Archive of Our Own ^beta

Anyone who worked in the palace, or around the palace, knew the rules. They were unspoken, of course, but everyone followed them, servants, knights, and even nobles alike. They were pretty simple, as far as rules go, but adhered too more than many of Camelot’s laws.

Most newcomers learnt the rules swiftly just by observing the people around them, but every so often there were those that had their heads shoved so far up their own arses that they lacked the ability to see. And hear. And otherwise use their brains.

Luckily for them, there were many people who would happily inform them of their mistakes.

<< 1 >>

It had been a perfectly ordinary day for Sir Leon. He’d trained in the morning with the other knights, and had spent the afternoon in the council chamber, at his place at the round table. No attacks, no threats of attacks, not even extra training because the King felt like it. An ordinary day.

Leon hadn’t had one of those in a very long time.

He didn’t even have patrol tonight, because he switched shifts with Elyan so that his friend could sneak off to meet with his secret lady-friend. He had the evening free. He laughed to himself as he walked through Camelot’s hallways, making his way to the stables. What better way to end a good day than with an evening ride on his favourite mare?

Not that he would ever admit it to the other knights, but Leon had a real soft spot for the beautiful black mare he called Nicker. He didn’t know her actual name, but she always nickered when she saw him, so he thought it would do just fine. She was lovely: Friendly, and docile all the way up until you released her reins in a clearing and she’d launch herself into a gallop, racing the wind. Leon thought she liked to feel like she was flying, and he decidedly liked it too.

He’d even gone to the kitchens and asked the cook for an apple to treat her.

Leon was on his way to Nicker’s stall when he heard voices coming from inside the part of the stable reserved for the king’s horses.

“You should remember your place, boy.” A harsh voice spat. “I’d hate to have to remind you.” Leon heard a thud, as if someone had been thrown against a wall. There were no other words for a second, before the severe sound of a strike of skin against skin echoed through the stable.

“Yes, my lord.”

It only took those two words in a familiar voice to have Leon storming into the other side of the stable, sword drawn and eyes blazing. Never had he heard that voice so… subservient. Even when Uther had been alive.

Sure enough, when Leon entered, he found Merlin pinned between the stable wall and another man. He grabbed the man by his chainmail hood and yanked him off Merlin. He looked as if he were about to strike Leon too until recognition lit in his eyes. This was one of the knights-in-training that Leon had taken over training when he assumed the position of First Knight.

Leon forced the man too his knees, his sword still drawn. Only then did he look over to Merlin, who had scrambled his way to Leon’s shoulder. He had a bleeding lip, and the red burn of a handprint was beginning to show on the side of his face.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Leon.” Merlin said. He mustn’t have looked very convinced because Merlin continued. “I’m fine, really. I was out of line.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Merlin. He struck you. Any man who strikes at a servant is unfit to become a knight.”

“The king will be hearing about this!” The man – Gideon, Leon remembered – was saying. “No servant should refuse a noble or knight his services. If I ask him to repair my stirrup straps, then he shuts up and repairs them!”

“I’m the King’s manservant. I only work for Arthur. Not the nobles, and not the knights.” Merlin snapped, finally sounding like himself again. “Now. If you don’t mind, I have to fetch his dinner. As I was trying to explain before.” Leon clapped him on the shoulder.

“I’ll take care of this one.”

Merlin met Leon’s eyes in silent thanks and nodded before leaving the stables. Leon sighed. So much for his peaceful evening ride.

“You really allow servants to talk back to their superiors?” He was shocked Gideon still had the audacity to speak.

“We treat everyone as people. With respect. Which you should have known considering you were training to be a knight of Camelot. I can tell you right now, that you no longer have that opportunity. And when the king finds out what happened, I doubt you’ll still be allowed through the city gates.”

Gideon tried to get up, but Leon forced him back down.

“This is ridiculous.” He spat. “I’ve seen the other knights disciplining the servants. They’re still knights.”

“Never have any of our knights struck a servant, to do so is grounds for expulsion from the ranks. You also had the misfortune of choosing Merlin as your punching bag. If you had half a wit about you, then you should have realised what that meant.”

