fic: Conquering the Realm (2/?)
Title: Conquering the Realm
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Spoilers: No spoilers as this will be AU from the beginning. Or maybe lots of spoilers if you haven't seen all the episodes. Not sure which. Anyway, this is pre-slash, merlin/arthur implied, and what I call torture!fic (basically the emotional and physical torment of our hero without leaving lasting, permanent deformations.)
Summary: The war between Mercia and Camelot has finally ended. Merlin arrives in the city, which is a bit different from the one in the show. You'll have to read to see how.
Author's note: I have pulled from a couple different sources. Some from the BBC version and some from Hallmark version. You'll just have to forgive me alterations, this is AU after all. ;P
Hello everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying the story. At the end of this chapter, I will pose a quick question. I would greatly appreciate a response. Thank you and Happy Reading!!
________________________________
It was past midnight. Arthur could sense that well enough. The Castle was always so quiet this late. He remembered many times as a boy sneaking out of his room and exploring its wondrous depths. Quickly, he stifled such memories. They only left a bitter taste in his mouth now.
Leaning back on his haunches and letting his head flop back, Arthur attempted to give his aching back a reprieve. Based upon his calculations, he was just about half way through this task. Groaning, he did not want to even think about the time he still needed to spend in the kitchen. His head fell forward and he looked down at the wrinkled prunes for hands that rested in his lap. Surely, they couldn’t be his hands. His were strong and enjoyed the feeling of a sword in them. Not weak and shriveled.
How quickly fortunes changed, he thought. Once he was the future king. Now he just hoped for future freedom. Not just his own, but also for his father, Morgana and the rest of his people. He was the only one who could save them now, and he would find a way.
At a shift in position and a gargled snort, Arthur glanced over at his sleeping guard. Oh, how easy escape would be, his heart cried out. But he refused to abandon the people he loved. Besides, his first and only attempt had proven disastrous. The instant they realized he was missing they took Morgana from her chamber and tied her to a stake in the courtyard. They threatened to burn her if he didn’t reveal himself. If that wasn’t incentive enough, they said his father would be next and then one by one the subjects of his kingdom. They asked if he could live with their suffering or be man enough to face it himself.
And suffer he did for his transgression. They beat him for what Arthur was convinced was two days. When he managed to come around a few days later, Gaius’ grim expression conveyed how badly he had been punished. Arthur sighed. He understood now why his father had trusted the physician so deeply. The older man constantly whispered encouragement during his recovery and told him news of his father and Morgana. They were both safe still, but extremely worried for him. But most important was the advice Gaius gave him. To bide his time and stay out of trouble. He had to be ready for the opportunity to free his kingdom when it came.
Picking up the scrub brush, dunking it in already filthy water and resuming his duty, Arthur knew he wasn’t very good at staying out of trouble. Not that he could entirely avoid it when Vortigan and his men were so keen to beat and humiliate him. And his pride would not allow him to submit so willingly to their whim. At least at times like these, in the dead of night, Arthur could find some semblance of peace and quiet. Unfortunately, fate had something else in mind for Arthur.
A door nearby opened as someone stepped out into the hallway. Flicking his gaze to the newcomer, Arthur had to suppress the sudden rage that coiled through his body. If there was anyone more keen on beating Arthur down besides Vortigan himself, it was this man. The blonde couldn’t even be sure he could classify the knight as a man, and his name couldn’t have been further from the truth. Valiant.
“Oi, I can’t sleep with that noise. Keep it down.”
Arthur ignored him as best he could. The sound of a brush scraping stone, the gurgling of his sleeping guard and the occasional clink of the chain binding his wrists filled the hall for a long moment. Valiant walked menacingly over to the former prince and Arthur barely took notice of the unlaced boots in his peripheral vision.
“I said, I can’t sleep with all this noise.” The sneer on Valiant’s face evident in his voice.
Pausing for a moment, the young man commented, “Well, no one else seems to be bothered by it.”
“Well, I am.”
Stopping again, Arthur stated calmly. “Then I suggest you take it up with your King. He’s the one who told me to do it.”
Valiant took a step forward, capturing Arthur’s supportive hand under his boot. As the knight leaned down, he put all his weight on the vulnerable hand. Arthur gripped the brush so tightly in his other hand that it shook. And he bit down hard on his tongue to stop any sound from escaping. It was all the young prince could do to quell the screaming desire to retaliate. Even if he had swung out like he wanted to, his chains would have stopped him short of his mark. So he had to wait and endure.
