Primogeniture - Chapter - 04: The Second Prince
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: 4700
Pairings/Character: Arthur/Merlin, OMC
Warnings/Content: violence, non-con, dub-con, (forced) intoxication, (possible) incest
Beta: none
Notes: My computer was infected by a virus and taken to the computer hospital, but now I got it back! :D Now I just over a week's worth of homework to catch up on, though... :(
~*~
Master Post
<< Previous Chapter
"See, Merlin, now that is how a proper servant works!" Arthur said, gesturing towards Madog's new servant, who was balancing two breakfast trays as he walked, while shooting a smug look towards Merlin.
"That bootlicker? He's just looking for quick status and money! He'll be gone in a week!" Merlin said, glaring at the new servant.
"You're just pissed off because he took credit for your boar kill," Arthur said, once they were safely in his chambers.
"Yes, I am!"
"Well, be glad he did," Arthur said, as Merlin set down the supplies and started helping him take his shirt off. "Otherwise, someone might have asked."
"You could've taken credit," Merlin murmured. "You let your brother take credit for so many of your kills-"
"A few boars is not 'so many' of my kills!" Arthur cried out. "It's only a few, out of many, and only when it's some stupidly high noble is around."
Merlin huffed. "Yeah, yeah...still, considering how often you don't take credit for your own kills, if someone else had to take mine, I would rather it have been you!"
"Yes, well, I'm sorry, Merlin, that it wasn't!" Arthur said. "Just as well - now my brother has to put up with that annoying bootlicker."
"...I thought you said he was a proper servant?" Merlin asked.
"Your bad influence," Arthur said as he flopped on the bed while Merlin pulled off his boots. "I used to favor competence, but now I've grown far too accustomed to your particular brand of ineptitude."
"Mmhm," Merlin said.
"You've enchanted me, haven't you, to have become to accustomed to you?" Arthur asked idly, mockingly, from the bed.
"If I could enchant you to do that, I'd also enchant you into an actual human being who doesn't like piling on chores on his poor manservant. So, obviously, because you're still a prat, this isn't the case." Merlin smiled, saying, "I love logic," for once appreciative of Gaius's lessons.
Arthur rolled his eyes, only popping up when Merlin returned dangling the new shirt for him to wear.
He held himself stiff as Merlin dressed him, which made Merlin roll his eyes.
Arthur hadn't tried anything at all since the night Merlin kissed him. Merlin knew Arthur - he didn't mind. Arthur had enough on his plate without trying to push something forward with Merlin. He was determined to be a safe person for Arthur. Right now, the prince was slowly getting around to that fact.
"Well," Arthur said easily. "Cedric is a fairly normal threat, for once. Just a quick-money seeker. At most, we'll only have to worry about him trying to steal a few jewels or a bag of gold. A nice change of threat, for once."
~*~
So, of course, Cedric turned into an evil sorcerer. To be fair, the man himself wasn't the sorcerer - he was just possessed by the spirit of one.
~*~
"Where's my son? Madog, where's Arthur?!"
"He went out to deal with some of the creatures, himself."
"Leon-"
"We've already closed the gates, sire."
"My son is still out there!"
"Sire-"
"Father - I will retrieve him."
"Find him, find him now, and bring him back!"
~*~
"Do you have the heart?" Gaius asked, keeping to the wall as Arthur, himself, stood guard, sword aloft, pacing like a wolf with its hackles raised as he tried to guard both Gaius and his own unconscious brother several yards away.
"Right here, and I've got the spell," Merlin said, holding up the blue crystal.
"Sigan's that way," Arthur said, gesturing vaguely down one of the streets, sword aloft and eyes shrewdly concentrated in that direction. "Let's go."
They went, leaving Gaius to tend to the crown prince and other fallen knights, and confronted Sigan themselves.
~*~
"Well, well, well," Sigan said, using Cedric's voice, Cedric's mouth, Cedric's body. "A Prince of Camelot, harboring a sorcerer? Tell me, how does this work when you hand in sorcerers for little more than being born?"
Arthur's hand clenched around the sword, standing in front of Merlin, guarding, even though they both knew Merlin would stand a much better chance against him.
"Why work for him, Merlin?" The sorcerer asked, stepping forward carefully, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Why work for the son of the man who kills you? When he will never become king, never have the power to set you free?"
Merlin's hand clenched around the crystal. Sigan was still too close inside Cedric.
"I keep him safe," Arthur growled.
Sigan laughed, focusing on Merlin. "Join me, young sorcerer...leave your prince. Together - we can rule the world. Your prince will kneel at your own feet, rather than you at his. You can be free!"
Arthur faltered.
Merlin didn't.
Merlin began chanting the sell, and Cedric-Sigan laughed again, saying, "If you will not join me, then perhaps I should just take your power!"
And with that, a black mist left Credic's body...and went straight into Merlin's.
Merlin collapsed onto the ground, grounding out the last of the spell as he felt Sigan invade his soul - oh, now he knew why this was so powerful - and the last thing he was aware of was Arthur's hand gripping his shoulder, murmuring above him, "You can do it, Merlin, fight him, beat him, come on, you can do it..."
Then he was in a fight for his soul.
Arthur watched as Merlin twitched and writhed in the ground, and as Merlin's pupils grew so wide, his irises vanished as he did his magic. His eyes were completely black as the crystal started to glow.
The twitching stopped as Merlin's eyes became glazed over, before he could see them clear, just as the glow leveled out in the crystal in Merlin's hand.
"Merlin?"
Merlin slowly sat up, a blank look on his face, and for a moment, Arthur fear the worst, already reaching back for his sword to try and fight off Sigan-
Merlin grinned and held up the glowing crystal. "Seriously, Arthur?"
Arthur grinned back at Merlin, now delirious at the thought of their victory. Well, Merlin's victory. "Seriously," he said with a laugh.
He stared at the crystal and the destruction around him, before shaking his head and standing up, helping a slightly-shaky Merlin to his feet.
"Let's go," Arthur said, wrapping an arm around Merlin's shoulders and squeezing, before running off with Merlin in tow.
