[Fic] Merlin Rewritten (1/?)
Merlin Rewritten - chapter 1
Rated: NC-17 (seriously)
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, hints of other minor pairings
Warnings: Canon AU, sex, pratty!Arthur (which isn't too unusual?)
Notes/Summary: a bit of a different take on what could have happened in the first episode of Merlin, with just a touch of the old way of talking (but not too much). Everyone remember that man on the horse in the beginning before Merlin got to Camelot? What if that was Arthur? And what if he hadn't ignored Merlin?
(I know I saw someone post the pic online somewhere, I just can’t find it!)
Note #2: A remake of the first (and possibly also the second) Merlin episode, so some dialogue is taken from the show. I do try to change things around when I can so it isn't exactly the same, but there will be times when it is, but for good reason.
And sorry for the lame type of title but I couldn’t think of anything else to call it. If anyone has a better title, please feel free to suggest any!
Note #3: I began writing this before season three began airing.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but I do love to play around with them.
~**~
His mother sent him to Camelot. At first the notion wasn't a happy one with Merlin; it meant he'd have to leave his mother behind, as well as his best mate Will, but his mother was insistent in his going.
"Gaius is there," she told him. "He's an old friend of mine, and he'll take good care of you; he'll make sure you receive the guidance you need. Your magic had almost got you into trouble one too many times here, Merlin, so it's better for everyone that you go."
The only thing Merlin could think of that could have got him into any serious trouble was nearly flattening old man Simmons with a tree. He never really liked Merlin anyway, the old crow, so what was the big deal?
Still, he did as told, because he was secretly a mama's boy. Well, that and his mother knew how to toss around the old guilt trips (but she was a sweet lady, really). Not to mention he knew he couldn't win, no matter how long he'd argue with her about it. He didn't like the thought of her being alone, and she understood that, but she told him that she'd be perfectly fine without him there and she was able to take care of herself well enough; after all, she had said, she'd been doing it before he had even been born.
So, after writing a letter for Gaius and helping him pack his things, she had sent him on his way. He stopped to rest only once, using his magic to help him stay warm at night and well-fed, before he found himself on the main road that led to Camelot.
And on the way there, he met a man riding on a horse who had been going in the opposite direction. The man was very attractive; he had blond hair, stunningly blue eyes, and a well-built chest. The clothes he wore looked a bit expensive and his horse seemed of good breeding. He tried not to fall in love with this stranger, because he was obviously out of his league (and he was the type to fall in love a bit too fast sometimes and didn't need a broken heart right now, thanks). For a moment, it looked as though the handsome stranger would just keep going, but to Merlin's surprise he suddenly stopped and blocked the path by swinging his horse around to the side.
"Hello there," the man called, his tone of voice sounding very noble indeed. "Where do you travel to, boy?"
"Camelot," said Merlin easily. The man sounded like a noble, but he wasn't sure if he was a lord or what title he owned so he didn't know how to first address him.
"Interesting," said the nobleman. "Have you been traveling far, then?"
"About a day, sir," Merlin said, trying to stay as polite as possible. His mother had taught him manners after all. She also taught him that kindness was a better to show in unknown situations than irritation.
"Splendid," said the nobleman. "I was just about to turn around and make my way back there. Camelot is my home, and I had been out for a ride to clear my head a bit. Sometimes my father and I have quarrels and I have to escape for a while lest I do something drastic. But I find myself quite more relaxed now than I had, so how about you joining me on my way back?"
Merlin was indecisive, all for a couple seconds. He couldn't pass up being close to this handsome man (damn his libido), so he agreed with a brilliant smile and was about to help the nobleman turn his horse around, but the man stopped him.
"Wait. Climb up."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I wish for you to ride with me," said the nobleman, and then his eyes seem to gleam with something far more than friendship, almost as if he were gazing at a delicious feast after a long fast. "Come, boy; put your pack on my horse and get on."
So Merlin stuck his backpack onto the back of the horse, but when he tried to get on behind the nobleman, the man shook his head and said, "No; sit in front of me, so that I can hold you tight and make sure that you don't fall."
Merlin's heart pounded fiercely in his ribcage and his throat felt dry, but he wasn't a total coward. Why pass up such a good opportunity from such a handsome man? He obliged whole-heartily, and then was helped up to sit in front of him. Out of instinct, Merlin leaned his head back against a strong shoulder and nearly melted right off the saddle when the man's strong arms went around him and his face pressed against his. He could smell the man's scent, so clean and crisp despite the sweat, and he could feel the hard muscle beneath the man's tunic and riding leathers. Merlin was practically vibrating with nervous energy. Then, lips pressed gently to his neck, as if he were trying to quell Merlin's nerves. It only caused Merlin to shiver harder.
