Chapter Text
Arthur sighs inwardly to himself. He's sitting at the dining table in his chambers, head resting against his arms which are crossed rather uncomfortably under him. His eyes trail the hand using the whetstone to sharpen his sword on the table, watching the deft fingers moving down the blade in a rhythmic pattern.
The prince shifts his gaze up higher, examining the features of his servants bored expression as he continues with his work. He stares, contemplating the way his servant's eyes seem unfocused, how they seem to be thinking of a million things other than the task at hand. He wonders sometimes what goes on in Merlin's mind. He could be wise one moment and be a complete idiot the next. That boy was a mystery to even the prince himself but that only added to the servant's charm. A charm that he hadn't noticed until recently.
He didn't know exactly when he started to look at Merlin differently. He only knows that it had happened one day, suddenly and without warning. One day, Merlin was just a good friend and the next he was someone Arthur never wanted to leave his side. Perhaps it had happened when they had to part ways when saving Camelot from Morgana and Morgause. Arthur couldn't deny he was afraid to send Merlin off alone with nobody but Lancelot into a castle infested with immortal knights, but the servant had insisted and he knew Lancelot was more than capable of protect him. Many times his heart had pounded urgently as he stalked through the corridors when searching for his father at the thought that Merlin could be wounded or worse, dead.
Of course, he wasn't sure if that had been when it started. It could have been earlier. It could have been later. Again, he wasn't sure. All he knows now is that he loves Merlin. More than he should.
Arthur heaves a low sigh, one quiet enough that Merlin couldn't hear. He has tried being nicer to his servant ever since he discovered his own feelings, hoping to win Merlin's heart with kindness. He gave him less chores whenever possible, tried to be more lenient to his laziness, and even vowed to stop throwing goblets at him but all that seemed to do was make Merlin suspicious.
The candle flame flickers as a breeze blows through the open window, casting an orange light across the room, making the manservant's eyes seem to shine gold in the dim glow. Arthur tries to imagine Merlin as a sorcerer to take his mind off things. He imagines his manservant chanting strange words in a foreign language as he casts spell after spell. The prince almost has to hide his face from the chuckles that rise from his throat at the thought. He could never see Merlin acting in such a way. How could his idiot of a manservant, the same one who trips over his own two feet be an evil sorcerer? There is simply no way.
"Arthur?" Merlin asks, watching the prince in concern.
Arthur whips his head up at the sound of his name. He finds his servant staring at him curiously, his head tilted ever so slightly. The prince can feel his heart rate quicken in his chest at the sight. Maybe Merlin was a sorcerer... After all no servant, let alone a manservant, should be able to look this adorable.
Suddenly, a hand comes down on the back of Arthur's head. The prince winces, rubbing at the spot the servant had just smacked as he turns towards the perpetrator who's grinning at him cheekily.
"What was that for, Merlin?!" The prince exclaims angrily, getting up from his seat while shooting a glare at his manservant.
"Oh? So you haven't lost your mind," Merlin says, feigning surprise, "you weren't responding and I got worried."
"And that warrants hitting me upside the head?!"
Merlin smiles and nods. "That's what you do to me. I figured that I could do the same."
Arthur's hand instinctively reaches for the empty goblet at his side. He brings his arm back, preparing to throw the cup at his incompetent servant only to stop himself, remembering that he's supposed to be trying to show Merlin his kindness. He sets the goblet back down onto the table, letting the anger disappear from his face.
Merlin stares at him. Eyes wide in real surprise now. "You not throwing things at me? Maybe you have lost your mind."
Arthur shoots him another glare, feeling the anger rise again at his servants lack of perception. Why could Merlin not see that he was trying to be nice?
Seeing the look of anger and frustration on Arthur's face, Merlin gives a nervous smile. "Um... I-I have to take your sword back to the armoury... then help Gaius... grind herbs. I'll be going... now"
"Wai-"
Before Arthur can finish, Merlin leaves the room. The prince groans, slumping down in his chair. Maybe it isn't Merlin's fault that he hasn't fallen for him yet. Maybe he simply isn't good at courting. Arthur almost falls out of his chair from laughter. Him? A prince? Not good at courting? That's nonsense...
On second thought... perhaps some help would be good after all.
-----
Arthur bursts through the doors of the Rising Sun Tavern, startling half the men present. He scrunches up his nose when he enters, trying to ignore the stench as he searches the room for his knights. He could never get used to the smell of the place. It seems to always carry the odour of sweaty men and ale but nevertheless he enjoyed coming to the tavern every once in awhile. It never failed to take his mind off things. He eventually spots his knights gathered around a table laughing and joking, having paid no attention to the newcomer.
He walks over, ordering himself a drink before sliding into the empty seat on the bench next to Elyan. The knight's chatter stops immediately at the sudden presence of the prince. They turn to stare, unsure of why Arthur was here. He had declined their offer for a drink earlier. Did he change his mind?
Gwaine seems unfazed at the arrival of their prince. He squeezes in between Elyan and Arthur, throwing an arm around the blond cheerfully as though he were just another friend and not the future king. "Glad you changed your mind. Now we don't have to worry about the bill," the drunk says with a chuckle, taking a swig from his tankard.
"I'm not here to pay for your drinks," Arthur grumbles, trying to peel Gwaine off his shoulder, "I'm here to..." Arthur swallows down his pride, "...ask you for help."
The group of knights, consisting of Elyan, Lancelot, Percival, Leon, and of course Gwaine, turn to him in surprise. It isn't everyday the prince asks for help, especially of Gwaine.
A wide grin spreads across Gwaine's face after the initial surprise. His pride clearly getting to his head. He puffs out his chest a little, trying to act superior. "And what could I help his majesty with?"
