Hurting Truth

Summary:

Sequel to 'The Importance of an Embrace':

Gaius had died and with his last words he trusted his ward Merlin into Arthurs care. With this the old man hinted to the prince that his servant is keeping a huge secret. How will Arthur react when he finally learns about the truth?

Hi everyone!

So here it finally is as promised, though it took some time.

For those who haven't read the Prequel "The Importance of an Embrace" I would recommend to read this first, though you could also read this as an independent story because the summary states the most important facts. But just do as you like.^^

This story starts right after the events of the Prequel.

And please excuse all the mistakes. Unfortunately I'm no native speaker. But I would be happy if you could inform me about occurring faults.

However, please enjoy reading.

Mourning was a terrible thing. Merlin knew that. How many of his friends had died so far and like always he had to suppress his grieve because of his duty to the prince and for the sake of Camelot.

When Will died Merlin quickly had to get over it. It was demanded of him because Will died as "sorcerer". With that Merlin just wasn't allowed to mourn openly.

Then Freya died. Merlin hadn't known her long but she was his first and only true love. His feelings for her had been so strong. He had even thought about leaving Camelot, abandoning his destiny just to be with her. Arthur hadn't known anything about that but still he had sensed that something was wrong with his servant. The prince thought it was just because of the water that he had spilled over his servant that time, though he could hardly believe that something meagre as that would upset Merlin that much. All he knew was that he didn't like to see Merlin brooding over something. And if it really was because of something the prince had done in reply to Merlin's behaviour, he simply wanted to show his servant that he wasn't mad at him anymore. That's why he tried to cheer him up and gladly it seemed to work.

Soon Merlin was back to his normal self along with the usual prattle the prince would scold him for but secretly Arthur loved to hear it. A day without it was an empty waste of time though of course Arthur would never admit that loudly.

Back then Merlin had realized that the future he had wished for with Freya was lost. He remembered the duty he had. It was his task to keep Arthur safe. How could he just think about denying his destiny? And it wasn't just that. Arthur was too important to him. Not because he was the prince prophecies announced to become the king who would unite Albion. Arthur was his friend and he was certain that the world needed a king like him.

So Merlin came to the conclusion that he would never leave his destined path ever again. Not because it was said to be Merlin's destiny, no, just because Merlin wanted it by himself. By Arthurs attempt to cheer him up (though it was for another reason) he found back to his assurance, while hiding any sign of mourning from anybody.

But then they found Balinor and just hours after they were finally united as father and son, Merlin had to watch him die. And this time he wasn't able to hold back his tears. Arthur had seen it and even spoke about it.

Fortunately Arthur had thought that Merlin had just cried because of the loss of the last dragonlord and because he was afraid that Camelot would be doomed now.

However, though Merlin tried to overcome his sorrow instantly, it had hurt him deeply. But again he had to snap out and needed to prepare for the fight against the dragon. He required every interior strength to actually succeed. It was so hard to face the dragon after this enormous loss but Merlin found his courage because of Arthur, again. Merlin knew that the prince couldn't beat the dragon, no matter how strong this thick-headed prince was. And Merlin surely didn't want Arthur to die, so he went with him to the fight. When it was done he was able to overcome the hatred inside of him against the murderers of his father because he realized that he had to care about the future. Again he had to move on for the sake of everyone.

Today was a different day. Once more he had lost someone very dear to him. Gaius was more than his guardian. He was like a father to Merlin. The old and wise man had brought words of severity and discipline when they were needed, even if Merlin didn't want to hear them sometimes. But he also comforted Merlin when he was down or about to give up. And now Gaius was gone forever.

There was no way how Merlin could just swallow this loss down without showing any sign of grieving. His mother had sent him to Gaius because she knew that he would be the right teacher for her son. That's why he even came to Camelot in the first place. Of course things had changed a lot since that. This wasn't about learning to control his magic anymore. Merlin had found his destiny in Arthur but still, how was he supposed to go on without the guidance, wisdom and love of Gaius?

How long could he survive without doing something stupid what could surely cost his head? Gaius had prevented many accusations of sorcery, dashed down every attempt of suspicion and excused his ward when he had done things wrong.

Merlins head was heavy from all the thoughts that shot through it and only dizzily he realized how Arthur talked to him quietly.

The prince had helped his servant up to his feet after they had parted from their embrace.

Merlin could only remember parts of the prince's words. They were comforting, kind and understanding, something that Merlin hadn't heard often from his master. He would have thanked Arthur if his mind wouldn't have been in such a tumult.

Arthur had guided him out of the physician's chambers where Gaius corpse still lay. The prince ordered a nearby servant to get one of the guest rooms ready.

It was surely uncommon to prepare such a room for a servant. The confused servant dared to ask the prince when the guest would arrive.

Arthur just barked back at him not to ask but to do what he was ordered to.

The servant hurried away immediately without further questions.

Arthur looked back at Merlin, clearly missing some of his usual remark. Surely on a normal day Merlin would have scolded the prince for yelling at a poor servant like that. But everything the prince saw were dark empty and endlessly sad eyes.

Arthur decided not to press on Merlin. He would give him the time he needed to get over this loss.