"I'm Arthur," the man said, voice low and husky. He licked Merlin's ear.
"Merlin," he answered back.
"A pleasure to meet you, Merlin," Arthur purred, then nibbled Merlin's ear lobe. "I must apologize for my sudden advances, but I have never seen such amusing yet beautiful features on another man before. Such high cheekbones, such queer ears, such round blue eyes, and those lips. I just had to touch you, and taste you..." here, Arthur kissed Merlin's neck again. "I had such a longing to have you near, I could not stop myself. I know we are of different rank, but it is not as though we'd ever get married, is it?" Arthur chuckled, such a deep rumble against Merlin's back.
Merlin softly laughed with him. "No, I suppose not." But his laughter soon turned into moans as Arthur wasted no time in demonstrating how much he wanted to touch him. As his horse cantered back toward Camelot at a leisure pace, Arthur kissed his way up Merlin's neck until he found his lips. Merlin kept his eyes shut the whole time, so when he felt Arthur's mouth cover his he nearly jumped out of his skin. The one arm that was the tightest around Merlin had strengthened its hold on him as he plundered Merlin's mouth with his tongue. Merlin found himself surrendering without a thought, and soon he was a mere puppet in the handsome nobleman's hands.
Without warning, the laces on Merlin's breeches were undone, as was his home-made belt, and the hand that had been holding Merlin up, the one that wasn't holding the reins, gently slid inside and grasped hold of Merlin's hardening member. Arthur squeezed the head a couple times before slowly moving his fist and Merlin's hips began to rock in time with it. But it wasn't enough; he wanted more. He wiggled back against Arthur, feeling the hard flesh that was now tenting Arthur's trousers against his arse, and Arthur moaned in appreciation, unlocking their mouths with a wet smack.
"The devil take me, but you're irresistible," Arthur said. "It is a good thing you're not a woman, or I'd be in trouble for making a few bastards." He slipped Merlin's breeches down to about mid-thigh and lifted Merlin up a little so that he could feel the heat and wetness of his freed cock. Merlin held onto the horse's mane and the front of the saddle as Arthur spread Merlin's cheeks apart to find his hole. He gasped aloud when Arthur tried to immediately push his dick in, nearly forcing him to fall out of the saddle in shock, but then Arthur steadied him with a sure hand and used his other to slip a finger inside. Merlin gripped the horse's mane more firmly, and it was then that he realized the horse hadn't even stopped moving at all, even with Arthur's hands off the reins. It must be a well trained steed, indeed.
Arthur pried Merlin open best he could, with as much patience as he could, before trying to breech him again. Merlin moaned and gasped and whimpered, but it didn't deter Arthur from his course. It hurt a bit, Merlin opening in a way no one had ever done to him before, and then once the tip had finally wiggled in, Arthur made Merlin sit up more and slowly, with slight pain, Merlin found himself sliding down Arthur's shaft the rest of the way. With one more giant thrust upward, he was in, and Merlin cried out and clenched around Arthur violently. Arthur sucked Merlin's neck while he waited for Merlin to adjust to his girth, Merlin panting hotly against his neck, and his head leaning back against Arthur's shoulder. Arthur bit down on that lovely neck, unable to resist, as he palmed Merlin's cock gently in his hand. Merlin had softened a little when Arthur was penetrating him, but now he was becoming fully hard again and his muscles around Arthur's cock were looser, softer.
The cantering the horse had been doing helped in their movements, as Arthur bucked slowly up into Merlin while Merlin pushed back against Arthur a bit more desperately. They found the perfect rhythm as they rode on, kissing and necking and stroking all the while. Merlin held onto the horse's mane when Arthur pushed his body forward slightly for a different angle before thrusting again, and Merlin gurgled a cry as Arthur pushed and pulled more frantically, deeply, and before Merlin had the chance to right himself in the saddle again he was coming long and hard over Arthur's hand and on the saddlebow.
"Lord," Arthur breathed, hips cantering faster as he felt his climax approaching, his horse speeding up. His hips slammed harder against Merlin for the last few thrusts before pressing hard all along Merlin's backside and holding himself in as he spilled his seed, filling Merlin almost impossibly full, spurt after spurt, into Merlin's tight body.
As they slowly came down from their high, Camelot was coming into view. Arthur was the first to move, sliding gently out of Merlin and putting himself back into order. Merlin twitched lazily, still hunched over the horse's neck and hanging on for dear life lest he fall off, his breeches still down around his thighs and the nobleman's seed oozing out of his hole and down his balls. He never felt so dirty in all his life.