“The boy’s a servant. He’s nothing compared to us.” Gideon sneered.

“He’s more of a man than you ever will be, and everyone knows that anyone who lays so much as a finger on Merlin is immediately at the King’s, and the knights’, mercy.”

Leon ended up locking Gideon in the stocks overnight. As First Knight he had the authority to do so, but hadn’t used it until now. He felt no pity when it began to rain.

~*~

The next morning, Leon returned to the stables to give Nicker the apple she missed out on the night before, where he ran into Merlin again. He was relieved to see there was minimal damage to his face, only a split lip.

“Good morning, Merlin.”

“Hi Leon, I- I just wanted to thank you for yesterday.”

“It was no problem, and I’m sure you would have taken care of it if I hadn’t arrived. What with your uncanny ability to escape unharmed from nearly any situation.”

That made Merlin smile.

“Yes, well, thank you anyway. I was also wondering if you could possibly… not tell Arthur about it?”

Leon frowned. “Why?”

“It’s just he’s so busy, and I wouldn’t want him to fret over it.”

“Merlin, I really think he should kno-”

“Please? I’m asking you as a friend.” Merlin stared up at him, and Leon felt he had no choice but to relent. He sighed.

“If that’s what you want, I won’t tell him. But if anything like it happens again…”

“Yes yes. I’ll tell him if it happens again. Thank you, Leon!” Merlin drew him in for a swift hug before exiting the stable. He was an odd one, Leon thought as he ran his hand down Nicker’s dark neck. She nickered, and he smiled softly.

With his bright smiles and easy affection, it really was no wonder why the first of Camelot’s unspoken rules was that no one was to do anything to hurt Merlin, ever.

<< 2 >>

Gwaine wouldn’t call himself an expert in many things. Sure, he was good with a sword, and he was pretty good at being the comedic relief among his friends, but if there was anything that Gwaine knew he was unquestionably good at, it was flirting.

Man or woman, Gwaine had no doubts he’d the ability to charm his way into their hearts, and hopefully their pants, too. If he was lucky, they might be so charmed that they buy him enough drinks at the Rising Sun to forget who he actually wanted to seduce. But never mind that.

As a master of the art, he was also unusually good at detecting the flirtations, sexual tension, and hidden motives of the people around him. It was the reason why he could never be alone with Merlin and Arthur – ever since their group escapade to the Perilous Lands, Gwaine had been one loaded comment paired with intense eye contact away from locking them both in a broom closet and waiting until they resolved some of the said sexual tension.

Honestly.

If they wouldn’t think about themselves, then they surely could consider how their dancing around one another affected the people around them, Gwaine specifically.

This became especially true under certain circumstances. Through his years in Camelot, Gwaine had learnt that there was nothing that could be worse than a jealous king. He’d done his fair share of flirting with Merlin, but after the first few beatings, the King had obviously wrapped his thick head around the fact that Gwaine wasn’t seriously interested in Merlin that way.

However, Camelot’s newcomers – many of whom had an appreciation for Merlin’s prettiness – did not have the advantage of being one of the kings’ closest mates (no matter how much Princess denies it), and as such they often found themselves out of favour with their majesty. That usually led to them leaving or finding someone new to turn their attentions towards.

This time, however, was different, because Merlin was interested back.

Gwaine was on his way to the kitchen when he first heard Merlin’s familiar chuckle accompanied by another, decidedly less familiar laugh. He might have kept walking if he hadn’t happened to overhear the following conversation.

“I was wondering if you’d like to come with me to the tavern later… so that we might get to enjoy each other’s company a little longer?”

“I... er... I’d love that, actually.”

“That’s great! I’ll stop by Gaius’ chambers to meet you?”

“Yes! After supper?”

“It’s a date.”

A date? This did not bode well for anyone. Certainly, Arthur would find out and the entire kingdom would have hell to pay for their King’s jealous rage. Gwaine was already grimacing at the thought of how his entire body would be aching by this time tomorrow that he didn’t even notice Merlin stepping out of the alcove.

