly as you shook him slightly.

“Hmmm?”

“It is time to get up, we must head for Camelot,” you reminded. 

He groaned before sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Here, have some breakfast. I’m going to refill the water canisters and then we can be on our way,” you smiled handing him an apple and some bread. 

When you returned you were pleasantly surprised to see that Merlin was packed and on his feet ready to go. The two of you started on the path in a comfortable silence before Merlin’s curiosity got the better of him. 

“Tell me about yourself,” he suggested.

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Everything. I mean where are you from? Why are you here? How did you discover you had magic?” 

“Slow down Merlin,” you laugh, “I was born in camelot. When I was very young my mother was discovered healing a child who was meant to die. The king found out and…” your sentance fell as you thought back. 

“I’m so sorry,” Merlin said genuinely.

You took a deep breath and continued, “My father quickly snuck me out and to a small village just outside of Camelot. We lived there, I was able to practice magic in secret. Everything was going fine until Morgana showed up searching for me. I had never even heard of her, but there she was calling me by a name that a friend of mine who was a Druid used,” you paused again.

“I was going to turn myself over to her in hopes that she would spare the others, but before I could I was knocked unconscious. I woke up in the woods with the survivors and discovered that my father had not made it. I left them partially in hopes that Morgana would not strike again, and partially in shame that I did not stand up for them. I decided to head back to the only other home I have known, where I will search for a job and try to create some semblance of a life. On my way, I discovered you,” you explained a few tears betraying you.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Merlin spoke with certainty, “Morgana would’ve tortured you or killed you.”

“Still, I should’ve done something. When you have powers like ours, it is our responsibility to help those who can’t help themselves.”

“How did you know that I had magic?” Merlin asked.

“I can sense it, it flows through every fiber of your being. You have this resonance of power. It’s like we are connected.”

“I have never met anyone like you,” Merlin said as he smiled in amazement. 

“You barely even know me,” you reply turning away from his face.

“I know that you are kind, and brave, and good,” he thinks for a moment before adding, “and beautiful.”

You can’t help but blush, “Thank you, Merlin.”

“What about you, is there anything that you want to know about me?” he asked.

The two of you continued to talk until you reached the courtyard. There were moments filled with laughter and moments of true sincerity. It was like you were old friends merely catching up. Like both of you were drawn together somehow.

As you entered the castle, you were both on high alert not knowing exactly what to expect. Merlin searched for Arthur before discovering that a door that was meant to be locked was left open. Having a gut feeling, he lead you up the staircase. There was a man with a crossbow who aimed for Arthur. He immediately noticed you and shot at Merlin who was slow to react. You shifted the arrow using magic. The man seemingly unphased threw knives at you instead. You tried to use your magic but it was to no avail. 

You barely managed to pull Merlin out of the way in time. Taking advantage of your brief distracted state, the man reloaded the crossbow and aimed for Arthur once again. Merlin used his magic to jar the man and knock him out. The shot meant for Arthur instead hit Sarrum.

“Leon, Gwaine,” Arthur ordered them to check out the source of the arrow. 

“We did it,” Merlin turned to you smiling. But as quickly as it had graced his face, the smile fell. For you were still on the ground with one of the knives in your stomach. “Y/n, just hold on, I can fix this.”

“It is one of Morgana’s, no magic can be used against it.”

“Well then, we will just have to fix it the old fashioned way,”  he smirked before leaving over the balcony. 

“Gaius, I need you to meet me in the infirmary at once it’s urgent,” he yelled.

“Merlin?” Arthur questioned quick to follow Gaius out of the door.

Merlin then picked you up bridal style and carried you back to Gaius’ chambers. 

“I’m glad I met you,” you whispered already feeling much of the strength leaving your body.

“Well, there is a lot more to see, so just hold on,” Merlin said.

Merlin ran into Gwaine and Leon at the bottom of the stairs but he didn’t stop even as they were calling after him. Once inside, he swiftly used his magic to clear off the table and laid you on it. Just then Gaius and Arthur came rushing in. 

“What happened?” “Who is that?” Gaius and Arthur asked at the same time.

“Her name is Y/n and you have to help her Gaius,” Merlin said voice full of emotion.

“Of course,” the physician said starting immediately to work. 

“Is there anything that I can do?” Merlin asked. Gaius gave him a list of instructions and he completed each one quickly and without question. Arthur just stood and watched not knowing how to react. It wasn’t long before they had done everything that they could and it was just a matter of time. 

Upon reaching this point, Arthur calmly asked for an explanation of what had happened.

