Primogeniture - Chapter 10: Catharsis
Title: Primogeniture
Summary: Merlin is happy to dedicate his life and soul to Arthur when he comes to Camelot, even though he knows the dragon is wrong, and Arthur will never be king. How can he be, when he is the second son?
Rating: R
Word Count: 6400
Pairings/Character: Arthur/Merlin, OMC
Warnings/Content: mentions of violence, character death, posted in a sleep-deprived state
Beta: none
Notes: I basically went on hiatus and lived under a rock for the last few weeks, from AP's to prom to finals, to my 18th birthday two weeks ago (yay, now everything I've been doing for over the last half-decade is actually legal...except for some of the intoxicating measures, but no one cares about those), to my graduation last week (holy shit I'm a college student now! o.O). I doubt many of you are all that interested so I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say I was busy, busy, busy with RL! But, now that's all over with! And now I have summer to look forward to! Which isn't much because I'll probably end up working, anyway, but still. It's the thought the counts. :P
Anyway, I'm going to slowly ease back into posting and updating fics at my regular rate, so this will hopefully get me started.
~*~
Master Post
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Primogeniture, Chapter 10: Catharsis
Merlin brought dinner up to Arthur's chambers, and had a bag with Arthur's swords and knives polished and ready for training. He smiled a little as he went, feeling good about having completed his chores on time without magic. It was stupid and pointless but now he knew he really wasn't as useless as Arthur claimed during his irritable moments.
"I'm probably not going to be training with the knights at all during negotiations," Arthur said as soon as Merlin showed him.
Merlin frowned, biting off and chewing on some bread and swallowing it. "What? But...I thought your brother was doing most of the negotiating alongside Uther?"
"During the day," Arthur said, staring down into his wine goblet. "I will be 'negotiating' at night."
The bread dropped from Merlin's limp fingers onto the tray as Merlin stared, stunned.
"But...but..."
Arthur looked up at him. "What did you expect, Merlin?"
"There are four kings coming!" Merlin said, trying to work out the logistics in his head. "And each one has his own delegation, and-"
He cut off, staring at Arthur in shock, who sighed and nodded.
"I know, Merlin - that's why I know I probably won't even be awake during the day." Arthur swallowed, taking a long gulp of his wine before looking at Merlin, old hurt in his eyes. "I've done this before, Merlin."
Merlin just stared, latent fury in his veins. "But...you...when?"
Arthur sighed, chewing on some berries before looking at Merlin. "About six years ago, when there was that gold mine discovered on the corner of three kingdoms, and my father proposed trades instead of war." Arthur punctuated this with two long sips of wine.
"Six years...you were sixteen!"
"Yes, Merlin, I know - I can, in fact, do simple arithmetic in my head-"
"You know what I mean!"
"Of course I know what you mean!" Arthur shouted, slamming his now-empty goblet down, breathing heavily as he stared at Merlin.
"Arthur, you can't-"
"I can and I will," Arthur said, distaste and determination mingling in his voice and his stare. "I despise it Merlin, I do - but for the good of Camelot, I am still content to do it. Understand?"
Merlin sighed, going back to finishing his meager dinner, eating only because Arthur was watching him. His appetite was gone, and Merlin had a feeling it wasn't coming back until the peace treaty negotiations were over.
~*~
"Arthur...there's a spell I can do..."
"What spell?"
"...it would make me look like you, inside and out - it would temporarily make my body a copy of yours, and I've never tried it but I think I can get it-"
"And what would be the point of this spell, Merlin?"
"...during the negotiations - I could...at night, I could go in your place and-"
"No."
"Arthur, please, hear me out-"
"No! Absolutely not!"
"But-"
"No, Merlin, you are not going to do this for me. This is my duty and my duty alone, and I will not subject anyone else to it, understand!"
"You don't have to be alone in this, Arthur!"
"So long as you're here for me to come back to the next morning, and so long as I can rely on my memories of you to get me through those nights, I won't be alone."
"..."
"You're always with me, Merlin. Even if you leave, in my heart, I'm never letting you go."
~*~
Merlin watched bitterly from a window above as Camelot's royal family greeted the new visitors arriving in the Court yard. Delegation after delegation swept in, crowding the courtyard with their horses and gifts and greeting each other with varying degrees of formality. Madog helped Lady Vivian off her horse while Arthur and Morgana stood by Uther's side as he greeted King Olaf.
Merlin glared at each nobleman from his spot by Arthur's window. Men, and even the odd woman here or there in the delegation, who Arthur would visit in the night by Uther's orders and seduce and-
This wasn't right. He could go in Arthur's place, he could obliterate these people with a thought - why couldn't he protect Arthur from them?!
He shut his eyes and turned away to focus on cleaning Arthur's rooms, without magic, because then it would be a lot easier to just not think while he worked.
This was going to be a long, long fortnight.
~*~
The morning after next, Merlin stood in Arthur's chambers, heated bath with exotic oils ready and waiting, wafting delicate and relaxing scents through the room, along with the usual array of delicacies and wines. He sat at the table nibbling on a small piece of cheese, mostly for lack of anything better to do, as he waited for Arthur, silently stewing over the unfairness of it all. Arthur only ever loved Uther and served him loyally, even as he harbored sorcerers in his care, and Uther treated him like nothing but a whore at his disposal.
Merlin doubted he would mourn much when Uther died.
His head snapped up as the door opened, and Arthur quietly slipped inside, closing the door and pausing to rest his forehead against the wooden surface.
Merlin got up and slowly approached, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder. When Arthur didn't pull away, he wrapped his other arm around Arthur's waist and gently pulled him away, towards the bath.
There were white, crusty flakes in Arthur's clothes that made Merlin want to commit murder, to go to these kings' rooms and rip them all limb from limb. He could do that. There was a spell for it somewhere, he was sure, and even if he couldn't find one and he and Morgana could make one or he could move their with his mind enough to pull them all apart and-
"Come in with me?" Arthur asked as Merlin undressed him.
Arthur needed him. Arthur needed him here and now, and Merlin would probably start a war if he did everything he wanted to, to those nobles, and Arthur would hate that.
"Of course," Merlin said, magicking their clothes away and crawling into the bath after Arthur. He washed everything away from Arthur, the seed and fluids and bad memories, and wrapped his arms around the prince and held him close, the two sitting like that for a while as Merlin kept the water hot and the food fresh for them, gently massaging Arthur's chest and arms with tiny, subtle spells of calm and content.
When Arthur started dozing off, Merlin pulled them out, dried and dressed them, and tucked Arthur into the bed with his breakfast at his side, perching on the edge as he coaxed Arthur to eat.
"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur said, halfway through his breakfast, taking several deep breaths. Merlin wondered what Arthur was trying to brace himself for. "My father will be here soon, but before he gets here...thank you." And with that he reached up to wrap a hand around the back of Merlin's head, and pulling him in for a kiss.
For only the briefest of moments Merlin was stunned before he kissed back, and Arthur kissed him, and Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's shoulders and pulled them close, breakfast tray laying forgotten on the bed beside them. Their lips danced as Merlin pressed their chest together, his breathing matching the prince's, feeling Arthur's heartbeat against his own as he drank in the taste of Arthur. It gentled and slowed until they were resting their forehead against each other with their lips lazily moving together, an occasional lick or nip punctuated by a gentle caress, as they found comfort in each other's sheer existence.
Knock Knock
"Sire!" the guard outside called in. "The king is here to speak to you."
Merlin groaned. Now? Did Uther really have to come in now?
He pulled back, pausing for only a moment to kiss Arthur on the forehead, and give him an encouraging smile that the prince returned, before he went and opened the door, and Uther strode in. He faltered for a moment to see Arthur already in his bed, but otherwise did not break stride, gesturing for Merlin to pull up a chair as he sat by Arthur's side.
"I trust things went well?" Uther asked carefully.
Merlin heard this dance of words before. Uther would ask after relevant and helpful tidbits of Arthur's nights while carefully sidestepping any major details, pretending he wasn't whoring out Arthur for his own advantage.
Merlin could appreciate that Uther didn't actually enjoy this sort of thing. Always during these periods Merlin found himself with an extra servant for help sent by the king to prepare Arthur's rooms during the night for the morning after. The oils in the bath were courtesy of the king, as were the wine and breakfast trays, the finest of delicacies arranged by the cooking staff as ordered by the king.
