[Fic] Soulmate
Okay, so even though I didn't get anyone interested in beta-ing my fic, I will just post part one up and see what everyone thinks so far. I have up to part five written, but things might change or get re-arranged, etc. So here it is, for all of your viewing pleasure. Any thoughts on it are appreciated. I may or may not be online again this week.
Soulmate
Chapter 1
Pairings: Arthur/Merlin, Leon/Morgana, Arthur/other omega (only in beginning and nothing explicit), minor Merlin/other (later), Lancelot/Gwen, and other minor pairings (slash and het).
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Omegaverse, knotting, barebacking (obviously), oral, some violence, death of minor characters, dub-con situation, suggestion of mpreg happening (obviously, this IS omegaverse), soul-bonding, minor angst, blood, scarring, urinating, oh and magic.
Contents: canon era AU, soulmate fic, scenting, possessive and protective Arthur, collaring, strong magic abilities, crossover references to other things
Notes: First Omegaverse fic. I couldn't resist playing in this genre. Also trying out new writing techniques I haven't done before, so let's hope that it turns out well. :)
Info on the omegaverse is here: - insert link here -
Other things to note: May also include stuff regarding witchcraft, some of it more or less made up and some gleaned from books. Also will include references from Elfquest, might have small references to other things (like Dune and Harry Potter), and I'll have my own take on some of the Alpha/Omega/Beta dynamics. A terminology will be included at end of fic and will have its own chapter, because it's quite long.
Another quick note: the word Soulmate is one word in this universe, especially when it's talking about an actual person (which is the reason why it is capitalized).
Summary: Arthur discovers that he can only tie with his Soulmate and no one else. Merlin discovers that he has a destiny in Camelot, and that he needs to find and tie with his Soulmate before any of the other alphas try to stick their knot in. There's also something going on between Leon and Morgana. Could it be actual love, or is there more to it?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor do I make any money off this.
.-.
Raindrops
.-.
"I can't," Arthur said, breath coming out harsh and ragged. He promptly removed himself from Princess Elena and shifted as close to the edge of the bed as possible. He rubbed his forehead, eyes screwed shut. He could feel pain building behind his eyes and around his temples. His hand came away wet with sticky perspiration. "I just-I'm sorry, Elena, but I can't do it…"
Despite the warmth radiating throughout the bedchamber, Arthur's skin broke out in gooseflesh. He had to force himself not to shiver when a light spring breeze came in from the open window. Because of the usual chemistry that went on between Alphas and Omegas, normally there wouldn't be a fire going in the fireplace. Yet, Arthur wished for one at the moment, desperately.
The bed stirred, silk sheets hissing softly, and a gentle moan emitted from the other side. Arthur turned his head slightly and noticed peripherally that Elena hadn't moved from her elbows-and-knees position. She turned her head on the pillow to look at him and he looked away, swallowing in a dry throat. He wiped his forehead again, hand running down the side of his neck nervously, irritated. His stomach gave a weak lurch.
"Please try again, Arthur," Elena murmured. "I need-oh, I desperately need your knot in me." He could smell that she needed him, and yet…
Arthur shivered, but he wasn't sure if it was from the cool air or from what Elena said. His head hurt, he was exhausted, and he really needed to put more clothes on. He felt too exposed suddenly, even with the thin sheet that was partially covering his lap. Underneath, his flaccid cock lay useless against his thigh. He'd been limp since realizing that nothing he could do would make him stay locked in her. He'd kept slipping out, barely hard at all, and his knot wouldn't swell. He had tried to imagine her as someone else, but it'd been no use - her scent had overwhelmed any picture he had mentally produced.
And her scent was wrong. There was really no other way he could explain the feeling he was getting from her other than wrong. No enticing perfume, no alluring flowery scent, and nothing sweet to tickle his senses. It was sour and repugnant and just plain wrong.
Without thinking twice, Arthur snatched up the glass of water that had been left out for Elena and downed it in two large gulps. His headache was not leaving and neither was his frustration. Another breeze blew into his chambers, causing more goose pimples to erupt from Arthur's skin, and the back of his skull ached. He hoped like hell that whatever was wrong with him was because Elena wasn't compatible, and that it had nothing to do with anything physical. He'd never heard of a pureblooded Alpha - a True Alpha - being impotent before.
He heard shifting behind him again, Elena's scent heavy in the stifling air around them. He couldn't make himself turn to look at her again. His mind and body were at war with each other. He knew he had an obligation to his kingdom, to Camelot, and to his king. He had to produce an heir that would carry on the lineage and keep Camelot from collapsing. But it seemed that fate was against him from the start; no matter how many Omegas from royal families were thrown his way, he couldn't perform his Alpha duties. None of them had smelled right, but he continued to try - for his king, for Camelot.
The room dimmed and the air changed. Arthur glanced out the window; dark clouds were descending on the castle. The early spring air wafted in, and the scent of heavy rain penetrated his nostrils, blanketing all other smells. It overlapped the scent Elena was giving off. It was almost like a balm to his senses. His headache ebbed slightly.
Princess Elena continued to shift on the cool sheets, whimpering softly into her pillow. He almost felt sorry for her, if he hadn't been having his own private breakdown. Arthur pushed his palms into his eyes, trying to get some relief. There was a throbbing in the back of his skull, itching with annoyance. The scent of rain in the air had done nothing to remove the irritating itch. It almost seemed to have enhanced it.
"I'm sorry, Elena," Arthur said too softly, then with more volume, "I'm sorry. I cannot - I must see the king."
Elena gave a high-pitched whine, begging him to return to her, but he could not. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get stiff again.
He quickly got dressed, ignoring the sounds and smells emitting from the bed. Droplets tapped on the windowpane and splattered onto the stone window sill. He crossed his chambers to close it, which might have been a mistake because of the temperature in the room, but he didn't want a puddle on the floor. The scent in the room immediately went back to the way it had been before, and his headache was building. He took a deep breath as he tried to control the urge to open the window again. With a trained will of iron, he was able to ignore his instincts and turned away.
Once he finished dressing into his usual princely red and gold attire, Arthur took one last look at the Omega princess. She was staring up at him, a pleading and aching look in her eyes. Normally, when any Omega looked at an Alpha like that, the urge to tie with them was overpowering. Yet, here he was, disregarding the pull. Something was definitely wrong, and he needed to figure out what. The ache in his skull was not abating. His instinct to open the window grew, but again he ignored it. His upbringing and training allowed him to keep a tight control on his emotions.
"I'm sorry," he said again and then turned to exit his chambers, leaving Elena writhing on his bed. He closed the door behind him with finality. He never felt more relieved as he did in that moment.
.-.
King Uther was already in council when Arthur entered the room. He recognized Morgana, Sir Leon, and Gaius standing before the king. Uther looked harassed (which for him wasn't unusual); Morgana stood there with her arms tightly folded across her chest, eyes blazing; Sir Leon stood beside her with a brave face and straight back, a loyal but determined look in his gray-blue eyes; and Gaius looked as he always did: confident, wise, and unwavering.
"Arthur," the king said once he neared them. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be tied with the Princess Elena by now?"
"A very good question, Father, and one that I was hoping to get an answer to. But I see that you're busy with something else at the moment." Arthur might be concerned about his predicament, but it was still an embarrassing issue and one he wasn't too eager to speak about. He didn't know how his father was going to take the fact that his only son was having trouble with his manhood. He doubted Uther ever had trouble with his.
"Is it urgent?" Uther asked in a kingly yet troubled tone. "I can always postpone this meeting-"
"I am not going to wait a second longer," Morgana said, voice strong and confident. "That's why I had asked for an audience in the first place, my lord."
She threw a meaningful look toward Arthur, almost as if she were pleading him to understand, and hopefully not get too angry about it.
"Are you all right with waiting, Arthur?" Uther asked.
"I can wait," Arthur said, feeling somewhat relieved. "Is there anything I can do to help with whatever's going on?"
"Perhaps you could be of some assistance in this matter," Uther said. "What say you, Gaius?"
"It's fine with me, Sire," Gaius said, "as long as it's fine with the Lady Morgana and Sir Leon."
"I don't mind Prince Arthur joining in our council," Sir Leon said almost straightaway.
Uther looked at his ward. "Well, Morgana?"
Morgana released a heavy sigh. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. He'll find out about it eventually anyway."
Arthur stood at his father's right and met their gazes. "So, what's going on?"
Uther let out a small breath. "Morgana wishes to end her association with her Handler, so that she is free to Bond truly with Sir Leon."
Arthur turned in surprise to stare at Camelot's second in command of the army and first knight. Leon had always been seen as unflappable and restrained, a top fighter and first-rate knight, so it was hard for Arthur to see Leon in any sort of romantic relationship. "You - I did not know that yours and Morgana's souls have met."
"It's not exactly a meeting of the souls," Morgana said curtly. "It's more of a meeting of the hearts and minds. I am choosing him."
"Which is what we were discussing before you entered," Uther said.
"A meeting of hearts and minds?" Arthur said, shocked. "Not of souls?"
"You know as well as any, Sire, that meeting one's true mate is a luck of the draw," Gaius said. "Sometimes it takes a person's entire lifetime before they find them, and even then they might be too old to do any mating or tying of any kind, because their hearts might not be able to handle it. Sometimes when that happens, they die because either they cannot complete their bond or their hearts give out during the tie. Either way, waiting for your true mate can be a gamble on your life. And it's especially true for pureblood Alphas and Omegas."
"Which is another reason why I'm choosing now instead of waiting," Morgana said. "No matter how many Alphas the king throws at me, I can't seem to click with any of them."
"I wish for her to wait," Uther explained, shooting Morgana a meaningful glare, and she had her mouth partially open as if she had been about to say more on the issue. She snapped her mouth shut as Uther continued with: "It will be more advantageous for the kingdom if she were to bond with an Alpha nobleman or royal person."