Smugly, Valiant hissed at him, “Do you really want me to wake the King in the middle of the night just to complain about you? Are you really eager for another punishment? Are you?” The knight stamped down hard on the already abused appendage.
Arthur gasped out, “no.” He could feel his hand shredding under the weathered sole.
“Are you sure? Because, we don’t need to trouble the King for that. I can take care of it right now.”
Valiant grabbed the wrist of the trapped hand and pulled it behind Arthur’s back. The other hand whipped out from under Arthur, yanked along by the chain, causing the blonde to land hard on the unforgiving stone. The former prince struggled awkwardly beneath the knight. But Valiant had the young man pinned perfectly beneath him. Arthur stilled in fearful anticipation the moment the older man grabbed his pinky.
“Maybe if we slowed you down, it wouldn’t be so noisy,” the man mumbled just before he pulled.
Arthur yelped. He couldn’t help it. The burst of pain that shot up his arm forced the cry from him. Obviously sated by his agony, the bulk of a man crushing him got up. Automatically, Arthur curled up around his wounded hand protectively. As the pain slowly subsided, he became vaguely aware of the voices above him.
“Oi, what’s going on?” The sleeping guard asked, having been jolted awake by Arthur’s cry.
Valiant looked at the prince and said, “Nothing.” Stepping back from his handiwork, the knight then barked at the guard, “Make sure he finishes it all!” Valiant stalked back to his room and slammed the door shut.
Shocked awake and obviously disgruntled about being caught sleeping, the guard sauntered up to his prisoner and poked him with his staff. “Come on, you. No slacking. Get back to work.”
Gulping down a few steadying breaths, Arthur managed to sit up. He held his broken hand tightly against his stomach. In order to work, he would have to bend over more to get some slack back in his chain. The pain and lack of mobility were seriously going to hinder his progress. There was no helping it now. Pushing all thoughts from his mind, especially the pain, Arthur trudged on dutifully.
***
Something woke Merlin from his slumber. Groggy still from the night before, the sorcerer couldn’t be sure what had roused him. His room was still dark. Although when he glanced through the window he could see it was much lighter than before. Dawn was steadily approaching. He pondered sleepily. He thought he heard someone knocking on a door, but it wasn’t loud enough to be his.
When he caught the sounds of someone moving in the room beyond, Merlin gathered what it was. Carefully, he got up from his bed and crept over to the door. He quietly cracked it open so he could see and hear what was happening.
Gaius, in his nightgown, cautiously asked, “Who’s there?”
Merlin couldn’t hear the response but it didn’t matter because Gaius immediately threw open the door. Leaning heavily in the doorframe, Arthur stood clutching something to his stomach.
“Arthur, what’s happened?”
Arthur pushed past the physician and headed straight for the man’s chair, which he practically collapsed into. Gaius glanced into the hallway expecting to see guards and noted their absence. Quickly, the old man shut the door and went to his prince’s side. “You haven’t tried to escape again, have you?”
Resigned, Arthur shook his head. “No, I’ve learned that lesson already. My stupid guard fell asleep again, so I snuck away.” The prince explained.
“What is it? What’s happened?” The healer demanded.
“I was hoping you could help me with this, before I head to the kitchens.” Arthur winced as he raised up his mangled hand for Gaius to see.
Even from this distance, Merlin could see the odd angle in which the young man’s pinky jutted out. The sorcerer clamped a hand over his mouth to keep the threatening bile from escaping.
“Oh, Arthur,” Gaius muttered as he drank in the bloodied and swollen sight. Doctor’s instincts took over. The old man began to quickly clean and treat the wounds. He needed to see the damage clearly before figuring out how to correct the finger. Frowning, Gaius asked while he worked, “Who did this to you?” The pair shared a very meaningful glance causing the physician’s frown to deepen. “You have to stop goading Valiant on.”
“It’s not like he needs my help,” the prince argued.
Gaius turned the hand gently to examine it. “Even still, you can’t survive like this forever. He’ll be the death of you yet.”
“If I could only be so lucky.”
Not offering any warning, the physician pushed the finger back into place. Arthur growled through clenched teeth at the renewed agony. He slammed his other fist down on the table next to him.