They came back to their original spot to see Madog and several of the knights roused up, Gaius tending to them. They all looked up as Arthur and Merlin approached, and Gaius stood up.
"Did it work...did you slay the sorcerer?" Gaius asked.
Merlin held up the crystal, while casting a wary glance towards the knights and crown prince of Camelot. "It worked!"
"Told you," Arthur said with a laugh.
There was silence in the courtyards for a moment, before the knights slowly started to cheer for Arthur and the slain sorcerer.
Madog stared silently between Arthur and Merlin.
~*~
Merlin sat back and listened as Gaius fudged and lied his way through the events to Uther, describing some (non magical) ritual to return Sigan and his magic to the crystal now sitting on the council table.
Merlin had tried to shift all the credit to Arthur for subduing the sorcerer, because Arthur never got credit, and maybe Merlin could finally do some good for him.
Except Arthur kept emphasizing that Merlin was the one who'd done various illogical things that logically resulted Sigan's demise.
Uther was smiling at them both, gratitude for Merlin and pride for Arthur, and Gaius shook his head fondly as Uther said, "Rest tonight, both of you. Once the city is healed, we will hold a feast in your honor."
Several people's brows rose - Uther almost never held feasts in Arthur's honor, this was reserved almost entirely for Madog - but Arthur was grinning like an idiot, and Madog's face was absolutely blank as he stared at his little brother.
"I can't believe it!" Arthur cried out in joy once they were back in his chambers. This time, he just held his arms out automatically for Merlin to help undress him. He didn't even glance to his side as his sword set to cleaning himself in front of the fireplace after the door was locked. "A feast - for me! And just me!"
Merlin grinned up at Arthur from where he was kneeling beside him, dealing with his belt. "I'm happy for you, sire."
"I think he may even end up reserving some honor for you," Arthur mused as he wandered a bit. "Maybe you'll even eat with us?"
Merlin snorted. "Yeah, right. Like the king will do anything for me. Maybe a toast - this feast is all about you. You deserve it. And - sit, for the boots."
Arthur sighed, suddenly deflating as he sat down, and Merlin frowned at that as he attacked laces. "That's just it, Merlin - I don't. I didn't do anything!"
"Arthur-"
"I just stood there waving my sword around while you fought in a battle for your soul. It's not...it's not fair!"
Merlin swallowed, setting side the boots carefully, before placing his hands on Arthur's knees, looking up into Arthur's eyes.
"I felt your hand on my shoulder," Merlin said. "When I was fighting Sigan. In my soul. I felt your hand, and I heard you encouraging me. It was...fighting for your soul is hard - especially in your own soul. It was...I think I may have truly lost myself if I didn't have your voice, and your hand, to anchor me. Without you, Sigan might have one - and with my power, Camelot would have fallen."
Arthur shut his eyes and sighed. "It's not fair," he said again.
"Maybe not, but it's not unfair, either," Merlin said. "You lose so much credit for your own work, it's time you got some back, no matter how roundabout."
Arthur sighed, reaching out to cup Merlin's cheek for a bit, before he gripped Merlin's shoulder like he did the knights. "My brother and I...whatever my father has against magic...my brother may believe in it...but I think he's more willing to change his mind. I...over time, I might be able to convince him. Enough that one day, you can take all the accolades you truly deserve. I promise you, one day, you can be proud of who you are and what you've done."
Merlin shook his head ruefully, a smile on his face, which brushed against against Arthur's arm. "I already am."
~*~
Uther didn't have Merlin eat as a guest at the feast, focusing most of his attention on Arthur.
In turn, Arthur made a toast to Merlin for his help.
Morgana and Gwen had fond and amused looks on their faces, Uther rolled his eyes, and Madog had quickly become drunk and was helped to his rooms by two guards and an old servant soon into the feast.
Uther didn't notice - he had all eyes on Arthur, and as Arthur basked in the glow of his father's pride, Merlin smiled at the look on Arthur's face.
~*~
Merlin watched as Arthur stomped into his tent sullenly. He was always sullen when the knights started training for any upcoming tournament.
"So," Merlin said. "Anything I should know about that squire with one eyebrow?" He asked, hoping to distract Arthur as he pulled off his armor.
"He lost the other eyebrow when he got too close to a fire and fell over," Arthur clipped. "He's even stupider than you. And on that note, I can see what you're doing, trying to distract me."
"I wasn't exactly trying to hide it," Merlin said, pulling the gauntlet off Arthur's arm. Continuing on, he said, "Would it really hurt to beat your brother just once?"
"It might," Arthur said. "In and of itself, it would be nothing, but in Court, it could start something, which could later become dangerous if nobles start causing trouble."
"So noble," Merlin muttered wryly. "Hasn't anyone else ever beaten your brother?"
"Once or twice," Arthur conceded, sitting down as Merlin fiddled with the chestpiece. "But seeing as they usually weren't rivals for the crown, it was not an issue."
Merlin sighed. "Just once," he said, as the pieces of armor started floating around and being polished. "You should win."
"I would like to, Merlin, believe me, but I'm not going to risk battle and strife in the future to satisfy my own wants, now."
Merlin really hated when Arthur got all noble like that. It almost made him feel bad for making fun of Arthur, some times.
"Isn't there any way?" Merlin asked. "Like...for you to win without causing strife? Maybe if people didn't know it was you? With those helmets and all..."
Arthur fell deep into thought.
~*~
"Father," Arthur said the next night at dinner. "I have heard some rumors of bandits moving in on the northern roads near Northumbria. May I take a few knights out to scout the area myself, see if this is true?"
"You would miss the tournament," Madog said.
"You're winning anyway," Arthur said. "I would do more good scouting out to see if the rumors are true, see if we need to take any action."
Merlin smiled encouragingly at him from where he was pouring wine for his father.
Uther sighed. "Even if you wouldn't have won, having you in the tournament would have been nice."
"I will be sorry to miss it, but my duties are of more weight," Arthur said. "Madog can remain behind to ensure the crown's good standing while I deal with the rumors, myself. If all goes well, it's just rumors."