"We're here," said Arthur, and when Merlin wouldn't move to straighten himself, Arthur swatted him hard on his rear. "Pull up your trousers before someone sees, for Christ's sake! I won't stand for your slutty behavior in front of my men, so act accordingly."
Merlin opened his mouth, about to say something in his defense of debauchery since it had been Arthur who had done the debauching (and ridding of his virtue), but then he shut it immediately when he heard one of Camelot's knights hailing him.
"Ho there, Prince Arthur!"
Merlin was able to get his breeches back on quickly, thanks to some help from Arthur (holy hell, he's the prince!), before the knight got a better look at him. He could barely believe the nobleman that he'd just shagged had been none other than the prince of Camelot. He must have looked like a fish out of water as he opened and closed his mouth a few times in shock, and the knight was staring up at him and Arthur questionably. A stable hand was there to take the horse as Arthur dismounted first before helping Merlin off, and he then told a page to put Merlin's bags in his chambers (the prince's private chambers!). Merlin was about to protest but then he remembered that this was the bloody prince and he decided to play it safe and keep his mouth shut for once. He kept the majority of his concentration on staying steady on his feet and not letting his knees buckle from the throbbing between his legs.
"Inform my father that I return," said Arthur regally. "I'll see him shortly."
"Yes, sire," said the page.
Merlin stared at the prince as he was busying himself with his leather gloves and fixing his belt. Arthur finally looked up when Merlin cleared his throat.
"What is it, Merlin?"
"What happens to me now?" Merlin asked. "Er, sire." Holy hell, I just got shagged by the prince, his mind kept chanting.
"Now," said Arthur, giving him a crooked smile, "you, Merlin, have no alternative but to be my royal bed warmer; my paramour, so to speak. You'll be staying in my chambers, sharing my bed and at times my bath, and feeding me sweetmeats when asked. Oh, and you'll be the royal keeper of my chambers as well. You'll keep them tidy at all times and stoke the fire when it gets cold. Now, follow me."
Merlin really wanted to object to being robbed of his freedom status so suddenly, and for the mere reason of shagging a prince when he didn't even know he was one, but he supposed it was better than finding a job working in the stables all day or becoming some brute knight's squire. He still needed to find Gaius and inform him of his arrival, at least.
"Where are we going?" he asked as he followed the prince. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his things being hauled away by a servant. He just remembered he kept the note from his mother to Gaius in there, so he really had no choice but to obey the prince for now; he'll have to see Gaius later.
"To see my father, the king," Prince Arthur explained. "I'd have to tell him about you anyway, so might as well kill two birds with one stone."
Merlin kept up with the prince well enough (even if he was limping slightly), since he had longer legs, and he really didn't know what was the right protocol for him to follow now that his status had drastically changed, so he was on Arthur's right as they walked. Arthur didn't say anything about it however, so it was possible it was acceptable in this kingdom. Either that or because he wasn't officially Arthur's keeper of his bedchamber yet it was all right. He had lots to learn.
When Arthur entered the throne room, Merlin hung back by the double doors nervously. He didn't know what was custom and didn't want to make any sort of bad first impression. He watched in silence while the two noblemen greeted each other stiffly, soft words exchanged (it was then that Merlin remembered Arthur mentioning having an argument with his father earlier before), and then after a while the king was nodding and his gaze softened. Merlin guessed they worked things out, although he knew that it was most likely a forced reconciliation. It must be normal for them to have a spat and then make up hours later.
And then the king spotted him loitering at the threshold, gaze lingering on him for only a couple seconds, before asking Arthur who he was.
"Oh," said Arthur, as if he just remembered that Merlin was with him, and he turned to wave Merlin closer. Merlin did as asked, but slowly and warily, and then bowed to the king stiffly, not used to having to do so. It was actually the first time he'd ever bowed to anyone, so he felt a little awkward for it. "This is Merlin," Arthur said by introduction. "I met him on the main road; he's… well, he was on his way here, so I offered him a ride."
"And more," Merlin muttered, eyes downcast. Arthur elbowed him for his rudeness and he brought his gaze back up.
"And your reason for bringing him before me?" the king asked Arthur.
Arthur put on a very determined expression before he replied: "He is to be my personal keeper of my bedchamber and paramour."
The silence permeating the room was nearly deafening, and the look the king was giving his son was colder than Merlin had ever seen on any man.
"You cannot be serious, Arthur," said the king. "You're taking this… this bumpkin as your paramour?"
Arthur wasn't backing down, Merlin realized, and it made him wonder if there was going to be a new argument between father and son. He wouldn't want to be the start of any dissidence, and he thought that maybe he should leave, but before he could Arthur flung an arm out to catch his elbow and bring him back around.