“I went out to get herbs and before I could do anything else, I was trapped by Morgana. She had left me for dead, but then Y/n found me. She took care of me and brought me back here. I knew that Morgana was planning something, so we rushed here and found the overlook door open. We went up and found a man who was aiming a crossbow at you. He threw a knife at me and she pushed me out of the way. I was then able to charge him, but the shot still went off,” Merlin explained. 

“So it seems that she has saved your life twice and now mine, when she wakes she will be rewarded,” Arthur responded impressed, “I must get back to the proceedings, please move her into the guest chambers and keep me appraised of her condition. Merlin, I trust that you will stay with her and see to her needs,” Arthur said sending him a knowing look.

“Of course Arthur,” Merlin replied. 

“Oh, and Merlin,” Arthur started.

“Yes, Arthur?” 

“I am truly glad that you are back in one piece,” he finished, pulling the door closed behind him.

“As am I,” Gaius added pulling the young warlock into a hug. 

As they pulled away, Merlin was quick to carry you up into one of the fancy guest bedrooms. He laid you down and covered you with the blankets. Guias entered behind him.

“Did anything else happen while you were gone that you couldn’t speak so freely about in front of Arthur?”

Merlin glanced into the hallway before using his magic to close the door earning a glare from Gaius. 

“She’s like me, she was born with magic,” he eyes lite up. 

“Really?” Gaius asked.

“Yeah, the druids call her Phúlax. I can’t explain it Gaius, but I have never felt this connected to someone before. 

“She is Phúlax?” Gauis asked with reverence. 

“Yes, why? Does that name mean something to you?” 

“You know how your destiny has been foretold for many generations?” Gaius asked and Merlin nodded.

“Phúlax means protector. Though she is known by many names. Some that may stand out to you are, the Servant’s Guardian, Arthur’s Chance, Protector of Emrys, or Rewriter of Destiny. It is believed that she would arrive at the beginning of the end, and that she would be at your side to turn the end into the beginning,”  Gaius explained. 

“What does that mean? And why have I never heard of her?” 

“No one truly knows what the prophecy means. Just that she is an important ally in your story. And I would assume that those who know of her are protective of her identity for the same reason they are protective of yours. Because if Morgana found her, Albion would fall.” 

Merlin had more questions, the most important one being, “So she is going to be okay?”

“Her wound was not fatal, due to the nature of the weapon, she simply has to heal at a normal rate. That being said, she should wake up by morning,” Gaius answered before getting up to leave the room. 

Gwaine entered as he exited, “Merlin, it’s good to see you. I’ve been searching the taverns for you in your absence,” he winked.

“Good to see you too, Gwaine,” he laughed.

“I just wanted to see how you were doing after earlier,” Gwaine said taking a seat beside his friend.

“Well, in the past three days I have almost been killed twice, so you know just another day in Camelot,” Merlin tried to joke.

“Are you alright?” Gwaine asked seriously. 

“I will be fine,” Merlin promised. 

“And who is this beautiful lady?” Gwaine asked trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m afraid she is off-limits,” Arthur spoke from the doorway carrying a plate of food. 

“What? Why?” Gwaine asked.

“Because Merlin here has dibs,” Arthur grinned. 

“I...We….She is…..I mean…” Merlin struggled.

“Oh, look at him he is getting red as a tomato,” Arthur said bursting into laughter.

“Our little Merlin has a crush,” Gwaine grinned, “If you need any advice,” he winked at Merlin before getting up and seeing himself out. 

Arthur took his place at Merlin’s side. 

“Did you really have to do that? I’m not going to hear the end of this,” Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur. 

“Consider it payback for all of the times you teased me about Guinevere. Besides, I think that it’s a good thing,” he decided.

“I brought you this, along with some news,” Arthur said handing Merlin the plate of food. 

“What’s the news?” 

“Should she want it, I have decided to offer Y/n a position as Guinevere’s lady in waiting. I figure that she has shown her loyalty and you clearly trust her. I trust your judgment. And, this will give you an excuse to see her in the castle,” Arthur explained.

“Really? That’s incredible. I can’t wait to tell her. And to introduce the two of you.” 

“Just remember this when it comes time to chose a best man,” Arthur joked. The two of them continued to talk for a while before Arthur decided it was best that he return to the knights as they were preparing for a trip. 

Merlin was trying to work through what Gaius had said, and how he felt. It was silly to think that he could love someone that he had only just met. But there was no other word for it. The thought of working with you, getting to know you better, spending time with you, it was all exciting for Merlin. Especially having another person that he could talk about magic with, someone who truly understood him. 