“Gwaine! What are you doing here!” Gwaine snapped out of his thoughts at the sight of Merlin, and over his shoulder, a serving boy walking down the hall.

“I heading to the kitchens until I happened upon you. Hot date tonight?” He plastered his best smirk on his face. It only widened into a grin at the redness growing on his mate’s cheeks. “I’ll take that as a yes. Come on then, what’s the lucky man’s name?”

Merlin rolled his eyes, but he smiled when he spoke. “His name is Edric, and he’s just arrived in Camelot. His aunt got him a job in the castle.”

“Hm. Edric. Tell me mate, what does he have that I don’t?”

Merlin laughed. “Honourable intentions, for one.”

“Oh, I doubt that. Didn’t you hear him say he wanted to ‘enjoy your company’?” If Merlin had been bright red before, he was now a rather painful looking shade of crimson. Gwaine lived off embarrassing his friends.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop, you know.”

“I’m sorry you mistook me for polite.” He flashed Merlin his smile once more before continuing to the kitchens. The cook fancied him, so he knew he could snatch a few of those delicious apple tarts before they were shipped off to feed an ungrateful king without getting in too much trouble.

It wasn’t until later that evening when he was doing guard duty outside Arthur’s chambers that he thought about Merlin’s date again. To be completely honest, he’d nearly forgotten about it, what with the kitchens and all. Until he heard a typical roar from inside the door.

“MERLIN!” The shout was quickly followed by Arthur, who was wearing an odd ensemble of formal breeches and a loose white sleep shirt. He looked quite dishevelled for a King. He stormed into the hallway. “Where is my idiot of a manservant!” He demanded. The other guard looked at Gwaine before answering.

“I believe he is in the tavern, sire.”

“Of course he bloody is. I’ve had enough. Gwaine, you’re to accompany me to the tavern. Merlin cannot just take time off when I told him he couldn’t.” Arthur sighed angrily and made down the corridor. “Gwaine. I said you were coming with me. Now.” He called.

“I’m coming, Princess, hell.” Gwaine said before jogging to catch up with the King.

 He followed him as he stomped all the way through the castle and out of the gates, ignoring any stares. They were only a few minutes from The Rising Sun when Gwaine spoke next.

“I don’t understand why you can’t give him one night off. He’s got a date. He never has dates. Why can’t you let him have some fun occasionally?”

Arthur stopped in his tracks momentarily before continuing. Perhaps with a little more stomp than before. “Because he’s my servant and it’s his job”

“He’s allowed to have a life outside of you.” Arthur didn’t respond. “Besides, a little romance is good for a man.” Gwaine was feeling particularly brave tonight, and he knew seeing his King’s jealousy would be well worth the next week’s bruises.

“Who is the girl?” Arthur had stopped and turned to look at Gwaine, his head still held high.

“You should stop assuming all men like girls.” Was all Gwaine deigned to say. He didn’t have anything against poor Edric to warrant setting the King loose on him. Arthur harrumphed and resumed walking. When they reached the tavern, they found him and Edric sitting very close together with a tankard of mead each. Merlin’s eyes widened (Gwaine thought it was fear) when he saw them.

Arthur stormed over to him and grabbed him by the ear.

“Just what do you think you’re doing here?”

“Ow! Let me go! Arthur!” Merlin cried

“Sire-” It was Edric that spoke. Gwaine didn’t know whether to applaud the man for his bravery or cuff him over the head for his stupidity. Surely he could see the anger on the King’s face?

He was lucky that Arthur ignored him in favour of growling at Merlin. “You are coming back with me, where you will do your job. Tomorrow, you can clean the stables. And not just mine – I’m sure all of the knights would appreciate you mucking out their horses.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!”

Arthur only yanked him to his feet by the ear and dragged him out of the bustling room, which had gone a little quiet. Gwaine sat down next to Edric.

“You really should have seen that coming.”

“Excuse me?” Gwaine looked over at the boy. He supposed he could see why Merlin liked him – he did have very pretty green eyes. Edric only looked pale.

“Gwaine.” He put out his hand, and the serving boy shook it tentatively. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You have lovely eyes.” Edric blushed a little but seemed to relax.