"Where are you going, Merlin?" Arthur said.
"Er, well… I don't want there to be any kind of dispute between you and your father because of me, so I think it be best if I just go. Besides, I need to tell Gaius that I'm here."
The king turned to him. "You know Gaius?"
Merlin swallowed nervously, but bravely answered, "Yes, Sire. That is why I've come, to stay with Gaius. My mother sent me, you see, to live here and have Gaius be a sort of tutor."
The king nodded. "I see. Merlin, is it? Well, I guess you better go then to let Gaius know of your arrival. You'll know for sure if you're to be Prince Arthur's royal keeper of his chambers or not. There's still some discussion I need to do with him about it first."
"Of course, Your Majesty," said Merlin and then he bowed and left. As he made his way down the corridor, taking in the sights of how grand the castle was, his cheeks colored unbidden as thoughts of the possibility of being Arthur's bed warmer danced in his head. Would he even get paid to be such a thing, or would he need to find a job on top of that?
Then he realized he had no idea where he was going so he had to ask one of the guards for directions.
**
It seemed he arrived not a moment too soon, because the moment he walked in the court physician's chambers and called out "Gaius?" that the man in question fell backwards from high up top the second floor. Merlin acted quickly, using his magic to make the physician's medical cot move until it was right under him. Gaius landed almost perfectly on the cot, more shocked that he actually did other than having found the hard ground on his way down. He got off the cot and stared at Merlin, face still looking flabbergasted.
"How'd you do that?" Gaius demanded.
"What, no thank you?" said Merlin jokingly, smiling.
Gaius was taken aback at that comment, and then replied with, "Oh, yes, of course I should thank you, but I must know how you did that."
"Er, by magic?" said Merlin.
"Yes, I know what it was, but…" Gaius looked a bit more frazzled now, frantic. "I want to know where you learned it, who taught you?"
"No one taught me," was Merlin's automatic reply.
"You're lying."
"I'm not," Merlin insisted.
"Where'd you learn the spell? Tell me this instant."
"I don't… I don't know any spells," Merlin said, a bit flabbergasted himself.
"Impossible," said Gaius. "Magic must be studied and practiced for years, using words, incantations…"
"I don't use any incantations, it just comes naturally to me. I don't know how to explain it, but I've always been like this," said Merlin. "Since before I could talk, actually."
"Extraordinary," said Gaius, peering at him with wonder. "By the way, who are you?"
"Oh, sorry," said Merlin, and tried to find his letter from his mother to give to Gaius, patting himself down, but then remembered that he left it in his backpack. "Er, I have a letter for you from my mother, but it's with my stuff, which is…" he gulped, "in Prince Arthur's chambers."
"Prince Arthur?" said Gaius, his eyebrows raising. "What are your things doing in his rooms?"
Merlin's cheeks flushed pink. "Can I explain later? It's kind of a long story. Well, not really but it's… embarrassing."
He really shouldn't have said that because now Gaius looked intrigued, so he went on to say, "I'm Merlin."
"Oh, Hunith's son!"
"Yeah."
"You weren't supposed to arrive until Wednesday."
Merlin gave Gaius a confused look. "Um, it is Wednesday."
"Oh, is it?" said Gaius. "Okay, I'll show you to your room then… well, the room I had originally had made ready for you. If your things are in Prince Arthur's chambers I take it you're supposed to stay with him for the night?"
Merlin blushed harder than last time, so Gaius let the subject go, for now.
"You can be my dogsbody for now, until you find yourself some real work," he said. "And it may be best if you get Hunith's letter for me. I'll search for my glasses while you do that."
Merlin nodded, but before he could leave, Gaius stopped him again. "Oh, Merlin?"
"Yeah?" said Merlin.
"I must warn you that magic here is banned, and that it will get you killed if anyone catches you doing any sort of incantation whatsoever."
"Killed?" said Merlin, brows furrowed. "You mean the king…?"
"Executes those who practice magic," said Gaius sadly. "Yes. You're lucky it was me that you told. Anyone else would have turned you in for sorcery and you'd already be on your way to the chopping block."
Merlin nodded as a small shiver went down his spine. He had been tempted to tell the prince about his powers, or surprise him when he got to his chambers, but now he was glad he had stopped at Gaius' first and learned of this.
"I'll be careful," he promised, and left to find the prince's chambers.