Arthur sighs, regretting his decision already but he continues on. Putting up with Gwaine is a small price to pay for what may come if this succeeds. "I need your advice on... courting."
Gwaine's grin seems to widen even more. He wiggles his eyebrows at Arthur. "Ah, so even the prince has heard of my expertise with the ladies. I'm flattered."
The rest of the knights roll their eyes, having heard Gwaine boast of his 'talents' before.
"Yes, if you wouldn't mind," Arthur says, grabbing the tankard he had ordered earlier from the waitress.
"If you don't mind me asking... who do you wish to court?" Leon asks.
Arthur averts his gaze, feeling suddenly very warm. He pulls at the collar of his tunic, hoping the blush isn't showing on his face. "No one in particular..."
"Let me take a guess," Gwaine says with a mischievous grin. He pretends to think really hard, as though he were trying to read the prince's mind, "is it... Merlin?"
Arthur almost tumbles out off the bench. His face clearly betraying his thoughts. How did Gwaine know? Could he actually read minds?
Gwaine starts to laugh proudly before giving Arthur a smirk. "I was right? Ha! That means I win the bet, Percival," he says, poking at the larger man across the table.
"You're in love with Merlin?" Lancelot asks, slightly taken aback at the sudden revelation. Arthur nods, still unwilling to meet their gazes. "Did any of you know?"
Elyan shakes his head, shrugging. "First I've heard of it."
The others nod in agreement, seeming just as surprised as Lancelot at the news
"You mean you lot never suspected anything?" Gwaine asks in disbelief, "It was quite obvious."
"Well, we don't have your, 'expertise', Gwaine," Percival mocks.
The drunk scoffs at the larger knights mocking tone before turning back to Arthur. "You came to the right person for help. Merlin will have fallen for you by tomorrow."
Arthur perks up at the proclamation. He turns to face Gwaine, hoping for once the knight could actually accomplish what he claimed. "Are you serious?" he asks.
"Very."
"Alright, what do you suggest?"
-----
Arthur waits nervously behind the pillar, trying to concentrate on remembering the lines Gwaine had taught him rather than the red flush on his face and his rapidly beating heart. Is this really going to work?
He peers around the corner of the pillar, waiting for Merlin to appear from the stairs. The second he hears footsteps he whirls back into place, pressing his back against the cool stone of the column. He can hear the steps steadily approach his location, getting closer and closer with each passing moment. He takes in a deep breath, praying that Gwaine's advice could be trusted before suddenly jumping out in front of his servant, startling the poor boy almost half to death.
"Arthur?" Merlin asks with an eyebrow raised in question, "what are you doing?"
"I seem to be lost, gorgeous, may I get some directions?" Arthur says, trying to sound more suave than he felt.
Merlin stares in confusion, wondering if perhaps he had smacked the prince a little too hard last night. "You're in your own castle... and did you just call me gorgeous?"
Arthur averts his gaze, flustered, feeling a bead of sweat start to trail down the back of his neck. Perhaps he should have thought this through...
"Are you alright, sire?" Merlin asks, leaning in a little too close for Arthur's comfort. The servant reaches up a hand, placing it on Arthur's forehead. His eyebrows knit together. "Are you ill? Did you fall?"
"Yes, I have fallen for you, my love," Arthur says, trying not to die of embarrassment. If Gwaine's goal had been to humiliate him then he has succeeded.
Merlin takes a quick step back, looking more afraid than enamoured as Gwaine had promised he would be. Fear fills his servant's eyes, his shoulders are tensed and Merlin seems to be mumbling something under his breath. Before Arthur has the chance to apologize, he feels himself getting dizzy and collapsing to the floor.
-----
Merlin sits on the bench, various books open in front of him on the table as he flips through page after page. He glances towards the prince lying unconscious on the patients cot and frowns, wondering what the prat had gotten himself tangled with this time.
He had to admit his heart had almost leapt through his chest when he first heard Arthur call him 'gorgeous' and 'my love', but that joy had died away quickly when he realized this most likely wasn't the prince talking. He must have been under the influence of some love spell that a sorcerer cast or a love potion. After all, why would Arthur ever think of him in such a way? He's a lanky servant that's too pale and incapable of doing anything as far as the prince knew. Once the realization had hit him, the words sounded mocking to his ears. Leave it to the fates to give him a false sense of hope before crushing it into the ground. This world is indeed cruel.
Merlin sighs as he continues to flip through the pages of various magical texts, hoping to find a spell to reverse the effects of the enchantment and hopefully one that could erase the memories of the event as well.
Gaius enters the room a few moments later. He stops in the middle of the room, raising an eyebrow in question as he looks from the prince lying unconscious on the patient's bed to the servant sitting on the bench with a spell book in his lap.
"What's wrong with Arthur?" The physician asks with worry.
"He's enchanted. Some form of love spell," Merlin explains, not bothering to look up from the task at hand.
"Are you sure?"
Merlin nods, finally looking up. "Oh, I'm sure. He called me 'gorgeous' and 'my love', and I think he tired to flirt with me. He sounded more like Gwaine than himself honestly."
Gaius nods, looking slightly baffled. "That must have been an... odd experience."
"Odd? It was more creepy than odd. Here, I think this spell should work."
Merlin turns towards Arthur, concentrating hard before chanting. His eyes flash gold before Arthur suddenly disappears. Panicked, Merlin runs towards the bed, only to hear a small croak sound from the pile of clothes in front of him. He swallows the lump in his throat before lifting up the discarded clothes to find a small frog.
Gaius peers over Merlin's shoulder before shooting the young man a stern glare. Merlin smiles nervously.
"Oops... I can fix that..."