But Uther did all things and didn't stop, and Merlin wasn't sure he could ever forgive Uther that.
"Of course, Father," Arthur said. "King Aeron will be a little tired but not irritable. From what I could gather in his rooms, he seeks to get the farming land near the south river boarder of his kingdom and ours, but I think he will sway in exchange for the troops withdrawal. King Olaf is using his daughter as bait, but with no real intention of marrying her off just yet. King Alined's coffers are draining, and he may be...insistent, on wealth for his kingdom, as peace could be a blow to his gold chests."
Uther nodded carefully, filing this information away, as Merlin fought the urge to tremble while rearranging the breakfast tray on Arthur's bedside. Three kings - three men! - in one night. This wasn't...this couldn't be...
He turned back to the arduous task of sorting out the breakfast. He would go insane over the next two weeks if he kept thinking like this.
Though maybe unleashing a little insanity wouldn't be such a bad thing, anyway.
~*~
"Merlin! Merlin!"
Merlin blinked in surprise to see Madog running up to him in the hallway.
"Yes, sire?"
"Come with me," the prince said curtly.
Merlin nodded, following Madog upstairs. What could this be about?
In the prince's chambers, Madog tightly closed the door, before turning to Merlin.
"I believe you have some skill in speech, and writing?"
"Er..."
Madog pursed his lips, one of those good god my brother's servant is an idiot looks on his face. "I wish to make my affections known to someone, but all my writing skills are focused to reports and running the kingdom. I need your help."
Merlin stared.
"Well?"
"...let me get this straight - you want me to help you write a love letter?"
"It's not that crass," Madog sneered. "But yes."
Merlin's eyebrows rose. "Er...are you sure you want me to help...?"
"I've seen the speeches you've written on behalf of my brother - your handwriting is...good...and your prose is equally adaquet."
Merlin wondered what in their blood made all the Pendragons so utterly incapable of giving a decent compliment.
"Well - sure, then," Merlin said. "I am free right now, if you would like...?"
He was met with the most bizarre sight of Madog actually grinning at Merlin.
"Splendid!" He grabbed some parchments and inks from his desk and set them on the table, pushing down on Merlin's shoulders to make him sit, before shoving a quill in his hand.
"So who is this to?" Merlin asked.
"Lady Vivian," Madog said...dreamily. Dreamily.
What the hell?
...well, two spoiled brats - if Arthur and Morgana and Gwen were all to be believed about Lady Vivian - would certainly make for an...interesting match...
"Okay, then..." Merlin said, discreetly poking his fingertips with the quill while it was still empty of ink.
Nope, not dreaming, then. Huh.
Shaking his head, to filled the quill with ink and looked to the prince. "Well, then, sire, any thoughts?"
"How would you suggest opening it?" Madog said, in the same voice he used when consulting advisers in council.
Merlin thought for a moment, wondering how he would address Arthur if he was hit with a sudden urge to write him soppy love letters. He smiled as an idea came to his head and started writing, while reading his words out loud for Prince Madog's benefit.
"My dearest Vivian..."
~*~
"You're joking, right?" Morgana asked later. "Her?! That spoiled brat?"
"Spoiled brats can be appealing," Merlin said, grasping Arthur's hand affectionately in his own while sharing a secretive smile with Gwen, who was rolling her eyes as she played with Morgana's hair.
They were ensconced in Morgana's rooms, Morgana perching on her bed and Gwen sitting behind her, while Arthur and Merlin sat at the table, chairs shoved together so Merlin could lean into Arthur's bulk.
Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin's quip but let it drop, opting instead to pull his hand free from Merlin's grasp and wrap it around his waist. Merlin obliged - in light of Arthur's 'nightly negotiations', and Arthur's own spike in need of physical affection, Merlin had taken each and every opportunity to cuddle up with Arthur he could find, even ones that any other time would annoy the hell out of him. Gwen found it amusing and sad and Morgana just found it amusing, and Merlin was fairly certain he and Arthur were being compared to puppies behind their backs, but he didn't mind.
"This," Morgana said with a rather evil-looking grin unfurling over her face. "I can't wait to see."
~*~
A week later, Merlin finally went to serve at the kings' feast, instead of preparing Arthur's chambers like he has been for the last several nights. Tonight, Arthur was attending to only one woman, and while Arthur's heart still took a blow (and Merlin still wanted to strangle the king), his body wasn't harmed as much, and he could actually sleep tonight.
So Merlin served at the feast as Arthur relaxed a little bit while chatting with Morgana and some nobleman from one of the other kingdoms about hunting, and Merlin took the time to watch Alined's famed jester, Trickler.
And yes, he could definitely understand Morgana's convictions that this man was magic.
A few spells of his own confirmed it.
Is he mad? he thought, speaking to Morgana with his mind.
Apparently, she said, watching him perform magic right in front of Uther. But look at Madog!
He looked, and saw that the prince wasn't looking away from Vivian, a soft, dreamy smile on his face.
Even Arthur looked perplexed, though a bit amused as well.
"It would be good," Arthur said later in his chambers to the other three. "I don't think father will mind a marriage between Vivian and Madog - we haven't had problems with Olaf's kingdom, but we haven't been friendly with them, either." He paused. "But then, Olaf is rather...protective of his daughter - if he's not in charge of the marriage the entire time, he might just decide to slaughter Madog instead."
"So this is a win-win situation, then?" Morgana said cheerfully. "Either Madog gets out of our hair and into Vivian's, or Olaf slaughters him."
Arthur and Gwen rolled their eyes while Merlin laughed. That would be brilliant, actually...
"There's just one slight problem, though," Merlin admitted.
"What?" they all asked.
"Vivian pretty much hates him."
~*~
"I thought you said Vivian hated him?" Arthur asked, the next morning.
"She did," Merlin said, whispering in confusion in the Hall.
"...then how did this happen?"
"This" being Alined's servant having caught Vivian in Madog's room just this morning.
They watched, stunned, as Madog and Olaf shouted furiously at each other - "How dare you lay a hand on my daughter!" "You cannot dictate our hearts who to love!" - and Uther was trying to mediate, and the other kings had carefully blank expressions on their faces (except Alined, who Arthur seemed convinced was trying to start a war).
"Why isn't she saying anything?" Morgana muttered to Arthur in disgust. Merlin has heard stories of what happened when men fought over Morgana, and he had no doubt as to the levels of disdain she had for the Lady who remained quiet while the men around her dictated her life.
It came to a draw when Olaf threw down the gauntlet.
"...he's not really...?" Merlin asked of Arthur quietly.
He was. And Madog picked it up.
It was at that point that Uther just ordered all the courtiers out, and dragged Madog out by the elbow while shouting promises over his shoulder to Olaf about how all of this will be settled shortly.
Uther gestured to Arthur and Morgana to follow him into the private antechamber, and Merlin and Gwen barely had time to shut the door before Uther, rounding on Madog, shouted, "What the hell are you thinking, Madog? Are you even thinking at all?!"
"I love her, Father," Madog said insistently.
"You-!"
Uther turned away in furious rage, taking several deep breaths which did little to abate the angry expression on his face, before facing Madog again.
"I have spent weeks - months! - convincing the other kings for peace instead of conflict, manipulating circumstances, charming nobles to our cause...and you ruin it in a single night!"
"Father-"
"Think of all the innocent people who will die if your actions start a war," Uther hissed angrily at Madog, who seemed flummoxed at yet again having Uther's anger directed at him, while the rest of them stood around awkwardly. "Think about everything the kingdom could sacrifice to make up for your mistakes...the war that would start if you and Olaf battle to the death!"
"Father, I-"
"Think of what your brother has sacrificed by darkness every night for the last fortnight to bring us peace!" Uther snapped, while the rest stared in shock - especially Arthur, who was white as a sheet at Uther's words. "We all know exactly how horrifying it is what he does, and he still does it so we may have peace! It's bad enough I have to send Arthur to their beds to keep Camelot afloat and Albion in peace, but now you have to follow him and ruin all he does?! How could you do that to him? To me? To Camelot?!"
There was a tense silence as Merlin was forcibly reminded that no matter how much he hated Uther for what he did to Arthur, Uther hated himself for it just as much.
