Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Arthur Pendragon was not jealous. 'Kings didn't get jealous, Mer-lin.' Sure, he feels like he sees his Court Sorcerer (best friend) less and less these days, but that was to be expected. Merlin wasn't his manservant anymore, of course he had his own duties to attend to. And sure, it was much better seeing Merlin sitting beside him where he should be during meetings. It would be better, he thought, if he saw Merlin at all outside the meetings too.

He has gotten used to always having Merlin by his side. He was just always there, it was jarring now having nothing but space. Gwen seemed to think so too.

“It's quiet here without Merlin, isn't it?” She mused one day, seeing his thoughts as he glanced behind him, by habit or subconscious seeking the sorcerer.

“Is it?” He looked back down at his plate. “I hadn't noticed.” Gwen giggled, resting her cheek in one hand, leaning toward Arthur.

“You're allowed to miss him. I do.” Arthur looked to his wife, who was smiling softly at him, warm and open.

“I guess I do too.” He grudgingly admitted. “I can never seem to get a hold of him these days. Whenever I see him he's always rushing to gather potion ingredients (Arthur had thought that not being a physician would mean less time in the woods but he was sorely mistaken), or doing research, or going off to do who knows what with Gwaine.” He pouted.

And wasn't that the crux of the matter. He was jealous of Sir Gwaine. It seemed to Arthur that any moment Merlin wasn't working he was gallivanting with Gwaine.

“Well that is the job you've given him Arthur.” She gently reminded him. Amusement sparkled, the firelight further warming her brown eyes as she added. “Besides, you know perfectly well that Merlin doesn't spend all his time with Gwaine. You two had lunch together just three days ago.” Arthur crossed his arms, his eyes falling to the floor.

“He dined with Gwaine twice last week though.” He sounded petulant, and Gwen couldn't help but giggle again.

“Arthur, come now, is that really so surprising?” He looked up suddenly, alarm written in his face.

“Do you think Merlin favors Gwaine over me? Am I not his best friend?” Gwen’s eyes widened suddenly, and she blinked rapidly.

“I thought you knew that-”

“So it’s true!” Arthur ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll have to fix this.” He leans back in his chair, fingers framing his chin as he is lost to his thoughts. Guinevere, his beloved wife, realized she could take this opportunity to correct him, but she wanted to see how this played out. And besides, she rationalized, Merlin was going to absolutely love this.

---

Arthur, for any faults Merlin teased him endlessly for, was truly a great leader. One aspect of that was that he paid attention to his men. He knew their strengths and weaknesses, how to balance them on the battlefield and how to challenge them to improve. So if he decided to turn that focus specifically to challenge one man, well no one but Leon would be any the wiser. His first knight and he had discussed training drills and skills to target too many times for him to think Leon would be oblivious to the exercises he had prepped for today.

“Good morning, princess!” The boisterous greeting came from the entrance of the field.

Arthur smoothed a smirk into a smile as his target came into view. “Gwaine, I hope you’re ready for training this morning.”

Gwaine huffed out a single chuckle, stretching both arms over his head. “Ready as ever I suppose.”

The Round Table knights were right behind him, and as everyone arrived. Arthur walked them through today’s practice. Arthur received no small amount of satisfaction from hearing Gwaine groan quietly to Percival.

---

Arthur’s entire plan was not just being petty to Gwaine, that was just a one-off to get back at him for trying to steal Merlin from under his nose. Arthur’s actual plan was much better if he did say so himself.

“Merlin!” Arthur called up the staircase as he climbed to Merlin’s chambers. He strode down the hallway and threw the door open “Merlin!” The man in question jolted up from a table covered in books. Arthur shook his head with a smile.

“You have a perfectly usable desk, why you make a mess of the table is beyond me.” Merlin looked around him.

“You think this is a mess?” He shot back, smirking. “Need I remind you of the constant state of your chambers? At least I can say this is for work, what’s your excuse?”

“My excuse was a lousy servant.” Merlin rolled his eyes. “Now come with me, we have things to attend to.”

“What things?” Merlin stood and his jacket floated to him from the wardrobe.

Arthur waved a hand. “Kingly things.”

“Okay, and what exactly am I going to be doing?” Merlin asked him with raised brows and a smile.

“Do you always have to ask so many questions Mer-lin.” Arthur shoved him playfully out the door.

