A different kind of love

Chapter 3.
I do not make money from this story, and I do not own anything. (do I need to say that with every chapter, or is one time enough?)

In this chapter Merlin arrived. He does not really like Arthur yet, but he gradually realizes there is something wrong. And he is determined to find out what.


Arthur wielded the long sword like is was light as a feather and beat his opponent without any effort. The crowd roared and cheered, but Uther hardly nodded. He expected nothing less from Arthur. Arthur felt the familiar stone in his stomach when he looked at his father. He tried not to pay attention to it and acknowledged the applause from the people of Camelot who cheered for their prince.

The dark haired boy stood on the side and looked at Arthur, who smiled and bowed and waved at the crowd.
Merlin shook his head. Arthur was such a prat. He loved the attention, got sulky when he did not get any. The prince, good at everything. The best fighter, the best rider, the best knight. Merlin huffed. He had to admit that Arthur was good at everything he did, but did he have to be such a complete prick about it?

Arthur made his way to the barrack where Merlin was waiting. He began to take his armor of, gave it to Merlin.

Clean it, then bring it back to my room, Arthur said and left, without looking at Merlin further.

Clean this, sweep that, bring me this, bring me that, muttered Merlin to himself while he cleaned and polished the chainmail and the sword.
Yes sire, no sire, of course prince Arthur, no problem prince Arthur. Would you like me to wipe your arse, prince Arthur? Merlin took out his frustration on the sword, polishing it like crazy.
Why could that man never be friendly, would it kill him to show some emotions sometimes? It drove Merlin mad. He took the armor back to Arthur’s room and saw the mess that was there. Arthur was nowhere to be seen and left his room in chaos.

Merlin started to clean up. He pulled the covers straight on the bed and tucked them in under the mattress. He lifted the mattress up a little higher. What did he feel there? It was a small piece of cloth, carefully tied with a ribbon. Merlin stood with the packet in his hand, looking at it with curiosity. Why would Arthur hide such a thing in his mattress? And what was inside?
Merlin opened the little bag and looked at two blue glass beads. It meant nothing to him, but obviously it meant something to Arthur. Carefully Merlin put the beads back into the bag, tied the ribbon.

He heard Arthur in the corridor and there was no time to put the packet back under the mattress. Quickly Merlin put it in his pocket.

Oh, are you here, Merlin? Arthur asked when he came into the room. Have you finished cleaning up here?

Yes sire, Merlin said. Your fathers servant came to tell that you were expected tonight in your fathers room, for a private diner.

For a moment he thought he saw Arthur hesitate, but that must have been his imagination. Surely that man never hesitated.

Arthur turned away from Merlin, looked out of the window and said:
Fine, thank you, you may go.

Merlin could not really work out why he thought Arthurs voice sounded different, and he left the room without saying anything. He went back to Gaius’ quarters, who gave him some chores to do. Merlin could not really concentrate and his thoughts went back to Arthur all the time.

There was something strange about him sometimes. Like that time Merlin had used a different soap to wash Arthur’s clothes. He lost the usual soap and took some from one of the other servants. Arthurs clothes ended up smelling like flowers. Merlin thought Arthur would get mad about his, but instead his face went ashen.

Take these away, I am allergic to this scent. Arthur had said, his voice hoarse. Merlin took the clothes and by the door he turned to look at Arthur. He did not look as if he was allergic, since he brought a handkerchief to his face and inhaled the scent deeply.
Merlin brought the clothes away and washed them again, not understanding why Arthur would get tears in his eyes from the scent of roses and lavender.

Merlin went to bed, but when he undressed he found in his pocket the little bag he took from Arthur. He had not put it back. Merlin hesitated, but decided to bring it back, before Arthur noticed it was gone. If he was lucky, Arthur was still with his father, so he could sneak in and put the packet under the mattress.

Merlin went to Arthurs room and opened the door. He thought he was alone, because the room was dark, but when he came to the bed, he saw Arthur. The blond was lying curled up, his face in the pillow.
Merlin did not know what to do. What was the matter with Arthur? He never saw him like this.

Arthur became aware of somebody standing next to him. He made a sudden movement and this caused a wince of pain. He looked up and saw Merlin.

Arthur? Merlin asked, what is the matter?

Nothing, go away, Arthur tried to sound confident like he always did, but he failed miserably.

Arthur, something is wrong with you, let me help.

Nothing is wrong, Arthur repeated.

Merlin opened his mouth to protest and was interrupted by Arthur.

Merlin, just go. Leave this room and close the door, Arthur barked.

Merlin took a step back. He wanted to help Arthur, he was obviously hurt and in pain. He just did not dare. He was in shock, he never saw Arthur like this and he did not know what to do.

Just go, Arthur said again, sounding completely defeated.

Merlin put the little bag next to Arthur, I came to gave you this back. I took it by accident when I made your bed. He said softly. Arthur said nothing, but he took the bag, hold it close.

Merlin backed out of the room, feeling bad for leaving Arthur like that. The whole night he was awake, thinking about him. A few times he almost got out of bed to go to Arthur, but every time he lay down again. He did not think his comfort would be appreciated.

The following morning Merlin was a little afraid to go into Arthurs room, he did not know what he would find.
Arthur was already up, sitting in the chair, looking at the little bag in his hand. He looked up when Merlin entered, and Merlin saw he was still pale. He looked as if he did not sleep all night.

Merlin hesitated, he did not really know how to start or what to say.
Arthur looked at him, and Merlin could not really describe the look in his eyes. Arthur seemed the same as yesterday, but now he knew in what state the boy was last night, he saw the pain behind the mask, the exhaustion behind the blank expression.

I would like a bath, Arthur said and Merlin immediately got to work. During that time Arthur sat very still. Merlin did not disturb him by asking questions or talking to him.

Your bath is ready, he said and Arthur stood up very carefully. He still clutched the little cloth bag and he said:

These beads belonged to my mother. I am not really supposed to have them, so I would appreciate it if you did not tell anybody.

Merlin could only nod. Of course, no problem. I won’t tell a soul, he said. Arthur went to his bed and carefully put the packet away. Merlin saw the tenderness in the way he did this and his heart went out to the young man before him, who had to hide the one thing he had from his mother.

Arthur did not undress, but waited. Merlin realized Arthur was waiting for him to get out of the room.

Would you like me to get you breakfast? He asked and Arthur nodded. Merlin went out and took some time, giving Arthur the privacy he needed. When he came back, Arthur was already dressed.

After breakfast Arthur went out and Merlin stayed behind to clean the mess. When he took out the trash he noticed some rags in there. He picked them up and saw they were bloodied. So Arthur had been seriously hurt last night. Who did this to him? And had it happened before?
Merlin looked out of the window, and saw Arthur riding one of the horses. He could now interpret the stony expression better, the boy was hiding his wounds and his pain.
Merlin became furious. Who did this to Arthur? And how long was this going on? Merlin was determined to find out what exactly happened to Arthur and who was responsible.
And he knew exactly who he could ask.

TBC.

A/N Thank you Necromancer10, for your comment. I do hope that Merlin will finally be some comfort to poor Arthur.