“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again, Sire. Your people need you. And if you give in to Vortigan, Camelot will most assuredly fall.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Camelot has already fallen, Gaius.” Arthur let his head flop against the chair back and closed his eyes. “And don’t call me that. I’m no longer a Prince.”
“Vortigan may have stripped your title but he cannot take away your destiny.”
“My Destiny?” Arthur laughed mirthlessly. He looked poignantly at the physician. “That ship has sailed. I mean, look at me, Gaius. I’m not a prince. I’m a slave!”
Sadly, the physician tenderly finished wrapping the blonde’s hand. When he finished he stood up and said, “You’re right. You are not the Arthur I knew. He would not have given up on his people.”
Arthur flinched visibly before countering, “And what do you expect me to do? If I try anything Vortigan, will threaten the people I care about.” He ran his good hand through his hair in an act of frustration. Calming slightly, he added, “I will not let them suffer for me.”
“So you will suffer for them?”
The young man sprung to his feet, unable to sit still any longer. “I will do what I must to keep you all safe.” Sighing, Arthur glanced over his shoulder at the physician. “Look, I have to get back. I still have work to do.”
“But you’re exhausted. You need rest, Arthur.”
“I can’t. Time is already running out.”
“At least let me give you something for the pain.”
“No, it will dull my wits and I will need them to see me through the day.” Arthur took a wavering step towards the door. Gaius sat down in defeat. There was nothing more the physician could do.
Merlin’s heart broke. He couldn’t stop himself from bursting from his room. “Please, let me help,” he pleaded.
The two men stared at him horrified. Gaius regained himself first. “Merlin, what are you doing up?”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear.” He explained to Gaius but his eyes never left the prince. Words began pouring out of the warlock. “Please, I only want to help. I don’t know many spells but a travelling sorcerer did teach me a few that were useful. And I saw those knights trip you in the dining hall. They thought it would be funny. But I didn’t find it very amusing. I thought it cruel. Your punishment was unfair. And Valiant is a monster, unfit for human company.” Merlin took a breath and waited.
Neither of the two men moved. They just watched this strange newcomer with mild curiosity. Merlin then spoke aloud what also weighed on his heart. “And I, uh, I feel somewhat responsible for getting you punished.”
At this declaration, Arthur regarded the dark haired youth seriously for a moment then laughed shaking his head in wonder. “No,” he said sadly, “If not for you the punishment would have been worse.”
“Then you’ll let me help?”
“Be quick about it,” Arthur snapped.
Merlin complied easily. He hurried over and gently took the prince’s hand and held it up. With his other hand hovering above, Merlin concentrated. “Pallorah Noombus.”
Within moments, surprise clearly read on the blonde’s face. “The pain’s gone.” In fact, a soothing warmth filled his weary body wiping away all aches and complaints. Grateful blue eyes looked up to regard the warlock thoughtfully.
Smiling his accomplishment, Merlin said, “Yeah, well, it should stay like that for an hour or so and give you a second wind. I hope that helps.”
“You are full of surprises, Merlin.” Arthur commented with a small smirk. “Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to speak later, but for now I must go.”
“Right,” Merlin grinned goofily. “Good luck.” He called as the prince left, “You’re welcome.” The door shut.
Gaius came to stand next to his new ward. “I know it can be hard to understand Arthur’s meaning sometimes, but he is very grateful for what you’ve done.”
Yawning, Merlin turned. “Yeah, well, it’s the least I can do.” He was about to head back up to his room, when a hand on his arm stopped him.
“You are too new here to realize it, but Arthur is a very proud young man. It is rare for him to accept help from his friends let alone strangers. You can count yourself among the privileged few, and that’s an amazing feat in itself. You are an extraordinary person, Merlin. We will talk more in the morning. For now, we both need our rest.”
Merlin didn’t really know how to take what Gaius had just told him. Fortunately, he was able to quickly fall asleep despite the incident that now plagued his thoughts.
______________________
Hope you enjoyed it. Now, I do have a question for you all or rather a request. I do have a vague idea of where I would like to go with this fic, but I was wondering if anyone had anything they would like to see specifically with Arthur. While I do so enjoy making my leading men suffer needlessly, I also don't want to constantly do the same things over and over so I'm looking for fresh ideas. Mind you, I am trying to keep this PG-13 so no sexual depravity please, but any other physical and even mental methods of torture you can think of would be considered.
Thank you for your help and as always, thank you for reading!
