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Merlin's birthday was coming up and Arthur has sneakily been getting the mans measurements, something he knows Merlin had caught onto, because he's been looking at him warily and subtly reminding him of what happend to the last hat he was forced to wear a few years ago.
He's kept the idea for a hat for a different time, instead he's ordered a coat made by the Royal Tailor because he's pretty sure everyone in camelot knows of how shoddy Merlin's current jacket is. He's had the thing for years, hell he came from Ealdor wearing it and it wasn't in the best of conditions then!
Arthur insists that whilst it's a gift, one of the nicest and most expensive thing he's ever given his manservant, it's a means to an end for himself as well. The coat will have fur inside of it to keep Merlin warm and it's also water proof, which means the man won't complain constantly when they are out on quests or hunts and end up getting caught in bad weather and he wont catch colds as easily.
It's a miracle that merlin hasn't already caught his death from catching so many colds, never mind wearing something so shoddy and thin when everyone else has wrapped up as much as they can.
He shows the coat to Gwen when it's delivered to his chambers mere days before Merlin's birthday and she lights up at the sight of it "thank the gods!" She says when she catches sight of fur inside "if you didn't give him something like this i would have" she continues, that fierce look of protection that always appears in her eyes whenever she's talking about Merlin's health lighting up, as well as pride as she looks at him.
He hides it in the antechamber, purely because Merlin has never gone in there in the entire time he's been Arthur's manservant, he isn't entire sure if the man actually knows what's in there if he's honest. Merlin continues giving him suspicious looks, especially after he finds the box that the coat came in laying under Arthur's bed because he'd kicked it under there after he put the coat into a better looking gift box.
Arthur ends up having to give the coat to him a day early, because merlin wouldn't stop glaring at him. He throws his hands up from where he's sat at his desk, Merlin stood at the opposite end with his arms crossed and a glare heated enough to melt his sword "fine! Ill give you the damn gift!" He says, stomping over to the antechamber and disappearing inside long enough that merlin moves to sit at the table, the little shit.
When Arthur returns holding the gift, he looks almost nervous "i wanted it to be a suprise" he says, huffing in amusement when Merlins eyes go from a glare to out right squinting at him, as if he's trying to see through the box "it's not a hat before you start threatening me" he says, not that Merlin's threats are actually scary, mostly just funny because Merlin thinks he's being scary.
When Merlin takes the gift from him, Arthur stands there awkwardly, not knowing what to do as this is the first time he's ever given his friend a meaningful gift. He watches as Merlin takes extreme care, something that Arthur's never seen him do before, to open the wrapping, barely even ripping it as he slowly opens it.
There's a few seconds of confused silence when he sees the contents, before he pulls the coat out and moves to stand so he can see all of it "this is beautiful" he says softly, tone full of awe as he turns it this way and that, before opening the front in order to see inside "goddess above" he whispers, his fingers gingerly running their way through the fur with such care that Arthur feels the need to look away as Merlin continues to explore his new gift.
Eventually he pulls it to his chest for a few seconds, before placing it down and looking at his king "thank you, Arthur" he says softly, appreciation shining in his eyes as he figures out what to do with himself, Arthur rolls his eyes and pulls him into a one armed hug, patting his back a few times as Merlin wraps both of his arms around Arthur "its a gift for both of us really" he says, trying to down play how much affection and care he has for the man.
Merlin snorts in amusement, hearing the words that Arthur left unsaid, before he pulls away. The smile on his face doesn't fade for the rest of the day and once it's late enough, he takes himself and his coat back to his and Gaius's chamber's and puts it pride of place in the middle of his wardobe until it's needed.
The need doesn't come until 4 months later, when winter hits colder and harsher than usual. Merlin, in his strange wisdom, was still wearing his ridiculous jacket that provided no warmth against the chill around the castle "Merlin!" Arthur calls from down the hallway as he's about to tell his manservant and the round table knights that they are going on one last hunt before the weather well and truely does turn "put your coat on you'll catch a cold!" He continues "again" he adds with a chuckle.
Merlin tilts his head in confusion, which causes Arthur to roll his eyes "we're going on a hunt, now get your coat on!" He orders, because he wants to see just how good the coat is against the harsh winter chill.
Merlin appears a few minutes later, head hidden in the hood of his coat, which is long enough to reach his thighs. Hes smiling though, which makes a change because he's usually whining about how cold it is by now.
It takes him a couple of seconds to get comfortable on his horse in a way that doesnt impact his riding, nor how his coat sits on his thighs but he gets there eventually and soon they are off. Its quiet for awhile, enough that Arthur has to ensure that merlin is still with them and hasn't gone down the wrong track, but no he's there and is infact hunting instead of grumbling quietly to himself.
He gets a suprising amount of kills with his crossbow, one Arthur notices is completely different to the ones the knights have. If Arthur knew this is what would both shut the man up and bring up his competency in hunting, he'd have gifted Merlin a coat ages ago!
All in all it's a good hunt, they bring back half the kitchens stock room worth of food for the winter, Merlin stays warm and not one of them catches a cold that winter or any winter afterwards!