**
Part 2
End note: I have discovered that my favorite kind of Merlin AUs are the ones that are canon AU; meaning the time/setting is the same but the story is turned on its head, or they have daemons, or that Merlin is also a prince, etc. :D
Rated: NC-17 (seriously)
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, hints of other minor pairings
Warnings: Canon AU, sex, pratty!Arthur (which isn't too unusual?)
Notes/Summary: a bit of a different take on what could have happened in the first episode of Merlin, with just a touch of the old way of talking (but not too much). Everyone remember that man on the horse in the beginning before Merlin got to Camelot? What if that was Arthur? And what if he hadn't ignored Merlin?
(I know I saw someone post the pic online somewhere, I just can’t find it!)
Note #2: A remake of the first (and possibly also the second) Merlin episode, so some dialogue is taken from the show. I do try to change things around when I can so it isn't exactly the same, but there will be times when it is, but for good reason.
And sorry for the lame type of title but I couldn’t think of anything else to call it. If anyone has a better title, please feel free to suggest any!
Note #3: I began writing this before season three began airing.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but I do love to play around with them.
~**~
His mother sent him to Camelot. At first the notion wasn't a happy one with Merlin; it meant he'd have to leave his mother behind, as well as his best mate Will, but his mother was insistent in his going.
"Gaius is there," she told him. "He's an old friend of mine, and he'll take good care of you; he'll make sure you receive the guidance you need. Your magic had almost got you into trouble one too many times here, Merlin, so it's better for everyone that you go."
The only thing Merlin could think of that could have got him into any serious trouble was nearly flattening old man Simmons with a tree. He never really liked Merlin anyway, the old crow, so what was the big deal?
Still, he did as told, because he was secretly a mama's boy. Well, that and his mother knew how to toss around the old guilt trips (but she was a sweet lady, really). Not to mention he knew he couldn't win, no matter how long he'd argue with her about it. He didn't like the thought of her being alone, and she understood that, but she told him that she'd be perfectly fine without him there and she was able to take care of herself well enough; after all, she had said, she'd been doing it before he had even been born.
So, after writing a letter for Gaius and helping him pack his things, she had sent him on his way. He stopped to rest only once, using his magic to help him stay warm at night and well-fed, before he found himself on the main road that led to Camelot.
And on the way there, he met a man riding on a horse who had been going in the opposite direction. The man was very attractive; he had blond hair, stunningly blue eyes, and a well-built chest. The clothes he wore looked a bit expensive and his horse seemed of good breeding. He tried not to fall in love with this stranger, because he was obviously out of his league (and he was the type to fall in love a bit too fast sometimes and didn't need a broken heart right now, thanks). For a moment, it looked as though the handsome stranger would just keep going, but to Merlin's surprise he suddenly stopped and blocked the path by swinging his horse around to the side.
"Hello there," the man called, his tone of voice sounding very noble indeed. "Where do you travel to, boy?"
"Camelot," said Merlin easily. The man sounded like a noble, but he wasn't sure if he was a lord or what title he owned so he didn't know how to first address him.
"Interesting," said the nobleman. "Have you been traveling far, then?"
"About a day, sir," Merlin said, trying to stay as polite as possible. His mother had taught him manners after all. She also taught him that kindness was a better to show in unknown situations than irritation.
"Splendid," said the nobleman. "I was just about to turn around and make my way back there. Camelot is my home, and I had been out for a ride to clear my head a bit. Sometimes my father and I have quarrels and I have to escape for a while lest I do something drastic. But I find myself quite more relaxed now than I had, so how about you joining me on my way back?"
Merlin was indecisive, all for a couple seconds. He couldn't pass up being close to this handsome man (damn his libido), so he agreed with a brilliant smile and was about to help the nobleman turn his horse around, but the man stopped him.
"Wait. Climb up."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I wish for you to ride with me," said the nobleman, and then his eyes seem to gleam with something far more than friendship, almost as if he were gazing at a delicious feast after a long fast. "Come, boy; put your pack on my horse and get on."
So Merlin stuck his backpack onto the back of the horse, but when he tried to get on behind the nobleman, the man shook his head and said, "No; sit in front of me, so that I can hold you tight and make sure that you don't fall."
Merlin's heart pounded fiercely in his ribcage and his throat felt dry, but he wasn't a total coward. Why pass up such a good opportunity from such a handsome man? He obliged whole-heartily, and then was helped up to sit in front of him. Out of instinct, Merlin leaned his head back against a strong shoulder and nearly melted right off the saddle when the man's strong arms went around him and his face pressed against his. He could smell the man's scent, so clean and crisp despite the sweat, and he could feel the hard muscle beneath the man's tunic and riding leathers. Merlin was practically vibrating with nervous energy. Then, lips pressed gently to his neck, as if he were trying to quell Merlin's nerves. It only caused Merlin to shiver harder.