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t even register the fact that you were awake.

“Merlin?” you tried to sit up, but the pain that rippled through you decided otherwise.

“Hey there, take it easy. It’s okay, you’re safe,” he smiled taking your hand without even thinking, “Do you need anything? Water? Food? I can go get Gaius if you’d like?”

“I’ll be fine Merlin, I’m glad you and Arthur are safe,” you smiled.

“Speaking of Arthur, I’ve got some news for you,” he beamed, “The King was so thankful that you saved his life that he has decided to give you the highest honor he can bestow.”

“Oh? And what is that?”

“He has graciously decided to make you his wife’s servant,” Merlin replied rolling his eyes. 

“That’s brilliant! It solves my problem of finding a place to stay and finding a job in one fell swoop,” you smile. 

“There is one problem though,” Merlin said seriously.

“What is it?”

“We will definitely be seeing a lot of each other,” he grinned.

“You had me worried,” you said as you smacked his arm.

“I am going to go tell Gaius and Arthur that you are awake,” he decided. 

You watched as he left, you felt so relieved that things were falling into place. You were happy to meet Gaius and the King, who made not-so-subtle jokes about Merlin’s affections for you. Merlin looked like he was about to kill him, which made you laugh all the more. You already felt at home here. You couldn’t wait to see what the future held for you in Camelot. This was truly the beginning of something special. 

[deimagines]

Geoffrey's Granddaughter (Merlin X Reader)

(You are the Granddaughter of Geoffrey of Monmouth, Court Genealogist and the keeper of the Royal Library. You are a noblewoman. Lady (Y/N), who came to Camelot to follow Geoffrey’s footsteps as an apprentice. You were introduced by Geoffrey to Arthur and Merlin when Arthur was called by Uther to meet you in person.)

(Also I do not own the entire production of the Merlin series. or even bbc

(3′rd’s POV)

Her name was Lady Y/N of Monmouth.

She was riding her horse, (horse’s name), riding on a path that leads to Camelot. Her cloak hood hides her face. She was personally asked by your Grandfather, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Camelot’s royal Court Genealogist and Keeper of the Royal Library, to be his apprentice.

She was an orphan. Her mother had passed away from childbirth and her father has recently died from sickness. She was currently living with her Aunt until one day she received a letter from her Grandfather Geoffrey.

He wrote of how he missed her so and wanted to offer her a position as his apprentice.

She took the offer and left the household of Monmouth the next day. She bid farewell to her Aunt and the servants that worked there. Y/N always believed in equality between commoners and nobles that the servants were like a second family to her. 

She only wished that she wasn’t the only noble who believes in equality.

After a sennight of traveling, she finally arrived at the lower town of Camelot and slowed (horse’s name) by pulling gently on her/his reins and strut on the road, carefully passing through the busy crowd of working commoners and laughing children.

She suddenly pulled (horse’s name) to stop when she spotted a dirty young boy, who was staring hungrily at a pile of apples that was placed on a market stand. And judging by the state of the child, he seems to be a homeless orphan.

She got off of (horse’s name) and went to the merchant.

“Four apples and two pears please.” She asked.

“That’ll be 5 gold pieces miss.” the merchant grumbled.

Y/N gave him the money and grabbed a cleaned piece of cloth from her satchel to wrap the fruits in.

She then walks to the hungry boy and kneels down to his height.

“Hello, what’s your name?” She asked kindly.

“Allen.” He squeaked out. Clearly nervous by her. 

She couldn’t blame him, an older stranger came to you and asked for your name seemed to be very intimidating for a child his age.

“Hello Allen, my name is Y/N is your mother or father around?”

“No.” He muttered.

“Where are they?”

“Dead.” He simply said.

She sighed sympathetically. “Do you have a place to live?”

Fortunately, he nodded. “With Uncle Morty. But he’s barely at home.”

“Why?”

“He works hard to provide us. But sometimes we don’t have enough gold to buy food.”

Y/N lifts his head gently by his chin and looks at him in the eyes. “Are you happy?”

“Yes, when uncle Morty comes back from work, we would play knights.”

“Do you want to become a knight when you grow up?”

“Yes, but I can’t.”

She frowns playfully. “And why not?”

“Because I’m not brave enough.”

Y/N thinks for a moment and then sparked an idea and leaned closer to Allen.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“What?”

“You see my horse there?” She pointed at (horse’s name), who was standing behind her by a few meters the entire time she was talking to Allen.

