Merlin smiles to himself, eyes shut as he sways to the music. He hums a little with the tune, pretending that he's there standing amongst those noblemen and women. Pretending that he's there with Arthur as his father brings the ceremonial sword down upon his shoulder. The warlock smiles looking up at the ceiling as though he can see through the rock and up into the throne room wherever it may be. 

He wonders if it's strange to feel proud. To feel pride in his friend's achievement. He knows best how hard Arthur's worked for this day and he wouldn't want anything more than to be able to go up there to the castle just to be there to see him. But he can't.

Merlin sighs at the thought, the music no longer as soothing as before. He gets to his feet, stretching his arms in the air as he starts to pace the cell, his stomach rumbling. He looks to the door, wondering where the caretaker was. They normally would deliver his meal early in the morning, yet it's already the afternoon and they're still not here. Perhaps even they are busy with Arthur's knighting ceremony?

The warlock slumps back down against the wall, looking up at the light that filters through the grate, half expecting Arthur's head to poke out from between the bars despite knowing that the prince will probably not come today. There's a feast after the knighting ceremony. He won't have time for him. 

"Merlin?" A voice calls, as someone enters the room. 

The warlock sits up, "Gwen? Aren't you watching Arthur's knighting ceremony?"

The maid settles down in front of the grate, smiling down at him. "It's not exactly open to servants," she says a little sadly, "So I thought I'd keep you company before the feast starts."

Merlin frowns, sad to hear that Gwen can't attend, but also a little happy that at least there's someone with him. Arthur's gotten busier now that he's older as his father takes him out on various trips and assignments more often. He has to admit he's gotten lonely recently, but at least Morgana and Gwen try their best to come visit him whenever Arthur can't. "Thank you."

Gwen smiles and the two chat for awhile, talking about all sorts of things from Gwen's brother, Elyan, to Morgana and Arthur's bantering. They laugh and enjoy themselves as much as they can before the feast begins. 

It's late afternoon before Gwen gets to her feet, stretching her arms in the air before turning towards the door with a farewell. Merlin's sad to see her go, but knows that he can't keep her from her duties and so doesn't complain.

When the door shuts behind her Merlin slumps down lower against the wall, suddenly thrust back into the reality of that cold room. He feels lonely. So utterly lonely. Almost instinctively he reaches up to the cloth tied around his neck, to the neckerchief that Arthur had given him a year ago. He's found much comfort in it this last year. 

He looks around, wondering what he could do until it's late enough to head to sleep. After searching around for a few moments he picks up one of his books from off the ground. He flips to one of the pages he's marked with the yellow rose Arthur had given him and starts to study the image on the page. The image of a butterfly. 

It's been years now since he first attempted to make the insect but still he can't get it looking right. Arthur's said he's improved, but it's still not perfect. 

He holds his palms out in front of him, focusing all his magic towards the centre of his cupped hands as he chants. There's a glow of blue, then a ticklish feeling on his palm as the creature shifts in his hands. Merlin smiles at the little butterfly, proud of the slight improvements he's made. He watches it flutter into the air, circling around the room for a few minutes before it leaves through the grate. 

Merlin smiles, wondering where it's fluttering off too. Maybe it'll go see Arthur for him. 

A few minutes later the slot opens and his meal of bread and water drops in. Merlin looks to the door, "Thank you," he calls, but no one answers. There's only the sound of receding footsteps. 

-----

Arthur yawns, rubbing at his eyes while Mary hovers around him in a panic as she arranges his clothes. He's been up since first light preparing for his knighting ceremony and honestly he feels that all it's done is make him look more unpresentable. The lack of sleep has bound to put bags under his eyes and make them appear bloodshot, but apparently no one seems to care all that much. At least his clothes looked fine. 

Mary clasps the red cape around him, making sure it was orderly and neat before stepping back to admire her work. "Perfect. Oh you look so handsome!" she coos with a smile, "I can hardly believe that little prince who used to run around the palace is becoming a knight!" 

Arthur gives her a smile, having grown rather fond of his caretaker after she's had to put up with him for seven years. He's truly surprised she hasn't left yet. Most would have after the first few months. "I can hardly believe it myself," he says as he checks himself in the mirror, "I'm sorry to force you up so early in the morning."