"I always thought that pureblooded Alphas - True Alphas - were also knights and powerful warriors," Arthur said.
"Yes," Morgana said, shooting the king a quick glare before returning to Arthur; "but where do these True Alphas that are knights and warriors come from? They're certainly not noble born, are they? I don't think royals are the only ones gifted in such a way. Besides, I believe that Leon has True Alpha traits, even if it isn't overtly noticeable. He has plenty of True Alphas in his bloodline, I can tell." Her nostrils trembled meaningfully.
Sir Leon threw Morgana a grateful look. Arthur thought on that assessment. It was true that Leon had exhibited many traits associated with a True Alpha (he had sensed something from Leon back when Arthur had gone into puberty and came into his full inheritance as a royal pure Alpha). Although for the longest time, it didn't seem to Arthur as if Leon were any sort of competition with regards to finding a mate. He always figured that Leon was one of those non-dominant kind of alphas that would either end up with a regular Beta female or some other kind of omega that wasn't considered a True Omega.
Leon had never set off Arthur's rutting instincts, either, where sometimes alphas had to fight in order to determine who was the strongest. Arthur had to do that before with a few of his knights, and had won each and every bout. The fights weren't the kind where one had to duel to the death - that was a completely different sort of fight called an Alpha Duel. Mainly those duels required a challenge where one alpha would throw their gauntlet at the feet of the other alpha. If the challenged alpha agreed to the duel, he would pick up the gauntlet. If the challenged alpha didn't agree… well, it was a rare thing, and Arthur's never seen anyone in Camelot refuse a challenge, yet. It was like a code of honor. When one died in such a duel, they were buried with honors, as if they had been killed during a war.
So whether Leon was a True Alpha or not, he was still an alpha - born with a knot at the base of his manhood - and he was able to scent when an omega went into their heat. Whenever Morgana went into heat next, he had a feeling that Leon would home in and he'd be able to do the job properly.
Unlike Arthur.
"So, this isn't a Recognition of the souls," Arthur said, slowly digesting everything. "It's a meeting of hearts and minds…. A love bonding?"
Morgana's cheeks softened with a pink hue, even when her face stayed stoic, and Leon was surprsingly fighting off a blush as well.
"So it would seem," Gaius said, smiling. He glanced from Morgana to Leon, and then looked at Arthur. "What's your opinion on this matter, Sire?"
Everyone turned to look at him. Arthur tried to ignore the weight of those eight eyes on him, coughed into a fist, said, "Well… it seems to me that they should be allowed their bond. I mean-might as well. Morgana's just going to do whatever she wants anyway."
"Thank you, Arthur," Morgana said, smirking a little. "At least someone here understands."
"I do understand your point as well, Father," Arthur continued swiftly, careful not to take one side completely. "After all, you only want what's best for her, and I know where you're coming from, because I too wish nothing but the best for our Morgana."
Morgana squirmed a little from the sentiment coming out of her stepbrother's mouth.
"Still," Arthur went on, "I think of Leon as my own brother, and he soon might be, and I can think of no one else more worthy to give Morgana away to. Sir Leon is honorable, fair, and just; and I believe he will treat Morgana with respect and kindness, whether she deserves it or not."
Sir Leon clapped Arthur on the arm. "Thank you, Sire. That means a lot to me."
Morgana smiled and nodded at him. "Yes, thank you, Arthur. I suppose I should take what you've said as a compliment."
"It was meant as one," Arthur said, smiling back.
"Well said, Sire," Gaius said, nodding sagely. He then turned to the king. "Well, my lord, what say you?"
Uther had his lips pursed, as if contemplating everything he'd heard. Arthur could tell by his father's expressions that he was giving in as the moment marched on. Uther's eyes had started out steely, but they transformed into a softer quality. Uther closed his eyes, pained or annoyed - it wasn't understood which - opened them and ogled Leon a while and then Morgana.
"Well," he finally voiced, "it seems to me that I really have no say in this, especially since I'm being outvoted-"
A real smile broke out on Morgana's face. Leon was relieved, his shoulders sagging.
"You'll let the connection with my Handler dissolve, then?" Morgana said, hopeful. She gingerly fingered the Dampening Collar that was clasped around her neck. It was made out of soft leather and cold iron, and in the middle it had a stylized Ω - the symbol for Omega.
Uther let out a long, shaky sigh, as if it were costing him much in what he was about to say. "…Yes. As of this evening, after supping, your connection with your Handler shall be terminated, and Sir Leon will be allowed to court you until you come into your heat-"
Morgana threw her arms around the king's shoulders, startling everyone present. Uther was especially shocked, because it was rare for Morgana to show so much emotion in front of others, even if they were people that she knew and trusted.
Then, in her happiness, she turned and gave Arthur a bear hug. Grinning with real brotherly affection toward her, he hugged her back.
"Well done," he said softly into her hair.
"I don't know if I could have persuaded him without you," she said quietly into his shoulder. "Thank you, Arthur."
"You're welcome. Just remember not to get caught outside in public somewhere when you come into your heat. No one wants to see Leon stuck in you while you waddle to your private quarters."
Outraged, Morgana smacked him on the shoulder. "Arthur! That's incredibly tactless!" But then a few seconds later she sent him a half smile. Arthur smirked back, knowing their deep sibling emotions were at the core of the teasing.
"Well, now that that's taken care of," Uther said, clearing his throat. "Wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about, Arthur?"
Some of the elation of the moment disappeared, and Arthur almost thought about ignoring his immediate problem. However, since it was already addressed to the king when he'd first arrived, and the fact that Elena might come waltzing in any minute-if she was in control of her heat again, that was-he might as well come clean.
"Well, Father, uh…" Arthur looked over at Morgana and Leon, and in a split second decision, said, "Morgana, Sir Leon, could you give us some privacy?"
"Oh, I see how it is," Morgana said, but without much malice. "It's fine if you're involved in our meeting, but you don't want us around for yours."
"It's a bit of a delicate situation," Arthur said as apologetically as he could. "I'm sorry, Morgana, but you'll probably hear about it later anyway, so-"
"So why not let us stay, then?" she said.
Leon, bless him, understood Arthur's plight, even if he didn't know just what it entailed, and took a firm grip on Morgana's shoulders. "Come on, beloved. Let Prince Arthur have his private talk with the king. I'm sure it isn't really anything we should be concerned about."
Morgana tried to fight him, but in the end she succumbed. Before leaving, she waved a meaningful finger into Arthur's face. "You will tell me what's going on. If not, I shall be very put out. It isn't fair that you can know my dealings but I cannot know yours."
"I promise," Arthur said. "I'll tell you about it later."
"Good. Make sure that you do." She then allowed Leon to steer her away, head held high. Leon was running a soothing hand across her back and shoulders as they left.
"Sir Leon seems to know how to handle her," Arthur said as he continued to stare after them. "Don't you agree, Father?"
"I must admit, he does seem to be a good match for her. I wish I had noticed their budding relationship sooner, though. The little sneak." Uther didn't even need to say just who the sneak was that he was talking about-Arthur knew. He'd had enough experience when it came to dealing with his step-sister.
He chuckled under his breath. "You know Morgana, Father - when she wants something there is very little that can get in her way. She must have known that telling you about her and Leon too soon would ruin things for them."
He had to admire his step-sister in that. Even he was a little frightened of her whenever she had something within her sights. To refuse her anything was tantamount to suicide. She was rather obstinate for an Omega, which wasn't often sought. It made Arthur idly wonder if his Omega would be like that. Might not be so bad, actually. He wasn't sure if he wanted an Omega that always submitted to him without question. That could become very boring. He wouldn't mind the tug-of-war for power between himself and his mate. He'd take an Adamant Omega over one that was exceedingly subservient any day.
The king turned back to him. "So, Arthur-what is so important that you must discuss with me without an audience?" He glanced at Gaius as if suddenly remembering that they weren't alone after all. "Do you wish for Gaius to leave as well?"
Arthur thought on it, but in the end he shook his head. "He can stay."
Gaius gave Arthur a small smile and bowed. "Thank you for your trust in me, Sire."
"It's best if Gaius stayed anyway, because of what I'm about to talk to you about." Arthur took a deep breath, preparing for the worst. His upbringing helped him as he delved deeply into the core of his being and forced his fears to the recess of his mind. "I don't quite understand it myself, but… well, I-" he trailed off, fighting to control his emotions. He should not allow himself to feel shame, even if it seemed out of his control. The mere thought his problem froze his tongue.
"What is it?" Uther asked. He recognized the look of discomfort on his son's face and stepped closer. He put a gloved hand onto Arthur's shoulder. "Did something happen to Princess Elena?"
It was a fear that was entirely reasonable. Sometimes when an omega didn't get enough water or energy of some sort during a tie, they could end up with an Ague, become Arid, go into a wild Burning, or become Fatigued. They were all dangerous illnesses for an omega, and sometimes even the best Alpha (as the Custodian) would fail their Omega in their time of need.
Arthur shook his head. "No," he said, his voice breaking. "No, nothing like that. It's just that, well… I cannot…" He took a deep breath and continued briskly, "I'm unable to tie with the Princess Elena."
There was a weighty pause, but it was brief.
"Nonsense," Uther said. "You're an Alpha-a True Alpha-and all royal True Alphas are able to tie with any Omega. It is our birthright, our legacy-there are no errors in our ancestry. It must be the princess's fault-"
Arthur shook his head, eyes shut and cheeks aflame. "No, Father. I swear it has nothing to do with her, or with any other princess." He opened his eyes and stared at his father, determined that he understood. "No matter what I do, or how I do it, I - I stay flaccid."
