un-beta'd, feel free to point out mistakes.
hope you all enjoy the final part of this trilogy :)
_

Morgana and Gwen found Arthur and Merlin laying together in the water. If they found their lack of clothing peculiar, they did not mention it. Everyone agreed that it was time to return to the castle, the fresh air, as well as the other activities of the afternoon, had rendered them all quite hungry.

The four of them ate together, happily feasting upon fresh fruit and sharp-tasting cheese. They decided it had been a most excellent idea to go to the lake that day, especially considering the pervasive heat. Each one of them was simply happy; there was no distinction between servant and master, they were just all friends.

After some time, they all went their separate ways, Guinevere and Merlin being ordered to take the rest of the day off.

Merlin went back to Gaius's chambers, and helped the older man mix assorted remedies for a while. However, as time passed, he noticed a certain tightness in his body, and he felt painfully fevered. Before he could really consider this, Arthur entered the chamber.

Arthur was moving slowly, as if every single moment was incredibly painful. Which it must have been, as his skin was a deep pink colour, beyond a plain flush. His skin was burnt, and Merlin thought it was probably burnt beneath the clothing he wore as well.

"I need something for my skin, Gaius, surely you have something for this." Arthur said.

"That is a very bad burn, sire, you should not have stayed in the sun so long." Gaius replied after taking one look at him. He rummaged for a moment before finding a large jar of a green salve. "This should help, it is made from the juice of a plant's leaves. You just need to massage it into the skin."

"Thank you." the gratitude was obvious in Arthur's voice.

" I would help administer it," Gauis began, "but as you can see I have many medicines which need to be delivered; I'm sure Merlin will be able to help you." he gathered bottles into his basket and shuffled out of the room. Merlin was left standing awkwardly, with Arthur gripping the jar.

"If you would assist me, Merlin." Arthur said, holding the jar out towards him. Merlin dutifully went and took the jar from his hands. "I think I need help with my shirt as well." Arthur said. Merlin knew he was in pain; he had seen Arthur take hits in sword practice and brush them off as if they were scratches, when really they were gashes in need of stitches. He slowly drew the shirt up and off of his body, trying not to scrape the skin. He opened the jar and scooped up a small amount of the salve with his fingers. It felt cool and wet; he felt certain this was just the thing Arthur needed.

He started with Arthur's shoulders, carefully and gently rubbing it in. He worked in down his arms, and over his back, across his chest, and even dabbing some onto his face. While he was stroking some down Arthur's nose, Arthur's own hand went up to Merlin's face, cupping his chin and rubbing his thumb over Merlin's cheek.

"You're burnt too." he said, and Merlin nodded, realizing that sun burn was the reason for the ache he felt all over his body. "Let me put some on you; there's lots of the salve." Merlin didn't have a chance to respond before Arthur was gently tugging on his shirt. He didn't protest when Arthur began spreading a generous amount over his bare skin. The salve felt wonderful, moisturizing his parched skin, and cooling the enflamed flesh. He began to warm up again though, certainly because of Arthur's hands roaming over him with no discernible path. Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes for a moment before smirking a little, then he carefully rubbed the salves into Merlin's nipples, using circular, teasing strokes that made him want to grunt in demand for more. "Your legs, they must be burnt too. Take off your pants." Arthur ordered, and Merlin quickly undid his trousers and let them drop to the floor, Indeed his legs were burnt, and in need of the salve. Arthur started at his feet, massaging up his legs. Before he could get up to high, Merlin stepped back.

"You now?" Arthur nodded and disposed of his pants as well. Merlin knelt, and smoothed the salve down his calves from his knees, then up his thighs. He stroked it over the points of his hips, and down the side of his muscular ass. "Turn around." he said, voice a little hoarse. Arthur faced the other way, allowing Merlin to apply the salves. He used both hands, cupping each cheek; squeezing the flesh wasn't exactly part of the treatment, but the small gasp from Arthur didn't exactly sound like a complaint. "Well," he said, standing, "at least you didn't burn your cock."

Arthur gave a vague noise of agreement. "Little Merlin is looking a little pink though." he reached for the salve again. Merlin gave him a cautious look, which caused Arthur to add "Just in case." before taking Merlin in hand. He wasn't so sure that he had burnt 'Little Merlin", but with Arthur's hand sliding easily up and down the length of him with the cool salve, he certainly wasn't going to mention it. He put his hands on the table behind him to steady him as Arthur brought him to full hardness. They simultaneously leaned forward so their lips could meet in between.

It was a little surprising how aroused they both were; it had not been very long since they had returned from the lake, and while they had been there, they had brought one another off three times. There was something new between them now, something they had both always sensed but had been unwilling to face until that afternoon.

Merlin slowly steered Arthur towards his room. He wasn't sure when Gaius would be back, but he knew neither of them wanted to be walked in on. Arthur was all too willing to settle himself onto the small bed and recommence their activities.

Merlin kissed down Arthur's neck, something he had learnt they both enjoyed very much, and then further down his chest. The skin was warm from the burn, and he could taste the salve, slightly bitter, but not deplorable enough to make him stop. Arthur seemed to realize what was in store for him, because he leaned back, sighing Merlin's name. Merlin peeked up at him before extending his tongue to lick at the head; Arthur eyes were wide and nearly black from the dilated pupils as he watched him. His hand went up to Merlin's head, fingers combing into his hair, and cupped his skull, but he didn't try to force Merlin's motions, something that stunned him a little. Merlin worked his mouth down over him, his tongue wiggling, and Arthur moaned. He bobbed his head, sucking, and Arthur's head fell back with a groan. He pulled off to lap up the salty fluid at the tip; he savoured Arthur's flavour. He wasn't so sure he'd ever be able to look at Arthur again without remembering doing this. He put everything into bring Arthur to the very brink, swirling his tongue and sucking, bobbing his head quickly, and then painfully slow. As his passion rose, Arthur began chanting Merlin's name like it was a mantra. Merlin gripped his hands around Arthur's hips and took as much of him into his mouth as he could as Arthur began spewing his liquid. Merlin swallowed without hesitation, lost in Arthur's scent and their combined delight. He let Arthur slip limply from his mouth and curled beside him on the bed.

As soon as Arthur had caught his breath, he turned to Merlin, taking him in hand again. They laid side by side, foreheads touching, while Arthur stroked him.

"Merlin," Arthur said softly, his lips brushing softly at his while he spoke, "the things you do-" he broke off when a small moan escaped from Merlin's mouth. "Ever since you came…just…you, you-" he looked down at where Merlin's cock slid in and out of his hand, not able to look Merlin in the eye any longer as he spoke, "I…love the things you do." he whispered quickly, as if he might lose the courage to say it if he didn't say it fast.

"Arthur." Merlin groaned brokenly, both from his words and from his hand. This seemed to return some of Arthur's bravery to him, for he looked back into his eyes.

"I love-" but he never got to finish, because Merlin captured his lips and he spilled his seed into Arthur's hand.

The two of them settled into one another, sun burn nearly forgotten, but with another sort of burn in their eyes and hearts.

Outside of the room, in the main chamber, Gwen and Morgana stood, there to retrieve the tonic to aid Morgana's sleep. They could hear some motion in Merlin's room, but they didn't dare disturb those inside.

"Do you think…" Guinevere trailed off, looking at Morgana.

"Yes, of course. They like each other." Morgana and Gwen shared a smile. "I wouldn't be all that surprised if they said they were in love."