Mary just giggles, "Oh no. That's alright. I'm usually up at this time already. Besides, I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Then I apologize for taking the time from your other duties."

She smiles at him, "That's alright," she says before glancing down at the floor a little sadly, "they can wait. Are you nervous for today?"

Arthur shifts in his spot because he did feel nervous today. But nervous for a different reason. "I suppose. I'm afraid I'll make a mistake."

Mary smiles at him reassuringly, "You'll be just fine. Now come on, let's get going."

She leads him out of the room before allowing the guards to take her place as they lead him towards the throne room. He stops once he reaches the large double doors. They bear down on him, staring imposingly as they wait. Arthur swallows the lump in his throat, the nervousness hitting him now that he can hear the quiet chatters of the people on the other side. He shifts his weight from foot to foot, trying to rid himself of the unease. 

After a few minutes the voices on the other side cease and the noise is replaced by the sound of drums. It's time. 

The two guards that flank him open the door, revealing the large throne room that has been decorated from top to bottom solely for him. Rows upon rows of people line the sides, all clapping enthusiastically as he makes his way down the aisle. 

He approaches his father before kneeling by the king's feet, bowing his head while he swears his oath. Uther smiles down at him as he finally knights him. 

When he rises and turns to the crowd he finds everyone cheering his name. He smiles at the crowd but turns his gaze towards where his friends stand. There's Gaius with Geoffrey, both looking proud of their student. Mary stands a little off to the side with what looks like tears in her eyes. Then there's Morgana who sends him a playful smirk. Leon is on the opposite side with the other knights, giving him a nod and a smile in recognition. 

He's happy to see them all, truly he is. But still there's a pang of hurt in his chest when the one person he wants to see is no where to be found. 

As the people start to file out of the room and into the dining hall he catches something out of the corner of his eye. Something that appears to glow a bright blue. Arthur turns in it's direction and smiles because there, fluttering in the middle of the throne room, is a blue butterfly. 

-----

Merlin stares up at the ceiling, feeling his stomach rumble as the smell of delicious food wafts down into his cell. He can smell chicken, fresh bread, and various spices, all of which makes him grow hungrier as he thinks of the platters of food. He hasn't had anything besides cold bread for awhile now. Maybe Arthur will sneak him something tomorrow? He usually does after a feast, but then again he's probably busy celebrating. He wouldn't remember someone like him during such an important feast. 

The warlock sighs, staring down at the floor with a frown at the thought in his head. He shouldn't keep pestering Arthur. He's a knight now and a royal prince as well. Eventually, he's not going to be able to waste time with a warlock trapped in a cell. He'll have more important things to do. More people to protect. He'll forget about him soon.

Merlin sniffles, rubbing the tears from his eyes before they've even had the chance to fall. He's not going to cry. He'll support Arthur. No matter what happens. He'll be there for him, whether the prince knows it or not. 

Boisterous laughter filters down into the cell, making the warlock look back up in wonder. What's Arthur doing right now? Is he talking with his father? Or perhaps sharing a drink with Morgana? Maybe he's with his fellow knights right now. Having a drink or two as they laugh together with women surrounding them. 

For some reason that thought stabs right through the warlock's heart. He can feel his magic stir within him. Feel his power seeping out, ready to hunt whomever may get a little too close to his prince. Books, candles, pillows, everything around him floats off the ground. They respond to his anger, to his irritation, to his jealousy. But, before his magic has the chance to lash out he quickly reels it in. The objects drop back to the floor, extinguishing the candles and plunging the room into darkness as they land with a clatter. His father would have been angry with him if he saw. 

Merlin sighs, leaning back against one of the pillows Arthur had brought him and, with a wave of his hand, puts everything back into place. The warlock sighs, turning onto his side before closing his eyes, wondering why his heart beat frantically in his chest whenever he thought of that prat. 

The moon is already up high in the sky when the door to the closet suddenly creaks open. Merlin wakes, wondering who it could be as he sits up, stretching his arms in the air and yawning. He rubs at his eyes before they turn a bright gold and the candles in the room spark to life, the flame casting flickering shadows across the walls. He gets to his feet, walking towards the grate sluggishly as he squints into the darkness above him. 