And that all of them really put Camelot above all else in their hearts. No matter what Merlin and Arthur felt for each other, Merlin knew he'd always be second place in Arthur's heart, second place to Camelot, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Morgana was staring at Madog with as much fury in her eyes as Uther, Gwen was looking away, and Arthur was frozen, stiller than the statues that adorned his kingdom, at hearing his father speak of what he did at night with such open words, while Madog was starting to look actually ashamed of what he's done.
"Well?" Uther demanded. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"...I..." Madog looked down, for once. Down. "I always heard stories, like everyone else, about...about your romance with Mother, wooing her and sweeping off her feet. When I realized my feelings for Lady Vivian...I wanted to follow that example."
A dropping pin could have filled the room. Merlin looked around to see Morgana shocked, Gwen looking like she at least found the idea romantic, and Arthur...was still frozen in shock, but now his eyes were on his brother instead of his father. Uther was just surprised, jaw dropping, before it snapped shut and the king shook his head.
"Of all my examples for you to follow...!" Uther took a deep breath. "I - I understand, perfectly, how...how strong and passionate young love can be. I was once your age, too. But - when I fell in love with your mother, I waited until I could make her father see favor for me before making a single step towards her. And even then, I made sure Camelot was safe and secure before trying anything."
Madog frowned, but still wouldn't look up, as Uther went on.
"I would have absolutely understood if you desired for Vivian, or even sought to marry her - we could have arranged that, peacefully, and favorably to both kingdoms...but this?! Challenging her father? If you kill him, it will throw away months of hard work, and take years before we think of peace again! I loved your mother dearly, but I never killed anyone for our love."
Mentally, Morgana huffed in disagreement, her bitter amusement palpable in Merlin's head.
"Father, I-"
"You will go and retract your challenge," Uther said. "You will apologize to Olaf for your crude actions, and promise to make amends. You will tell Vivian that whatever you two feel for each other, you will stay away from each other until things settle down. One day, we can think of a possible marriage between you two if that's what you truly want. But not now, understand?"
Madog opened his mouth to speak-
-and looked up at Uther to to do.
"No," Madog said simply.
"What?!" Uther shouted.
"I'm not going to apologize because I feel something for her," he said.
"It's not your feelings that matter," Uther said, low and furious. "It is the things you have done acting upon them."
"You always say I should set an example for my people," Madog said. "How is cowering away in the face of an angry father-"
"An angry king - you are facing one now, Madog, don't make it two," Uther said.
"I will not apologize for love," Madog sniped back. "I will not snivel about like an useless coward who cannot even stand up to his love's father."
As everyone else just stared, gaping like a fish, Madog huffed and stormed out of the antechamber.
~*~
"I think he's enchanted," Merlin muttered later to Morgana.
"He has to be - and her, too," Morgana said back. They were in her chambers, again, this time practicing practicing their scrying as they watched Madog try to reach Vivian, who was being locked away in her rooms by her father.
"What do we do?" Merlin mumbled.
"To break the spell?" Morgana asked.
"...somewhat...it's a love spell - no matter what, it will eventually wear off...the problem is that we don't have time for eventually..."
"So how do we break it?" she asked, frowning as she watched Madog try to rush past the guards before Vivian's room to no success.
Merlin pondered. Then went to the dragon.
~*~
"For the record," Merlin said to the other three, all of them. "I asked the dragon this - these aren't my words, but his."
"What's the cure, Merlin?" Arthur asked wearily.
"True love's kiss," Merlin said, keeping the irony out of his voice. Barely.
"...please, tell me you're joking," Morgana asked. "Because there is no way we can possibly find whoever it is!"
"That was what the overgrown lizard said," Merlin said, with a sigh. "So we're back to square one. Madog's facing off against Olaf today, and we have no cure, and..."
"...and a potential war on our hands," Arthur grumbled, rubbing his face in exhaustion. "Damn."
~*~
In the end, Arthur and Merlin went to talk to Madog in his tent just before the match, hoping against hope that maybe just explaining the situation would help.
Madog backhanded Merlin and shoved Arthur away when they did.
"How dare you!" he said, sounding almost hysterical while glancing out of the tent towards the grounds. "Our love is a gift from the heavens themselves, and for you to so blithely declare it a spell-!"
Merlin still gingerly pressing his cheek, said, "Sire - please, just, consider how sudden your feelings were and-"
"And what?" Madog sneered. Good god, the man was drunk off of this spell! "I withdraw? Await true love's first kiss? Even when I know it's Vivian? Unless you have someone else in mind!" He smirked at Arthur. "Want to give me a kiss and break the spell, little brother?"
What did that even mean? Arthur seemed as puzzled as him, as Madog laughed between them.
The bell outside was rung, calling the first match to action.
~*~
Merlin watched nervously through the first round, still desperately trying to figure out what to do.
"Why is he so bad?" Arthur murmured, watching as Madog got slammed into the ground by Olaf, naming Olaf the victor of this match
By the second match, Madog was wounded.
In the tent, Madog was clutching his injured leg and moaning in pain, while Gaius shook his head.
"If you don't break the spell, Madog will be too distracted by Vivian to fight."
There was silence, as Arthur leaned down and took Madog's hand in his, pressing his brother's fingers to his lips in thought.
"I'm taking his place."
~*~
To say everyone was shocked to see Arthur walk out was an understatement. Uther was furious, and Olaf just smirked.
"Couldn't handle me, could he?" Olaf asked.
"Let's just fight," Arthur said calmly, and Merlin fretted, wondering how this could end well, because the only way it would was with Olaf's death-
...or not.
Arthur stood over Olaf, sword at his throat, a hair's breadth from victory, and the crowd was still, breaths held as they waited for their prince to kill this king.
Then Arthur pulled back, and drove his sword into the ground, falling onto one knee to push the most of his weight onto the sword to do so.
He took several deep breaths, before pushing himself up on the dirt ground and looking around the stadium.
"This!" he shouted to the ensemble. "Is no way to make peace."
And with that, he turned, and reached his hand out, offering it to Olaf for him to take.
Merlin could swear his heart burst in pride, as Olaf and Arthur stood beside each other in the ring.
~*~
"It's a pity, Uther, that Arthur's second born," Olaf said as the entourage walked down the corridors to the horses awaiting to go home. "He would have made a brilliant king."
~*~
"So both spells will eventually wear off?" Arthur demanded. Merlin and Morgana both nodded, and Gwen sighed in relief.
"Madog's spell is already wearing off, and Vivian's should, not too long from now. It'll just look like they were rash falling in love and then just falling out of it," Merlin promised.
"Everything stupid in society is just young love, isn't it?" Morgana muttered wryly.
Merlin felt Arthur's fingers slip into his own, and smiled.
"Probably."
~*~
After Gwen and Morgana left, he laid back on his bed, Merlin curled around him, and said, "Promise me if I ever start acting like I'm even remotely interested in someone else, the first thing you'll do is kiss me?" he asked.
Merlin smiled. "Of course."
He leaned up and forward and pressed his lips to Arthur's, who kissed back languidly, sensually, and warmly, heating up the more and more Merlin pressed himself against Arthur, pulled them close together, so he could forget where one of them ended and the other one began.
Abruptly, though, Merlin realized he was on his back, Arthur above him, and frowned, pressing a hand against Arthur's chest. Arthur was pushing himself too far again.
"Arthur-"
"I need this," Arthur mumbled, his lips still pressed to Merlin's cheek. "I have had to seduce almost twenty people in less than two weeks - and I can still remember each of their bodies in and on mine. I don't want to - I want to remember you and your body."
Arthur pulled back to look at Merlin imploringly.
"Please?"
This was a bad idea.
Arthur leaned down and pressed his lips to Merlin's neck, making Merlin shut his eyes as he sunk into the feeling.
"Please."
Arthur mouthed his way up Merlin's neck, to the sensitive point where it met his jaw, before coming back down his jaw to Merlin's lips.
"Please."
Against all better judgment, every voice in his head screaming what a bad idea all of this was...Merlin, gently wrapping his hands around Arthur's hips and pulling them back together, chests and groins pressed flushed against each other, said, "Yes."
Arthur moaned in victory and leaned his neck down to press his lips to Merlin's, and Merlin pressed back, tongue peaking out only to be ensnared by Arthur's lips, before Arthur moved down to kiss his way across Merlin's jaw, ending with his face back in Merlin's neck, whining as he fumbled with Merlin's neckerchief.