“Edric. A pleasure to meet you too. If you don’t mind me asking, what just happened?”

Gwaine laughed. “I know you haven’t been here long, mate, but you should know that the King has quite the jealous streak.”

Edric frowned. “I thought Merlin was his manservant?”

“They’re far more than that. But don’t take it to heart. I would stay out of the King’s way, though. He can be a real pain, especially since Merlin actually likes you.”

~*~

Gwaine and Edric ended up having a few more tankards before Gwaine returned to his post at Arthur’s door, well past midnight. Luckily for him, a few tankards weren’t enough to incapacitate him too much. Built immunity, you see.

When he arrived, he could hear shouts still coming from inside the royal chambers. He leant his head against the wall. It was going to be a long wait for his shift to end. Then, the yelling stopped. Gwaine frowned at the wall. Then, the silence was filled with a rather loud moan.

If Gwaine, in his slight stupor, did a small happy dance at the sound and its implications – well his fellow guard wasn’t going to tell anybody. Perhaps more people should break the rules and pursue Merlin in the future, because it certainly turned out a good outcome this time.

<< 3 >>

“Merlin! Where are you!” Lancelot shouted into the woods. When there was no response, he turned to look at the other knights on patrol.

“There’s no sign of the King.” Another knight reported. When Lancelot saw Percival’s face, he knew he wasn’t alone in his slight annoyance. Really. He was a knight, not a child-sitter for two grown men.

Lancelot had dreamt about being a knight for as long as he could remember – had spent his childhood wishing on dandelion seeds after practicing swordplay with the blacksmith’s son and wishing on the stars with his mother once the sun had set.

He’d dreamt of fighting bandits and beasts and evil. And sure, he did do that, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t spend most of his time running after the King and his manservant, because no matter how average the day or how peaceful the time, something always went wrong when they came along.

“We should split up to search – we’ll cover more ground that way.” Said one of the knights. They all agreed. Percival nudged Lancelot with his shoulder in a ‘here we go again’ look in his eyes before he trudged off into the surrounding woods.

Lancelot mounted his horse, when he noticed two of the knights – Sirs Brennis and Caradoc – leaving together. They were newer knights, although not young, and had been known to be troublesome. Stuck in the old ways. Lancelot couldn’t imagine what they would do should they find Merlin using his magic, so he thought it best if he kept an eye on them. Far enough so that they couldn’t see him, but close enough that the wind carried their voices just enough for Lancelot to listen in to their conversation and keep them in sight, he trailed them.

They were discoursing the last few morning’s particularly rigorous training routines (in which Gwaine had had a strange gleam in his eye throughout) and Lancelot had been absentmindedly listening as he searched the forest floor for footprints and scraps of clothing when their conversation switched to the king.

“He only trains with us when he’s in a sour mood.” Said Sir Brennis

“His useless servant is to blame. The King’s always in a worse mood when he doesn’t show to squire for him.”

“Why he keeps the simpleton in his pay roll is a mystery. Just the other day, the King was dressed with his tunic inside out!”

Sir Caradoc hummed in agreement. “If I were his master, he’d be well acquainted with my boot.”

“Especially with his mouth – he called the King a clot-stick or some other outrageous insult! He should be well acquainted with much more than a boot! A belt perhaps…”

“Why the King brings him everywhere is far beyond my imaginings. Could you imagine having a servant who refuses to show any respect?"

“I’ve heard rumours that the King keeps him around to warm his bed.” Sir Brennis said while nodding.

“Even that doesn’t make sense. Marlin – is that his name? – is all gangly limbs and ears. What on earth does he see in him?”

“What would you know of the King’s night-time preferences? Maybe he prefers his men as cowards. We all see Marlin hiding in the trees when there’s an attack.” They both chortled, and Lancelot bristled. He hated when people called Merlin a coward. If there was one thing he wasn’t, it was a coward.

“Cowards and idiots, it would appear.” They continued to laugh. If Arthur had been listening, Lancelot had no doubt that these two would be on their way to a border town by the time the sun rose tomorrow, what with their discussion of the King’s night life and their insults to Merlin.