Uther was now shaking his head, mainly in disbelief, his mouth crumpled in worry and irritation. "No, Son, you do not mean that-"
"I'm sorry, Father," Arthur half whispered. "But it's the truth. I can't stay stiff, and my knot will not fatten…"
Uther turned away and began pacing the front of his throne like a caged animal, hands fiddling with the front of his tunic. Arthur had to force himself to stay, even if his feet wanted to move toward the double doors and keep on moving until he was far away from the citadel.
Finally, after a few moments of intense waiting, Uther turned to Gaius and said sternly, "Well? You're the court physician. What's your opinion on this matter?"
"I have three theories, Sire," Gaius said at once. "But you might not like them."
Uther's stern look got even sterner, if that were at all possible. "Spare me any humor on this issue, Gaius, and just tell me."
"Well, your Highness," Gaius said, "the first thought to cross my mind was that Arthur has a rare illness that starts in the mind, thus halting the stiffening of his manhood, or it effects the manhood completely rendering it useless. But I know for a fact that True Alphas do not suffer from such a disease, especially in the presence of an Omega in heat. The chemistry between the two is so strong that it's supposed to guarantee mating and, therefore, produce offspring a hundred percent of the time.
"My second guess is that Princess Elena either isn't compatible enough for any True Alpha or she isn't a complete True Omega - meaning that she might be a Beta that would at times go into heat, or one of those rare Omegas that cannot sync up with any sort of alpha, Pure or otherwise. I dismiss this theory too, because we've got records that prove that she is from real royal stock, and therefore is a True Omega. Even her father has had her checked."
Gaius paused, and they stared at one another. Arthur was biting his thumb nail in his anticipation.
"And the third?" Uther urged, crossing his arms.
"Well, I must do more research for the third hypothesis," Gaius said. "But I do believe, my lords, that-well, that Arthur cannot tie with Princess Elena because she's not his One and True Omega Mate."
"My what?" Arthur said, eyes wide.
"They're called Soulmates," Gaius explained. "It has been known to happen to royal Alphas with a long pureblood lineage. But it hadn't happened in the Pendragon family for three generations, as far as I know, and it is possible that-"
"No," Uther said flatly. "Absolutely not. It's a load of poppycock."
"But, Sire-"
"I did not need a soulmate in order to produce an heir and neither does Arthur," Uther said. His voice strong, invoking no argument. "He just hadn't found the right Omega yet. We'll throw a feast for Princess Elena tonight in hopes that she won't be too disappointed, and then we'll try someone else. I heard that Princess Mithian had been searching for the right Alpha. She sounds promising."
"Sire," Gaius tried again, as patiently as he could. "You must understand-a Soulmate is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to the royal household. Soulmates are bound in such a way that no one else will do, and they guarantee strong and healthy offspring…"
"And how do you propose we find this so-called soulmate, then?" Uther demanded. "For all we know, they're not even on the island. I won't have my son suffering while he waits for some unknown person to make their appearance."
"As I said, Sire," Gaius hurried on, "I must do more research. It's possible that he cannot tie with anyone because his Soulmate is close at hand and that they're-"
"Not another word on this issue, Gaius!" Uther snapped. "I mean it. Arthur, let Princess Elena know that it isn't working out, but that we'll send her off with a feast. Be kind and hopefully she'll understand."
"Yes, Father," Arthur said. He bowed to show just enough deference before turning to leave. He didn't wish to stick around to hear any more arguments emerging between his father and Gaius.
Once outside the double doors, which had closed solidly behind him, he sighed and lay his head back against them, rubbing his temples in irritation. His headache had returned with a vengeance. The itch in the back of his skull wasn't easing up either. He didn't want to go through the same thing with another princess, no matter what his father said or did. He had to be sure that what Gaius said was true. If he had a Soulmate somewhere out there, somewhere nearby, then he had an obligation to them - and that meant no more trying to mate with strange Omega princesses.
Some time passed during his small mental breakdown, and the sounds of distance footsteps shook him out of it. With a heavy heart, Arthur made his way back to his bedchambers. He was so distressed that he almost didn't notice the figures huddled within a wide alcove near a window. Furious whispering made him look up and he stopped. He recognized the edge of the dress that stuck out… it was Morgana. Arthur stepped to his right a little and carefully peered around the alcove's corner. She was with Leon.
He knew he should turn back and let them have their privacy, but something about it didn't feel right. He'd never seen them have any sort of argument before (they didn't argue in front of others anyway), and it only made him more curious. Quietly, he pressed his back to the wall next to their hiding nook. He had arrived in time to hear Leon whisper in a low, abrasive timbre:
"You haven't answered my question-"
"And I do not need to," Morgana hissed. "If I didn't like you I wouldn't have agreed to your proposal. You know that."
"Morgana, please… I beg you give me a straight answer. You know how I feel, but it isn't right that I do not know your true feelings in all this. I gave you my heart, which I do not do lightly, and I want to know if I have yours."
"Isn't it enough that I have agreed to tie with you? Must you over-romanticize things?"
"Beloved, please-" Leon said it in such a beseeching manner that it made Arthur turn his head to watch. It looked as if he had tried to kiss her, but Morgana turned her head away, eyes shut.
"Let's save that for the heat," she said sharply. Her chest heaved with emotion, but it wasn't understood which one.
"But…"
"Later, Leon," she snapped. She wiggled free of his grasp and walked away. Leon watched her go, face crumpling. Arthur very carefully side-stepped over to the largest tapestry in the hall and hid behind it. He waited patiently, hardly breathing, for Leon to leave. A few heartbeats later, Leon finally left. Arthur watched as Leon's shadow on the floor grew smaller and smaller. He waited a little longer just to be sure he had gone, and then peered out from around the wall-hanging. The hallway was empty.
Arthur silently crept out and tried to walk as casual as possible. When he passed a couple guards, he hoped they didn't sense any guilt or grievance emitting from him. He knew he shouldn't have heard any of that, but a part of him was glad. There was something more going on between Leon and Morgana, and it made him wonder if he should ask them about it-then again, it was probably none of his business. If he said anything, they might figure out that he'd been spying on them, and the last thing he wanted was to lose Leon's trust or to incite Morgana's ire.
.-.
When Arthur entered his chambers, the first thing he noticed was that it was stifling hot. He immediately went to the window and opened it. Thankfully, it wasn't raining any longer, but the window was still pebbled with droplets and everything outside looked dark with water. A cool breeze fluttered against his cheek and he breathed out a deep sigh, taking in the petrichor. The spring air smelled sweet, like freshly blooming flowers, and the itch behind his skull throbbed with a pleasant ache. His head wasn't as sore as before, but his heart felt light and his senses tingled.
Arthur hadn't recognized it before, but now he realized that it could be his heightened Alpha awareness that was scenting the changes in the air. It wasn't just because it was springtime, nor was it because many omegas went into their heat around this time of year. There was the hint of yearning deep in him - the need to go out and seek. He breathed in deeply, the tandalizing scent on the wind filling his nostrils, lightly perfumed in the fallen rain. It had to be his True Mate. He hadn't sensed it before because he'd been so busy trying to tie with other Omegas and their odors had blocked out everything else.
Sighing, Arthur laid his temple against the cool stonework that framed the window. He could kill himself for not noticing the scent on the air. He closed his eyes in agony, a cold chill running down his spine. He almost betrayed his Soulmate!
After berating himself mentally for a while, he turned his attentions back to the matter at hand. Namely, letting Elena down easy. He only hoped that she wouldn't be too disappointed with him.
But thankfully, Princess Elena wasn't troubled when Arthur told her they weren't working out. She was surprisingly understanding. After dressing behind the screen, she walked up to Arthur and placed a gentle hand on his arm, said, "It's okay, Arthur. Perhaps we just don't… click. Don't worry about me, though. I'll find the one I'm supposed to be with."
"I hope that you do," he said. He kissed the back of her hand. "But, at the very least, we did try."
Elena giggled. "Yes. We did. There's no harm in that. And it wasn't entirely unpleasant." She didn't seem to be suffering in her heat too badly, but then she did have some special herbs from her emergency satchel that she'd brought with. But he wondered if she was still wet for an alpha's knot.
"My father-King Uther-is throwing you a feast tonight, to show there are no hard feelings, and that hopefully our kingdoms can continue to be allies."
"Of course we're still allies, Arthur, and I'll be there. I never miss a good feast, if I can help it."
Arthur was glad they were still on good terms. She was a lovely person, very sweet, if a little clumsy at times. Coming to a sudden decision, Elena proposed that they rode together to pass the time. Arthur agreed, if only to help ease the itchiness behind his skull. Thankfully the rain was holding out, even though there were dark clouds looming on the horizon. Arthur mounted his usual loyal steed and Elena was given a particularly sweet mare. If anyone were to watch them, they could have sworn the two were made for each other. Both were fair-haired, although one lighter than the other-both had sparkling blue eyes, both were incredibly attractive, and both enjoyed the freedoms outside the castle.
But no matter the likenesses between them, and the compatibleness, Arthur could only see Elena as a little sister. It was espeically true now, now that he'd sensed his True Mate.
They raced on their horses to alleviate the remainder of their energy (mostly hers), and she surprised him in how well she rode. The urgent scent on the air was strengthening, but he steeled himself, forcing his instincts to ignore it. It wouldn't be prudent if he suddenly rode off and left Elena on her own. And besides, his father would never forgive him.
By the time they'd returned, it was well after four o'clock. They laughed and talked along the way, and it filled Arthur with relief. They could still be friends, and he had promised her that if there was anything she needed, he would always be there for her.
"Unless you're tied up," she said a moment later, and then laughed. "Oh, I made a joke there! Because, uh, you could be with someone… tied to them, I mean, and if you are then chances are that you'd be a while, so…"
Arthur chuckled. "Yes, I know what you mean."