"Arthur!" Merlin gasped. Damnit, Arthur knew how sensitive his neck was! "Hold...hold still."
Arthur did, long enough for Merlin to whisper a few words and then they were naked. Grinning excitedly, Arthur angled his hips and pressed them against Merlin's, their cocks rubbing together, and oh god Merlin could see why it was so easy for Arthur to charm nobles in Camelot's favor (and why was he thinking of this now?)
(Oh, right - because he really, really, really shouldn't be doing this, not with Arthur in this mental state, but...)
"Conjure some oil," Arthur said, voice deep and hoarse, into Merlin's ear. "For us - for me."
Merlin frowned. "Arthur, are you sure...?"
"I want you in me, Merlin," Arthur pleaded, pushing himself up on his elbows to look imploringly into Merlin's eyes. "Please? I want to know what it's like to have you in me. Everything I know, that I've experienced myself, is of other people - and I don't want to have only that, not anymore...please?"
Merlin nodded. "Yes, Arthur, but- let me guide us?"
Arthur paused for a moment, then slowly nodded, letting Merlin flip them over to Arthur was on his back, Merlin between his legs. "I don't want to hurt you - and I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"You'll never hurt me," Arthur said with a gentle smile, contrasting his darkened eyes as he rested his hands on Merlin's waist. "Neither of us will ever let you."
Merlin nodded, numbly. He wouldn't let himself hurt Arthur - he couldn't.
Desperately trying to keep that in mind, Merlin summoned one of the jars of polishing leather from Arthur's desk, and with a few murmured spells he had warm oil coating his fingers, letting a few drops fall on Arthur's chest and stomach, using his free hand to gently massage Arthur's muscles. Merlin spent several moments doing just that, rubbing Arthur's chest and stomach, Arthur laying back and lazily enjoying Merlin's attentions, his dark eyes never leaving Merlin, moving only to rove across his body, as Arthur reflexively kneaded his fingers in Merlin's waist, his shoulders, his back. Merlin's own eyelids were drooping a little as he let his existence narrow down to where his skin met Arthur's - Arthur's legs around his hips, Arthur's hands on his shoulders, Arthur's chest beneath his fingers, Arthur, all Arthur.
Eventually, though, Arthur decided it wasn't enough.
"Merlin!" Arthur moaned, rolling his hips up into Merlin's, making Merlin gasp, his rhythm stuttering over Arthur's chest as the blood in his body rushed down to his groin. Arthur was smirking, delighted at realizing how he could drive Merlin to distraction, and promptly did it again, this time pulling down on Merlin's shoulders so Merlin ended up pressed chest-to-chest against Arthur, Arthur moving beneath him, his lean, sinuous limbs moving to wrap around Merlin and hold him close as he moved his cock against Merlin's.
"Arthur," Merlin said into the man's ear. "I'm not going to last long if you keep this up."
Arthur laughed a little and nodded, grasping one of Merlin's wrists and bringing it down to his behind.
"I'll be gentle," Merlin promised, getting more oil and kneading Arthur's arse.
"You don't have to be," Arthur said.
"I'll be gentle," Merlin repeated, before letting one oiled finger press firmly against Arthur's hole before Arthur could response.
Arthur gasped, muscles flexing, and when Merlin gently, slowly, slid one finger inside Arthur, making sure to rub his finger across that bundle of pleasure inside Arthur's body, Arthur's back arched until he was almost off the bed, held down only by the weight of Merlin's body.
For a few moments, Merlin held his finger there, other fingers roaming and kneading and squeezing as Arthur's body naturally tensed around Merlin's intrusion. Merlin kept his mouth pressed against Arthur's, kissing and kissing and kissing, while his free hand massaged Arthur's hips and back, his hips pressing his cock against Arthur's, until Arthur's muscles started to relax around Merlin's finger enough for Merlin to easily slide his finger out, then back in again, making sure to drag his finger across that spot inside Arthur over and over again, until Arthur was a writhing mess beneath Merlin.
"More," Arthur pleaded, eyes fluttering shut in ecstasy. "More, more, more, Merlin, damnit more..."
Despite all their bickering and fighting all the time, Merlin was never very good at genuinely refusing Arthur anything, and so he promised, "Yes," and the next time he slide his forefinger in, his middle one went with it.
Arthur moaned, the sound going in his ears and heading straight to his cock, making Merlin shudder as he lost his rhythm, and not pausing one bit as Arthur insistently demanded, "More!", slowly adding in the third finger into the tight ring of muscle, Arthur melting beneath him as he tried to move his hips to get more of Merlin in him.
For a moment, Merlin held his three fingers there, petting Arthur's side as he waited for Arthur to relax, waited to be able to loosen up Arthur's muscles himself.
Arthur was beautiful. No one ever told him this enough, not genuinely, not just for the sake of saying it. He was courageous and noble and wonderful and beautiful, and Merlin was happy to spend the rest of his life making sure Arthur knew this, deep in his soul.
As Arthur relaxed and opened up to him, Merlin pressed his forehead against Arthur's, eyes shut as they enjoyed the feel of each other's sheer existence.
Then Merlin pulled his fingers out, and lined his cock up to Arthur.
"Are you sure?" Merlin asked, opening his eyes to look into Arthur's.
He was disconcertingly delighted at the impatience in Arthur's eyes and tone when his prince said, "Yes, I'm sure, now move!"
Merlin happily obliged him.
It was a nearly feral moan that Merlin coaxed from Arthur as he slid into Arthur's body, slow and steady, stopping only once fully sheathed within him.
The wet heat around his cock was incredible, and after almost two years of Arthur's gorgeous body taunting him with being so close and yet so far, it was ecstasy to finally arrive here, him in Arthur, and Arthur's trust in him.
Arthur brought him out of his reverie with a harsh breath and a snap of his hips, and Merlin smiled fondly as he started moving, pulling out quickly and going in slowly, holding himself back to make this experience the best for Arthur.
Arthur was far from chaste, but he was still very pure.
At the prince's insistence, though, he started moving his hips faster and faster, letting Arthur set the pace as best as they could manage. Merlin's world was drowned out by Arthur, the feeling of Arthur's skin against his, the smell of Arthur's sweat, the sound of Arthur's moans - Arthur. All Arthur, and he was someone Merlin would happily drown in and never come back out of it.
But he did eventually have to come out.
When Arthur came, he locked his legs around Merlin's hips and wrapped his arms around Merlin's shoulders, locking him in close as his cock spurted white seed between them, and at that point, Merlin gave up holding himself back, instead releasing himself into Arthur's body, covering the last remnants of others who would never be worth as much as Arthur, or be worthy for him (even if he knew he wasn't one to talk about worthiness).
For several long, searingly blissful moments, they froze like that, letting themselves enjoy the moment and the feeling of each other.
Then Merlin had to pull out, over-sensitized cock unable to handle remaining in Arthur, not after as spectacular sex like that.
Except when he tried to pull out, Arthur made a protesting grunt, and rolled them both over so they were laying on their sides, Merlin in Arthur's legs still, and his body.
"Arthur," Merlin murmured. "I'll fall asleep in you."
"Good," Arthur mumbled back, nuzzling into Merlin's hair.
Merlin shook his head and gently started to pull out anyway, and Arthur sighed, relenting, and wiggled himself off, until both of them were lying on their backs, breaths evening out (and possibly matching to each other's).
"That," Arthur said, turning his head to face Merlin, who smiled at him with all the love in the world plastered on his face. "Was fantastic. You were brilliant."
"And so were you," Merlin said, rolling back over and slinging a leg over Arthur's hip, and pulling him in close, cuddling up for the night. "I hope you're like that when you're fucking me, too."
Arthur gasped in his arms, but Merlin petting his chest, saying, "Not tonight, I'm tired."
This time, Arthur hummed in content. "Fine, fine. Tomorrow, then."
"Tomorrow. Good night, Arthur."
"Good night, Merlin. And thank you."
~*~
It took me 10 chapters to write in actual smut...
...*facepalm*
Please review - let me know what you think, and don't hold back! (And while some of you have this very weird habit of apologizing for long reviews, don't! I absolutely love long reviews, so if you feel like writing one, don't hold back!)
