WHO: Arthur and Merlin WHAT: It's not going to be bonding, that's for sure. WHEN: After this threatdiscussion WHERE: Merlin's Room RATING: TBD STATUS: In Progress
Merlin stumbled slightly across the room in his hurry to get to the door before Arthur made good on his threat to kick it down, constantly reminding himself that he wasn't in Camelot, that Uther wasn't here, as he pulled open the door to reveal a clearly unhappy prince. This was not how he wanted Arthur to find out. He knew the blond would eventually. Especially if he became his adviser and was with him in Camelot for so long, assuming the older him was actually his future. He might have even told Arthur himself later, when they'd been here a little longer. When he'd found out about the other sorcerers here, and it looked like he was okay with that fact first. But certainly not now. Not after he'd just turned back to his proper age, and Arthur was still less then pleased with that transformation.
Gwen's answer hadn't exactly been comforting either. Years, he'd waited. Years. Merlin would've liked to think that after that long they would, no doubt, have saved each other's lives so much that the idea of his being magic would be -- it wasn't going to be a happy conversation regardless, but after that long he had hoped that Arthur would take it better. Been angry he'd kept it secret for so long sure, but understood and maybe (stupid thought, he knew) even thanked him, or at least appreciated the fact that he constantly put his own life at risk by using magic to protect him. Protect Uther, even, with the same magic that would have earned him a short walk and sudden stop.
"Arthur," He stepped aside to let the prince in, obviously more then a little nervous. Merlin started to speak again, but couldn't quite find the right words -- what was he supposed to say in a situation like this? I'm sorry seemed like a really good place to start, but honestly he wasn't. Merlin thought of Arthur as a friend, and hated to keep something so big a secret from him -- but he couldn't really have expected Merlin to just come out with a secret like that from the start. Not when they didn't even get along very well from the start, and Arthur was such his father's son. Instead he settled for, "I wanted to tell you."
He glanced in the direction of Ron's room for a moment, half expecting the red head to run out and start yelling at Arthur himself. Which really would not help matters. He did his best to steer Arthur towards his bedroom, heading slowly towards the room, holding that door open for Arthur as well.