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Challenges of the Heart	By : CrazyEyesChick Category: M through R > Merlin (BBC) > Merlin (BBC) Views: 8731 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: i do not make money or any profit from this. merlin and its charcaters are property of bbc. this is for fun only.

Chapter List
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- 6
Disclaimer: we sadly do not own the characters or the story, they are the property of bbc studios and its writersof the merlin series. Anything portrayed in this story is fictional and absed on the original story of bbc merlin. Thanks to its creators and bbc for creating awesomeness!

Chapter 5: Mixed feelings and realizations
Meanwhile, unknowing of the dangers that lay waiting for his friends in the woods, Arthur entered Gaius 's chambers rather abruptly causing the old man to drop his glass bottles.
'GAIUS!' Shouted Arthur, exhausted from running around the castle.
The old physician looked at his King with a judging eyebrow and bent to pickup the little small shards of glass on the dirty floor.
'Would it be that hard to knock your highness, I expect such behaviors from Merlin, but you, I would have thought better.'
'My apologies Gaius. I'll just get a servant to attend to your floor.' Replied Arthur in a hurry, walking past the body in the center of the room.
Arthur turned serious and wondered shyly, which alerted the other man in the room what it might be about.
' Young people these days...I am getting too old for such complicated relationships...' thought Gaius with a sigh.
' Well, You might have noticed that Merlin and I haven't spoken since this morning, because...well...you know...' Arthur stated nervously fidgeting with his fingers and his royal bronze buckle attached to his pants.
Gauis thought to himself that the sight of guilty Arthur was quitd funny. Was it really bad to make it harder for the King to say what he meant? After all, he had still hurt Gaius's ward and deserve a little punishing.
'It might have come to my intention, but where are you going with this my King?' Said the physician fainting innocence. He knew what it was about.
Arthur didn't know why it was that hard to ask a simple question. In fact, judging by his old mentor' facial expression, Arthur knew exactly what he wanted to ask.
" I get it! I hurt Merlin, but he is doing this on purpose to irritate me" thought Arthur while chewing on his words. Anyways, he had to ask, pride put aside for now.
'It's about Merlin...' God, did he sound like a lovestruck girl.
His stupid servant should have gotten over it, like they always did. It annoyed Arthur that somehow Merlin didn't want to see him and preferred the dark haired knight's company instead.
A mental struggle was going on that made him think over what happened " Why can't I shake him away from my mind?" He asked in his head " Perhaps because he means more to you than you know and that you were a royal prat to him earlier?" an internal voice replied. Great his mind was against him.
Gaius, while looking silently at the young man in front of him, knew it was time to put a stop to this angst and help the king out before he has a blood clot in his brain. Arthur's expression was quite intense and the torment had to stop.
' Yes Sire, what about Merlin?' Gaius said walking towards his wooden table, arms crossed waiting for him to continue.
'Have you seen him since this morning. I know he wanted some space and I allowed it, but i need him to help me with my armor. Training with the knights is at dawn, he should have been back by now!' His voice sounded angrier than he thought.
'I haven't seen him since this morning. I am sorry to say that perhaps Merlin was right to require more space. After all, you wounded him greatly; not only weapons can hurt Arthur, but words as well' said the wise man
'I know i deserve every bit he throws at me, but it doesn't stop me to worry after him nonetheless.' He stopped when he noticed a small smile on the physicians old dried lips and added with a glare: 'and if you tell him that, I swear I will deny ever saying it'
Gaius stare soften and his smile remained at such words.
' Your secret is safe with me Sire'
' Thank you Gaius' arthur added sincerely
'As for Merlin, he will come around and you both will be back to your old selves again; bickering like an old couple' teased Gaius.
"Why did everyone think he and Merlin were infatuated with one another? He had a wife didn't he?" He thought to himself. The tiny voice in his head kept repeating: " It doesn't prove anything, you're just blind by social conventions; you're afraid to show you care!'
'Hum hum!' Coughed Gaius on his raised fist to impose.
He really needed to stop talking to himself and listen. He posed his attention to Gaius.
' Regardless, I am sure my boy is alright. He left to pick herbs he said; but we both know it was an excuse to get away from the palace'
"I guess I have to call on George again" he said coming to this sad revelation. Arthur made his way towards the wooden door of the physician's chamber, but not before turning his head:

'You know Gaius' he paused, looking down, his voice surprisingly soft and continued ' for what it's worth I really am sorry. He does a lot for me, i just hope I can be forgiven for my trespasses. He is the most loyal of my men; and sometimes, I don't know how to react to kindness that is directed at me as Arthur, not as the King.'
Gaius was listening carefully to every word spoken. If his boy could here it. Arthur went on as he transferred his hand to the handle of the door, still not able to leave for training; which he was sure to be late.
' So, if he comes back, could you send him to me. It's like I have a bad feeling that something will happen and i won't get to let him know how I feel about all this. The Darkling Woods are infested with bandits recently, it's not a place to go to change your mind; he knows that!' He calmed himself down and finished his thoughts before heading out to the training grounds.
' You should scold him about that behavior of his, since he never listen to what I say. It's like he likes to be a target to anyone with sharp weapons. I hope the idiot will be ok. Anyways, just tell him I passed by and also, thanks for your ears Gaius'
As he left the room, he heard this taunting tone from the old wise man that made him cringe
' I will be sure to pass on your message my lord, but you shouldn't worry about the bandits. As you know my boy is resourceful, and I believe he left with Sir Gwaine, so tame your worries he's in good hands' Yelled Gaius through the door with a smile on his face, before returning to his task.
**************************
Never before had he left this place with so much anger towards the knight. "Good hands?, GOOD HANDS?" He screamed in his mind as he walked through the long corridors of Camelot. He certainly wasn't aware of the giggles that made it his way; servant boys and girls alike laughing at the King's outburst and funny faces. If he knew, I bet he would send all of them in the stocks.
No one was in good hands with Gwaine! He was a drunk, a good swordsman and loyal, but definitely not good enough hands to wander around his friend. For all he knows, Gwaine would drag Merlin drinking since they both seemed to spend all their time in the tavern. He gasped, thinking: "What if he did unspeakable things to Merlin while inebriated!".
Shock and anger ran through his veins thinking about it. Arthur felt suddenly possessive of his servant; Gwaine was a knight of Camelot, he wouldn't force himself on Merlin. Yet, it was Gwaine that graced Merlin's heart it seemed. What would Guinevere think of his confusion, would she reject him too. Great, now he was depressed; he should be happy for his manservant, but yet he wasn't unless he was at his side.
He should have never knighted Gwaine in the first place, but Merlin had insisted and no one could say no to his damned puppy eyes. All this anger was tiresome. So, Ok... maybe he was jealous of the friendship and closeness they both shared.
Feelings were complicated he came to think, perhaps it was time to vent some frustration on his knights. He smirked at his brilliant idea. As he stopped at the corner of the castle before making it to the training ground, he looked around to look at lords and servants staring at him as if he grew another head because of all that internal struggle and worry about his manservant and Gwaine's relationship.
Walking faster down the stairs, embarrassed, he said:
'Alright moving on, nothing to see here. Have you never seen someone think things over in their heads? And for the sake of Avalon, can someone fetch me Georges!' He asked daring them to answer. People resumed their duties quite quickly and looked the other way, muttering: 'yes, my lord' or 'sorry my lord'.
He muttered back silently, like a little child: ' I didn't think so'
On the training grounds, all the knights of the round table were already there. Arthur, making his way to them, could tell that Sir Leon had started the repetitions. He was after all, senior to all of them. When he got there, his knights stopped their actions to look at him unsure on how to proceed.
'Hello, knights! Glad to see you are warmed up to face your King! Any volunteers?' He asked to break the awkward silence, when Georges made his appearance; bringing him his sword and fixing his armor on his muscled body.
Leon, Elyan and Percival shared looks of uncertainty, like they were debating on who would speak first and answer. For a few moments, no one dared whisper a word as if knowing their King.
Would break them all with his foul mood.
In the end, it was Sir Leon, who approached Arthur.
'It is nice to see you my Lord. I hope you didn't mind me starting without you' he said bowing
'I appreciate it Leon, but I asked for volunteers, did I not?' Questionned Arthur.
The knights encouraged Leon with a light push on his back, to ask what they wanted to know. He groaned and spoke up
' Indeed you did, and I am sure Elyan would be up for the task, but...' he said innocently while Elyan's perked up at his name and controlled himself not to complain.
'Go on with it Leon, i don't have all day. I have other duties to see too! He scolded his knights, he really needed to bash on something to calm himself.
'Well, where's Merlin?' He asked, waiting for a hit that never came.
'It is funny you should ask about my manservant before your own missing colleague?'
' Truth be told my King, we are used to losing Gwaine to the tavern, so we don't really worry anymore'. I guess he had a point there thought Arthur.
Gathering his courage and all his energy, he got closer to his knights, swordkn hand and replied in an even tone:
'Not that it is any of your business, but I will answer out of courtesy and it will be the last time i will hear of it, Understood?' They all nodded
' As you might have heard, we had a small argument this morning. He left with Gwaine to pick up stuff for Gaius in the woods and will be back tonight to resume his duties. I allowed him time to think things over and no need to pout at me, I will apologize.' He said trying not to look hurt and frustrated at his knights reactions. It seemed Merlin had their loyalties as well.
His 4 loyal knights hid their laughters, because they all knew Merlin. Arthur didn't allow anything; Merlin probably just stormed off not telling him anything. Arthur's pride was just hurt because he secretly hated not having Merlin at his sides. Ah boys..
The men figured that Arthur's foul mood was due to not been sure if his manservant was safe and not being there to protect him.
They turned to each other and smiled. Gwaine would make sure merlin was safe, but they all knew their king had qualms about Gwaine's intentions towards his servant, which might be another reason to cause him anger issues.
After a little silence on the grounds, a voice brought the knights back of their reverie and making them blanched at what they heard.
'Now, about training, I believe I heard Elyan volunteer? I am quite eager to start' he smirked ready to strike.
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Challenges of the Heart