~*~
Master Post
Summary: Merlin is happy to dedicate his life and soul to Arthur when he comes to Camelot, even though he knows the dragon is wrong, and Arthur will never be king. How can he be, when he is the second son?
Rating: R
Word Count: 6400
Pairings/Character: Arthur/Merlin, OMC
Warnings/Content: mentions of violence, character death, posted in a sleep-deprived state
Beta: none
Notes: I basically went on hiatus and lived under a rock for the last few weeks, from AP's to prom to finals, to my 18th birthday two weeks ago (yay, now everything I've been doing for over the last half-decade is actually legal...except for some of the intoxicating measures, but no one cares about those), to my graduation last week (holy shit I'm a college student now! o.O). I doubt many of you are all that interested so I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say I was busy, busy, busy with RL! But, now that's all over with! And now I have summer to look forward to! Which isn't much because I'll probably end up working, anyway, but still. It's the thought the counts. :P
Anyway, I'm going to slowly ease back into posting and updating fics at my regular rate, so this will hopefully get me started.
~*~
Master Post
<< Previous Chapter
Primogeniture, Chapter 10: Catharsis
Merlin brought dinner up to Arthur's chambers, and had a bag with Arthur's swords and knives polished and ready for training. He smiled a little as he went, feeling good about having completed his chores on time without magic. It was stupid and pointless but now he knew he really wasn't as useless as Arthur claimed during his irritable moments.
"I'm probably not going to be training with the knights at all during negotiations," Arthur said as soon as Merlin showed him.
Merlin frowned, biting off and chewing on some bread and swallowing it. "What? But...I thought your brother was doing most of the negotiating alongside Uther?"
"During the day," Arthur said, staring down into his wine goblet. "I will be 'negotiating' at night."
The bread dropped from Merlin's limp fingers onto the tray as Merlin stared, stunned.
"But...but..."
Arthur looked up at him. "What did you expect, Merlin?"
"There are four kings coming!" Merlin said, trying to work out the logistics in his head. "And each one has his own delegation, and-"
He cut off, staring at Arthur in shock, who sighed and nodded.
"I know, Merlin - that's why I know I probably won't even be awake during the day." Arthur swallowed, taking a long gulp of his wine before looking at Merlin, old hurt in his eyes. "I've done this before, Merlin."
Merlin just stared, latent fury in his veins. "But...you...when?"
Arthur sighed, chewing on some berries before looking at Merlin. "About six years ago, when there was that gold mine discovered on the corner of three kingdoms, and my father proposed trades instead of war." Arthur punctuated this with two long sips of wine.
"Six years...you were sixteen!"
"Yes, Merlin, I know - I can, in fact, do simple arithmetic in my head-"
"You know what I mean!"
"Of course I know what you mean!" Arthur shouted, slamming his now-empty goblet down, breathing heavily as he stared at Merlin.
"Arthur, you can't-"
"I can and I will," Arthur said, distaste and determination mingling in his voice and his stare. "I despise it Merlin, I do - but for the good of Camelot, I am still content to do it. Understand?"
Merlin sighed, going back to finishing his meager dinner, eating only because Arthur was watching him. His appetite was gone, and Merlin had a feeling it wasn't coming back until the peace treaty negotiations were over.
~*~
"Arthur...there's a spell I can do..."
"What spell?"
"...it would make me look like you, inside and out - it would temporarily make my body a copy of yours, and I've never tried it but I think I can get it-"
"And what would be the point of this spell, Merlin?"
"...during the negotiations - I could...at night, I could go in your place and-"
"No."
"Arthur, please, hear me out-"
"No! Absolutely not!"
"But-"
"No, Merlin, you are not going to do this for me. This is my duty and my duty alone, and I will not subject anyone else to it, understand!"
"You don't have to be alone in this, Arthur!"
"So long as you're here for me to come back to the next morning, and so long as I can rely on my memories of you to get me through those nights, I won't be alone."
"..."
"You're always with me, Merlin. Even if you leave, in my heart, I'm never letting you go."
~*~
Merlin watched bitterly from a window above as Camelot's royal family greeted the new visitors arriving in the Court yard. Delegation after delegation swept in, crowding the courtyard with their horses and gifts and greeting each other with varying degrees of formality. Madog helped Lady Vivian off her horse while Arthur and Morgana stood by Uther's side as he greeted King Olaf.
Merlin glared at each nobleman from his spot by Arthur's window. Men, and even the odd woman here or there in the delegation, who Arthur would visit in the night by Uther's orders and seduce and-
This wasn't right. He could go in Arthur's place, he could obliterate these people with a thought - why couldn't he protect Arthur from them?!
He shut his eyes and turned away to focus on cleaning Arthur's rooms, without magic, because then it would be a lot easier to just not think while he worked.
This was going to be a long, long fortnight.
~*~
The morning after next, Merlin stood in Arthur's chambers, heated bath with exotic oils ready and waiting, wafting delicate and relaxing scents through the room, along with the usual array of delicacies and wines. He sat at the table nibbling on a small piece of cheese, mostly for lack of anything better to do, as he waited for Arthur, silently stewing over the unfairness of it all. Arthur only ever loved Uther and served him loyally, even as he harbored sorcerers in his care, and Uther treated him like nothing but a whore at his disposal.
Merlin doubted he would mourn much when Uther died.
His head snapped up as the door opened, and Arthur quietly slipped inside, closing the door and pausing to rest his forehead against the wooden surface.
Merlin got up and slowly approached, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder. When Arthur didn't pull away, he wrapped his other arm around Arthur's waist and gently pulled him away, towards the bath.
There were white, crusty flakes in Arthur's clothes that made Merlin want to commit murder, to go to these kings' rooms and rip them all limb from limb. He could do that. There was a spell for it somewhere, he was sure, and even if he couldn't find one and he and Morgana could make one or he could move their with his mind enough to pull them all apart and-
"Come in with me?" Arthur asked as Merlin undressed him.
Arthur needed him. Arthur needed him here and now, and Merlin would probably start a war if he did everything he wanted to, to those nobles, and Arthur would hate that.
"Of course," Merlin said, magicking their clothes away and crawling into the bath after Arthur. He washed everything away from Arthur, the seed and fluids and bad memories, and wrapped his arms around the prince and held him close, the two sitting like that for a while as Merlin kept the water hot and the food fresh for them, gently massaging Arthur's chest and arms with tiny, subtle spells of calm and content.
When Arthur started dozing off, Merlin pulled them out, dried and dressed them, and tucked Arthur into the bed with his breakfast at his side, perching on the edge as he coaxed Arthur to eat.
"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur said, halfway through his breakfast, taking several deep breaths. Merlin wondered what Arthur was trying to brace himself for. "My father will be here soon, but before he gets here...thank you." And with that he reached up to wrap a hand around the back of Merlin's head, and pulling him in for a kiss.
For only the briefest of moments Merlin was stunned before he kissed back, and Arthur kissed him, and Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's shoulders and pulled them close, breakfast tray laying forgotten on the bed beside them. Their lips danced as Merlin pressed their chest together, his breathing matching the prince's, feeling Arthur's heartbeat against his own as he drank in the taste of Arthur. It gentled and slowed until they were resting their forehead against each other with their lips lazily moving together, an occasional lick or nip punctuated by a gentle caress, as they found comfort in each other's sheer existence.
Knock Knock
"Sire!" the guard outside called in. "The king is here to speak to you."
Merlin groaned. Now? Did Uther really have to come in now?
He pulled back, pausing for only a moment to kiss Arthur on the forehead, and give him an encouraging smile that the prince returned, before he went and opened the door, and Uther strode in. He faltered for a moment to see Arthur already in his bed, but otherwise did not break stride, gesturing for Merlin to pull up a chair as he sat by Arthur's side.
"I trust things went well?" Uther asked carefully.
Merlin heard this dance of words before. Uther would ask after relevant and helpful tidbits of Arthur's nights while carefully sidestepping any major details, pretending he wasn't whoring out Arthur for his own advantage.
Merlin could appreciate that Uther didn't actually enjoy this sort of thing. Always during these periods Merlin found himself with an extra servant for help sent by the king to prepare Arthur's rooms during the night for the morning after. The oils in the bath were courtesy of the king, as were the wine and breakfast trays, the finest of delicacies arranged by the cooking staff as ordered by the king.