"Yes, yes, do so," Uther said. "I trust you two can work out the contingent of knights to take?"
"I already have a list of a few who already do not plan to compete in the tournament," Arthur said. "As this is a scouting mission, selection of knights isn't crucial."
"Then I give my farewells, and hope that you're right, and it's nothing," Uther said.
Merlin grinned at him from behind the king as soon as Madog was turned away. Arthur smiled benignly back.
~*~
"I can't believe I'm going to be played by a peasant," Arthur grumbled as he watched Gwen coach Bill on how to be Sir William while helping him with the armor.
"Oh, come off it," Merlin murmured, fixing up Arthur's own armor automatically. "He's a good actor and you know it!"
Arthur sighed. "I know, I know, but still..."
Merlin stepped back a short time later and smiled at his handiwork and Arthur sidled up to the tent-flaps and peeked through the gap to focus on William, and yes, he was a good actor.
"You're up, soon," Gwen said to Arthur, holding out his helmet. "Good luck!"
And with that, she turned and left, heading towards the stands to sit beside Morgana.
Arthur stared out at the stands. It was going to be strange, fighting to win for once. He felt he was likely going to have to remind himself that he wasn't to be taking second place, this time. But in the worst case, he would get second place to Madog. In the best, he would get first.
He heard a pointed cough from behind him, and turned to see Merlin untying his neckerchief from about his neck. "Um...I was wondering..."
Arthur frowned. Why was Merlin blushing so much? Why was he holding out, offering, his neck scarf?
"Well, you know," he said. "Some knights...they wear...'favors' from their...from...well, you know...wear them, or take kisses, but..."
Arthur shut his eyes as he heard cheering come from the stands. One more round, then he'd be up.
"Favors come from betrothed or beloved," Arthur said quietly.
Merlin sighed again, clenching his fist around the soft material. "I...I know. And, I know that...you have trouble with this sort of...relationship. I'm not pushing into something you don't want. I was just...trying to wish you good luck? I thought you...I thought you might like it. If not-"
"Merlin," Arthur said, cutting Merlin off. "I...you know what I do. What my status is in this Court, in my father's eye."
"I don't care what else you do, Arthur!" Merlin said. "It doesn't matter to me."
"That's not it," Arthur said. "I just...I can't...I can't-"
"It's okay," Merlin reassured him. "Really, it is! I'm your friend, first and foremost, friend and loyal servant. Anything else...it's secondary."
Arthur smiled, before looking down at the red 'chief. Swallowing past nervousness that had nothing to do with the fact it was now his round, Arthur held out his arm and said, "Thank you."
The grin on Merlin's face was well worth the gesture as he tied the garment around his armor.
~*~
Arthur won each round with ease.
Merlin watched him from the gap in the tent, smiling every time he saw his prince, saw his red cloth, out on the lists.
"I'm winning!" Arthur cried out excitedly as he came into the tent. "I'm actually winning!"
Merlin grinned. "I never doubted that you would, sire."
~*~
Later on, Merlin watched, tense, waiting for the assassin's next move while fuming at Madog's influence over Arthur's life. King Odin's son has challenged the man when he was ill, and Arthur had fought in his stead as his champion. Odin's son had died, and now Odin wanted Arthur dead. Which made no sense at all, but all one had to do was look at Uther to know grief made no sense at all.
He snapped the assassin's strap during the joust, and watched in bizarre satisfaction as Arthur accidentally killed the man, and was there to help Arthur back into the tent.
"Just my brother after this," Arthur gasped out. Bill and Merlin looked on worriedly.
"Sire," Bill said. "You cannot joust in this condition-"
"I can, and I will!" Arthur growled.
Bill glanced at Merlin, who sighed. "I'll heal the wound as best as I can."
The farmer nodded, and Merlin peeled back parts of the hauberk to get at the wound. He used some wet cloth and a poultice for show, but it was mostly magic that healed it enough for Arthur to continue on.
He watched in worry as Arthur mounted the horse and took the lance.
He chewed his lip in nervousness as the two brothers charged at each other, lances at the read, determination to - almost - kill.
He cheered in delight when Arthur won with flying colors.
And inside the tent, he kissed Arthur's cheek in joy for the victory.
Once Arthur was seated and drinking water, and Bill, Arthur, and Merlin, were all grinning like mad, Merlin blushed. Arthur didn't notice.
"I won!" Arthur cried out, delirious with happiness despite the injury.
"You won," Bill said. "Shall you go out and take your glory, then, sire?"
"...no," Arthur said, shaking his head. "I just need to know I won. Tonight, you will feast with my father and brother, celebrated as one of the few men in the kingdom who can defeat my brother."
"But it was you!"
"I know - and that is good enough for me," Arthur said. "Feast tonight, and take the winnings tomorrow as payment. Thank you."
Bill smiled and bowed. "It's been an honor, my lord."
And with that, he became Sir William again, and left the tent to claim his prize.
Merlin smiled down at Arthur, who was leaning back in his chair with a rare look of content on his face.
"Thank you," Arthur said quietly. "For healing me...and helping me win."
"I didn't-" Arthur held up the arm where his neckerchief was tied. "...oh."
Arthur smiled, before his expression became sad, and he reached up to touch the spot on his cheek where Merlin had kissed him.
"Sorry about that," Merlin said sheepishly.
Arthur shook his head. "It's...it's all right. But Merlin - you mustn't fixate your affections on me, understand?"
"I...I know you-"
"No, Merlin," Arthur said, shutting his eyes. Merlin felt helpless to see the joy slip so easily off his prince's face. "I can't...I can't return the affections fully in kind. I don't have enough of me left to..."
"It doesn't matter," Merlin said, reaching up to brush sweaty hair from Arthur's forehead. "I don't mind. I...I love you, Arthur, and your body is not a part of that. It's the prat on the inside I care about, not the arse on the outside."
Arthur smiled, his eyes sad. "You might have to wait forever, Merlin. And I could never give myself to you completely - I have duties."