"I'm Arthur," the man said, voice low and husky. He licked Merlin's ear.
"Merlin," he answered back.
"A pleasure to meet you, Merlin," Arthur purred, then nibbled Merlin's ear lobe. "I must apologize for my sudden advances, but I have never seen such amusing yet beautiful features on another man before. Such high cheekbones, such queer ears, such round blue eyes, and those lips. I just had to touch you, and taste you..." here, Arthur kissed Merlin's neck again. "I had such a longing to have you near, I could not stop myself. I know we are of different rank, but it is not as though we'd ever get married, is it?" Arthur chuckled, such a deep rumble against Merlin's back.
Merlin softly laughed with him. "No, I suppose not." But his laughter soon turned into moans as Arthur wasted no time in demonstrating how much he wanted to touch him. As his horse cantered back toward Camelot at a leisure pace, Arthur kissed his way up Merlin's neck until he found his lips. Merlin kept his eyes shut the whole time, so when he felt Arthur's mouth cover his he nearly jumped out of his skin. The one arm that was the tightest around Merlin had strengthened its hold on him as he plundered Merlin's mouth with his tongue. Merlin found himself surrendering without a thought, and soon he was a mere puppet in the handsome nobleman's hands.
Without warning, the laces on Merlin's breeches were undone, as was his home-made belt, and the hand that had been holding Merlin up, the one that wasn't holding the reins, gently slid inside and grasped hold of Merlin's hardening member. Arthur squeezed the head a couple times before slowly moving his fist and Merlin's hips began to rock in time with it. But it wasn't enough; he wanted more. He wiggled back against Arthur, feeling the hard flesh that was now tenting Arthur's trousers against his arse, and Arthur moaned in appreciation, unlocking their mouths with a wet smack.
"The devil take me, but you're irresistible," Arthur said. "It is a good thing you're not a woman, or I'd be in trouble for making a few bastards." He slipped Merlin's breeches down to about mid-thigh and lifted Merlin up a little so that he could feel the heat and wetness of his freed cock. Merlin held onto the horse's mane and the front of the saddle as Arthur spread Merlin's cheeks apart to find his hole. He gasped aloud when Arthur tried to immediately push his dick in, nearly forcing him to fall out of the saddle in shock, but then Arthur steadied him with a sure hand and used his other to slip a finger inside. Merlin gripped the horse's mane more firmly, and it was then that he realized the horse hadn't even stopped moving at all, even with Arthur's hands off the reins. It must be a well trained steed, indeed.
Arthur pried Merlin open best he could, with as much patience as he could, before trying to breech him again. Merlin moaned and gasped and whimpered, but it didn't deter Arthur from his course. It hurt a bit, Merlin opening in a way no one had ever done to him before, and then once the tip had finally wiggled in, Arthur made Merlin sit up more and slowly, with slight pain, Merlin found himself sliding down Arthur's shaft the rest of the way. With one more giant thrust upward, he was in, and Merlin cried out and clenched around Arthur violently. Arthur sucked Merlin's neck while he waited for Merlin to adjust to his girth, Merlin panting hotly against his neck, and his head leaning back against Arthur's shoulder. Arthur bit down on that lovely neck, unable to resist, as he palmed Merlin's cock gently in his hand. Merlin had softened a little when Arthur was penetrating him, but now he was becoming fully hard again and his muscles around Arthur's cock were looser, softer.
The cantering the horse had been doing helped in their movements, as Arthur bucked slowly up into Merlin while Merlin pushed back against Arthur a bit more desperately. They found the perfect rhythm as they rode on, kissing and necking and stroking all the while. Merlin held onto the horse's mane when Arthur pushed his body forward slightly for a different angle before thrusting again, and Merlin gurgled a cry as Arthur pushed and pulled more frantically, deeply, and before Merlin had the chance to right himself in the saddle again he was coming long and hard over Arthur's hand and on the saddlebow.
"Lord," Arthur breathed, hips cantering faster as he felt his climax approaching, his horse speeding up. His hips slammed harder against Merlin for the last few thrusts before pressing hard all along Merlin's backside and holding himself in as he spilled his seed, filling Merlin almost impossibly full, spurt after spurt, into Merlin's tight body.
As they slowly came down from their high, Camelot was coming into view. Arthur was the first to move, sliding gently out of Merlin and putting himself back into order. Merlin twitched lazily, still hunched over the horse's neck and hanging on for dear life lest he fall off, his breeches still down around his thighs and the nobleman's seed oozing out of his hole and down his balls. He never felt so dirty in all his life.