But Uther did all things and didn't stop, and Merlin wasn't sure he could ever forgive Uther that.
"Of course, Father," Arthur said. "King Aeron will be a little tired but not irritable. From what I could gather in his rooms, he seeks to get the farming land near the south river boarder of his kingdom and ours, but I think he will sway in exchange for the troops withdrawal. King Olaf is using his daughter as bait, but with no real intention of marrying her off just yet. King Alined's coffers are draining, and he may be...insistent, on wealth for his kingdom, as peace could be a blow to his gold chests."
Uther nodded carefully, filing this information away, as Merlin fought the urge to tremble while rearranging the breakfast tray on Arthur's bedside. Three kings - three men! - in one night. This wasn't...this couldn't be...
He turned back to the arduous task of sorting out the breakfast. He would go insane over the next two weeks if he kept thinking like this.
Though maybe unleashing a little insanity wouldn't be such a bad thing, anyway.
~*~
"Merlin! Merlin!"
Merlin blinked in surprise to see Madog running up to him in the hallway.
"Yes, sire?"
"Come with me," the prince said curtly.
Merlin nodded, following Madog upstairs. What could this be about?
In the prince's chambers, Madog tightly closed the door, before turning to Merlin.
"I believe you have some skill in speech, and writing?"
"Er..."
Madog pursed his lips, one of those good god my brother's servant is an idiot looks on his face. "I wish to make my affections known to someone, but all my writing skills are focused to reports and running the kingdom. I need your help."
Merlin stared.
"Well?"
"...let me get this straight - you want me to help you write a love letter?"
"It's not that crass," Madog sneered. "But yes."
Merlin's eyebrows rose. "Er...are you sure you want me to help...?"
"I've seen the speeches you've written on behalf of my brother - your handwriting is...good...and your prose is equally adaquet."
Merlin wondered what in their blood made all the Pendragons so utterly incapable of giving a decent compliment.
"Well - sure, then," Merlin said. "I am free right now, if you would like...?"
He was met with the most bizarre sight of Madog actually grinning at Merlin.
"Splendid!" He grabbed some parchments and inks from his desk and set them on the table, pushing down on Merlin's shoulders to make him sit, before shoving a quill in his hand.
"So who is this to?" Merlin asked.
"Lady Vivian," Madog said...dreamily. Dreamily.
What the hell?
...well, two spoiled brats - if Arthur and Morgana and Gwen were all to be believed about Lady Vivian - would certainly make for an...interesting match...
"Okay, then..." Merlin said, discreetly poking his fingertips with the quill while it was still empty of ink.
Nope, not dreaming, then. Huh.
Shaking his head, to filled the quill with ink and looked to the prince. "Well, then, sire, any thoughts?"
"How would you suggest opening it?" Madog said, in the same voice he used when consulting advisers in council.
Merlin thought for a moment, wondering how he would address Arthur if he was hit with a sudden urge to write him soppy love letters. He smiled as an idea came to his head and started writing, while reading his words out loud for Prince Madog's benefit.
"My dearest Vivian..."
~*~
"You're joking, right?" Morgana asked later. "Her?! That spoiled brat?"
"Spoiled brats can be appealing," Merlin said, grasping Arthur's hand affectionately in his own while sharing a secretive smile with Gwen, who was rolling her eyes as she played with Morgana's hair.
They were ensconced in Morgana's rooms, Morgana perching on her bed and Gwen sitting behind her, while Arthur and Merlin sat at the table, chairs shoved together so Merlin could lean into Arthur's bulk.
Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin's quip but let it drop, opting instead to pull his hand free from Merlin's grasp and wrap it around his waist. Merlin obliged - in light of Arthur's 'nightly negotiations', and Arthur's own spike in need of physical affection, Merlin had taken each and every opportunity to cuddle up with Arthur he could find, even ones that any other time would annoy the hell out of him. Gwen found it amusing and sad and Morgana just found it amusing, and Merlin was fairly certain he and Arthur were being compared to puppies behind their backs, but he didn't mind.
"This," Morgana said with a rather evil-looking grin unfurling over her face. "I can't wait to see."
~*~
A week later, Merlin finally went to serve at the kings' feast, instead of preparing Arthur's chambers like he has been for the last several nights. Tonight, Arthur was attending to only one woman, and while Arthur's heart still took a blow (and Merlin still wanted to strangle the king), his body wasn't harmed as much, and he could actually sleep tonight.
So Merlin served at the feast as Arthur relaxed a little bit while chatting with Morgana and some nobleman from one of the other kingdoms about hunting, and Merlin took the time to watch Alined's famed jester, Trickler.
And yes, he could definitely understand Morgana's convictions that this man was magic.
A few spells of his own confirmed it.
Is he mad? he thought, speaking to Morgana with his mind.
Apparently, she said, watching him perform magic right in front of Uther. But look at Madog!
He looked, and saw that the prince wasn't looking away from Vivian, a soft, dreamy smile on his face.
Even Arthur looked perplexed, though a bit amused as well.
"It would be good," Arthur said later in his chambers to the other three. "I don't think father will mind a marriage between Vivian and Madog - we haven't had problems with Olaf's kingdom, but we haven't been friendly with them, either." He paused. "But then, Olaf is rather...protective of his daughter - if he's not in charge of the marriage the entire time, he might just decide to slaughter Madog instead."
"So this is a win-win situation, then?" Morgana said cheerfully. "Either Madog gets out of our hair and into Vivian's, or Olaf slaughters him."
Arthur and Gwen rolled their eyes while Merlin laughed. That would be brilliant, actually...
"There's just one slight problem, though," Merlin admitted.
"What?" they all asked.
"Vivian pretty much hates him."
~*~
"I thought you said Vivian hated him?" Arthur asked, the next morning.
"She did," Merlin said, whispering in confusion in the Hall.
"...then how did this happen?"
"This" being Alined's servant having caught Vivian in Madog's room just this morning.
They watched, stunned, as Madog and Olaf shouted furiously at each other - "How dare you lay a hand on my daughter!" "You cannot dictate our hearts who to love!" - and Uther was trying to mediate, and the other kings had carefully blank expressions on their faces (except Alined, who Arthur seemed convinced was trying to start a war).
"Why isn't she saying anything?" Morgana muttered to Arthur in disgust. Merlin has heard stories of what happened when men fought over Morgana, and he had no doubt as to the levels of disdain she had for the Lady who remained quiet while the men around her dictated her life.
It came to a draw when Olaf threw down the gauntlet.
"...he's not really...?" Merlin asked of Arthur quietly.
He was. And Madog picked it up.
It was at that point that Uther just ordered all the courtiers out, and dragged Madog out by the elbow while shouting promises over his shoulder to Olaf about how all of this will be settled shortly.
Uther gestured to Arthur and Morgana to follow him into the private antechamber, and Merlin and Gwen barely had time to shut the door before Uther, rounding on Madog, shouted, "What the hell are you thinking, Madog? Are you even thinking at all?!"
"I love her, Father," Madog said insistently.
"You-!"
Uther turned away in furious rage, taking several deep breaths which did little to abate the angry expression on his face, before facing Madog again.
"I have spent weeks - months! - convincing the other kings for peace instead of conflict, manipulating circumstances, charming nobles to our cause...and you ruin it in a single night!"
"Father-"
"Think of all the innocent people who will die if your actions start a war," Uther hissed angrily at Madog, who seemed flummoxed at yet again having Uther's anger directed at him, while the rest of them stood around awkwardly. "Think about everything the kingdom could sacrifice to make up for your mistakes...the war that would start if you and Olaf battle to the death!"
"Father, I-"
"Think of what your brother has sacrificed by darkness every night for the last fortnight to bring us peace!" Uther snapped, while the rest stared in shock - especially Arthur, who was white as a sheet at Uther's words. "We all know exactly how horrifying it is what he does, and he still does it so we may have peace! It's bad enough I have to send Arthur to their beds to keep Camelot afloat and Albion in peace, but now you have to follow him and ruin all he does?! How could you do that to him? To me? To Camelot?!"
There was a tense silence as Merlin was forcibly reminded that no matter how much he hated Uther for what he did to Arthur, Uther hated himself for it just as much.