"I'm not a noble - I know how to share."
Arthur took in a deep, shuddery breath, his eyes fixed on Merlin's lips.
Merlin smiled and gently pressed his to Arthur's. Chaste and soft, Arthur was somewhat unfamiliar with it. But he deepened the kiss, before pulling back nervously.
"Would you believe me," Arthur said. "If I told you that after everything I've done, for my father and for the kingdom...I'm not entirely sure what to do? I...I usually just...do what others tell me to do, I never have to start anything myself...as if I ever would."
Merlin's heart ached for Arthur, but outside, he pressed a gentle kiss to Arthur's pointy nose and said, "It's okay. It doesn't matter. Just do what you want, Arthur - don't make me someone else you have to pleasure...I'm not. I'm not just another thing for you to get through, another ordeal to wait out. I'm just yours."
Arthur smiled, before leaning forward and pressing a quick kiss to Merlin, smiling in triumph when he pulled back, even more victory in his eyes than from his joust win.
"I've had a lot of people kiss me," Arthur said. "But...you're the first person I've...that was the first time I've kissed someone, myself."
Merlin grinned.
~*~
After Arthur lied his way through the courts, and 'Sir William' feasted as the hailed knight errant, the two were splayed out across Arthur's bed. Arthur's injuries were bandaged up, and he was relaxing, having been excused from the feast. Some servants had brought up several meals from the feast, and with the door locked and their bellies full of good wine and food, they lay out contentedly, their hands entwined as Merlin made lights and sparks dance against the backdrop of the dark canopy, the fire bright but the candles dim so Merlin's entertaining lights would shine best.
"I can't understand why my father hates magic so much," Arthur said. "I mean...I know it killed my mother...but...so many things could have killed her, and so many things kill people in general..."
Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand. "He's acting on rage and grief, not reason and logic."
"He's the king!" Arthur cried out, distressed, his free hand shooting up in wild gestures. "He shouldn't be acting on rage and grief!"
Merlin brought up Arthur's hand towards him and pressed his lips against Arthur's knuckles, which seemed to calm the prince a little. "But he is. Your brother is far more reasonable than him, and he will be a better king."
Arthur nodded, calmed by the idea. While Madog was often prone to his own temper, he was at least more open to reason than Uther-
KNOCK KNOCK
Both men jumped, and the lights above them immediately disappeared, just as they heard Madog's voice shout, "Open this door!"
Merlin leaped off the bed, while Arthur slowly pushed himself up to standing, and he looked up as Merlin unlocked and opened the door.
Madog strode in, still in his formal attire, completely ignoring Merlin as he went to stand by the table, looking Arthur up and down.
"Why aren't you at the feast?" Arthur asked, casual, but confrontation in his tone.
Madog stared at the wound on Arthur's shoulder, before slowly turning a suspicious glare on Arthur.
"Not much reason to stay...Sir William left early."
Merlin internally nodded to himself. Bill will have told everyone that he has ailing family and needs to go back to them immediately. A few quiet whispers among servants from Gwen will have most thinking that his family might be destitute, falling from monetary grace, and that is exactly what they would want to hear about a knight errant besting the crown prince in a joust.
"Really? Shame," Arthur said. "But why are you here, then, instead of your own rooms?"
Madog started pacing, predatory, around the table.
"You know...when I was jousting against Sir William, today, I noticed by the way he was holding the lance that his shoulder was injured...and I found it odd that he was perfectly fine at the feast."
Merlin swallowed, eyes wide, as Arthur calmly regarded his brother.
"...what the hell did you think you were doing?" Madog asked, growling from his spot by the fireplace.
Arthur, for his part, didn't even bother pretending.
"I wanted to prove I could win," Arthur said. "I have always had to let you win for the good of the family, of Camelot. We both know I'm better than you...I just wanted a chance to prove it."
"By having everyone think I've been bested by a knight-errant?!" Madog shouted, whirling around to slam his fist onto the table, making the cutlery and food on the table jump.
"That...was not my intention," Arthur said. "I simply wanted to win, without necessitating a split in the court."
"And you spared no thought for how this would affect me? My role as the leading knight?"
"You've been beaten before!" Arthur said. "It doesn't matter, it's not like the knighthood will suddenly listen to someone else! They know that we're the best leaders, the best knights in general-"
"But my standing is no longer absolute!"
There was a tense silence.
"Is that all you care about?" Arthur asked quietly. "It's not good enough to have the knights' respect, or the Courts'?"
"No, it isn't," Madog said, turning and glaring at Arthur. "If it is for you, then I'm surprised you ever managed to reach the level of skill that you have!"
"I'm good at being knight because I care more about my performance than what others think of me," Arthur snapped.
"Don't you dare accuse me of-"
"I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm just saying things as they are-"
"Arthur!" Merlin cried out when Madog whirled and launched a fist at Arthur, landing a strike on his cheek and sending him sprawling back onto his bed.
Merlin sped forward as Madog climbed on top of Arthur, but Arthur shouted, "Stay back!" at Merlin, and Merlin froze, hesitant, as the two brothers struggled on the bed.
He moved forward again, though, when he saw blood spread across Arthur's bandages, then his shirt, and saw it on Madog's hand, when the wound reopened.
He stepped in between and pulled Arthur away, before putting himself in between the two as a shield.
"Sires," Merlin said almost breathlessly. "You will hurt each other badly if you fight like this!"
"Stay out of this, Merlin," Arthur growled.
"You're bleeding!"
Arthur looked down at his shoulder, and Merlin could see Madog looking down at his bloodied hand in his peripheral vision.
"See?" Merlin said. "So...please, at least don't fight tonight, when you two will do more harm to each other's bodies with little good to your own egos?"
The men glared at each other, but as they had mentioned that very night...Madog was open to reason, and with a huff of fury and disdain towards Arthur, he stormed out and left.
They waited a few moments, then Merlin closed the door, and locked it, and turned back to see Arthur staring at the fire, frustrated anger simmering on his face.
He dismissed Merlin, and went to bed.