Before they entered the castle, she stopped him and said, "Please don't worry for me. I'll be fine. I mean, it isn't every day that someone of such pedigree and social standing rejects you, but still-"
"Believe me, Princess, if my body had worked the way it was supposed to…"
Elena nodded, patting Arthur's arm in understanding. "It's fine, Arthur, really. Let's not dwell on it, yeah? Let's just have fun at the feast."
Arthur gave her a small grateful smile. Then he offered her his arm. "You're so right, my lady. Shall we?"
"Indeed we shall," she beamed, taking his arm.
.-.
Arthur was supposed to get ready for the feast, but his mind wouldn't rest. He fought the need to see Morgana or Leon and talk to them. Instead, he decided to concentrate on his own problem. In that, at least, he could find some sort of solution.
He sought out Gaius immediately after he had dropped Elena off at her guest chambers. He knew that the old physician would still do research on his problem, even if the king told him to drop it. Arthur saw that his hunch was right the moment he walked into Gaius's quarters.
The old man had books strewn on his table top, many still leafed open, but some closed and stacked on top of one another. The candle Gaius was using to read with had melted halfway already, the flame a bright beckon in the shadowy room. Gaius' eyes were getting on in years, so he needed a candle in order to see better, even if the sun hadn't fully set yet. The dark clouds on the horizon were getting closer, partially blocking some of the remaining sunshine. It was evident to anyone that it was nearing suppertime, but Arthur's mind was too occupied with other issues to fully pay attention.
"Oh, Sire," Gaius said when he noticed Arthur calmly walk in. "I had a feeling you'd still want me to do that research. I may not be an alpha myself, but I've known a few in my days and I know that the issue you're dealing with is a crucial one. So I took it upon myself to help you, even if the king doesn't wish to hear the truth."
"Thanks, Gaius. I knew I could count on you. I only wish I hadn't said anything in front of my father. I should have just come to you."
"Perhaps, but I think you did the right thing; the king has the right to know when something important is happening to you… or is bothering you in any way."
Arthur stood on the opposite side of the table. His fingers itched to look through some of the unopened tomes, but for all he knew Gaius could have already read them. Instead, he watched Gaius as he pored over a heavy looking one, the pages yellowing and the corner turned down.
"No luck so far then?" he said.
"I'm afraid not, Sire. I found many interesting subjects on Alphas and Omegas and everything else in between, but so far there's nothing about an Alpha unable to… er… perform properly."
That didn't sound promising, but he had faith in the old physician and his ability to scour for answers. After a bit, Arthur got tired of standing; he pulled up a second chair and sat at the table. He put his chin in his hands and sighed. He tried not to dwell much on his fear - that he might be forever impotent - as he watched Gaius scanning his books.
"Can I help at all?" he finally asked.
"I'm not sure if you'd have more luck than me, Sire, but if you really feel the need, go ahead. This pile," he indicated the stack of books at his left. "I've already looked through, but not this pile," he finished, waving a hand at the stack on his right.
Deciding he probably wouldn't get any peace of mind anyway, Arthur grabbed a book from the top of the pile on his left and started to scan the first few pages. He found one chapter talking about the history of famous True Alphas-princes, kings, dukes, warlords, and warlocks-but found no mention of difficulties tying. Of course these True Alphas wouldn't have problems, thought Arthur angrily: they were famous. They'd never have difficulties in getting erect and tying with their respective Omegas.
Some time later, dark clouds loomed over a pink and orange horizon, dimming the room further. Droplets pattered lightly on the windows and roof. The candle was down a few more marks and the flame waned. Gaius removed the glasses on his nose to rub at his eyes. Arthur closed his sixth book and stuck it in the done pile, then joined Gaius in a slight breather.
"Maybe we're approaching this the wrong way," Arthur said, breaking the somber silence. "Maybe we should be looking up information about Soulmates."
Gaius's head flew up, eyes wide. "My lord, you may have something there! Why didn't I think of it before?" He bustled over to his bookshelf and quickly scanned the spines. Arthur was just about to ask him if he needed more light to see when Gaius's quick hands removed three books: one from a high shelf, one from the middle, and one from the low. It briefly made Arthur wonder why those books weren't together in the first place. Then again, he didn't know what Gaius's order system was and didn't want to sound bossy at the moment.
"These may or may not help," Gaius said. He set down two in front of himself and handed one to Arthur. "We'll look through them together. You take the lightest one, your Highness."
With a nod, Arthur complied and immediately began to skim through it. The book didn't have just lovely handwriting, but it also had pictures. There was one picture in particular that depicted what the Alpha's penis looked like limp and then erect, the knot at the base fully swollen. Arthur was glad for the dimness of the room, otherwise he'd have to explain to Gaius why his face was so red. He quickly turned the page and was relieved to find no pictures but a lot of curly and blocky lettering. When he noticed the words 'Alpha' and 'knotting' he read the pages with more care.
Minutes passed by, and Arthur was almost ready to give up, his eyes sore and heavy, when his gaze skimmed over the word 'Soulmates'. He blinked a few times, waiting for his eyes to re-focus, before he realized that he had indeed read that correctly.
"Gaius! I think I found something," he said excitedly.
"Really?" Gaius said, echoing Arthur's enthusiasm. "Well, what's it say, Sire?"
Arthur read aloud: "At times, a True Alpha cannot mate with anyone, whether it be an Omega or not, because that True Alpha's Soulmate, their True Omega Mate, is closeby and about to go into their Heat-or has already gone into their Heat. The scent of the True Omega can be so potent at times that the True Omega's Soulmate-the True Alpha-can sense it from miles away. The distance apart from each other determines the frequency and strength of the True Alpha's reactions. Exceptions to this rule include those that can use magic. If the True Omega is a sorcerer, and is fairly powerful, then the distance has no meaning. The connection they share is very strong and it is highly likely they will meet during their lifetimes.
"The only known way of locating the True Alpha's Soulmate is to allow the True Alpha (and even the True Omega) to roam the land and to pay close attention to their surroundings. Not much else is known about True Alpha and True Omega Soulmates or their mating habits. It is considered uncommon and typically not a living to be coveted. There is one rumor about them, and that is that Soulmates have secret names deep within their minds. Legends say these soul names are usually not known to the owners of the names, but will come to light once skin touches skin."
Arthur looked up from the page and stared at Gaius, conveying with only his eyes that he hoped that the old man had any ideas about what he'd just read.
Gaius hummed in thought, eyebrows knitted tightly together. "It would seem, Sire, that the only thing you can do is go on many outings and hope for the best. If what it says is true, then you should be able to meet your Soulmate."
"What's this about having a soul name?" Arthur asked. "Do you know what it's talking about?"
"I believe it means that you and your intended mate have secret names deeply imbedded within your minds. They won't be known to either of you until you touch each other."
"Skin to skin," Arthur murmured. His face suffused with hot blood, and he was again thankful there wasn't much light. "Um, does it matter what skin? I mean can it just be a handshake or does it need to be something sensual, like a kiss?"
"I imagine it would be anything. Maybe even just your fingertips or a light touch of a hand to the face. Anything."
Arthur bit his bottom lip. He tried to envision what his Omega would look like, but all that his mind supplied for him was someone tall, maybe about his height, with dark hair and elvinish features. He then tried imagining his hand lightly caressing his Omega's face, and his groin throbbed. Embarrassed by his own imagination, he shook his head roughly and the dream Omega disappeared from his mind's eye. He immediately forgot the features he'd dreamed up.
"I have a soul name, then?" he said, willing himself to return to the main topic. It would not be a good idea to have even a slight boner while speaking with Gaius. But he was secretly pleased to learn that he wasn't forever impotent after all.
"I'm certain that you do, Sire," Gaius said. "But you needn't worry. You'll know it the moment your skin comes into contact with your Omega's skin."
"So, how am I to know of them?" Arthur said. He rubbed his face with both hands. "By scent or on sight, or what?"
"I do not recall," Gaius said slowly, as if he were thinking on it. Arthur raised his head to see Gaius staring resolutely at the book in front of him, as if he could glean the knowledge from it without reading anything. "It is possible that you'll know by scent or sight. I've heard of both happening when an alpha and an omega meet for the first time. Their eyes lock and they just… click."
"Do you think that's what happened with Morgana and Leon? Or did it come slowly for them?" He hoped it was a mutual thing. The last thing he wanted to hear was that Morgana had somehow coerced Leon into the match.
"No one but the two know. Only way to know for sure is to ask them," Gaius said.
Arthur nodded, filing it away in his mind for later when he could confront them, or maybe just Leon (he was less afraid of approaching Leon than his step-sister). He didn't want to stop at the one book just because he thought he found everything out, though. There might be more to the whole Soulmate thing written somewhere else.
After a while, Gaius stood and opened his window a crack. Sounds of gently falling rain was actually relaxing. The clean smell washed away all other scents like a balm. Yet, penetrating through the crisp smell of rain came the unmistakable aroma of his mate-nudging his mind and urging him to go out and Hunt. They were still out there somewhere, and even though Arthur was determined to get information about his predictament, the heady scent he sensed was beckoning him. He had to grit his teeth and ignore the call. His royal bearing aided him, as well as his knight training. A lesser man would have succumbed long ago and went chasing after the faintest whiff.
Minutes later, Gaius noticed the silent fight going on within Arthur, so he crossed back to the window and shut it. Sounds and smells diminished, and Arthur could breathe a little easier.
"I apologize, Sire," Gaius said, sitting back down. "I didn't mean to forget that you were battling with your alpha instincts. I only wanted to get some fresh air."
"It's all right, Gaius. I've been fighting my innate urges for most of the day. What's a few more hours of torture?"
Gaius gave him a pitying look, and Arthur tried to ignore it, even if he wanted to tell the old man that he didn't need his pity. He was sure he wasn't the only True Alpha in the world to be suffering the way he was. The answers he needed were vital to not just his sanity but to his kingdom.