~Ari :D
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Spoilers: No spoilers as this will be AU from the beginning. Or maybe lots of spoilers if you haven't seen all the episodes. Not sure which. Anyway, this is pre-slash, merlin/arthur implied, and what I call torture!fic (basically the emotional and physical torment of our hero without leaving lasting, permanent deformations.)
Summary: The war between Mercia and Camelot has finally ended. Merlin arrives in the city, which is a bit different from the one in the show. You'll have to read to see how.
Author's note: I have pulled from a couple different sources. Some from the BBC version and some from Hallmark version. You'll just have to forgive me alterations, this is AU after all. ;P
Hello everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying the story. At the end of this chapter, I will pose a quick question. I would greatly appreciate a response. Thank you and Happy Reading!!
________________________________
It was past midnight. Arthur could sense that well enough. The Castle was always so quiet this late. He remembered many times as a boy sneaking out of his room and exploring its wondrous depths. Quickly, he stifled such memories. They only left a bitter taste in his mouth now.
Leaning back on his haunches and letting his head flop back, Arthur attempted to give his aching back a reprieve. Based upon his calculations, he was just about half way through this task. Groaning, he did not want to even think about the time he still needed to spend in the kitchen. His head fell forward and he looked down at the wrinkled prunes for hands that rested in his lap. Surely, they couldn’t be his hands. His were strong and enjoyed the feeling of a sword in them. Not weak and shriveled.
How quickly fortunes changed, he thought. Once he was the future king. Now he just hoped for future freedom. Not just his own, but also for his father, Morgana and the rest of his people. He was the only one who could save them now, and he would find a way.
At a shift in position and a gargled snort, Arthur glanced over at his sleeping guard. Oh, how easy escape would be, his heart cried out. But he refused to abandon the people he loved. Besides, his first and only attempt had proven disastrous. The instant they realized he was missing they took Morgana from her chamber and tied her to a stake in the courtyard. They threatened to burn her if he didn’t reveal himself. If that wasn’t incentive enough, they said his father would be next and then one by one the subjects of his kingdom. They asked if he could live with their suffering or be man enough to face it himself.
And suffer he did for his transgression. They beat him for what Arthur was convinced was two days. When he managed to come around a few days later, Gaius’ grim expression conveyed how badly he had been punished. Arthur sighed. He understood now why his father had trusted the physician so deeply. The older man constantly whispered encouragement during his recovery and told him news of his father and Morgana. They were both safe still, but extremely worried for him. But most important was the advice Gaius gave him. To bide his time and stay out of trouble. He had to be ready for the opportunity to free his kingdom when it came.
Picking up the scrub brush, dunking it in already filthy water and resuming his duty, Arthur knew he wasn’t very good at staying out of trouble. Not that he could entirely avoid it when Vortigan and his men were so keen to beat and humiliate him. And his pride would not allow him to submit so willingly to their whim. At least at times like these, in the dead of night, Arthur could find some semblance of peace and quiet. Unfortunately, fate had something else in mind for Arthur.
A door nearby opened as someone stepped out into the hallway. Flicking his gaze to the newcomer, Arthur had to suppress the sudden rage that coiled through his body. If there was anyone more keen on beating Arthur down besides Vortigan himself, it was this man. The blonde couldn’t even be sure he could classify the knight as a man, and his name couldn’t have been further from the truth. Valiant.
“Oi, I can’t sleep with that noise. Keep it down.”
Arthur ignored him as best he could. The sound of a brush scraping stone, the gurgling of his sleeping guard and the occasional clink of the chain binding his wrists filled the hall for a long moment. Valiant walked menacingly over to the former prince and Arthur barely took notice of the unlaced boots in his peripheral vision.
“I said, I can’t sleep with all this noise.” The sneer on Valiant’s face evident in his voice.
Pausing for a moment, the young man commented, “Well, no one else seems to be bothered by it.”
“Well, I am.”
Stopping again, Arthur stated calmly. “Then I suggest you take it up with your King. He’s the one who told me to do it.”
Valiant took a step forward, capturing Arthur’s supportive hand under his boot. As the knight leaned down, he put all his weight on the vulnerable hand. Arthur gripped the brush so tightly in his other hand that it shook. And he bit down hard on his tongue to stop any sound from escaping. It was all the young prince could do to quell the screaming desire to retaliate. Even if he had swung out like he wanted to, his chains would have stopped him short of his mark. So he had to wait and endure.