~*~
Next Chapter >>
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: 4700
Pairings/Character: Arthur/Merlin, OMC
Warnings/Content: violence, non-con, dub-con, (forced) intoxication, (possible) incest
Beta: none
Notes: My computer was infected by a virus and taken to the computer hospital, but now I got it back! :D Now I just over a week's worth of homework to catch up on, though... :(
~*~
Master Post
<< Previous Chapter
"See, Merlin, now that is how a proper servant works!" Arthur said, gesturing towards Madog's new servant, who was balancing two breakfast trays as he walked, while shooting a smug look towards Merlin.
"That bootlicker? He's just looking for quick status and money! He'll be gone in a week!" Merlin said, glaring at the new servant.
"You're just pissed off because he took credit for your boar kill," Arthur said, once they were safely in his chambers.
"Yes, I am!"
"Well, be glad he did," Arthur said, as Merlin set down the supplies and started helping him take his shirt off. "Otherwise, someone might have asked."
"You could've taken credit," Merlin murmured. "You let your brother take credit for so many of your kills-"
"A few boars is not 'so many' of my kills!" Arthur cried out. "It's only a few, out of many, and only when it's some stupidly high noble is around."
Merlin huffed. "Yeah, yeah...still, considering how often you don't take credit for your own kills, if someone else had to take mine, I would rather it have been you!"
"Yes, well, I'm sorry, Merlin, that it wasn't!" Arthur said. "Just as well - now my brother has to put up with that annoying bootlicker."
"...I thought you said he was a proper servant?" Merlin asked.
"Your bad influence," Arthur said as he flopped on the bed while Merlin pulled off his boots. "I used to favor competence, but now I've grown far too accustomed to your particular brand of ineptitude."
"Mmhm," Merlin said.
"You've enchanted me, haven't you, to have become to accustomed to you?" Arthur asked idly, mockingly, from the bed.
"If I could enchant you to do that, I'd also enchant you into an actual human being who doesn't like piling on chores on his poor manservant. So, obviously, because you're still a prat, this isn't the case." Merlin smiled, saying, "I love logic," for once appreciative of Gaius's lessons.
Arthur rolled his eyes, only popping up when Merlin returned dangling the new shirt for him to wear.
He held himself stiff as Merlin dressed him, which made Merlin roll his eyes.
Arthur hadn't tried anything at all since the night Merlin kissed him. Merlin knew Arthur - he didn't mind. Arthur had enough on his plate without trying to push something forward with Merlin. He was determined to be a safe person for Arthur. Right now, the prince was slowly getting around to that fact.
"Well," Arthur said easily. "Cedric is a fairly normal threat, for once. Just a quick-money seeker. At most, we'll only have to worry about him trying to steal a few jewels or a bag of gold. A nice change of threat, for once."
~*~
So, of course, Cedric turned into an evil sorcerer. To be fair, the man himself wasn't the sorcerer - he was just possessed by the spirit of one.
~*~
"Where's my son? Madog, where's Arthur?!"
"He went out to deal with some of the creatures, himself."
"Leon-"
"We've already closed the gates, sire."
"My son is still out there!"
"Sire-"
"Father - I will retrieve him."
"Find him, find him now, and bring him back!"
~*~
"Do you have the heart?" Gaius asked, keeping to the wall as Arthur, himself, stood guard, sword aloft, pacing like a wolf with its hackles raised as he tried to guard both Gaius and his own unconscious brother several yards away.
"Right here, and I've got the spell," Merlin said, holding up the blue crystal.
"Sigan's that way," Arthur said, gesturing vaguely down one of the streets, sword aloft and eyes shrewdly concentrated in that direction. "Let's go."
They went, leaving Gaius to tend to the crown prince and other fallen knights, and confronted Sigan themselves.
~*~
"Well, well, well," Sigan said, using Cedric's voice, Cedric's mouth, Cedric's body. "A Prince of Camelot, harboring a sorcerer? Tell me, how does this work when you hand in sorcerers for little more than being born?"
Arthur's hand clenched around the sword, standing in front of Merlin, guarding, even though they both knew Merlin would stand a much better chance against him.
"Why work for him, Merlin?" The sorcerer asked, stepping forward carefully, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Why work for the son of the man who kills you? When he will never become king, never have the power to set you free?"
Merlin's hand clenched around the crystal. Sigan was still too close inside Cedric.
"I keep him safe," Arthur growled.
Sigan laughed, focusing on Merlin. "Join me, young sorcerer...leave your prince. Together - we can rule the world. Your prince will kneel at your own feet, rather than you at his. You can be free!"
Arthur faltered.
Merlin didn't.
Merlin began chanting the sell, and Cedric-Sigan laughed again, saying, "If you will not join me, then perhaps I should just take your power!"
And with that, a black mist left Credic's body...and went straight into Merlin's.
Merlin collapsed onto the ground, grounding out the last of the spell as he felt Sigan invade his soul - oh, now he knew why this was so powerful - and the last thing he was aware of was Arthur's hand gripping his shoulder, murmuring above him, "You can do it, Merlin, fight him, beat him, come on, you can do it..."
Then he was in a fight for his soul.
Arthur watched as Merlin twitched and writhed in the ground, and as Merlin's pupils grew so wide, his irises vanished as he did his magic. His eyes were completely black as the crystal started to glow.
The twitching stopped as Merlin's eyes became glazed over, before he could see them clear, just as the glow leveled out in the crystal in Merlin's hand.
"Merlin?"
Merlin slowly sat up, a blank look on his face, and for a moment, Arthur fear the worst, already reaching back for his sword to try and fight off Sigan-
Merlin grinned and held up the glowing crystal. "Seriously, Arthur?"
Arthur grinned back at Merlin, now delirious at the thought of their victory. Well, Merlin's victory. "Seriously," he said with a laugh.
He stared at the crystal and the destruction around him, before shaking his head and standing up, helping a slightly-shaky Merlin to his feet.
"Let's go," Arthur said, wrapping an arm around Merlin's shoulders and squeezing, before running off with Merlin in tow.