But alas, he wasn’t. Although that didn’t mean Lancelot wasn’t as fierce a protector. Not that Merlin needed protecting. Except that he did. (He’s just so small and kind… and without any regard for social status– it gets him into trouble.)

Lancelot pushed his horse forward, until he crashed out of the trees and into the path of the two knights.

“Sir Lancelot?” Sir Brennis asked.

“Afternoon, men. I wasn’t aware you were also searching this area of the woods.”

“We have yet to see sign of the King.” Said Sir Caradoc. Lancelot nodded.

“Perhaps if you spent more time searching for him than you did discussing his majesty’s night life and disrespecting Merlin, who is braver than anyone gives him credit for and certainly braver than the two of you, you might have noticed the red scrap caught in that branch.” Lancelot paused his scolding to point out where the fabric was caught. “It would appear to have come from the King’s cloak, if I’m not mistaken.”

The two knights had looks of slight embarrassment tinging their faces. Neither said anything, and Lancelot continued to stare at them with one eyebrow raised – a skill he had learnt from Gaius. Sir Brennis opened his mouth, as if to speak, when two familiar voices came from the bushes.

“Ow! Honestly, Merlin, you’d think with all the time you spend collecting herbs in these woods, you’d manage to walk me through them without horrifically disfiguring me.”

“Yeah? Maybe if you stopped eating so much, you’d be able to fit between the branches!”

All three knights heard the yelp that sounded through the trees after that comment. Then everything went quiet. Lancelot dismounted and was on his way towards the voices when he found himself at sword point.

“Gods, Arthur, its Lancelot. You don’t need to try and stab everything you see, you brute. Didn’t your nursemaids ever teach you to use your words?”

“Shut up, Merlin.” The king said, sheathing his sword. “Apologies, Lancelot. I didn’t recognise you.”

“No harm done.” Lancelot took a moment to absorb their appearances. Both men looked quite dishevelled, had messy hair with leaves unceremoniously tangled throughout, and clothes covered in dirt. Arthur did indeed have a tear in his cloak.

If Lancelot noticed their swollen lips and the slight tint on their cheeks, he wasn’t inclined to mention it when he saw the King glaring at him. He cleared his throat, but it was Sir Brennis who spoke first.

“The entire patrol is out looking for you, my lord.”

“I was… investigating… something.”

“Of course, sire.”

“Allow me to offer you my horse, your majesty.” Said Sir Caradoc, already getting off. Arthur nodded and took the reins from him. Then he looked at Merlin with a grin Lancelot knew was reserved only for his manservant.

“You can walk, Merlin. Consider it discipline.” Merlin grumbled and walked next to the horse’s shoulder.

“Watch out, sire, or I’ll tell your knights that I was teaching you some poetry.” He said quietly, so that only Arthur could hear him. (And Lancelot, but they didn’t need to know that.)

“You wouldn’t.”

Lancelot chuckled silently from behind them as they began making their way back to Camelot. Leon had told him what poetry meant. Then he caught sight of the two other knights exchanging dirty looks. When they all got home, and Merlin and the King had retired to the royal chambers, Lancelot pulled them to the side.

“I know you’re new to Camelot, so I’ll warn you instead of reporting you, but the next time anyone hears you speaking of Merlin with any disrespect, you will face much worse than a slightly more draining training session. The king’s wrath is not something to be taken lightly.” He growled.

Caradoc scoffed, but with one more dark look from Lancelot he shut up. Everyone in Camelot knew that not one word that disrespected Merlin should be spoken. No matter how mild they may be.

<< 4 >>

Having spent most of her life mingling with Camelot’s nobility, Lady Morgana was definitely not a stranger to rumours. She had spent many years listening to them, spreading them, stopping them, and on occasion, starting them. (In her defence, Lady Winifred had been horribly rude to Gwen, and if the rest of the visiting ladies had suddenly been notified of the several large warts Winnie had on her feet, well, Morgana had no regrets.)

She was sitting near the hearth in her drawing room reading a spectacularly romantic book when Gwen entered the room, slightly out of breath.