And that all of them really put Camelot above all else in their hearts. No matter what Merlin and Arthur felt for each other, Merlin knew he'd always be second place in Arthur's heart, second place to Camelot, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Morgana was staring at Madog with as much fury in her eyes as Uther, Gwen was looking away, and Arthur was frozen, stiller than the statues that adorned his kingdom, at hearing his father speak of what he did at night with such open words, while Madog was starting to look actually ashamed of what he's done.
"Well?" Uther demanded. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"...I..." Madog looked down, for once. Down. "I always heard stories, like everyone else, about...about your romance with Mother, wooing her and sweeping off her feet. When I realized my feelings for Lady Vivian...I wanted to follow that example."
A dropping pin could have filled the room. Merlin looked around to see Morgana shocked, Gwen looking like she at least found the idea romantic, and Arthur...was still frozen in shock, but now his eyes were on his brother instead of his father. Uther was just surprised, jaw dropping, before it snapped shut and the king shook his head.
"Of all my examples for you to follow...!" Uther took a deep breath. "I - I understand, perfectly, how...how strong and passionate young love can be. I was once your age, too. But - when I fell in love with your mother, I waited until I could make her father see favor for me before making a single step towards her. And even then, I made sure Camelot was safe and secure before trying anything."
Madog frowned, but still wouldn't look up, as Uther went on.
"I would have absolutely understood if you desired for Vivian, or even sought to marry her - we could have arranged that, peacefully, and favorably to both kingdoms...but this?! Challenging her father? If you kill him, it will throw away months of hard work, and take years before we think of peace again! I loved your mother dearly, but I never killed anyone for our love."
Mentally, Morgana huffed in disagreement, her bitter amusement palpable in Merlin's head.
"Father, I-"
"You will go and retract your challenge," Uther said. "You will apologize to Olaf for your crude actions, and promise to make amends. You will tell Vivian that whatever you two feel for each other, you will stay away from each other until things settle down. One day, we can think of a possible marriage between you two if that's what you truly want. But not now, understand?"
Madog opened his mouth to speak-
-and looked up at Uther to to do.
"No," Madog said simply.
"What?!" Uther shouted.
"I'm not going to apologize because I feel something for her," he said.
"It's not your feelings that matter," Uther said, low and furious. "It is the things you have done acting upon them."
"You always say I should set an example for my people," Madog said. "How is cowering away in the face of an angry father-"
"An angry king - you are facing one now, Madog, don't make it two," Uther said.
"I will not apologize for love," Madog sniped back. "I will not snivel about like an useless coward who cannot even stand up to his love's father."
As everyone else just stared, gaping like a fish, Madog huffed and stormed out of the antechamber.
~*~
"I think he's enchanted," Merlin muttered later to Morgana.
"He has to be - and her, too," Morgana said back. They were in her chambers, again, this time practicing practicing their scrying as they watched Madog try to reach Vivian, who was being locked away in her rooms by her father.
"What do we do?" Merlin mumbled.
"To break the spell?" Morgana asked.
"...somewhat...it's a love spell - no matter what, it will eventually wear off...the problem is that we don't have time for eventually..."
"So how do we break it?" she asked, frowning as she watched Madog try to rush past the guards before Vivian's room to no success.
Merlin pondered. Then went to the dragon.
~*~
"For the record," Merlin said to the other three, all of them. "I asked the dragon this - these aren't my words, but his."
"What's the cure, Merlin?" Arthur asked wearily.
"True love's kiss," Merlin said, keeping the irony out of his voice. Barely.
"...please, tell me you're joking," Morgana asked. "Because there is no way we can possibly find whoever it is!"
"That was what the overgrown lizard said," Merlin said, with a sigh. "So we're back to square one. Madog's facing off against Olaf today, and we have no cure, and..."
"...and a potential war on our hands," Arthur grumbled, rubbing his face in exhaustion. "Damn."
~*~
In the end, Arthur and Merlin went to talk to Madog in his tent just before the match, hoping against hope that maybe just explaining the situation would help.
Madog backhanded Merlin and shoved Arthur away when they did.
"How dare you!" he said, sounding almost hysterical while glancing out of the tent towards the grounds. "Our love is a gift from the heavens themselves, and for you to so blithely declare it a spell-!"
Merlin still gingerly pressing his cheek, said, "Sire - please, just, consider how sudden your feelings were and-"
"And what?" Madog sneered. Good god, the man was drunk off of this spell! "I withdraw? Await true love's first kiss? Even when I know it's Vivian? Unless you have someone else in mind!" He smirked at Arthur. "Want to give me a kiss and break the spell, little brother?"
What did that even mean? Arthur seemed as puzzled as him, as Madog laughed between them.
The bell outside was rung, calling the first match to action.
~*~
Merlin watched nervously through the first round, still desperately trying to figure out what to do.
"Why is he so bad?" Arthur murmured, watching as Madog got slammed into the ground by Olaf, naming Olaf the victor of this match
By the second match, Madog was wounded.
In the tent, Madog was clutching his injured leg and moaning in pain, while Gaius shook his head.
"If you don't break the spell, Madog will be too distracted by Vivian to fight."
There was silence, as Arthur leaned down and took Madog's hand in his, pressing his brother's fingers to his lips in thought.
"I'm taking his place."
~*~
To say everyone was shocked to see Arthur walk out was an understatement. Uther was furious, and Olaf just smirked.
"Couldn't handle me, could he?" Olaf asked.
"Let's just fight," Arthur said calmly, and Merlin fretted, wondering how this could end well, because the only way it would was with Olaf's death-
...or not.
Arthur stood over Olaf, sword at his throat, a hair's breadth from victory, and the crowd was still, breaths held as they waited for their prince to kill this king.
Then Arthur pulled back, and drove his sword into the ground, falling onto one knee to push the most of his weight onto the sword to do so.
He took several deep breaths, before pushing himself up on the dirt ground and looking around the stadium.
"This!" he shouted to the ensemble. "Is no way to make peace."
And with that, he turned, and reached his hand out, offering it to Olaf for him to take.
Merlin could swear his heart burst in pride, as Olaf and Arthur stood beside each other in the ring.
~*~
"It's a pity, Uther, that Arthur's second born," Olaf said as the entourage walked down the corridors to the horses awaiting to go home. "He would have made a brilliant king."
~*~
"So both spells will eventually wear off?" Arthur demanded. Merlin and Morgana both nodded, and Gwen sighed in relief.
"Madog's spell is already wearing off, and Vivian's should, not too long from now. It'll just look like they were rash falling in love and then just falling out of it," Merlin promised.
"Everything stupid in society is just young love, isn't it?" Morgana muttered wryly.
Merlin felt Arthur's fingers slip into his own, and smiled.
"Probably."
~*~
After Gwen and Morgana left, he laid back on his bed, Merlin curled around him, and said, "Promise me if I ever start acting like I'm even remotely interested in someone else, the first thing you'll do is kiss me?" he asked.
Merlin smiled. "Of course."
He leaned up and forward and pressed his lips to Arthur's, who kissed back languidly, sensually, and warmly, heating up the more and more Merlin pressed himself against Arthur, pulled them close together, so he could forget where one of them ended and the other one began.
Abruptly, though, Merlin realized he was on his back, Arthur above him, and frowned, pressing a hand against Arthur's chest. Arthur was pushing himself too far again.
"Arthur-"
"I need this," Arthur mumbled, his lips still pressed to Merlin's cheek. "I have had to seduce almost twenty people in less than two weeks - and I can still remember each of their bodies in and on mine. I don't want to - I want to remember you and your body."
Arthur pulled back to look at Merlin imploringly.
"Please?"
This was a bad idea.
Arthur leaned down and pressed his lips to Merlin's neck, making Merlin shut his eyes as he sunk into the feeling.
"Please."
Arthur mouthed his way up Merlin's neck, to the sensitive point where it met his jaw, before coming back down his jaw to Merlin's lips.
"Please."
Against all better judgment, every voice in his head screaming what a bad idea all of this was...Merlin, gently wrapping his hands around Arthur's hips and pulling them back together, chests and groins pressed flushed against each other, said, "Yes."
Arthur moaned in victory and leaned his neck down to press his lips to Merlin's, and Merlin pressed back, tongue peaking out only to be ensnared by Arthur's lips, before Arthur moved down to kiss his way across Merlin's jaw, ending with his face back in Merlin's neck, whining as he fumbled with Merlin's neckerchief.