They came back to their original spot to see Madog and several of the knights roused up, Gaius tending to them. They all looked up as Arthur and Merlin approached, and Gaius stood up.
"Did it work...did you slay the sorcerer?" Gaius asked.
Merlin held up the crystal, while casting a wary glance towards the knights and crown prince of Camelot. "It worked!"
"Told you," Arthur said with a laugh.
There was silence in the courtyards for a moment, before the knights slowly started to cheer for Arthur and the slain sorcerer.
Madog stared silently between Arthur and Merlin.
~*~
Merlin sat back and listened as Gaius fudged and lied his way through the events to Uther, describing some (non magical) ritual to return Sigan and his magic to the crystal now sitting on the council table.
Merlin had tried to shift all the credit to Arthur for subduing the sorcerer, because Arthur never got credit, and maybe Merlin could finally do some good for him.
Except Arthur kept emphasizing that Merlin was the one who'd done various illogical things that logically resulted Sigan's demise.
Uther was smiling at them both, gratitude for Merlin and pride for Arthur, and Gaius shook his head fondly as Uther said, "Rest tonight, both of you. Once the city is healed, we will hold a feast in your honor."
Several people's brows rose - Uther almost never held feasts in Arthur's honor, this was reserved almost entirely for Madog - but Arthur was grinning like an idiot, and Madog's face was absolutely blank as he stared at his little brother.
"I can't believe it!" Arthur cried out in joy once they were back in his chambers. This time, he just held his arms out automatically for Merlin to help undress him. He didn't even glance to his side as his sword set to cleaning himself in front of the fireplace after the door was locked. "A feast - for me! And just me!"
Merlin grinned up at Arthur from where he was kneeling beside him, dealing with his belt. "I'm happy for you, sire."
"I think he may even end up reserving some honor for you," Arthur mused as he wandered a bit. "Maybe you'll even eat with us?"
Merlin snorted. "Yeah, right. Like the king will do anything for me. Maybe a toast - this feast is all about you. You deserve it. And - sit, for the boots."
Arthur sighed, suddenly deflating as he sat down, and Merlin frowned at that as he attacked laces. "That's just it, Merlin - I don't. I didn't do anything!"
"Arthur-"
"I just stood there waving my sword around while you fought in a battle for your soul. It's not...it's not fair!"
Merlin swallowed, setting side the boots carefully, before placing his hands on Arthur's knees, looking up into Arthur's eyes.
"I felt your hand on my shoulder," Merlin said. "When I was fighting Sigan. In my soul. I felt your hand, and I heard you encouraging me. It was...fighting for your soul is hard - especially in your own soul. It was...I think I may have truly lost myself if I didn't have your voice, and your hand, to anchor me. Without you, Sigan might have one - and with my power, Camelot would have fallen."
Arthur shut his eyes and sighed. "It's not fair," he said again.
"Maybe not, but it's not unfair, either," Merlin said. "You lose so much credit for your own work, it's time you got some back, no matter how roundabout."
Arthur sighed, reaching out to cup Merlin's cheek for a bit, before he gripped Merlin's shoulder like he did the knights. "My brother and I...whatever my father has against magic...my brother may believe in it...but I think he's more willing to change his mind. I...over time, I might be able to convince him. Enough that one day, you can take all the accolades you truly deserve. I promise you, one day, you can be proud of who you are and what you've done."
Merlin shook his head ruefully, a smile on his face, which brushed against against Arthur's arm. "I already am."
~*~
Uther didn't have Merlin eat as a guest at the feast, focusing most of his attention on Arthur.
In turn, Arthur made a toast to Merlin for his help.
Morgana and Gwen had fond and amused looks on their faces, Uther rolled his eyes, and Madog had quickly become drunk and was helped to his rooms by two guards and an old servant soon into the feast.
Uther didn't notice - he had all eyes on Arthur, and as Arthur basked in the glow of his father's pride, Merlin smiled at the look on Arthur's face.
~*~
Merlin watched as Arthur stomped into his tent sullenly. He was always sullen when the knights started training for any upcoming tournament.
"So," Merlin said. "Anything I should know about that squire with one eyebrow?" He asked, hoping to distract Arthur as he pulled off his armor.
"He lost the other eyebrow when he got too close to a fire and fell over," Arthur clipped. "He's even stupider than you. And on that note, I can see what you're doing, trying to distract me."
"I wasn't exactly trying to hide it," Merlin said, pulling the gauntlet off Arthur's arm. Continuing on, he said, "Would it really hurt to beat your brother just once?"
"It might," Arthur said. "In and of itself, it would be nothing, but in Court, it could start something, which could later become dangerous if nobles start causing trouble."
"So noble," Merlin muttered wryly. "Hasn't anyone else ever beaten your brother?"
"Once or twice," Arthur conceded, sitting down as Merlin fiddled with the chestpiece. "But seeing as they usually weren't rivals for the crown, it was not an issue."
Merlin sighed. "Just once," he said, as the pieces of armor started floating around and being polished. "You should win."
"I would like to, Merlin, believe me, but I'm not going to risk battle and strife in the future to satisfy my own wants, now."
Merlin really hated when Arthur got all noble like that. It almost made him feel bad for making fun of Arthur, some times.
"Isn't there any way?" Merlin asked. "Like...for you to win without causing strife? Maybe if people didn't know it was you? With those helmets and all..."
Arthur fell deep into thought.
~*~
"Father," Arthur said the next night at dinner. "I have heard some rumors of bandits moving in on the northern roads near Northumbria. May I take a few knights out to scout the area myself, see if this is true?"
"You would miss the tournament," Madog said.
"You're winning anyway," Arthur said. "I would do more good scouting out to see if the rumors are true, see if we need to take any action."
Merlin smiled encouragingly at him from where he was pouring wine for his father.
Uther sighed. "Even if you wouldn't have won, having you in the tournament would have been nice."
"I will be sorry to miss it, but my duties are of more weight," Arthur said. "Madog can remain behind to ensure the crown's good standing while I deal with the rumors, myself. If all goes well, it's just rumors."