Smugly, Valiant hissed at him, “Do you really want me to wake the King in the middle of the night just to complain about you? Are you really eager for another punishment? Are you?” The knight stamped down hard on the already abused appendage.
Arthur gasped out, “no.” He could feel his hand shredding under the weathered sole.
“Are you sure? Because, we don’t need to trouble the King for that. I can take care of it right now.”
Valiant grabbed the wrist of the trapped hand and pulled it behind Arthur’s back. The other hand whipped out from under Arthur, yanked along by the chain, causing the blonde to land hard on the unforgiving stone. The former prince struggled awkwardly beneath the knight. But Valiant had the young man pinned perfectly beneath him. Arthur stilled in fearful anticipation the moment the older man grabbed his pinky.
“Maybe if we slowed you down, it wouldn’t be so noisy,” the man mumbled just before he pulled.
Arthur yelped. He couldn’t help it. The burst of pain that shot up his arm forced the cry from him. Obviously sated by his agony, the bulk of a man crushing him got up. Automatically, Arthur curled up around his wounded hand protectively. As the pain slowly subsided, he became vaguely aware of the voices above him.
“Oi, what’s going on?” The sleeping guard asked, having been jolted awake by Arthur’s cry.
Valiant looked at the prince and said, “Nothing.” Stepping back from his handiwork, the knight then barked at the guard, “Make sure he finishes it all!” Valiant stalked back to his room and slammed the door shut.
Shocked awake and obviously disgruntled about being caught sleeping, the guard sauntered up to his prisoner and poked him with his staff. “Come on, you. No slacking. Get back to work.”
Gulping down a few steadying breaths, Arthur managed to sit up. He held his broken hand tightly against his stomach. In order to work, he would have to bend over more to get some slack back in his chain. The pain and lack of mobility were seriously going to hinder his progress. There was no helping it now. Pushing all thoughts from his mind, especially the pain, Arthur trudged on dutifully.
***
Something woke Merlin from his slumber. Groggy still from the night before, the sorcerer couldn’t be sure what had roused him. His room was still dark. Although when he glanced through the window he could see it was much lighter than before. Dawn was steadily approaching. He pondered sleepily. He thought he heard someone knocking on a door, but it wasn’t loud enough to be his.
When he caught the sounds of someone moving in the room beyond, Merlin gathered what it was. Carefully, he got up from his bed and crept over to the door. He quietly cracked it open so he could see and hear what was happening.
Gaius, in his nightgown, cautiously asked, “Who’s there?”
Merlin couldn’t hear the response but it didn’t matter because Gaius immediately threw open the door. Leaning heavily in the doorframe, Arthur stood clutching something to his stomach.
“Arthur, what’s happened?”
Arthur pushed past the physician and headed straight for the man’s chair, which he practically collapsed into. Gaius glanced into the hallway expecting to see guards and noted their absence. Quickly, the old man shut the door and went to his prince’s side. “You haven’t tried to escape again, have you?”
Resigned, Arthur shook his head. “No, I’ve learned that lesson already. My stupid guard fell asleep again, so I snuck away.” The prince explained.
“What is it? What’s happened?” The healer demanded.
“I was hoping you could help me with this, before I head to the kitchens.” Arthur winced as he raised up his mangled hand for Gaius to see.
Even from this distance, Merlin could see the odd angle in which the young man’s pinky jutted out. The sorcerer clamped a hand over his mouth to keep the threatening bile from escaping.
“Oh, Arthur,” Gaius muttered as he drank in the bloodied and swollen sight. Doctor’s instincts took over. The old man began to quickly clean and treat the wounds. He needed to see the damage clearly before figuring out how to correct the finger. Frowning, Gaius asked while he worked, “Who did this to you?” The pair shared a very meaningful glance causing the physician’s frown to deepen. “You have to stop goading Valiant on.”
“It’s not like he needs my help,” the prince argued.
Gaius turned the hand gently to examine it. “Even still, you can’t survive like this forever. He’ll be the death of you yet.”
“If I could only be so lucky.”
Not offering any warning, the physician pushed the finger back into place. Arthur growled through clenched teeth at the renewed agony. He slammed his other fist down on the table next to him.