“Yes.”

“Well you see young Allen, his/her name is (horse’s name) and he/she was actually a gift from a kind witch.” She whispered the last part to his ear.

“But magic is band from Camelot.” He said and she covered his mouth and shushed at him.

“I know.” She whispered. “That’s why I am asking you to keep it as a secret.”

He then nodded and Y/N slowly put her hand away from his mouth.

“Do you want to know what makes (horse’s name) so special?”

He nodded hesitantly.

“You see if you touch him his/her nose and doesn’t back up, it means you are brave enough to ride him.”

“And if he does back up?”

“Then. . . we’ll see what’s happens, just don’t scream, It’ll scare him/her more.”

Allen gulped and stared at the horse with scared eyes. “Do you think I’m brave enough?”

Y?N chuckled.“Young Allen, I have the privileged to meet a lot of brave men on my journey to Camelot. And every one of them has only one thing in common. Their eyes.”

“Eyes?” Allen frowned.

“Mhmm.” Y/N nodded. “The human eyes are made to show straight to your soul. And every man I met has the same bravery they had in them, all by a single glance in their eyes. And I must say you have the most courageous eyes to show all of Camelot and the kingdoms of the realm one day.”

“How?”

“You just need to see that no matter how dark the world is, there is light, There will always be light. You just need to believe that you can find it.”

Allen then lifts his chin high and march gently to (horse’s name). He then stops midway and looks back at me.

Y/N nodded and signaled him to continue.

He took a deep breath and then continues until he was in front of (horse’s name) and carefully lift his hand and bows his head down. Fearing of what would happen.

(horse’s name) then bows his/her head down to the child and pressed his/her nose to the boy’s trembling hand.

Allen opened his eyes in surprise and looks up. His smile appeared and looks back at Y/N in excitement.

“I did it! I did it Miss Y/N! I did it!” He said with enthusiasm.

Y/N smiled. “Of course you did. I told you, your eyes held courage. You want to ride him/her?”

“Can I?” He asked.

“Or course. Here.” She leads Allen to (horse’s name)’s side and lifts him by the waist to settle him on the saddle and then mount up so that she was behind him. Allen is secure in between her arms and she asked him to hold the bag of fruits.

Y/N  made a noise with her mouth to signal (horse’s name) to walk and asked where Allen lives.

(At The Castle)

“So Geoffrey has a granddaughter?” Merlin asked.

“Yes, Merlin.” Arthur said in annoyance. “How many times do I have to tell you to make you understand with that pea brain of yours?”

“I’m just saying, Gaius has never mentioned anything about Geoffrey having a granddaughter. And that old man mentions a lot of things.”

“You know, now that you mentioned it. My father has never even mentioned about a Lady Y/N of Monmouth. Until now.”

“Maybe he had his reasons.” Merlin stated as he patted Arthur’s bed clean.

“Probably.” Arthur muttered.

Suddenly there was knocking at the door.

“Enter.” Arthur called.

A castle guard opened the door. He bowed then rise. “My Lord.”

“What is it?”

“The King had asked me to inform you that Lady Y/N of Monmouth has arrived.”

Arthur and Merlin shared a look and then looks back at the servant.

“I’ll be there in a moment.”

Arthur and Merlin walked down the hall that leads to the Royal Library where King Uther had asked to meet.

“Wouldn’t be better if we meet the Lady of Monmouth in the Council Hall?” Merlin asked.

“Geoffrey personally asked my father if the Lady Y/N could visit the Library as soon as she reached to Camelot.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know Merlin, why don’t you asked the granddaughter of the Keeper of the Royal Library?” Arthur said sarcastically.

“Never mind.” Merlin muttered.

The two individuals reached to where the main doors of the Royal Library. Merlin opened the door and the two enter.

They immediately found King Uther, Geoffrey, Morgana and two men from the council, talking to each other in hushed voices around Geoffrey’s study desk.

Merlin spotted Gaius at the end of the table and frowned. It was unusual for Gaius to be here when in the early morning he mentioned that he was gonna have a busy day.

“Father.” Arthur greeted Uther.

“Arthur, so nice for you to come.”

“Well, I don’t exactly have a choice do I?” Arthur joked.

“Yes well,” Geoffrey started. “Prince Arthur I do hope you know why you are here.”

“Of course Geoffrey,” Arthur said. “Where is Lady Y/N?” He asked kindly.

“She is just browsing around the library. She was hoping to find a book that’s based on a certain level of herbalism.” Geoffrey then turns to one of the sections of the library.