"Yes, yes, do so," Uther said. "I trust you two can work out the contingent of knights to take?"
"I already have a list of a few who already do not plan to compete in the tournament," Arthur said. "As this is a scouting mission, selection of knights isn't crucial."
"Then I give my farewells, and hope that you're right, and it's nothing," Uther said.
Merlin grinned at him from behind the king as soon as Madog was turned away. Arthur smiled benignly back.
~*~
"I can't believe I'm going to be played by a peasant," Arthur grumbled as he watched Gwen coach Bill on how to be Sir William while helping him with the armor.
"Oh, come off it," Merlin murmured, fixing up Arthur's own armor automatically. "He's a good actor and you know it!"
Arthur sighed. "I know, I know, but still..."
Merlin stepped back a short time later and smiled at his handiwork and Arthur sidled up to the tent-flaps and peeked through the gap to focus on William, and yes, he was a good actor.
"You're up, soon," Gwen said to Arthur, holding out his helmet. "Good luck!"
And with that, she turned and left, heading towards the stands to sit beside Morgana.
Arthur stared out at the stands. It was going to be strange, fighting to win for once. He felt he was likely going to have to remind himself that he wasn't to be taking second place, this time. But in the worst case, he would get second place to Madog. In the best, he would get first.
He heard a pointed cough from behind him, and turned to see Merlin untying his neckerchief from about his neck. "Um...I was wondering..."
Arthur frowned. Why was Merlin blushing so much? Why was he holding out, offering, his neck scarf?
"Well, you know," he said. "Some knights...they wear...'favors' from their...from...well, you know...wear them, or take kisses, but..."
Arthur shut his eyes as he heard cheering come from the stands. One more round, then he'd be up.
"Favors come from betrothed or beloved," Arthur said quietly.
Merlin sighed again, clenching his fist around the soft material. "I...I know. And, I know that...you have trouble with this sort of...relationship. I'm not pushing into something you don't want. I was just...trying to wish you good luck? I thought you...I thought you might like it. If not-"
"Merlin," Arthur said, cutting Merlin off. "I...you know what I do. What my status is in this Court, in my father's eye."
"I don't care what else you do, Arthur!" Merlin said. "It doesn't matter to me."
"That's not it," Arthur said. "I just...I can't...I can't-"
"It's okay," Merlin reassured him. "Really, it is! I'm your friend, first and foremost, friend and loyal servant. Anything else...it's secondary."
Arthur smiled, before looking down at the red 'chief. Swallowing past nervousness that had nothing to do with the fact it was now his round, Arthur held out his arm and said, "Thank you."
The grin on Merlin's face was well worth the gesture as he tied the garment around his armor.
~*~
Arthur won each round with ease.
Merlin watched him from the gap in the tent, smiling every time he saw his prince, saw his red cloth, out on the lists.
"I'm winning!" Arthur cried out excitedly as he came into the tent. "I'm actually winning!"
Merlin grinned. "I never doubted that you would, sire."
~*~
Later on, Merlin watched, tense, waiting for the assassin's next move while fuming at Madog's influence over Arthur's life. King Odin's son has challenged the man when he was ill, and Arthur had fought in his stead as his champion. Odin's son had died, and now Odin wanted Arthur dead. Which made no sense at all, but all one had to do was look at Uther to know grief made no sense at all.
He snapped the assassin's strap during the joust, and watched in bizarre satisfaction as Arthur accidentally killed the man, and was there to help Arthur back into the tent.
"Just my brother after this," Arthur gasped out. Bill and Merlin looked on worriedly.
"Sire," Bill said. "You cannot joust in this condition-"
"I can, and I will!" Arthur growled.
Bill glanced at Merlin, who sighed. "I'll heal the wound as best as I can."
The farmer nodded, and Merlin peeled back parts of the hauberk to get at the wound. He used some wet cloth and a poultice for show, but it was mostly magic that healed it enough for Arthur to continue on.
He watched in worry as Arthur mounted the horse and took the lance.
He chewed his lip in nervousness as the two brothers charged at each other, lances at the read, determination to - almost - kill.
He cheered in delight when Arthur won with flying colors.
And inside the tent, he kissed Arthur's cheek in joy for the victory.
Once Arthur was seated and drinking water, and Bill, Arthur, and Merlin, were all grinning like mad, Merlin blushed. Arthur didn't notice.
"I won!" Arthur cried out, delirious with happiness despite the injury.
"You won," Bill said. "Shall you go out and take your glory, then, sire?"
"...no," Arthur said, shaking his head. "I just need to know I won. Tonight, you will feast with my father and brother, celebrated as one of the few men in the kingdom who can defeat my brother."
"But it was you!"
"I know - and that is good enough for me," Arthur said. "Feast tonight, and take the winnings tomorrow as payment. Thank you."
Bill smiled and bowed. "It's been an honor, my lord."
And with that, he became Sir William again, and left the tent to claim his prize.
Merlin smiled down at Arthur, who was leaning back in his chair with a rare look of content on his face.
"Thank you," Arthur said quietly. "For healing me...and helping me win."
"I didn't-" Arthur held up the arm where his neckerchief was tied. "...oh."
Arthur smiled, before his expression became sad, and he reached up to touch the spot on his cheek where Merlin had kissed him.
"Sorry about that," Merlin said sheepishly.
Arthur shook his head. "It's...it's all right. But Merlin - you mustn't fixate your affections on me, understand?"
"I...I know you-"
"No, Merlin," Arthur said, shutting his eyes. Merlin felt helpless to see the joy slip so easily off his prince's face. "I can't...I can't return the affections fully in kind. I don't have enough of me left to..."
"It doesn't matter," Merlin said, reaching up to brush sweaty hair from Arthur's forehead. "I don't mind. I...I love you, Arthur, and your body is not a part of that. It's the prat on the inside I care about, not the arse on the outside."
Arthur smiled, his eyes sad. "You might have to wait forever, Merlin. And I could never give myself to you completely - I have duties."
"I'm not a noble - I know how to share."