"Arthur?" he calls, silently hoping that it was the prince who was there while also doubting it. 

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Arthur says as his head appears next to the grate with a candle. Merlin's heart skips a beat at the sight of the prince. 

"No, was still awake," he says with a smile, "Did you need something?"

Arthur looks away shyly, his eyes seeming to dart around the room as he chooses his words. "Um, not really. I didn't need anything I just..." he trails off, chewing on his lower lip as once again he ponders his words. He runs a hand through his hair, the situation apparently frustrating him. 

"Just what?" Merlin asks. 

Arthur looks down at him then almost immediately flushes a bright red. He quickly turns away, hiding his face in the shadows as he gingerly reaches through the bars, holding something out to the warlock below. 

Merlin stares at the object in the prince's hand, not quite able to make it out from this distance. He glances towards Arthur, curious as to what it is before he wills his magic to bring the object down. Once it's halfway to him Merlin can finally see what it is. It's another book. 

He raises an eyebrow as he plucks it out of the air, wondering why Arthur's acting in such a strange way just to give him another book. That's when he notices something sticking out from between the pages. It's a flower. A bright red flower. 

Merlin reaches out, touching the petals and feeling it's softness under his fingers. The plant is in full bloom, the colour vibrant and stunning in the candlelight. He smiles at the flower, simply staring at it for a moment before he flips to the page that it's marked. 

He picks up the flower, twirling it between his fingers as he reads the words on the page. 

Red Chrysanthemum

Meaning: I Love You

Merlin feels his heart skip madly in his chest as he reads the words, over and over again. This isn't a joke. Is it? He stares down at the flower, then back up at the prince who still has his back turned. Even from this distance he can see the bright tinge of pink on the boy's ears. 

Merlin can feel himself start to blush but despite the embarrassment there's a smile plastered to his face. It was one of those smiles that came only once in a lifetime. Those smiles that one could never truly wipe off their face once it finally appeared. 

-----

Arthur shuffles nervously outside the door to the closet, staring at the aging wood as he clutches the book tightly in his arm. He can do this. He vowed to himself that he would do this, so why is he hesitating? He's a knight now. He can do this. 

Slowly, he enters the room, hearing the hinges creak as the door opens in front of him, revealing the room he's spent so much time in. Spent all his best moments. 

As he walks towards the grate he hears Merlin down in the cell, moving and shuffling as he hears him approach. "Arthur?" the boy calls, the simple sound of his voice making the prince feel much more relaxed. 

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he asks as he sits himself down by the grate. 

Merlin smiles up at him, and that expression sends his nerves jumping once again. "No, was still awake. Did you need something?"

Arthur averts his gaze, not sure if he's able to say it with Merlin staring at him with those blue eyes. "Um, not really. I didn't need anything I just..." The sentence trails off, leaving him frustrated now as he tries to come up with the words. Why won't anything come out? Hasn't he practised this a hundreds times already?

"Just what?" Merlin asks curiously with a tilt of his head. 

Arthur blushes, then quickly turns away. He covers his face as he sticks his arms through the bars, holding the book out to the boy below. It takes a moment, but soon the book is gently tugged from his grasp. It's gone. He's taken it. There's no going back. 

Arthur curls up further into a ball, feeling more nervous about this than even the knighting ceremony. What will Merlin say? Will he laugh? Choose never to speak to him again? Oh no. He shouldn't have done this. He should take it back. Right now. Before Merlin reads it. 

He risks a glance at the grate and he tenses when he sees the book open on the boy's lap. Flower in his hand. Arthur quickly turns back around, face turning an even brighter shade of red as he knows that Merlin must be laughing at him. 

A minute passes. Then another minute. And when he still doesn't find an answer his mind turns to the worst thoughts. Merlin hates him. That must be it. Merlin thinks he's a creep and now is probably plotting to kill him. That must be what's happening. He's made a mistake. He's lost his only friend.

Something pokes him in the back and when Arthur turns he's surprised to see the book floating behind the bars with another flower stuck between the pages. 

Hesitantly, the prince reaches through the bars, grabbing the book. He flips to the page where the flower is, taking it out as he reads.

Ambrosia

Meaning: Love is Reciprocated