As they walked through the hallway they met Gwen. She still had tears in her eyes but wiped them away when she saw them approaching.

Arthur gently touched her shoulder. She looked at him sadly but soon she assured with her kind brown eyes that she was all right and ready to help.

Thankfully Arthur spoke to her.

"Please, Gwen, could you stay with Merlin?"

"Of course!"

She embraced Merlin before she gently guided him to her room where he could rest.

Arthur looked after them. Of course he wanted nothing more but to be near Merlin in this sad time but he guessed that Merlin would rather want to have a friend around to whom he could confide to with his sorrow. Arthur wasn't sure if he could be the right person for this. Besides, he as prince had to deal with other things right now.

Clearly he saw the servant walking towards him who his father often used to summon his son.

Sighing Arthur went to the throne room where duty was calling for him.

"Arthur! There you are."

"Father."

Arthurs voice was flat without the normal enthusiasm.

Uther realized it clearly but went on after a short pause.

"Now that Gaius is dead we have to assign a new court physician."

Arthur's eyes flickered with some indignation. How could his father just go back to business as if nothing had happened? After all, Gaius was his most trusted servant and friend. They had known each other since decades but there was no sign of true mourning inside the king's eyes.

Arthur couldn't understand it at all but it wasn't his right to complain. So he got back to business as his father obviously demanded.

"Who do you have in mind, father?"

"I've heard of a healer who lives in Lord Godwin's realm. I'm thinking about summoning him."

"Well, do you want me to send for him?"

"Yes, but there is some more."

"What is it?"

Uther sighed and began to pace. Arthur could clearly see though this behaviour, It meant uneasiness.

"Gaius begged me to assign him. He was a friend of him."

"So what is the problem?"

"You know that Gaius had used magic when he was younger."

"Yes, I do."

Arthur was confused that his father brought up this fact right now but decided to listen on before asking.

"Well, the man Gaius wanted me to assign was known as a sorcerer too."

"Does he still practice magic?"

"Gaius said no but I don't trust in it."

"You don't trust Gaius' word?"

"I did but … I just want to be sure. That's why I want you to keep an eye on him as soon as he arrives. I'll allow no sorcery in my realm."

"Understood, I'll take of everything."

Arthur was about to leave the room but the king held him back.

"Arthur, wait, there's something else."

"Father?"

"I was told by one of the servants that you ordered him to prepare one of the guest rooms. Do we expect any visitors?"

"No. It's just for my servant, Merlin. I didn't want him to stay where his mentor had died."

"The boy ... yes. Gaius talked to me about him before he died. He asked for my permission to let him stay here in the castle as your servant. But I don't know if I should be pleased with that."

Arthur was shocked.

"But Merlin serves me since several years. Don't tell me you want to throw him out of the castle just because Gaius isn't there anymore."

"Gaius was his custodian and pledged himself responsible for him. Now that Gaius is gone, there is no one left to pledge for him."

"But Merlin isn't a boy anymore!"

Uther shot a look of sincere disbelieve at his son.

"You should know best how much trouble this idiot had caused over the years. I often wonder why you even keep him as your servant."

Arthur would have replied to this with some invalidation but his father went on before the prince was able to get out the proper words.

"But I think the time has come now to get you a new servant. The boy will never get over Gaius' death. How could he serve you properly anymore? You should forget about him."

Arthur felt offended, not for himself but for Merlin. He couldn't suppress the urge to protect him.

"All he needs is some time! You can't expect me to throw him out right now. It wouldn't be right, no matter how often he messes up. Beside this, he has always been of good service to me and his loyalty is beyond everything I've seen from any other servant."

The disbelieving look of the king hardened.

Arthur sighed. He hadn't intended to speak the following words to his father because the prince knew that the king wouldn't support it but now it seemed necessary.

"I gave Gaius my word that I would take care of Merlin and I won't break it."

Uther shot forward to his son, shouting furiously.

"You shouldn't have given such a promise!"

Arthur was shocked by this sudden outburst of his father. A little confused but still determined he replied.

"But I did and I won't take it back! My honour demands it!"

Uther seemed to realize that his words had been a little too harsh so he tried to calm down. Back to a normal volume he replied.

"No one would accuse you if you wouldn't keep this promise."

"Enough, father! I'll take over the responsibility for Merlin. Don't worry about him anymore. I'll deal with everything."

"Fine, do as you please. But I forbid him to use the guest chambers. They are not meant for lowly servants. Not to think what our royal guests would say."

"At least let me give him one for this night. I'll care for something new after that."

Uther stared at his son disapprovingly. But finally he gave in to the sincere look in Arthurs eyes.

"Fine, one night."

"Thank you, father."

"And Arthur, don't try to treat Merlin above his status. It doesn't fit a servant to be favoured and I won't approve it."

Arthur hesitated but finally nodded to pacify his father and left the room. Walking angrily through the hallways it still ran through his mind.

'Dammit, how can he just be so cold?'

Okay, what do you think so far? Just let me put something straight: I've planned several chapters and I promise there's more behind than you could see right now. I hope it was noticeable that there was someone acting a little OOC. This was absolutely intended and is important for the rest of the story.

Please review and tell me if you want me to go on. I'll try to update rotational with my other stories.

Bye, Cennamace