“Some of us have actual jobs to be doing, oh king prat.” Merlin laughed.

“Not this evening you don’t. I already checked with Gwen.”

“Oh?” Arthur heard Merlin’s smile from behind him, but he didn’t turn back around. Merlin never needed an excuse to talk, and now he pounced on Arthur’s casual admittance. “You checked with Gwen? What exactly are you planning?”

“You’ll just have to wait and find out won’t you.”

Arthur led Merlin out of the castle as they talked. Merlin was more relaxed than Arthur had ever seen him. It had taken a while after the repeal, but Merlin eventually stopped looking over his shoulder. Merlin had always been all smiles, but in moments when he thought he was alone, he seemed weary. In the past few months that had vanished. His friend had a talent for talking around himself, but now he was open. Sharing concerns with Arthur about being in the spotlight and court sorcerer. Arthur assures him that he wouldn’t have anyone else by his side.

“Even Morgana?”

“Morgana is a valuable advisor, but you’re the one I placed by my side Merlin.” Arthur looked ahead, hoping it would disguise his vulnerability if he didn’t actually make eye contact.

Merlin gave him a dopey smile anyway. “Awww Arthur, I always knew you cared.” Arthur scoffed, and nudged his shoulder with Merlin’s.

“Shut up, Mer-lin”, Merlin regained his balance, laughing. Then he threw himself into the King. “Wha- Merlin! This is not dignified, people are staring!” The Court Sorcerer, who was dangling off Arthur’s arm, looked to see a small number of people smiling at them as they passed.

Merlin straightened, and Arthur attempted to shake him off, “Official Kingly Things, nothing to see here folks.” Arthur let out a very put upon sigh and Merlin giggled, finally releasing him just as they arrived.

“Here we are.” Merlin was surprised to find them standing outside The Rising Sun.

“You dragged me to the tavern?”

“I figured we shouldn’t make a liar out of Gaius.” Merlin laughed

“I can’t believe you bought that for years.” Arthur rolled his eyes and they stepped inside. Arthur steered Merlin to a table in the corner where their friends were all waiting.

“Here’s the man of the hour!” Lancelot cheered when he spotted the pair. The rest of them joined in and Merlin blushed. Arthur clapped him on the shoulder.

“The envoy’s visit went perfectly Merlin, thanks to all your hard work.”

“It was nothing.”

“It was not.” Arthur insisted, taking the seat beside Guinevere, placing a kiss to her cheek.

Arthur knew how stressed Merlin had been about this visit, his first as Court Sorcerer. It was nice having everyone together to unwind and have fun afterwards. Arthur didn’t see what the contest must have been, but at one point Merlin conjured a flower crown that Gwaine then refused to take off for the rest of the evening.

---

Arthur knew that Merlin loved being out in the woods. Of course he knew, he was Merlin’s best friend after all. So by some happenstance (direct kingly intervention), there had been a ‘hunting trip’ with the round table. Nevermind that no one ever caught any game, they all knew by now Merlin wouldn’t let them anyway.

“No that’s not how it went at all Percival!” Elyan lightly kicked at one of Percival’s legs, stopping him from telling any more lies about his catastrophic dance at the last banquet. “Leon!” He called across the fire, “You saw! Would you please let everyone know that I did not throw myself into the wine tray.” Leon lowered his waterskin from his mouth, nodding at Elyan.

“Sir Elyan is correct.” Percival booed him, but he held up a hand. “I do believe he was attempting to spin into it.” Laughter rang through the group at the addition.

“Leon!” Elyan cried out. Leon only shrugged, a smile slowly forming on his face.

“Did you expect me to lie to my king and brothers in arms?” Elyan threw up his hands.

Merlin had his head nestled onto Gwaine’s shoulder, he looked up, whispering to Gwaine. They conversed quietly for a moment, sly grins on both of their faces.

Merlin stood, tugging Gwaine up with him. “I’m going to go place the wards.” Merlin announced, scowling when Lancelot had the audacity to wink at him. Merlin walked off, Gwaine right beside him.

Arthur was certainly not pouting, no matter what the other knights claim to have seen. His surveillance of the area was interrupted by Leon’s hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Arthur’s tone was clipped.

“Is this about Merlin and Gwaine?” Elyan guessed, remembering Gwen’s words as she held back a laugh. Arthur huffed, crossing his arms.