"We're here," said Arthur, and when Merlin wouldn't move to straighten himself, Arthur swatted him hard on his rear. "Pull up your trousers before someone sees, for Christ's sake! I won't stand for your slutty behavior in front of my men, so act accordingly."
Merlin opened his mouth, about to say something in his defense of debauchery since it had been Arthur who had done the debauching (and ridding of his virtue), but then he shut it immediately when he heard one of Camelot's knights hailing him.
"Ho there, Prince Arthur!"
Merlin was able to get his breeches back on quickly, thanks to some help from Arthur (holy hell, he's the prince!), before the knight got a better look at him. He could barely believe the nobleman that he'd just shagged had been none other than the prince of Camelot. He must have looked like a fish out of water as he opened and closed his mouth a few times in shock, and the knight was staring up at him and Arthur questionably. A stable hand was there to take the horse as Arthur dismounted first before helping Merlin off, and he then told a page to put Merlin's bags in his chambers (the prince's private chambers!). Merlin was about to protest but then he remembered that this was the bloody prince and he decided to play it safe and keep his mouth shut for once. He kept the majority of his concentration on staying steady on his feet and not letting his knees buckle from the throbbing between his legs.
"Inform my father that I return," said Arthur regally. "I'll see him shortly."
"Yes, sire," said the page.
Merlin stared at the prince as he was busying himself with his leather gloves and fixing his belt. Arthur finally looked up when Merlin cleared his throat.
"What is it, Merlin?"
"What happens to me now?" Merlin asked. "Er, sire." Holy hell, I just got shagged by the prince, his mind kept chanting.
"Now," said Arthur, giving him a crooked smile, "you, Merlin, have no alternative but to be my royal bed warmer; my paramour, so to speak. You'll be staying in my chambers, sharing my bed and at times my bath, and feeding me sweetmeats when asked. Oh, and you'll be the royal keeper of my chambers as well. You'll keep them tidy at all times and stoke the fire when it gets cold. Now, follow me."
Merlin really wanted to object to being robbed of his freedom status so suddenly, and for the mere reason of shagging a prince when he didn't even know he was one, but he supposed it was better than finding a job working in the stables all day or becoming some brute knight's squire. He still needed to find Gaius and inform him of his arrival, at least.
"Where are we going?" he asked as he followed the prince. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his things being hauled away by a servant. He just remembered he kept the note from his mother to Gaius in there, so he really had no choice but to obey the prince for now; he'll have to see Gaius later.
"To see my father, the king," Prince Arthur explained. "I'd have to tell him about you anyway, so might as well kill two birds with one stone."
Merlin kept up with the prince well enough (even if he was limping slightly), since he had longer legs, and he really didn't know what was the right protocol for him to follow now that his status had drastically changed, so he was on Arthur's right as they walked. Arthur didn't say anything about it however, so it was possible it was acceptable in this kingdom. Either that or because he wasn't officially Arthur's keeper of his bedchamber yet it was all right. He had lots to learn.
When Arthur entered the throne room, Merlin hung back by the double doors nervously. He didn't know what was custom and didn't want to make any sort of bad first impression. He watched in silence while the two noblemen greeted each other stiffly, soft words exchanged (it was then that Merlin remembered Arthur mentioning having an argument with his father earlier before), and then after a while the king was nodding and his gaze softened. Merlin guessed they worked things out, although he knew that it was most likely a forced reconciliation. It must be normal for them to have a spat and then make up hours later.
And then the king spotted him loitering at the threshold, gaze lingering on him for only a couple seconds, before asking Arthur who he was.
"Oh," said Arthur, as if he just remembered that Merlin was with him, and he turned to wave Merlin closer. Merlin did as asked, but slowly and warily, and then bowed to the king stiffly, not used to having to do so. It was actually the first time he'd ever bowed to anyone, so he felt a little awkward for it. "This is Merlin," Arthur said by introduction. "I met him on the main road; he's… well, he was on his way here, so I offered him a ride."
"And more," Merlin muttered, eyes downcast. Arthur elbowed him for his rudeness and he brought his gaze back up.
"And your reason for bringing him before me?" the king asked Arthur.
Arthur put on a very determined expression before he replied: "He is to be my personal keeper of my bedchamber and paramour."
The silence permeating the room was nearly deafening, and the look the king was giving his son was colder than Merlin had ever seen on any man.
"You cannot be serious, Arthur," said the king. "You're taking this… this bumpkin as your paramour?"
Arthur wasn't backing down, Merlin realized, and it made him wonder if there was going to be a new argument between father and son. He wouldn't want to be the start of any dissidence, and he thought that maybe he should leave, but before he could Arthur flung an arm out to catch his elbow and bring him back around.