And he needed his Soulmate, for more than one urgent reason. Most recent being his father's insistent matchmaking. He wasn't sure how long he could hold out.
.-.
Soulmate
Chapter 1
Pairings: Arthur/Merlin, Leon/Morgana, Arthur/other omega (only in beginning and nothing explicit), minor Merlin/other (later), Lancelot/Gwen, and other minor pairings (slash and het).
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Omegaverse, knotting, barebacking (obviously), oral, some violence, death of minor characters, dub-con situation, suggestion of mpreg happening (obviously, this IS omegaverse), soul-bonding, minor angst, blood, scarring, urinating, oh and magic.
Contents: canon era AU, soulmate fic, scenting, possessive and protective Arthur, collaring, strong magic abilities, crossover references to other things
Notes: First Omegaverse fic. I couldn't resist playing in this genre. Also trying out new writing techniques I haven't done before, so let's hope that it turns out well. :)
Info on the omegaverse is here: - insert link here -
Other things to note: May also include stuff regarding witchcraft, some of it more or less made up and some gleaned from books. Also will include references from Elfquest, might have small references to other things (like Dune and Harry Potter), and I'll have my own take on some of the Alpha/Omega/Beta dynamics. A terminology will be included at end of fic and will have its own chapter, because it's quite long.
Another quick note: the word Soulmate is one word in this universe, especially when it's talking about an actual person (which is the reason why it is capitalized).
Summary: Arthur discovers that he can only tie with his Soulmate and no one else. Merlin discovers that he has a destiny in Camelot, and that he needs to find and tie with his Soulmate before any of the other alphas try to stick their knot in. There's also something going on between Leon and Morgana. Could it be actual love, or is there more to it?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor do I make any money off this.
.-.
Raindrops
.-.
"I can't," Arthur said, breath coming out harsh and ragged. He promptly removed himself from Princess Elena and shifted as close to the edge of the bed as possible. He rubbed his forehead, eyes screwed shut. He could feel pain building behind his eyes and around his temples. His hand came away wet with sticky perspiration. "I just-I'm sorry, Elena, but I can't do it…"
Despite the warmth radiating throughout the bedchamber, Arthur's skin broke out in gooseflesh. He had to force himself not to shiver when a light spring breeze came in from the open window. Because of the usual chemistry that went on between Alphas and Omegas, normally there wouldn't be a fire going in the fireplace. Yet, Arthur wished for one at the moment, desperately.
The bed stirred, silk sheets hissing softly, and a gentle moan emitted from the other side. Arthur turned his head slightly and noticed peripherally that Elena hadn't moved from her elbows-and-knees position. She turned her head on the pillow to look at him and he looked away, swallowing in a dry throat. He wiped his forehead again, hand running down the side of his neck nervously, irritated. His stomach gave a weak lurch.
"Please try again, Arthur," Elena murmured. "I need-oh, I desperately need your knot in me." He could smell that she needed him, and yet…
Arthur shivered, but he wasn't sure if it was from the cool air or from what Elena said. His head hurt, he was exhausted, and he really needed to put more clothes on. He felt too exposed suddenly, even with the thin sheet that was partially covering his lap. Underneath, his flaccid cock lay useless against his thigh. He'd been limp since realizing that nothing he could do would make him stay locked in her. He'd kept slipping out, barely hard at all, and his knot wouldn't swell. He had tried to imagine her as someone else, but it'd been no use - her scent had overwhelmed any picture he had mentally produced.
And her scent was wrong. There was really no other way he could explain the feeling he was getting from her other than wrong. No enticing perfume, no alluring flowery scent, and nothing sweet to tickle his senses. It was sour and repugnant and just plain wrong.
Without thinking twice, Arthur snatched up the glass of water that had been left out for Elena and downed it in two large gulps. His headache was not leaving and neither was his frustration. Another breeze blew into his chambers, causing more goose pimples to erupt from Arthur's skin, and the back of his skull ached. He hoped like hell that whatever was wrong with him was because Elena wasn't compatible, and that it had nothing to do with anything physical. He'd never heard of a pureblooded Alpha - a True Alpha - being impotent before.
He heard shifting behind him again, Elena's scent heavy in the stifling air around them. He couldn't make himself turn to look at her again. His mind and body were at war with each other. He knew he had an obligation to his kingdom, to Camelot, and to his king. He had to produce an heir that would carry on the lineage and keep Camelot from collapsing. But it seemed that fate was against him from the start; no matter how many Omegas from royal families were thrown his way, he couldn't perform his Alpha duties. None of them had smelled right, but he continued to try - for his king, for Camelot.
The room dimmed and the air changed. Arthur glanced out the window; dark clouds were descending on the castle. The early spring air wafted in, and the scent of heavy rain penetrated his nostrils, blanketing all other smells. It overlapped the scent Elena was giving off. It was almost like a balm to his senses. His headache ebbed slightly.
Princess Elena continued to shift on the cool sheets, whimpering softly into her pillow. He almost felt sorry for her, if he hadn't been having his own private breakdown. Arthur pushed his palms into his eyes, trying to get some relief. There was a throbbing in the back of his skull, itching with annoyance. The scent of rain in the air had done nothing to remove the irritating itch. It almost seemed to have enhanced it.
"I'm sorry, Elena," Arthur said too softly, then with more volume, "I'm sorry. I cannot - I must see the king."
Elena gave a high-pitched whine, begging him to return to her, but he could not. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get stiff again.
He quickly got dressed, ignoring the sounds and smells emitting from the bed. Droplets tapped on the windowpane and splattered onto the stone window sill. He crossed his chambers to close it, which might have been a mistake because of the temperature in the room, but he didn't want a puddle on the floor. The scent in the room immediately went back to the way it had been before, and his headache was building. He took a deep breath as he tried to control the urge to open the window again. With a trained will of iron, he was able to ignore his instincts and turned away.
Once he finished dressing into his usual princely red and gold attire, Arthur took one last look at the Omega princess. She was staring up at him, a pleading and aching look in her eyes. Normally, when any Omega looked at an Alpha like that, the urge to tie with them was overpowering. Yet, here he was, disregarding the pull. Something was definitely wrong, and he needed to figure out what. The ache in his skull was not abating. His instinct to open the window grew, but again he ignored it. His upbringing and training allowed him to keep a tight control on his emotions.
"I'm sorry," he said again and then turned to exit his chambers, leaving Elena writhing on his bed. He closed the door behind him with finality. He never felt more relieved as he did in that moment.
.-.
King Uther was already in council when Arthur entered the room. He recognized Morgana, Sir Leon, and Gaius standing before the king. Uther looked harassed (which for him wasn't unusual); Morgana stood there with her arms tightly folded across her chest, eyes blazing; Sir Leon stood beside her with a brave face and straight back, a loyal but determined look in his gray-blue eyes; and Gaius looked as he always did: confident, wise, and unwavering.
"Arthur," the king said once he neared them. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be tied with the Princess Elena by now?"
"A very good question, Father, and one that I was hoping to get an answer to. But I see that you're busy with something else at the moment." Arthur might be concerned about his predicament, but it was still an embarrassing issue and one he wasn't too eager to speak about. He didn't know how his father was going to take the fact that his only son was having trouble with his manhood. He doubted Uther ever had trouble with his.
"Is it urgent?" Uther asked in a kingly yet troubled tone. "I can always postpone this meeting-"
"I am not going to wait a second longer," Morgana said, voice strong and confident. "That's why I had asked for an audience in the first place, my lord."
She threw a meaningful look toward Arthur, almost as if she were pleading him to understand, and hopefully not get too angry about it.
"Are you all right with waiting, Arthur?" Uther asked.
"I can wait," Arthur said, feeling somewhat relieved. "Is there anything I can do to help with whatever's going on?"
"Perhaps you could be of some assistance in this matter," Uther said. "What say you, Gaius?"
"It's fine with me, Sire," Gaius said, "as long as it's fine with the Lady Morgana and Sir Leon."
"I don't mind Prince Arthur joining in our council," Sir Leon said almost straightaway.
Uther looked at his ward. "Well, Morgana?"
Morgana released a heavy sigh. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. He'll find out about it eventually anyway."
Arthur stood at his father's right and met their gazes. "So, what's going on?"
Uther let out a small breath. "Morgana wishes to end her association with her Handler, so that she is free to Bond truly with Sir Leon."
Arthur turned in surprise to stare at Camelot's second in command of the army and first knight. Leon had always been seen as unflappable and restrained, a top fighter and first-rate knight, so it was hard for Arthur to see Leon in any sort of romantic relationship. "You - I did not know that yours and Morgana's souls have met."
"It's not exactly a meeting of the souls," Morgana said curtly. "It's more of a meeting of the hearts and minds. I am choosing him."
"Which is what we were discussing before you entered," Uther said.
"A meeting of hearts and minds?" Arthur said, shocked. "Not of souls?"
"You know as well as any, Sire, that meeting one's true mate is a luck of the draw," Gaius said. "Sometimes it takes a person's entire lifetime before they find them, and even then they might be too old to do any mating or tying of any kind, because their hearts might not be able to handle it. Sometimes when that happens, they die because either they cannot complete their bond or their hearts give out during the tie. Either way, waiting for your true mate can be a gamble on your life. And it's especially true for pureblood Alphas and Omegas."
"Which is another reason why I'm choosing now instead of waiting," Morgana said. "No matter how many Alphas the king throws at me, I can't seem to click with any of them."
"I wish for her to wait," Uther explained, shooting Morgana a meaningful glare, and she had her mouth partially open as if she had been about to say more on the issue. She snapped her mouth shut as Uther continued with: "It will be more advantageous for the kingdom if she were to bond with an Alpha nobleman or royal person."
"I always thought that pureblooded Alphas - True Alphas - were also knights and powerful warriors," Arthur said.