“What is it, Gwen?”

“I heard the laundresses talking, and apparently there’s a new rumour spreading through the Ladies. I was wondering if you knew anything about it?”

Morgana frowned. She hadn’t left her rooms much in the past few days, feeling a little ill from her monthly cycle, so she was slightly behind on the current castle gossip. Thank god she had Gwen to keep her up to date.

“No, what does it say?”

“It’s about Arthur and… and Merlin, my lady.”

“Morgana.” She corrected with a tsk. “And what do they say this time?”

“Morgana. Someone has spread awful talk slandering the King, saying that he won’t marry because he’s to busy… well, with his manservant. Merlin. I know this is far from the first surrounding them, but it’s never been spoken amongst the nobility.”

Morgana shut her book with a snap. “You are right of course. I’ve only ever heard the servants talk about my brother’s relationship with Merlin, never any of the Lords and Ladies.”

“I was just thinking it could cause issues with potential alliances.” Gwen said.

“It could yes. Arthur does use the promise of marriage to begin many talks.” Morgana contemplated it for a second. “Could you prepare me for court, Gwen?”

“Of course. Are we going to do anything about the rumours?” Morgana gave her a sly smile.

“It would be better to nip the talk at the bud. Do you have any ideas?”

“I can divert the servants’ attentions from it. I’ll simply say that Merlin and I are courting. I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“And I’ll handle the nobles. You do make the best co-conspirator, Gwen.” Gwen smiled up at her, and Morgana leaned down to gently brush her lips against hers. Gwen kissed her back for a second before pulling away and making for the wardrobe.

“Would you prefer the red or green gown?”

“You decide.”

~*~

When Morgana slammed open the doors to the dining hall, most everyone stopped to look at her, regardless that the feast had already begun. Gwen had decided on the red gown with gold accents to match her jewellery, and Morgana knew she looked every bit the princess she was not by title, but by blood. She would ask Arthur for that promotion eventually.

She smiled at her brother before taking a seat surrounded by eight of the court Ladies.

“Lady Morgana! You look stunning, as always.” Said Lady Elodie.

“Thank you, as do you all.” She gave a gracious smile, and the group resumed their chattering.

“Certainly you must know why the King has not married yet, Lady Morgana.” One of the women said.

She smiled. Finally. “His majesty wants to marry for love, not strategy. He is simply waiting for the right woman.”

They all nodded before one of the younger Ladies said, “Have you not heard the rumours of him and his manservant?” As a group they all looked over to the head of the table. Morgana, too, peered with them.

Of course, they had to be engaged in one of those ridiculously closed quarters staring match. Way to prove a point.

“Who told you of such rumours?” Morgana asked.

“Lady Kate told me.”

“I was told by Lady Ashley.” Said Kate.

Ashley shrugged. “Lady Felicity was the first I heard of it, and she heard from her maidservant.”

“Yes, I heard from Lady Felicity as well.” Elodie said.

The newly wed Lady Felicity sat nearly opposite to Morgana, and she probably regretting choosing such a seat when she was levelled by one of Morgana’s dark stares. She didn’t break eye contact when she spoke.

“It isn’t comely for a lady to spread falsehoods, Felicity.” Morgana heard a nearby gasp when she dropped the title. “What of my poor dear brother? If such talk spread, it could hold back the King’s potential brides, and leave him with less opportunity to find a woman he loves.”

“I meant no harm, my lady, truly.” She sounded like a scolded child. Morgana only gave her a small but poisonous smile.

“Maybe, but you should consider your actions more carefully in the future. You wouldn’t want word of your talk to get back to his Majesty.”

“Of course not.”

“Excellent. I’m glad you understand me.” Morgana paused and looked at the other ladies who had fallen silent around her. “Besides, my poor Lady’s maid was terribly upset by the rumour, she and Merlin, the manservant, have been courting for months! There should be an engagement soon, I believe.”

“Oh! Speaking of engagements, my younger sister has recently gotten engaged to Lord Bronston!” Lady Elodie cried. “I’ve been trying to keep it a secret, but I simply cannot for any longer!” Soon they were all talking of Lord Bronston, who had been proclaimed the most eligible. Morgana too joined in with the conversation.