"Where are you going, Merlin?" Arthur said.
"Er, well… I don't want there to be any kind of dispute between you and your father because of me, so I think it be best if I just go. Besides, I need to tell Gaius that I'm here."
The king turned to him. "You know Gaius?"
Merlin swallowed nervously, but bravely answered, "Yes, Sire. That is why I've come, to stay with Gaius. My mother sent me, you see, to live here and have Gaius be a sort of tutor."
The king nodded. "I see. Merlin, is it? Well, I guess you better go then to let Gaius know of your arrival. You'll know for sure if you're to be Prince Arthur's royal keeper of his chambers or not. There's still some discussion I need to do with him about it first."
"Of course, Your Majesty," said Merlin and then he bowed and left. As he made his way down the corridor, taking in the sights of how grand the castle was, his cheeks colored unbidden as thoughts of the possibility of being Arthur's bed warmer danced in his head. Would he even get paid to be such a thing, or would he need to find a job on top of that?
Then he realized he had no idea where he was going so he had to ask one of the guards for directions.
**
It seemed he arrived not a moment too soon, because the moment he walked in the court physician's chambers and called out "Gaius?" that the man in question fell backwards from high up top the second floor. Merlin acted quickly, using his magic to make the physician's medical cot move until it was right under him. Gaius landed almost perfectly on the cot, more shocked that he actually did other than having found the hard ground on his way down. He got off the cot and stared at Merlin, face still looking flabbergasted.
"How'd you do that?" Gaius demanded.
"What, no thank you?" said Merlin jokingly, smiling.
Gaius was taken aback at that comment, and then replied with, "Oh, yes, of course I should thank you, but I must know how you did that."
"Er, by magic?" said Merlin.
"Yes, I know what it was, but…" Gaius looked a bit more frazzled now, frantic. "I want to know where you learned it, who taught you?"
"No one taught me," was Merlin's automatic reply.
"You're lying."
"I'm not," Merlin insisted.
"Where'd you learn the spell? Tell me this instant."
"I don't… I don't know any spells," Merlin said, a bit flabbergasted himself.
"Impossible," said Gaius. "Magic must be studied and practiced for years, using words, incantations…"
"I don't use any incantations, it just comes naturally to me. I don't know how to explain it, but I've always been like this," said Merlin. "Since before I could talk, actually."
"Extraordinary," said Gaius, peering at him with wonder. "By the way, who are you?"
"Oh, sorry," said Merlin, and tried to find his letter from his mother to give to Gaius, patting himself down, but then remembered that he left it in his backpack. "Er, I have a letter for you from my mother, but it's with my stuff, which is…" he gulped, "in Prince Arthur's chambers."
"Prince Arthur?" said Gaius, his eyebrows raising. "What are your things doing in his rooms?"
Merlin's cheeks flushed pink. "Can I explain later? It's kind of a long story. Well, not really but it's… embarrassing."
He really shouldn't have said that because now Gaius looked intrigued, so he went on to say, "I'm Merlin."
"Oh, Hunith's son!"
"Yeah."
"You weren't supposed to arrive until Wednesday."
Merlin gave Gaius a confused look. "Um, it is Wednesday."
"Oh, is it?" said Gaius. "Okay, I'll show you to your room then… well, the room I had originally had made ready for you. If your things are in Prince Arthur's chambers I take it you're supposed to stay with him for the night?"
Merlin blushed harder than last time, so Gaius let the subject go, for now.
"You can be my dogsbody for now, until you find yourself some real work," he said. "And it may be best if you get Hunith's letter for me. I'll search for my glasses while you do that."
Merlin nodded, but before he could leave, Gaius stopped him again. "Oh, Merlin?"
"Yeah?" said Merlin.
"I must warn you that magic here is banned, and that it will get you killed if anyone catches you doing any sort of incantation whatsoever."
"Killed?" said Merlin, brows furrowed. "You mean the king…?"
"Executes those who practice magic," said Gaius sadly. "Yes. You're lucky it was me that you told. Anyone else would have turned you in for sorcery and you'd already be on your way to the chopping block."
Merlin nodded as a small shiver went down his spine. He had been tempted to tell the prince about his powers, or surprise him when he got to his chambers, but now he was glad he had stopped at Gaius' first and learned of this.
"I'll be careful," he promised, and left to find the prince's chambers.
**
Part 2
End note: I have discovered that my favorite kind of Merlin AUs are the ones that are canon AU; meaning the time/setting is the same but the story is turned on its head, or they have daemons, or that Merlin is also a prince, etc. :D