"Arthur!" Merlin gasped. Damnit, Arthur knew how sensitive his neck was! "Hold...hold still."
Arthur did, long enough for Merlin to whisper a few words and then they were naked. Grinning excitedly, Arthur angled his hips and pressed them against Merlin's, their cocks rubbing together, and oh god Merlin could see why it was so easy for Arthur to charm nobles in Camelot's favor (and why was he thinking of this now?)
(Oh, right - because he really, really, really shouldn't be doing this, not with Arthur in this mental state, but...)
"Conjure some oil," Arthur said, voice deep and hoarse, into Merlin's ear. "For us - for me."
Merlin frowned. "Arthur, are you sure...?"
"I want you in me, Merlin," Arthur pleaded, pushing himself up on his elbows to look imploringly into Merlin's eyes. "Please? I want to know what it's like to have you in me. Everything I know, that I've experienced myself, is of other people - and I don't want to have only that, not anymore...please?"
Merlin nodded. "Yes, Arthur, but- let me guide us?"
Arthur paused for a moment, then slowly nodded, letting Merlin flip them over to Arthur was on his back, Merlin between his legs. "I don't want to hurt you - and I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"You'll never hurt me," Arthur said with a gentle smile, contrasting his darkened eyes as he rested his hands on Merlin's waist. "Neither of us will ever let you."
Merlin nodded, numbly. He wouldn't let himself hurt Arthur - he couldn't.
Desperately trying to keep that in mind, Merlin summoned one of the jars of polishing leather from Arthur's desk, and with a few murmured spells he had warm oil coating his fingers, letting a few drops fall on Arthur's chest and stomach, using his free hand to gently massage Arthur's muscles. Merlin spent several moments doing just that, rubbing Arthur's chest and stomach, Arthur laying back and lazily enjoying Merlin's attentions, his dark eyes never leaving Merlin, moving only to rove across his body, as Arthur reflexively kneaded his fingers in Merlin's waist, his shoulders, his back. Merlin's own eyelids were drooping a little as he let his existence narrow down to where his skin met Arthur's - Arthur's legs around his hips, Arthur's hands on his shoulders, Arthur's chest beneath his fingers, Arthur, all Arthur.
Eventually, though, Arthur decided it wasn't enough.
"Merlin!" Arthur moaned, rolling his hips up into Merlin's, making Merlin gasp, his rhythm stuttering over Arthur's chest as the blood in his body rushed down to his groin. Arthur was smirking, delighted at realizing how he could drive Merlin to distraction, and promptly did it again, this time pulling down on Merlin's shoulders so Merlin ended up pressed chest-to-chest against Arthur, Arthur moving beneath him, his lean, sinuous limbs moving to wrap around Merlin and hold him close as he moved his cock against Merlin's.
"Arthur," Merlin said into the man's ear. "I'm not going to last long if you keep this up."
Arthur laughed a little and nodded, grasping one of Merlin's wrists and bringing it down to his behind.
"I'll be gentle," Merlin promised, getting more oil and kneading Arthur's arse.
"You don't have to be," Arthur said.
"I'll be gentle," Merlin repeated, before letting one oiled finger press firmly against Arthur's hole before Arthur could response.
Arthur gasped, muscles flexing, and when Merlin gently, slowly, slid one finger inside Arthur, making sure to rub his finger across that bundle of pleasure inside Arthur's body, Arthur's back arched until he was almost off the bed, held down only by the weight of Merlin's body.
For a few moments, Merlin held his finger there, other fingers roaming and kneading and squeezing as Arthur's body naturally tensed around Merlin's intrusion. Merlin kept his mouth pressed against Arthur's, kissing and kissing and kissing, while his free hand massaged Arthur's hips and back, his hips pressing his cock against Arthur's, until Arthur's muscles started to relax around Merlin's finger enough for Merlin to easily slide his finger out, then back in again, making sure to drag his finger across that spot inside Arthur over and over again, until Arthur was a writhing mess beneath Merlin.
"More," Arthur pleaded, eyes fluttering shut in ecstasy. "More, more, more, Merlin, damnit more..."
Despite all their bickering and fighting all the time, Merlin was never very good at genuinely refusing Arthur anything, and so he promised, "Yes," and the next time he slide his forefinger in, his middle one went with it.
Arthur moaned, the sound going in his ears and heading straight to his cock, making Merlin shudder as he lost his rhythm, and not pausing one bit as Arthur insistently demanded, "More!", slowly adding in the third finger into the tight ring of muscle, Arthur melting beneath him as he tried to move his hips to get more of Merlin in him.
For a moment, Merlin held his three fingers there, petting Arthur's side as he waited for Arthur to relax, waited to be able to loosen up Arthur's muscles himself.
Arthur was beautiful. No one ever told him this enough, not genuinely, not just for the sake of saying it. He was courageous and noble and wonderful and beautiful, and Merlin was happy to spend the rest of his life making sure Arthur knew this, deep in his soul.
As Arthur relaxed and opened up to him, Merlin pressed his forehead against Arthur's, eyes shut as they enjoyed the feel of each other's sheer existence.
Then Merlin pulled his fingers out, and lined his cock up to Arthur.
"Are you sure?" Merlin asked, opening his eyes to look into Arthur's.
He was disconcertingly delighted at the impatience in Arthur's eyes and tone when his prince said, "Yes, I'm sure, now move!"
Merlin happily obliged him.
It was a nearly feral moan that Merlin coaxed from Arthur as he slid into Arthur's body, slow and steady, stopping only once fully sheathed within him.
The wet heat around his cock was incredible, and after almost two years of Arthur's gorgeous body taunting him with being so close and yet so far, it was ecstasy to finally arrive here, him in Arthur, and Arthur's trust in him.
Arthur brought him out of his reverie with a harsh breath and a snap of his hips, and Merlin smiled fondly as he started moving, pulling out quickly and going in slowly, holding himself back to make this experience the best for Arthur.
Arthur was far from chaste, but he was still very pure.
At the prince's insistence, though, he started moving his hips faster and faster, letting Arthur set the pace as best as they could manage. Merlin's world was drowned out by Arthur, the feeling of Arthur's skin against his, the smell of Arthur's sweat, the sound of Arthur's moans - Arthur. All Arthur, and he was someone Merlin would happily drown in and never come back out of it.
But he did eventually have to come out.
When Arthur came, he locked his legs around Merlin's hips and wrapped his arms around Merlin's shoulders, locking him in close as his cock spurted white seed between them, and at that point, Merlin gave up holding himself back, instead releasing himself into Arthur's body, covering the last remnants of others who would never be worth as much as Arthur, or be worthy for him (even if he knew he wasn't one to talk about worthiness).
For several long, searingly blissful moments, they froze like that, letting themselves enjoy the moment and the feeling of each other.
Then Merlin had to pull out, over-sensitized cock unable to handle remaining in Arthur, not after as spectacular sex like that.
Except when he tried to pull out, Arthur made a protesting grunt, and rolled them both over so they were laying on their sides, Merlin in Arthur's legs still, and his body.
"Arthur," Merlin murmured. "I'll fall asleep in you."
"Good," Arthur mumbled back, nuzzling into Merlin's hair.
Merlin shook his head and gently started to pull out anyway, and Arthur sighed, relenting, and wiggled himself off, until both of them were lying on their backs, breaths evening out (and possibly matching to each other's).
"That," Arthur said, turning his head to face Merlin, who smiled at him with all the love in the world plastered on his face. "Was fantastic. You were brilliant."
"And so were you," Merlin said, rolling back over and slinging a leg over Arthur's hip, and pulling him in close, cuddling up for the night. "I hope you're like that when you're fucking me, too."
Arthur gasped in his arms, but Merlin petting his chest, saying, "Not tonight, I'm tired."
This time, Arthur hummed in content. "Fine, fine. Tomorrow, then."
"Tomorrow. Good night, Arthur."
"Good night, Merlin. And thank you."
~*~
It took me 10 chapters to write in actual smut...
...*facepalm*
Please review - let me know what you think, and don't hold back! (And while some of you have this very weird habit of apologizing for long reviews, don't! I absolutely love long reviews, so if you feel like writing one, don't hold back!)
~*~
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