Chapter Text
One Day: Lovers' Trinket
“Why do you look so... stiff?”
Arthur cleared his throat. “Why are you so lax?” He rotated his shoulders.
“Something the matter... milove?”
“I’m just... not comfortable with you around all this...” He looked around the heavily stocked room “weaponry...”
Merlin giggled, putting a hand on his rounded belly. “Arthur... really.” He raised his brows. “We both know I can take care of myself.”
“I know but... I can’t help it.” He flexed. “It seems my paternal instincts are... kicking in early.”
Heaven forbid something happened to the baby or worse yet, Merlin. He would never admit to anyone that thought though, since he figured they should have equal value. But he never met the tot, they could always have another. He would be sad and grieve of course... but there was and would only be one Merlin. It was only now that he could relate to his father’s anguish in some kind of way.
Merlin lowered his voice, “Well can you tone it down a bit? You look like a cockerel.”
Arthur looked in disbelief at his spouse. “Just... no sudden movements. I need to be ready if anything were to happen.”
The door slammed open, and Arthur jolted, pulling out his sword. The action was too fast and clumsy; he kept the weapon jumping on his fingertips for a few seconds before it eventually dropped to the floor with an embarrassing clang.
As he picked it up Merlin rubbed comforting circles on his back, “My hero.” He grinned.
The king glared at him briefly before turning to the new presence. “Reynard.”
“Your majesty,” He dipped his head, “I take it you’ve had a good look?”
“Ah yes,” He turned his palm up in Merlin’s direction, “we’ve well examined your very extensive collection.” Merlin begged to differ. He still stood in front of the same table as when he came in. Arthur wouldn’t let him move from the spot. They’d been stood there for quarter an hour .
“Was there anything to your liking, my lord?” The stocky man looked a little odd with his hands clasped together, leaning to shorten his tall body.
Arthur turned. “Merlin?”
“Well... I think this is quite nice.” He said, picking up a curious blade. It was small and had a ring on its hilt, with a cord strung through it.
“Oh? The bladed dart?” Reynard peeked at it. “Well then it is yours, your highness.” He rotated his hand regally as he bowed.
Merlin’s eyes went crescent as he smiled, “Really...? I couldn’t possibly...”
“It is a gift. Please, have it if you so desire.” It was only a dart; wouldn’t put a hole in his pocket... figuratively.
Arthur looked suspiciously at Merlin. With the dart to his chest, he flashed a smile innocently.
...
“It’s enchanted isn’t it?”
Merlin turned, “What? No ...” He denied with a scoff.
“Why else would you take it?”
“Can’t I just fancy an ordinary dart?” He scooted to the edge of his seat, ceasing his fiddling with the object.
The sorcerer didn’t even use weapons, “Merlin. You never do like anything ordinary.” He was drawn to magical things like moths to a flame. “Is it or is it not?”
“... It might but... that has nothing to do with it!” Merlin pointed to the roof defensively.
Arthur draped his arms on either side of Merlin’s neck. “You’ve been tinkering with it all evening .” He leaned, placing a kiss behind his ear.
The sorcerer flipped the dart around once more, “I can’t seem to figure out what it does... I cast like a hundred spells on it and nothing seems to work.”
“Well,” Arthur slipped it out of Merlin’s hand, speaking low against his ear. “How about you take a break and...” He put it down on the table. “Come to bed.”
He moaned as the blonde kissed open-mouthed down his neck. He opened his eyes for a second, “Oh, Arthur look.”
The king lifted his head, pushing his brows together, “What’s it doing?”
“It’s... pointing I think...”
They watched as it flickered, like a compass’ needle before it settled on them. Arthur stood up straight and took a step to the side, “It’s pointing at you?” Arthur asked. Merlin picked it up despite Arthur’s wariness. “It’s not dangerous is it?”
“I wonder...” Merlin placed it down. It followed the path to where the king stood.
“Now me?”
“I think... it’s a lover’s trinket...” He blinked in awe.
“A what?” Arthur was less impressed.
“I read about it once. It’s what forbidden lovers would use to find each other.” He explained, “Usually given as a present, for when they plan an escape or something. It sounds quite romantic, power of love they would say. But it was just magic pointing to whomever you had the greatest attraction for.”
Arthur clicked his tongue, “Well, it’s definitely accurate. In fact, I think it’s pointing to the bed now.”
Merlin made a noise of delight as Arthur scooped him up, carrying him over to their soon to be rumpled, neatly made love nest.
...
Merlin tapped the knight on the shoulder, “Gwaine, what do you make of this?”
He glanced at the sorcerer before he took the small weapon, hefting it in his palm. “It’s alright.” He shrugged. “A little small for me though.”
“And what of this?” Arthur handed him a sword. They watched in anticipation as Gwaine placed the dart down to take it.
Merlin inserted himself between Gwaine and the table. “It kicked!” He grabbed the man’s hand and put it on his stomach.
Gwaine jerked. “R-really!?”
“It must like you.” Merlin smiled.
Gwaine grinned, prideful. He leaned down and started talking to the baby within. “Yes, so you must have heard. I am, indeed, very handsome...” He began.
Merlin peeked back at Arthur who nodded. The dart flickered around the room. It paused then slowly rotated as whoever it pointed to walked around. They followed the direction, its tracking matching the pace of Percival as he walked around the room, checking his weapons along with the rest of the knights.
“Oh, Arthur!” Merlin exclaimed suddenly, “I almost forgot! have an appointment with Gaius, will you accompany me?”
“Why of course!” Discreetly (but not really) he scooped up the dart. “Lead the way.”
“Well, I’ve got to be going now.” He patted Gwaine’s head as he stood up. “The old man gets grumpy when I’m late for check-ups.” Gwaine didn’t have time to say any words as the two of them dashed out.
“Those two are up to something...” He mumbled.
“Are they ever not?” Elyan said, overhearing.
Lancelot added his two cents with a grin as he polished his sword. “Some things never change.”
...
Merlin and Arthur doubled over in laughter, both trying to speak but not managing any words as their laughing would increase whenever they looked at each other.
Merlin used the king for support to stand, finally calming himself. “I never...”
“Who would have thought ?” He burst into more ha-ha’s causing Merlin to erupt again.
“ Arthur ” he managed, “We’ve got to stop...”
“I need a chair...”
“Calm yourself...” Merlin commanded within a laugh.
“I’m the king ha-” He knelt in slow motion. “I need-”
“What if someone see-hee hee-” Merlin sat next to him giggling, too weak to stand. Thanking the heavens there was no one around this particular hallway.
One would think a king had more serious hobbies. “I’m never going to let him live this down.” He sighed, seating himself properly next to Merlin. “I’m sure you’re an expert on the art of teasing.”
Merlin shoved his shoulder playfully. “Shut up.” After a moment of calm, he spoke again. “I want to try Elyan next.”
Arthur lolled his head on the wall, turning to face the sorcerer. It took one blink from Merlin to send them both into a fit again.