"Yes," Morgana said, shooting the king a quick glare before returning to Arthur; "but where do these True Alphas that are knights and warriors come from? They're certainly not noble born, are they? I don't think royals are the only ones gifted in such a way. Besides, I believe that Leon has True Alpha traits, even if it isn't overtly noticeable. He has plenty of True Alphas in his bloodline, I can tell." Her nostrils trembled meaningfully.
Sir Leon threw Morgana a grateful look. Arthur thought on that assessment. It was true that Leon had exhibited many traits associated with a True Alpha (he had sensed something from Leon back when Arthur had gone into puberty and came into his full inheritance as a royal pure Alpha). Although for the longest time, it didn't seem to Arthur as if Leon were any sort of competition with regards to finding a mate. He always figured that Leon was one of those non-dominant kind of alphas that would either end up with a regular Beta female or some other kind of omega that wasn't considered a True Omega.
Leon had never set off Arthur's rutting instincts, either, where sometimes alphas had to fight in order to determine who was the strongest. Arthur had to do that before with a few of his knights, and had won each and every bout. The fights weren't the kind where one had to duel to the death - that was a completely different sort of fight called an Alpha Duel. Mainly those duels required a challenge where one alpha would throw their gauntlet at the feet of the other alpha. If the challenged alpha agreed to the duel, he would pick up the gauntlet. If the challenged alpha didn't agree… well, it was a rare thing, and Arthur's never seen anyone in Camelot refuse a challenge, yet. It was like a code of honor. When one died in such a duel, they were buried with honors, as if they had been killed during a war.
So whether Leon was a True Alpha or not, he was still an alpha - born with a knot at the base of his manhood - and he was able to scent when an omega went into their heat. Whenever Morgana went into heat next, he had a feeling that Leon would home in and he'd be able to do the job properly.
Unlike Arthur.
"So, this isn't a Recognition of the souls," Arthur said, slowly digesting everything. "It's a meeting of hearts and minds…. A love bonding?"
Morgana's cheeks softened with a pink hue, even when her face stayed stoic, and Leon was surprsingly fighting off a blush as well.
"So it would seem," Gaius said, smiling. He glanced from Morgana to Leon, and then looked at Arthur. "What's your opinion on this matter, Sire?"
Everyone turned to look at him. Arthur tried to ignore the weight of those eight eyes on him, coughed into a fist, said, "Well… it seems to me that they should be allowed their bond. I mean-might as well. Morgana's just going to do whatever she wants anyway."
"Thank you, Arthur," Morgana said, smirking a little. "At least someone here understands."
"I do understand your point as well, Father," Arthur continued swiftly, careful not to take one side completely. "After all, you only want what's best for her, and I know where you're coming from, because I too wish nothing but the best for our Morgana."
Morgana squirmed a little from the sentiment coming out of her stepbrother's mouth.
"Still," Arthur went on, "I think of Leon as my own brother, and he soon might be, and I can think of no one else more worthy to give Morgana away to. Sir Leon is honorable, fair, and just; and I believe he will treat Morgana with respect and kindness, whether she deserves it or not."
Sir Leon clapped Arthur on the arm. "Thank you, Sire. That means a lot to me."
Morgana smiled and nodded at him. "Yes, thank you, Arthur. I suppose I should take what you've said as a compliment."
"It was meant as one," Arthur said, smiling back.
"Well said, Sire," Gaius said, nodding sagely. He then turned to the king. "Well, my lord, what say you?"
Uther had his lips pursed, as if contemplating everything he'd heard. Arthur could tell by his father's expressions that he was giving in as the moment marched on. Uther's eyes had started out steely, but they transformed into a softer quality. Uther closed his eyes, pained or annoyed - it wasn't understood which - opened them and ogled Leon a while and then Morgana.
"Well," he finally voiced, "it seems to me that I really have no say in this, especially since I'm being outvoted-"
A real smile broke out on Morgana's face. Leon was relieved, his shoulders sagging.
"You'll let the connection with my Handler dissolve, then?" Morgana said, hopeful. She gingerly fingered the Dampening Collar that was clasped around her neck. It was made out of soft leather and cold iron, and in the middle it had a stylized Ω - the symbol for Omega.
Uther let out a long, shaky sigh, as if it were costing him much in what he was about to say. "…Yes. As of this evening, after supping, your connection with your Handler shall be terminated, and Sir Leon will be allowed to court you until you come into your heat-"
Morgana threw her arms around the king's shoulders, startling everyone present. Uther was especially shocked, because it was rare for Morgana to show so much emotion in front of others, even if they were people that she knew and trusted.
Then, in her happiness, she turned and gave Arthur a bear hug. Grinning with real brotherly affection toward her, he hugged her back.
"Well done," he said softly into her hair.
"I don't know if I could have persuaded him without you," she said quietly into his shoulder. "Thank you, Arthur."
"You're welcome. Just remember not to get caught outside in public somewhere when you come into your heat. No one wants to see Leon stuck in you while you waddle to your private quarters."
Outraged, Morgana smacked him on the shoulder. "Arthur! That's incredibly tactless!" But then a few seconds later she sent him a half smile. Arthur smirked back, knowing their deep sibling emotions were at the core of the teasing.
"Well, now that that's taken care of," Uther said, clearing his throat. "Wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about, Arthur?"
Some of the elation of the moment disappeared, and Arthur almost thought about ignoring his immediate problem. However, since it was already addressed to the king when he'd first arrived, and the fact that Elena might come waltzing in any minute-if she was in control of her heat again, that was-he might as well come clean.
"Well, Father, uh…" Arthur looked over at Morgana and Leon, and in a split second decision, said, "Morgana, Sir Leon, could you give us some privacy?"
"Oh, I see how it is," Morgana said, but without much malice. "It's fine if you're involved in our meeting, but you don't want us around for yours."
"It's a bit of a delicate situation," Arthur said as apologetically as he could. "I'm sorry, Morgana, but you'll probably hear about it later anyway, so-"
"So why not let us stay, then?" she said.
Leon, bless him, understood Arthur's plight, even if he didn't know just what it entailed, and took a firm grip on Morgana's shoulders. "Come on, beloved. Let Prince Arthur have his private talk with the king. I'm sure it isn't really anything we should be concerned about."
Morgana tried to fight him, but in the end she succumbed. Before leaving, she waved a meaningful finger into Arthur's face. "You will tell me what's going on. If not, I shall be very put out. It isn't fair that you can know my dealings but I cannot know yours."
"I promise," Arthur said. "I'll tell you about it later."
"Good. Make sure that you do." She then allowed Leon to steer her away, head held high. Leon was running a soothing hand across her back and shoulders as they left.
"Sir Leon seems to know how to handle her," Arthur said as he continued to stare after them. "Don't you agree, Father?"
"I must admit, he does seem to be a good match for her. I wish I had noticed their budding relationship sooner, though. The little sneak." Uther didn't even need to say just who the sneak was that he was talking about-Arthur knew. He'd had enough experience when it came to dealing with his step-sister.
He chuckled under his breath. "You know Morgana, Father - when she wants something there is very little that can get in her way. She must have known that telling you about her and Leon too soon would ruin things for them."
He had to admire his step-sister in that. Even he was a little frightened of her whenever she had something within her sights. To refuse her anything was tantamount to suicide. She was rather obstinate for an Omega, which wasn't often sought. It made Arthur idly wonder if his Omega would be like that. Might not be so bad, actually. He wasn't sure if he wanted an Omega that always submitted to him without question. That could become very boring. He wouldn't mind the tug-of-war for power between himself and his mate. He'd take an Adamant Omega over one that was exceedingly subservient any day.
The king turned back to him. "So, Arthur-what is so important that you must discuss with me without an audience?" He glanced at Gaius as if suddenly remembering that they weren't alone after all. "Do you wish for Gaius to leave as well?"
Arthur thought on it, but in the end he shook his head. "He can stay."
Gaius gave Arthur a small smile and bowed. "Thank you for your trust in me, Sire."
"It's best if Gaius stayed anyway, because of what I'm about to talk to you about." Arthur took a deep breath, preparing for the worst. His upbringing helped him as he delved deeply into the core of his being and forced his fears to the recess of his mind. "I don't quite understand it myself, but… well, I-" he trailed off, fighting to control his emotions. He should not allow himself to feel shame, even if it seemed out of his control. The mere thought his problem froze his tongue.
"What is it?" Uther asked. He recognized the look of discomfort on his son's face and stepped closer. He put a gloved hand onto Arthur's shoulder. "Did something happen to Princess Elena?"
It was a fear that was entirely reasonable. Sometimes when an omega didn't get enough water or energy of some sort during a tie, they could end up with an Ague, become Arid, go into a wild Burning, or become Fatigued. They were all dangerous illnesses for an omega, and sometimes even the best Alpha (as the Custodian) would fail their Omega in their time of need.
Arthur shook his head. "No," he said, his voice breaking. "No, nothing like that. It's just that, well… I cannot…" He took a deep breath and continued briskly, "I'm unable to tie with the Princess Elena."
There was a weighty pause, but it was brief.
"Nonsense," Uther said. "You're an Alpha-a True Alpha-and all royal True Alphas are able to tie with any Omega. It is our birthright, our legacy-there are no errors in our ancestry. It must be the princess's fault-"
Arthur shook his head, eyes shut and cheeks aflame. "No, Father. I swear it has nothing to do with her, or with any other princess." He opened his eyes and stared at his father, determined that he understood. "No matter what I do, or how I do it, I - I stay flaccid."
Uther was now shaking his head, mainly in disbelief, his mouth crumpled in worry and irritation. "No, Son, you do not mean that-"
"I'm sorry, Father," Arthur half whispered. "But it's the truth. I can't stay stiff, and my knot will not fatten…"
Uther turned away and began pacing the front of his throne like a caged animal, hands fiddling with the front of his tunic. Arthur had to force himself to stay, even if his feet wanted to move toward the double doors and keep on moving until he was far away from the citadel.