Arthur took in a deep, shuddery breath, his eyes fixed on Merlin's lips.
Merlin smiled and gently pressed his to Arthur's. Chaste and soft, Arthur was somewhat unfamiliar with it. But he deepened the kiss, before pulling back nervously.
"Would you believe me," Arthur said. "If I told you that after everything I've done, for my father and for the kingdom...I'm not entirely sure what to do? I...I usually just...do what others tell me to do, I never have to start anything myself...as if I ever would."
Merlin's heart ached for Arthur, but outside, he pressed a gentle kiss to Arthur's pointy nose and said, "It's okay. It doesn't matter. Just do what you want, Arthur - don't make me someone else you have to pleasure...I'm not. I'm not just another thing for you to get through, another ordeal to wait out. I'm just yours."
Arthur smiled, before leaning forward and pressing a quick kiss to Merlin, smiling in triumph when he pulled back, even more victory in his eyes than from his joust win.
"I've had a lot of people kiss me," Arthur said. "But...you're the first person I've...that was the first time I've kissed someone, myself."
Merlin grinned.
~*~
After Arthur lied his way through the courts, and 'Sir William' feasted as the hailed knight errant, the two were splayed out across Arthur's bed. Arthur's injuries were bandaged up, and he was relaxing, having been excused from the feast. Some servants had brought up several meals from the feast, and with the door locked and their bellies full of good wine and food, they lay out contentedly, their hands entwined as Merlin made lights and sparks dance against the backdrop of the dark canopy, the fire bright but the candles dim so Merlin's entertaining lights would shine best.
"I can't understand why my father hates magic so much," Arthur said. "I mean...I know it killed my mother...but...so many things could have killed her, and so many things kill people in general..."
Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand. "He's acting on rage and grief, not reason and logic."
"He's the king!" Arthur cried out, distressed, his free hand shooting up in wild gestures. "He shouldn't be acting on rage and grief!"
Merlin brought up Arthur's hand towards him and pressed his lips against Arthur's knuckles, which seemed to calm the prince a little. "But he is. Your brother is far more reasonable than him, and he will be a better king."
Arthur nodded, calmed by the idea. While Madog was often prone to his own temper, he was at least more open to reason than Uther-
KNOCK KNOCK
Both men jumped, and the lights above them immediately disappeared, just as they heard Madog's voice shout, "Open this door!"
Merlin leaped off the bed, while Arthur slowly pushed himself up to standing, and he looked up as Merlin unlocked and opened the door.
Madog strode in, still in his formal attire, completely ignoring Merlin as he went to stand by the table, looking Arthur up and down.
"Why aren't you at the feast?" Arthur asked, casual, but confrontation in his tone.
Madog stared at the wound on Arthur's shoulder, before slowly turning a suspicious glare on Arthur.
"Not much reason to stay...Sir William left early."
Merlin internally nodded to himself. Bill will have told everyone that he has ailing family and needs to go back to them immediately. A few quiet whispers among servants from Gwen will have most thinking that his family might be destitute, falling from monetary grace, and that is exactly what they would want to hear about a knight errant besting the crown prince in a joust.
"Really? Shame," Arthur said. "But why are you here, then, instead of your own rooms?"
Madog started pacing, predatory, around the table.
"You know...when I was jousting against Sir William, today, I noticed by the way he was holding the lance that his shoulder was injured...and I found it odd that he was perfectly fine at the feast."
Merlin swallowed, eyes wide, as Arthur calmly regarded his brother.
"...what the hell did you think you were doing?" Madog asked, growling from his spot by the fireplace.
Arthur, for his part, didn't even bother pretending.
"I wanted to prove I could win," Arthur said. "I have always had to let you win for the good of the family, of Camelot. We both know I'm better than you...I just wanted a chance to prove it."
"By having everyone think I've been bested by a knight-errant?!" Madog shouted, whirling around to slam his fist onto the table, making the cutlery and food on the table jump.
"That...was not my intention," Arthur said. "I simply wanted to win, without necessitating a split in the court."
"And you spared no thought for how this would affect me? My role as the leading knight?"
"You've been beaten before!" Arthur said. "It doesn't matter, it's not like the knighthood will suddenly listen to someone else! They know that we're the best leaders, the best knights in general-"
"But my standing is no longer absolute!"
There was a tense silence.
"Is that all you care about?" Arthur asked quietly. "It's not good enough to have the knights' respect, or the Courts'?"
"No, it isn't," Madog said, turning and glaring at Arthur. "If it is for you, then I'm surprised you ever managed to reach the level of skill that you have!"
"I'm good at being knight because I care more about my performance than what others think of me," Arthur snapped.
"Don't you dare accuse me of-"
"I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm just saying things as they are-"
"Arthur!" Merlin cried out when Madog whirled and launched a fist at Arthur, landing a strike on his cheek and sending him sprawling back onto his bed.
Merlin sped forward as Madog climbed on top of Arthur, but Arthur shouted, "Stay back!" at Merlin, and Merlin froze, hesitant, as the two brothers struggled on the bed.
He moved forward again, though, when he saw blood spread across Arthur's bandages, then his shirt, and saw it on Madog's hand, when the wound reopened.
He stepped in between and pulled Arthur away, before putting himself in between the two as a shield.
"Sires," Merlin said almost breathlessly. "You will hurt each other badly if you fight like this!"
"Stay out of this, Merlin," Arthur growled.
"You're bleeding!"
Arthur looked down at his shoulder, and Merlin could see Madog looking down at his bloodied hand in his peripheral vision.
"See?" Merlin said. "So...please, at least don't fight tonight, when you two will do more harm to each other's bodies with little good to your own egos?"
The men glared at each other, but as they had mentioned that very night...Madog was open to reason, and with a huff of fury and disdain towards Arthur, he stormed out and left.
They waited a few moments, then Merlin closed the door, and locked it, and turned back to see Arthur staring at the fire, frustrated anger simmering on his face.
He dismissed Merlin, and went to bed.
~*~
Next Chapter >>
Master Post