~*~

Later, when Morgana had returned to her rooms, Gwen entered in a huff once more. “Honestly, my Lady.”

“Morgana.” How Gwen kept forgetting to call her by her name even after half a year since the beginning of their relationship, Morgana had no idea.

“Morgana. I managed to spread through the servants that I was involved with Merlin, like we discussed, and I thought I had been rather successful. I went to inform him so that he didn’t find out from the talk, and guess what I found?”

“Arthur snogging him senseless in a very public corridor?”

“Arthur- Yes. Did you see them too?”

“On my way to my rooms.” She nodded with a snicker. “They really should take lessons from us on discretion, my dearest Gwen.”

Gwen grinned back up at her. “They most definitely should. Maybe then we wouldn’t have to stop the rumours.”

“Maybe next time we won’t.”

Maybe next time, someone would inform the offending party that if the King got word of the rumours of him and Merlin, there would little anybody could do to stop the consequences. It was a simple rule, really - don’t question the King’s relationship with his manservant, because you probably won’t like the answer.

<< +1 >>

Arthur woke up in a good mood, for the first time in quite a while. He was even inclined to call off the morning training with his knights. It’s quite pleasant, waking up later than usual with the sun streaming through the light curtains, and without an annoying manservant ripping the covers off him. Even more pleasant was the fact that said annoying manservant was asleep on Arthur’s bare chest, still snoring lightly.

Yes, cancelling training was looking like an increasingly good idea, if only so he did not have to move and wake his bed mate.

Merlin groaned, nuzzling his face closer into Arthur’s neck. He smiled and planted a soft kiss into Merlin’s hair. “Good morning, Merlin.”

His only answer came in the form of unintelligible grumbling.

“And you called me possessive. You didn’t let me turn all night!”

Merlin lifted his head, all his morning bleariness chased away by his indignation. “You clung to me all night, you cabbage head! You are the possessive one.”

Arthur rolled them over, so that he was on top of Merlin. He smiled down at him. “I’m the King. I can be possessive of my lover if I want.”

“I’m sure poor Edric wouldn’t agree. And your lover?” Merlin lifted an eyebrow, and Arthur leaned down to pepper kisses along his neck.

“Isn’t that what you are? I love you and you love me.” He said against his neck. “Unless you’d prefer to be my mistress.”

“I suppose lover will do.”

“Until you become my Prince Consort.”

“Is that a proposal, my lord?” Merlin said lazily.

“No. You’ll have to propose to me first.”

Merlin laughed and pulled Arthur’s head up to press their lips together in a slow kiss. Arthur definitely didn’t want to get out of bed. “In that case, you’ll never know when to expect it. Today, perhaps. Or maybe next year. Maybe in ten years.”

“If you make me wait ten years, Merlin, I’ll say no.”

“Of course you will.” Said Merlin, who looked like he did not believe one word. (And he shouldn’t, Arthur would say yes if he had to wait until his dying day). With one last kiss and a sigh, Merlin pushed Arthur off of him, and started to get out of bed.

“Morgana and Gwen saw us in the hall last night.” Said Merlin as he dressed. Arthur laid back against the pillows.

“Yes. They’re both going to scold us today. Be prepared.”

Merlin snorted, and then there was a knock on the door. He finished tying his neck scarf and opened it to a maid, who held the King’s breakfast.

“Oh! Merlin, I thought you were away!”

“No, just late. I’m sorry you had to bring it all the way up here.”

“It was no problem. And congratulations on your engagement to Gwen, by the way, the entire castle is talking about it!” She spoke the last part hushed, so that the King wouldn’t hear. Merlin looked entirely blank.

“My engagement?”

“I do hope you have a public wedding! Anyways, I need to go. Congratulations again!” the maid said before hurrying back down the hall. Merlin turned to Arthur.

“Apparently the entire castle thinks I’m engaged to Gwen.”

Arthur looked just as confused as Merlin did.