Finally, after a few moments of intense waiting, Uther turned to Gaius and said sternly, "Well? You're the court physician. What's your opinion on this matter?"
"I have three theories, Sire," Gaius said at once. "But you might not like them."
Uther's stern look got even sterner, if that were at all possible. "Spare me any humor on this issue, Gaius, and just tell me."
"Well, your Highness," Gaius said, "the first thought to cross my mind was that Arthur has a rare illness that starts in the mind, thus halting the stiffening of his manhood, or it effects the manhood completely rendering it useless. But I know for a fact that True Alphas do not suffer from such a disease, especially in the presence of an Omega in heat. The chemistry between the two is so strong that it's supposed to guarantee mating and, therefore, produce offspring a hundred percent of the time.
"My second guess is that Princess Elena either isn't compatible enough for any True Alpha or she isn't a complete True Omega - meaning that she might be a Beta that would at times go into heat, or one of those rare Omegas that cannot sync up with any sort of alpha, Pure or otherwise. I dismiss this theory too, because we've got records that prove that she is from real royal stock, and therefore is a True Omega. Even her father has had her checked."
Gaius paused, and they stared at one another. Arthur was biting his thumb nail in his anticipation.
"And the third?" Uther urged, crossing his arms.
"Well, I must do more research for the third hypothesis," Gaius said. "But I do believe, my lords, that-well, that Arthur cannot tie with Princess Elena because she's not his One and True Omega Mate."
"My what?" Arthur said, eyes wide.
"They're called Soulmates," Gaius explained. "It has been known to happen to royal Alphas with a long pureblood lineage. But it hadn't happened in the Pendragon family for three generations, as far as I know, and it is possible that-"
"No," Uther said flatly. "Absolutely not. It's a load of poppycock."
"But, Sire-"
"I did not need a soulmate in order to produce an heir and neither does Arthur," Uther said. His voice strong, invoking no argument. "He just hadn't found the right Omega yet. We'll throw a feast for Princess Elena tonight in hopes that she won't be too disappointed, and then we'll try someone else. I heard that Princess Mithian had been searching for the right Alpha. She sounds promising."
"Sire," Gaius tried again, as patiently as he could. "You must understand-a Soulmate is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to the royal household. Soulmates are bound in such a way that no one else will do, and they guarantee strong and healthy offspring…"
"And how do you propose we find this so-called soulmate, then?" Uther demanded. "For all we know, they're not even on the island. I won't have my son suffering while he waits for some unknown person to make their appearance."
"As I said, Sire," Gaius hurried on, "I must do more research. It's possible that he cannot tie with anyone because his Soulmate is close at hand and that they're-"
"Not another word on this issue, Gaius!" Uther snapped. "I mean it. Arthur, let Princess Elena know that it isn't working out, but that we'll send her off with a feast. Be kind and hopefully she'll understand."
"Yes, Father," Arthur said. He bowed to show just enough deference before turning to leave. He didn't wish to stick around to hear any more arguments emerging between his father and Gaius.
Once outside the double doors, which had closed solidly behind him, he sighed and lay his head back against them, rubbing his temples in irritation. His headache had returned with a vengeance. The itch in the back of his skull wasn't easing up either. He didn't want to go through the same thing with another princess, no matter what his father said or did. He had to be sure that what Gaius said was true. If he had a Soulmate somewhere out there, somewhere nearby, then he had an obligation to them - and that meant no more trying to mate with strange Omega princesses.
Some time passed during his small mental breakdown, and the sounds of distance footsteps shook him out of it. With a heavy heart, Arthur made his way back to his bedchambers. He was so distressed that he almost didn't notice the figures huddled within a wide alcove near a window. Furious whispering made him look up and he stopped. He recognized the edge of the dress that stuck out… it was Morgana. Arthur stepped to his right a little and carefully peered around the alcove's corner. She was with Leon.
He knew he should turn back and let them have their privacy, but something about it didn't feel right. He'd never seen them have any sort of argument before (they didn't argue in front of others anyway), and it only made him more curious. Quietly, he pressed his back to the wall next to their hiding nook. He had arrived in time to hear Leon whisper in a low, abrasive timbre:
"You haven't answered my question-"
"And I do not need to," Morgana hissed. "If I didn't like you I wouldn't have agreed to your proposal. You know that."
"Morgana, please… I beg you give me a straight answer. You know how I feel, but it isn't right that I do not know your true feelings in all this. I gave you my heart, which I do not do lightly, and I want to know if I have yours."
"Isn't it enough that I have agreed to tie with you? Must you over-romanticize things?"
"Beloved, please-" Leon said it in such a beseeching manner that it made Arthur turn his head to watch. It looked as if he had tried to kiss her, but Morgana turned her head away, eyes shut.
"Let's save that for the heat," she said sharply. Her chest heaved with emotion, but it wasn't understood which one.
"But…"
"Later, Leon," she snapped. She wiggled free of his grasp and walked away. Leon watched her go, face crumpling. Arthur very carefully side-stepped over to the largest tapestry in the hall and hid behind it. He waited patiently, hardly breathing, for Leon to leave. A few heartbeats later, Leon finally left. Arthur watched as Leon's shadow on the floor grew smaller and smaller. He waited a little longer just to be sure he had gone, and then peered out from around the wall-hanging. The hallway was empty.
Arthur silently crept out and tried to walk as casual as possible. When he passed a couple guards, he hoped they didn't sense any guilt or grievance emitting from him. He knew he shouldn't have heard any of that, but a part of him was glad. There was something more going on between Leon and Morgana, and it made him wonder if he should ask them about it-then again, it was probably none of his business. If he said anything, they might figure out that he'd been spying on them, and the last thing he wanted was to lose Leon's trust or to incite Morgana's ire.
.-.
When Arthur entered his chambers, the first thing he noticed was that it was stifling hot. He immediately went to the window and opened it. Thankfully, it wasn't raining any longer, but the window was still pebbled with droplets and everything outside looked dark with water. A cool breeze fluttered against his cheek and he breathed out a deep sigh, taking in the petrichor. The spring air smelled sweet, like freshly blooming flowers, and the itch behind his skull throbbed with a pleasant ache. His head wasn't as sore as before, but his heart felt light and his senses tingled.
Arthur hadn't recognized it before, but now he realized that it could be his heightened Alpha awareness that was scenting the changes in the air. It wasn't just because it was springtime, nor was it because many omegas went into their heat around this time of year. There was the hint of yearning deep in him - the need to go out and seek. He breathed in deeply, the tandalizing scent on the wind filling his nostrils, lightly perfumed in the fallen rain. It had to be his True Mate. He hadn't sensed it before because he'd been so busy trying to tie with other Omegas and their odors had blocked out everything else.
Sighing, Arthur laid his temple against the cool stonework that framed the window. He could kill himself for not noticing the scent on the air. He closed his eyes in agony, a cold chill running down his spine. He almost betrayed his Soulmate!
After berating himself mentally for a while, he turned his attentions back to the matter at hand. Namely, letting Elena down easy. He only hoped that she wouldn't be too disappointed with him.
But thankfully, Princess Elena wasn't troubled when Arthur told her they weren't working out. She was surprisingly understanding. After dressing behind the screen, she walked up to Arthur and placed a gentle hand on his arm, said, "It's okay, Arthur. Perhaps we just don't… click. Don't worry about me, though. I'll find the one I'm supposed to be with."
"I hope that you do," he said. He kissed the back of her hand. "But, at the very least, we did try."
Elena giggled. "Yes. We did. There's no harm in that. And it wasn't entirely unpleasant." She didn't seem to be suffering in her heat too badly, but then she did have some special herbs from her emergency satchel that she'd brought with. But he wondered if she was still wet for an alpha's knot.
"My father-King Uther-is throwing you a feast tonight, to show there are no hard feelings, and that hopefully our kingdoms can continue to be allies."
"Of course we're still allies, Arthur, and I'll be there. I never miss a good feast, if I can help it."
Arthur was glad they were still on good terms. She was a lovely person, very sweet, if a little clumsy at times. Coming to a sudden decision, Elena proposed that they rode together to pass the time. Arthur agreed, if only to help ease the itchiness behind his skull. Thankfully the rain was holding out, even though there were dark clouds looming on the horizon. Arthur mounted his usual loyal steed and Elena was given a particularly sweet mare. If anyone were to watch them, they could have sworn the two were made for each other. Both were fair-haired, although one lighter than the other-both had sparkling blue eyes, both were incredibly attractive, and both enjoyed the freedoms outside the castle.
But no matter the likenesses between them, and the compatibleness, Arthur could only see Elena as a little sister. It was espeically true now, now that he'd sensed his True Mate.
They raced on their horses to alleviate the remainder of their energy (mostly hers), and she surprised him in how well she rode. The urgent scent on the air was strengthening, but he steeled himself, forcing his instincts to ignore it. It wouldn't be prudent if he suddenly rode off and left Elena on her own. And besides, his father would never forgive him.
By the time they'd returned, it was well after four o'clock. They laughed and talked along the way, and it filled Arthur with relief. They could still be friends, and he had promised her that if there was anything she needed, he would always be there for her.
"Unless you're tied up," she said a moment later, and then laughed. "Oh, I made a joke there! Because, uh, you could be with someone… tied to them, I mean, and if you are then chances are that you'd be a while, so…"
Arthur chuckled. "Yes, I know what you mean."
Before they entered the castle, she stopped him and said, "Please don't worry for me. I'll be fine. I mean, it isn't every day that someone of such pedigree and social standing rejects you, but still-"
"Believe me, Princess, if my body had worked the way it was supposed to…"
Elena nodded, patting Arthur's arm in understanding. "It's fine, Arthur, really. Let's not dwell on it, yeah? Let's just have fun at the feast."