“Is she a herbalist?” Merlin thought but accidentally said it out loud.

“Don’t be foolish Merlin,” Arthur gave him a look. “She’s a Lady, of course she isn’t.”

“Actually,” Gaius said. “My Lord, the Lady Y/N was actually hoping if there is a herbalist in Camelot so that she would learn more about healing.”

Merlin looked a little smug whilst Arthur seemed a bit shocked.

“Is there a reason why she would want to know how?” Arthur asked after he awkwardly coughed, trying to loosen up the air.

“As a matter of fact yes,” Uther said with his usual emotionless stare. “She wanted to prepare if Camelot were ever to be in a worse condition.”

Smart. Merlin thought.

“Confounded! where is that girl?” Geoffrey muttered to himself. “Y/N! Y/N!”

Suddenly a figure came out from behind of one of the bookshelves. Head down with a book in hands.

Merlin, Arthur and practically everyone in the reading area spotted the figure and knew right away that it was the Lady Y/N.

Y/N then pulled your eyes away from the page that she was reading and saw a couple of gentlemen.

Merlin and Arthur couldn’t help but stare at her with equal stares of their eyes widened in shock. Though Merlin had his mouth slightly opened as Arthur let out a small breathy gasp. 

But there was no doubt that they were both enchanted by her beauty.

Her (enthusiast your skin color) reflects perfectly by the light from the sunbeam from the windows. Her eyes sparkled with glee as she smiled shyly at the new arrivals.

She then deducted that the blond one was Prince Arthur. Since his attire was more formal than the dark haired one. Although you couldn’t deny. The dark haired one was more dashing than the Prince. No matter how ordinary his clothes were.

“Y/N!” Geoffrey said with a smile on his face. “There you are, I thought that you might’ve been lost.”

Y/N chuckled and bookmarked the page that you were reading with her finger as she walks to stand next to Geoffrey.

“Sire,” Geoffrey began. “May I introduce to you my granddaughter. Y/N.”

She smiled and did a curtsy. “My lord.” She raises. 

“How quaint it is to finally meet you.” Her gentle voice bounced the ears of Arthur and Merlin. Even her voice sounded angelic as much as her looks.

“P-Please, the pleasure is mine.“ Arthur stuttered out after remembering why he came to the library.

He took her other hand instead of the one that wasn’t holding the book and looks at her straight in the eyes.

“It is my honor to formally welcome you to Camelot, my Lady.” He then kissed her hand and she gave him a sweet smile.

“How kind of you.” Y/N said then looks behind the Prince to see the dark hair gentlemen.

“And who is this?” She asked.

Arthur turned and looks back at her. 

“No one of importance.” He smiled.

“I don’t believe that.” She confessed casually.

Arthur frowned. “You don’t?”

“You don’t?” Uther repeated.

“You don’t?” The dark hair gentlemen said.

Y/N shooks her head no and smiled kindly. “I don’t. I believe that everyone in the kingdom, may they be noble or commoner has an important role in their own special way. How else will Camelot can cope without the hard work of the commoners? Or without the order and sacrifices from the nobles and council?”

Uther and Arthur stares at her in surprise whilst Morgana looks at her with admiration along with Merlin and Gaius.

“So may I asked?” She said as she smoothly walk around Arthur to stand in front of the dark haired young man behind him.

“What is your name?”

He coughs a bit then answered. “Merlin. My Lady.”

“Merlin.” She muttered. “What an unusual name. Yet unique.”

He smiled awkwardly. “My mother picked it.”

Y/N smiled sweetly at him. “I’m sure she sounds like a lovely woman.”

“She is.” Merlin smiled shyly. Feeling nervous around the noble woman.

In all of Y/N years, she has a way to see the light and goodness in people.

And just as she told Allen, the young boy she met earlier.

‘There will always be light, you just need to believe that you can find it.’

Someone then coughs and they both turn to see Geoffrey walking towards Y/N and place his hands on her shoulders.

“My child, I believe it’s time that we catch up on the years I’ve missed. Now tell me how fair is your Aunt?”

Geoffrey leads her to somewhere in the library. Not while sneaking a glance to Merlin, who was smiling like an idiot. 

She smiled back and turns her attention to Geoffrey.

Arthur, who was still confused about why would on earth the Lady Y/N speaks to Merlin as if he was her equal, frowned and turned to Merlin. 

Merlin quickly flashed an innocent smile.

Arthur rolled his eyes and then signals him to follow as he marched out of the library.

This is will be interesting. The Lady Morgana thought smugly.