“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again, Sire. Your people need you. And if you give in to Vortigan, Camelot will most assuredly fall.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Camelot has already fallen, Gaius.” Arthur let his head flop against the chair back and closed his eyes. “And don’t call me that. I’m no longer a Prince.”
“Vortigan may have stripped your title but he cannot take away your destiny.”
“My Destiny?” Arthur laughed mirthlessly. He looked poignantly at the physician. “That ship has sailed. I mean, look at me, Gaius. I’m not a prince. I’m a slave!”
Sadly, the physician tenderly finished wrapping the blonde’s hand. When he finished he stood up and said, “You’re right. You are not the Arthur I knew. He would not have given up on his people.”
Arthur flinched visibly before countering, “And what do you expect me to do? If I try anything Vortigan, will threaten the people I care about.” He ran his good hand through his hair in an act of frustration. Calming slightly, he added, “I will not let them suffer for me.”
“So you will suffer for them?”
The young man sprung to his feet, unable to sit still any longer. “I will do what I must to keep you all safe.” Sighing, Arthur glanced over his shoulder at the physician. “Look, I have to get back. I still have work to do.”
“But you’re exhausted. You need rest, Arthur.”
“I can’t. Time is already running out.”
“At least let me give you something for the pain.”
“No, it will dull my wits and I will need them to see me through the day.” Arthur took a wavering step towards the door. Gaius sat down in defeat. There was nothing more the physician could do.
Merlin’s heart broke. He couldn’t stop himself from bursting from his room. “Please, let me help,” he pleaded.
The two men stared at him horrified. Gaius regained himself first. “Merlin, what are you doing up?”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear.” He explained to Gaius but his eyes never left the prince. Words began pouring out of the warlock. “Please, I only want to help. I don’t know many spells but a travelling sorcerer did teach me a few that were useful. And I saw those knights trip you in the dining hall. They thought it would be funny. But I didn’t find it very amusing. I thought it cruel. Your punishment was unfair. And Valiant is a monster, unfit for human company.” Merlin took a breath and waited.
Neither of the two men moved. They just watched this strange newcomer with mild curiosity. Merlin then spoke aloud what also weighed on his heart. “And I, uh, I feel somewhat responsible for getting you punished.”
At this declaration, Arthur regarded the dark haired youth seriously for a moment then laughed shaking his head in wonder. “No,” he said sadly, “If not for you the punishment would have been worse.”
“Then you’ll let me help?”
“Be quick about it,” Arthur snapped.
Merlin complied easily. He hurried over and gently took the prince’s hand and held it up. With his other hand hovering above, Merlin concentrated. “Pallorah Noombus.”
Within moments, surprise clearly read on the blonde’s face. “The pain’s gone.” In fact, a soothing warmth filled his weary body wiping away all aches and complaints. Grateful blue eyes looked up to regard the warlock thoughtfully.
Smiling his accomplishment, Merlin said, “Yeah, well, it should stay like that for an hour or so and give you a second wind. I hope that helps.”
“You are full of surprises, Merlin.” Arthur commented with a small smirk. “Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to speak later, but for now I must go.”
“Right,” Merlin grinned goofily. “Good luck.” He called as the prince left, “You’re welcome.” The door shut.
Gaius came to stand next to his new ward. “I know it can be hard to understand Arthur’s meaning sometimes, but he is very grateful for what you’ve done.”
Yawning, Merlin turned. “Yeah, well, it’s the least I can do.” He was about to head back up to his room, when a hand on his arm stopped him.
“You are too new here to realize it, but Arthur is a very proud young man. It is rare for him to accept help from his friends let alone strangers. You can count yourself among the privileged few, and that’s an amazing feat in itself. You are an extraordinary person, Merlin. We will talk more in the morning. For now, we both need our rest.”
Merlin didn’t really know how to take what Gaius had just told him. Fortunately, he was able to quickly fall asleep despite the incident that now plagued his thoughts.
______________________
Hope you enjoyed it. Now, I do have a question for you all or rather a request. I do have a vague idea of where I would like to go with this fic, but I was wondering if anyone had anything they would like to see specifically with Arthur. While I do so enjoy making my leading men suffer needlessly, I also don't want to constantly do the same things over and over so I'm looking for fresh ideas. Mind you, I am trying to keep this PG-13 so no sexual depravity please, but any other physical and even mental methods of torture you can think of would be considered.
Thank you for your help and as always, thank you for reading!
~Ari :D