Arthur gave her a small grateful smile. Then he offered her his arm. "You're so right, my lady. Shall we?"
"Indeed we shall," she beamed, taking his arm.
.-.
Arthur was supposed to get ready for the feast, but his mind wouldn't rest. He fought the need to see Morgana or Leon and talk to them. Instead, he decided to concentrate on his own problem. In that, at least, he could find some sort of solution.
He sought out Gaius immediately after he had dropped Elena off at her guest chambers. He knew that the old physician would still do research on his problem, even if the king told him to drop it. Arthur saw that his hunch was right the moment he walked into Gaius's quarters.
The old man had books strewn on his table top, many still leafed open, but some closed and stacked on top of one another. The candle Gaius was using to read with had melted halfway already, the flame a bright beckon in the shadowy room. Gaius' eyes were getting on in years, so he needed a candle in order to see better, even if the sun hadn't fully set yet. The dark clouds on the horizon were getting closer, partially blocking some of the remaining sunshine. It was evident to anyone that it was nearing suppertime, but Arthur's mind was too occupied with other issues to fully pay attention.
"Oh, Sire," Gaius said when he noticed Arthur calmly walk in. "I had a feeling you'd still want me to do that research. I may not be an alpha myself, but I've known a few in my days and I know that the issue you're dealing with is a crucial one. So I took it upon myself to help you, even if the king doesn't wish to hear the truth."
"Thanks, Gaius. I knew I could count on you. I only wish I hadn't said anything in front of my father. I should have just come to you."
"Perhaps, but I think you did the right thing; the king has the right to know when something important is happening to you… or is bothering you in any way."
Arthur stood on the opposite side of the table. His fingers itched to look through some of the unopened tomes, but for all he knew Gaius could have already read them. Instead, he watched Gaius as he pored over a heavy looking one, the pages yellowing and the corner turned down.
"No luck so far then?" he said.
"I'm afraid not, Sire. I found many interesting subjects on Alphas and Omegas and everything else in between, but so far there's nothing about an Alpha unable to… er… perform properly."
That didn't sound promising, but he had faith in the old physician and his ability to scour for answers. After a bit, Arthur got tired of standing; he pulled up a second chair and sat at the table. He put his chin in his hands and sighed. He tried not to dwell much on his fear - that he might be forever impotent - as he watched Gaius scanning his books.
"Can I help at all?" he finally asked.
"I'm not sure if you'd have more luck than me, Sire, but if you really feel the need, go ahead. This pile," he indicated the stack of books at his left. "I've already looked through, but not this pile," he finished, waving a hand at the stack on his right.
Deciding he probably wouldn't get any peace of mind anyway, Arthur grabbed a book from the top of the pile on his left and started to scan the first few pages. He found one chapter talking about the history of famous True Alphas-princes, kings, dukes, warlords, and warlocks-but found no mention of difficulties tying. Of course these True Alphas wouldn't have problems, thought Arthur angrily: they were famous. They'd never have difficulties in getting erect and tying with their respective Omegas.
Some time later, dark clouds loomed over a pink and orange horizon, dimming the room further. Droplets pattered lightly on the windows and roof. The candle was down a few more marks and the flame waned. Gaius removed the glasses on his nose to rub at his eyes. Arthur closed his sixth book and stuck it in the done pile, then joined Gaius in a slight breather.
"Maybe we're approaching this the wrong way," Arthur said, breaking the somber silence. "Maybe we should be looking up information about Soulmates."
Gaius's head flew up, eyes wide. "My lord, you may have something there! Why didn't I think of it before?" He bustled over to his bookshelf and quickly scanned the spines. Arthur was just about to ask him if he needed more light to see when Gaius's quick hands removed three books: one from a high shelf, one from the middle, and one from the low. It briefly made Arthur wonder why those books weren't together in the first place. Then again, he didn't know what Gaius's order system was and didn't want to sound bossy at the moment.
"These may or may not help," Gaius said. He set down two in front of himself and handed one to Arthur. "We'll look through them together. You take the lightest one, your Highness."
With a nod, Arthur complied and immediately began to skim through it. The book didn't have just lovely handwriting, but it also had pictures. There was one picture in particular that depicted what the Alpha's penis looked like limp and then erect, the knot at the base fully swollen. Arthur was glad for the dimness of the room, otherwise he'd have to explain to Gaius why his face was so red. He quickly turned the page and was relieved to find no pictures but a lot of curly and blocky lettering. When he noticed the words 'Alpha' and 'knotting' he read the pages with more care.
Minutes passed by, and Arthur was almost ready to give up, his eyes sore and heavy, when his gaze skimmed over the word 'Soulmates'. He blinked a few times, waiting for his eyes to re-focus, before he realized that he had indeed read that correctly.
"Gaius! I think I found something," he said excitedly.
"Really?" Gaius said, echoing Arthur's enthusiasm. "Well, what's it say, Sire?"
Arthur read aloud: "At times, a True Alpha cannot mate with anyone, whether it be an Omega or not, because that True Alpha's Soulmate, their True Omega Mate, is closeby and about to go into their Heat-or has already gone into their Heat. The scent of the True Omega can be so potent at times that the True Omega's Soulmate-the True Alpha-can sense it from miles away. The distance apart from each other determines the frequency and strength of the True Alpha's reactions. Exceptions to this rule include those that can use magic. If the True Omega is a sorcerer, and is fairly powerful, then the distance has no meaning. The connection they share is very strong and it is highly likely they will meet during their lifetimes.
"The only known way of locating the True Alpha's Soulmate is to allow the True Alpha (and even the True Omega) to roam the land and to pay close attention to their surroundings. Not much else is known about True Alpha and True Omega Soulmates or their mating habits. It is considered uncommon and typically not a living to be coveted. There is one rumor about them, and that is that Soulmates have secret names deep within their minds. Legends say these soul names are usually not known to the owners of the names, but will come to light once skin touches skin."
Arthur looked up from the page and stared at Gaius, conveying with only his eyes that he hoped that the old man had any ideas about what he'd just read.
Gaius hummed in thought, eyebrows knitted tightly together. "It would seem, Sire, that the only thing you can do is go on many outings and hope for the best. If what it says is true, then you should be able to meet your Soulmate."
"What's this about having a soul name?" Arthur asked. "Do you know what it's talking about?"
"I believe it means that you and your intended mate have secret names deeply imbedded within your minds. They won't be known to either of you until you touch each other."
"Skin to skin," Arthur murmured. His face suffused with hot blood, and he was again thankful there wasn't much light. "Um, does it matter what skin? I mean can it just be a handshake or does it need to be something sensual, like a kiss?"
"I imagine it would be anything. Maybe even just your fingertips or a light touch of a hand to the face. Anything."
Arthur bit his bottom lip. He tried to envision what his Omega would look like, but all that his mind supplied for him was someone tall, maybe about his height, with dark hair and elvinish features. He then tried imagining his hand lightly caressing his Omega's face, and his groin throbbed. Embarrassed by his own imagination, he shook his head roughly and the dream Omega disappeared from his mind's eye. He immediately forgot the features he'd dreamed up.
"I have a soul name, then?" he said, willing himself to return to the main topic. It would not be a good idea to have even a slight boner while speaking with Gaius. But he was secretly pleased to learn that he wasn't forever impotent after all.
"I'm certain that you do, Sire," Gaius said. "But you needn't worry. You'll know it the moment your skin comes into contact with your Omega's skin."
"So, how am I to know of them?" Arthur said. He rubbed his face with both hands. "By scent or on sight, or what?"
"I do not recall," Gaius said slowly, as if he were thinking on it. Arthur raised his head to see Gaius staring resolutely at the book in front of him, as if he could glean the knowledge from it without reading anything. "It is possible that you'll know by scent or sight. I've heard of both happening when an alpha and an omega meet for the first time. Their eyes lock and they just… click."
"Do you think that's what happened with Morgana and Leon? Or did it come slowly for them?" He hoped it was a mutual thing. The last thing he wanted to hear was that Morgana had somehow coerced Leon into the match.
"No one but the two know. Only way to know for sure is to ask them," Gaius said.
Arthur nodded, filing it away in his mind for later when he could confront them, or maybe just Leon (he was less afraid of approaching Leon than his step-sister). He didn't want to stop at the one book just because he thought he found everything out, though. There might be more to the whole Soulmate thing written somewhere else.
After a while, Gaius stood and opened his window a crack. Sounds of gently falling rain was actually relaxing. The clean smell washed away all other scents like a balm. Yet, penetrating through the crisp smell of rain came the unmistakable aroma of his mate-nudging his mind and urging him to go out and Hunt. They were still out there somewhere, and even though Arthur was determined to get information about his predictament, the heady scent he sensed was beckoning him. He had to grit his teeth and ignore the call. His royal bearing aided him, as well as his knight training. A lesser man would have succumbed long ago and went chasing after the faintest whiff.
Minutes later, Gaius noticed the silent fight going on within Arthur, so he crossed back to the window and shut it. Sounds and smells diminished, and Arthur could breathe a little easier.
"I apologize, Sire," Gaius said, sitting back down. "I didn't mean to forget that you were battling with your alpha instincts. I only wanted to get some fresh air."
"It's all right, Gaius. I've been fighting my innate urges for most of the day. What's a few more hours of torture?"
Gaius gave him a pitying look, and Arthur tried to ignore it, even if he wanted to tell the old man that he didn't need his pity. He was sure he wasn't the only True Alpha in the world to be suffering the way he was. The answers he needed were vital to not just his sanity but to his kingdom.
And he needed his Soulmate, for more than one urgent reason. Most recent being his father's insistent matchmaking. He wasn't sure how long he could hold out.
.-.