“Are you upset about Merlin and Gwaine?” Percival questioned.

“They spend an awful lot of time together.” Arthur grumbled

“Did you expect they’d be together less after the court-” Percival continued, Elyan discreetly tugging his sleeve as Arthur interrupted.

“So it’s because of the Court Sorcerer appointment?” Arthur questioned, almost hopeful.

“Not really sire.” Leon attempts to correct him, but Elyan is shaking his head at him, mouthing what looks like “Don’t ruin this” as Arthur turns to face the first knight.

“This confirms it.” Arthur goes back to his not-pouting. “Gwaine is trying to take my place as Merlin’s best friend.” What confusion remained over the round table dissipates instantly. As faces turn to understanding Arthur’s eyebrows furrow. “Did all of you know?”

“Sire I'm sure there's another explanation-” Leon starts, a small smile on his face.

“I'm being betrayed by one of my inner circle.” Arthur laments. Leon turns to Elyan, and gives a slight eye roll, as he decides that if Arthur is going to keep interrupting he can keep his assumptions.

Chapter Text

Spring slowly creeps into summer, and both Camelot and Merlin adjust to his new role. Arthur sees more of his friend as he does, and almost entirely forgets about his trouble with Gwaine.

“Oh, Arthur.” Merlin starts as they walk off the training field, “You wouldn’t mind if I brought Gwaine with me to see my mother, would you?”

“Hunith is more than welcome to be a guest of Camelot, if you’d like. I’m sure Gwen would love to see her too.” Arthur looked over at his best friend, who was smiling widely at him.

“That’s very sweet of you, Arthur, I’m sure she’ll love to! So Gwaine and I will just go pick her up then, I’d hate for her to make the journey all by herself.” Merlin skipped off to make preparations and Arthur sighed as he continued on to the armory.

The pair leave the next morning, and surprisingly Gwaine is all smiles, even at the early hour.

---

To welcome Hunith to Camelot, Guinevere arranged a small dinner with the Round Table, Gauis, and Morgana. She decorated a small meeting room with what Arthur would almost consider too many flowers, but she insisted that it was perfect for the occasion.

As everyone arrived, Arthur noticed Merlin and Gwaine seemed attached at the hip. The pair seemed almost clingy. Arthur thought that they had hardly separated since they arrived back in Camelot hours ago. Everyone was talking before starting their meal, and Merlin and Gwaine both stood from the table, hand in hand. Gwen squeezed his hand under the table, and Arthur was shocked to see that she was beaming, with tears in her eyes.

“Gwaine and I have an announcement to make.” Merlin smiled wide as he looked back at Gwaine.

“Merlin and I are engaged.” Gwaine pulled Merlin closer into his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Cheers went up around the table and Arthur’s jaw dropped open.

“Congratulations! I wish you both all the best.” Arthur finally managed. He cleared his throat, “How long exactly have you been courting?” Gwaine laughed and the sound carried through the room.

“He really didn’t know?” Gwaine looked to the rest of the table as several of the knights shook their heads.

Merlin turned to Arthur, a smile on his face wrinkling around his eyes. “I had assumed you knew, but it’s been about six months, Arthur.”

Arthur turned to his wife, who nodded at him while hiding laughter behind her hands. Arthur was visibly relieved. “Oh thank the goddess. I’m not being replaced, you’ve been courting the entire time.” He sat up again and turned to Gwaine. “Don’t let this give you any ideas, Gwaine. I’m still his best friend.” He proudly proclaimed. Merlin snuck a smile to Gwen.

“Of course you are, Arthur.”

---

“Guinevere Pendragon, my amazing, beautiful Queen. Thank you for the last few months.” Merlin toasted to Guinevere. They were alone in his chambers, a bottle of wine on the table between them. She tapped her goblet against his.

“When I told you to consider it an early engagement present, I was just so sure he’d figure it out before the actual event.” Gwen shook her head, smiling.

Merlin shrugged. “I was rather enjoying his efforts.” He laughed. “I thought he knew from the beginning, Gwaine and I aren’t exactly subtle.”

“Our Arthur is such a smart man, I suppose some things have to slip by him.” Gwen tsked, and Merlin chuckled.

“Imagine his reaction if he finds out you’re really my best friend.” Gwen smiled and put a hand on his arm.

“It can be another of our little secrets, Merlin.”