~*~

Arthur was on his throne listening to petitions when one of his knights stormed into the room, red cloak billowing behind him. Sir Caradoc, he recognised him as. Following was a younger boy, who’s name Arthur didn’t know but he did recognise the face.

“Your Majesty,” Sir Caradoc bowed.

“Sir Caradoc.” He acknowledged.

“My lord, I apologise for interrupting, but a matter of great urgency has come up, a servant has been caught using magic in the castle!”

Arthur just raised an eyebrow. Most everyone knew that while he hadn’t yet repealed the ban, he had not persecuted harmless magic for a long while. But, he supposed, Sir Caradoc was one of his father’s knights, and had only recently returned to Camelot.

“I understand you haven’t been here long, but I have no-” Arthur was cut off by the boy who’d been behind his knight. He frowned, only Merlin ever cut him off.

“The boy! Your manservant! I saw him using magic in the armoury, with swords in the air! Sire, he’s a sorcerer, he’s evi-”

Arthur leapt to his feet on the dais, but Leon grabbed his arm before he could start shouting.

“The boy – Gideon – he has a grudge against Merlin.” Leon spoke quietly, so only the closest guards could hear. “Sire, I caught him assaulting him a few weeks ago and imm-”

“You caught him what?” Leon stopped talking. He’d said what he needed to.

“Where’s Merlin!” Arthur roared, and soon another knight, Sir Brennis, brought in Merlin, who was struggling against some ropes that tied his hands behind his back.

Arthur had his sword in his hand and stormed across the great hall. He cut the ropes holding Merlin before shoving his sword into Lancelot’s waiting hands. He thought the knight said something quietly, but Arthur was blind with rage. He grabbed the accusing boy by the collar of his shirt.

“Merlin is not evil.” He spat. Then, Arthur did the unexpected and laughed. “Do you really think that I didn’t know? That he hadn’t told me?” The king took a step back to address the other two knights.

“Merlin is a better person than most people in this room, he is a better person than me, and he is a much better person than you. And you will apologise.” Arthur hissed.

They all looked pale, and everyone was quiet.

“I said, apologise.”

“I apologise.” They all muttered, bowing their heads. Arthur was trying to fight the urge to hand them a shining death sentence. Then he felt a hand on his arm, and when he snapped his head around he saw Merlin, with his dishevelled hair and blue eyes that stared into his.

Arthur searched them as the room fell away from him. Merlin’s hand slid from his shoulder into his own hand and entwined their fingers. Arthur followed Merlin as he led them both back to the dais. With Merlin’s touch, Arthur composed himself, grounded himself in his lover’s grasp.

He took a deep breath.

“You,” he looked at Gideon. “will spend a night in the dungeon for insulting the King. Then, I’d stay as far from my sight as you can. Sirs Caradoc and Brennis, you will head an outpost along Lot’s border. You will leave my kingdom by sundown tomorrow. Gather your things.”

With that, he exited the room, his hand still entwined with Merlin’s. Let the nobles speak. He was king, and he would do what he pleases. In the corner of his eye, he saw Morgana step up to the dais and call up the next petitioner.

“Don’t you think you overreacted just a little bit?” said Merlin once they were alone. His tone was chastising.

“Probably. But you were arrested. And Leon told me that the boy hurt you. Why didn’t you tell me that?”

Merlin sighed.

“Because I knew you’d react like this. Arthur, you’re king. People can’t see you acting like that for me. As far as they know, I’m just your manservant.”

Arthur pulled Merlin close. “Then let them know. I love you, Merlin, I would give you the world, if I could.”

“You are my world.” Merlin kissed him softly before pulling away and leaving him. “I’ll see you for dinner, sire.” Merlin called over his shoulder, and the King smiled before making his own way to the library. Geoffrey rose when he saw him.

“Geoffrey. I require any books you have that may be of use in repealing the ban on magic, as well as any records you have of past kings marrying a prince consort.

“Certainly sire.”

<<>> 

(Merlin proposed the day Arthur announced that the ban on magic had been lifted, on the royal balcony in front of the entire courtyard of people. Arthur kissed him and said yes. It really was a grand affair, fit for a king… and his court sorcerer)